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Show 1866.] MR. J. COUCH ON AUSONIA CUVIERI. 335 place. As it was entirely unknown (as far as he could learn) to all naturalists, he assigned to it the generic and specific name of Proc-tostegus, from Greek words which are expressive of the remarkable valve that covers and conceals the vent-a character which seems to be singular in this family of fishes. It was observed that this valve or covering was raised or let down by a voluntary action of the fish. The shape of the fish he compares in some degree to that of the Corypharna, which is the Dolphin of sailors: the body without scales, but with some roughness on the surface ; the mouth small and half circular, and without teeth; branchial rays three or four. He assigns to it, both in his description and figure, a lateral line, which became more distinct when the skin was dry ; and he notices a rosy tinge on the lower surface of the body. The anal fin had fourteen rays, pectoral sixteen, and the vertebrae were counted as twenty. The inner surface of the stomach was studded with fleshy processes such as I have described; and in its cavity was found seaweed mingled with slime, a circumstance which explains the nature of its food. The substance of this fish is said to resemble beef, and to be of delicious flavour. In Dr. Gunther's ' Catalogue,' already referred to, there is a lengthened description of a species of this genus, which is supposed to be the same as that described by the Italian naturalists, and consequently as the Cornish example; but between the latter and that which had come under the observation of Mr. Lowe there are some important differences, which appear to point to a difference of species. Thus in the fish of Madeira, in front of the dorsal fin a separate spine was seated in a groove, into which it could be received, and there is also mention of a spine in front of the anal; but neither separate spine nor groove existed in our fish. Also, instead of a single and somewhat thickened cover, which, perhaps, in its ordinary condition lay flat on the vent (which portion of its body, from its apparent tenderness, seemed to require protection), in Mr. Lowe's fish this covering was double, being formed of " two short bony triangular prismatic spines, covering the vent like a pair of folding-doors." There were also "perfectly distinct" teeth in a single row in both jaws, and the hindmost rays of the dorsal fin were feebly branched. Variation of colour is less to be regarded when occurring in fishes from different regions; but in this case the specimen is described as of a uniform iridescent pale steel or lead, reflecting rosy, lilac, or purple tints towards the back, silvery towards the belly and about the head ; the dorsal and anal fins black in the membrane, with vermilion rays; pectoral fin 7 inches long, bright vermilion, as also the caudal; ventrals, as they are termed, flesh-coloured ; the spine in front of the dorsal and anal fins whitish. The patches of the crust of the body were of a pale pink or dirty white tint; inside of the mouth purplish or dark mulberry-red. In none of these particulars did it resemble our fish. |
