139 



of the eye ; operculum aud prseoperculum entire. Body elongate, 

 covered with large scales, numbering about thirty-six on the 

 longitudinal line. First dorsal rather rounded, formed of six 

 spines ; its posterior membrane attached to the back. This fin 

 is inserted nearer to the muzzle than to the root of the caudal. 

 Second dorsal of one spine and nine rays ; its length is equal to 

 the distance from the muzzle to the posterior edge of the eye, 

 and the space from its end to the base of the caudal is about one 

 and a-half times the same distance. The height of this fin is 

 about equal to that of the body at the point of its insertion. 

 The caudal is strongly bifurcated, formed of seventeen long rays 

 and of several others on the sides ; the anal is formed of one 

 spine and eight rays ; it is inserted below the second dorsal ; 

 ventrals a little in front of the first dorsal, they are rather large, 

 and composed of one spine and five rays. Pectorals of twelve 

 rays. The upper part of the head is covered with large scales 

 up to the centre of the eye ; the anterior part with longitudinal 

 lines. 



I have only seen one specimen, caught at Cape Shanck by Dr. 

 Howitt ; it appears, after having been in spirits, of a light green, 

 with the lower parts white and silvery ; a broad longitudinal 

 band, more brilliant, extends on the sides ; upper fins and caudal 

 yellow ; anal and ventrals white. Length, 3 inches. 



MUGILID^. 



"Body more or less oblong and compressed, 

 covered with cycloid scales of moderate size ; lateral 

 line, none. Cleft of the mouth narrow, or of 

 moderate width, without or with feeble teeth. Eye 

 lateral, well developed. Gill-opening wide; four 

 gills ; pseudobranchise ; five or six branchiostegals ; 

 two short dorsal fins, the anterior with four stiff 

 spines; anal a little longer than the dorsal op- 

 posite; ventral fins with one spine and six rays. 



