having the curvature inwards, with a spine on each side ; this is followed by the depressed occiput,
which forms a hollow; and on each side of this, at its posterior margin, or at tlie commencement
of the nape, are two other strong spines: there are likewise two spines at the suprascapulars,
aud between these and the posterior m argin of the orbit of the eye, on w hat m ay be
called the temples, are two more ; of tliese last, the first, which is small and close to the orbit,
is double; the second, which is larger and situate a little above the upper angle o f the preopercle,
is, in this specimen, double on the right side and single on the left. The first suborbital
has two spines on its anterior margin, the first directed forwards, and the second dow nw ards;
on its disk are two salient ridges, which are unarm ed, and not very conspicuous. The second
suborbital is entirely without spines, but elevated in the middle into a double smooth ridge or
crest. M argin of the preopercle with six spines; the second longest; the first, as well as the
two lowermost, small and inconspicuous. Opercle with two osseous diverging ridges terminating
in spines: the scapular and clavicular bones likewise terminate each in a flattened spine.
Lateral line and scales much as in S . Scrofa ; the latter with their free edges perfectly smooth.
T he cutaneous filaments and appendages on this species are as follows: three small ones
a t the extremity of the snout; one small but broad one a t the upper margin o f the anterior
orifice of the n ostril; two very conspicuous palm ated ones on each orbit, especially tlie posterior
one, which is largest, and very b ro a d ; two on the m argin of the first suborbital; some small
ones on the cheeks and m axillaries; six beneath the lower jaw , two being near the symphysis,
and two on each ram u s; a row on the margin of the preopercle, and very numerous small
ones scattered about the nape and sides of the body, of which a row along the lateral line are
rather more conspicuous than the others.
The spines of the dorsal fin are moderately strong, and u nequ al; the first is rather more
than half the length of the second, which itself is two-thirds of the th ird ; this last is less than
half, but more than two-fifths, of the depth of the body; from the third, the spines decrease
very gradually to the eleventh, which is a little longer than the first; the twelfth is higher than
the eleventh by one-third: soft portion of the fin rounded, and where m ost elevated ju st
equalling in height the third or longest spine. Anal spines very u nequ al; the first not very
stout, and less than h alf the length o f the second, which is very strong indeed, as well as the
longest of th e three ; the third is stouter than the firet, but not nearly so stout as the second,
though nearly equalling that spine in len g th : soft portion of this fin with its greatest elevation
rather exceeding the second spine. Caudal slightly rounded. Pectorals rather more than
one-fifth of the entire len g th ; the ten lowermost rays sim ple; the nine immediately above
these b ran ched ; the uppermost of all simple like the bottom ones, b u t slenderer as well as
shorter than the others. V entrals not above two-thirds the length of the pectorals; in other
respects as in S . Scrofa.
A second specimen.— Smaller than the one above described, measuring seven inches and a h alf in
length. The two diverging lines on the cranium between the eyes are rather more salient, and
the left orbit is without the fourth spine; but in all other respects, including the fin-ray
formula, the two specimens are exactly similar.
C o l o u r .—“ Whole body scarlet red, fins rather paler; with small irregularly-shaped light black
spots.”— D.
Habitat, Chatham Island. Galapagos Archipelago.
This species differs more or less in the details of form, as well as colours,
from all those which I can find described by authors. Most of the foreign species
of this genus noticed by Cuvier and Valenciennes, come either from the eastern
coast of America or the E ast Indies; and they do not appear to have received
any from that part of the Pacific, whence the present one was obtained.
S e b 4 s t e s o c u l a t a . Val. I
Sebastes oculata, Guv. et Val. Hist, des Poiss. tom. ix. p. 344.
F o rm .— Greatest depth contained about three times and three quarters in the entire length.
Head about one-third of the same. Eyes la rg e ; the interocular space, equalling rather more
than half their diameter, concave, with two longitudinal ridges running respectively parallel to
the two superciliary ridges. Two spines on the upper p art of the snout, in a line with the
nostrils; one a t the anterior part of the o rb it; three at the posterior, passing off in a line
towards the occiput, where there are two other moderately strong ones terminating the lateral
occipital rid ges; five very strong spines or teeth edging the rounded angle of the preopercle;
two sharp ones at the posterior angle of the opercle, the upper one most developed ; one at the
scapula, and two at the suprascapular. There are either three orifices to each nostril, or else,
adjoining the two usual openings, a laige pore so manifest (at least in this specimen m its dried
state) as easily to be mistaken for a th ird : this additional one is close to the nasal spine.
Dorsal spines of only moderate strength : anal stronger, especially the second, which is very
stout, as well as the longest of the three; the third, however, is more than half the length of
the soft rays. Pectorals broad and rounded; their length contained about four times and a
half in the entire len g th ; first ray simple, the next eight branched, the nine lowermost simple
again, and rather stouter than the others. The caudal appears to have been square. Scales
small and ciliated, covering nearly the entire head, as well as body, but very thinly scattered
on the extremity of the snout in advance of the nostrils.
D. 13/14; A. 3/6 ; C. 14, and 3 shorter ones; P . 18; V. 1/5.
Length 10 inches.
C o l o u r .— “ Under surface, sides, branchial covering, and p art of the fins, ‘ tile and carmine red
dorsal scales pale yellowish dirty brown.”— D . In its present dried state, the colour is of a
uniform brown.
Habitat, Valparaiso.
This species is probably the S. oculata of Valenciennes; but the depth
rather exceeds, and in its recent state it must have still more exceeded, one-fourth