MUSTE LUS MEG ALOPTERU S Sm ith . 
Pisces— Plate II. (Male.) 
M supra viridi-brunneus, purpureo-tinctus, infra subochreus, regionibus ante pinnas pectorales et post 
ventrales rubro-umbratis ; corporis lateribus brunneo-purpureis. Oculis cupreo-viridi-flayo-niten- 
tibus. 
Longitudo 4 ped. 4 unc. 
Colour. Hind-head and back as far as the first dorsal fin, greenish brown 
glossed with purple— the colour is unequal as to depth, on the hind-head 
ft i s lightest, and is there slightly shaded with ochre yellow ; anterior and 
lateral parts of the head greyish purple, faintly freckled or clouded with 
vermillion red; back, behind first dorsal fin, purplish grey, slightly clouded 
with clove brown ; sides of body, light brownish purple ; under surface, fiom 
tip of lower jaw to caudal fin, ochry yellow of various tints, the parts im- 
mediately behind the ventral fins, and those in front ot the pectorals, 
highest coloured, and freely mottled with vermillion red. Pectoral and 
ventral fins, purplish grey shaded with brownish red, the latter are besides 
faintly clouded with vermillion red ; the remaining fins between greenish and 
purplish grey— the first dorsal, nearly pure grey at its base, and the caudal 
has an obscure ochry stripe in the direction in which it is traversed by the 
vertebral column. Eyes a bright greenish yellow, with a strong metallic 
lustre. 
Form, &c. — Anterior portion of body robust, and sub-triangular, with an 
acute carina extending between the hindhead and the anterior edge of the first 
dorsal fin ; posterior portion of body slender, somewhat cylindrical, and with 
the rudiments of a carina between the first and second dorsal ; the surface harsh 
and rough, arising from the skin being every where closely covered with small 
triangular and carinated scales, — the carina is central, forms the apex of the 
scale, and projects slightly over the base of the scale next in succession. 
Head, above somewhat flattened, below and on the sides rather convex ; 
hind-head broad, nose rather narrow and inclined to pointed ; teeth small, 
three-sided, and with three distinct angles; the apical portion of each 
slender, slightly prolonged, and acute at the point. Eyes, deeply set, pupil 
linear and 'oblique, nictating membrane large ; post-ocular spiracles rather 
lar^e, oval, and situated directly behind the outer canthus ; the two last 
branchial, opening, situated above and behind the anterior margin of pectoral 
fin, appendages long and rather slender. 
