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Page 1: Spix Agassiz Brazilian Fishes.pdf

Fishes of Brazil

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Fishes of BrazilAn aid to the study of J.B. Spix and L. Agassiz (1829-31)

Selecta genera et species piscium Brasiliensium

including an English translation of the text

by V. L. Wirasinha

and reproduction of all illustrations

Edited by

Rohan Pethiyagoda & Maurice Kottelat

WHTColombo

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Fishes of Brazil:An aide to the study of J.B. Spix and L. Agassiz (1829-31)Selecta genera et species piscium Brasiliensiumincluding an English translation of the textby V. L. Wirasinhaand reproduction of all illustrations

Edited byRohan Pethiyagoda & Maurice Kottelat

Translation and reproduction© 1998 WHT Publications (Private) Limited,95 Cotta Road, Colombo 8, Sri Lanka.

Extract from Spixiana vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 69-93© 1988 Zoologische Staatssammlung Miinchen, Munich, Germany.

Extract from /. Soc. Biblphy. nat. Hist. 5(6): 478-497© 1971 Society for the History of Natural History, London, Great Britain.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may.be reproducedin any form or by any electronic or mechanical means includinginformation storage and retrieval systems without permission inwriting from the copyright owners, except by a reviewer, whomay quote brief passages in review.

ISBN 955-9114-03-4

Published by WHT Publications (Private) Limited95 Cotta Road, Colombo 8, Sri Lanka

Typeset and Reprography byIris Colour Graphics Limited, Colombo.

Printed by Gunaratne Offset Limited, Colombo.

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N.b. The page numbers of this edition appear centred at the foot of each page.All other pagination is as appears in the original works reproduced.

PrefaceRohan Pethiyagoda and Maurice Kottelat

7

Authorship, dates of publication, status and types ofSpix & Agassiz's Brazilian fishes

by M. KottelatReproduced with permission from Spixiana, 11(1): 69-93;

© 1988 Zoologische Staatssammlung Miinchen.

Problems of nomenclature and datingof Spix and Agassiz's Brazilian Fishes (1829-1831)

by P.J.P. Whitehead and G. S. MyersReproduced with permission from /. Sac. Biblphy. nat. Hist. 5(6): 478-497

© 1971 Society for the History of Natural History.

35

English translationof J.B. Spix and L. Agassiz (1829-31)

Selecta genera et species piscium'Brasiliensiumby V. L. Wirasinha.

55

Original text and plates

225

Index to the translation and plates

417

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PrefaceSpix & Agassiz's pioneering ichthyological treatment of Brazil, Selecta genera etspecies piscium Brasiliensium has hitherto been available only in the original Latin.Because only very few copies of the original work survive/ mostly in museumlibraries, in 1993 we were instrumental in bringing out a facsimile edition, whichis also now out of print. The rapid disappearance of Latin from internationalusage suggested to us that an English translation might be useful not only toichthyologists, but also to aquarium fish enthusiasts and those interested in theearly exploration of Brazil and the Amazon.

The translation here presented represents largely the labour of the Sri Lankanscholar V. L. Wirasinha. Some parts omitted from translation by Mr.Wirasinha were translated by Roger Fliickiger. Some phrases in the originalLatin however, presented difficulty in translation because their meaning wasnot clear, or because they were ambiguous. Here, we have used our ownjudgement in deciding the likely intention of the author. Occasionally, weencountered words for which we could find no obvious English equivalent:these remain in Latin.

We emphasize that this is intended to be simply a working translation andnot a 'definitive' or scholarly one. Our intention has been merely to give modernreaders without a knowledge of Latin access to this important contribution tothe ichthyological literature. An equally important objective of the book waseconomy, in order to make it accessible as widely as possible. Although we didnot deliberately 'cut corners' towards this end, the translation as it now appearshas not been subjected to scrupulous review by other Latin scholars; no doubtsome errors and inaccuracies may have been introduced in the translation andediting process.

The following points will simplify use of the translation—

\ Although syntax demands that the word order within sentences differsbetween the original text and the translation, sentences, paragraphs andpages remain intact, enabling comparison with the original when necessary.

2. The original text uses italics in different contexts, in a manner quite differentto present-day usage. We have tried to restrict the use of italics to the namesof species and genera in keeping with current usage, and also in order todifferentiate between the occurrence in the text of the same name in both avernacular and scientific context. In this case, the vernacular is not italicized(occasionally, it was not possible to interpret the intention of the authors inthis respect). Names appearing entirely in upper case in headings are notitalicized.

3. The translation appears in a page size that represents a reduction of about35 per cent of the original. Our desire to maintain the integrity of pages andparagraphs has resulted therefore in some pages being crowded with fineprint, while others are partly empty: to some extent this reflects the formatof the original work, as does the use of a variety of point sizes for the text.

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4. In the original text, inches are represented by double quotes thus—", whereastenths of an inch are represented by triple quotes thus—'". In keeping withmodern usage, we have replaced this abbreviation with the word 'inches'where necessary, representing the tenths by a fraction.

5. Because of the small size of the printed page in this edition, material on eachplate had in most cases to be reorganised; nothing, however, was deleted.Each plate has been reduced according to the size of the original figure, so asto optimise use of the page area, although no figure appears larger than inthe original. In some cases, elements within a single plate may have beendisplaced in order to accommodate re-sizing. The type of some of the letteringon the plates has been re-set.

6. The index includes only the taxa that appear on the text headings and plates.

AcknowledgementsWe are grateful to V. L. Wirasinha for translating the Latin text into English, andRoger Fluckiger for translating some of the pages and clarifying thetranslation of some details. The original works used for this reproduction belongto the Zoologische Staatssammlung Munchen (plates), and the Archives de1'Etat, Fonds Louis Agassiz, Neuchatel (text), with the permission of thoseinstitutions. We are grateful to Marianne Muller for photographing the originalplates. We thank the editors of Archives of Natural History and Spixiana forpermission to reproduce the papers by P.J.P. Whitehead and G.S. Myers, and M.Kottelat.

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A SELECTION OF THEGENERA AND SPECIES OF

FISHES

OF BRAZIL

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A SELECTION OFGENERA AND SPECIES OF

FISHESFROM

TRAVELS IN BRAZIL

IN THE YEARS 1817-1820

BY THE ORDER AND UNDER THE AUSPICIES OF

MAXIMILIAN JOSEPH I.THE MOST AUGUST KING OF BAVARIA

Dr. J. B. von SPIX,Formerly Knight of the Royal Order of the Civilian Crown of Bavaria,

Ordinary Member of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences,Curator of the Royal Museum of Zoology, Zootomy and Ethnography, etc.

WITH AN ACCOUNT, DESCRIPTIONS AND ANATOMICAL ILLUSTRATIONS BY

Dr. L. AGASSIZ,

PREFACED AND EDITED BY TRAVELLING COMPANION

Dr. E C. Ph. de MARTIUS.

MUNICH,

PRINTED BY C WOLF.

1829

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TO THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS

THE EMINENT ZOOLOGIST

WHO

THANKS TO HIS BRILLIANT INTELLIGENCE

EMBRACING ALL NATURE AS IT IS AND HAS BEEN

PENETRATING THE PROFUNDITY OF THE EARTH AND THE SEA

COMPILED AND CONSOLIDATED

THE COMPREHENSIVE

HISTORY OF ANIMALS

THIS WORK

BEGUN BY OUR DECEASED FRIEND

IS DEDICATED BY

L. AGASSIZ AND C. E PH. DE MARTIUS.

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Namesof those -who have subscribed to this work:

number. of copies

Ludovicus I, King of BavariaCarolina Friderica Gulielma, The Queen-mother of Bavaria 1

Gulielmus, Duke of Bavaria 1

Maria Amalia, Duchess of Zweibrucken, Palatine Countess 1

Augusta Amalia, Duchess of Leuchtenberg, Princess of Eichstadt 3

Alexius Fridericus Christianas., Duke of Anhalt-Bernburg , 1

Fridericus Ferdinandus, Duke of Anhalt-Gotha 1

Franciscus I/ Emperor of Austria 1

Carolina Augusta, Empress of Austria ." 2

Franciscus Carolus, Archduke of Austria 1

Maria Ludovica, Archduchess of Austria, Duchess of Parma,

Guastalla and Placentia 1

Leopoldus II, Archduke of Austria, Grand Duke of Etruria 2

Ludovicus, Great Duke of Bade 1

Gulielmus I, King of Belgium 2

Fridericus Gulielmus III, King of Prussia 1

Fridericus Gulielmus, Royal Prince of Prussia 1

Friderica Carolina Sophia Alexandrina, Duchess of Cumberland,

Princess of Mecklenburg .-. 1

Petrus I, Emperor of Brazil , 2

Ludovicus, Grand Duke of Hesse-Darmstadt 1

Paulus Alexander Leopoldus/ Prince of Lippe-Detmold 1

Franciscus I, King of the Two Sicilies 1Maria Isabella^ Queen of the Two Sicilies ., 1Henricus LXXII, Prince of Reuss-Ebersdbrf-Gera 1

Nicolaus I, Emperor of Russia 1

Felix Carolus Josephus, King of Sardinia 1

Carolus Emanuel Albertus, Prince of Carignan 1

Gulielmus I, King of Wurtemberg : 1

Prosper Ludovicus, Duke of Aremberg ...". 1Maria Theresia, Princess Esterhazy of Galantha 1

Carolus Egon, Prince of Fiirstenberg 1Prince of Lieven, Minister of the August Emperor of Russia

for religion and public education 10

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numberof copies

Josephus, Prince of Salm-Reiferscheid-Dyke 1Carolus Philippus de Wrede, Prince of Ellingen 1

x- * *

Royal Library of Berlin 1Royal Library of the University of Bonn 1Royal Library of Dresden 1Royal Library of the University of Erlangen 1Royal Library of the University of Gottingen '. 1Royal Library of the University of Wurzburg 1Royal Library of Munich 1Library of the Royal University of Munich 1Library of the Royal Tribunal of Metallurgic Affairs of Munich 1Library of the Imperial Botanical Garden of St. Petersburg 1Royal Library of Sor0 1Library of the Royal University of Tubingen 1Library of the Imperial and Royal Museum ofNatural History of Vienna 1

* * *

L. B. Stein von Altenstein, Minister to the King of Prussia forReligious and Public Education Affairs 3

Artaria and Fontaine, booksellers in Manheim 4G. A. Bonato, Professor of Botany at the University of Padua 1Gabriel, Count of Bray,

Ambassador of the King of Bavaria to the Emperor of Austria,President of the Royal Botanical Society of Regensburg 1

Josephus, Count of Esterhazy in Vienna 1Frid. Fleischer, bookseller in Leipzig 9Hoffmann and Campe, booksellers in Hamburg 4J. Frank, bookseller in Brusells 2Vincentius, Count of Kaunitz, in Prague, Imperial Chamberlain 1S. and J. Luchtmans, bookseller in Leiden 1J. Miiller and associates, booksellers in Amsterdam 4L. B. von Munch, Vienna 1L. B. de Olenin, Confidential Counsellor to the Emperor of Russia,

President of the Academy of Arts of St. Petersburg 2Perthes and Besser, booksellers in Hamburg 4C. G. C. Reinwardt, Professor of Natural History in Leiden 1J. Renouard, bookseller in Paris 1P. J. Schalbachef & Associates, booksellers in Vienna 4G. Schaumburg & Associates, booksellers in Vienna 1F. Schwagrichen, Professor of Natural History in Leipzig 1Gasparus, Count of Sternberg, in Prague 1Treuttel, Wiirtz and Richter, booksellers in London 2P. Usteri, medical doctor and State Counsellor, Zurich 1

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Carl von Martius presents greetings to his Reader!

As I address myself to writing this preface to a volume of descriptions of speciesof Brazilian fish which our colleague Agassiz undertook to research andcompose on the specimens exhibited in the Museum of Munich/1 cannot helpgrieving and lamenting over the loss of our beloved friend, Joannes de Spix/ amost hardworking companion of ours on this journey of scientific research. Ithad been his objective to research'all sectors of the animal kingdom.Consequently/ being as sharp-sighted as indefatigable in his research hecompiled a great abundance of observations which were most worthy of record.After his death/ however/ those observations/ along with most of his otherwritings/ have perished. About fish he has left nothing except lithographs. Wehave therefore to wait for some other travelling researcher into the nature andhabits of fish and their distribution over the waters/ to immerse himselfcompletely in this study. It is to the richness of Flora that I myself have beenattracted, abounding as she does, in unbelievable luxuriance throughout thevast domain of Brazil. I am wholly occupied in collecting specimens and inmaking careful studies of them. I may not, therefore/ except as though I wereintruding, and nature were herself forcing her Way to me, formulateobservations—they can, at best, be fragmentary —about fish. These, kind reader,I offer to you here, in the confident hope that/ of your benevolence/ I shallobtain pardon for my deficiencies.

I have proposed to myself two objectives. The first is to set down certainobservations about fish/ both of the sea and of inland waters, in their severalkinds, and to enlarge on the specific nature even of certain peculiar species.My second objective is to describe the devices with which the fish are capturedby the inhabitants and what contribution the fish make to the people's existenceand to economic application.

