402 



ON SOME NEW SPECIES OF AMERICAN AND AFRICAN FISHER. 



rays, of which the anterior is small and directed downwards and forwards. Anal with 

 three spinous rays, its whole extent equal that of the soft dorsal. Branchiostegal radii 

 six. Pectoral fin elongate. 



Char, specif. Greatest depth of body between origins of dorsal and anal fins equal 

 length of body from end muzzle to origin of caudal fin. Iladii U. X. 21. C. +18.+. A. 

 III. 17. V. I. 5. P. I. 16. Osseous ray of pectoral very small ; that of ventral very strong. 

 Soft rays of ventral reaching to soft anal ; ditto of pectoral to origin of caudal. Caudal 

 angularly convex. Second and third spinous dorsals small, fifth much the longest. 



Scales 11 — 43 — 27 ; lateral line describing a strong upward curve. Cheek and a patch 

 on the branchiostegal membrane scaled. Orbit twice in length of head, two and one-half 

 times in vertical line below superciliary ridge. Operculum narrower than scapular plate, 

 with subopcrculum over three times as high as wide ; latter ascending to opposite inferior 

 margin pupil. Praeoperculum serrate behind and with nine cutting spines below. Mouth 

 very small, projectile ; teeth in numerous packed series, simple, acute. 



Color. Everywhere uniform silvery. 



Dimensions. Total length five in. six lin. Depth four in. one lin. From gular region 

 to point of supraoccipital crest two in. six lin. Depth of soft dorsal and anal fins respec- 

 tively one in. one lin., and one in. Height of fifth dorsal spine one in. 



Habitat. Western African seas. Sent to the Academy by our correspondent, Dr. Thos. 

 S. Savage, 



This interesting type represents in its range, the Drepane of East Indian seas. Its 

 peculiarity consists in its stronger armature, and increased number of dorsal rays. 



CORVINA MONACANTHA, SI'. NOV. 



A species differing from those hitherto described, in having one anal spine, no pseudo- 

 branchiae, and more numerous dorsal rays. The pscudobranchiae are % wanting (Giinther), 

 in C. microps, Steindachner, and in some others, the first anal bony ray is very short. 



The greatest depth (at front of dorsal fin) equals length of head ; prrcoperculum sharply 

 serrate on vertical margin. 



Scales 10 — 16 — 49 at ventrals; lateral line continued to end of sublanceolate caudal. 

 Diameter of eye one-fifth head. Pharyngeal patches small; teeth bristly. D. 10. 1. 33. 

 C, 17 A. 1, 5 ; V. I. 5, first articulate prolonged into a filament, which reaches beyond 

 vent ; P. 18 as long as tip ventrals without filament. Silvery everywhere, without spots; 

 dorsal region grayish. 



