YOL. LXV.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 601 



about -f of an inch behind the nostrils, and more towards the sides of the head. 

 The whole head seems to be well supported ; but whether with bones or carti- 

 lages, is uncertain. The body is large, thick, and roundish, for a considerable 

 distance from the head, and then gradually grows smaller, but at the same time 

 deeper, or becomes of an acinaciform shape, to the point of the tail, which is 

 rather blunt. There are many light-coloured spots on the back and sides of the 

 body, placed at considerable distances in irregular lines, but more numerous and 

 distinct towards the tail. When the fish was swimming, it measured 6 inches 

 in depth, near the middle, from the upper part of the back to the lower edge of 

 the fin, and it could not be more than 1 inches broad on the back at that place. 

 The whole body, from about 4 inches below the head, seems to be clearly dis- 

 tinguished into 4 different longitudinal parts or divisions. The upper part or 

 back is roundish, of a dark colour, and separated from the other parts on each 

 side by the lateral lines ; which, taking their rise at the base of the head, just 

 above the pectoral fins, run down the sides, gradually converging, as the fish 

 becomes smaller, to the tail, and make so visible a depression or furrow in their 

 course, as to distinguish this from the 2d part or division, which may be 

 properly called the body, or at least, appears to be the strong muscular part of 

 the fish. This second division is of a lighter and more clear bluish colour than 

 the upper or back part, and seems to swell out somewhat on each side, from the 

 depression of the lateral lines; but, towards the lower or under part, is again 

 contracted, or sharpened into the 3d part, or carina. This carina, or heel, is 

 very distinguishable from the other two divisions, by its thinness, its apparent 

 laxness, and by the reticulated skin of a more grey and light colour, with which 

 it is covered. Wiien the animal swims gently in pretty deep water, the rhom- 

 boidal reticulations of the skin of this carina are very discernible ; but when the 

 water is shallow, or the depth of the carina is contracted, these reticulations 

 appear like many irregular longitudinal plicae. The carina begins about 6 or 7 

 inches below the base of the head, and gradually widening or deepening as it 

 goes along, reaches down to the tail, where it is thinnest. It seems to be of a 

 strong muscular nature. Where it first takes its rise from the body of the fish, 

 it seems to be about 1 inch or l^ inches thick, and is gradually sharpened to a 

 thin edge, where the 4th and last part is situated ; videlicet, a long, deep, soft, 

 wavy fin, which takes its rise about 3 or 4 inches at most below the head, and 

 runs down along the sharp edge of the carina to the extremity of the tail. 

 Where it first rises it is not deep, but gradually deepens or widens as it ap- 

 proaches to the tail. It is of a very pliable soft consistence, and seems rather 

 longer than the body. The situation of the anus in this fish is very singular, 

 being placed underneath, and being about an inch more forward than the pectoral 

 fins, and consequently considerably nearer the rostrum. It is a pretty long rima 



VOL. XIII. 4 H 



