FISH. 89 



beyond, it is interrupted, or only marked out by slightly elevated tubal pores at intervals; and 

 it disappears altogether considerably before reaching the caudal. 



D. 12/15; A. 18; C. 13, &c. ; P. 14; V. 4. 

 Length 3 inches 2 lines. 

 Colour.— (In spirits.) The ground appears to have been pale yellowish-brown : sides marked with 

 numerous approximating dark transverse fascia;, twelve or fourteen in number : these fascise are 

 continued on to the caudal, where there are five, narrower than those on the body. Head 

 marked with black dots and undulating lines ; especially two undulating lines commencing on 

 the cheeks behind the eyes, and passing upwards to the nape : upper lip and sides of the throat 

 marked with several fine lines. A row of black dots a little below the base of the anterior part 

 of the dorsal. The fascia? on the sides extend on to the dorsal, where they take an oblique 

 direction backwards. Anal pale at the base, but with the tips of the rays dusky. Pectorals and 

 ventrals uniformly plain dusky. 

 Habitat, Porto Praya, Cape Verde Islands. 



Cuvier and Valenciennes state that they have received but one species of 

 Salarias from the Atlantic Ocean north of the line, the S. Atlanticus already 

 noticed. The present is a second found within that range, obtained by Mr. 

 Darwin at Porto Praya. Perhaps it may be a new one ; but it is so very nearly 

 allied to the S. vomerinus of the above authors, that I consider it hazardous to 

 describe it as distinct. It agrees especially with that species in having vomerine 

 teeth, and four rays in the ventrals, as well as in the general disposition of the 

 markings ; but no mention is made in the " Histoire des Poissons" of the nuchal 

 filaments, which, however, may have been overlooked, as they are small and 

 simple, and not very obvious. If it be identical with that species, its range in the 

 Atlantic mustbeconsiderable, as the S. vomerinus is found on the coast of S. America, 

 near Bahia. Generally speaking the same species are not observed on both sides 

 of that ocean ; and perhaps this is an argument for its being distinct : but if so, it 

 is difficult, without the opportunity of a more close comparison, to point out any 

 essential differences by which it may be characterized. 



This species appears also to have many points of agreement with the 

 S. iextilis brought by MM. Quoy and Gaimard from the Island of Ascension ; but 

 the colours do not exactly correspond, neither is there any mention made in the 

 description of this last, of the vomerine teeth and four ventral rays, which so 

 peculiarly characterize the one above noticed. 



As 1 feel some doubts with respect to this species being new or not, I have 

 thought it advisable to have it figured, more especially as there is no figure, either 

 of the S. vomerinus or S. iextilis, to both which it is so nearly allied. 



