﻿PLATYSOMATID.E. 



543 



1861. Platysomus rhombus, II. B. Geinitz, ibid. p. 9. 

 1861. Platysomus striatus, H. B. Geinitz, ibid. p. 9. 

 1879. Platysomus striatus, R. H. Traquair, Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinb. 

 vol. xxix. p. 369, pi. vi. figs. 1, 2. 



Type. Fish ; Paris Museum of Natural History. 



The type species, attaining a maximum length of about 0*35. 

 Greatest depth of trunk somewhat exceeding its length from the 

 pectoral arch to the base of the caudal fin ; dorsal margin angulated 

 about its middle point ; ventral margin angulated considerably be- 

 hind its middle point. Length of cranial roof with post-temporal 

 bone about equal to the distance between the latter and the dorsal 

 angulation ; head with opercular apparatus and pectoral arch 

 occupying about one -third of the total length of the fish to the base 

 of the caudal fin. Pelvic fins very small, remote ; dorsal and anal 

 fins arising at the dorsal and ventral angulations respectively, ex- 



Platysomus gibbosus (Blainv.). — Eestoration by E. H. Traquair. 



tending close to the origin of the caudal fin, and not much elevated 

 in front, the maximum height of the dorsal less than one quarter 

 the depth of the trunk at its origin ; width of caudal fin at extremity 

 equalling about two-thirds the maximum depth of the trunk. Scales 

 finely striated, the striae being oblique on all those situated dorsally 

 and ventrally and in the caudal region, but nearly vertical on the 

 deeper flank-scales ; the ornament on the scales of the dorsal and 

 ventral borders more or less tuberculated. Yertical series of scales 

 at base of anal fin reflexed forwards. 



Measurements of several specimens show that there is no difference 



