212 ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF FRESH-WATER FISHES 



Form more slender; depth one-fifth length; head elongate, muzzle • 

 gradually decurved ; dorsal spines eleven. A dorsal series of black 

 spots, which are continued on a green ground on the sides, and con- 

 nected by a band on the lateral line, then continued as narrower 

 bands round the belly ; second dorsal with small red spots, pectoral 



fin spotted, zonalis. 



;3;5. Dorsal with eight spines ; cheeks, operculum and dorsal 

 region naked. 

 Scales 8-10 — 14 ; anal ii. 8 ; mandible slightly longer than muzzle ; 

 some adults with clavate dorsal spines. General fomn elongate, head 

 a little more than one-fourth the length. Olive, with vertical black 

 bars on the sides, and a black scapular spot; second dorsal and 

 caudal spotted, .......... flabellatus. 



II. Branchiostegal membranes distinct throughout their length. 

 «. Dorsal radii ten ; cheeks, operculum and dorsal regions naked. 

 Form elevated compressed ; head elongate, mouth terminal ; head one- 

 fourth of length. Second dorsal rays 13; scales 6 | 9 ; first dorsal 

 red at base, a blackish-blue bar through the middle; sides vertically 

 banded with gi-eenish-blue and red ; belly and lower fins red, . . cceruleus. 



POECILICHTHYS ZONALIS Cope, sp. nov. 



A species attaining about double the size of P. cceruleus, and characterized among 

 other features by the small size of its head. Scales 11 — 52 — 12, covering evenly the 

 abdominal and dorsal surfaces, but few irregular ones on the pectoral. Head one- 

 fifth length ; muzzle obtuse, projecting beyond mandible, extremity of maxillary 

 reaching line of orbit. Orbit round equal muzzle, and one-fourth head including 

 opercular spine.* First dorsal well developed, separated from the second; not quite 

 as high as the second, but longer, its third ray as far from the occiput as is the end of 

 the muzzle; rays xi. 12; anal commencing opposite or a little before second dorsal, 

 ii. 6 1 I 1; caudal slightly lunate; P. 15. Total length 3 in. 1 lin.; length of 

 caudal fin 5 lines; to base of anal 18 lin. ; to basis ventrals 8*^5 lin. Longest dorsal 

 spine 3-6 lines; depth at R. 1 of second dorsal 6 1., at contraction of peduncle 3'5 lin. 



Bright olivaceous above, golden below ; six dark brown quadrate dorsal spots, 

 which connect by alternating spots with a broad brown lateral band, from which 

 eight narrower bands more or less completely encircle the belly. Paired, anal and 

 caudal fins golden, brown-spotted ; middle half first dorsal crimson ; a series of round 

 crimson spots near basis of second dorsal ; occiput, a band on side of muzzle and one 

 helow eye black ; a black spot on operculum, and one on base of pectoral. 



*This spine is otherwise always omitted in measurements of the head. 



