FISH. 23 



not show so strong a resemblance to the Labridce; but it approaches very closely 

 the P. Brasilianus. 



Percophis Brasilianus. Cuv. 



Percophis Brasilianus, Cuv. ct Vol. Hist, des Poiss. torn. iii. p. 209. pi. 64. 

 Brasiliensis, Freycinet, (Voyage) Zoologie, p. 351, pi. 53. fig. I . 



Form. — Depth and breadth in the region of the pectorals about equal, each being contained ten and 

 a half, or nearly eleven times in the entire length. Head not quite four and a half times 

 in the same. In the upper jaw, three strong, curved, sharp-pointed canine teeth on each side; 

 besides a velutine band extending the whole way, with the outer row longer and more developed 

 than the others : in the lower jaw a velutine band, with long sharp canines, similar to those 

 above, arising amongst them at nearly regular intervals, to the number of ten or eleven on each 

 side ; none exactly in front, and not all of the same size, but passing here and there into card. 

 Membranous margin of the preopercle very finely, almost obsoletely denticulated. Branchial 

 membrane with seven rays, the seventh being not much smaller than the sixth.* The whole 

 head covered with scales, including the lower jaw, and the upper half of the maxillary. Lateral 

 line nearly straight, a little above the middle. First dorsal commencing at about one-third of 

 the entire length, excluding caudal ; of a triangular form, with its length a little exceeding its 

 height; second spine longest, about equalling the depth of the body. Distance between the 

 two dorsals equalling half the length of the first. Second dorsal with the first ray longest, 

 equalling the longest of the spines in the first dorsal ; second and succeeding rays slightly 

 decreasing to the sixth, beyond which they are nearly even, with the exception of the last three 

 or four, which are shorter ; all these rays very much branched, with the intervening membrane 

 deeply notched. Anal commencing a little before the end of the first dorsal, and terminating 

 nearly in a line with, but in strictness a very little beyond, the second dorsal ; rays and membrane 

 much as in that fin, to which it answers in general height. Distance between the second dorsal 

 and caudal, only one-twenty-eighth of the entire length. Caudal appears obliquely square, the 

 upper rays being slightly longer than the lower, but perhaps worn so. Pectorals one-eighth of 

 the entire length. Ventrals about three-fourths of their length, attached in front of them, as 

 described by Cuvier. In the axillae of the pectorals is a falcated membranaceous appendage 

 covered with scales (not noticed by Cuvier), a very little less than one-fourth the length of the 

 fins themselves. 



B. 7; D. 10—32; A. 41 ; C. 15. &C. ; P. IB; V. 1/5. 



Length 21 inches. 



Colour. — " Above pale, regularly and symmetrically marked with brownish red, the tip of each scale 

 being so coloured. Beneath silvery white. Sides with a faint coppery tinge. Ventral fins 

 yellowish. Pupil of the eye intense black." — D. 



• Cuvier in his description, says, of the seventh ray, " fort petit," but it is very obvious in this specimen, and 

 scarcely smaller than the sixth, as above stated. 



