DRUMMONU’S ECHIODON. 
135 
joins. Anal fin begins close behind the vent, is broader than 
the dorsal throughout, and is widest as it approaches the caudal 
fin, which it also joins. Near the caudal fin the rays of the 
anal are wider by four times than the body itself. Middle 
rays of the pectoral longest. Colour of the first half of the 
body dull flesh-colour, and behind this are brown markings, 
as well along the base of the dorsal and anal fins as top of 
the head, caudal, and hindward rays of the longer fins. 
Caudal, gill-cover, and a part of the under surface, bright 
silver. Dorsal fin rays one hundred and eighty, as also the 
anal; pectoral sixteen, caudal twelve. The vertebrae number 
eighty-eight. The second example referred to was in length 
only eight inches. 
In the number of the “Zoologist” for April, 1863, was a 
paragraph which stated that six specimens of this fish had 
been obtained at Banff, in the preceding March, by Mr. 
Thomas Edwards, their length varying from four to five 
inches: — “The teeth most formidable-looking weapons, even in 
these small specimens. The spine, too, at the back of the 
head is very conspicuous; no scales discoverable when the fish 
were fresh from the sea.” In consequence of this announce- 
ment two of these examples were obligingly sent to me by 
Mr. Edwards; of which one was laid on a card in a dry 
condition, and did not measure quite two inches and a half. 
The other, which was a little longer, was preserved in diluted 
spirit. The characteristic teeth were plainly seen ; and between 
the two curved prominent ones in front of the lower jaw 
were others much shorter, and not represented in Mr. 
Drummond’s figure. The mystache long and slender, reaching 
opposite the hindmost border of the eye. Eye large and 
oval; no scales. The shape much more slender than in Mr. 
Drummond’s plate, so that Mr. Edwards was inclined to give 
them the name of Whipfishes. In a letter which accorapanic 1 
the specimens it is said that when alive the colour was 
beautifully clear, or of a crystal-like hue, and so transparent 
that the vertebras might be counted. The largest example 
had a fine blush of red down the dorsal ridge, and along 
the belly, except near the vent, at which part there was ai: 
oblong silvery spot; pupil of the eye very dark green, with 
a white iris; head also white. Their motion through the 
