OCR Text |
Show 300 MR. C. TATE REOAN ON [Nov. 4, the belly are reduced to rows of granules; also the interorbital space is distinctly narrower, and the lateral line in that region much nearer to the supraorbital margin than in T. Icevigatus. T etrodon hy t se lo genio n Bleeker. With this species Giinther has confounded a quite distinct species from Australia, and Day another very different species from the Indian Ocean, both of which are described below. T etrodon pleur og ram m a , n. sp. (Plate X X IY . fig. 2.) Tetrodon hypselogenion (part), Giinther, Oat. viii. p. 277 (1870). A moderately developed lateral fold on the posterior part of the body. Nasal papilla moderately elevated, with 2 nostrils. Body rather broader than deep ; the length of head about 3 times in the total length ; snout as long as wide, about 2| times in the length of head, eye-diameter 4g-5| times, interorbital width 6-7 times. The width of the ethmoid almost equal to that of the interorbital space, which is distinctly concave. The jaws subequal in height, with slightly concave cutting-edges, without distinct ridges at the sides of the median groove. Spines rather strong, thick-set, extending from the nostrils to the level of the hind margin of the pectorals on the back and sides, and from below the eye nearly to the vent on the abdomen. D. 9-11. A. 8-10, pointed, subequal in height, their longest rays about |- the length of head. Caudal truncate. Dark brown above, with irregular white spots ; a golden band on the sides usually bearing one or two longitudinal dark stripes and separated from the colour of the back by a dark longitudinal stripe, that of each side being connected across the back by two rather indistinct dark cross-bands, one behind the pectorals, the other through the base of the dorsal; 5 or 6 sub vertical dark stripes on the cheeks ; abdomen white ; fins immaculate. Australia. Total length 135 mm. This species differs entirely from T. hypselogenion Bleeker in the colour, in the stronger and more numerous spines with a more restricted distribution, in the interorbital space being concave instead of nearly flat, and in the more elevated dorsal and anal fins with the rays in greater number (usually D. 10, A. 9, in T. pleurogramma, and D. 8, A. 7 in T. hypselogenion). T etrodon b r e v ip in n is , n. sp. Tetrodon hypselogenion, Day, Fishes of India, p. 702, pi. clxxxiii. Body with very indistinct lateral fold. Nasal papilla moderately elevated, with 2 nostrils. Body considerably deeper than broad ; length of head 24 times in total length; length of snout about 2| times in the length of head, width of snout 3^- times, eye-diameter 4 times, interorbital width 9 times and equal to the width of ethmoid. Upper jaw smaller than lower, without distinct ridges at side of median groove, with slightly concave cutting-edges. Spines of moderate strength, rather wide set. on |