dotted in like manner : also some indication of the larger spot on the first three rays of the
dorsal: anal with the same dusky edging.
Obs. O f this species there are five specimens in the collection. The next in size to the
one described above, measures one inch seven lines in length, and resembles it in every respect,
excepting th a t the superciliary filaments are broader and longer, equalling at least one
diameter and a h alf of the eye. The colours and m arkings are exactly the same, only the
fasciæ on the throat can hardly be discerned.
No. 3 is exactly similar in size, as well as in all its other characters, to No. 2. H as the
superciliary filaments equally developed.
N o . 4 resembles Nos. 2 and 3, but is smaller, measuring one inch five lines in length.
Ho. 5, the smallest of all the specimens, and measuring only one inch three lines, has the
dark markings more developed, especially the angulated fasciæ on the throat, which are
almost as distinct as in the B . fasciatus : the spots beneath the dorsal assume the appearance
of abbreviated transverse fasciæ reaching from the base o f the fin to the median line ; and
besides the three faintly indicated in the other specimens, there are two others nearer the head,
forming altogether a series of five. In this specimen the superciliary filaments are shorter, not
exceeding the diameter o f the eye.
H abitat, Coquimbo, Chile.
This species differs but slightly from the last, and both may hereafter prove
to be mere varieties of the B . Uocellatus ; but it is desirable for the present to
keep them distinct, as, though all found on the same coast, they are from distinct
localities on that coast. Also the above five specimens, though varying in the
intensity of the markings, have all a ground colour quite different from that of the
B . fasciatus, and a peculiarity of aspect immediately noticeable to the eye. H ad
they been found mixed with that species, the presence of the anal papilla might
lead to the suspicion of their being the other sex ; but, under the circumstances,
this seems hardly probable. They were all taken at Coquimbo.
7. S a l a r i a s a t l a n t i c u . s . C u v . et Val.
Salarias atlanticus, Cuv. et Val. Hist, des Poiss. tom.xi. p. 238.
Two individuals of this species were obtained by Mr. Darwin at Porto Praya.
They accord in all respects with the descriptions in the “ Histoire des Poissons,”
excepting as regards the fin-ray formula, in which there is a slight difference
observable ; and in this respect they are also different from each other.
The larger specimen, measuring three inches seven and a half lines in
length, has the fin-ray formula as follows :
D . 13/21 ; A. 24; C. 13; P . 15; V. 2.
The other, two inches eleven lines in length, has one ray less in the spinous
portion of the dorsal, and two more in the soft :
D. 12/23; A. 24; &c.—
It may be mentioned that in this species, as in some others, the last spinous
ray in the dorsal is entirely invested by the membrane, and does not attain to the
margin, so that in counting, it may be very easily overlooked.
In Mr. Darwin’s notes, it is stated that this species bites very severely,
having driven its teeth through the finger of one of the officers in the ship’s
company. Its two very long sharp canine teeth at the back of the lower jaw are
M'ell calculated to inflict such a wound.
2. S a l a r ia s q u a d r ic o r n is . C uv.et Val.?
Salarias quadricornis, Cuv. et Val. Hist, des Poiss. tom. xi. p. 243. pi. 32!).
Mr. Darwin’s collection contains a species of Salarias so closely resembling
the S. quadricoTjds of Cuvier and Valenciennes, that I dare not describe it as
distinct. Yet it offers some slight differences as follows :
The profile, instead of being merely vertical, presents a rounded and projecting front
between the eyes, advancing further than the m outh (as in the S . gihbifrons, Cuv. et V al.)
The filamentous appendages are similar, but the superciliary ones are shorter than the diameter
of the e y e : the palmated ones at the nostrils consist of six or seven bristles. The
occipital crest is hardly so much elevated; its height being not more than one-sixth or oneseventh
the height of the head, and only one-third its own length. The height of the dorsal
equals a t least h alf the depth o f the b o d y ; the depth of the notch above the thirteenth spinous
ray is rather more than half its height. The fin-ray formula is—
D . 13/21; A. 25 ; C. 13, & c.; P. 14; V. 2.
The colour, as it appears in spirits, is nearly of a uniform olivaceous brown, with scarce any
indication of vertical b an ds; paler on the abdomen. There are four or five oblique narrow
whitish lines on the dorsal, but not very d istin ct; also two on the anal, more decided : these
lines appear to have been bluish, and there are traces of the same colour about the head and
gill-covers.
Ill all other respects it accords exactly with the description in the “ Histoire
des Poissons,” where it is added, in reference to colour, tliat this species is subjuct
to much variation. Mr. Darwin’s specimen measures five inches two lines in
length. The number attached to it has been lost, so that tliere is nothing to shew
where it was taken. It is probably, however, from the Keeling Islands, as tliere
is in the collection, from that locality, another specimen, which I have little doubt
of being the female of the one above noticed.
This second specimen wants the nuchal crest, as is stated to be the case in the female of
S . quadricornis. It is not full sized, measuring only three inches four lines in length, which
may account for the proportions being a little difterent from those of tlie adult. The depth is
one-sixth of the entire lengtli, or rather less. The filamentous appendages resemble those of
the first specimen, but the nasal ones have rather fewer bristles. In the form of the head,