Whoever pays attention .to that exceedingly long stretch of shore that theAtlantic Ocean washes will readily observe that in scarcely any other part ofthe world is an ampler or, indeed an equal ample expense of-water afforded tofish to live in than is conceded to fish we term Brazilian. He will also observethe enormous rivers that eventually bring down to this ocean an immeasurable

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mass of waters/ such as the Paraguay/ the Uruguay/ the Rio Sao Francisco/ RioDoce/ Itapicuru/ Miarim/ Tocantins/ Solimoes; and, at the end of their course/by far the greatest of all the rivers comes forth. It has received the name of theAmazon. There are other rivers too/ smaller indeed than these/ but enormousthemselves/ tributaries of the two last mentioned. They are the Xingu/ theTapajoz/ Madeira/ Japura/ Rio Negro/ Jutahy/ Purus/ Javary and others. And Ido not rightly know whether I should be amazed more at the absolutelyincredible abundance of the individual species of fish or at the shapes/ sizesand colours by which the genera of fish which inhabit these several waters areseverally distinguished. In many regions/ certainly of this domain manythousands of fish are caught yearly/ and they constitute the greatest part of thefood that sustains the life of the inhabitants. Besides/ the number of species isso great that those which are described in this work are but a very small part ofthem. Very many indeed will become known when more provinces/ whichhitherto have been virtually untouched/ have researchers visiting them. I/ formy part/ estimate that if at any time a catalogue were compiled of all animalsbelonging to Brazil/ the number of species of fish would amount to six or sevenhundred.

Certain it is that great abundance of species with which the Atlantic Oceanteems, and those too which swim to the shores of Brazil wonderfully extendedthe catalogue of fishes of Brazil. There are those graceful Scomber thynnus(Albacoras) and Scomber pelamidus (Bonitas)/ which at great speed accompanyships plying to and fro in the Atlantic Ocean/ both species driving shoals ofsmaller species before them. Not infrequent visitors are they to the shores ofBrazil. There is the Exocetus evolans and very many other species of this genus;also the Cichla volitans, fish which at all times/ on account the leaps they make/resembling flights out of the water, are numbered among the wonders of thetorrid zone. Then there is the Echeneis naucrates (Iperaguiba of Brazil), whichclings to ships with its jointed scute and accompanies them through all seas,the Syngnathus hippocampus, various species of the genera called Zeus, Cottus,Scorpaena, Pleuronectis and other fish of these anomalous shapes, which notinfrequently fall captive to fishermen by the shores of Brazil. Very many speciesof rays too (Nari-Nari, Aiereba, Jabubira/ Jabebirete, etc.) occur. The wound/which they inflict with their poisonous sting (as we read even in Piso's account),the inhabitants cure with an application of the roasted root ofRhizophora mangles(Quarapaiba) and even by treatment with an ointment made with oil fromfruits of various palms/ or with plasters made of such ointment. The ray/ as anative who had once been stung by this fish told me/ as it delivers a prick/twists the lower part of its tail/ at the same time agitating the rest of its bodyindiscriminately to remove whatever impediment there may be hamperingthe sting being driven further in. The wound/ once inflicted/ soon causes violentpain and a burning sensation which lasts several hours

*) We transcribe the names of these rivers following the pronunciation of the inhabitantsbecause on the geographic maps they are less easily found adapted to themorphology of the Latin language and because such a distortion does not allow toavoid the barbarian character of the word.

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and sometimes throughout a day, with the site of the wound being surroundedby a red swelling; presently a fever follows. Very rarely however/ is such apuncture fatal.

With mention of hostile marine fish I am reminded to make some referenceto species of shark too (Tubaroes) Carcharia, Zygaena which fairly resembles amallet/ Tiburone and other related species. It has been observed that thesespecies do not proceed to the shores of Brazil everywhere but confinethemselves to certain determined locations. They are customarily mostnumerous near the island named Sao Luis de Maranhao, also close to the shoresof the provinces of Seara, Rio Grande de Norte/ and Sao Paulo/ places wheresea-bathing is dangerous. And it can/ perhaps/ be stated generally that theshores of Brazil lying to the North of the promontory of Cabo de Calcanhar(latitude 5° 28' 17" S/ Longitude 37° 37' 25" W), which extends farthest eastwardsof all the promontories/ are less frequented by fish than the shores lying to theSouth of it. The cause appears to be that the shores around Para/ Maranhaoand Seara are shallower and/ with their extensive sandbanks/ render accessmore difficult to the larger species. In the southern tract/ in the region wherethe sun/ turning around/ now moves northward and now/ again, southwards/the waters too drift now towards the north and now towards the south; and itis agreed that fishes vary their journeyings and returnings to achieve a normin the conditions in the waters in which they live.

The extent to which fish are affected by changes in their changeable elementscan be ascertained also from the fact that they heed the regular seasons of theyear in which/ chiefly they swim to shore. It is known that on the eastern shoresof Brazil the ocean currents follow the direction of the winds/ which/ in themonths of March and April and right up to September/ varies between theMesocaecia (East towards North) and the Eurus (East South East) and in themonths from September to March (which season of the year is called winterbecause it is wet) between theActopeliotes (North East) and another wind/ whosedirection lies more to the south, (North East 1 /4 East). The speed of the currentsis in proportion to the vehemence of the winds. When the Mesocaecia or theEurus or intermediate winds are blowing the ocean currents in the region ofCabo do Sao Agostinho lying to the south are less strong than those in theregion facing the north, where the speed increases all the time from June andJuly, when the Arctopeliotes is the predominating wind. At Bahia de todos osSantos, the Arctopeliotes appropriates almost all the morning hours to itself,but the Zephyroboreas, which blows from the land mass appropriates the eveningand night. Since, therefore, fish are accustomed to swim against the current,evening and night time and the summer months, chiefly (these months, sincethey are dry are held to be summer months as ours are, although in the oppositehemisphere to ours), are favorable to propulsion towards the shores. There aresome species, however, which/in this matter of swimming to shore, pay heednot so much to winds as to the time when the shores are more shallow, so thatthe eggs they lay may, with the warmth of the sun, be hatched out moreproductively; and for this cause they often swim up rivers with a long course,

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just as in our countries the salmon swims the Rhine right up to Schaffhausenand to various lakes in Switzerland. This season, in which fish are drawn tothe shores of Brazil is, in the language of the Indians, termed Pira-que, meaningthe arrival of fish. Species of outstanding size, including Caravates, Cavallos,Turapicus, Albacoras (Scomber Thynnus L. and other species of Scomber) frequentonly those shores which recede comparatively less deep into bays, and thentoo they appear to act only with caution and deliberation. In fact very manyold Ilheos Indians have confirmed to me that these species act with greatforesight in this proceeding, that some older members always precede the restlike scouts, to survey the locations of the waters, search for places most suitablefor laying eggs, and pass on the information to younger members. Much morenumerous are the shoals of smaller species which swim to the shores, such asthe Paratis and Curames, named Tainhas by the Portuguese (species ofAtherinal}. Others, such as the Camuris (Diodon hystrixL.), Tatacapirema, Curui(Guri), Bagres (Silurus bagre), Virutus (Urutus of Piso) lay their eggs in mud,and for that reason swim much higher up the rivers, but form less numerouscommunities. At all times of their lives, however, except on the occasion whenthey lay their eggs, these marine species stay away from rivers seeking thehigh seas again once the eggs have been laid. The eggs themselves they leaveto their own fate, to be fertilized by males who arrive after the females havedeparted; and these-males themselves depart after that function has beenperformed. And it is not strange that fish thus take little care of their eggs—itis of a piece with mothers themselves often even swallowing their own eggs,for they neither experience pleasure in conceiving, nor is it without great painthat they lay thek heavy weight of eggs. Of that genus, however, which iscalled Cavallos it is asserted that the mothers do not desert their young, butseek the sea again along with them when they are hatched out. Ratherinfrequently it also happens that smaller species, thoroughly scared by largerspecies, flee to the shores, where very large shoals of them swim into traps laidby fishermen.

But if certain shores of Brazil wonderfully abound in fish, much moreabundant, in proportion to size, are the fish that the river and the lakes whichare linked with them and the marshes nurture. Some of these species, likepiranha (Serrasalmo piranha), Curimata (Schizodon fasciatus), Pacu (Prochilodusargenteus, nigricans), Sorubim (species of Platystoma), are widely distributedthroughout a large part of this empire; but others are peculiar to particularriver regions, and it does not seem improbable that certain species are peculiarto almost any major river—but this cannot confidently be asserted or deniedin the existing dearth of carefully conducted research. In like manner as marinespecies, fresh-water species too behave in certain ways which relate to thepeculiar nature of the element they inhabit. And at certain regular times theyswim in shoals with or against the current, and enter the marshes and lakeslinked with the rivers.

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It is definitely worthy of remark in this connection that everything dependsless on the season of the year than on the nature of the location of these rivers.In this immense domain some rivers are at times drained dry of their water,while others remain permanently full.. This, however, has generally beenobserved, namely that fish move downstream when the mass of waterdecreases, and upstream when the water is abundant. Many species desertrivers at certain times and retire into connected lakes and marshes in accordanceas it were, with a deliberate plan, sometimes to avert devouring of their youngby other voracious creatures, at other times to avoid destruction of their eggsthrough unseasonable drying up of sites where they had been deposited: evenin the most abundant rivers it is almost a ritual occurrence that every year fishare subjected to such vicissitudes. It is therefore especially in these rivers thatfish follow the course I have described. Well, this happens in every river andat a definite time and in the same way as before. Knowing this from experience,men living beside the Rio Sao Francisco construct dams in the canals whichlead off the flood waters, to prevent fish from returning to the river, and sosecure exceedingly abundant hauls of fish.

Such journeys are undertaken by fish even singly, but it is more often inschools that they set out, nor do they confine themselves to narrow limits. Thereport is supported by good authorities that fish from the river Paraguay notonly spread out over those masses of-waters .which, denoted by the name ofLagos dos Xarayes, are formed year by year by the river, flooding everywhere,but even swim into the upper Parana or Rio Grande, right up to its sources inMinas Gerais. In the Rio Sao Francisco, when the dry season prevails in theprovince of Minas, fish descend right down to what are called the Falls ofPaolo Alfonso, covering a few hundred leagues in this journey. But these fallsare of so great a magnitude that they halt not only ships but even fish, whichcan only go down to their neighbourhood. Marine fish, indeed turn away fromthose insurmountable falls.

No less extensive are the journeys that fish undertake in that vast expansewhich the river Amazon forms with its exceedingly great branches which flowtogether from all sides, Fish from the sources of the southern rivers, Xingu,Tapajoz, Madeira, Yavari, as well as from the sources of rivers in the north lea,Jopura, Rio Negro etc. descend into this greatest of all rivers—which meansthat a scarcely believable abundance of fish stream into it; and that is mostevident when this river floods in all directions and the whole area becomes asea. The European traveller is astounded as he is borne forward in his shipamong lordly trees which then clothe themselves in flowers; and he sees inthis forest of flowering trees innumerable fishes engaged in their accustomedactivities, some gathering leaves, flowers and fruits which happen to havefallen, others swallowing mud, others gnawing at bark, others gambolling orskirmishing; all then is bursting with life, all things bestir themselves, in placeswhere, after a few months, when the waters have returned within their bounds,all is silence and back to desolation. What the characteristic way of lif e is of theindividual

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species in this multitude of fish, the manner of their subsistence/ what alliancesand enmities prevail among them/ with what stratagems they wage their wars/the manner of their breeding, we leave it to later investigators who will havemore leisure/ to investigate.

Apart from the Pacu and the Curimata, which have been referred to above/the following species of fish which are distributed over a large part of Brazildeserve mention; Piau/ Taraira do Rio (Synodus Tarawa), Acary/ Pocomo, Bagre(Silurus bagre), Pira (par excellence, since any fish is called by this appellation inBrazilian usage) which/ on account of its abundance and wide distributionhave brought into association names prevalent in several regions/ such as Pira-hy/ Pacu-hy/ Piau-hy/ Curimata-hy/ (in these words the syllable "Hy" affixed/meaning water, indicates that the principal rivers of the region nurture thosespecies). Another/ similar/ name is of a region/ Trahiras/ contracted from Tarairas.

A genus of fish which is distributed not only throughout Brazil but alsoover Bonaire/ Paraguaria/ Guyana and Columbia is the Serrasalmo. Indeed itseems to me that a certain species of this genus which in Brazil bears the generalname (Piranha ordinaria)/ is called Palometa in Paraguay/ and Pery in Guyana.Related to this species is the Serrasalmo albus of Humboldt which species iscalled Umati in the neighbourhood of Orenoco/ but by Gumillo (Orenoco Vol.IE. Chapter 42) it is called Quacorito/ and by Spaniards/ who fancied they hadfound the strain of cruelty in the species to be similar to that of the Carabianpeople/ Pexe Caribe. All species of this genus challenge me/ on account of thevoracity with which they go after animals/ to give an account of some lengthabout them.

