34 



S. TAN AK A : 



Colour in formalin blackish above, paler below ; on median parts of 

 body some six, indistinct dark blotches at somewhat equidistant intervals ; 

 behind the posteriormost blotch of the series a very distinct dark blotch 

 on caudal base. Above the series and on back some more blotches present. 

 Second dorsal with about 5 oblique series of blackish spots, directed 

 downward and backward ; broadly edged with whitish. Caudal dusky, 

 with broad, whitish edge. Anal dusky, also with whitish, broad edge. 

 Pectoral slightly dusky, with narrow whitish edge. Ventral dusky, with 

 whitish edge. Head indistinctly spotted above, dusky or pale below ; 

 3 dark lines radiating from eye, of which one runs horizontally forward 

 from eye and unites with the fellow of the other side on anterior edge 

 of prcorbital parts ; the second line runs forward and downward to reach 

 angle of mouth ; the third goes backward and disappears at a point 

 midway between its origin and the uppermost edge of opercle. Coloura- 

 tion and markings considerably vary with age. In a specimen 3.6 

 cm. long without caudal, markings of second dorsal indistinct, but 

 almost uniformly dusky and with whitish edge ; markings of body and 

 head very indistinct. In a specimen 2.7 cm. long without caudal, the 

 markings are very distinct ; first dorsal and caudal showing the same 

 markings as the second dorsal ; anal whitish or with same marking 

 as in second dorsal ; pectoral whitish or with some rows of spots ; 

 ventral whitish ; head with very distinct markings. 



The species is quite distinct from any species of the genus 

 hitherto known from Japan. The chief characteristics of the species 

 are as follows: head broader than high; snout short; ventral small, not 

 reaching to the perpendicular passing through tip of pectoral ; vertical 

 fins all with a somewhat small number of rays ; nape closely scaled. 



Numerous specimens from a fresh-water ponti in the garden of 

 Marquis Kuroda in Tokyo. The largest specimen, the type, is 3.6 cm. 

 long without caudal ; it is contained in the Zoological Museum of the 

 Science College, registered No. 2008. The species is named for Mr. 

 N. Kuroda, by whom it was discovered. 



