36 



ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. 



having the curvature inwards, with a spine on each side ; this is followed by the depressed occiput, 

 which forms a hollow; and on each side of this, at its posterior margin, or at the commence- 

 ment of the nape, are two other strong spines : there are likewise two spines at the supra- 

 scapulars, and between these and the posterior margin of the orbit of the eye, on what may be 

 called the temples, are two more ; of these last, the first, which is small and close to the orbit 

 is double ; the second, which is larger and situate a little above the upper angle of the pre- 

 opercle, is, in this specimen, double on the right side and single on the left. The first suborbital 

 has two spines on its anterior margin, the first directed forwards, and the second downwards ; 

 on its disk are two salient ridges, which are unarmed, and not very conspicuous. The second 

 suborbital is entirely without spines, but elevated in the middle into a double smooth ridge or 

 crest. Margin of the preopercle with six spines ; the second longest; the first, as well a & s the 

 two lowermost, small and inconspicuous. Opercle with two osseous diverging ridges terminating 

 in spines : the scapular and clavicular bones likewise terminate each in a flattened spine! 

 Lateral line and scales much as in S. Scrofa ; the latter with their free edges perfectly smooth. 

 The cutaneous filaments and appendages on this species are as follows : three small ones 

 at the extremity of the snout; one small but broad one at the upper margin of the anterior 

 orifice of the nostril ; two very conspicuous palmated ones on each orbit, especially the posterior 

 one, which is largest, and very broad ; two on the margin of the first suborbital ; some small 

 ones on the cheeks and maxillaries ; six beneath the lower jaw, two being near the symphysis, 

 and two on each ramus ; a row on the margin of the preopercle, and very numerous small 

 ones scattered about the nape and sides of the body, of which a row along the lateral line are 

 rather more conspicuous than the others. 



The spines of the dorsal fin are moderately strong, and unequal ; the first is rather more 

 than half the length of the second, which itself is two-thirds of the third; this last is less than 

 half, but more than two-fifths, of the depth of the body ; from the third, the spines decrease 

 very gradually to the eleventh, which is a little longer than the first; the twelfth is higher than 

 the eleventh by one-third : soft portion of the fin rounded, and where most elevated just 

 equalling in height the third or longest spine. Anal spines very unequal ; the first not very 

 stout, and less than half the length of the second, which is very strong indeed, as well as the 

 longest of the three ; the third is stouter than the first, but not nearly so stout as the second, 

 though nearly equalling that spine in length : soft portion of this fin with its greatest elevation 

 rather exceeding the second spine. Caudal slightly rounded. Pectorals rather more than 

 one-fifth of the entire length ; the ten lowermost rays simple ; the nine immediately above 

 these branched ; the uppermost of all simple like the bottom ones, but slenderer as well as 

 shorter than the others. Ventrals not above two-thirds the length of the pectorals; in other 

 respects as in S. Scrofa. 

 A second specimen.— -Smaller than the one above described, measuring seven inches and a half in 

 length. The two diverging lines on the cranium between the eyes are rather more salient, and 

 the left orbit is without the fourth spine; but in all other respects, including the fin-ray 

 formula, the two specimens are exactly similar. 



Colour.— « Whole body scarlet red, fins rather paler; with small irregularly-shaped light black 

 spots." — D. 



Habitat, Chatham Island, Galapagos Archipelago. 



