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Show 550 DR. A. GUNTHER ON FISHES FROM MAURITIUS. [June 23, shrivelled, adhering by its half-dried mucus to the black-leaded surface of the hearth-stone immediately in front of the grate. I do not think that this Bipalium ever makes use of its mucu3 as a means of suspension ; indeed the nature of its haunts would seem to render any such means unnecessary. South-African Museum, Cape Town, 13th May, 1887. 8. Descriptions of two new Species of Fishes from Mauritius. By Dr. A. G U N T H E R , V.P.Z.S. [Received June 14, 1887.] (Plates XLVIII. & XLIX.) LATILUS FRONTICINCTUS. (Plate XLVIII.) This species differs very considerably from the typical forms of Latilus in the greater development of the spinous dorsal fin, in the armature of the opercles, narrowness of the infraorbital bone, and great width of the bridge connecting the branchiostegal membranes, so that perhaps it would be better referred to a distinct genus to which the name of Hoplolatilus may be given. B. 6. D.g. A.~. P. 17. V. \. L. lat. 125. Head and body compressed, oblong ; the greatest depth of the body is nearly equal to the length of the head and one fourth of the total length without caudal. Interorbital space rather convex, somewhat less than one third of the length of the head. Eye equal to the length of the snout and one fourth of the length of the head. Snout short, obtuse, slightly overlapping the lower jaw. Cleft of the mouth oblique, extending a little behind the middle of the eye; the maxillary being separated from the eye by an extremely narrow infraorbital bone. Teeth in both jaws in a band anteriorly, which on the sides tapers off into a single series and terminates behind in the enlarged curved labroid tooth ; the upper jaw is armed with two pairs of canines in front, whilst the lower bears a whole series of canine-like teeth outside the villiform band ; there are no teeth on the palate. The prsooperculum is strongly armed ; it not only bears a strong and coarse serrature along its posterior margin, but it is also armed with a strong triangular spine at its angle. The operculum terminates behind likewise in a flat triangular spine. Only the snout is naked, the remainder of the head being covered with minute scales. Branchiostegal membrane not joined to the isthmus, forming a broad bridge across it; gill-rakers rather long and lanceolate ; there are sixteen along the lower branch of the outer branchial arch. Pseudobranchiae well developed. A singular skinny nodule of white colour is attached to the inner edge of the clavicle, opposite to the pectoral fin. |
