472 DR JOHN ALEXANDER SMITH ON CALAMOICHTHYS, 



II. Description of a Female Calamoichthys calabaricus :■ — 



Female. — A specimen, measuring 9| inches in total length (including caudal 

 fin-rays). 



Head, like the male. 



Body, relatively more slender and pointed posteriorly, towards its caudal 

 extremity. 



Fins. — Fins small : — 



The Dorsal finlets like the male, but eleven in number, the last being attached 

 to the base of the caudal fin-rays ; each finlet has a single soft ray, with the ex- 

 ception of the last, which is hard, like the caudal fin-rays. The interval between 

 these different finlets is widest in the middle of the series of the finlets: — 

 thus, between the first and second finlets, it is \ of an inch ; between the fourth 

 and fifth, rather more than \ ; and between the ninth and tenth, it is only ^ of 

 an inch. The osseous forked spines supporting the front of each finlet are 

 about 2% of an inch in length. 



The Pectoral fins are obtusely lobate, fin-rays seventeen, soft ; length of 

 pedicle and fin-rays about -^ of an inch, of which the central fin-rays measure 

 ^y of an inch. The breadth across the pedicle is T \) of an inch. 



The Ventral fins are wanting. 



The Anal fin is much diminished in size, as compared with that of the male, 

 and when closed and laid between its scaly longitudinal folds of abdominal skin, 

 it is scarcely perceptible. It is relatively smaller, and also more pointed in form, 

 than that of the male, described at length. The triangularly-shaped group of 

 scales at its base anteriorly is very small. The fin-rays are only eight in 

 number ; five of them being larger and more distinct, and covered with rows of 

 small ganoid scales, and three rays being small and less distinct. Its rays extend 

 only to the base of the caudal fin-rays, below ; the length of the fifth or longest ray 

 being \ of an inch, and the breadth across the base of the fin is about \ of an inch. 



The Caudal fin is more acute or pointed ; and the fin-rays are thirteen in 

 number, and hard ; the rays towards the centre of the tail being divided, and 

 subdivided, as in the male. 



The Lateral line, like the male, occasionally interrupted in its course, one 

 scale, and then two or three scales, being passed over or having no pores. 

 Various scattered pores also occur over the sides of the back. 



The Colour, like that of the male. 



The measurements of this female fish are as follows : — 



Length, or Longitudinal Measurements. 



Total length (including caudal fin-rays), nearly 9^ inches. 

 Do. of body — From point of snout to caudal extremity (not including fin- 

 rays), 9^ inches. 



