Chapter IX: Part 9

2. CLUPEA ARCUATA. _Jen._

The present species is from Bahia Blanca. The specimens, of which there are two, are also in bad condition like the last, and probably not full-sized.

FORM.—Body deep, with the ventral line swelling rather more outwards
than the dorsal. Greatest depth a little exceeding one-fourth of the
entire length. Very much compressed: abdomen carinated, and very
sharply serrated, the serratures sharper than in the common sprat. A
few minute teeth at the extremity of the lower jaw, and also on each
side of the intermaxillary, near its junction with the maxillary;
the lower half of this last finely serrated. Pieces of the
gill-cover much as in the Sprat; the subopercle rounded at bottom,
the opercle with a shallow notch near the upper angle.

The dorsal commences exactly in the middle of the entire length,
excluding caudal. The ventrals are as nearly as possible directly
beneath its first ray: these fins are very small, and shorter than
in the sprat.

D. 18; A. 23; C. 19, &c.; P. 16; V. 7.
Length 4 inches 2 lines.

COLOURS.—“Back blue; belly silvery.”—D.

The second specimen is similar, only smaller. Both were taken in the month of September.

3. CLUPEA SAGAX. _Jen._

A third species of _Clupea_, in Mr. Darwin’s collection, likewise in bad condition, much resembles in general form the common Pilchard.

Depth the same as in the Pilchard, but the head larger and longer than
in that species, being one-fourth[39] of the entire length. Abdomen
smoother; no appearance of any serratures in front of the ventrals.
Lower jaw but little advanced beyond the upper. No perceptible teeth,
more than a few very minute serratures near the lower extremity of the
maxillary. Diameter of the eye about one-fifth the length of the head.
The form and veinings of the pieces of the opercle very much as in the
Pilchard, but the interopercle more developed. The posterior margin of
the opercle and subopercle taken together is almost quite straight,
without any emargination anywhere, and not far out of a vertical; the
subopercle is cut nearly square at bottom. The preopercle is much
veined: there are also some veins on the upper part of the opercle,
and lower down on this last piece some very deep striæ, running
parallel to its junction with the preopercle, as in the Pilchard, but
still more strongly marked.

_Fish. Pl. 25._

_From Nature on Stone by W. Hawkins._

_Alosa pectinata. ¾ Nat. Size.
a Magnified Scale from nape._
]

The commencement of the dorsal is very little anterior to a middle
point between the end of the snout and the base of the middle caudal
rays. The ventrals are beneath the posterior half of the dorsal as in
the Pilchard. There are the same two elongated scales on each side of
the caudal as in that species. The scales on the body, however, are
much smaller than in the Pilchard, with their free portions striated,
the basal portions marked with some irregular curved lines running in
a transverse direction towards the median line of the scale.

D. 11; A. 18 or 19; C. 19, &c.; P. 18; V. 8.
Length 10 inches 6 lines.

Habitat, Lima, San Lorenzo Island.

ALOSA PECTINATA. _Jen._

PLATE. XXV.

_A. corpore ovali, altitudine prope tertiam partem longitudinis
æquante: ventre carinato, serraturis, præsertim inter pinnas
ventrales et analem, acutis: maxillis subæqualibus, edentulis:
preoperculo venoso; operculo striato: squamis pectinatis: pinnis
ventralibus paulo ante dorsalem exorientibus._

D. 16; A. 21; C. 19, &c.; P. 17; V. 7.
LONG. unc. 12.

FORM.—Of an oval compressed form, the depth very considerable,
equalling very nearly one-third of the entire length. Head contained
about three times and three quarters in the same. Abdomen sharply
carinated, with strong serratures, especially between the ventrals
and anal. Jaws nearly equal, perhaps the lower one a little the
longest; intermaxillary deeply notched; no apparent teeth anywhere.
Eyes rather high, partly covered both anteriorly and posteriorly by
a membranaceous veil; their diameter about one-fifth the length of
the head; more than one diameter between them and the end of the
snout. Subopercle obliquely rounded off at bottom, but the curvature
of the posterior margin of the opercle and subopercle taken together
not very considerable. Preopercle marked with vein-like
ramifications; opercle similarly veined, and also striated below, as
in the species last described, though more finely. Scarce any trace
of a lateral line.

Scales moderately large, thin and membranaceous. One from the middle
of the side of a sub-oblong form, the hinder angles rounded, its
length only two-thirds of its breadth; the greater portion of the
surface marked with exceedingly delicate striæ, scarcely visible
without a strong lens, the anterior margin pectinated, and with a
slightly projecting lobe in the middle. The scales as they approach
the tail, become longer in proportion to their breadth, the basal
margin more rounded, and sometimes with a strongly projecting lobe
in the middle. The pectinations are longest on the scales covering
the nape.

The dorsal commences a little behind the middle point of the oval of
the body, and the ventrals are attached a little in advance of that
fin. The anal commences a little behind the termination of the
dorsal, and reaches to the commencement of the fleshy part of the
tail: the last ray in both dorsal and anal is slightly lengthened
beyond the preceding ones. The pectorals reach to the ventrals, and
are contained about once and two-thirds in the length of the head.
Caudal deeply forked; the lower lobe a little longer than the upper
one: the base appears to have been covered with minute scales. Above
the pectorals is a thin membranaceous lanceolate scale, more than
half the length of the fin: a somewhat similar scale in the axillæ
of the ventrals, but shorter in proportion; another below those
fins.

COLOUR.—“Body silvery: dorsal scales iridescent with green and copper:
head greenish: tail yellow.”—D.

A _second specimen_ agrees with the above in form, but is smaller,
measuring only 7½ inches. The colours, when recent, according to Mr.
Darwin’s notes, were as follows:—“Scales silvery iridescent; back
especially greenish; caudal fin yellow: remarkable for a circular
dark green patch behind the gill-cover.”—D.

Habitat, Bahia Blanca.

This species was caught by Mr. Darwin in the net, on a sandbank, at Bahia Blanca. It is well characterized by its strongly-pectinated scales, and does not appear to have been noticed by authors; though it would seem in that respect to have some affinity with the _Clupea fimbriata_ of Bowdich.[40]

ENGRAULIS RINGENS. _Jen._

_E. capite compresso, grandiusculo, quartam partem longitudinis totius
æquante: rostro acuto, ultra maxillam superiorem mediocriter
prominulo; mandibulâ angustâ, dentibus lateralibus (ut etiam in
maxillâ) minimis: corpore compresso: pinnis ventralibus infra, vix
ante, initium pinnæ dorsalis exorientibus: squamâ longissimâ
membranaceâ super pinnam pectoralem retrorsum productâ._

D. 15; A. 19; C. 19, &c.; P. 16; V. 7.
LONG. unc. 5.

FORM.—Closely resembling the common Anchovy, but the head decidedly
larger and longer, being one-fourth of the entire length.[41] Eye
larger, but bearing an equal proportion to the size of the head;
also rather nearer to the tip of the snout in consequence of this
last not being so acute and much produced. Lower jaw rather
narrower, from the greater compression of the head and body.
Maxillary, and its fine serratures on the edges for teeth, similar.

