482 DR. GtJNTHER ON A NEW FISH FROM MAURITIUS. [Nov. 3, 



genus under whicli they are placed, since they exhibit the same 

 inflection of the lower end of the tibio-tarsus characteristic oi Pachy- 

 ornis, and the present species now induces me to regard these 

 specimens as probably indicating a very small form of Pachyornis. 

 As mentioned above, the typical species of that genus, like P. im- 

 7nanis, is known only from the South Island ; but since most of the 

 bones described as A. (?) geranoides were obtained from the North 

 Island, while there is a presumption that the remains of the present 

 form may likewise have come from there, it looks as though it was 

 in the North Island that the typical species of Anomalopteryx and 

 Pachyornis were differentiated from a common ancestor. 



EXPLANATION OP PLATE XXXVni. 



Bones of Pachyornis rothschildi ; from the superficial deposits of New Zealand. 



? nat. size. 



Kg. 1. Back view of right femur. 



2, 2 a. Front and back view of left tibio-tarsus. 



3. Front view of left tarso-nietatarsus. 



4. Descriptioii of a remarkable Fish from Mauritius^ be- 

 longing to the Genus Scorpcena. By Dr. A. Gunther, 

 V.P.Z.S. 



[Eeceived August 16, 1891.] 



(Plate XXXIX.) 



The subject of the following description formed part of a small 

 consignment received from M. Bobillard, of Port Louis, Mauritius. 

 It differs very markedly in general appearance from typical Scorpance, 

 but, in my opinion, too much weight should not be laid upon 

 modifications of form in fishes which so readily adapt their outward 

 appearance to their surroundings. The fish when at rest on the 

 bottom must closely resemble a stone on which seaweed has begun 

 to grow. It may be named 



ScoRP^NA FRONDOSA. (Plate XXXIX.) 



D. 11. I i A. f. P. 16. C. 16. 



The head and body are much elevated and compressed, the depth 

 being nearly one half of the total length without caudal fin ; the 

 small eyes are directed sidewards, but occupy a prominent position 

 on the upper profile of the head, and are separated from each other 

 by a deep concavity the width of which equals the diameter of the 

 orbit. The upper profile of the nape as well as that of the snout is 

 deeply concave, the latter being compressed into a sharpish ridge. 

 The cheeks are hollowed out, the cavity being bordered below by the 

 prseorbital bone. A bony crest on each side of the occiput. 



Themouth is wide, slightly oblique, the maxillary extending beyond 

 the vertical from the front margin of the orbit. Jaws armed with a 



