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Show 156 LETTER FROM MR. W. G. BLANFORD. [leh. 27> of head smooth, covered by skin. Nostrils some distance apart, the anterior between the orbit and the snout, and covered by a thick strong cirrus, which reaches to f the length of the pectoral hn. Mandibular cirri situated one anterior to the other, at a distance equalling the diameter of the orbit; both of them extend nearly as far as the base of the pectoral fin. Gill-openings wide, central cleft extends to above the isthmus. . , . Teeth. Numerous rows of fine sharp villiform ones m both jaws, and two oval patches, one on each side of the vomer, divided by a small interspace. None on the palate. # Fins. Dorsal small, without any spine, situated anterior to the origin of the ventral; no adipose dorsal. Pectoral with a very short but strong spine, ending in a short termination. Ventrals extend to the origin of the anal, which last is slightly joined to the caudal, the latter being rounded or rather emarginate. Air-bladder present. Lateral line straight, ceasing just anterior to the base of the caudal fin. Colours. Leaden, becoming purplish beneath, covered all over with minute black points, which form an irregular dark finger-mark on the shoulder. Caudal in some specimens yellowish. Mr. Burnett was good enough to send m e several specimens of this interesting fish, which he captured in the Wynaad, in a stream about 3000 feet above the level of the sea. Some were full of ova. The fish does not appear to grow above 12 inches in length. February 27, 1868. Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., V.P., in the Chair. The following extract was read from a letter addressed to the Secretary, by Mr. W . G. Blanford, Corr. Memb., dated " Annesley Bay, Feb. 3rd :"- . " I have got Pectinator spekei, or else a second species ot the same genus. It abounds up the passes, living amongst the rocks, and it is, without exception, the most tender-skinned mammal I ever tried to preserve. It is rather a pretty little beast, fond of lying out ou lumps of rock, and feeding upon green leaves, though I have never seen one on a tree. It is constantly out in the morning and evening, but I fancy it only feeds at night. " I have also two species of Hyrax (one from the passes, a second from the shores of x^nnesley Bay), a species of Ground-Squirrel(Ac/*w.'-), which does not agree in colour with any of those described in Dr. Gray's list, and a few other things. The Jackal is quite different |