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Show 1867.] THE FISHES OE SEYCHELLES. 849 25. G. CIVIS, C. & V. 26. MESOPRION ARGENTIMACULATUS, Forsk. 27. M. GEMBRA, Schn. A specimen from Seychelles is remarkable as having an indistinct black blotch on the lateral line, below the first rays of the dorsal, occupying about five or six series of scales. Length 12^ inches. Creole name " Giblot." 2S. M. MACHAS. M. machas, Cuv. & Val. vii. p. 446; Giinth. Fish. i. p. 200. D. ~. A. f. L. lat. 58-60. L. trans. 7/1 7. Diagnosis.-Height of body nearly equal to length of head, and contained from thrice and two-thirds to four times in the total length. Diameter of eye about one-fourth of the length of head. Upper profile of head descending at a slight angle, rather straight; jaws equal in front; upper maxillary not reaching as far back as centre of eye. Suprascapular and praeoperculum entire, the latter slightly notched ; a small knob on the interoperculum, which is entirely covered with scales. Caudal truncate ; pectorals reaching as far as vent ; dorsal spines feeble, the fourth longest; the third of anal rather longer and stronger than the second. Colour.-Olive, with yellow oblique streaks above the lateral line, and three longitudinal ones below it, of which the second, from the posterior of orbit to back of tail, is broadest. Dorsal, anal, and caudal fins yellow ; upper half of pectorals yellow, lower half rosy. Length 11| inches. 29. M. FULVIFLAMMA, Forsk. 30. M. ERYTHROGNATHUS, C. & V. 31. M. LUTJANUS, C. & V. 32. M. VITTA, Q. & G. 33. M. ERYTHRINUS. Diacope erythrina, Riipp. N . W . Fische, p. 92, t. 23, f. 2. Mesoprion erythrinus, Giinth. Fish. i. p. 199. D 10=11. A.3. L. lat. 65. 14 9 The specimen observed at Seychelles differs slightly from that described by Riippell; but there is little doubt of their identity. Diagnosis.-Height of body twice and four-fifths, and length of head thrice and two-thirds in the total length. Upper profile of head gibbous above the eyes. Snout elongate, pointed; lower jaw prominent. Diameter of eye one-sixth of the length of the head. Praeoperculum finely serrated, with a shallow notch ; knob of interoperculum not very prominent. Pectorals pointed, reaching to vent. Caudal subtruncated. |