The depth of the body is about one-sixth of the entire length. The
dorsal commences at the middle point of the length, reckoning this
last to the base of the caudal fork, and terminates a little before
the commencement of the anal: the first ray is not half the length
of the second and third, which equal three-fourths of the depth: the
fifth and succeeding rays become gradually shorter than those which
precede. The first ray in the anal is likewise very short, and
scarcely one-third of the next following. The ventrals arise almost
directly under the first ray of the dorsal, being scarcely at all in
advance; when laid back, they do not reach half-way to the anal.
Above the pectoral is a long membranaceous scale equalling, or very
nearly, the fin itself.

COLOUR.—Not noticed in the recent state. In spirits, it appears
silvery, with the back and upper part of the sides deep dusky blue,
the two colours separated by a well-defined line.

Habitat, Iquique, Peru.

This is probably an undescribed species of _Engraulis_; nor am I aware that authors have hitherto noticed any from the west coast of America. Mr. Darwin obtained two specimens which are precisely similar to each other. The species closely resembles the common European Anchovy,[42] differing principally in its larger head, and more backward ventrals in respect to the dorsal.

FAMILY.—PLEURONECTIDÆ.

Mr. Darwin’s collection contains individuals of five species belonging to this family, besides the drawing of a sixth; but the specimens brought home are dry, and badly preserved. Two appear to have been previously noticed; but it is difficult to pronounce upon the other three with certainty, neither do they admit of being very accurately described. These last, therefore, I shall not venture to name, but merely point out a few of their principal characters, adding the localities whence they were obtained.

The species, of which there is a drawing, I conceive to be certainly new; and as its characters are very distinguishable, I shall name it in honour of the gentleman, one of the officers of the Beagle, by whom the drawing was made.

1. PLATESSA ORBIGNYANA. _Val.?_

Platessa Orbignyana, _Val._ in D’Orb. Voy. dans l’Amer. Mérid. Atl. Ichth. Pl. 16. fig. 1.

FORM.—Oval; greatest breadth two and a half times in the length. Eyes
on the left side, near together, and equally in advance. Teeth in a
single row, sharp-pointed, moderately strong, rather widely
separate: posterior extremity of the maxillary cut nearly square.
Dorsal commencing in a line with the eyes, and leaving a space
between it and the caudal. The lateral line takes a sweep over the
pectoral. Upper or eye side of the body slightly rough, with the
scales finely ciliated; under side smooth, the scales on this side
not ciliated.

COLOUR.—“Above dirty reddish brown; beneath faint blue: iris
yellow.”—D.

Length 8 inches 9 lines.

Habitat, Bahia Blanca, where it is said to be plentiful.

This species agrees so well with the figure of the _P. Orbignyana_ in D’Orbigny’s Voyage, that I have little hesitation in considering it the same,—but as no description of this last has been yet published, it is still possible I may be mistaken.

2. Platessa ——?

FORM.—Very similar to the last species, from which it scarcely seems
to differ, except in having the teeth smaller, and somewhat more
numerous and closer together; also in the maxillary, which is more
dilated at its posterior extremity, and more obliquely truncated.
The scales are extremely similar.

Length 6 inches 6 lines.

COLOUR.—Not noticed.

Habitat, King George’s Sound, New Holland.

HIPPOGLOSSUS KINGII. _Jen._
PLATE XXVI.

_H. fuscus: corpore ovato, lato: oculis sinistris, haud valde
approximatis: dentibus acutis, fortioribus: lineâ laterali anticè
arcuatâ: pinnâ dorsali supra oculos initium capienti, dimidio
anteriore humillimo, posteriore modicè elevato: ventralibus
distinctis, haud anali continuis: caudali subquadratâ, radiis mediis
cæteris paululum longioribus._

D. 18 et 48; A. 51; C. 14; P. 11; V. 6.

FORM.—Breadth, not including the dorsal and anal fins, half the length
of the oval of the body. Eyes on the left side, apparently distant
from each other about two diameters; the upper one a little behind
the lower. Teeth sharp and strong, forming a very regular series.
The lateral line takes a sweep over the pectoral fin. The dorsal
commences above the upper eye; the first half, or until it gets
above the extremity of the reclined pectoral, is very little
elevated, and much lower than the rest of the fin, with the membrane
apparently notched between the rays; the remainder of the fin
attains a moderate elevation, and there is an abrupt transition from
the former to the latter portion. The anal answers to the elevated
portion of the dorsal: both these fins fall short of the caudal by a
small space. Pectorals short, and of a somewhat triangular form.
Ventrals very distinct, free, placed right and left, with the rays a
little projecting beyond the membrane; which last character appears
also in the dorsal and anal. Tail somewhat square, but the middle
rays slightly projecting beyond the lateral ones in the form of an
obtuse lobe.

COLOUR.—Represented in the drawing of a uniform light brown.

Habitat, Valparaiso.

This is the species of which, as before stated, no specimen was brought home, but only a coloured drawing made by Mr. Phillip King, an officer of the Beagle, for Capt. FitzRoy. The drawing appears to have been done with accuracy, and from it the above description has been taken. The fin-ray formula, however, was computed from the recent fish, the above numbers being marked upon the drawing.

_Fish. Pl. 26._

_from Nature by W. Hawkins_

_Hippoglossus Kingii._
]

The teeth appear to indicate this species as belonging to _Hippoglossus_ rather than to _Rhombus_, though possibly it may be found hereafter to serve as the type of a distinct subgenus in this family. The form of the dorsal fin, if correctly delineated, is remarkable. The size of the fish is not stated.

RHOMBUS ——?

