COEVINA.— OTOLITHUS. 117 



longer than giU-laminse, 14 to 16 on lower part of anterior arch. 

 Dorsal X 32-37; first spine very short, second and third equal or 

 latter the longer, i or a little more than l length of head; 

 longest soft rays about i length of head. Anal II 5-7, below 

 middle of soft dorsal; second spine very strong, I to f length of 

 head. Pectoral as long as head or a little shorter. Caudal lanceolate. 

 50-60 scales in longitudinal series. Silvery, greenish on the back ; dark 

 streaks, often very indistinct, along the oblique series of scales on the 

 back and sides ; spinous dorsal with a large dark blotch, soft dorsal often 

 with round dark spots. 

 Total length 425 millim. 



West Coast of Africa, from the Senegal to the Congo, entering rivers.— 

 Type in Paris Museum. 



1-5. Ad , ligr., & yg. St. Louis, Senegal. M. P. Delhez (C). 



6. Skel. 



7-8- -Ad. Gambia. J. S. Biidgett, Esq. (P.). 



9. Hgr. Old Calabar. Miss Kingsley (C). 



10- Hgr. Chiloango R., at Snssa Dr. W. J. Ansorge ((\). 



Zau. 



11- Hgr. Luali R., at Liindo, ., 



Portuguese Couoo. 



2. OTOLITHUS. 



Cuv. Regne Anim. 2nd ed. ii. p. 172 (1829) ; Cuv. & Val. Hist. Poiss. v. p. 59 

 (1830) ; Gunth. Cat. Fish. ii. p. 305 (1860) ; Bouleng. Poiss. Bass. Congo, 

 p. 384 (1901). 



PseudotolitJuts, Bleek. Nat. Verb. Ges. Haarlem, xviii. 1863, no. 2, p. 59. 



Body elongate, compressed ; scales moderate or rather small, ctenoid ; 

 lateral line complete, extending to the extremity of the caudal fin. 

 Mouth large, protractile, oblique ; maxillary nearly entirely concealed 

 when the mouth is closed; teeth cardiform, intermixed with larger, canine- 

 like teeth. Piteoperculum serrated ; no opercular spines. 7 branchio- 

 stegal rays. Two dorsals, connected at the base, the fii'st not more 

 than half as long as the second and with 9 or 10 spines; anal 

 short, with 2 spines. Ventrals below base of pectorals, with basal scaly 

 process. Vertebrse 24-25 (10-11 -J-14). Air-bladder with processes or 

 appendages, 



Tropical and Subtropical seas, some species entering rivers. 



