DE. GtJNTHER ON THE PISHES OP CENTRAL AMERICA. 469 



188. Herds angulifee. (Plate LXXXV. fig. 1.) 



Giinth. Fish. iv. p. 298. 



D. ~. A. g. L. lat. 3,^. L. transv. 4/12. 



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

 cheek. The height of the hody is two-fifths of the total length (without caudal), 

 the length of the head three-tenths. The eye is not very remote from the profil of 

 the nape, which is slightly curved. Head as high as long ; prseorbital scarcely wider 

 than the orbit. Cleft of the mouth rather narrow, horizontal, with the jaws equal 

 anteriorly, and with the maxillary not extending backwards to the vertical from the 

 front margin of the eye. Dorsal and anal fins not scaly; dorsal spines of moderate 

 length and strength, the length of the twelfth being one-third of that of the head ; the 

 soft dorsal and anal extend to the root of the caudal. The free portion of the tail is as 

 long as high. Caudal subtruncated, its length being not quite one-fifth of the total. 

 Pectoral shorter than the head, but longer than the ventral, which does not extend to 

 the vent. Brownish olive, with a broad angular black band on the trunk, its horizontal 

 branch extending from the eye to the vertical from the first anal spine, whilst its 

 vertical branch ascends to the hinder dorsal spines. Some scales within the band 

 and on the opercles with a black dot. A round blackish blotch on the root of the 

 caudal fin. 



Two examples, 4 inches long, were collected by Messrs. Godman and Salvin at Yzabal. 



Petenia. 

 Giinth. Fish. iv. p. 301. 



Body compressed, oblong, covered with ctenoid scales of moderate size. Dorsal 

 spines numerous, anal spines more than four ; the soft dorsal scaleless. Teeth in a 

 band, small, conical. Anterior prominences of the first branchial arch short, com- 

 pressed, distant. Cleft of the mouth wide ; jaws very protractile. Scales on the cheeks 

 small. The origin of the ventral falls vertically below that of the dorsal. 



189. Petenia splendida. (Plate LXXIX. fig. 2.) 

 Giinth. /. c. 



B. 5. D. po. A. Yo- L. lat. 41. L. transv. 6/17. 



Scales on the cheek in about seven series. Greenish shining golden; head, body, 

 and vertical fins with black dots. A series of six or seven large round black spots along 

 the middle of the side, the last spot being edged with white, and situated on the upper 

 half of the root of the caudal. 



Three examples were collected by Mr. Salvin in Lake Peten, the largest being 16 

 inches long. 



Neetroplxjs. 



This genus differs from Heros in having a front series of flat incisor-like teeth. It is 