FORM.—Oval, approaching to rhomboidal. Breadth a little exceeding half
the length. Eyes on the right side, near together, equally in
advance, or the lower one perhaps rather more forward than the
upper; between them a double osseous ridge. On the under side of the
head, and nearly answering in position to the upper eye, is a
deepish cavity, from whence proceeds a tentaculiform appendage four
or five lines in length. Teeth very small, sharp, in scarcely more
than two rows, and apparently confined to the under side. Lateral
line sweeping over the pectoral. Dorsal commencing above the upper
lip, and reaching nearly to the caudal, but leaving a minute space.
Both sides of the body are smooth, but the upper one appears to have
lost its scales. Pectoral on the eye side about three-fourths the
length of the head.

Length 5 inches.

COLOUR.—“Above pale purplish brown, with rounded darker markings.”—D.

Habitat, Bahia Blanca, Coast of Patagonia.

ACHIRUS LINEATUS. _D’Orbig._

ACHIRUS LINEATUS, _D’Orb._ Voy. dans L’Amer. Mérid. Atl. Ichth. Pl. 16. fig. 2.

FORM.—Body oval, but with the dorsal and anal fins included,
approaching orbicular; the greatest breadth rather more than half
the length. Eyes on the right side, moderately near together, the
upper one a very little in advance. Lower jaw longest, projecting
beyond the snout. Teeth forming a velutine band, very minute, and
scarcely sensible except to the touch, confined to the side opposed
to the eyes. Preopercle distinct from the opercle. A few short
thread-like cirri on the under side of the head; two at the
extremity of the snout being rather longer and more conspicuous than
the others. Lateral line nearly straight throughout its course,
somewhat higher at its commencement than afterwards, but taking no
sweep. Both sides of the body rough, with ciliated scales, but the
upper one most so. The dorsal commences above the upper lip, and
reaches, as also the anal, almost quite to the caudal: this last
rounded. Pectorals entirely wanting.

Length 9 inches.

COLOUR.—Not noticed.

Habitat, Rio Plata.

This species was obtained by Mr. Darwin in the market at Buenos Ayres, where it is said to be eaten. It so exactly accords in form with the figure of the _A. lineatus_ in D’Orbigny’s Voyage, that I have little hesitation in considering it the same, though, from the specimen being dried, there are no vestiges left of the transverse lines. Whether it be the _A. lineatus_ of any other author I am uncertain. It approaches, however, very closely the _Passer lineis transversis notatus_ of Sloane.[43]

PLAGUSIA ——?

FORM.—Oval, but narrow, and much elongated for a _Sole_, the breadth
in the middle being three and a half times in the length. Eyes on
the left side, very small, and closely approximating, equally in
advance, or if any difference, the lower one a little first. Mouth
small, with velutine teeth on the supine side, but apparently none
on the upper: snout a little produced in a point beyond it. The
dorsal and anal unite with the caudal, which terminates in rather a
fine point. No trace of any pectorals above or below. Scales
strongly ciliated, especially above, and both sides of the body
rough.

Length 7 inches.

COLOUR.—Not noticed.

Habitat, San Blas, Coast of Patagonia.

This species is very nearly allied to the _Plagusia Braziliensis_ of Spix’s work,[44] but it appears to differ in having the eyes one over the other, or the lower one perhaps a little in advance, instead of the upper one a little before the lower.

FAMILY.—CYCLOPTERIDÆ.

1. GOBIESOX MARMORATUS. _Jen._

PLATE XXVII. Fig. 1.

_G. dorso et lateribus pallidè fuscis, nigro reticulatis et fasciatis:
dentibus anterioribus majoribus, in maxillâ superiore subconicis, in
inferiore incisivis: operculo posticè mucrone obtuso armato:
membranâ branchiali spinâ gracili, subduplici, (præter radios
solitos,) instructâ, magnâ ex parte celatâ, apice exserto: pinnâ
dorsali tredecim-radiatâ._

B. 6; D. 13; A. 11; C. 14 vel 15; P. 20 vel 21.
LONG. unc. 2. lin. 7.

FORM.—Head very large, broad and much depressed, with the snout
rounded nearly in an exact semicircle. Body compressed behind, and
suddenly tapering behind the pectorals. The length and breadth of the
head are equal, each being one-third of the entire length, excluding
caudal. Gape wide, reaching nearly to beneath the anterior angle of
the eye. Teeth strong, and somewhat crowded in front; in the upper jaw
bluntly conical, or slightly curved, but of irregular size, with
minuter ones behind; very small at the sides of the jaw, and
apparently here but in a single row: below, the six middle teeth are
incisor-like, and project forwards; on each side of these are two or
three similar to those in front above, then follow some minuter ones
at the sides. Eyes rather more than a diameter apart. Gill-opening
wide, the membrane free all round, with six rays. Opercle terminating
behind in a blunt point: there is also a kind of double spine
concealed in the thickness of the branchial membrane, in front of the
ordinary branchial rays, the extreme end of one portion of which
projects a little beyond the margin.

_Fish. Pl. 27._

_From Nature on Stone by W. Hawkins._
]

_1. Gobiesox marmoratus._
_1a. „ „ Dorsal View._
_1b. „ „ Under Side._
_2. Gobiesox pœcilophthalmos._
_2a. „ „ Lateral View._
_2b. „ „ Magnified View of Teeth._
_3. Syngnathus acicularis._
_4. „ conspicillatus_
_5. „ crinitus._
_All Nat. Size_

The dorsal commences a little beyond the middle of the entire length,
and leaves a space between it and the caudal; the rays nearly equal,
except the first, which is short. The anal begins under the fourth or
fifth dorsal ray, and extends a trifle further than that fin. Caudal
slightly rounded.

COLOUR.—(_In spirits._) Back and sides light brown, reticulated with
black: the reticulations have a tendency to form three or four broad
fasciæ across the back. Under parts yellowish.

Habitat, Archipelago of Chiloe.

This and the following species appear to belong to the genus _Gobiesox_ of Cuvier’s “Regne Animal,” and are probably new. Two specimens of the one above described were found by Mr. Darwin under stones off the island of Lemuy, in the Archipelago of Chiloe.

2. GOBIESOX PŒCILOPHTHALMOS. _Jen._
PLATE XXVII. Fig. 2.

_G. fuscescenti-albidas, immaculatus: dentibus anterioribus majoribus,
supra et subtus incisivis: operculo posticè spinâ acutâ armato;
membranâ, operculari margine, supra spinam, cirris paucis
filamentosis fimbriato; membranâ branchiali spinâ nullâ,: pinnis
dorsali et anali septem-radiatis._

B. 6; D. 7; A. 7; C. 12; P. 23;
LONG. unc. 1. lin. 10.

FORM.—General form the same as that of the last species, including the
proportion of head to body. Snout equally rounded. Teeth on the
whole similar, but the upper ones in front, as well as the lower,
incisor-like. Eyes rather larger, closer together, less than a
diameter apart. Differs essentially from the _G. marmoratus_ in the
form of the opercular spine, which is much sharper, as well as
somewhat longer and slenderer; also in having no spine concealed in
the branchial membrane: the lower part of the opercular membrane,
just above the spine, is fringed with a few thread-like filaments.
The number of branchial rays is the same.