Large contingents of them (seeing they often number several thousands ofallies) organize journeys and attack all animals which happen to meet them.Their mouths are armed with a double row of sharp teeth so closely and firmlycompacted that they can sever/ as easily as a razor severs hair, whatever isgripped by them with the aid of their jaws-—-and these are as strong as they arewide. Indeed/ Gumilla states in the place already referred to with approbationabove/ that the Quirruba Indians convert these jaws and their teeth intoimplements in the shape of scissors, with which to sever the heads of enemiesthey have killed. Hence too has the fish received the name prevalent amongthe inhabitants of Brazil, of Piranha, which signifies the cutting fish-—-or/ as thePortuguese name it/ Peixe Tezoura. These weapons/ indeed/ it is/ that, linkedto their unbelievable voracity and thirst for blood, makes this fish by far themost dreaded tyrant of the rivers it inhabits; for not rarely does it happen thatif an ox or a tapir or other large animal should enter a river and encounter acontingent of such fish, it would be devoured instantly; perhaps one fish tearsa mere morsel of a tidbit; but then, in less time than one could believe possible,nothing would remain of the animal save its skeleton, with its hide, flesh andintestines all consumed. An ox has been seen, having entered a stream only 30or 40 feet wide, for a drink of water, unable to reach the opposite shore exceptin the form of a

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body half torn to death. People dwelling by the Orenoco called Guaraunos usethis fish for an end of their own. Gumilla (op. tit. Chapter 14 p. 314, Frenchversion) reports that these people preserve the skeletons of their dead in baskets;they suspend the corpses for one night in the river, and on the following daydraw out the skeletons/ which are now as beautifully bare as possible.

Animals living close to these waters/ as though taught by experience/ takeanxious care not to move or disturb the water they are about to drink. In fact/when compelled by thirst, they vigorously agitate the water at some point andflee from there as the piranha are lured hither/ in order to drink in greatersafety elsewhere (but if they are seized by fish of this sort/ they not infrequentlylose their lips/ which are bitten off). By this cunning device it is agreed thatdogs and horses defend themselves even from crocodiles. Besides/ even animalscareering in flight fear these aquatic enemies—and this has been notedespecially in Hydrochoerus capibara, which halt their swiftest run as soon asthey fear lest, by their motion, they should attract voracious piranhas. Thusthis fish is more terrible than the crocodile itself/ which-—-and the scales ofwhich—are not safe against the piranha's bite. Report has it that the Brazilianotter alone/ which/ under its long hair/ is covered by a dense fleece of shorterhair/ can put the Piranhas to flight. The scent of this fish is of outstandingkeenness/ so that it is attracted from afar by the smell of flesh or blood thatmay happen to be present in the water. The first to make mention of this fact/as far as I know myself/ is Gumilla (Orenoc. Vol. Ill Chapter 42), who has writtenat length about Piranhas—although he has introduced an element of fable intohis account; he has said that it is possible for a man to swim safely amongthem if he does not mingle in the water any blood from any part of his body/which would inflame the thirst of the fish for blood. This is contradicted bywhat Dobrizhofer says (de Abiponibus I. p. 370), namely, that he knew that twoSpanish soldiers who had been swimming in a river behind two horses hadbeen most cleanly emasculated by palometas. It is indubitable, however, thatthe voraciousness inherent in Piranhas for animals and humans is violentlyaroused when they are attracted to them by flesh or blood present in water. Ihave seen myself an Indian domestic of my band, who had gone back to astream where he had earlier washed some slaughtered hens seized by a Piranhaby a finger, the extreme node of which he lost in this manner. It is known toothat these creatures maybe so furiously aroused as to savage their own species,but it is without any provocation or prior indictment that they attack animalsand humans alike. Indeed, they avidly seize the red nap of a garment; and bythis means they can easily be caught. Such capture I have very often attemptedmyself in lakes close to the Rio Sao Francisco near Salgado and Malhada. Butthe inhabitants of those regions are to be accounted fortunate because thisgenus of fish does not fancy swift streams but seeks out recesses andbackwaters, where the water is more sluggish. Profiting from this natural traitin the fish, the inhabitants can then more easily avoid them. But when thestreams flood thek banks and inundate areas further within the land, and fishof all genera are amazingly intermingled, in such conditions,

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there is no security anywhere from this tyrant of the fresh waters. This factpeople living along the river named after St. Francis experience yearly in theloss they suffer; when the river over-tops its banks, they are compelled to drivetheir cattle and horses from high ground surrounded by water, where theywould otherwise perish of starvation, to higher elevations. In this exercise itoften happens that before their very eyes an ox or two or a horse is torn apartpiecemeal by Piranhas. Nor is it only the gentler animals that are subject tothis fate. The onga cat [jaguar] itself, which is the most ferocious beast in Brazil,can scarcely escape.

This kind of fish, the individual of the species, is not large—two pounds ora little more, Dobrizhofer (loc. cit.) says, nor frightening to look at. But thespecies is as voracious, and causes as much havoc in fresh waters, as thepowerful, gigantic sharks cause in the ocean, which is full of danger from them;but there are some species of ray too, inhabiting the fresh waters of Brazil,which are dangerous enough to pose a threat with their savage stings, especiallyat the equator and in the provinces named Rio Negro and Mato Grosso.Nothing, indeed, has come to my knowledge or to my colleague's about thisfish, except from the tales of inhabitants; by no stratagem, by no promises,have we been able to secure a single specimen—because, say the inhabitants,not unless by a rare chance, would one happen to be captured. They add thatthis species immerses itself with half its body in mud, or, at least, attachesitself firmly to a muddy base; nor unless rarely do they fall into nets; and morerarely, even are they caught with hooks. The inhabitants fear the sting of thisfish very greatly because, when driven forcibly into the human body, it causesnot only virulent inflammation but also tetanus and even death itself. Theremedy for injury from these poisonous stings, which the colonists of Rio Negromost highly recommend is hot poultices prepared with the crushed seed of thePuchury (Ocoteis Puchury majore and minore Mart.) and applied skillfully, aftera short space of time, to the wound. Indians fear these rays as much as they dopoisonous snakes —indeed more, because, being viviparous, they do not needthe help of the sun to have their eggs hatched out; but they are as far as can befrom being as prolific as oviparous species. I must speak about a species that isinimical to humans, which Brazilians call Candiru and Spaniards riving in theprovince of Maynas call Canero. By a unique instinct they are impelled to enterthe excretory orifices of the human body, which, when a fish of this speciesencounters among humans who wash in a river it violently rushes into andbites, causing acute pain and even danger of death. These tiny fish are stronglyattracted by the smell of urine; and the people living nearby, when about toenter the river Amazon, whose bays teem with this species, tie up their prepucewith a strap and refrain from urinating. This species is of the genus Cetopsiswhich we have depicted; but I wonder if they are younger individual membersof species already described, C. candiri and C. coecutiens, or individuals of some"smaller third species, gifted by nature with this cruel instinct.

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The electric eel, Gymnotus electricus L., named Poraque in Brazil, aboundsthroughout the streams of the northern provinces. I have seen many of themand examined them and set up experiments relating to their behaviour; butsince I have nothing to add to von Humboldt's splendid accounts, I pass on toother matters. .

In regard to oviparous species of fish, the numbers of their posterity happennot to match the promise of the immensity of the numbers of eggs laid. This istrue of all species, in different ways. The truth is that there are some specieswhich move about only singly, some establish what may be termed families,others, again, flock together in large communities. The investigation of thecauses of this phenomenon we leave to future researchers to investigate. Thatthe causes are many and of many kinds can readily be believed. What firstcomes to mind is that not all eggs are fertilized, whether because the males aretoo few or, at any rate, only a few visit the places where the females lay theireggs, or because those that do are insufficiently lustful. It even happens thatthe parents devour some of the eggs. Then, again, untimely floods and droughtsoccurring in places where the eggs have been laid can grievously hamper their'hatching out; and if the water has not the degree of warmth appropriate to aspecies, or is contaminated with rotting vegetable matter or other refuse, or isrendered unhealthy by minerals brought down- to it, we have no occasion tolook farther for the causes of this phenomenon. As regards the temperature ofthe waters, I have been told that it has been observed that fish prefer a moderatetemperature, and therein enjoy better health and have flesh of a better flavour;but there are people who say that they can bear incredibly high degrees oftemperature . I myself have taken many fish in the bays of the river Amazon,whose mean temperature, I found, was 26° Reaumur, where the depth of thewater is scarcely more than a foot or two, and the sun's action raises thetemperature to 32° Reaumur. There were people too who told me that the riverAgoa quente, in the province of Goias, whose temperature is 28° to 30° Reaumur,is, from time to time, crowded with fish at its sources. It appears, however,that a high temperature lasting longer than usual is harmful to fish—and thisis especially evident when the rainy season is delayed and the droughtcontinues. At such a time fish are attacked by deadly diseases. Of this fact Ishall adduce one example out of many, to which an experiment carried out inthe province of Matto Grosso in the years 1746 to 1749 relates. When thisprovince was affected along with Peru, which was then shaken violently bythose famous earthquakes, she continued to suffer-a drought of several years,which was the cause of destruction of the very large mass of her fish. Watersimpregnated with matter (termed extracts) appear to cause no harm to fishinhabiting them; but it has been observed that the flavour and wholesomenessof their flesh are altered. Thus do fish of the river Yupura turn out to be tastierand plumper when, in the months

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of December, January and February certain trees let their ripe fruit fall/ of whichthe fish are particularly fond—to these trees is related the Labatia macrocarpa,'which I have described and caused to be illustrated elsewhere (Nov. gen. II. PI.170). This invites attention to a most singular phenomenon recorded by aPortuguese writer (Fonseca, Novegagdo do Para ate as Minos de Motto Grosso, p.38).On the western bank/ he says, of the river Madeira, is a lake connected with it,which is the home of a great abundance of fish; but these have, from someunknown cause, become so incapable of being changed that by no cook's skillcan a flavour be imparted to it. Thus has this lake acquired the name of Jarupari-pira, which means hell-hole of fish. But generally, the diet of fish contributessignificantly to changes in their flesh. So, it has been observed, they say, at theRio Sao Francisco, that the flesh of fish becomes poisonous when the fruit ofthe Hermesia castaneaefolia ripens. This report becomes the more credible fromthe fact that the Hippomane mancinella, which is a plant ascribed to the'sameclass of Euphorbiaceae, renders poisons the sea crabs which consume it. Asregards minerals, Indians of the upper Yupura have reported that fish aresometimes debilitated when this river, in flood, touches deposits of sulphurouspyrites and dissolves them. I am the more easily led to believe this when Ireflect that the enormous swellings of the liver, from which people riving allalong this river suffer should be attributed largely to these pyrites.

So much have I had to say about the ways of fish in so far as was given tome to observe them on my journey. Now the scheme of my narrative demandsthat I set out the various devices which the inhabitants adopt to catch fish, andthe uses to which they put the fish they catch. It is, indeed, my plan to examinethe whole subject from the beginning, detailing first the devices which theoriginal inhabitants of this land used. These were not, according to the reportshanded down by Portuguese immigrants, different from those they used againstwild land animals. There certainly was a variety of devices, but not separatelyfor hunting and fishing. Known to them also, were certain narcotic herbs, withwhich to stupefy fish. It follows that there are various methods of fishingprevalent among Indians, all of which I have had represented in illustrations,with a two-fold intention, to facilitate understanding on the part of the reader,and to add some ornamentation to the pictures of the fish themselves.

Nature has taught these men betimes, as she has taught very many othersavage nations, to fashion certain flexible timbers into catapults. Examples arethe sling and the bow, from which to shoot a sharpened shaft or arrow of javelinor a ball made of heated clay. For fishing they devised a special form for theirshafts. They did not consider it adequate merely to furnish a shaft with severallong spikes. Having shaped hooks of wood or of bones of fish or reeds, theyskillfully attached them to the stem of an arrow. The weight of a fish piercedby

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a hook would draw the hook down with the fish to the bottom of the water/detaching it from the shaft. The hook would remain in the fish/ while a stringattached to it/ and wound round the shaft would easily unwind itself/ followingthe fish as it moved. The shaft would remain floating on the water/ indicatingthe position of the fish. These weapons, along with the rest of these people'sequipment/1 have caused to be depicted as figures 16,17 and 22 in the Atlasattached to the account of this journey/ Figure 25 is a ballistic device whichthey call Botoque or Estolica/ used for hurling balls of clay or for shootingsmall arrows. They certainly know that water reflects light and offers resistanceto a body thrown into it. So they know accurately the true position of a fishthey see in water and the degree to which a missile loses force and deviates indirection in water. This mode of fishing they are accustomed to adopt/journeying in boats (see my plate A), in which they seek those placesparticularly/ which promise a more favourable harvest than others/ those placesabove others/ in rivers and lakes, whose banks nurture fruit trees in abundance/whose fruits/ when ripe/ floating into the waters/ attract shoals of fish. To gainpossession of the harpooned fish the aborigines leap into the water themselvesor their wives and children perform this function for them.

