drummond's echiodon. 45 



at its origin, but gradually increasing in height to near the 

 caudal fin, Avhich it joins, the two or three anterior rays, which 

 are very short, flexible and simple, the remainder articulated. 

 Anal fin originates just behind the vent, or at one inch three 

 lines from the point of the lower jaw, joins the caudal fin, 

 near to which it increases in depth posteriorly from its origin, 

 deeper than the dorsal fin throughout ; at about one inch 

 and a half from the caudal fin the rays are in length four 

 times greater than the depth of the body at the same place, 

 the rays of the dorsal fin opposite being three times the depth 

 of the body ; the first and second anterior rays flexible and 

 simple, the remainder articulated. Pectoral fins originate 

 one line behind the head, and are equal to half its length, 

 central rays longest, all very flexible, placed below the middle 

 of the sides. Caudal fin, central rays longest. Articula- 

 tions very long on the rays of all the fins ; no branched rays 

 in any one of them. 



B. 7 : D. 180 : P. 16 : A. 180 : C. 12. 

 The number of the fin-rays were reckoned with the greatest 

 care ; but without injury to the specimen they could not be 

 ascertained with certainty to a single ray. The vertebrse, 

 which distinctly seen through the skin can be reckoned with 

 accuracy, ninety-eight. Colours, anterior half a dull flesh 

 colour, similar to specimens of Cepola rubescens preserved in 

 spirits, hence it is presumed to have been originally red ; 

 behind this portion reddish-brown markings appear on the 

 body at the base of the dorsal and anal fins, and suddenly 

 increase in number, until from an inch behind the middle, 

 the whole sides are closely marked and spotted over; the 

 entire top and the sides of the head before the hinder line of 

 the eye are similarly spotted ; just behind the cranium a few 

 spots also appear ; the posterior rays of the dorsal and anal, 

 and the entire caudal fin, blackish. Irides, operculum, and 

 under surface, a short way beyond the vent, bright silver." 



