82 
Family Scomprip#. 
Genus Serious, Cuv. and Val. 
Srerioxa eraciiis. Ser. elongata, fusiformis ; capite cubico, late- 
ribus declivibus planis, oculis magnis: pinna dorsali prima trian- 
gulari, secunda altiore ; secunde analisque (antice elevatis) radiis 
posterioribus subproductis, in pinnulas subsecedentibus ; pectorali- 
bus lanceolatis elongatis, capite longioribus ; ventralibus mediocri- 
bus. 
1m D. 9; 24D. 3 + 20; A.3 + 20; P.24; V-14+5;C. 
M. B. 6. Squame lin. lat. 60. 
A single individual of this species has occurred, said to have been 
thrown up in a gale. It measured six inches and three quarters in 
length. Its nearest ally is S. bipinnulata (Quoy et Gaim.), Jen. in 
Darw. Fish. p. 72. Like that species, it has no spine inclining for- 
wards before the dorsal, nor any free spines before the anal fin; but 
in the more complete connection and regularity of the hinder rays 
of the second dorsal and of the anal fins, it possesses a degree more 
of the typical Serioline character than that species. Still it is not 
unlikely that a comparison of the two fishes may warrant, on some 
future occasion, their separation from Serio/a into a genus, which 
may be called Cudiceps. 
The lower jaw shuts within the upper, like a box-lid; forcibly re- 
minding the observer of Tetragonurus, for a battered or bleached 
state of which fish this example might have been easily mistaken. 
The colour was an uniform pale dull grey, with the fins and to- 
wards the back darker and brownish. 
ATX. | 
44+Vul.’ 
Fam. CoryPHENID&. 
Brama tonerpinnis. 8B. corpore abbreviato alto: squamis postice 
caudam versus antrorsum aculeato-umbonatis ; pinna dorsali ana- 
lique antice longe falcato-productis. 
D.4 +31; A. 2+ 26; P20. eve bien Ge 
Sq. lin. lat. 41-45. 
Though founded upon a single individual, this appears a truly di- 
stinct species in the above characters from B. Rai, Bl., of which it 
presents the general appearance, colour and habit. The example 
seen measured eighteen inches and a quarter in length, and was eight 
inches deep at the origin of the dorsal and anal fins. As settling, by 
its partially aculeate scales, the true position of Taractes, this fish 
has been a very valuable acquisition. 
PES bt 
4+ Vill.’ M. B. 7; 
Gen. Taractes, nob. 
Char. Gen.—Corpus ovatum compressum (ad finem pinne dorsalis 
analisque abrupte in caudam contractum), squamis cycloideis 
retrorsum aculeato-umbonatis muricato-asperum. Caput squa- 
mosum ; oculis magnis ; rostro brevissimo simo ; rictu magno sub- 
