f &USSELIAN GYMNETRUS. 195 



VAR ? 



Russelian Gymnetrus* 



Described from a drawing in the possession of 

 Dr. Russel. General proportions similar to those 

 of the first described species, except that the dorsal 

 fin is considerably wider : from the top of the head 

 proceeds an extremely long process, passing to a 

 considerable distance over the back : this process 

 is very broad at its base, where it appears to be 

 strengthened by four stout rays, which gradually 

 coalesce in their progress till at length they form a 

 single filament : at some little distance beyond the 

 base is a second process of similar form, but much 

 shorter and consisting but of one ray gradually 

 lessening to its point : the pectoral fins are very 

 small: the ventral processes are of great lengthy 

 but terminate in mere filaments, without any 

 dilated extremities, and the tail, which consists of 

 a lanceolate membrane strengthened by two ex- 

 ternal or bounding rays, is furnished with a similar 

 terminating filament : the colour of the whole body 

 is bright silver ; the fins pale brown ; the dorsal fin 

 edged with a dusky border. 



The length of the above specimen, which wag 

 taken near Vizagapatam in the year 1788, was two 

 feet eight inches from head to tail. It might there- 

 fore be considered either as a variety, or a sexual 

 difference of the preceding species in a younger 



