anticis hi- latex'alibus uni-sex'iatis ; in voxxiex e uni-seriatis ; axiticis supra subtusque,
lateralibus secimdariis supx-a, et voxnex'ixiis, fortibus : pinnâ dox-sali axiticè ob-
soletd.
L o n g . u n c . 2 0 . lin . 0.
F o rm .—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 tho snout. Jaw s 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. V ent a
trifle in advance o f the middle point of the entire length. A nal fin still less distinguishable
than the dorsal.
C o l o u r .— “ 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 o f 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: “ D ark reddish-purple brown, with pale, or whitishbrown
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 . M u RA:NA OCELL.Vl’A.
Gymiiothorax occlktus, S fiii et Agme. Pisces Brazil, p. 91. tab. SO b.
I'oitM.—Head but moderately compressed. Snout rather sliort and blunt. Jaw s equal. Gape
reaching a little beyond the posterior part of tho orbit. T eeth apparently in only a single row
above and below, very strong and sharp at the extremity of the jaws ; none at tbe 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 ot 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 tho snout. Two
or three large pores along the edges of both jaws. Dorsal very distinct, commencing above
the branchial orifice. V ent a little before the middle. Tail gradually tapering to a rather
fine point.
Length 12 inc. 9 lines.
C o lo d r.-(Jm spirits.) H ead and trunk brown, with round whitish spots. Dorsal and anal spotted
with black and white, the black spots occupying the edge of the fin. Extrem ity 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. Daiwin in the harbonr of Rio de Janeiro.
3. M u r æ n a -
F orm.— H ead 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. T eeth partially in two rows above, in one below ; sharp and
strong at the extrem ity of the jaws, and on the anterior part of the vomer. Two tubular
orifices at the extremity of the snout, hut 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. V ent before the middle. A nal commencing a little behind
it, and, like the dorsal, distinct, but rather less so.
L ength . 10 0
Depth, fins not included . • • . 0 6
From end of snout to bianchial orifice . . 1 4
From the same to vent . . • . 4 3
CoLOUn.—{/» spirits.) R alher dark brown, nearly uniform, but here and tbcre with lighter mottlings.
Tlio lowor jaw appears to have had a row of wbitisli spots encircling the pores.
The species of Alurana above described was taken by Mr. Darwin at Porto
Praya, Cape de Verds. Tbe individual being small, and possibly not having
attained its permanent characters, I have forborne giving it any name, thougli
I have not been able to identify it in the works of authors.