388 



Dr. Richardson's Contributions to 



the two lower ones being much more slender than the rest. The 

 pectorals are oblique, and coarsely crenated by the projection of the 

 ends of the rays and notching of the membrane. The space between 

 the fins on the throat is greater than that occupied by the attach- 

 ment of each fin to the humeral bones. The length of the pectoral, 

 measured from the lowest and shortest ray to the edge of the upper 

 rounded part, is exactly equal to one-third of the total length of the 

 fish, caudal included, or a little more than the distance between the 

 upper lip and tip of the gill-flap. The ventrals measure half the ex- 

 treme length of the pectorals, and are bound lengthwise to the belly 

 up to their tips. The dorsal commences immediately behind the oc- 

 ciput, the three first rays rising from a depression which is flanked 

 by the reverted temporal plates. The second spine is the tallest, 

 and the membrane of all the three is deeply notched, particularly 

 behind the third one, where it descends to the base of the fourth 

 spine. These three spines also alternate more to the right and left 

 side of the membrane than the spines which follow. The fourth 

 spine equals the first or third one in height, and the succeeding ones 

 shorten very gradually to the ninth and tenth, which are about 

 one-third shorter. The three following spines increase successively 

 in height, and more rapidly, so that the twelfth equals the first, third 

 and fourth, and the thirteenth is the tallest of all the spines ; but it 

 is overtopped by about one-third of the soft fin : this is rounded, its 

 three middle rays are the tallest, and the sixth and last ray is forked 

 to the base, is shorter than the rest, and is bound to the tail by an 

 edging of membrane which runs from its tip to the base of the caudal. 

 The rays of the anal are very oblique, and though about as long as 

 those of the soft dorsal, the fin does not rise nearly so high : the last 

 ray is bound down its whole length to the tail, but the membrane 

 does not run from its tip to the caudal : the three spines are short, 

 curve backwards, and are not pungent. The caudal is small and 

 rounded, and contains thirteen rays, the two extreme ones being 

 shorter than the rest. All the fins are enveloped in thick skin, which 

 towards the tips of the rays is rough and warty. This is especially 

 the case on the dorsal spines. 



The colour of the specimen, when moistened, was dark brown, 

 paler towards the ventral surface. The pectorals and caudal ap- 

 peared dark at their tips, and were crossed on their basal halves by 

 two conspicuous whitish or pale yellow bands, and several streaks 

 on a brown ground. The soft dorsal and anal were crossed by pale, 



oblique bands. 



Dimensions. inches> lines> 



Length from edge of snout to end of caudal fin 10 1 



. base of ditto 8 8 



anus 6 8 



tip of gill-flap 2 10 



first dorsal spine 2 1 



Height at ventrals 4 



Thickness at pectorals 3 6 



Height of second dorsal spine 9 



tenth , 6| 



