Description of a collection of Fishes from China. 405 



A spinous process of the buckler is extended obliquely 

 along each side above the pectoral fin ; there is a large flat 

 spine in each pectoral with long hooked barbs on the 

 hinder margin, and five prickles on the anterior margin : 

 second ray of the dorsal striated, strong, and very sharp- 

 ly serrated behind, six variegated short cirri, two at the 

 corners of the mouth, and two at the base of the lower jaw : 

 body and fins variegated transversely with brown and white. 

 The following are the fin rays : — 



2 1 10 



D. 1:0: P. i : V. 6 : A. 8: C. i^— Branch. 7: Cirri 6. 



10 



Habitat. — Chusan. 



Fam. Clupeidce. 

 Chgetomus.* Nov. Gen. 

 Gen. Char. — Snout prolonged in front of the jaws, 

 maxillaries extended behind the corners of the mouth, and 

 finely dentated. The lower jaw, which is shorter than the 

 snout, terminates in a narrow point. The palatines form a 

 slender arch, provided on either side with minute teeth. 

 The tongue and branchial arches present several rows of 

 pectiniform digitations ; a tuft of setaceous bristles is situated 

 over the pectorals on either side ; there are ten rays in the 

 branchial membrane. The body is much compressed, the 

 anal fin long, and joined to the caudal which is small, and 

 placed obliquely on a narrow elongated tail ; a short isolated 

 spine is situated in front of the dorsal ; scales large, thin, and 

 easily detached. 



ChGSTOMUS PLAYFAIRII.f Xxiv.fg. 3. 



The caudal is small and bifid, with the upper lobe much 



* Etym. from X"^^^ a lock of hair, and, <»>/WOC the shoulder. 



t This very beautiful species is dedicated to Dr. G. R. Playfair, 

 to whom we are indebted for this collection. Dr. Playfair served with 

 much credit and zeal throughout the late war in China, from its com- 

 mencement in 1839 to its termination in 1843. 



