54 
XIPHIIM. 
of the body ; the next nine decrease rapidly in length, the ninth being equal to the 
first. All the succeeding spines are very short, none of them being equal in length to 
twice the diameter of the orbit. The rays of the second dorsal are longer than any of 
the spines after the ninth ; the last is produced and reaches to the middle of the space 
between the dorsal and caudal. The second anal fin is similar to the second dorsal ; the 
first is somewhat elevated, but less so than the first dorsal. The ventrals consist of one 
ray each, about half the length of the pectoral. The caudal lobes are contained five 
times in the total length. 
The height of the body is contained once and five-sixths in the length of the head, 
and six times and a half in the total length. The upper jaw is somewhat compressed, 
broader than deep ; its length to the nostrils is about three-fifths of that of the head. 
The produced part is rather longer than the distance from the point of the mandible to 
the posterior margin of the orbit. The upper profile of the head is nearly straight. 
Colour uniform, without any spots or markings. 
ft. in. 
Total length 104 
Greatest height 18 
Length of head 3 0 
* Length of produced part of jaw , . 11 
Length of upper jaw from angle of mouth 2 4 
Width between base of pectorals 010 
Length of pectorals Ill 
Length of ventrals 0 9 
Greatest height of dorsal 12 
Length of caudal lobes 2 0 
A single specimen of this fish was obtained by Colonel Playfair at Zanzibar as he 
was on the point of leaving that island for a few weeks ; it was hurriedly stuffed and 
photographed before his departure ; and it is from this photograph that the figure is 
