1863.] MR. J. Y. JOHNSON ON NEW FISHES FROM MADEIRA. 39 



horizontal line of which is straight with the back. This crest carries 

 the anterior portion of the dorsal fin, and it projects, at an acute 

 angle, beyond the vertical of the snout. At the angle rises a single 

 bony ray, which is equal in length to one-fourth of the total lengtli 

 of the fish. A fringe of red membrane connects it with the dorsal 

 fin, of which it appears to be the first ray. The edges of the gill- 

 covers are simple, the bones radiate-striate. The round eye is large, 

 its diameter being contained three times in the head ; the iris is 

 silvery white, the pupil oval. The space intervening between it and 

 the front of the head above the jaw is mucli less than a diameter ; 

 but the space between the edge of the capital crest and the superior 

 part of the orbit is considerably more than a diameter. The space 

 between the eye and the snout is reddish and scaleless. The mouth 

 is oblique and rather small ; the rictus about two-thirds the diameter 

 of the eye, and its width almost equal to a diameter. There are 

 about four rows of small conical-pointed teeth, which curve back- 

 wards, at the front of the premaxillary ; and about two rows of similar 

 teeth at the sides of the lower jaw, whilst in front they are crowded 

 four or five deep. Small teeth, very few in number, are planted on 

 the vomer and on the anterior extremities of the palatine bones ; but 

 there are none on the tongue. Inside the mouth, above and below, 

 there is stretched a black membrane from side to side. The maxil- 

 lary is toothless, and is much dilated below. It covers the pre- 

 maxillary at the sides, and reaches back to the vertical through the 

 middle of the eye. 



The single dorsal fin extends from the capital crest to the caudal 

 fin, from which it is not easily distinguished. Behind the long bony 

 ray, already mentioned, it is low, the middle portion being higher 

 than the rest. The base is sheathed in transparent membrane, an 

 extension of the skin. The pectoral fins are of moderate size, placed 

 low down, and at a distance from the top of the lower jaw equal to 

 about an eighth of the total length of the fish. The first ray is bony 

 and very strong, but not longer than the rest, which are branched. 

 The ventral fins are very short, and are inserted a little behind the 

 pectoral fins, and only slightly below them. Only five slender, simple 

 rays were counted in the specimen. The anal fin is low, it is placed 

 far behind, near the caudal fin, and its first three or four rays are 

 short. The vent is placed just before the fin. The tail behind the 

 anal fin has parallel margins, and is much compressed. It is low, 

 and its lower edge is finless ; whilst its upper edge carries the poste- 

 rior portion of the dorsal fin. The caudal fin is short, and is not 

 well distinguished from the dorsal fin ; but there seem to be fifteen 

 rays, viz. ten below the lateral line and five above. The lower angle 

 only projects. This fin is not set on obliquely, as in some of the 

 genera of the family. 



The unarmed lateral line descends at an angle of 45° from the 

 angle of the capital crest to behind the eye ; it is then straight along 

 the body to the base of the caudal fin. 



The stomach is csecal, narrow, and tapers downwards. Numerous 

 caeca are attached to the intestine. The intestinal canal is long and 



I 



