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Show 36 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF TilE BEAGLE. having the curvature inwards, with a spine on each side; this is ~ollowed ~y the depressed occiput, which forms a hollow; and on each side of_ this, at its postenor margin, or at the commencement of the nape, are two other strong spines : there are likewise two spines at the suprascapulars, and between these and the posterior margin of the orbit of the eye, on what may be called the temples, are two more ; of these last, the first, which is small and close to the orbit, is double; the second, which is larger and situate a little above the upper angle of the preopercle, is, in this specimen, double on the right side and single on the left. The first suborbital has two spines on its anterior margin, the first directed forwards, and the_ second downwards; on its disk are two salient ridges, which are unarmed, and not very consp1cuous. The second suborbital is entirely without spines, but elevated in the middle into a double sptooth ridge or crest. Margin of the preopercle with six spines; the second longest; the first, as well as the two lowermost, small and inconspicuous. Opercle with two osseous diverging ridges terminating in spines: the scapular and clavicular bones likewise terminate each in a flattened spine. Lateral line and scales much as in S. Scrofa; the latter with their free edges perfectly smooth. The cutaneous filaments and appendages on this species are as follows: three small ones at the extremity of the snout; one small but broad one at the upper margin of the anterior orifice of the nostril ; two very conspicuous palmated ones on each orbit, especially the posterior one, which is largest, and very broad; two on the margin of the first suborbital; some small ones on the cheeks and maxillaries; six beneath the lower jaw, two being near the symphysis, and two on each ramus ; a row on the margin of the preopercle, and very numerous small ones scattered about the nape and sides of the body, of which a row along the lateral line are rather more conspicuous than the others. The spines of the dorsal fin are moderately strong, and unequal ; the first is rather more than half the length of the second, which itself is two-thirds of the third; this last is less than half, but more than two-fifths, of the depth 6f the body; from the third, the spines decrease very gradually to the eleventh, which is a little longer than the first; the twelfth is higher than the eleventh by one-third: soft portion of the fin rounded, and where most elevated just equalling in height the third or longest spine. Anal spines very unequal ; the first not very stout, and less than half the length of the second, which is very strong indeed, as well as the longest of the three ; the third is stouter than the first, but not nearly so stout as the second, though nearly equalling that spine in length : soft portion of this fin with its greatest elevation rather exceeding the second spine. Cauual slightly rounded. Pectorals rather more than one-fifth of the entire length ; the ten lowermost rays simple ; the nine immediately above these branched ; the uppermost of all simple like the bottom ones, but slenderer as well as shorter than the others. V entrals not above two-thirds the length of the pectorals; in other respects as in S. Scrofa. A second specimen.-Smaller than the one above described, measuring seven inches and a half in length. The two diverging lines on the cranium between the eyes are rather more salient, and the left orbit is without the fourth spine; but in all other respects, including the fin-ray formula, the two specimens are exactly similar. CoLOUR.-" Whole body scarlet red, fins rather paler; with small irregularly-shaped light black spots."-D. Habitat, Chatham Island, Galapagos Archipelago. FISH. 37 This species differs more or less in the details of form, as well as colours, from all those which I can find described by authors. Most of the foreign species of this genus noticed by Cuvier and Valenciennes, come either from the eastern coast of America or the East Indies ; and they do not appear to have received any from that part of the Pacific, whence the present one was obtained. SEBASTES oCULATA. Val.? Sebastes oculata, Olw. et Val. Hist. des Poiss. tom. ix. p. 844. FoRM.-Greatest depth contained about three times and three quarters in the entire length. Head about one-third of the same. Eyes large ; the interocular space, equalling rather more than half their diameter, concave, with two longitudinal ridges running respectively parallel to the two superciliary ridges. Two spines on the upper part of the snout, in a line with the nostrils; one at the anterior part of the orbit ; three at the posterior, passing off in a line towards the occiput, where there are two other moderately strong ones terminating the lateral occipital ridges; five very strong spines or teeth edging the rounded angle of the preopercle; two sharp ones at the posterior angle of the opercle, the upper one most developed ; one at the scapula, and two at the suprascapular. There are either three orifices to each nostril or else adjoining the two usual openings, a large pore so manifest (at least in this specimen i~ its dried state) as easily to be mistaken for a third: this additional one is close to the nasal spine. Dorsal spines of only moderate strength : anal stronger, especially the second, which is very stout, as well as the longest of the three; the third, however, is more than half the length of the soft rays. Pectorals broad and rounded ; their length contained about four times and a half in the entire length ; first ray simple, the next eight branched, the nine lowermost simple again, and rather stouter than the others. The caudal appears to have been square. Scales small and ciliated, covering nearly the entire head, as well as body, but very thinly scattered on the extremity of the snout in advance of the nostrils. D. 13/14; A. 3/6; C. 14, and 3 shorter ones; P. 18; V. 1/5. Length 10 inches. CoLOUR.-" Under surface, sides, branchial covering, and part of the fins, 'tile and carmine red;' dorsal scales pale yellowish dirty brown."-D. In its present dried state, the colour is of a uniform brown. Habitat, Valparaiso. This species is probably the S. oculata of Valenciennes; but the depth rather exceeds, and in its recent state it must have still more exceeded, one-fourth |