The Rev. R. T. Lowe 07i the Fishes of Madeira. 409 



occurred. The whole fish is of a dark coffee colour, approaching to 

 black, and has in form so close a general resemblance to Lepidopus 

 argyreus, Cuv., that it might well be taken hastily for a mere variety 

 of that fish. 



Tetragonurus atlanticus, nob. 



Differs from T. Cuvieri, Cuv. and Val., XI. 172. t. 318. chiefly in 

 the longer head, much larger eye (nearly twice as large in proportion 

 to the whole length), greater width between the eyes, teeth twice 

 as numerous, in the upper jaw ; thicker body, longer pectoral fins, 

 higher (twice as high) first dorsal fin, and inequality of its spines. 

 Having, however, seen only a single individual, I forbear to; charac- 

 terize it more distinctly ; especially since of T. Cuvieri so few ex- 

 amples have as yet occurred ; and that even MM. Cuvier and Va- 

 lenciennes appear to have taken their figure from one which was im- 

 perfect in the caudal fin at least. The first dorsal fin is described 

 by MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes as having fifteen spines ; but 

 twenty-one are figured in the plate. 



The following is' the fin-formula of T. Cuvieri, according to Risso ; 

 and MM. Cuv. and Val. : 



"1st. D. 18; 2nd. D. 1, 12; A. 1, 11 ; P. 16; V. 1,5; C. 36/* 

 — Risso Hist. 



"lst.D.|^2Vhi*fig!'}2nd.D. 1 + 13; A. 12; P?; V?; C?; B. 



M. 5."— Cuv. and Val. Hist. 

 That of T. atlanticus, nob. is 

 lst,D.15; 2nd.D. 11; A. 11.; P. 16; V. 1 + 5 ; C. ^ + ^||^- ; 



B. M. 5. 



The true affinities of this fish are certainly rather to be sought 

 among the Mackerels (e. g. Thyrsites') than the Mullets. Its relation 

 to the Mugilidce is, indeed, one merely of a faint analogy. 



Xiphias gladius, L. — " Peixe Agulha." 



The ordinary Sword-fish of Madeira is truly the common Xiphias 

 gladiuSf L. 



I have heard, however, of ** another sort, with a bayonet or spit- 

 like beak," called *' Peto," which may perhaps have been a Histio- 

 phorus or Tetrapturus. 



Seriola dubia. Rariss. 



A single individual only has occurred, which I am unable to 

 identify with any of the species enumerated by MM. Cuv. and Val. 

 The second dorsal fin is produced in front into a point ; five- eighths 

 the depth of the body beneath. The sides of the tail are suflSciently 

 distinctly keeled ; and thfere is no temporal band. In the first of 



Ann, Nat, Hist, Vol. 4. No. 26. Feb, 1840. 2 g 



