472 



profile ; the length of its diameter is 4£ in that of the head, and less 

 than the width of the infraorbital space, which is flat. The prae- 

 operculum is much higher than wide, with the posterior margin 

 vertical and with the inferior and the angle rounded. The margins 

 are entirely smooth, and there are no scales between them and the 

 fleshy portion of the cheeks. The operculum and suboperculum are 

 covered with large scales ; the former is rounded posteriorly, the 

 latter has a shallow notch before the root of the pectoral. 



The dorsal fin begins in the vertical from the base of the pectoral 

 and terminates in that from the twenty-second scale of the lateral 

 line. The upper margin is nearly straight, the soft portion, however, 

 being elevated ; it is entirely scaleless. The spines are of moderate 

 strength ; they increase in length from the first to the last, the length 

 of which is one-half that of the head. The membrane between them 

 emits a short filament behind every one. The anterior rays continue 

 to increase in length to the sixth, which forms the highest portion 

 of the fin, its length being four-fifths that of the head. The following 

 rays become rapidly shorter. The caudal is subtruncated and covered 

 with small scales at the base ; its length is one fifth of the total. The 

 anal begins in the vertical from the second dorsal ray, and terminates 

 very little before the dorsal ; the margin of its soft portion is rounded ; 

 it is, like the dorsal, entirely scaleless ; the spines are stronger than 

 those of the dorsal ; the third is the longest, its length being 2^ in 

 that of the head. Of the rays, the third and fourth are the longest, 

 two-thirds the length of the head. The pectoral is composed of 

 fifteen rays, pointed, rather elongate, and reaching to the second anal 

 spine. The ventrals are inserted somewhat behind the pectorals, 

 and reach to the vent ; their spine is of moderate length and strength. 



The scales are cycloid, rather higher than wide ; one of the largest 

 covers two-thirds of the orbit. The lateral line originates in the 

 scapulary region, and runs from hence parallel to the dorsal line ; it 

 approaches the end of the dorsal, where it ends. The posterior 

 part of the lateral line commences in the vertical from the third 

 dorsal ray, there being four longitudinal series above it, and runs 

 straight along the middle of the tail. 



Both the jaws are armed with a series of teeth, slightly compressed 

 at the tip, and distinctly notched ; the tips are of brown colour. A 

 second series is separated from the first by a groove, in which the 

 mandibulary series is received. This second series is formed by very 

 small teeth, similar to the others. The palate and the tongue are 

 toothless. The lower pharyngeal bone is single, triangular, and 

 armed with small cardiform teeth. 



There are four gills, a Flit behind the fourth. Pseudobranchiae 

 none. 



The ground-colour is greenish, shining silvery on the sides, and on 

 the belly. The body is crossed by four, the tail by three darker 

 bands ; there is another band across the neck, and a narrower one 

 between the orbits ; a dark streak between the eye and the posterior 

 extremity of the operculum. The vertical fins are transparent, with 

 indistinct, dark, oblique streaks ; an ovate black spot behind the base 



