224 



GOBIOID.E. 



filamentous and fimbriated appendages, three-eighths of an 

 inch in length ; a small pedicle of skin behind the nape on 

 each side on a line with the origin of the first ray of the 

 dorsal fin ; all the skin about the head loose, here and there 

 studded with small warty papilla. 

 The fin-rays are 



D. 26 : P. 12 : V. 2 : A. 17 : C. 11. 



The dorsal fin begins at the nape, and is connected 

 throughout its whole length ; the first ray the longest, the 

 next nine diminishing in length to the eleventh ray, which 

 is the shortest, and marks the place of the interruption to 

 the uniformity of the line, the twelfth ray being as long 

 again as the eleventh : the second portion of the dorsal fin 

 rounded in form, the membrane beyond the last ray being 

 united to the base of the tail. The pectoral fin large, 

 rounded, the middle rays about as long as the body of the 

 fish is deep The ventrals in this specimen with no more than 

 two rays ; the anal fin begins about half way between the 

 nose of the fish and the end of the fleshy portion of the tail, 

 and in a line but little in advance of the depression in the 

 dorsal fin : the tail rounded, the rays about as long as those 

 of the pectoral fin. 



The general colour of the body is a pale brown, with 

 occasional patches of darker reddish brown ; the pectoral and 

 ventral fins rather darker than the other fins, but the edges 

 of the dorsal and anal fins rather darker than the part of the 

 membrane nearer the body. The rounded spot on the dorsal 

 fin is placed between the sixth and eighth rays : it is of a 

 dark brown colour, with a slight indication of a lighter co- 

 loured circle around it. The irides golden. 



Montagu mentions his suspicion that the spot on the 

 dorsal fin is not always present ; but the form and elevation 



