320 Dr. J. E. Gray on Scapia Phayrei. 



developed orbital processes. Indeed Ueniochus monoceros and 

 H. varius approach our specimen very closely with regard to 

 the numbers of the fin-rays. Yet, without further evidence, 

 it wouhl be hazardous to state whether this fish is a young 

 Chu'todon or lleniochiis. 



With regard to Tholichthys osseus, I have not been able to 

 obtain specimens in a more advanced state of development 

 and to determine the genus or species of which it is the young. 



I have but little doubt that Holacanthus passes also through 

 a T/ioIicJithi/s-statc, and that the prteopercular spine by which 

 this genus is distinguished is the permanent remains of the 

 expansion of the prajoj)ercular angle, which in other allied 

 genera disappears with age. 



Our acquaintance with instances of fishes undergoing great 

 changes in the earlier stages of growth becomes more and 

 more extended. In many cases the young have been described 

 as distinct genera : thus PriacaniJiichthys has proved to be the 

 young of Serranus, CephaJacanthus that of Dactylopterua^ 

 Dicrotus of Thyrsites, Xauclenis of Nancrates, Lampugus of 

 Coryphcena, Stomiasunculus of Stomtas, Porobro7ichus of Fie- 

 rasfer^ Acanthosoma of Orthayon'scus*, &c. ; and I think 

 that before long Rhynchichtliys will be shown to be the young 

 of Holocentrum, Avronurus and Ken's that of Acanthurus or 

 NaseuSj and CoucMa that of Motel/a. 



XXXlX.— On Scapia Phayrei. By Dr. J. E. Gkay, 

 F.R.S. &c.t 



1 WAS very glad to observe that Dr. Anderson at last had had 

 the head of the typical specimen of Testiido Phayrei pre])ared, 

 as stated in the September number of the 'Annals,' and that Mr. 

 Stoliczka had decided, on examination, that the skull is speci- 

 fically identical with that I liave described under the name of 

 Scapia Falconeri. I therefore most gla<lly adopt the previous 

 specific name, and slu\ll henceforth call it Scapia Phayrei. 

 This is very satisfactory to me, proving the skull to belong 

 to a species that has never come under my observation in a 

 more perfect state, and at the same time shows that Mr. Blvth 

 and ]\Ir. Theobald made a great mistake when they confounded 

 that species with Manouria emys ; and' the latter, more inex- 

 cusable still, has confounded the most perfect specimen of 

 Testado Phayrei witli 7'. indica of Gmelin. 



• Dr. Liitkeu lias intoriutd nie that Ostracion biioj>.-< (Rich.) represents 

 a still youngor stati' of Ortha^orisnis than Acaiithosoma. 



[t This oonimuniration was received ou the 20th September — too late 

 for insertion in our (Vtober Number. — W. F.l 



