76 
more to the upper profile as it extends backwards ; the scales number 
about 69 on this line, and 26 on the transverse row, 10 of which 
are above the lateral line. The dorsal fin has its three first 
spines much shorter than the others (the third being about three 
times as long as the first) ; the fourth is the longest of all, and 
about twice as long as the third, or six times the length of the first ; 
the others go on decreasing gradually. The soft part of the fin is 
shorter than the other, and only about two-thirds its length, 
hut it is higher ; the first rays being one-third longer than the 
last spine ; the base of the membranes of the soft rays is scaly. 
The caudal is very strongly emarginated, and hi-lohed ; the upper 
lobe is larger than the lower one ; the membranes are in part 
covered with scales ; there are three short external rays on each side 
of the large ones ; anal with three rather slender spines, the second 
more than twice the length of the first, and the third longer still ; 
the first soft rays are about twice as long as any of the spines ; 
the others go on increasing ; the ventrals are rather long ; the 
spine is slender, and about two-thirds the length of the first soft 
rays. The pectorals are large, formed of eight branched rays 
and of five simple ones ; the second and third of these extend in 
a long filament, about three-fourths the total length of the 
branched rays ; the first and fourth are much shorter, the fifth 
is shorter even than the branched rays. 
The general colour is of a light purple, with the lips pink ; the 
eye is yellow, with an external orange circle ; the body is crossed 
by two very broad transverse hands, formed by the scales being, 
in the place they cover, largely bordered with black •, the first 
extends from the root of the fourth dorsal spine to the base 
of the anal ; the second begins behind the first soft rays of the 
dorsal, and attains the first soft one of the anal ; the dorsal fin 
is purple, tinged with green j the transverse bands of the back 
extend sometimes on the corresponding membranes ; the caudal 
is sometimes of a brownish red, and sometimes of a dark brown, 
showing a faint transverse reddish band ; anal black, with the 
spine purple, and a reddish tinge on the first rays ; ventrals 
black ; pectorals also, hut these have a narrow white border. 
This fish appears in the warm months of the year (December 
and January). It is found in the sea weeds, and its usual length 
is about 12 inches. 
