198 Transactions. — Zoology. 



All the fius very fragile indeed ; the first portion of the dorsal fin very 

 high, perched on the summit of the forehead, and very distinctly divided 

 from the second portion ; the first, second, and third rays of almost equal 

 length ; the front of first ray evenly serrated with very minute spines. 

 Second portion of tlie dorsal with regular rounded margin, reaching its 

 greatest altitude at about the centre of the fin, and carrying this altitude to 

 the second third from beginning of fin. The rays of this Jin are distinctly 

 articulated. The little rudimentary dorsal, which forms another of the 

 distinctive characters between this and other specimens, commences imme- 

 diately in the rear of the second part of dorsal, and terminates ^^ of an 

 inch from the base of the upper portion of caudal fin. The upper portion 

 of the caudal fin is almost rectangular to body ; its base is very narrow ; 

 first and last rays slightly thicker than the others, and also finely serrated 

 with very minute spines ; the centre rays are the longest. The lower 

 spinous portion of caudal fin runs generally in the longitudinal axis of the 

 fish, but the three upper and three lower spines are recurved inferiorly and 

 superiorly respectively ; the first spine is minute, and at the anterior base 

 of this portion of the fin ; the third ray is much produced (more than twice 

 the length of the second ray), and is slightly spatulate at tip. 



Now comes the greatest point of difference between other specimens 

 and the one under consideration : — The low rudimentary adipose anal fin, 

 which starts immediately at the base of the spinous lower portion of caudal 

 fin, and terminates slightly in front of the vertical from end of second part 

 of dorsal fin ; it is gently rounded, and like the adipose dorsal is highest in 

 the centre. The ventrals are very long, and commence a little behmd the 

 vertical from posterior base of pectorals ; the second ray is the longest and 

 is also slightly spatulate at tip ; the first ray is serrated along margin with 

 spines a trifle less fine than those along margins of first dorsal and upper 

 portion of caudal fins. The pectoral fins are minute, commence close to 

 margin of free portion of operculum, and are low down on sides. 



The eyes are large ; upper front and lov/er margin round, posterior 

 margin flattened, pupil small, round, and bead-like ; they are situated 

 close to margin of profile, and a little above midway between summit of 

 head and chin. Profile of head almost vertical, becoming positively so on 

 the specimen being subjected to the action of the alcoholic solution which 

 coagulated the albumenous portions of the head and slightly altered the 

 proportions from the fresh state. Before immersing in the solution before 

 mentioned, the anterior portion of the face and forehead was soft, rounded, 

 slightly projecting, and semi-transparent, the marginal bones on eacli side 

 in low ridges. Nostrils single, simple apertui'e ; close in front of eyes. 

 Lateral line commences over top of eyes, runs back in gentle curve over 

 top of gill-opening, thence proceeds straight along side to near tail, then 