The dorsal and anal are both shorter, and appear to have only seven
rays each: the anal reaches a little nearer the caudal. The
pectorals on the contrary have rather more rays.

COLOUR.—(_In spirits._) Every where of a uniform very pale brown, or
brownish white, without any markings whatever. The eyes were
probably very brilliant in the living fish, the irides still showing
traces of what seems to have been blue and golden pink.

Habitat, Galapagos Archipelago.

A single individual of this species was obtained by Mr. Darwin in tidal pools at Chatham Island, in the Galapagos Archipelago.

FAMILY.—ECHENEIDIDÆ.

ECHENEIS REMORA. _Linn._

Mr. Darwin took a small specimen of this fish from off a shark in the Atlantic Ocean, near St. Paul’s Rocks. It is not four inches long. It has eighteen pairs of laminæ on the head; and a rough disk on the middle of the tongue:[45] caudal lunate.

FAMILY.—ANGUILLIDÆ.

ANGUILLA AUSTRALIS. _Richards._

Anguilla australis, _Richardson_, Proceed. of Zool. Soc. 1841, p. 22.

FORM.—Very similar to the _A. latirostris_, Yarr., but the upper jaw
rather shorter and broader, making the gape, which reaches to a
vertical line from the posterior part of the orbit, wider. Teeth
rather stronger. Dorsal commencing considerably beyond the first
third, and not much in advance of the middle point, of the entire
length; much less elevated than in the _A. latirostris_, its height
scarcely exceeding one-fifth of the depth, which last is about
one-seventeenth of the entire length. Vent a little posterior to the
commencement of the dorsal.

The distance from the end of the snout to the insertion of the
pectorals is rather less than one-eighth of the entire length: the
form of the pectorals is lanceolate. The tail is rounded, much as in
the _A. latirostris_.

in. lin.
Length (entire) 17 3
From end of snout to commencement of dorsal 7 6
From the same to insertion of pectoral 2 2
From the same to vent 7 9

COLOUR—(_In spirits._) Appears similar to that of the common eel.

Habitat, New Zealand.

The above eel was procured by Mr. Darwin in fresh water in the month of December, in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. It so nearly accords with the _A. australis_ of Dr. Richardson from Van Dieman’s Land, that I can hardly suppose it to be a distinct species. The vent, however, would seem to be a trifle backwarder, and the body deeper in proportion to its length. Without seeing more specimens, it is impossible to say what importance is to be attached to these points of discrepancy.

CONGER PUNCTUS. _Jen._

_C. lateribus fasciis transversis fuscescenti-rubris, interstitiis
angustis griseis: rostro brevi, obtuso; maxillis subæqualibus: pinnâ
dorsali initium supra pectoralem capienti: cute corporis puncturis
parvis creberrimè aggregatis impressâ._

FORM.—Body much compressed, except at the anterior extremity. Depth
less than one-eleventh of the entire length. Head contained about
seven and a half times in the same. Snout short and rounded. Jaws
nearly equal, the upper scarcely longer than the lower. Gape
scarcely reaching beyond a vertical from the anterior part of the
eye. Teeth velutine. A row of very conspicuous pores round the edges
of both jaws. The whole body, but not the head, thickly studded all
over with small pores, much crowded, and appearing like pin-holes.

The pectorals are rather more than half the length of the head. The
dorsal commences immediately above them, and has a moderate
elevation of about one-third of the depth. The vent is a little
posterior to the termination of the first third of the length, and
the anal is immediately behind it. The dorsal and anal unite to form
a moderately pointed caudal.

Length 3 inc. 3 lines.

COLOUR—(_In spirits._) Sides very regularly banded with fourteen or
fifteen transverse reddish brown fasciæ: the fasciæ extend on to the
dorsal fin, and are much broader than the intervening spaces. All
the under part of the head, belly as far as the vent, an irregular
patch on the cheeks, and the spaces between the bands on the sides,
yellowish.

Habitat, Tierra del Fuego.

This appears to be a new species. The individual described above is quite small, and stated in Mr. Darwin’s notes to be the young of another and larger specimen which he also captured, but of which he does not mention the exact size, and which unfortunately does not appear in his collection. He has, however, mentioned the colours, which appear similar to those given above, and are as follows:—“Sides with transverse bars of chocolate and brownish red, separated by narrow grey spaces.” Whether the form and proportions of the adult agree exactly with those of the young as above detailed must be left for future observers to determine. The colours, however, appear well to characterize the species, aided by the minute punctures with which the whole body is covered.

This species was taken by Mr. Darwin at the roots of fucus, at the east entrance of Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego. The larger specimen is said to have been very active.

1. MURÆNA LENTIGINOSA. _Jen._

_M. purpurascenti-fusca; maculis circularibus, parvis, flavis: capite
et rostro valde compressis; fronte declivi: maxillis subelongatis,
angustis, æqualibus, acutis; dentibus acutis, in maxillâ superiore
anticis uni-lateralibus bi-seriatis; in inferiore anticis
bi-lateralibus uniseriatis; in vomere uniseriatis; anticis supra
subtusque, lateralibus secundariis supra, et vomerinis, fortibus:
pinnâ dorsali anticè obsoletâ._

LONG. unc. 20. lin. 6.

FORM.—Very much compressed about the head and jaws. Body tapering
posteriorly; the depth in the middle equalling about one-thirteenth
of the entire length. Head, measured to the branchial orifice, about
one-seventh. Profile falling obliquely in a straight line from the
nape to the extremity of the snout. Jaws very narrow, rather
lengthened and sharp-pointed, equal. Gape deeply cleft, reaching as
far back behind the eyes as it advances before them. Teeth
compressed at the sides, very sharp, slightly hooked and pointing
backwards; above, in a single row in front, in two rows at the
sides; below, in two rows in front, and in a single row at the
sides; in each case, however, the secondary row is very imperfect,
some of them appearing to have been lost; also a row down the vomer,
but interrupted in the middle of the series: the front teeth above
and below, and the secondary ones at the sides of the upper jaw, are
much stronger than the others; but the first three on the vomer,
being those anterior to the blank space, are perhaps longer and more
developed than any in the jaws. Two tubular orifices above the eyes,
and two at the extremity of the snout. Eyes distant from the end of
the snout twice their own diameter. Branchial orifice of the same
size as the eyes. Three or four large pores arranged in a line along
the edge of the upper jaw, but none apparent on the lower.

