SARGUS HOTTENTOTUS. 



slanting obliquely forwards, and with the anterior edge formed for cutting, 

 the posterior edge, is a small elbow between which and the anterior there 

 is a gently inclined plane diminishing in width backwards ; incisors of lower 

 jaw eight, nearly horizontal, closely set, and with cutting edges; grinders 

 small and rounded ; one row in the upper jaw and two in lower. The lateral 

 line is arched, commences at the upper angle of the operculum, and ter- 

 minates at the base of the caudal fin about equidistant of each side ; it con- 

 sists of a series of simple, short, horizontal tubes, most distinct towards the 

 caudal fin. Upper surface of head, margin of orbit inferiorly, region in front 

 of eyes, lower jaw, and a broad edging to the preoperculum smooth and 

 without scales. Operculum, interoperculum, and space between smooth por- 

 tion of preoperculum and lower edge of orbit covered with small subovate 

 scales; shoulder scale large, with its edges slightly striated. Scales of body 

 large, the exposed portion of each subovate, and arranged in oblique trans- 

 verse rows, the direction from before backwards ; the triangular space in front 

 of ventral and pectoral fins, as also the nape covered with small scales. 

 Dorsal fin slightly arched, the fifth spinous ray the longest, the first very short, 

 and the soft rays shorter than any of the spinous ones excepting the first. 

 Anal fin also arched, and the second spinous is the longest, and is besides 

 very robust. Pectoral fins long, the fifth ray, reckoning from upper edge, 

 rather the longest ; ventral fin supported by a very strong spinous ray not so 

 long as the second and third, the second towards point much branched ; caudal 

 fin deeply forked. Length from the nose to the pectoral fin five inches ; from 

 the nose to the commencement of dorsal 6i inches ; to pectorals 6 inches ; 

 from nose to tip of lower portion of caudal fin 18 inches. Greatest depth 

 under commencement of dorsal fin 61 inches. Length from nose to point of 

 caudal fin 171 inches. 



B. 7 ; D. y. j P. 14 ; V. 1 ; A. ^ ; C. 18. 



Inhabits the seas of the south-east coast of Southern Africa, and is frequently found in 

 some of the larger rivers. It feeds upon shell-fish, &c. 



