FISH FAUNA. 71 



PHYSOSTOMI. 

 SILURIDiE. 



PLOTOSUS, Laeepede. 

 Plotosus arar, Forsk., sp. 

 Abundant both in rock-pools and in the open sea, where it is taken by 

 hand-lines ; it grows to at least twelve inches in length, and is not used as food. 



SCOPELIDJE. 



SAUIiUS, Cuvier. 

 Saurus variits, Lace'p., sp. 

 A single specimen measuring seven inches was taken in a seine, and 

 secured for us by Mr. Saunders, who considers it rare. 



SCOMBRESQCIDjE. 



SCOMBRESOX, Laeepede. 



SCOMRRESOX FORSTERI, Cuv. Sf Vol. 



Two specimens, each of a length of twelve inches, were obtained by our col- 

 lectors, who state that they are rare, one or two only being taken in the nets 

 along with the succeeding species. 



HEMIRHAMPHTJS, Cuvier. 

 Hemirhampiitjs intermedins, Cant. 

 Abundant at certain seasons and growing to at least fifteen inches ; they 

 are taken in vast numbers by means of the seine net, and are much and 

 justly esteemed as food. 



EXOCCETUS, Artedi. 

 Exoccetus DOVII, Gill. 

 Like Scombresox forsteri this species occurs occasionally in the nets among 

 the G-arfishes. 



STERNOPTYCHIDJE. 



Sternoptychldes, Ogilby* 

 Pseudobranchiae present. Head and trunk much elevated and compressed, 

 the latter passing gradually into the moderately long pedicle. Eyes large, 

 directed upwards and outwards, and divided by an elevated bony ridge ; cleft 

 of mouth deep, and almost vertical ; jaws equal when closed. The margin of 

 the upper jaw is formed of the inter-maxillary and maxillary, each of which 

 bears a row of long recurved teeth at a considerable distance from one 

 another ; mandible with a similar row, one of which on either side is much 

 more developed. Dorsal fin short, preceded by an osseous plate pierced by 

 neural spines. Adipose fin present or absent. Pectoral fins well developed 

 Ventrals moderate. Grill-openings wide ; gill-rakers long. Body covered 

 with a silvery pigment, but with no distinct scales. A series of imbricate 

 scutes along the edge of the abdomen, forming with the prolonged pubic 

 bones a slightly-serrated margin. Two series of phosphorescent spots along 

 the lower side of the head, body, and tail. 



Sternoptychides amarilis, Ogilby. 

 D. 5/11—12. A. 13 (?). V ?. P. 10 P. C. 6/18/6.f 

 The greatest height of the body is three-fifths of the total length. Least 

 height of pedicle about one-tenth of that of the body. Length of the snout 

 one-half cf the diameter of the eye. Teeth and fins as in generic diagnosis. 

 Colors. — Silvery. 



* Described in the Proc. Linn. Soc. N. 8. Wales, in (2), 1888, p. 1313. 

 f The specimens are in such bad condition that it is impossible to give the fin formula 

 with certainty. 