Dorsal fin thick and fleshy, and not very distinguishable from the
body, excepting posteriorly, so that its exact point of commencement
cannot be fixed with precision. Vent a trifle in advance of the
middle point of the entire length. Anal fin still less
distinguishable than the dorsal.

COLOUR.—“Fine dark purplish brown, with yellow circular spots.”—D.—The
spots are mostly small, and many of them not bigger than large pin’s
heads. They are smaller and more crowded about the head than
elsewhere, giving a freckled appearance.

A _second specimen_ is smaller than the above, measuring thirteen
inches and a half in length. This specimen has the teeth more
perfect. In the upper jaw, there is first an outer row reaching all
round, in which the teeth are mostly small and regular, but towards
the front mixed with some much longer ones; behind this, about the
middle of the sides, is a short secondary row consisting of five or
six teeth as long as those in front in the first row: in the lower
jaw, the secondary row consists likewise only of four or five long
teeth, but here they are placed in front instead of at the sides.
Mr. Darwin’s notes respecting the colours of this smaller specimen
are as follows: “Dark reddish-purple brown, with pale, or
whitish-brown spots: eyes bluish.”

Habitat, Galapagos Archipelago.

The larger of the two specimens above described was taken by Mr. Darwin at Charles Island, the smaller one in tidal pools at Chatham Island, in the Galapagos Archipelago. It appears to be an undescribed species, though bearing much similarity to the _M. Meleagris_ of Shaw.

2. MURÆNA OCELLATA.

Gymnothorax ocellatus, _Spix et Agass_. Pisces Brazil. p. 91. tab. 50 b.

FORM.—Head but moderately compressed. Snout rather short and blunt.
Jaws equal. Gape reaching a little beyond the posterior part of the
orbit. Teeth apparently in only a single row above and below, very
strong and sharp at the extremity of the jaws: none at the anterior
part of the vomer, but a few very short ones not easily seen at the
back part of the median line of the palate. Two tubular orifices at
the extremity of the snout, but above the eyes only two simple pores
not prolonged into tubes. Eyes rather large, much exceeding in size
the branchial orifice; scarcely more than one diameter between them
and the end of the snout. Two or three large pores along the edges
of both jaws. Dorsal very distinct, commencing above the branchial
orifice. Vent a little before the middle. Tail gradually tapering to
a rather fine point.

Length 12 inc. 9 lines.

COLOUR.—(_In spirits._) Head and trunk brown, with round whitish
spots. Dorsal and anal spotted with black and white, the black spots
occupying the edge of the fin. Extremity of the tail imperfectly
banded with white and dusky brown. Belly pale.

Habitat, Rio de Janeiro.

This elegant and well-marked species, first discovered by Spix on the Brazilian coast, was taken by Mr. Darwin in the harbour of Rio de Janeiro.

3. MURÆNA ——?

FORM.—Head moderately compressed, rising considerably at the nape.
Body slender, somewhat ensiform behind, and tapering towards the
tail. Snout of moderate length. Jaws equal, or the upper one perhaps
a very little longer than the lower. Gape reaching as far behind the
eye, as it advances before it. Teeth partially in two rows above, in
one below; sharp and strong at the extremity of the jaws, and on the
anterior part of the vomer. Two tubular orifices at the extremity of
the snout, but only simple pores above the eyes. Three or four large
pores along the edges of the upper and under jaws. Eyes distant one
diameter and a half from the end of the snout. Dorsal distinct,
commencing almost on the occiput, and in advance of the branchial
orifice. Vent before the middle. Anal commencing a little behind it,
and, like the dorsal, distinct, but rather less so.

in. lin.
Length 10 0
Depth, fins not included 0 6
From end of snout to branchial orifice 1 4
From the same to vent 4 3

COLOUR.—(_In spirits._) Rather dark brown, nearly uniform, but here
and there with lighter mottlings. The lower jaw appears to have had
a row of whitish spots encircling the pores.

The species of _Muræna_ above described was taken by Mr. Darwin at Porto Praya, Cape de Verds. The individual being small, and possibly not having attained its permanent characters, I have forborne giving it any name, though I have not been able to identify it in the works of authors.

4. MURÆNA ——?

FORM.—Snout rather compressed before the eyes, not very long, and
slightly obtuse. Upper jaw a very little in advance of the lower.
The gape extends behind the eyes, but the posterior portion is not
equal to the anterior. The teeth, tubular orifices, and pores, are
very much the same as in the species last noticed. Dorsal very
distinct, commencing in advance of the branchial orifice. Anal not
so distinct as the dorsal.

Length 5 inc. 6 lin.

COLOUR.—Brown, but with some lighter specks and mottlings, more
particularly on the lower jaw and on the fins.

Taken by Mr. Darwin at Tahiti. Probably a new species, but, as in the last case, the specimen is young and not easily determinable.

LOPHOBRANCHII.

FAMILY.—SYNGNATHIDÆ.

1. SYNGNATHUS ACICULARIS. _Jen._

PLATE XXVII. fig. 3.

_S. flavo-brunneus: corpore gracillimo, compresso, heptagono; caudâ
quadrangulâ: vertice plano; cristâ occipitali parum conspicuâ;
rostro longo, compresso, verticaliter capite angustiore, margine
superiore acuto prope recto: pinnâ dorsali totâ multum ante medium
longitudinis sitâ; pinnis pectoralibus parvis, anali minutissimâ,
caudali distinctâ._

LONG. unc. 5. lin. 10.

FORM.—Very similar to the _S. Acus_, but the body rather more
compressed. The angles are the same, and the middle lateral ridges
of the trunk rise upwards in a similar manner to terminate behind
the dorsal fin. There are about seventy transverse shields or plates
in the whole length, eighteen of which lie between the gills and the
vent. Head much compressed about the gills, contained with the snout
about eight and a half times in the entire length. Crown nearly
flat, with very little of an occipital ridge; profile falling
obliquely, but not much out of a straight line; between the eyes a
slight hollow. Snout elongated, a trifle more than half the entire
length of the head, compressed, the upper edge sharp and nearly
horizontal in front of the nostrils, vertically much narrower than
the head.

The dorsal commences at one-third of the entire length, and occupies a
space about one-tenth of the same, terminating before the middle:
the number of rays is about forty or more. Vent about underneath the
seventh dorsal ray. Anal extremely minute, of only one or two rays.
Pectorals very small. Caudal distinct, much as in _S. Acus_.

