OCR Text |
Show 1868.] DR. A. GUNTHER ON NEW AMERICAN FISHES. 235 length of the head (to the occiput) is contained thrice and one-fourth in the total (without caudal). The margin of the snout is rough, like the upper surface of the snout. Structure of the mouth and teeth as in Plecostomus. Teeth small, about ten on each side in the upper jaw, and thirteen in the lower; lips narrow. The lower side of the head is naked, except where it is covered by the large subsemicircular interoperculum. Scutes without keels, covered with fine spines, which are arranged in longitudinal strise. Thorax covered by two pairs, abdomen by three series of broad scutes. Dorsal fin much higher than long, the length of its base being one-half of its distance from the adipose spine; caudal fin obliquely truncated, the lower ray being much longer than the upper. Pectoral spine serrated along both edges, extending beyond the middle of the ventral; ventral fin scarcely extending to the anal. Coloration uniform olive, caudal fin darker. A single example, 3 inches long, was obtained by Mr. Bartlett at Xeberos. LORICARIA ROSTRATA, Spix. The figure given in Spix's Pise. Bras, is bad. The figure of Valenciennes under the name of Loricaria acuta (pl. 452) has probably been made from an example of this species ; it certainly does not agree with his description of L. acuta. This species shows the same sexual character as Plecostomus barbatus, the male having a bearded snout. Kner, not being aware of this, described the female as L. rostrata, and the male as L. barbata. Mr. Bartlett found this fish at Xeberos. LORICARIA LANCEOLATA. (Fig. 3, p. 236.) Head and body much depressed, but narrow, the greatest width of the head being three-fifths of its length. Lower lip broad, slightly notched behind; lateral barbels fine and small; fringes of the lip indistinct. Teeth very fine, few in number, about five on each side in the upper jaw, and about seven in the lower. Orbit with a rather shallow notch behind, its horizontal diameter (the notch included) being two-thirds of the width of the interorbital space, which is flat. Head and body rough; a pair of obtuse ridges on the occiput and nape. The lateral ridges of the body are confluent on the fifteenth scute. L. lat. 28. There is a series of seven scutes between the roots of the pectoral aud ventral fins. Thorax and abdomen covered with irregular scutes. The length of the head (measured to the occiput) is a little more than one-fifth of the total (without caudal). None of the fin-rays are much produced ; the pectoral extends somewhat beyond the origin of the ventral. Origin of the dorsal fin opposite to the root of the ventral. Brown ; back with about five obscure dark cross bands ; fins with broad, irregular confluent black cross bands. One specimen, 3| inches long, was found by Mr. Bartlett at Xeberos. |