OCR Text |
Show 1902.] ICHTHYOLOGY OF THE CONGO. 269 from the small interneural shield. Dorsal I 6, first ray longest, slightly longer than the head ; second dorsal very small, originating above last rays of anal, its posterior rays aclnate to the back through a transparent membrane. Anal II 7-8. Pectoral a little longer than head, reaching, or not quite reaching base of ventral; latter a little shorter, reaching anal; outer ray of pectoral and ventral much thickened. Caudal with crescentic notch. Caudal peduncle much depressed, -| to ^ total length. 23 or 24 dorsal and 18 or 19 ventral scales, of which 8 or 9 are on the caudal peduncle, the last 5 united round the latter. Yellowish brown above, speckled with darker and with four more or less distinct broad dark cross-bands; fins whitish, with brown spots forming bars across the pectorals and ventrals. Total length 82 millim. Four specimens. The genus Phractura Blgr. was represented by three species : P. bovei Perugia, from the Lower Congo, of which I have lately examined three specimens belonging to the Brussels Museum ; P. scaphirhynchura Vaill., known from two specimens from the Alima, Upper Congo ; and P. ansorgii Blgr., recently described in these ' Proceedings' from a single example discovered by Dr. Ansorge in Southern Nigeria. The four species now known may be distinguished by means of the following synopsis :- 1. Occipital process not reaching interneural shield; snout about half length of head. Head feebly rugose above; posterior nostril nearly as distant from the eye as the anterior from the end of the snout; diameter of eye 10 or 11 times in length of head, 2j or 3 times in interocular width; maxillary barbel f length of head 1. P. bovti Perugia. Head smooth above; posterior nostril nearly as distant from the eye as the anterior from the end of the snout; diameter of eye 6 or 7 times in length of head, twice in interocular width ; maxillary barbel | length of head ... 2. P. lindica Blgr. Head rugose above, with strong ridges ; posterior nostril very near the eye, the diameter of which is 7 times in length of head and If in interocular width; maxillary barbel | length of head 3. P. ansorgii Blgr. II. Occipital process in contact with interneural shield; snout more than half length of head; eye 7 times in length of head, 1| in interocular width; maxillary barbel i length of head 4. P. scaphirhynchura Vaill. CYPRINODONTID.E. 37. HAPLOCHILUS SINGA Blgr. ANABANTID^E. 38. ANABAS MACULATUS Thomin. |