COLOUR.—(_In spirits._) Of a nearly uniform yellowish brown, paler
underneath.

Habitat, Valparaiso.

This species, taken by Mr. Darwin at Valparaiso, would seem to represent in that quarter of the globe the _S. Acus_ of the European seas, which, on the whole, it much resembles, though there are several slight differences on a close comparison. It is a female specimen, being without the abdominal pouch, and is probably not full-sized. The dorsal fin being a little injured, and the rays very delicate as well as close-set, it is hardly possible to tell the exact number. The anal exists, but it is so extremely minute that it might easily be overlooked.

2. SYNGNATHUS CONSPICILLATUS. _Jen._
PLATE XXVII. fig. 4.

_S. griseus, fasciis transversis fuscis; genis albicantibus, vittis
duâbus angustis longitudinalibus nigro-fuscis: corpore crassiore,
subcylindrico, hexagono; caudâ quadrangulâ: vertice elevato; cristis
occipitali et nuchali distinctis: oculis magnis prominulis: fronte
declivi, in descensu sinnato: rostro brevi, gracillimo,
subcylindrico: pinnâ dorsali paulo ante medium longitudinis
desinenti: ano infra radium primum dorsalem sito: pinnis
pectoralibus parvis, anali minutissimâ; caudali distinctâ._

D. 31; A. 3?; C. 10; P. 14.
LONG. unc. 4. lin. 7.

FORM.—Body rather thick and somewhat cylindrical; the greatest
depth and thickness nearly equal, the former being about
one-twenty-seventh of the entire length. From the head to the
vent hexagonal, the middle lateral ridges terminating abruptly,
when opposite the commencement of the dorsal fin, without
inclining either upwards or downwards. Fifteen transverse plates
between the gills and the dorsal fin: only fifty-four in all,
the tail not tapering so much as in many other species. Head
much pinched in at the gills, but rather full and protuberant
about the cheeks: its length ten and a half times in the entire
length. Crown high and convex: a ridge commencing at the occiput
passes backward to the nape. Eyes large and full, with somewhat
of a spectacled appearance; their diameter equal to the whole
depth of that part of the head; the orbits rising in ridges
above them, with the intervening space concave. From between the
eyes the profile descends in a sinuous curve to the base of the
snout, which is short, slender, very narrow, and almost
cylindrical. The length of the snout is less than half the
entire length of the head; its breadth, vertically, only
one-third the depth of the same taken behind the eyes.

The dorsal commences beyond one-third of the entire length, occupies
one-ninth of the same, and terminates a little before the middle:
nearly even, and rather high, more than equalling the depth of the
body underneath. Vent about underneath the first ray, but almost in
advance of the dorsal fin altogether. Anal extremely minute.
Pectorals very small. Caudal rays distinct.

COLOUR.—Trunk greyish brown, with deep brown interrupted transverse
fasciæ. In front of the dorsal, the fasciæ terminate at the middle
lateral ridge, below which the sides are spotted. Dorsal fin also a
little spotted. Cheeks whitish, with two very distinct narrow
longitudinal vittæ extending backwards from the eyes to the
posterior part of the opercle.

Habitat, Tahiti.

A well-marked species, and apparently undescribed. The only specimen in the collection is a female, and, like the last, perhaps not full-sized.

3. SYNGNATHUS CRINITUS. _Jen._
PLATE XXVII. fig. 5.

_S. griseus; ventre, et maculâ operculari, nigricantibus: corpore
crassiore, antice heptagono, postice quadrangulo, angulis acutis:
vertice parum elevato; cristis occipitali et nuchali distinctis:
rostro brevissimo, subcylindrico, capite angustiore, postice supra
carinato, apice subrecurvo: cirris duobus, minutis, filamentosis,
palpebralibus: pinnâ dorsali paulo ante medium longitudinis
desinente; ano infra initium ejus sito: pinnis pectoralibus et
caudali parvis; anali nullâ._

LONG. unc. 3. lin. 5.

FORM.—Body thickish, the greatest depth and thickness nearly equal,
the former about one-twenty-fifth of the whole length. From the head
to the vent heptangular; tail quadrangular: all the angles sharp and
distinctly marked. The middle lateral ridges in the heptangular
portion pass downwards at their extremities to terminate at the
vent. Sixteen transverse plates before the dorsal: only fifty-two in
the whole length. Head short, about one-eleventh of the entire
length, not more compressed than the body. Crown not much elevated,
but with distinct occipital and nuchal ridges. Orbits rising in
ridges above the eyes, the interocular space being hollowed out:
also a ridge commencing between the eyes, and passing forwards along
the base of the snout, but not reaching to its extremity. Snout
itself very short, its length only one-third the entire length of
the head, narrower than the head vertically, nearly cylindrical, the
tip slightly recurved. A few very short minute filamentous threads
scattered about the head, more particularly one over each eye.

Dorsal placed much as in the last species, and terminating a little
before the middle; the rays delicate and not easily counted, about
twenty. Vent beneath the commencement of the dorsal. No anal
distinguishable even under a lens. Pectorals very small. Caudal
moderately distinct.

COLOUR.—Grey: a spot on the gill-cover, and the belly, dusky. The
carinæ which form the edges of the under surface of the body are
darker still, and shew a fine dark line on each side extending to
the caudal.

Habitat, Bahia Blanca, Northern Patagonia.

Apparently another new species of this genus, taken by Mr. Darwin at Bahia, and, like the last, well-marked; especially by the short filaments above the eyes, which I am not aware occur in any other known species.

PLECTOGNATHI.

FAMILY.—TETRODONTIDÆ.

1. DIODON NYCTHEMERUS. _Cuv._

Diodon nycthemerus, _Cuv._ Mém. du Mus. tom. iv. p. 135. pl. 7.

A species of _Diodon_ in Mr. Darwin’s collection, the number attached to which has been lost, and of which the locality is in consequence unknown, appears referable to the _D. nycthemerus_ of Cuvier.

The spines are long, measuring three quarters of an inch in length;
round, sharp, and not very close together. There are five in the front
row between the eyes, seven in a transverse row between the pectorals,
and ten or eleven between the snout and the dorsal in a longitudinal
one: none exactly on the upper part of the tail, but one on each side
of the base of it, a little below the termination of the dorsal fin,
and a corresponding pair still lower down. The spines on the belly are
shorter, and rather closer together than those on the back. One of
those on the back in this specimen is accidentally forked.

