7140 Zoological Notes from Aneiteum. 



species referrible to Acanthurus probably only one belongs to that 

 genus, as now restricted, and the others, which are all of a very dark, 

 almost black colour, to three allied genera. One species is remarkable 

 for the enormous dorsal and anal fins, and this, together with the body 

 being black, has originated a somewhat fanciful resemblance to the 

 large bats (Pteropi), and one name serves for both objects. Two others, 

 with the upper and lowermost caudal rays prolonged, have a curious 

 orange-coloured patch on each side. A Siganus is common, as are 

 also a Naseus and another fish allied to it, but generically differing 

 by having a protuberance instead of a horn on the forehead, and the 

 upper and lower margins of the caudal not prolonged into filaments. 

 The two last come in over the reef in shoals with the flood tide, and 

 inflict painful and troublesome wounds with their sharp lateral cutting 

 plates, while dashing about among the fishermen's legs. 



A fresh-water mullet, a foot or more in length, is common in the 

 streams, where, also, are two species of a genus of fishes, which I may 

 place provisionally among the mullets, not knowing its proper position. 

 The first dorsal has six instead of four spinous rays, as in Mugil, both 

 jaws are furnished with numerous rows of close-set teeth, and many of 

 the rays of all the fins except the first dorsal are free at the extremity ; 

 but the most remarkable peculiarity consists in a fleshy flap behind 

 the anus. They chiefly frequent still muddy pools and ditches, and 

 bite eagerly at fish or meat bait. One of the two kinds — but perhaps 

 the other is only the young — grows to a foot in length. 



Among the members of the Goby family a marine Salarias and a 

 Gobius may be enumerated. There are two fresh-water species (of 

 diff'erent genera) belonging to this family ; they are fond of resting on 

 the stones in the rapid streams, probably adhering by means of the 

 sucker-like disk formed by the union of the ventrals. 



The Labridae are probably the most numerous, both in species aud 

 individuals, among the various families of Aneiteumese fishes. This, 

 I think, is generally the case where coral reefs abound. Although I 

 have seen none of Labrus proper, yet in the collection there are eleven 

 species of Julis, all once exhibiting beautiful colours, two Gomphosi, 

 three Cheilini, an Anampses and a Xirichthys. Of this last it may be 

 observed that, besides being somewhat comprehensive in form, it 

 exhibits another analogy with the dolphins in its remarkable change 

 of colour. When alive it is almost entirely waxy bluish white, but 

 after death various colours in bands, patches and spots made their 

 appearance on the skin for the first time. There is also a green 

 and blue Scarus belonging to this family. 



