2. Maxillary extending to below the centre
of the eye.
D. gTia- A. 9 ~ . Suboperculararmature
strong ...........................................2. gabonense, sp. n.
3. Maxillary not extending to below centre
of the eye.
a. D. i5'9 —. A. - _8lo. Suboperculum
not s e r ra te d ........................................... 3. nanum, sp. n.
b. D. A. Suboperculum serrated
.................... 4. congicum, Blgr.1
B. Small scales on the back, above the lateral
l in e ............................................................5. microlepidotum, Gthr.
II. Anal and caudal fins nearly continuous.
A. D. 15~l7J l8). A. 2^ . Depth of body |
of length in adult, J in young . . . 6. Petherici, Gthr.
B. D. 16 —. A. 9 10. Depth of body J- of 9 9 —XO p J *
length in adult, f in young . . . . 7. Kingsleya, Gthr.
Ctenopoma gabonense, sp. n. (PI. I. fig. C.)
Ctenopoma multispine, var., Giinth Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 1867, xx.
p . 110.
D -2— A - L- lat. 32. L. transv. 2A/9.
9 - 10 * 9
Body almost as oblong as in Ct. multispine, to which this
species is closely allied. The height of the body is two
sevenths, or less than one third, of the total length (without
caudal), the length of the head two sevenths or rather more
than two sevenths. The snout equals the diameter of the
eye, which is one fifth of the length of the head ; interorbital
space nearly flat, much wider than the orbit. Mouth moderately
wide, the maxillary not extending beyond the vertical
from the centre of the eye. The entire margin of the suboperculum
is armed with prominent spines ; also part of the
interopercular margin is spiny. The space between anal and
caudal fins is equal to, or even longer than, the diameter of
the eye. Ventral fin not reaching the vent. Pores on the
head rather small, inconspicuous. Coloration uniform.
Of this species there are two specimens in the British
Museum, 140 and 153 millim. long, both from the Gaboon.
Qne was obtained by Mr. R. B. N. Walker, and therefore
most probably came from the Ogow£ River. Both
have twenty dorsal spines, which number does not seem to
have been ever observed in Ct. multispme; from the latter
1 Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 1887, xix. p. 148.
species the present differs besides in a rather smaller mouth
and much stronger subopercular armature. Vomerine and
palatine teeth present.
Ctenopoma nanum, sp. n. (PI. I. fig. B.)
D. -5 I -6. A. —8io. L. lat. 27. L. transv. 2J/9.
Body stouter than in Ct. multispine or Ct. gabonense, its
greatest depth being contained 2f in the total length (without
caudal) and nearly equal to the length of the head. The
snout equals the diameter of the eye, which is contained 4 f in
the length of the head ; interorbital space rather convex, not
wider than the orbit. Mouth rather narrow, the maxillary
not extending to the vertical from the centre of the eye.
Opercular armature weak ; there are only a few spinous teeth
above and below the opercular notch, and none at all on the
sub- and interoperculum. The space between anal and
caudal fins is equal to a diameter of the eye. Pores on the
head entirely covered by scales. Five series of scales on
the cheek, the lowermost covering the praeopercular margin.
Ventral fins reaching beyond the origin of the anal, the two
outer rays being prolonged into filaments. Body with darker
cross-band; an indistinct oblique irregular dark band from
the eye towards the root of the pectoral.
Two specimens from the Gaboon 67 millim. long, are in
the British Museum: they were collected with specimens of
Ct. Petherici.
This species does not possess palatine teeth, and I am
unable to see any teeth on the vomer, the head of which,
however, is visible and not covered by the mucous membrane.
Of course the possibility of these specimens being the young
of one of the other species has been considered; but beside
agreeing among themselves and differing from the other
species in the number of spines, the comparative size of the
eye and width of the interorbital space clearly point to their
being either mature or not far removed from maturity.
Ctenopoma Petherici.
Ctenopoma Petherici, Giinth. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 1864, xiii. p. 211,
and 1867, xx. p. 1 10 (part.) ; andin Petherick’s “ Travels,” ii. i 86q !
p. 208, pi. i. fig. A.
The British Museum contains a specimen the exact habitat
of which is not known, but which was bought with other