The true teeth appear on the surface of the jaws like minute scales,
as in several species of the genus _Scarus_.

The fin-ray formula is as follows:

D. 13; A. 13; C. 9; P. 20.
Length 5 inches 6 lines.

The colours, so far as can be judged, the specimen being in spirits and not in very good condition, answer to Cuvier’s description of them with tolerable exactness.

2. DIODON RIVULATUS. _Cuv._

Diodon rivulatus, _Cuv._ Mém. du Mus. tom. iv. p. 129. pl. 6.

An individual apparently of this species was picked up by Mr. Darwin on the shore of the Rio Plata at Maldonado. It agrees with Cuvier’s description, excepting that the undulating lines are not visible, probably owing to the state of the specimen when found.

The spines are short, barely a quarter of an inch in length, but very
strong, compressed, and resembling canine teeth. There are three in
the first row between the eyes; about six in a transverse row across
the back, and seven or eight in a longitudinal one. Beneath they are
shorter and more numerous. The orbits are elevated in ridges, and
project forwards over the eyes. Two very small barbules attached to
the lower lip. Surface of the jaws smooth, the teeth not appearing as
scales.

D. 11; A. 10; C. 8; P. 22.
Length 5 inc. 3 lin.

As Cuvier observes, the _D. geometricus_ of Bl. and Schneid.[46] approaches very closely this species, and I can hardly think it to be distinct. Yet neither in Mr. Darwin’s specimen, which in all other respects agrees exactly with Schneider’s figure, do I discern any appearance of the hexagonal meshes on the surface of the body.

3. DIODON ANTENNATUS. _Cuv.?_

Diodon antennatus, _Cuv._ Mém. du Mus. tom. iv. p. 131. pl. 7.

A third species of _Diodon_, brought home by Mr. Darwin, and taken by him at Bahia, in Brazil, is either the young of the _D. antennatus_ of Cuvier, or else new; but the only individual in the collection is quite small, and not more than an inch in length, excluding caudal. The fleshy filaments above the eyes, which, according to Cuvier, so peculiarly distinguish the _D. antennatus_, are very distinct,—but I see none on the sides. The ground colour would seem darker than he describes, so as to render the spots and markings on the upper parts not distinguishable from it now, if they ever existed. In spirits it appears of a nearly uniform deep brown red. The spines, or rather papillæ, are also shorter than represented in his figure; but this may be only the effect of immaturity.

According to Mr. Darwin, the colours when recent were as follows:—“Above blackish brown, beneath spotted with yellow. Eye with the pupil dark blue; iris yellow, mottled with black.” It is added:—“On the head four soft projections; the upper ones longer, like the feelers of a snail.”

Mr. Darwin observes, “that the dorsal, caudal, and anal fins, in this species, are so close together that they act as one: these, as well as the pectorals, are in a continued tremulous motion even when the fish is otherwise motionless. The animal propels its body by using the posterior fins in the same manner as a boat is sculled, that is, by moving them rapidly from side to side with an oblique surface exposed to the water. The pectoral fins have great play, which is necessary to enable the animal to swim with its back downwards.”

Mr. Darwin made some further observations on the habits of this species, which have already appeared in his “Journal,” to which I may refer the reader.[47] The tendency of them is to explain the process by which the water and air are absorbed, when the _Diodon_ distends itself into a spherical form; and to show that the fish _can_ swim, when floating in this state with its back downwards, which Cuvier doubted. He thinks that the water is taken in partly for the sake of regulating its specific gravity. He also notices a curious circumstance with respect to this species, viz., “that it emitted from the skin of its belly, when handled, a most beautiful carmine red and fibrous secretion, which permanently stained ivory and paper.”

1. TETRODON AEROSTATICUS. _Jen._

_T. capite, dorso, lateribus, et pinnâ caudali, nigro-maculatis;
ventre turgidissimo, fasciis obliquis nigris: corpore undique
muricato, caudâ solum exceptâ: capite brevi; fronte inter oculos
paululum depresso: maxillis æqualibus: lineâ laterali nullâ: pinnâ
dorsali omnino ante analem positâ: pinnâ caudali subrotundatâ._

D. 11; A. 10; C. 10; P. 11.
LONG. unc. 2. lin. 6.

FORM.—Head short. Body approaching to globular, with the skin of the
belly extremely loose and capable of great inflation; every where
beset with minute prickly asperities, the extreme end of the tail
alone excepted. Crown nearly flat, very slightly depressed between
the eyes. Jaws equally advanced. Nostrils tubular. No appearance of
any lateral line. Dorsal entirely in advance of the anal: both these
fins small. Caudal slightly rounded.

COLOUR.—(_In spirits._) Head, back, and sides to the depth of the
pectorals, greyish brown, spotted with black; the spots very small
and crowded on the back, but becoming larger on the flanks and tail.
Belly white, with deep black oblique broad bands, inosculating in
some places, so as to form large meshes. Dorsal, anal, and
pectorals, plain; but the caudal very elegantly and distinctly
spotted.

The ticket attached to this specimen has been lost, and its locality is in consequence unknown. In general appearance, it very much resembles the _T. lineatus_ of Bloch, of which it may possibly be a variety; but it would seem to differ from that species, in having the forehead less elevated; in wanting the lateral line altogether, of which I can discover no trace; and in having the whole back and upper part of the sides spotted, and not merely the tail and its fin, as is represented in the _T. lineatus_.

2. TETRODON IMPLUTUS. _Jen._

_T. sordidè metallico-olivaceus, maculis circularibus albis; ventre
albo, lineis olivaceis longitudinalibus, haud admodum turgido:
corpore suboblongo, magnâ ex parte lævissimo, ventre solum muricato:
maxillis subæqualibus: naribus tubulosis, bifurcatis: lineâ laterali
distinctâ, parum tortuosâ: pinnâ dorsali anali paulo anteriore:
pinnâ caudali æquali._

D. 10; A. 10; C. 11; P. 16.
LONG. unc. 4. lin. 9.

FORM.—Approaching to oblong, the belly a little ventricose. Head not
so short as in the last species, nor yet much produced. Body every
where smooth, excepting the middle of the abdomen from beneath the
pectorals to the vent, and not very prickly here. Top of the head
slightly depressed between the eyes. Jaws nearly equal; the upper
one, if any thing, a very little in advance. Nostrils tubular, the
tubes forked from the bottom into two equal branches. The lateral
line, which is very distinct, commences behind the mouth, whence it
passes under and partly encircles the eye, then arches upwards,
making a long sweep, and not descending till it gets above the anal,
whence it proceeds nearly along the middle towards the caudal, but
loses itself before attaining to that fin. Dorsal fin rather in
advance of the anal. Caudal square.