Not without long experience, nor among a race altogether uncultured canit come about that fishermen use fishhooks or nets. These peoples had certainlyused both before the advent of the Portuguese. They used small fish bones orthe thinner thorns of plants until they could buy steel hooks from thePortuguese. Lines were made of fibers from palms. Where bur [German]fishermen are greatly superior (I say nothing of the English, who are the mostproficient people in this department) in their accurate knowledge of the foodthat is most to the taste of each species of fish; various types of coleoptera,flies, worms/ raw/ cooked and rotting fish/ even hair/ flax and fibers from treeswhich they treat to resemble various types of food/ they contrive to use; andthey are able to name the fish they intend to take/ on the basis of the baitprovided. The rod from which the line and hook are to hang the aboriginesprovide for themselves; but the line they wrap round their hands even entirely/and with great skill fling it very far out into the water/ retaining only the veryend of it between their fingers/ so that by this means, they easily detect thefaintest motions and approaches which the fish make to line or bait (my plateB). Fishing with nets appears to have been less advanced. Certainly/ the nestswhich tribes which are still backward use today are neither large nor well wovenfor use. But since the indigenous-people engage with great delight in the art ofweaving, taught by Europeans, they today produce nets which do not fall shortof perfection at all. In this production they chiefly employ fibers from the leavesof palms. Most celebrated of all are the nets which the inhabitants of theProvince of Para, who live by the sea-shore, make; and among them, the netsmade in the town of

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Caete have pride of .place. These nets are by some Indians rolled down andtransported through river shallows abounding in fish. Others drag them onthe shore just as fishermen of our land are accustomed to drag theirs (Plate C).Not unworthy of mention does it seem to be that in the art of fishing with rodsand nets those peoples, particularly/ excelled/ who belonged to the Tupis tribe/whose posterity still survive on the shores of Para. These people are no strangersto the sea/ which they sail in their own ships. In their customs and in theircommand of language they are cultivated beyond the rest of the tribes. Bycontrast/ many others, living in the interior regions of the continent/ are averseto swimming, sailing and the arts of fishing. They understand well that certainspecies are attracted at night by the light of a torch; and they act so very skillfullythat they often take the fish with their hands.

There is another method of capturing fish in vogue among the inhabitantsof Brazil, which is to drain away from fish their accustomed living element, or,at any rate, to reduce it so drastically that their capture is rendered very easyindeed. In this procedure they have had Nature for their instructress; they haveobserved how, as often happens, when the tide receded on the sea-coast, orwhen pools in rivers were drained of water, fish remained behind in shallowsfar and wide. So, with intent to imitate nature, they empty shallow streams, totake water away from fish. They accomplish this so skillfully and fast that theoperation would seem incredible to one who has not seen it himself. Theyactually blockade a stream with dams at various points; then standing in it intwo lines with a kind of pericarp (Crescentia cujete) fashioned into bowls (Cujas),they draw water out in them from the stream between their legs and withgreat force and speed fling it back (Plate G). This technique of fishing they callIgapuja, adopting it most especially in the shallower streams close to the seaor in those channels which connect marshes and lakes.

When they have learnt how the various species swim and what routes theyfollow, they begin to use baskets which they fabricate with rushes and thetender stems of the Maranta, which Aubletus calls Tonckat, in various shapes,adapted to differing styles of use which the diversity of locations prescribes.In the dialect common to these people (Lingua geral) these are called Matapy,and the people use them especially for capturing the smaller species. They aremost confident of success when they best know the flow of water in the streamsand the routes taken by the fish. Classifiable too as baskets are the devicesthey call Camboas, which resemble standing or erect larger baskets, attachedto stakes set in the bed of a stream, having the shape, almost, of lyre. Theyform three semicircular vaulted structures which when they enter, fish arebefuddled and unable to find out betimes by what way they may work back tothe open stretch of the stream. The people use this type of baskets mostcommonly in those locations where fish, when pursued by the swarms of ottersthat frequent there, swim hither and thither and enter them. (PI. D).

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Finally; prolonged observation of nature has taught these men anothertechnique of fishing, based on the use of certain vegetable substances whichare deleterious to fish/ intoxicating them. When they consume such a substance,fish become helpless from inebriation and float up to the surface, where theycan easily be captured. Such substance, with which to poison fish, is obtainedin Brazil in various ways from various plants, most notably from the latex ofvarious species of Euphorbiaccae, or from the juice obtained by. grinding anyof several species of Sapindaccae in water. Most frequently employed of all areHum crepitans (Oassacu),AndaPz'sonz's (Anda), Paullinia pinnata (rRmb6),Jaquiniaarmillari, Jaquinia obovata (Tinghi), and Bailleria aspera (Conanu) *). Those trees,when tapped rather deep, yield a great abundance of latex which, on contactwith air, thickens into strings which, thereafter, Americans store in pottery vasesand, when considered opportune, pour into rivers and streams barricaded withdams, and even into larger calmer waters and thoroughly mix in, with stirringand agitating. When it is not with pouring in of sap but with herbs thatpoisoning is effected—herbs which in a common nomenclature are called Timboin certain parts and Cunabi or Conami in others—procedure is either to expressan aqueous juice by grinding the herbs between wooden or stone slabs, diluteit with water, and sprinkle the liquor in suitable expanses of water, or to tossbundles of these plants,- crushed more or less thoroughly, into the water, orhave the bundles dragged behind boats—or floats similar to boats (PlatesD.E.).Or, indeed, the method they employ is to thrash the water they wantimpregnated with toxic'matter soundly with twigs and cudgels doused withthe poison." The effect of all these vegetable poisons appears to be the same,although it seems to be more pronounced and longer lasting with theEuphorbiaccae.-With all of them the

*) The piscicide plants which I found mentioned by various authors or which I haveknown by my own experience, classified according to their natural families, are thefollowing: Polygonae: various species of Polygonum used by the Javanese but notyet named (Blume, Bijdrage tot de Flora van nederlandsch Indie, I. p. 41, note);Thymelaeae: Daphne indica and Mezereum L. Coniferae: Taxus baccata L.Euphorbiaceae: Euphorbia nereifolia, E. cotinifolia,-Tirucali L. piscatoria Ait., and maybe almost all the bushy species, Esula, amygdaloides, pinifolia, hiberna, Latkyris L., andseveral others; Phyllanthus Conami Sw., virosus Klein, Piscatorum Kunth, Croton TigliumL.; Manihot utilissima Pohl, Jatropha Curcas L., Anda brasiliensis Raddi; Hum crepitansL. Solaneae: Verbascum Thapsus, thapsoides L. and several others (as seeds).

- Bignoniaceae: Bignonia crucigera L., Leucoxylon L., Jacaranda procera Juss., Tecomaradzcans Juss. Myrsineae: Aegiceras minus Gartn., Strychnos Nus vomica L., Lobeliaceae:Lobelia Tupa L., Rhodoraceae: Rhododendron dauricum L. Chailletiaceae: Chailletiatoxicaria Donv Tapura gujanensis Aubl. Compositae: Bailleria aspera Aubl, BarbascoKunth. Ichthyoihere Cunabi Mart. Rhizoboleae: Caryocar glabrum Pers. Sapindaceae:Paullinia Cururu, pinnata L., macrophylla Kunth., thalictrifolia Juss., Seriana triternataW., Phaeocarpus campestris M. Myrtaceae: Barringtonia speciosa Forst., Gustavia augustaL. Menispermeae: Menispermum glaucum Lam., Craciferae: Lepidium Piscidium Forst.,oleraceum Forst. Tiliaceae: Grewia asiatica L., Mallococca Forst. Leguminosae: Tephrosiatomentosa, toxicaria, litoralis, piscatoria, cinerea Pers., coronillaefolia DC., Piscidia Erythrina,carthaginensis L., Lonchocarpus Nicou D. C., Cassia venenifera Rodschied., Dalbergiaheterophylla W., Phaseolus semierectus L.

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following symptoms occur; soon .after the poison is absorbed the fish arealarmed, and all around they seek the surface of the water, and ducking soundscome from their mouths; they attempt to escape from their hostile environment,by jumping, more and more languidly with time, with gills opening very wide;they bend from side to side, they emerge from the water at first sideways, andfinally wholly on their backs. Then, unable to move, they come up to the surfaceof the water and dive no more. If fish are left long exposed to the poison theydie; but if they are soon placed in pure water, they recover and go on living.The flesh, however, of fish so captured can be consumed without harm. Therulers of Brazil, being aware that this method of fishing could exhaust notonly swamps and lakes but even rivers of their fish, prohibited their subjectsfrom, employing it; but not only the indigenous population but people ofEuropean descent too violate the edict. This method of capturing fish withpoison deserves the attention both of anthropologists and of physiologists—of the former because it is in vogue not only in America but also in India andin a few islands of the Pacific Ocean§ around Madagascar: in all tropicalcountries let this question be addressed by all people who are backward inculture and civilization and pay little attention to understanding what servesto banish illness or how illness is attracted to human bodies. To physiologistsit is of the greatest interest to research intensively which system of a livingcreature's body specifically is affected by a poison; and, finally, to what chemicalelements the intoxication is to be attributed. I myself have observed thesymptoms I have described already, namely, a rapid, quivering, movement ofthe gills, and an excessive dilation of the pupils of the eyes of fish that Indianshave captured with the latex of Hum crepitans and the juice of Bailleria aspera.In dead fish I have found the heart and the veins of the head to be immoderatelyswollen; I am far, however, from considering that the effect of poisons enteringthe system of blood vessels are the sole cause of sudden death. I am persuaded,however that death is finally brought about by the poison's deleterious effecton the nervous system. And it is quite evident to me that these plants whichare destructive to fish, plants belonging to various extremely diverse groups,contain chemical elements by which fish are destroyed. This has already beenexperimentally established, since some elements have been extracted throughchemical separation from Euphorbiaceae, others from Leguminosae, and stillothers from Sapindaceae. With Euphorbiaceae, the intoxication is produced,perhaps, by a subtle mixing of elements, one with another: a more or less volatileoil, a bitter resin, and some alkaline substance, traces of which (to make nomention of other items), Boussingault and Rivero have discovered in the latexof Hum crepitans (Ann. de Chim. et Phys. Vol. XXVIII. p. 430). In Sapindaceaeanother element predominates, which my brother extracted chemically from acertain Brazilian specific, called Guarana, prepared from the fruit of thePaullinia, which I have named sorbilis (Kastner, Archiv, Vol. VII. p. 266). He hascalled it Guarinum himself, nearest akin to what has been called Anemonine..Taken in its purest form, this substance has killed not only fish but hare andother mammals and doves. Similarly, that substance to which chemists

§ Editors' comment: as is explicit from p. 115, Agassiz recognised only two oceans, thePacific Ocean including the present Pacific and Indian Oceans.

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have given the name picrotoxin, found in Menispermae, and the substancecalled strychnine, found in Strychnos are, it is agreed, fatal to fish, As regardsLeguminosae and Crucifer, otherwise free of deleterious substances, it is strangethat very many species of them should be inimical to fish, since it seems to methat their potency is that of an essential oil and of extracts of bitters, which areclassifiable with clover. In Thymelaceae, Compositae and Myrtaceae alike thereis a sharp oil, in Solanae there is an alkaline element, in Bigoniaceae, Apocynae,Sapotae and Lobeliaceae it is very likely that there are essences and gummysubstances which, very probably, are fatal to fish. But let me now concludereference to this subject, on which study by chemists will shed further light,and proceed myself to address another matter which I have undertaken todeal with.

I must, of course, speak briefly about the uses to which the Brazilians putthe fish they catch in the ways described. As regards the indigenous peoples,all of them, being accustomed to live for the day, scarcely pay any attention,when they have put by what they need for the day for themselves and theirdependents, to the rest of the catch, which they throw away. But it does happensometimes that they think of laying up a supply, when a longer journey than isusual is in the offing. Then they first disembowel the fish and, in regions wherepreserving with salt is known, they introduce salt and dry the salted fish in thesun or over a fire. There are some tribes, like the Miranha, who live by theupper Yupura, who introduce, instead of salt, crushed coals which they preparefrom cinders obtained from trees which, in the common tupinamba tongue,are customarily called Yuhira-Ibyra, meaning salt trees (various species ofLechythis). When fish are to be dried in the sun, they are strung together, needlesbeing used to aid the stringing, and hung up exposed to the hottest rays of thesun for several days on end. A batch, string, fish and all, is called in thetupinamba tongue, Pira-apitama. But if, indeed, it pleases them to have thefish dried by fire, they make a structure of pieces of wood (Girao), standingabout two feet above the ground, on which they broil the fish in their own fat.Then, when the fish are sufficiently cooked, they wrap them in large leavesand hang them up at the tops of the roofs of their huts, where the smoke exists.In place of leaves, the Miranha may use the sheaths of a certain plant which,they call Pacova Sororoca *). Very many of these men-—-whether rightly I do notknow—consider that the drying is correctly accomplished only when everystructure has seen four revolutions of the heavens. For the rest, it is worthy tonote that Indians of'the Tupis race are skilled in preparing fish for the table ina number of styles, and call the courses by a diversity of names, as, for example,fried fish, pira-piryric; well done, pira mixira; lightly roasted, pira-caem; pickledin salt,

*) This is the Urania amazonica, Martius, a very tall plant of Brazil of the family Musaceae,to distinguish especially from another species from Madagascar whose fibrous arilis red, and not blue.

