426 Dr. A. Glinther on Psammoperca and Cnidon. 



the depth of which is two ninths of the length of the head, whilst 

 it is rather more than one third in those two species. 



The length of the head is one tenth of the distance between 

 the gill-opening and vent ; tail almost as long as the body. 

 Cleft of the mouth of moderate width, extending to some dis- 

 tance behind the eye, which is small, and somewhat nearer to 

 the corner of the mouth than to the end of the snout. Snout 

 pointed, more than twice as long as the eye, projecting beyond 

 the mouth. Anterior nostril with a small tube ; posterior on 

 the inner side of the lip, below the front margin of the eye. 

 Teeth pointed, uniserial. Gill-openings lateral. Pectoral fin 

 reduced to a minute filament. The dorsal and anal are about 

 half as high as the body, the former commencing midway 

 between the gill-opening and the eye. Coloration uniform. 



Misol Island. Length 24 inches, the tail being 11| inches 

 long ; depth of the body 3 lines. 



Ophichthys misolensis. 



The length of the head is one seventh of the distance between 

 the gill-opening and vent ; tail as long as the body. The depth 

 of the body is one third of the length of the head. Eye small, 

 above the middle of the cleft of the mouth, whicli is of moderate 

 width. Snout pointed, twice as long as the eye, projecting 

 beyond the mouth. Anterior nostril with a very short tube ; 

 posterior on the inner side of the lip, below the front margin of 

 the eye. Teeth equally small, pointed^ uniserial. Gill-openings 

 somewhat oblique, lateral. Pectoral fin none. Dorsal and 

 anal fins low, the former commencing at a very short distance 

 behind the gill-opening, the latter immediately behind the vent. 

 Coloration uniform. 



Misol Island. Leno-th 11 inches. 



LXI. — On Psammoperca and GmdiOn. By Dr. A. Gunther. 



These two genera are identical ,• and the name Fsammojperca 

 given by Richardson in 1846 has the priority, the name 

 Cnidon dating from the year 1849 (Miill. & Trosch. Hor. 

 Ichthyol. Heft 3). The amended diagnosis of the genus will 

 stand as follows : — 



Seven branchiostegals. Pseudobranchiae none. All the 

 teeth villiform, in bands, without canine teeth ; tongue with a 

 small, ovate, rough patch. Operculum with a small spine ; 

 prseoperculum with a strong spine at the angle, with the 

 posterior edge serrated, and with the lower limb smooth and 

 covered by membrane. Two dorsal fins, slightly continuous, 

 the first with seven or eight strong spines, another being 



