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second dorsal is situated at a considerable distance behind the 

 first, this distance being contained three times in that to the 

 extremity of the snout ; it is formed of one feeble spine and eight 

 rays. These two dorsals are well developed ; the caudal is bifur- 

 cated, and formed of sixteen long rays and some short ones ; the 

 anal is inserted below the second dorsal, but it is much longer ; 

 it is formed of one spine and twelve rays ; the ventrals are in- 

 serted a little in advance of the first dorsal. The pectorals are 

 rather large, equal to the snout up to the anterior margin of the 

 eye ; they are formed of thirteen rays. 



The back is of a light green, with the belly white, and a broad, 

 longitudinal, silvery band on each side ; the head is of a rather 

 olive colour ; the dorsals grey, the second of these has a yellow 

 tinge on its external part; the caudal and pectorals are yellow, 

 and the lower fins white. 



On the living specimen, there was a rather large, round, black 

 spot on the caudal, near its base ; but it has entirely disappeared 

 after having been preserved in spirits. 



I have only seen one specimen, which was taken in the month 

 of August. It is nearly 6 inches long. 



Nota. — Since then, I have seen a second specimen, which had 

 only a very faint trace of the caudal black spot. 



ATHEKINOSOMA. 



General form of Atlierina. Cleft of the mouth small, and not 

 extending to the eye ; longitudinal silvery band on the sides ; but 

 the teeth are large on each jaw, hooked, and placed on several 

 rows. Also on the vomer and palatines there are numerous 

 tuberculous teeth, which extend on all the upper surface of the 

 interior of the mouth, and also on the tongue. The mouth is 

 not, or at the utmost only slightly, extensible. Two dorsals. 



This new form will render it necessary to rectify the characters 

 of AtJierinidce, or to form for it a new family. 



ATHEKINOSOMA YOEAX. 



Height contained seven times in the entire length ; head four 

 and a-half times in the same ; eye contained three and one-third 

 times in the length of the head. The lower jaw is sensibly longer 

 than the upper one ; snout considerably shorter than the diameter 



