24 
PRISTIPOMATIDAi. 
the posterior limb emarginate, and the angle rounded but not produced backwards. 
The supra scapula is hardly serrated. 
The origin of the dorsal is above the root of the upper pectoral ray, and its end 
behind that of the anal. The base of the soft portion is three-fourths that of the 
spinous ; it is strongly notched ; the spines are strong, broader on one side than on the 
other ; the length of the first is three-sevenths that of the second ; the second is hardly 
one-half that of the third ; the third and fifth are nearly equal, and not much shorter 
than the fourth, which is about half the height of the body ; the length of the penul- 
timate spine is four-fifths of that before and after it ; the last, which must be regarded 
as belonging to the soft portion, is three-fourths that of the first ray. The soft portion 
is lower than the spinous, the longest ray (fourth) being about equal to the seventh spine. 
The entire dorsal can be received into a scaly sheath. 
The caudal is truncated ; the lobes have rows of scales on the membranes between 
the rays to two-thirds of their length ; these decrease in length towards the centre, 
which is scaly on the base only. 
The anal spines are very strong, much broader on one side than on the other ; the 
first is one-third the length of the third, and about equal to the fourth of the dorsal. 
This fin also can be received into a scaly sheath. 
The pectoral is long and rather falciform, nearly as long as the head, but not 
reaching to the vent ; the base is scaly to one-sixth of its length. 
The ventrals are inserted slightly behind the posterior of the base of the pectorals. 
The first ray is about a third longer than the spine, excluding the extremity, which is 
slightly produced and filiform. 
The scales are of moderate size ; the tubules of the lateral line are bifurcate. 
Coloration as above. 
Length 12 inches. 
Bagamoia, east coast of Africa. A specimen f rom Port Natal exists in the British 
Museum. 
87. Pristipoma operculare, sp. n. Plate IV. fig. 1. [69.] 
D. 10 | A. 9 3 jq. L. lat. 56-60. L. transv. 11-12/19. 
Diagnosis . — Height of body equals the length of head, and is one-third of the total 
length without caudal. The snout is pointed, and so long that the distance of its 
extremity from the hind margin of the eye equals that between the end of operculum 
and centre of eye. Its length is nearly two-fifths of that of the head. Prseorbital 
naked ; the maxillary does not reach the vertical from the anterior nostril. Posterior 
margin of pneoperculum serrated, but scarcely emarginate ; the angle is rounded and 
armed with stronger teeth. 