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pira yukyra. pom; softened and soaked fish, pira em; pounded and mixed in amortar with mandiocca flour and resembling rough flour, called pira passoca.As for immigrants from Europe and those who succeed them, they all alikeuse European methods both in capturing fish and in making use of them. Inpractice, however, they adopt many variations from place to place. The streamslavish a splendid harvest on them yearly, but more abundant is the harvest thelakes and ponds, which meet one everywhere along the banks of the greatrivers, provide. It would take too long to name all the more tasty species offish; and for that reason I shall content myself with referring to those speciesonly which live together in large shoals, like the herrings in our seas, and arecaught in large numbers for general consumption. The principal species arethe following: \ Guariipa, a marine variety I have not seen which is capturedby the shores of the Provinces of Porto Seguro and Espiritu Santo, and by theislands called the Abrolhi. This variety enters commerce salted and preservedin a sauce. 2. Tainha (Atherina brasiliensis), of which no less abundant a harvestis gathered than of the former variety, by the shores of the maritime regions. 3.Pirarucu (Sudis gigas} which lives particularly in the rivers of the northernregions, and is available generally to the people. 4. Piquira, a variety of smallfish not yet duly described, which, in the first months of the year, when thenew moon is waxing swims up the streams of the Province of Matto Grosso inshoals so many and so great that the inhabitants of those regions fill their basketswith them to overflowing with the greatest of ease; and these little fish, whenheated, yield an abundance of clear fat, which is suitable as a substitute for oilin the preparation of food and for fuelling of lamps. Similarly, it is customaryelsewhere to boil down smaller varieties of fish for their fat, for example, inthe desert of Bahia in the lower reaches of the Rio Sao Francisco, near Soroa,where ponds full of fish extend far and wide. The chief magistrate of Brazilhimself took a keen interest in having various locations, both maritime andinland, made suitable for fishing; e.g. near Chaves and Monforte in the Islandof Marajo, where a great abundance of these fish are captured. Even somemonasteries have evinced an interest in exercising fishing rights. In the riversSalimoes and Rio Negro fishery enterprise is established by governmentauthority, and protection is provided through watches established at theboundaries of the province; and at that same place Pirarucu fish is distributedamong public servants in lieu of salaries. This fish in particular is caught whenthe waters are shallower—and that, indeed, is the most appropriate time forall fishing on the continent. A tenth part of all proceeds from fishery enterpriseis paid by those who fish to the public treasury, the money being paid to thestate collectors.

The foregoing is what I have had to say about fish themselves, and aboutfishing conducted in Brazil. What follows, assembled by the zeal of Agassiz,deals with the shape and structure of the fish I have described.

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To the Memory of Johann Baptist von Spix

It has been my opinion that/ in presenting to the public the last work of mypartner in my journeys/1 would discharge a dual duty, as much to my faithfuldeparted friend as to his other friends who have greatly appreciated his literarywork, if I were to insert a preface containing some account of his life.

Johann Baptista von Spix was born on 9th February, 1781, in Hochstadt ander Aisch, a small city in what was once the principality of Bamberg. His fatherwas a skilled and distinguished surgeon, who died prematurely, leaving hislittle son in the care of his mother, who was to see to his education. She was anindustrious woman, of Italian nationality, who appeared to have instilled inher son all the fire of her fatherland. The boy received instructions in therudiments of learning in the Aufseesian seminary, where he even frequentedthe classes of the Gymnasium from where he went to the University which upto that point of time was flourishing at Bamberg. Here he gained the degree ofDoctor of Philosophy. He later moved to Wiirzburg to study theology underthe good tutors in the ecclesiastical seminary, in deference to the prayers of hispious mother. While engaged in the introductory studies of this discipline,addressing himself to philosophy and philology with the great powers of hismind, he was violently wrenched away by some force within himself to thestudies for which he was destined. Amazed at the consistency evident indispersal over the whole range of nature, he was snatched away principally tostudies in anatomy and physiology, which lay bare to man the prime work ofthe Creator in physical nature and in man. So it came about abandoningtheology he now devoted himself wholly to medicine, in which discipline hewon the highest award in the year 1807; he also secured from King MaximilianJoseph of Bavaria not only leave to visit counties abroad to widen his knowledgeof anatomy but also the funds needed. In Paris he enjoyed association withillustrious men, Cuvier, Geoffrey St. Hilaire, Blainville and others. He also madeuse of the museums, giving his attention principally to the possibility ofembracing the most diverse forms of living creatures in some system andexamining deeply their genetic evolution, as it were, with reference to theircerebral and nervous systems. He devoted all his effort to research in thisdirection: and, since he was gifted with a great power of imagination, heendeavoured to research the stages in the development of organisms of livingcreatures. To this end he journeyed even over the sea coast of Normandy andall of Italy, all the way down to Naples, as much to win for himself a richerknowledge of creatures of the sea as to feed his own mind on the loftiestproducts of human art. What nights he spent at the foot of Vesuvio and amongthe ruins of Rome, how he cultivated his mind with reading Dante in particular,the sublime poet, who filled his mind with profound ideas about the wholenature of things!

On his return to Munich from this journey my friend was appointed thestaff of the Academy of sciences; and when he had discharged the duties ofthat

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office he wrote a history of all systems of zoology from that of Aristotle tothose of our own times. Appointed/ rather tardily an ordinary fellow of theAcademy he explained in another work his own ideas about the structure ofthe skull over the whole range of living creatures. Some there will be/ perhaps,who will contend that in this work phantasy and a certain idiosyncraticismhad been prejudicial to sober truth in research. Certain it is, however/ that theworth of his copious observations should not be devalued through disapprovalmerely on that score—and it could have been that/ if the author had had thetime to research the origin of the head/ and to write a second part of the work,entitled 'Encephalogenesis', he would have made many corrections.

There is no doubt that he proposed to himself the completion of this work,on which he wished to expend the greatest effort of his life when, in the year1817 he undertook the journey with me into Brazil under the auspices of KingMaximilian Joseph. But here a far different field presented itself to theinvestigator—there was no place now for anatomical disquisitions. Theimmense variety of forms of animals with which Brazil abounded had to beobserved in, as it were, a single conspectus. And that was, indeed/ accomplishedin those works/ whose series the present group completes. It is not for me tojudge their value. In the midst of these labours which/ physically exhaustedand excessively irritable, he continued to pursue—too contentiously/ perhaps—in writing to which he subordinated his health and his life/ he was snatchedaway from me by nervous typhus on 15th May 1826.1 was then in England/far from my beloved friend, and unable to be present at his obsequies. Nothingnow is left to me save to preserve his memory in these few words, for those,especially, who understand, from his efforts/ that it was not without benefit tohuman society, and for the highest knowledge that he laboured.

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L I S T O F

THE FISHES OF BRAZIL

I.MALACOPTERYGII ABDOMINALES Cuv.

FAMILY I. GONYODONTES AGASS.

ACANTHICUS Hystrix Spix. — PL I. ; Page 3RHINELEPIS aspera Spix. — PL II. - . — 4LORICARIA rostrata Spix. — PL III,. - • — 7HYPOSTOMA ententaculatum Spix.'— PL IV. — 7

FAMILY II. SILUROIDEI Cm'.

CETOPSIS coecutiens Agass.—PL X. Fig. 2. (Silurus coecutiens Lichtenst. Cat, Spix). — 12Candiru Agass. — PL X Fig. 1 (Silurus can dim Spix.) -—- 13

DORAS Humboldtii Agass. — PL V. (Corydoras edentatus Spix.) — 14HYPOPHTHALMUS edentatus Spix. — PL IX — 16

. nuchalis Spix. — PL XVII — 17PIMELODUS Spixii Agass. — PL VH. Fig. 1. (Pimelodus albidus Spix.) — 19

rigidus Spix. — PL VH. Fig. 2. — 19— — Pirinampu Spix. PL VIII — 20

ctenodus Agass. — PL VET. a. — 21PHRACTOCEPHALUS bicolor Agass. —-PI. VI. (Pirarara bicolor Spix.) — 23PLATYSTOMA Lima Agass. •—• PL XV (Silurus Lima Schnv Sorubim infraoculare Spix.) — 24

planiceps Agass. — PL XII. (Sorubim Pirauaca Spix.) — 25•—••—• spatula Agass. •—• PL XII. (Sorubim Jandia Spix.) -—• 26— — corruscans Agass. — PL XIII. (Sorubim Caparary Spix., Pimelodus

corruscans Mus. Berol.) — 26— — truncatum Agass. — PL XIII. a. . — 27HETEROBRANCHUS sextentaculatus Spix. — PL XI. — 28

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FAMILY III. CLUPEOIDEI Cuv.

SUDIS Gigas Civ. — PL XVI. (Sudis Pirarucu Spix.) Pag. 31

ERYTHRINUS salvus Agass. ' — 41

unitaeniatus Spix. — PL XIX. — 42— — macrodon Agass. — PL XVIII. (Erythrinus Trahira Spix.) — 43

— — microcephalus Agass. — 44

brasiliensis Spix. — PL XX. — 45OSTEOGLOSSUM VandeM Cuv. *) — PL XXV. (Ichnosoma bickrhosum Spix.) — 47

GLOSSODUS ForskaM Agass. — PL XXIII. Fig. 2. PL XXIV. Fig. 2.

(Engraulis sericus Spix. — bahiensis Spixv jun.) — 49

ENGRAUUS grossidens Cuv. — PL XXIV Fig. 1. (Engraulis Janeiro Spix.) — 50—— tricolor Agass.-—PL XXni. Fig. 1. (Engraulis Piguitinga Spix.) — 51

CLUPANODON aureus Spix. — PL XXI. (Clupea gasterostea Mus. Berol.) — 52

CHATOESSUS thrissoides Agass. — PL XXII. (Megalops thrissoides

Agass. **), tenuifilis Cuv. Clupanodon thrissoides Spix.) — 54

PRISTIGASTER Martii Agass. — PL XXIV. a. — 55

FAMILY IV. SALMONES Cuv.

ANODUS eleongatus Spix. — PL XL. — 61

— latior Spix. PL XLI. — 62

PROCHILODUS argenteus Agass. — PL XXXVHI. (Pacu argenteus Spix.) — 63

nigricans Agass. — PL XXXIX. (Pacu nigricans Spix.) — 64

LEPORINUS novemfasriatus Spix. — PL XXXVU. (Salmo fasciatus Bloch.) — 65SCHIZODON fasciatus Agass. — PL XXXVI. (Curimata fasciatus Spix.) — 66

CALCEUS angulatus Spix. — PL XXXIV. — 67

amazonicus Agass. — PL XXXV. (Characinus amazonicus) •—- 68

TETRAGONOPTERUS Chalceus Agass. — PL XXXIII. Fig. 1. — 70

SERRASALMO Pirhana Cuv. — PL XXVELI. — 71aureus Spix. — PL XXIX. — 72

nigricans Spix. — PL XXX. — 72MYLETES aureus Agass. — PL XXXI. (Tetragonopterus aureus Spix.) — 74

bidens Spix. — PL XXXII. — 75RHAPHIODON vulpinus Agass. — PL XXVI. (Cynodon vulpinus Spix.) — 76— — gibbus Agass. — PL XXVII. (Cynodon gibbus.) — 77

XIPHOSTOMA Cuvieri Spix. — PL XLIII. — 79SAURUS longirostris Spix. — PL XLH — 80

— intermedius Spix. — PL XVIV. — 81— truncatus Spix. — PL XLV. — 82

*) I accept the name proposed by the very illustrious Cuvier (Regne Animal, 2nd Edition, p. 328).

**) This species belongs to the new genus Chatoessus Cuvier (Regne Animal, 2nd Edition, p. 320).

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II. MALACOPTERYGII SUBBRACHIALES Cuv.

FAMILY V. PLEURONECTOIDEI Cuv.

RHOMBUS ocellatus Agass. — PL XLVI. pag. 85soleaeformis Cuv. — PL XLVII. — 86

SOLEA brasiliensis Cuv. — PL XLVII. — 87MONOCHIR maculipennis Agass. — PI. XLIX. — 88PLAGUSIA brasiliensis Cuv. — PL L. — 89

III. MALACOPTERYGII APODES Cuv.

FAMILY VI. ANGUILLAEFORMES Cuv.

GYMNOTHORAX rostratus Agass. — PL L. a. — 91ocellatus Agass. — PL L. b. — 91

IV. ACANTHOPTERYGII Cuv.

FAMILY VII. GOBIOIDEI Cuv.

ANARCHICHAS Leopardus Agass. — PL LI. — 92

FAMILY VIII. LABROIDEI Cuv.

LABRUS crassus Agass. — PL LII. — 95JULIS dimidiatus Agass. — PL LILT. — 96XYRICHTHYS uniocellatus Cuv. — PL LV. — 97SCARUS frondosus Cuv. — PL LIV — 98CYCHLA labrina Spix. — PL LXLT. — 99

Monoculus Spix. — PL LXHI. — 100

FAMILY IX. SCOMBEROIDEI Cuv.

CYBIUM maculatum Cuv. — PL LX - — 103MCROPTERYX cosmopolita Agass. — PL LTX. (Seriola cosmopolita Cuv.) — 104CARANX latus Agass. — PL LVT. b. Fig. 1. — 105— lepturus Agass. — PL LVL b. Fig. 2. — 106— macrophthalmus Agass. *) — PL LVT. a. Fig. 1. — 107— punctatus Agass. — PL LVI. a. Fig. 2. — 108

The description of our Caranx macrophthalmus was abeady printed when the fifth fascicle of theFishes of the Red Sea of Riippell was brought to us., in which another new species of Caranx isdescribed under the name C, macrophthalmus. This species of Riippell has smaller eyes thanours, and this is why the name macrophthalmus suits it less well in its genus. To avoid confusionof the names in the future and in acknowledgement of the author, we distinguish from ours theCaranx macrophthalmus of Riippell under the name Caranx ruppelli.

