M8 COLONEL MONTAGU ON NEW ANI> RARE 



of two dorsal fins. The figure in Pennant's 

 British Zoology, is a tolerable representation ; but 

 the posterior part of the dorsal fin is not suffi- 

 ciently rounded. This author mentions the sulcus 

 on the back of the head, but he is certainly mis- 

 taken in calling the fourteen anterior rays of the 

 dorsal fin spiny. In Donovan's British Fishes, 

 the posterior half of the dorsal fin is not repre- 

 sented sufficiently broad, but the figure has pro- 

 perly only one, although, by the author's descrip- 

 tion, wc are induced to conclude, the fish has ac- 

 tually two dorsal fins, as we are told the Jirst 

 dorsal fin contains thirty- two rays." 



Having carefully examined several specimens, 

 we are at a loss to discover what can be intended 

 by the double lateral line described in the British 

 Fishes. I take the liberty of making mention of 

 this circumstance, as the lateral line in my fish is 

 single, forming a considerable arch above the 

 sweep of the pectoral fin, but there is no other 

 line formed by the bones in a rectilineal direction 

 from the head to that flexure. Both Dr Shaw, 

 in his Zoology, and Mr Donovan, have described 

 the Gattorugine to possess four palmated mem- 

 branes on the head ; the first pair over the eyes, 

 the other over the back of the head. Other au- 

 thors mention only two, and those situated over 

 the eyes, which is conformable to the specimens 

 now before mc« 



