Zoological Society. 397 



The reference to Risso is in such case perfectly correct ; but the 

 name, of course, must sink into a synonym, the fish being generically 

 quite distinct enough from Saiirus, Cuv. 



Gen. Saurus, Cuv. 

 I possess the head of a third Madeiran Saurine fish, belonging 

 truly to the genus Samnis, and not to Aulopus ; but the body having 

 been destroyed, I must decline for the present attempting either to 

 identify or to define it. It was of a mottled pale and scarlet colour, 

 varied with bro-wTi or dusky, and had a distinct dark spot above at 

 the tip of the muzzle. 



Gen. Metopias, nob. 



I place here, as in some degree related to Scopelus, but merely 

 provisionally, conceiving that further investigations may authorize 

 its being formed into a new family, a most curious little fish, which 

 I saw caught in a boat-scoop whilst swimming on the surface, about 

 a league and a half from shore, on a hot calm day in September 1841 . 

 Although full-grown or adult, being in roe, it was only an inch and 

 a half long, and was nearly altogether black. 



With reference to its affinities and position in theCuvierian system, 

 let it be observed, that — 



1st, it is decidedly Malacopterygious, and this without apparent 

 affinity in other points to any known Acanthopterygious genus. If 

 it recalls to mind in some respects Pomatomus, it altogether stands 

 aloof in scales, dentition, single dorsal fin, small eyes, &c. from that 

 genus. The fins resemble most those of a Cyprinus. 



2ndly, the ventral fins are not abdominal, but thoracic, which at 

 once opposes its insertion amongst Cyprinidce, Esocidce, Salmonidee, 

 and ClupeidcE of Cuvier. In Aulopus, Cuv., indeed, the ventral fins 

 are subthoracic, and there are other points about Metopias indi- 

 cating rather close alliance of some kind with Scopelus ; but it has 

 certainly no immediate natural affinity with the true Salmonida, or 

 even with Sauridds, either in scales, dentition, fins, or habit. It is 

 also quite destitute of the artificial symbol of these families, having 

 no trace of a second rudimentary or adipose dorsal fin. 



3rdly, it differs toto coelo from Gadidte ; agreeing only with the 

 rare Mora Mediterranea, Risso, in the thick cube-shaped head and 

 short abrupt muzzle. The ventral fins, moreover, are thoracic, not 

 jugular ; and I could find no trace of a beard or barbule. 



These considerations seem to point to the propriety of regarding 

 Metopias as belonging to a new family or tribe of Thoracic Mala- 

 copterygians, ranging between Salmonidee and Gadida ; still it is 

 very possible that a discovery of some yet unknown link with old- 

 established groups may solve at once, as in the case of Brama longi- 

 pinnis and Taractes, the problem of its true position. The following 

 characters will serve meantime for its discrimination, whether they 

 prove eventually of mere generic or still higher value. 



Gen. Metopias. 



PinncE malacopterygise ; ventrales thoracic?e : pinna dorsulis unica ; 