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ARGYRHOSUS Vomer Cuv. — PL LVDI. (Zeus Vomer linn. — Selene argentee Lacep). page 109VOMER Brownii Cuv. — PL LVII. (Zeus setapinnis Brown.) — 110CORYPHAENA immaculata Spix. — PL LVI. — 111

FAMILY X. SQUAMIPENNES Cuv.

EPHIPPUS Gigas Cuv. — PL LXI. — 113

FAMILY XL MAENIDES Cuv.

GERRES lineatus Cuv. — PL LXVTL — 115

FAMILY XII. SPAROIDEI Cuv.

PAGRUS argyrops Cuv. — PL LXIV. — 117

FAMILY XIII. PERCOIDEI Cuv.

MESOPRION uninotatus Cuv. — PL LXV. — 120aurovittatus Agass. — PL LXVI. — 121

CORNIGER spinosus Agass. — PL LXXV. — 122URANOSCOPUS occidentalis Agass. — PL LXXIII. — 123

FAMILY XIV. SCIAENQIDEI Cuv.

CORVINA adusta Agass. — PL LXX. — 126PACHYURUS squamipennes Agass. — PL LXXI. — 128LOBOTES ocellatus Cuv. — PL LXVIII. — 129HAEMULON canna Cuv. — PL LXIX. — 130

Schrankii Agass. — PL LXIX. a. — 131'

FAMILY XV. LOPHIOIDEI Cuv.

BATRACHUS punctatus Cuv. — LXXIV. — 133

FAMILY XVI. MUGILOIDEI Cuv.

MUGIL brasiliensis Spix. — PL LXXII. — 134

FAMILY XVII. ATHERINOIDEI Cuv.

ATHERINA taeniata Spix. — PL XXXIH. Fig. 2. . — 135macrophthalma Spix. — PL LXLL Fig. 2. — 136

FAMILY XVIII. SCLERODERMATOIDEICuv.

ALUTERA punctata Cuv. — PL LXXVI. — 137

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Explanation of the-anatomical plates

PL A. Teeth of the Gonyodontes. Viscera of Cetopsis and head of Osteoglossum.

Fig. I. Teeth of Acanthicus.Fig. II. Teeth of Rhinelepis.Fig. III. Teeth of Loricaria.Fig. IV. Teeth of Hypostoma.Fig. V. Viscera of Cetopsis in situ.Fig. VI. Viscera of the same, spread out.

a. Heart; - a' pericardium; — a2 cardial ventricle; - a3 bilobed cardiac chamber; — a4 aorticbulb; — b. ventricle; — c.c. intestinal tract; — c' pylorus; - d. liver; — e. e. peritoneum; - f.gall 'bladder; - f' cystic duct; - g. portal veine; - h.h. ovary; - i. urinary bladder; - k.ureter; — 1.1. mesenterium with blood-vessels; — m. anus; — n.n. musculous walls of belly;— o. kidneys showing through peritoneum.

Fig. VII. Branchial arch of Clupanodon aufeus with its plates.

Fig. Vni. Head of Osteoglossum vandellii. 17. 17. intermaxillary bone; - 18. 18. uppermaxillary bones; - 22. palatine bone; - 34. mandible; - 50. tongue.

PI. B. Skeleton of Sudis gigas.

In all figures/ the same numbers indicate the same parts of the skeleton.The intact skeleton occupies the upper part of this plate.

1. Principal frontal bone and in fig. HE. I.; — 7. parietal bone and in fig. I. El.; — 8. upperoccipital bone and in fig. I. III.; -17 intermaxillary bone and in fig. I. II. IV; -18. uppermaxillary bone and in fig. I. II. IV; — 19. 19'. infraorbital bones and in fig. It. HI.; — 20.nasal bone and in fig. I. II. Ill; — 28. opercle and in fig. I. II.; - 30. preopercle and in fig. I.II.; - 32. interopercle and in fig: I. II. IV; - 34. lower maxillary bone and in fig. I. II. IV; -38. lateral process of the hyoid bone and in fig. V; - 41. lingual bone and in fig. V; - 43.branchiostegal rays and in fig. V; — 46. suprascapular bone and in fig. VII.; — 47. scapularbone and in fig. VII.; - 48. humeral bone and in fig. VII.; — 65. rays of the pectoral fin andin fig. VIL; - 68. 68. abdominal vertebrae; - 69. 69. caudal vertebrae; - 78. vertebrae ofthe caudal fin and in fig. X.; - 71. rays of the caudal fin; — 76. dorsal interspinal ossicles;- 74. interspinal ossicles of the dorsal fin and in fig. XIX.; 75. rays of the dorsal fin and infig. DC; - 79. interspinal ossicles of the anal vertebrae [sic]; - 80. pelvis; - 82. ventral fin;both are missing on our skeleton; — 83. anal vertebrae.

Fig. I. Head seen from the side, after removing all the infraorbital bones.

Fig. II. Disarticulated left lateral bones of the same head.

1. Principal frontal bone; - 7. parietal bone; - 8. upper occipital bone; -17 intermaxillarybone; — 18. upper maxillary bone; - 19. 19'. infraorbital bones 5; — 20. nasal bone; — 21.supratemporal bones; - 22. palatine bone; — 23. temporal bone; — 25. inner pterygoidbone; — 26. jugal bone; - 27. tympanum bone; - 28. opercle; — 30. preopercle; - 31.symplectic bone; — 32. interopercle; - 33. subopercle; — 34. lower maxillary bone; — 35.articular bone; — 36. angular bone; — 37. opercular bone.

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Fig. III. Head seen from above/ after removing the jaws.

1. Principal frontal bone; - 7. parietal bone; - 8 upper occipital bone; - 9. outer occipitalbone; -12. mastoid bone; -19.19'. infraorbital bones; - 20. nasal bone.

Fig. IV. Head seen from below, after removing the left lateral bones and slightly displacinglaterally the right ones.

5. Basilary occipital bone; — 6. sphenoid bone; — 11. large wing; — 16. vomer; — 17intermaxillary bone; -18. upper maxillary bone; - 22. palatine bone; - 23 temporal bone;"— 25. inner pterygoid bone; - 26. jugal bone; - 27. tympanum bone; - 28. opercle; — 30.preopercle.

Fig. V. Hyoid apparatus and branchial arches from the side.

41. Lingual bone; - 54. ento-hyal bone de Geoffr.; - 42. tail of hyoid bone; - 38. 37.lateral process of the hyoid bone; - 43. branchiostegal rays; - 61. branchial arches.

Fig. VI. Branchial arches from above.

54. Ento-hyal bone of Geoffr.; - 55. uro-hyal bone of Geoffr.; - 61. branchial arches; -[62.] upper pharyngeal bone.

Fig. VII. Thoracic belt with pectoral fin.

46. Suprascapular bone; - 47. scapular bone; - 48. humeral bone; - 51. cubitus; - 52.radius.

Fig. VIII. First vertebra, or atlas, and its lower processes which are united by a suturewith the basilary occipital bone.

Fig. IX. Interspinal ossicle with dorsal-fin ray.

74. 1. Interspinal ossicle; 2. interradial ossicle; - 75. 3. fin ray.

Each ray articulates in front with the interspinal ossicle and behind with the interradialossicle.

Fig. X. Vertebra of the caudal fin.

1. Body of the vertebra; - 2. spinous apophysis of the same.

PI. C. D. E. F. Scales of all the described species.By the previous descriptions and the present figures I think that one can deduct the

importance of the scales for the distinction of the species. Allow me to add some observationson their structure, their shape and their position. The scales are formations of the skin. Eachis situated in its own mucous pocket, between the corium and the epidermis, the posteriorpart in a fold of the epidermis and fixed there, the anterior part free, salient in the pocket.

This appears as follow: the epidermis not only covers the visible part of the scale outside,but also, folded along the edge, the inner face of the same part, before joining the following-scale. All scales are made of very thin, piled lamellae, united by a hardened mucous; theyounger ones are fixed at the inner face, the older ones, above, are on the outside.

In the area which I have called point of radiation, the lamellae, the first ones very small,the following ones gradually larger, are piled under each other and their margins are alwayscovered by the more recent ones, forming these concentric lines which in different species Ifound so variable, in some being set closer, in others set more apart, in some circular, inothers elliptic, or sinuous to a point that their sinuses and processes protrude like spines, etc.Beside these concentric lines, a very great number of scales present rays variably excurrenttoward the margin, sometime straight, sometime curved, or irregular, etc. These rays arefurrows marking only the free margins of the scales; the faces of the lamellae in the areawhere they meet are completely smooth. The scales of the lateral line have a very similarappearance and are distinguished only by the fact that all scales are individually pierced inthe middle and are provided with a tube, which is slanted at the rear and apposed to theposterior face of the scale.

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I. MALACOPTERYGII ABDOMINALES CUV.

FAMILY I. GONYODONTES AGASS. GEN. LORICARIA LIN.

Diagnosis. Body thick-scaled; mouth inferior; teeth bristly and curved,hooked inward at the tip.

Description. Head and body thick-scaled; mouth inferior and protected witha wide cover of skin/ for the most part with barbels. Intermaxillaries very small/descending from the'roof of the snout; jaws oblique/ separated from one another/furnished with rather long, bristly teeth/ curved and flexible, introrse at the tip.Pharyngeal ~bones covered with numerous minute teeth. In some genera theteeth are simple/ but in others they are regularly arranged radially in/ as it were,a fin/ with the several teeth connected by a taught membrane, or leaning together.

Operculum fixed and adnate; at its lower angle, in front of the pectoral fin/there are two small triangular bones connected by fibrous membranes/ beyondwhich they are pliant and take the likeness of a folding door. Branchiostegalmembrane supported by four rather wide bones. The first rib is very strong andstraight on the outside; others more slender. The first ray of the dorsal fin, alsoof the pectoral, and sometimes of the pelvic fin, strong, bony and coarse; thefirst ray of the pectoral fin can turn in a semi-circle in its insertion.

No coeca; no air bladder.

In this genus the teeth seem to be formed in the same manner as the extremities andtheir coverings, e.g. the extremities of the python and the teeth of snakes etc etc. Idefer speaking further of this to a later time.

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* GONIODONTES.

LIST OF GENERA

I. ACANTHICUS SPIX

Entire body spiny covered with bony plates, thick, scaly and separate, onefrom another. Abdomen not so covered. Teeth twice bent, arranged in radial(not circular) series. Lip covering circular. A single dorsal fin.

II. RHINELEPIS SPIX

The whole body is filed and covered with rather large, roof tile-like scutes;belly with very small, discrete plates. Teeth radial, twice bent at the head, hookedand cleft at the tip. The lower lip alone is covered, the upper cirrhated. A singledorsal fin.

III. LORICARIA Linn. LACEP.

Body somewhat angled, dorsally covered with rather large scutes; abdomensimilarly covered. Teeth undivided, hooked at the tip. Lip cover circular, withhair-like barbels. A single dorsal fin.

IV. HYPOSTOMA LACEP.

Body somewhat angled, covered with scutes. Abdomen not scaly. Teethsomewhat radial, hooked at the tip; lip cover circular, pimpled or with barbels,or both pimpled and with barbels. Two dorsal fins; the posterior one with a raythat is undivided and rough.

I. ACANTHICUS *) SPIX.

Head depressed, very wide and large, wholly protected with longer andshorter bristles, set in small, discrete pits, as in the edible sea urchin; lip covercirrhated and surrounding the entire mouth. Teeth twice curved (Plate A. Fig 1),set in radial (not circular) series, so discretely arranged along the edge of thehollowed jaw bones that they can be moved forwards and backwards. First toothin each rank extrorse; other teeth introrse, smaller by half, set slightly apartfrom one another, seven or eight in a sequence, joined together by a membrane,and disposed like the barbs of a feather; 25—30 such rows of teeth above andbelow together. Nares situated at the top of the head, covered with a membranehaving two perforations in the middle. Entire body covered with scutes that arescaly, bony, rough, multi-angled and discrete, with naked spaces in between,and medium-toothed spines; abdomen

spiny.

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ACANTHICUS.

rough with very small spines (resembling, as it were, the edge of a file), disposedin small amorphous clusters. A single dorsal fin. First ray of pectoral, anal andpelvic fins, also the principalrays of the caudal fin, very strong, bony and sharplypointed.

1. ACANTHICUS HYSTRIX SPIX PI. 1, Figs. 1 & 2. mouth. *)

Bristles on the snout rather large; lower angle of operculum covered withbarbed spines, very numerous, in thick formation, gradually getting longertoward the back; first ray of pectoral fin extends almost to tip of the pelvics;caudal fin forked, with the principal rays very greatly produced; dorsal fin placedopposite ventrals. .

