CICHLIDJE. 331 



31 a. PARAT1LAPIA THOMASI. 

 Bouleng. Ann. & Mag. N. H. (8) xv. 1915, p. 204. 



Depth of body 2 to 2^ times in total length, length of head 2|- to 

 3^ times. Head twice as long as broad ; snout with convex upper 

 profile, broader than long, \ to f postocular part of head ; eye 3^ to 

 3 \ times in length of head, 1 to 1^ times in interorbital width, greater 

 than prseorbital depth ; mouth rather small, extending to between 

 nostril and eye ; prcemaxillary processes short ; teeth small, in 3 or 4 

 series ; 3 or 4 series of scales on the cheek, width of scaly part a little 

 less than diameter of eye. Gill-rakers short, 7 or 8 on lower part of 

 anterior arch. Dorsal XIV 9-10 ; spines increasing in length to the 

 last, which measures f to \ length of head; longest soft ray nearly 

 as long as head. Anal HI 7-8 ; third spine a little shorter than last 

 dorsal. Pectoral a little shorter than head, not extending to vertical of 



Fie. 192. 



Paratilapia thomasi. 

 Type. 



origin of anal. Ventral much produced, extending beyond origin of 

 anal. Caudal rounded. Caudal peduncle deeper than long. Scales 

 very feebly denticulate, 25-27 jq] lateral lines -^ . Yellowish, with 

 six black cross-bands, the third of which may expand into a rhombic 

 spot ; a black bar from the eye to the mouth ; a black opercular spot, 

 with or without small pearl-white spots ; dorsal and anal fins grey, the 

 former edged with white ; outer rays of ventral black. 



Total length 65 millim. 



Sierra Leone. 



1-3. Types. Maka. N. W. Thomas, Esq. (P.). 



4-5. Ail. N. Sherbo district. ,, 



Appears most nearly related to P. dorsalis. As in P. codringtoni, the 

 maxillary bone is concealed when the mouth is closed, the fish having 

 the appearance of a Tilajpia. 



