272 CHAKACINID^. 



arch. Dorsal 23-25 (4-t5 unbranched), equally distant from occiput 

 and from caudal. Adipose fin small, equally distant from rayed 

 dorsal and from caudal. Anal 13-14 (3-4 unbranched), its base much 

 shorter tlian that of dorsal. Pectoral f to f length of head. Caudal 

 forked, with acutely pointed lobes. Caudal peduncle as long as deep or 

 a little deeper. Scales 75-85 jgrjy, 11-12 between lateral line and root 

 of ventral. Brown above, silvery white below ; sides with numerous 

 round dark spots, disposed irregularly ; dorsal with more or less distinct 

 dark spots, which may form transverse series ; young with a round dark 

 spot at root of caudal. 



Total length 270 millim. 



Nile, Blue Nile, Bahr-el-Gebel, Niger. 



13. DISTICHODUS BREVIPTNNIS. 



Giinth. Cat. Fish. v. p. 360 (1864), and Petherick's Trav. ii. p. 247, pi. iii. fig. C 

 (1869) ; Steind. Sitzb. Ak. Wieu, Ixi. i. 1870, p. 547, pi. iii. fig. 1 ; Bouleng. 

 Ann. & Mag. N. H. (7) viii. 1901, p. 513, and Fish. Nde, p. 146, pi. xxiv. 

 fig. 1 (1907). 



Depth of body 2f to 3 times in total length, length of head 3 to 4 

 times. Head as long as or a little longer than deep, IJ to 2 times 

 as long as broad ; snout broad, rounded, slightly projecting beyond 

 mouth, its length about f to ^ that of head ; eye 3 (young) to 6 times 

 in length of head, interorbital width twice or a little more ; width of 

 mouth 3 or 4 times in length of head ; teeth in two series, outer containing 

 20 (young) to 34 ; maxillary extending to below nostrils ; upper surface of 

 head with feeble strise. Gill-rakers short, 14-16 on lower part of anterior 

 arch. Dorsal 20-23 (4-6 unbranched), equally distant from occiput 

 and from caudal ; longest rays ^ to |- length of head. Adipose fia 

 rather large, its base as long as or a little shorter than its distance from 

 dorsal. Anal 13-15 (3-4 unbranched), its base much shorter than 

 that of dorsal. Pectoral f to f length of head, as long as or slightly 

 shorter than ventral. Caudal forked, with short rounded lobes. Caudal 

 peduncle usually deeper than long. Scales 80-91 22^0? 18-20 between 