Head in the shape of a blunt cone, depressed; mouth set below the snout; lipcover protected at each angle of the mouth by a long barbel; mouth triangularand covered in the lower part of the operculum with barbed spines, verynumerous, gradually getting longer rearward. Anterior part of snout armed withrather long spines, erect, in small furrows, rapidly but discretely joining together,very dense, getting smaller towards the neck. Bristles in the occipital regionarranged in lines converging towards the eyes, form three triangles with theirbases at the rear. In relation to the length of the head, the eyes are set in themiddle, separated by a large intervening space, turned upwards rather thansideways. Nares placed in front of the eyes, separated by a smaller interval thatthe eyes themselves, and themselves unconnected, definitely turned upwards,and covered with a membrane perforated in two places; the rear opening is thelarger. They can both be closed with a lid of skin. Body depressed, roundedposteriorly and compressed from the sides towards the caudal fin. Body scales-—-scutes, rather-—differ in shape from place to place: on the neck they are ovate,on the dorsum rhomboid, laterally oblong-ovate, squarish towards the tail; allthose in the median series are fortified with strong spines pointed towards thetail, and form crests; surfaces of the rest of the scales covered with minute spines.Underside, right back to the anus, smooth, with very small spines, squarish-shaped and rough. Dorsal fin placed opposite the pelvics. First rays of thesefins,, like those of the pectorals and also the principal rays of the caudal, areosseous and armed with small, strong spines. The other rays are covered withvery small bristles. Tip of pectoral fin reaches insertion of anal fin; caudal finbifurcate, with its principal rays very greatly extended.

Head length exceeds a third part of the body length, the tail excepted.

Pectoral fin has 7 rays, pelvic 6, anal 6, caudal 6, and dorsal 9.

Color of head a light whitish yellow ocher; body a dirty yellow; caudal findark greenish towards its tip; all spines whitish, yellowing at the tips.

A single dried specimen is preserved in the Munich Museum.

*) Since the sketches of generic characteristics in the painted plates have come out wantingin accuracy, I have seen to it that some anatomical pictures should be sketched,synoptically illustrating the characters, to be attached to each part of the work. Agass.

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RHINELEPIS.

Length (expressed in the Parisian standard/ which I have used throughoutthis work) right down to the caudal fin l9Yz inches; head 7l/i inches; principalrays of the caudal fin 10>£ inches.

Inhabits the Amazon River. *)

II. RHINELEPIS **) SPEC.

Head depressed, wide/ covered by very small spiny scutes/ very closely set together,resembling the edge of a file. Upper lip with no covering, merging laterally into a barbel;lower lip with a rather narrow covering. Teeth radial (PL A, Fig. 2), in each series the firstis twice curved and cleft at the tip, with a bicuspid hook, the two or three teeth followingit being simple but hooked at the tip. Nares placed dorsally/ covered by a.membrane withtwo perforations, barely capable of being closed with skin. Entire body covered with scuteslike those of the head, but larger, rough, and adhering closely to the skin, imbricate at therear; scutes on breast and the-abdomen progressively smaller medially. Fins equally rough.First ray of (single) dorsal fin, anal fin and ventral fins as well as the principal rays of thecaudal fin are rather strong, osseous and elegant; first ray of pectoral fin depressed, verywide, strong and osseous.

RHINELEPIS ASPERA SPIX Plate II. Figs. 1 & 2. mouth.

Upper lip merges into a short barbel, rough, cartilaginous, with minutespines. First ray of pectoral fin very broad/ overlapping insertion of ventral fin.Pelvic fins placed opposite anterior edge of dorsal fin. Principal rays of caudalfin hooked. Head equal to a fourth part of the body/ exclusive of caudal fin.Entire body very rough with minute spines.

Head obtuse/ heart-shaped/ a little wider than the body, not equalling a fifthpart of the length of the fish from snout to end of caudal fin, but exceeding afourth part. Upper lip with no covering; merges into a short barbel/ rough andcartilaginous. Entire head covered with scutes which/ since they are themselvescovered very thickly with minute spines/ present the appearance of a file. Eyesso far removed from the neck as to be almost opposite insertion of pectoral fin/markedly separated from each other and directed laterally. Nostrils turnedupwards/ not so far from each other as the eyes are/ and nearer to each otherthan to the tip of the snout by three fourths/ covered by a membrane having twoperforations and scarcely capable of being closed with skin. Body almostrounded/ very gradually narrowing and becoming laterally compressed towardsthe tail; covered with scales/ osseous/ rhomboid and imbricate. Lateral scalesvery large and imbricate; scales on abdomen very small and not imbricate. Overthe entire surface all the scales are/ like the head, covered with very small anddensely packed spines on the margin of the scales,

) Since none of Spix's writings were found after his death, I was able to denote the placeof origin more accurately only when it was found inscribed on the dried fish itself.Specimens preserved in alcohol sometimes carried in their mouths a writing in whichits locality and the name of the fish given by the inhabitants were inscribed.

*) PIVT], file; Xeju£, scale.

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LORICARIA.

but protruding only at the rear. All fin rays rough in the same way. Dorsal finembedded in a trough, opposite pelvic fin, but extended farther towards thetail. First ray of pectoral fin extends beyond the base of pelvic fin. First ray ofevery fin very strong, that of the pectoral fin in particular is depressed and verywide. The principal rays of the caudal fin are, towards their tip, augmented by alateral hook. *) The fish has a single color, dusky black.

Pectoral fin with 7 rays, ventral 7, anal 6, caudal 16 and dorsal 8.

A single dried specimen is preserved in the Munich Museum. The lengthdown to the tip of the caudal fin is 22 inches. The length of the head is 6 inches.

Inhabits the Sao Francisco River. Portuguese name: Roncador. Brazilian name:Acary.

III. LORICARIA LACEP. **)

Head covered with tile-like scutes. Teeth (PL A. Fig. 5) smooth, hooked atthe tip, set in a single row on a rather bloated ridge of intermaxillary andintermandibulary bones. Lip cover circular, cirrhated and rough. Nares close tothe eyes, covered with a membrane which has two perforations. Body somewhatangled above and covered with imbricate scutes. First ray of the (single) dorsalfin and of the anal fin, as well as the first ray of the pectoral and ventral fins andthe lateral rays of caudal fin, while being scarcely rougher than the rest (whichare branched at the tip), are simple, osseous and more shapely.

LORICARIA ROSTRATA SPIX Plate III Figs. 1 and 2.

Snout very greatly produced and somewhat turned upwards, its tip andsides being rough with very minute spines. Body is very slightly rough. Thereare two ridges on either flank meeting in the middle of the tail, and forming alateral keel. Tail very depressed. Pectoral fin extends beyond insertion of ventralfin. Ventral fin placed opposite dorsal fin.

The head, because the snout is extended forwards, presents the shape of anelongated half-cone, since its lower side, (in the middle of which the mouthopens transversely), is flat, and the upper side alone is convex. Eyes placedlaterally very dose to the neck. Nares set very close together, next to the eyes,turned upwards, set in a cavity by the anterior lower edge of the orbit. At either

*) In the specimen we have, the tips of the lateral rays of the caudal fin are not intact.

**) The illustrious Count de Lacepede first changed the genus Loricaria Linn, into his newgenus Hypostoma.

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HYPOSTOMA

angle of the mouth there is a distinct barbel. Body (of this small, very glossyfish) depressed/ convex in front of the dorsal fin. Tail strongly compressed/ almostflat. Rest of body covered with scutes as follows: abdomen with rather smallscutes, of equal size near its largest part; some larger scutes around anus; aquadrangular scute in front of the dorsal fin (in front of this there is another,crescent-shaped scute, larger, embracing almost the entire breadth of the back,and a smaller crescent-shaped scute going round a smaller part of the neck).Scutes on back wide; tail scutes cover the whole upper side, and since thesetouch the equally wide scutes on the underside of the tail, they form a ridge onthe side of the tail. The sides of the body right down from the neck to the sidesof the tail are surrounded by broad scutes, spreading obliquely from the back tothe ventral and posterior part of the body. Tail set very low, flat and very long,abruptly compressed towards the base of the caudal fin. A small linear furrowstretches from the dorsal and anal fins towards the caudal fin, in between scutes.(To the naked eye the scutes of the whole body appear to be smooth, but to theeye equipped for minute observation the whole surface would- appear to becovered with tubercles. I think myself that these tubercles are very small bluntspines. Besides, when tubercles can be seen by themselves and on the severalrays of the fins and at the tip of the snout, this opinion appears to be all thenearer to the truth.) The first ray of every fin is simple, slightly rougher than therest, osseous and firm. All fin rays rough, with very small spines. Ventral finplaced opposite the anterior margin of dorsal fin; caudal fin forked; pectoral finreaches beyond insertion of ventral fin. The anus lies between the ventral finsand the anal fin. Head one fifth as long as body. Yellowish overall, with duskyfins.

Pectoral fin with 7 rays, ventral 6, anal 6, caudal 12, dorsal 8.

In the Munich Museum a specimen is preserved in spirits of wine. Length7l/z inches from tip of snout to tip of the caudal fin.

Inhabits Brazilian rivers.

IV. HYPOSTOMA. LACEP.

Head covered with tiles. Lip cover circular, papillated or cirrhated, or bothpapillated and cirrhated. Teeth subradial (PL A Fig. 4), the first two thirds shorterthan the next, hooked outwards; the second twice bent; the third and fourthstraight, hooked inward at the tip; those following gradually smaller, in arcsless than semicircular, somewhat closely packed, to the rear thence, the rows ofteeth are not clearly marked. Two nares, which can be closed with a membrane.Body somewhat angled and covered with imbricate scutes. Abdomen notsmooth, but rough with the minutest spines. Two dorsal fins, the posterior ofthem having a single simple ray which is rough, osseous and hooked. First rayof all other fins and lateral rays of caudal fin are osseous, rough and strong.First ray of the pectoral fin set in a jointed hinge, capable of being in whicheverdirection the creature wishes.

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HYPOSTOMA

HYPOSTOMA ETENTACULATUM. SPIX PL IV. Fig.l., Fig. 2. mouth.

Lip covering papillated. No barbels. Head is roughly pentagonal. Bodyroughly triangular and covered with hollowed scutes. Third ray of ventral finand last ray of anal fin placed opposite dorsal fin. Upper ray of caudal finsomewhat arched/ the lower lateral rather straight.

Head shape elliptical-triangular, flat underneath and angled-convex on upperside/ whence it is roughly pentagonal; its length one fourth that of the wholebody. Mouth inferior/ rounded. Lip cover papillated/ free of barbels/ lyingimmediately below the tip of the snout/ which is blunt. Lower lateral edges ofhead continuous/ roughly arched. Eyes placed laterally spherical/ very close tothe occiput/ far apart from each other. Nares rather large/ set almost in the middleof the head/ oblong-elliptical/ opening wide upwards/ set a little above and in.front of the eyes/ with a thin membrane for shutting them. Head/ above andbelow/ covered with very small spines/ partly exposed, very numerous andthickly set (and so displaying the form of a file)/ protruding more at the tip ofthe snout/ but rather small. Body;shape triangular-pyramidal. Underside flat;upper side multi-angled and convex/ covered with very large rhomboidal osseousscutes/ each with a rising ridge in the middle and spiny/ in. the form of a comb atthe rear edge/ as on the head/ and adhering close to the skin all over the surface;the scutes imbricate on the rear edge. The scutes themselves are roughlytetragonal on either flank of the upper side of the body/ and distributed in fourranks. In the highest and the lowest rank the scutes are set squarely/ in theintermediate ranks obliquely; gradually smaller in the direction of the tail/ andon the sides of the tail itself they are almost circular. Underside of body ratherrough/ like a file/ with very small spines disposed in irregular polygons fromthe throat right down to the anus. Underside of tail covered with osseous scutes/like the upper side of the body. First ray of all the fins and the lateral rays of thecaudal fin are stronger than the rest/ being thick and osseous. All the rays arerough with minute spines. Ventral fin lies opposite third/ and anal fin oppositelast ray of dorsal fin. Upper lateral ray of caudal fin somewhat arched/ the loweralmost straight. Pectoral fin with 7 rays/ ventral 6/ anal 5/ caudal 16 (at its edgeson either side are 3 scute-like rays). Posterior dorsal fin with 1 ray; anteriordorsal fin set in a small furrow/ with 12 rays. The fish has a single color/ yellow.The upper lateral ray of the caudal fin is black-banded.

A single specimen 16 inches long is preserved dry in the Munich Museum.

Inhabits rivers of northern Brazil.

NOTE. Piso has drawn a fish named Guacari and described it (p. 72) asclassifiable within the genus Hypostoma, but it is distinguished from the fish Idescribe by "barbels hanging from the end of the" skin of the lower lip like abeard7'.

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SILUROIDEI

FAMILY II. SILUROIDEI Cuv.

Diagnosis. Body naked or armed with a row of scutes along the sides. Headequally naked or covered with scutes. Mouth opening located at tip of snout.Teeth villiform or simple.

Description. Body completely naked, more or less compressed, or armedwith a lateral serie's of larger or smaller osseous scutes. Head frequently coveredwith scutes. One or two dorsal fins: if two, the posterior fin is adipose and moreor less elongated, or furnished with rays. In most genera first ray of dorsal finand pectoral fins are very strong spines capable of being positioned firmly atthe pleasure of the fish. Mouth located at tip of the snout, generally very wide.Teeth either villiform and arranged in several bands, or simple. Intermaxillariessuspended beneath the ethmoid; not protrusible. Maxillaries very small andtaper into a fleshy barbel on either side. Skin of lower jaw and that at the base ofthe nares may or may not be ctrrhated. Suboperculum absent. There is a largeair bladder attached to the first vertebra, or there is no bladder at all. Stomachleathery, very large and sac-like. Intestine long, capacious and without coeca.

