320 Dr. J. E. Gray on Scapia Phayrei. 



developed orbital processes. Indeed Ileniochus monoceros and 

 //. varius approach our specimen very closely with regard to 

 the numbers of the fin-rays. Yet, without further evidence, 

 it would be hazardous to state whether this fish is a young 

 Gluj'iodon or lIe,niochus. 



With regard to Tliolichthys osseus, I have not been able to 

 obtain specimens in a more advanced state of development 

 and to determine the genus or species of which it is the young. 



I have but little doubt that Holacanthus passes also through 

 a Thoh'chthi/s-i^tEite, and that the pra^opercular spine by which 

 this genus is distinguished is the permanent remains of the 

 expansion of the pracopercular angle, which in other allied 

 genera disappears with age. 



Our acquaintance with instances of fishes undergoing great 

 changes in the earlier stages of growth becomes more and 

 more extended. In many cases the young have been described 

 as distinct genera : thus PnacanthichtJiys has ]:)roved to be the 

 young of SerranuSy Cephalacanthus that of Dactylopterus^ 

 Dicrotus of ThyrsiteSj Nauclerus of Naucrates^ Lampugus of 

 Coryphcena^ Stomiasunculus of Stomias, Porobronchus of Fie- 

 rafifer, Acanthosoma of Orthagoriscus'^, &c. ; and I think 

 that before long RhyncMcJdhys will be shown to be the young 

 of llolocentrum^ Acronurus and Kens that of Acanthurus or 

 Naseus, and Gouchia that of Motella. 



XXXIX.— O/i Scapia Phayrei. By Dr. J. E. Gray, 

 F.R.8. &c.t 



I WAS very glad to observe that Dr. Anderson at last had had 

 the head of the typical specimen of Testudo Phayrei prepared, 

 as stated in the September number of the ' Annals,' and that Mr. 

 Stoliczka had decided, on examination, that the skull is speci- 

 fically identical with that I have described under the name of 

 Scapia Falconeri. I therefore most gladly adopt the previous 

 8])ecific name, and shall henceforth call it Scapia Phayrei. 

 This is very satisfactory to me, proving the skull to belong 

 to a species that has never come under my observation in a 

 more perfect state, and at the same time shows that Mr. Blytli 

 and Mr. ']''heobald made a great mistake when they confounded 

 that s])ecies with Manouria emys ; and the latter, more inex- 

 cusable still, has confounded the most perfect specimen of 

 Testudo Phayrei with T. indica of Gmelin. 



• Dr. Liitlcen has informed me that Ostracion loops (Rich.) represents 

 a still younger state of Orthagoriscus tlian Acanthosuma. 



[t This communication was received on the 2(!th September — too late 

 for insertion in our October Number. — W. F.] 