COLOUR.—“Dirty metallic olive-green, with white circular spots; belly
white, with streaks of the same colour as the back.”—D. The spots
extend on to the basal half of the caudal, but are smaller here than
on the body. A white annulus encircles each eye, and a similar one
is described round the base of each pectoral. The abdominal streaks
run very exactly parallel with the axis of the body, not obliquely
as in the last species.

Habitat, Keeling Islands, Indian Ocean.

I can find no species noticed by authors exactly corresponding with the one described above, which was obtained by Mr. Darwin at the Keeling Islands. The form is similar to that of the _T. Honckenii_ of Rüppell,[48] but the colours appear different. On the other hand, the markings resemble those of the _T. testudineus_ of Bloch, but that species is rough all over.

3. TETRODON ANNULATUS. _Jen._

_T. dorso et lateribus nigro-fuscis, maculis circularibus atris; infra
niveus: corpore oblongo, haud admodum ventricoso, ubique sed parcè
muricato, rostro et caudâ exceptis: capite grandiusculo, spatio
interoculari lato, parum depresso: maxillis subæqualibus: naribus
cylindraceis, recumbentibus, aperturis duabus lateralibus: lineâ
laterali in capite tortuosissimâ: pinnâ dorsali vix anali anteriore:
pinnâ caudali æquali._

D. 8; A. 7; C. 9, &c.; P. 15.
LONG. unc. 9.

FORM.—Oblong: head rather large; the snout a little more produced than
in the last species. Moderately ventricose, and apparently capable
of a certain degree of inflation. No where perfectly smooth, except
on the snout, tail, and here and there on the flanks; nor very
rough, the prickles being minute and rather scattered, most apparent
on the back, nape, (whence they advance to quite between the eyes,)
and the middle of the abdomen. The interocular space is broad,
equalling two and a half diameters of the eye at least, and a little
hollowed out. Jaws nearly equal, the upper one perhaps a very little
in advance. Nostril in the form of a small recumbent cylinder, with
an opening at each extremity. Dorsal very little in advance of the
anal; the first ray in each of these fins very short. Caudal square.

The lateral line is very tortuous, especially about the head. It
commences at the bottom of the gill-cover, whence it ascends
vertically behind the eye towards the crown, then passes over the
eye towards the snout, descends again beneath the nostril to form a
great loop in front of the eye, almost reaching to the corners of
the mouth, whence it returns beneath the eye, and, crossing its
former course nearly at right angles, proceeds along the upper part
of the side, getting lower as it approaches beneath the dorsal, to
terminate at the caudal. There are also two short transverse lines;
one across the snout, connecting the loops; another across the nape,
connecting the two main lines after they have assumed the usual
direction.

COLOUR.—“Beneath snow white. Above dark brownish black, this colour
forming a series of broad oval rings, one within another; the outer
and largest ring includes nearly the entire surface of the back and
sides. The upper surface is, in addition, marked with round spots of
a darker shade. Pectoral and dorsal fins yellowish brown. Iris,
inner edge clouded with orange; pupil dark green-blue.”—D.—In its
present state, there is no indication of the rings noticed above.
The spots, which are small, and cover nearly the whole head, back,
and sides, appear also sparingly on the basal half of the caudal,
but not on any of the other fins.

Habitat, Galapagos Archipelago.

This species was taken by Mr. Darwin at Chatham Island, in the Galapagos Archipelago. He observes in his notes that it makes a loud grating noise. It is remarkable for the great tortuosity of the lateral line. The form of the nostrils is also rather peculiar.

4. TETRODON ANGUSTICEPS. _Jen._
PLATE XXVIII.

_T. supra obscure viridis: capite oblongo, subcompresso, spatio
interoculari multum contracto: corpore infra ventricoso, ubique
lævissimo, duobus, in summo dorso, cirris cutaneis parvis adornato:
maxillis subæqualibus: naribus tubulosis, indivisis, aperturis
duâbus lateralibus: lineâ laterali in capite tortuosissimâ: pinnâ
dorsali omnino ante pinnam analem; caudali æquali._

D. 8; A. 7; C. 9; P. 15.
LONG. unc. 9. lin. 3.

FORM.—Rather more elongated than the last species; especially in
regard to the head, which is also more compressed upwards, reducing
the space between the eyes to a narrow channel, much hollowed out,
and not exceeding one diameter of the eye. Body inflatable, every
where quite smooth. Jaws nearly equal, the upper one perhaps a very
little in advance. Nostrils tubular, with two lateral apertures,
somewhat similar to those of the last species, but more elevated.
Lateral line similar, taking the same windings on the head. A little
behind the transverse line on the nape, and nearly above the
attachment of the pectoral, are two small skinny appendages: there
is also a very minute one on each side of the tail, but none
elsewhere. Dorsal wholly before the anal. Caudal square.

COLOUR.—“Above dull green: base of the pectorals and dorsal black; a
white patch beneath the pectorals.”—D.—The colours must have very
much altered from the action of the spirit, as it now appears of a
nearly uniform reddish brown, only paler beneath.

Habitat, Galapagos Archipelago.

Another apparently undescribed species of this genus, taken by Mr. Darwin at the same place as the last. He observes in his notes that it is inflatable.

_Fish. Pl. 28._

_W. Hawkins del._
]

_1. Tetrodon angusticeps._
_1a. ____ Dorsal View._
_Nat. Size._

FAMILY.—BALISTIDÆ.

1. BALISTES VETULA. _Bl._

Balistes Vetula, _Bloch_, Ichth. tab. 150.
———— _Duperrey_, (Voyage) Zoologie, p. 114, pl. 9. fig. 2.

FORM.—Body deep, subrhombic, very much compressed; the greatest depth
equalling half the entire length. Tail unarmed. Three or four larger
scales than the others behind the branchial orifice. Pelvic bone
projecting, prickly, connected with which is a fin consisting of
about nine pairs of short rays. Above this fin, and parallel to its
base, are two or three rows of short spines, but not much developed.
First dorsal of three spines, commencing above the pectoral; first
spine very strong and rough, the third not much smaller than the
second. Second dorsal, and anal, which answer to each other, nearly
even throughout, the anterior rays not being prolonged beyond the
others. The caudal is injured, and its exact form cannot be
determined. No lateral line.

D. 3—30; A. 27; C. 12; P. 14.
Length 1 inc. 10 lin.