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Show 856 LIEUT.-COL. PLAYFAIR ON [Nov. 14, gin of soft portion, the exterior margins of caudal, the membrane between the third and fourth spines of anal, and the superior margin of pectorals darker. A white red-edged spot at axil of pectorals. Description of the specimen.-Form rather elongate. Snout long, equal to diameter of eye. The interocular space is contained five times and a half in the length of the head ; the two central bony ridges distant from one another and parallel. The groove for the process of the intermaxillary bones goes as far back as the anterior third of the eye, and is equal to the length of the snout. The turbinal bone terminates in front in two spines, the upper of which is directed forward, the lower downward; it does not cover the intermaxillary. The upper maxillary bone reaches below the anterior third of the eye, the diameter of which is contained thrice and a half in the length of the head, the operculum and spine included. All the opercles are striated and denticulated, as also are the scapular and humeral bones. The praeopercular margin is inclined forwards, terminating in a large and strong spine, longer than half the margin above it, which is coarsely denticulated. The opercular spines are broad and flat, the upper being the longer. Suboperculum entire, except on the upper third, where the striae are produced beyond the edge. Interoperculum strongly and irregularly denticulated. Dorsal spines moderately strong, the third and fourth longest, but shorter than the soft portion, which is less than half the height of body. First spine of anal minute; the second is one-fifth of the third ; the third is very long and strong, much more so than the fourth, or than any other spine or ray in the vertical fins; it is half the height of the body, and nearly one-fifth of the total length ; the fourth can be entirely hidden in the groove of the third. Superior lobe of caudal longest, and contained five times and one-third in the total length. Pectorals contained five times and two-thirds in the same, and about equal to the ventrals; the spine of the latter is two-thirds of its length ; the longest ray reaches to the thirteenth scale of the lateral line, and is remote from the vent. Scales not striated, but strongly serrated on the edge, and having numerous pores or perforations. Length 8| inches. Creole name of this and the other species of Holocentrum and Myripristis, " Lion." Hab. Seychelles ; Red Sea. POLYNEMID^E. 90. POLYNEMUS SEXFILIS, C. & V. XIPHIID^E. 91. HISTIOPHORUS BREVIROSTRIS, Playf. 92. H. GLADIUS. Scomber gladius, Brouss. M e m . Acad. Sc. 1786, p. 454, pl. 10. |