Notice of the Ukpam. 



67 



and form, probably, the claspers of the male fish ; the two fins 

 are connected together by a frenum behind the anal openings. 

 The rounded posterior edge of the ventral fin measures about 

 2J- inches across, and the root of the fin 1 inch across. 



There is a general rough, granular appearance over the upper 

 surface of the body, which is now of a muddy yellowish brown 

 colour, and this granular appearance diminishes towards the 

 sides as you approach the pectoral fins, which are smooth 

 above. The granules are larger and more distinct, and become 

 circular in shape, as you approach the mesial line of the fish, 

 which from the posterior half of the body gives indications 

 of larger circular plates or shields, these become still larger as 

 you approach the base of the tail, and cease in the mesial line 

 a little beyond it, within an inch or so from the insertion of 

 the spine. Beyond this, again, a smaller double range of oval- 

 shaped obliquely-placed bony scales or granules can be traced 

 for a considerable distance along the sides of the slender tail ; 

 an indication, apparently, that as the fish increases in size 

 with age, there will be a greatly increased development of 

 these bony spines and shields on the back and tail. About 

 3|- inches from the insertion of the tail you find a firm bony 

 moveable spine inserted into the middle line of its upper 

 surface, corresponding to the barbed spine of the sting Rays ; 

 it is about an inch in length, and is T 2 oths of an inch in 

 breadth, but has no barbs on its sides, being smooth and 

 edged with membrane, and terminates in a rounded and 

 flattened button-like extremity, rather more than J of an 

 inch in length. The sworcl in this instance is covered by a 

 scabbard ; what change age may make on it I am of course 

 unable at present to say. Mr Hewan has promised to send 

 the tails and jaws of adult individuals of both sexes for exami- 

 nation ; so that I hope to be able at another opportunity to 

 enter more fully into a description of its adult characters. 



The under surface of the fish is lighter in colour and 

 smooth ; the slightly arched mouth is about inches from 

 the extremity of the snout, and measures T 9 oths of an inch in 

 width; its jaws are covered with alternate rows of small 

 rounded or oval-shaped teeth with transverse markings, closely 

 set together. Behind the teeth of the upper jaw there is a 

 deep fringed velum, and a shallower smooth-edged velum lies 



