136 On a new Cypnnodontid Fish from Egypt. 



Alexandria, and of which specimens had previously been 

 obtained bj Mr. W. L. S. Loat at Gheit-el-Nasara, Lake 

 Menzaleh. This Cyprinodont belongs to an undescribed 

 species of Haplochilns, which I have great pleasure in naming 



Haplochilus Schoelleri, sp. n. 

 D. 7-8. A. 12-13. Sq. 25-28 ^. 



Depth of body 3^ to 4^ times in total length, length of 

 head 3^ to 4 times. Eye longer than snout, as long as or a 

 little shorter than postorbital part of head. Origin of dorsal 

 above middle of anal, 1^ to If as far from eye as from root 

 of caudal. Caudal rounded, as long as head. Pale yellowish 

 olive in spirit, the scales finely edged with blackish ; fins 

 white, without markings. 



Total length 33 millim. 



Mr. Schoeller, in the notes with which he has kindly 

 furnished me, states that the whole fish, when alive, shows a 

 splendid dark sky-blue iridescence except on the belly. The 

 dorsal and caudal fins are colourless, but males have the latter 

 edged with red above and beneath ; the pectoral, ventral, and 

 anal fins are lemon-yellow, at least during the breeding- 

 season. The iris is colourless. 



This Uaplochilus occurs iu great numbers in freshwater 

 wells and watering canals close to Lake Mareotis ; it keeps 

 mostly to the surface of the water, always swimming in 

 great excitement, the fins in quivering motion. 



Five species are now known from the eastern parts of 

 Africa north of the equator. They may be distinguished by 

 means of the following synopsis : — 



I. Dorsal with 6 to 8 rays ; scales 24-28 in a longitudinal series. 



A. Anal with 12 or "13 rays ; dorsal origi- 



nating above middle of anal H. Sehoelle7-i, Blgr. 



B. Anal with 14 or 15 rays ; dorsal origi- 



nating above posterior third of anal. 

 Eye longer than snout, as long as postorbital part 



of head H. Loati, Blgr. 



Eye nearly as long as snout, about § postorbital 



part of head H. Marni, Stdr. 



Eye not longer than snout, about ^ postorbital part 



of head H. bifasciatus, Stdr. 



n. Dorsal with 1 1 rays, anal with 14 ; scales 30 



in a longitudinal series H, Antmon'i, Vincig, 



