ELEOTEIS. 



19 



naked or with a few scales ; operculum more or less scaly; snout broad, 

 rounded, as long as or a little longer than eye, the diameter of which is 

 5 (young) to 8 times in length of head, 1^ to 2-^ times in interorbital 

 width ; lower jaw projecting ; maxillary extending to below centre or 

 posterior border of eye ; no canine teeth ; a strong antrorse spine at 

 angle of prteoperculum. Dorsals VI, I 8, narrowly separated from each 

 other, longest soft rays -^ to f length of head. Anal I 8, its origin a 

 little behind that of dorsal. Pectoral | to | length of head, longer than 

 ventral. Caudal rounded-subacuminate, shorter than head. Caudal 

 peduncle 1|^ to 2 times as long as deep. Scales smooth on the nape, 

 strongly ciliated on the body, 40-50 in longitudinal series, 15-17 

 between dorsal and anal. Reddish brown or dark brown above, spotted 

 and speckled with darker ; a dark lateral band sometimes present; fins 

 yellowish, with dark brown or black transverse bands or series of spots ; 

 lower surface of head brown, usually with light spots. 



Total length 220 millim. 



West Africa, from Senegambia to the Congo. — Type in Paris 

 Museum. 



