ZOOLOGY. 237
River Gambia, where it abounds, as the captain fish, and where it is much
esteemed for the table. There are 4 or 5 small teeth in the front of the
upper jaw, the teeth of the lower are en velours; the dorsal fin has 9
strong spines and 29 rays, the caudal 18 rays, the anal 1 spine and 7
rays, the ventral 1 spine and 7 rays, and the pectoral 1 spine and 16
rays; the body of the fish is silvery, with an azure tinge on the back, and
a red tint near the ta il; the anal fin is red, the ventral yellow, and the
rest are gray; the scales of the head are indistinct, but those of the
body are very large; the lateral line is prolonged to the end of the
caudal fin. Gambia.
18. Vomer Brownii, Cm. St. Jago and Gambia.
19. Lichia Tetracantha, new species, Bowd., fig. 49.
The teeth are en velours ; the pre-operculum is radiated at the edge, and
the operculum is slightly undulated; there are 4 short strong spines in
front of the dorsal fin, to each of which is attached a membrane, so as to
give it the appearance of a very small fin ; the rest of the fin has 25 rays,
the caudal 20, the anal 24, with 2 short spines, the pectoral 14; the
scales áre scarcely visible; the whole fish has a bright silvery appearance,
tinged With a beautiful deep blue. St. Jago and the Gambia.
Fig. 41 and 51 are new genera, both belonging to Cuvier’s division
Acanthopterygiens, the first part of the'dorsal fin being supported by
spines, and the anal having one or more spines ; they approach nearest
to the third family, or the Labroides, from the strength of the spines, and
the fleshy lips, but I am at a loss to class them further.
Fig. 51, which I have distinguished by the name of Anomalodon incisus,
has a row of teeth en carde in the upper, and a broad corf used band of the same
in the lower jaw ; the dorsal fin has 11 strong spines,,3 of which are shorter
than the rest, and 15 rays; it is supported by a fleshy ridge; the ventral
has 3 spines and 10 rays; the body is silvery, slightly tinged with yellow,
and speckled with gray; the back, head, and dorsal fin are gray, the
other fins are yellow ; the division between the spiny and soft part of
the dorsal is sloped almost to the base ; the opercula are entire; the scales
are small, and the lateral line is formed of a ridge of very small projections.
Gambia.