SEBASTES CAPENSIS. 



of the hindermost nostril, four over the eye, one in front and three 

 behind ; and the last, with its lengthened base, is situated more towards 

 the mesial line, and immediately over the base of the uppermost spine of 

 the shoulder. Preoperculum posteriorly with a prominent edge, which is 

 armed with five more or less acute and strong spines ; operculum terminated 

 posteriorly by a triangular fleshy point, before which are two spines, the 

 lowermost the smallest. Spines of shoulders two, situated between the 

 point of the uppermost spine of operculum and the last spine of the head. 

 Dorsal outline from origin of dorsal fin to snout strongly arched from the 

 former to caudal fin nearly straight, or with a slight concavity most distinct 

 under the seventh and eight dorsal rays. Ventral outline, from tip of lower jaw 

 to origin of anal fin, rather strongly arched ; from latter to caudal fin a gently 

 ascending line. Lateral line nearly parallel to the outline of the back, is slightly 

 raised, and commences above the lowermost shoulder-plate, and terminates 

 midway between the two edges of the base of the caudal fin. Space in front 

 of eyes, upper lip, and lower jaw, without scales, the other parts of the head 

 and body covered with scales ; those on the former small and irregular ; those 

 on the body moderately large, semicircular ; and all, excepting those of the 

 belly, with the posterior edge finely serrated. Dorsal fin rather low, the 

 membranous portion highest, and of the spinous rays the third is the longest. 

 Caudal fin posteriorly subfalcate ; pectorals oblong, posteriorly ovate, the 

 rays fleshy, and the eight inferior ones only connected by membrane towards 

 their base. Ventral fins moderately long, the second and third rays longest, 

 the first spinous and strong. Anal fin rather deep ; the three first rays 

 spinous, the two first very strong, the third rather slender, removed from 

 second and in close contact with the first cartilaginous ray, which, and the 

 second, are the longest. Eyes rather large. Nostrils double, and close to 

 the upper and anterior edge of orbit, the one in front of the other. Teeth 

 criniform, and forming a narrow band round the inner edge of each jaw. 

 Adult specimens generally measure about 14 inches in length. 



B. 7; " D.-H; p - 18 ; v -i; A -i> c - u - 



Inhabits the seas around the Cape of Good Hope, and is caught generally with baited hooks ; 

 it is a common fish in the market of Cape Town. 