LIST OF GENERA,

a) No adipose fin.

V. CETOPSIS AGASS.

Lower jaw, vomer and intermaxillaries with a single row of teeth. 9branchiostegal rays. Mouth not particularly large. 6 barbels. Eyes covered witha layer of skin. Head obtuse. Body rounded and sub-cylindrical, compressedtowards the tail, wholly naked. A single dorsal fin. All fin rays soft.

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SILUROIDEI 9

b) With adipose fin.

1. Body armed with lateral scutes.

VI. DORAS LACEP.

Teeth villiform, minute in the lower jaw, in the intermaxillaries and in thelowest part of the vomer. 6 branchiostegal rays. Mouth small. 6 barbels. Head inthe form of a circular shield. Body naked. A row of osseous scutes on each sideof body an elevated keel-like spine placed medially on each. Two dorsal fins/the posterior being adipose, sometimes almost confluent. First ray of pectoralfins and of dorsal fin very strong and serrated.

2. Body completely naked.

VII. HYPOPHTHALMUS SPDO

Teeth very small, scarcely visible, villiform. 5 to 15 branchiostegal rays. Gillarches provided with plates [gill rakers]. Mouth narrow. 6 barbels. Head smalland (like the body), compressed; depressed at the snout and wholly naked. Eyeslocated on lower edge of sides of the head. Two dorsal fins, the posterior oneadipose. Anal fin extends from anus to caudal fin. First ray of pectoral fins anddorsal fin a little stronger than the rest, and serrated.

VIII. PIMELODUS LACEP. Cuv. *) .

Teeth villiform., arranged in, a band on the intermaxillaries and the lowerjaw. 5-10 branchiostegal rays. Mouth large, with 6 barbels. Head

Linnaeus, in the earlier editions of his Systema Naturae has grouped Silurus endowedwith an adipose fin under the name Mystus, but later he has associated them with thegenus Silurus. Lacepede has proposed three genera of these same fish, namely,Pimelodus, Argeneiosus and Doras, classifying within the first genus those having cirrhibut no lateral plates; within the second those which lack both; within the third thosewhich have both. Justly most celebrated and most acceptable is Cuvier, who, payingregard to the structure of teeth and heads, has divided those genera into several sub-genera which, indeed, ought to be considered to be virtually distinct genera; if thesedistinctions were not retained, fewer (and, certainly, less definitive) criteria wouldremain for determining genera on the basis of their meeting a more detailedspecification. In place of Pimelodus Lacep. the following genera now exist: SynodontisCuv. distinguished by a singular arrangement of ingrafting teeth—

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10 SILUROIDEI.

bare or covered with a rather large or small plate. Body naked. Two dorsal fins/the posterior one adipose. First ray of pectoral fins and dorsal fin stronglyserrated.

IX. PHRACTOCEPHALUS AGASS.

Intermaxillaries, lower jaw/ vomer and the fifth branchial arch with a broadband of villiform teeth. 8 branchiostegal rays. Mouth is very large. 6 barbels.Head very wide and protected by a large plate which extends right down to thenape of the neck. Body is naked. Two dorsal fins, the posterior one adipose.First ray of the pectoral fins very strong and serrated.

X. PLATYSTOMA AGASS.

Teeth as in Phractocephalus, in very broad bands. 15 branchiostegal rays.Mouth very large. 6 cirrhi. Head extremely depressed/ flattened/ very elongate/with upper jaw prominent. Body more or less compressed, and completely naked.Two dorsal fins, the posterior one adipose. First ray of pectoral fin and dorsalfin slightly stronger than the rest.

XI. HETEROBRANCHUS Geoffr.

I shall write more below about the Heterobranchus sextentaculatus Spix.

constituting a wholly distinct genus; Pimelodus Cuv., with a toothless vomer;Hypophtlwlmus Spix, remarkable for its plates [gill rakers] is to the Pimelodus whatSchilbe is to Sihirus. In Glanis Agass. there are teeth on the intermaxillaries and thevomer, but no plate on the head. In Phractocephalus Agass. the dental structure is thesame, there is a very broad plate on the head, which extends beyond the nape of theneck. In Platystoma Agass. the head is extremely depressed, like Lucius, the upper jaw-protrudes sharply. These last three genera comprise the original genus Bagre of Cuvier.Cuvier himself proposed three similar divisions of Bagre in his Regne Animal. I havenot retained the name Bagre because it was barbarian and already left matters in doubtwhen subjected to closer scrutiny. In its place I suggest the name Glanis, the ancientname of an unknown Silurus. It appears that those species, whose upper jaw bonesprotrude like a notched horn, should be separated from Ageneiorus Lacep. under thename Ceratorhynchus Agass. Silurus militaris would appropriately have been includedhere; this name, which was, indeed, proposed by Lacepede should have been reservedfor those species with unarmoured heads, which differ markedly from the rest.Callichthys Linn. (Cataphractus Lacep.) appears to me to be more appropriately a genusof the family of the Gonyodontes. But since opportunity has been made available toview only dried and mutilated specimens, I cannot contribute anything certain.

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CETOPSIS.

V CETOPSIS AGASS.*)

Head very blunt/ truncated and unprotected. Mouth not particularly large/with 6 short cirrhi. Teeth (vide PL VII) simple/ separate/ slightly apart from, oneanother/ arranged in a single row in the lower jaw and the vomer; on themtermaxillaries the teeth are in single or multiple rows. Nares have their openingsat the tip of the snout/ deep/ hidden by a membrane/ each naris in two nostrilswhich lie apart from each other. Eyes wholly covered by lids and can be seenonly when the skin is retracted; operculum too, covered with skin in such a waythat the gill opening, which is very small and narrow/ as in Muraena anguilla,opens across/ in front of the insertion of the pectoral fin. The nine branchiostegalrays not visible from outside. Trunk rounded and sub-cylindrical/ compressedin the direction of the tail, completely naked. Lateral line bluntly raised andvery narrow. A single dorsal fin/ placed forwards. All fin rays flexible.

On the basis of these characteristics this genus differs markedly from Silurus.

NOTE. In this genus belongs the species candiru, which I have dissected/and found the following: **)

Heart set within pericardium, between the arms of the thoracic extremities, whichunite in front. Cardiac ventricle pyramidal (with the fish standing up). A large, bilobedchamber at the back which encloses the ventricle on all sides. Bulb of the aorta large andcovered with skin. Intestine enclosed in a leathery peritoneum, which is strong and attachedto the fleshy wall of the stomach by a loose cellulose web. Pharynx large, expanding intoa vast coecum which is, of course, the stomach. Small intestine emerges from a side of thisbag, a third of the way from the top, which being of almost the same amplitude along allits length, is held in place from the mesentery and opens into the anus. Spleen attached toposterior wall of stomach from outside and above. Liver of medium size, a single organ,not lobed, rather swollen along its posterior edge, pointed in front. A large gall bladderbeside inner wall of liver, which discharges its fluid into the highest part of the smallintestine, not far from the stomach, along a duct which is equal in length to the gall bladder.Ovary and testicle appear in the shape of a very long fibrous funnel which extends to themiddle of the abdominal cavity. Kidneys quite large, located close to the vertebrae, outsidethe peritoneum; thence from the second or third vertebra they are extended all they waydown to the lower third part of the abdominal cavity and thence proceed to the urethra,which opens into a large urinary bladder. Most worthy of note in this genus is the openingbehind and above the pectoral fin, differing in each species in size and shape. It is theorifice of a quite large cavity invested in a mucous membrane, which secretes mucus. Thespecies I have named Candiru has a very small oblong-ovate cavity, of the size of a smallkidney bean with a round opening. In the Cetopsis coecutiens the cavity is rounded, havingthe semblance of a very slightly rising mucous membrane, of the size of a pea, and dividedmedially in the anterior part into two almost distinct parts. The larger opening is oblong-ovate.

*) XTVCO£, whale; oipi£;, facies: dolphin-like.

**) See Plate A fig. 5. Viscera in their natural position; and fig. 6. Viscera spread out. a.Heart, a' Pericardium, a". The cardiac ventricle, a"'. The bilobed cardiac chamber, a"".The aortic bulb. b. The ventricle, c.c. The intestinal tract, c'. The pylorus, d. The liver,e.e. The peritoneum, f. The gallbladder, f. The cystic duct. g. The portal vein. h.h. Theovary, i. The urinary bladder, k. The ureter. 1.1. The mesenterium with blood vessels,m. The anus. n.n. The muscular walls of the belly, o. The kidneys showing through theperitoneum.

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12 CETOPSIS.

CETOPSIS COECUTIENS AGASS. PL X. Fig. 2.

Circumference of body greatest at dorsal fin, diminishing gradually towardsthe compressed tail. Head very thick and rounded. Gill opening rather large,circling insertion of dorsal fin in front.

Silurus coecutiens Lichtenst. *) Spix.

Head completely naked, almost as high as broad, well-turned truncate, rounded infront. Eyes very small, covered with skin, black, shining through the skin like points, setabove the angle of the mouth (in the middle) between maxillary barbels and posteriornaris, separated from the gills by a very long space. Four nares; the posterior ones largerand set above the eyes, barely apart from each other. Anterior nares smaller, lower set,above tip of snout, in front of and above the barbels, separated by a space twice as great.They all have margins that are even and can be closed with a cover of skin. Mouth openingtransverse, straight and very narrow, not unlike a dolphin's. Lips fleshy and thick but donot protrude; but the upper jaw does, slightly beyond the lower. Teeth on intermaxillarybones distributed in three rows: those on vomer and lower jaw in a single row, large andat the same time sharp and separated very slightly from each other. Maxillary barbel locatedabove the angle of the mouth, very short and fibre-like, situated in the anterior part of, asit were, a lipped hollow. Four longer barbels of the same shape set in an arc in the skin ofthe lower jaw. Branchiostegal membrane somewhat loose, covering an approximatelytriangular operculum with a wholly entire margin and enclosing the insertion of the pectoralfin in front. Opening of mucous cavity oblong, rather extended, a little behind and abovethe insertion of the pectoral fin. Trunk oblong, shapely and somewhat compressed. Breastand abdomen bloated and very slightly attenuated caudally and greatly compressed.Lateral line very straight, elevated like a blunt ridge. A single dorsal fin farther back thanthe pectoral fin, with rays divided at their tips, rather rigid, the first ray twice as long asthe one immediately behind, the rest gradually smaller. Pectoral fin rays compressed andrather strong: the first ray undivided and slightly stronger than the rest, which are dividedat their tips. Ventral fins smaller than dorsal fin, inserted farther back, but quite a longway ahead of the anus; the rays get smaller posteriorly, the first being undivided and therest divided at their tips. Deferent canal of urinary bladder and genital papilla of the ovaryor testicle appear clearly. Anal fin low, begins a little in front of the anus and ends in frontof base of caudal. The membrane between the rays, where it extends towards the trunk isso thick as to make it barely possible for the insertion of the rays to be seen, but where itextends towards the tips of the rays, it is thin indeed; the rays emerge from the membraneat its margin. Caudal fin forked, all its rays other than those at the sides, divided at thetips.

It is of a single color, silver-grey, the back tending to olive, and the fins togrey at the tips.

Pectoral fin with 10 rays, ventral 6, anal 21, caudal 16 (apart from 7 minorones on each side, gradually smaller), the dorsal 7.

My very good friend, Prof. Dr. Wagler, who had plenty of opportunity at the recentcongress of German Natural Science and Medical Researchers to make a study of (thespecimens at) the Zoological Museum of Berlin has informed me that the Siluruscoecutientes Licht. Catal. and Spix's PL X. fig. 2. do not differ from one another.

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CETOPSIS. 13

In the Munich Museum a single specimen is preserved in spirits of wine.Length 5l/2 inches.

Inhabits the rivers of equatorial Brazil.

2. CETOPSIS CANDIRU AGASS. PL X. Fig. 1

Body sub-cylindrical, compressed towards the tail. Head slightly depressed.Gill opening very small, appearing in front of and below insertion of the pectoralfin.

Silurus candiru Spix.

This species resembles the previous one in appearance, but is totally distinct.Head somewhat depressed but longer. Eyes covered over by skin as in the otherspecies, but do not shine through; when the skin is drawn back, they appearimmersed Eke black dots in a cellulose web, but the optic nerve, whose diameteris almost equal to that of the eyeball, affords very easy access to the eye forobservation of it. Four nares, set in a sort of square; those in front are smaller,rounded and scarcely farther from each other than those behind, which are larger,cleft, have a thin margin, can be closed, and are as far apart from the smallerpair as they are from each other. Upper jaw extends slightly beyond lower. Asingle row of teeth, rather small and close to one another, on intermaxillaries,vomer and jaw. Gill opening very small, set in front of and below pectoral fin.From the way it appears, it is not surrounded at all by a gill membrane-—-there isno such thing to be seen. Trunk cylindrical and bare. Lateral line very straight,.less prominent than in Cetopsis coecutiens. Tail compressed, longer in relation tothe size of the trunk than in the former species. