DK. GtJNTHER ON THE FISHES OF CEXTKAL AMERICA. 451 



161. Heeos macracanthus. 



Gunth. Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 153. 



D. }|Ei|. A. g^. L. lat. 31. L. transv. f|. 



The lower lip is interrupted in the middle. The height of the body is two-thirds of 

 the total length (without caudal) in adult specimens, but only one-half in immature ; 

 the length of the head is one-third of the total. Upper profile of the head very steep, 

 not concave. Scales on the cheek in five series. The first dorsal spine is a little before 

 the ^ ertical from the upper end of the gill-opening. Dorsal and anal spines strong, the 

 tenth of the dorsal fin being two-fifths of the length of the head. Pectoral as long as 

 the head. Dark greenish, many scales with a pearl-coloured spot in the upper or lower 

 angle. Vertical and ventral fins black. 



About a dozen specimens, from 3 to 9 inches long, were collected by Mr. Salvin at 

 Chiapam and Huamuchal 



Description. — The height of the body is two-thirds of the total length (without 

 caudal), and nearly one-half of the entire length of the fish. The length of the head 

 is one-third, or slightly more than one-third of the total (without caudal). Head 

 rather higher than long, the nape convex, but the upper profile showing a slight 

 concavity above the snout. The snout is of rather considerable extent, the height of 

 the prseorbital being one-half more than the width of the orbit. The cleft of the 

 mouth is slightly oblique ; the prgeorbital almost covering the posterior end of the 

 maxillary, which does not attain the line of the front margin of the eye. Jaws ratlier 

 protractile, armed with a broad band of villiform teeth, those of the outer series being 

 enlarged. Interorbital space convex, nearly twice the width of the orbit. Eye some- 

 what nearer to the end of the operculum than to that of the snout. Base of soft 

 dorsal and anal with a few small scales. Dorsal spines strong ; the twelfth is a little 

 less than one-half of the length of the head in adult specimens ; the fifteenth is the 

 longest, and more than half the length of the head. Soft dorsal and anal much 

 elevated ; the middle rays produced ; caudal rounded. Pectoral I'ounded, about as 

 long as the head. First ventral ray slightly prolonged. The free portion of the tail 

 is nearly twice as deep as long. Greenish or brownish olive ; fins black ; a more or 

 less distinct black spot on the root of the caudal fin, above the lateral line. Immature 

 specimens with six very indistinct dark cross bands, the third of which has a blackish 

 blotch below the lateral line; an indistinct blackish spot at the root of the caudal fin. 



162. Heros spilurus. (Plate LXXIIl. fig. 1.) 

 Gunth. Fish. iv. p. 289. 



D. J-^. A. g. L. lat. 29. L. transv. % 



The fold of the lower lip is interrupted in the middle ; four series of scales on the 

 cheek. The height of the body is one-half of the total length (witljout caudal), the 



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