OCR Text |
Show 1871] IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 657 nasal opening is wide, crescent-shaped, with the convexity turned forwards, situated on the upper side of the head. Spine at the angle of the praeoperculum very indistinct; limbs of the piseoperculum subequal in length. Caudal fin rounded. Spines of the fins very strong, deeply striated, without roughnesses; the second and last dorsal spines subequal in length, but much shorter than the fourth and fifth, which are the longest. The ventral fins reach to the anal fin. Uniform reddish rose-coloured. Vertical and ventral fins with a black margin. One example, 10| inches long, has been sent from Manado by Dr. B. Meyer. PRISTIPOMA MANADENSE. D. g. A. \. L. lat. 50. L. transv. 6/13. The height of the body is contained twice and two thirds in the total length (without caudal), the length of the head twice and one fifth. The diameter of the eye is one fifth of the length of the head, or two thirds of that of the snout. Upper jaw scarcely longer than lower ; maxillary not extending to the front margin of the orbit. The posterior limb of the preeoperculum emarginate, with the angle rounded, denticulated, but not produced. Spines of the fins very strong ; the two anterior of the dorsal very short, the second not half as long as the third, which is the longest, and nearly half as long as the head. The other spines become gradually shorter, the last being-only half as long as the first ray. The second anal spine is much stronger and longer than the third, and nearly as long as the third dorsal spine. Caudal fin truncated. Pectoral pointed, extending to the vent. Silvery ; upper half of the body with small blackish spots, which occupy the base of the scales. Dorsal fin with two rather irregular series of round blackish spots, each of the size of the pupil. The other fins immaculate, or with a slight blackish tinge. One specimen, 13 inches long, has been obtained at Manado by Dr. B. Meyer. DIAGRAMMA OBSCURUM. (Plate LVIII.) D. g. A. f. L. lat. 75. L. transv. 13/24. The height of the body is contained twice and three fourths in the total length (without caudal), the length of the head thrice and a half. The diameter of the eye equals the extent of the snout, and is contained thrice and two thirds in the length of the head. The maxillary extends to the front margin of the eye. The third to seventh dorsal spines are equal in length, one third of the length of the head, and not much longer than the following. All are of moderate strength. The length of the longest dorsal rays is less than one half of the depth of the body. Caudal fin emarginate, with the lobes rounded. The second and third anal spines sub-equal in length, and much stronger than those of the dorsal. The pectoral is rather shorter than the ventral, which does not quite |