— -J 



20 



32. Stromateus Capensis. Mihi. N. Sp. (Katmiker.j 

 Body compressed, oblong-rhomboid; head obtuse; mouth, 

 small, not projectile ; teeth velvety. One dorsal only, 

 covered with epidermis ; no ventral fin. Caudal nearly 

 as long as the dorsal. Tail forked ; scales small. Lon- 

 gitudinal line almost straight. Head olive-green, upper 

 part of the body light-blue, with some faint yellow longi- 

 tudinal stripes ; belly silvery, with a red tint. Iris 

 white. The specimen from which this description is 

 drawn, measured thirteen inches long and five and a half 

 inches broad. 



A good table-fish, but not common. It is caught with the hook and 

 net, chiefly East of Table Bay. 



33. Lepidopus Argyretjs. Cuv. & Val. (Kallcvisch ; 



Scabbard-fish. J — Body compressed, lengthened, narrow, 



riband-like ; skin smooth. Head pointed, bearing a 



great resemblance to that of the Snook. Mouth gaping, 



large, armed with rows of strong trenchant teeth, and 



four larger ones in front. Under jaw projecting beyond 



the upper. Dorsal fin low and equal, nearly as long as 



the back ; pectoral fins small, hooked ; two round scales 



as rudiments of a ventral fin. Anal fin short, caudal 



small, forked. Lateral line straight. Colour of back 



faint steel-blue, on a silvery ground ; the whole surface 



of the body clothed with a silvery dust. Length five 



feet ; breadth from three to four inches. 



This curious fish swims in undulating motions and with astounding- 

 velocity. It is but very rarely caught in the net. In the course of six 

 years, not more than three individuals, to my knowledge, were taken 

 in Table Bay. I found its flesh fine and delicious. 



MUGILLID^. 



34. Mugil Capensis. Cuv. & Val. (Harder; Mullet.) 

 Body oblong, nearly cylindrical, robust. Head small, 

 broad, flat ; muzzle, short, blunt ; lower jaw with a 

 depression, corresponding to a prominence in the upper 

 one. Superior mandible provided with a row of fine, 



