\\'AiTF. AXD Hale — Lophobkanchiate Fishes 



309 



Fig. 48. 



D.43-50 i55): P.16 (14-17): A.3 (_'-4): Annuli \8 22 (17)4-78-9(1 (68): sub- 

 dorsal annuli 9-Ul (714-S-lO {\Z): brood annuli (1)4-18-20 (16). 



Head i -3 in the trunk and 5 '2 to 6 '4 in the total length: snout 1 -5 in the 

 liead : eve 6-2 to 7-6 in the snout and 9 '9 to 10-9 in the head. Trunk I •" to 2 '8 

 in the tail and 3 '5 to 4 '8 in the total. 



Snout long and slender, more than twice as long as the rest of the head, 

 with a low median crest which terminates in advance of the eyes ; the supraorbital 

 ridges commence on the jiosterior third of the snout, but do not extend to behind 

 the eyes : a lateral ridge from the angle of the mouth to the lower part of the 

 front edge of the eye : low ridges define the lower margins of the snout, one on 

 each side of a median ventral ridge, which bifurcates below the front margins 

 of the eyes: head finely pitted; opercles with additional radiating .striae : a feeble 

 opercular ridge in young examples. Body depressed, widest at the middle of the 

 trunk, one and two-fifths to one and one-half times wider tlian deep in the male, 

 rather more depressed in the female and one and three-fifths to one and fotu'- 

 fifths times wider than deep: dorsal surface slightly convex. Upper and lower 

 ridges continuous, mtich more distinct on the tail ; the lateral ridge extends on to 

 about the sixth caudal scute or terminates in the skinny folds of the brood pouch : 

 ventral ridge terminates at the anus. Tail about half of the total length, a little 

 longer in the male. Longest example 250 mm. 



Colours. The colours and markings are subject to considerable variation: 

 the following descriptions result from the examination of manv specimens from 

 -Spencer and St. \'incent Gulfs and Fowler's Rav. 



Fig. 4S. Sfigiiiafopora argiis, female and male. 



