42 MUR-«NID.E. 



pliically — to outweigh this character ; and further, I felt less 

 reluctance in thus placing it, in consequence of Cepola rubes- 

 ceiis, -which it assimilates in some respects, having but one 

 spinous ray, and that in the ventral fin. At the suggestion 

 of John Edward Gray, Esq. F.R.S. I have, however, recon- 

 sidered the subject, and have come to the conclusion here 

 advanced." 



As a difference of opinion may still exist with regard to 

 the position of this genus, I think it due to Mr. Thompson 

 to subjoin the observations originally made. 



" Like certain other genera Avhich are comprehended under 

 Acanthopterygii^ the first order of the osseous fishes, its fins 

 are altogether destitute of spinous rays ; but, like those 

 alluded to, such as Zoarcus, &c. its other characters seem to 

 point out the Tcenioides as the family to which it belongs. 

 Of the eight genera of Tanioides already known, viz. Lepi- 

 dopus, Trichurus, Gymnetrus, Stylephorus, Cepola, Lopho- 

 tes, Trachi/ptenis, and Alepisaurus, the specimen under 

 consideration agrees with Trichiurus and Stx/lephorus in 

 being apodal, or wanting ventral fins, but in this character 

 only is there any generic accordance. Though considerably 

 more elongated, from the head posteriorly it approaches most 

 nearly to Cepola ruhescens in the form of the body, and in 

 the forward commencement of the anal fin, which, with the 

 dorsal, is prolonged until it joins the caudal ; but it is only 

 in the continuity of these fins until this junction is eflTected 

 that the resemblance holds, as in my specimen, the dorsal 

 rays, the five foremost of which are very short, increase in 

 length posteriorly, and near the caudal fin are about three 

 times as long as the depth of the body beneath them ; in 

 the anal fin, which is throughout much deeper than the dor- 

 sal, the rays likewise increase posteriorly ; and near the caudal 

 are in length four times greater than the depth of the body 

 at the same place. The length of the posterior rays of these 



