1. B l e n n e c h is f a s c ia t u s . Jen.
P l a t e X V II. Fig. 1.
B . JIavescens, fusco-variatus ; maculis tribus infra pinnam dorsalem, et xma in pinna
ipsius anlicam partem, nigris, mhocellatis : dentibus maxillaribus supra circiter
vigiliti quatuor, subtus triginta ; caninis nullis : teiUacuUs palpebralibus duobus,
parvis, subpaluiatis : pinna anali haud ultrà dorsalem extensâ,
D. 13/18; A. 20; C. 13, &c. ; P . 14; V. 2.
L o n g . u n c . 2 . lin . 4 .
PoRM. Body much compressed behind : the depth one-flfth of the entire length : head rather less
than one-fourth of the same. Snout blunt and truncated ; the profile nearly vertical; the eye
placed ju st within the angle formed by this last with the line of the' crown. Diameter of the
eye one-fourth the length of the head ; distance between the eyes half a diameter ; the inter-
ocular space very slightly concave, with a double row of mucous pores rather widely separate,
but without any lines or sculpture. Similar mucous pores are thinly scattered over the occiput
and the front of the snout, as well as beneath each eye. Above each eye is a short slightly
palm ated filament not exceeding in length the diameter of the eye : also an extremely minute,
one a t each nostril. Mouth reaching to beneath the eyes. Teeth not extending the whole
length of the jaw s ; fine and close-set, with the points of those at the sides, more especially in
the” lower jaw , reclining backwards ; the number above twenty-four, below thirty ; no canines.
Gill membrane fastened at bottom, the slit at the sides not descending below the pectorals.
The dorsal commences at the nape, and extends nearly to the caudal, with which, however,
it is not connected : it is slightly depressed or notched above the twelfth and thirteenth rays,
beyond which it is again elevated to the height of the anterior portion. The anal does not
approach quite so near the caudal as the dorsal, but the difference is trifling ; the last ray in
both fins is united by the membrane to the fleshy part of the tail. C audal rounded, with Ihe
greater part of the principal rays sliglitly divided a t the tips. Pectorals broad, and not quite
equal to the head in length. V entrals short, not more than half the length of the head, or a
little less than one-eiglilh of the entire length ; they appear to consist of only two rays, but on
dissection there will be found three soft rays with a short spine closely adhering to the first of
them ; the third soft ray is slender, and also adheres to the second.
The anterior portion of the lateral line takes a sweep over the pectoral, and is very distinctly
marked by a close series of short elevated mucous tubes between two rows of pores ; but
the rest of the line is only faintly traced out by nine or ten slender depressed tubes at long inter-
vais, without any accompanying pores.
CotODR.— (/« spirits.) Yellowish ground ; the upper h alf of the sides very much mottled, and
clouded with fuscous ; three spots darker than the rest, arranged longitudinally beneath the
posterior half of the dorsal, and having a subocellaled appearance, the last the larg est and also
the most distinct of the three: from the median line there are eight or nine descending fascne,
alternating with the same num ber o f oblong lanceolate spots : the throat is marked with three
angulated transverse dark fasciæ : cheeks and gill-covers with small spots. A large black spot
on°the first three rays of the dorsal fin, which is covered all over with smaller spots, as are also