REPORT ON THE SHORE FISHES. 51 



snout, granular in front, and armed with a double series of barbs behind ; it is placed 

 above the hind margin of the orbit. Body elevated, its depth being contained once and 

 three-fifths in the total length (without caudal). The origin of the dorsal fin is the 

 highest point in the dorsal profile. Snout moderately j)roduced, with the upper profile 

 very slightly concave. Caudal fin obliquely truncated with the upper ray prolonged into 

 a filament. Ventral- spine movable, small. Light brownish, with more or less con- 

 sjsicuous darker spots ; a round black spot immediately below the anterior third of the 

 dorsal fin is constant. South of New Guinea. Length of specimen, 3-^- to 5 inches. 

 Station 188; 28 fathoms. 



Tetrodon nigropunctatus, BL, Arafura Sea ; 35 to 49 fathoms. 



D. THE EAST INDIAN AECHIPELAGO. 



A few species only were collected by the Expedition at Banda (September 30, 1874) 

 and Amboyna (October 4). Better opportunities ofi"ered themselves during the pro- 

 longed stay of the Challenger at the Philippine Islands : Manilla was visited twice, from 

 November 4 to 11, and from January 11, 1875, to January 14 ; Zebu Avas reached on 

 the 18th, and its celebrated sponge-grounds were thoroughly examined; but the majority 

 of fishes were obtained at Samboangan, where the Expedition landed several times. Some 

 of the species collected there prove to be new, two being fluviatile. 



Chiloscyllium indicum, Gm., Manilla. 



Serranus diacanthus, C. V., Philippines. Station 203. 



Acropoma philiiypinense, n. sp. 



D. 9/i, A. -f-, L. lat. 31, L. transv. |-. The height of the body is contained thrice and 

 a half in the total length (without caudal), the length of the head twice and three-fifths. 

 Eye one-third of the length of the head, and longer than the snout and the interorbital 

 space. The two canine teeth of the upper jaw are strong, much longer than in Aci'opoma 

 jap>onicum ; lower jaw with a pair of small canine teeth in front, and with three strong- 

 ones on each side. Vomerine and palatine teeth small, in ver)- narrow bands. Lower jaw 

 not much projecting beyond the upper ; maxillary without scales, not extending to the 

 centre of the eye. Prseoperculum with the angle slightly produced and serrated ; oper- 

 culum without prolongation. Dorsal spines rather feeble, the third being the longest, and 

 half as long as the head. Caudal fin forked. Pectoral reaching to tl)e vent. Uniform 

 silvery, with the back, greenish. Philippine Islands. Length of specimens, 2 to 3tl 

 inches. Station 201 ; 82 to 102 fathoms. 



