FISH. j ' 



scarcely any trace of them between those of the caudal. The pectorals are rounded, attached 

 low down, and about half the length of the head. Ventrals directly beneath them, shorter, 

 and more pointed. 

 Colour.—" Mottled brown."— D. The dried skin appears nearly of a uniform brown, simply a 

 little paler beneath. There is some indication of a whitish band along the base of the anal and 

 soft dorsal, which may be the remains of a brighter colour. The base of the pectorals and 

 ventrals is also paler than the extremity of those fins. 



Habitat, Galapagos Archipelago. 



This species was also obtained at Chatham Island, in the Galapagos, where 

 Mr. Darwin states that it is common. In some of its characters it approaches the 

 S. labriformis, but in others it is essentially different. It rather departs from most 

 of the Serrani in the teeth, and in the small development of the canines. The 

 nostrils also are rather peculiar. Perhaps it may one day be found to constitute 

 the type of a distinct genus. 



Plectuopoma Patachonica. Jen. 



P. operculo spinis tribus, intermedia maxima ; preoperculo margine adscendenti den- 

 ticulato ; ad angulum dente unico, et ad marginem basalem dentibus duobus, forti- 

 bus ; pinna dorsali spinis quarto, et quintet longissimis ; pectoralibns radiorum api- 

 cibus e membrana paulo exeuntibus ; caudali leviter rotundatd. 



B. 7 ; D. 13/15 vel 16 ; A. 3/8 vel 9 ; C. 17* ; P. 17 ; V. 1/5. 



Long. unc. 15. 



Form.— Greatest depth about one-third of the entire length, excluding caudal. Head rather 

 exceeding one-third. Profile descending obliquely in nearly a straight line from the com- 

 mencement of the dorsal to the end of the snout. Eyes large, high in the cheeks ; their 

 diameter nearly one-fourth of the length of the head. The lower jaw a little the longest : both 

 it and the maxillary without scales. A band of velutine teeth in each jaw ; the outer row in 

 card, with some, stronger than the others, which may be considered canines : above, the prin- 

 cipal canines are about six in number on each side near the extremity ; below, there are three 

 or four larger than the others similarly situated. The preopercle has the ascending margin dis- 

 tinctly denticulated ; on the basal margin are two strong teeth directed forwards, and a third 

 at the angle. The opercle has three strong flattened spines; the middle one most developed. 

 At the lower angle of the subopercle is a small flat moderately sharp point. Fourth and fifth 

 dorsal spines longest ; the succeeding ones gradually diminishing to half the height of the soft 

 portion of the fin which follows. Second anal spine very stout. Pectorals with the tips of the 

 rays slightly projecting beyond the membrane, giving it a festooned appearance. Caudal 

 slightly rounded. 



