I03 



The fish were only found on two occasions, viz. — two on. 

 25th March, 1901, 2^ miles off the IJmhlanga River mouth in 

 2 2 -2b fathoms of water with a bottom of fine sand, and five 

 on the same day and near the same place (Cape Natal Light 

 House bearing S.W. ^ W. (mag), distant 8 miles) ; depth, 22 

 fathoms, bottom, fine sand. On both occasions the shrimp- 

 trawl net was used and was over in the one case for 2 hours and 

 in the other 40 minutes. In none of the other numerous hauls. 

 on the Natal or Cape Colony Coasts were specimens found. 



ASTRONESTHES BOULENGERI, n.sp. 

 (Plate VI.) 



Br. 18, D. 16, A. 15, V. 7, P. 8. 



Length of head nearly 5 times in length of body without 

 caudal, its depth nearly 8 times. Depth of body a little more 

 than depth of head. Barbel at least half the length of the 

 head, but probably longer, as it has apparently been damaged. 

 The opercular apparatus is incompletely developed. Near its 

 upper angle a part ot the margin is produced backwards as a 

 small lobe. 



The dentition is well developed. There are two large 

 curved canines, which, when the mouth is closed, project 

 beyond the margin of the median line of the head. Inside of 

 these towards the symphysis of the jaw is a smaller canine, 

 that of the upper jaw being somewhat larger than that of the 

 lower. At the symphysis there is both in the upper and 

 lower jaws a small bony projection of a triangular shape. 

 Extending backwards from the large canines along the pre- 

 maxillary and dentary are rows of unequal, very sharp teeth, 

 three in the former, five in the latter. There is a small tooth,, 

 scarcely projectingbeyond the skin, outside and a little behind 

 the upper large canines, and two small teeth almost on the 

 outer side of the dentary and hear the middle of its length. 

 The maxillary is beset with fine unequal and closely set 

 serrations along the distal half of its lower margin. On each 

 palatine is a row of five teeth, small and widely set apart. 

 There are no teeth on the tongue. 



The first dorsal is long, originating- a little behind the 

 vertical from the ventral and ending slightly in front 

 of the vertical from the origin of the anal. As this 

 and all other fins have been damaged, the length of the- 

 rays cannot be determined with certainty. The ventrals are- 

 placed near the middle of the body, but a little nearer the 

 head than the root of the caudal. The pectorals are situated 



