482 
APPENDIX. 
with scaly, carinated, prickly bands. Dorsal fins two ; first low 
and small. Pectoral fins long, falcated ; two detached spines 
before the anal fin. Scales minute. Upper part of the body of 
a bluish lead- coloured hue; lower parts silvery white. Iris 
gilt. Length, twelve to eighteen inches. 
Caught in winter at both ends of the Colony. Its flesh is well fla- 
voured and wholesome. 
32. Steomateus Capensis. Mihi. N. Sp. (Katunker.) 
Body compressed, oblong-rhomboid ; head obtuse , mouth small, 
not projectle; teeth velvety. One dorsal only, covered with 
epidermis; no ventral fin. Caudal nearly as long as the dor- 
sal. Tail forked; scales small. Longitudinal line almost 
straight. Head olive-green, upper part of the body light-blue, 
with some faint yellow longitudinal stripes ; belly silvery, with 
a red tint. Iris white. The specimen from which this de- 
scription is drawn, measured thirteen inches long, and five 
and a half inches broad. 
A good table fish, but not common. It is caught with the hook and 
net, chiefly East of Table Bay. 
33. Lepidopus Apgypeus. Cuv. and val. (Kalvisch ; Scab- 
bard-Jish.) — Body compressed, lengthened, narrow, riband-like ; 
skin smooth. Head pointed, bearing a great resemblance to 
that of the Snook. Mouth gaping, large, armed with rows of 
strong trenchant teeth, and four larger ones in front. Under 
jaw projecting beyond the upper. Dorsal fin low and equal, 
nearly as long as the back ; pectoral fins small, hooked ; two 
round scales as rudiments of a ventral fin. Anal fin short, cau- 
dal small, forked. Lateral line straight. Colour of back faint 
steel-blue, on a silvery ground ; the whole surface of the body 
clothed with a silvery dust. Length five feet ; breadth from 
three to four inches. 
This curious fish swims in undulating motions and with astounding 
velocity. It is but very rarely caught in the net. In the course of six 
years, not more than three individuals, to my knowledge, were taken 
in Table Bay. I found its flesh fine and delicious. 
MUGILLIDiE. 
34. Mugil Capensis. Cuv. and Val. {Harder; Mullett.) 
Body oblong, nearly cylindrical, robust. Head small, broad, 
fiat; muzzle short, blunt; lower jaw with a depression, corres- 
ponding to a prominence in the upper one. Superior mandible 
provided with a row of fine, diminutive teeth. Scales rather 
large. Dorsal fins two ; remote from each other ; first with four 
spiny rays; pectoral fins pointed, caudal forked. Surface of 
