1899.] 



FROM THE GOLD COAST. 



727 



without knowing more of the changes that must take place during 

 growth. 



Chbysichthts nigeodigitatus Lacep. 



Of this species two specimens are in the Natiu-al History 

 Museum ; it is not known from what West xlfrican river they 

 were obtained. One measures 280 millim., the other 130 millim. 

 in length, excluding the caudal fin. In spite of the great difference 

 in size, both agree in form of the snout, in the great development 

 of the dorsal fin, prolongation of caudal lobes, number of anal rays 

 (nine branched), &c. Only the eye is very much larger in the 

 younger specimen, as might be expected. In both, the teeth of 

 the palate are confined to the vomer, and appear in the young as 

 two small, oblique, ovate patches ; in the older specimen the two 

 patches are produced behind into a narrow tract of teeth. 



Chrxsichthys persimhis, sp. n. (Plate XLIII.) 



Clirysicliihys macrops, part., Giinth. Ann. & Mag. N. H. 1867, 

 XX. p. 111. 



The height of the body is one fifth of the total length (without 

 caudal), the length of the head a little less than one third. Caudal 

 peduncle two thirds as high as long. Head a little broader than 

 high, its greatest depth being contained 1| times in its length. 

 The greater portion of its upper surface is granulated, but covered 

 with a thin film of skin ; occipital process longer than the basal 

 bone of the dorsal spine, both meeting a little behind the middle 

 of the nape. Snout long, three eighths of the length of the head, 

 broad, rather depressed. Mouth of great ividth, extending to 



Kg. 7. 



Chrysichthys persimilis. Upper and lower teeth 



below the middle of the distance between eye and nostril, much 

 wider than the distance between the eyes. Nasal barbels small 

 and short, about half as long as the eye. Maxillary barbels reaching 

 to, outer mandibulary barbels not reaching to, the gill-opening 

 when stretched backward. Inner mandibulary barbels anterior 

 to the outer, half a diameter of the eye distant from each other. 

 The teeth on the palate occupy vomer and palatine bones, and 



47* 



