108 
rAINTF.n HAY. 
the extreme border of the pectorals behind their greatest ex- 
pansion, as also the abdominal fins aiid margin of the tail, 
are edged with white. The under part of the body is white 
and smooth. 
Another example differed considerably from the former in 
the nature and distribution of its colours, which were still 
more beautiful. The ground colour was a brilliant yellow, 
marked with numerous gyrations, which were lyre-sbaimd, 
each side of the disk answ'ering to the other, these gyrations 
being formed of a dark line, margined on each side with a 
series of pale, yellow spots, like beads. This was a male, but 
the first-named, caught at the end of January, was a female, 
with eggs of full growth. About the same date in another 
season, I obtained a young example from a purse which had 
been washed on shore in a storm, and which w'as so far 
developed that about half the substance of the egg had been 
absorbed into the body. It was beautifully marked over the 
surface, and, as there were some particulars in which it differed 
from what is usually seen in very young specimens of most 
of the species of this family, I add a more minute description. 
The length was five inches, of which the tail measured three 
inches and a line; breadth two inches and two lines; from 
the posterior edge of the hindmost dorsal fin to the end of 
the tail six lines. The head well armed in front and round 
the anterior portion of the disk, and also on the top of the 
head; a line of spines down the back and tail, from opposite 
the third gill orifice; a stout spine on each side of the back, 
at a little behind the space opposite the hindmost gill orifice. 
The tail stout and greatly tapering, the sides with a border, 
and rather wide membrane along the middle of the under 
side. The hindmost caudal fin extended back in a thin mem- 
brane to the extremity, where the termination tapers finely, 
and shews much active motion and sensibility of feeling. The 
colour of the body is pale yellowish brown, regularly lyrated 
on each side and towards the borders. The caudal portion is 
towards the end marked with broad bars. Some spines were 
visible that were not yet through the skin. Although not yet 
fully developed, it continued alive in water for eight days. 
Another example, also in an early stage of development, had 
the spines on the snout and border of the pectorals, with 
