6 Ribband Fishes of the Genus Gymnetrus. 



obtain the figure which accompanies this paper, and some 

 notes which will enable ns the better to understand some 

 further particulars of its peculiarities. It is to be observed that 

 the figure given in Sir John Richardson's (second) supplement 

 to Mr. Yarrell's History of British Fishes, is represented, 

 especially as regards the crest or plume on the top of the head, 

 as it is said to have been seen at first by the fishermen, and 

 not as when it was examined by the gentlemen who described 

 it ; but we prefer to represent it as it actually appeared when 

 examined by ourselves in London. 



On comparing the fish as exhibited with the figures repre- 

 sented in the great work on fishes by Cuvier, an adequate 

 likeness did not show itself in any of them. The mouth ap- 

 peared arched above, the mystache conspicuous, angle of the 

 mouth depressed. The front ray of the fin on the forhead 

 admitted of very little motion, but projected firmly forward ; 

 but this and all behind it were broken short, and no one of the 

 fishermen who were present at this examination would affirm 

 that the rays were at first bordered by a membrane through 

 their whole length. A membrane united the rays for less than 

 half their length, but beyond this it seemed uncertain. By 

 joining the piece of the pectoral fin that had been broken off, 

 this fin was shown to have the first rays longest, and conse- 

 quently that it tapered towards the extremity. The tail portion 

 of the body was remarkable, and therefore has required to be 

 exhibited separately. The dorsal fin ended a very little short 

 of it ; and from thence the outline sloped downward, the lower 

 portion forming an angle two or three inches behind a perpen- 

 dicular line drawn from the upper. The exact internal struc- 

 ture of this part could scarcely be known without dissection ; 

 but from a fixed point of bone above there passed a firm bony 

 curve, with the concavity towards the body, to the fixed point 

 below ; and from one to the other was stretched a thin sub- 

 stance resembling membrane, which appeared to represent- 

 something that might act as a fin, at least for the purpose of 

 guiding or assisting its progress. A curiosity in the inward 

 structure of this fish was observed in the convolution of the 

 intestine, which passed backward close to the end of the body, 

 and then returned to the vent that was much nearer to the 

 head. 



It is clear that this fish is an inhabitant of the northern seas, 

 where it grows to a greater length than we have already men- 

 tioned ; for since the date given above an example was obtained 

 about five miles north of Wick, in Scotland, that measured more 

 sixteen feet. But there is much difference of opinion among 

 naturalists as regards the distinction of species of several of the 

 examples which have been met with. Dr. J. E. Gray has ex- 



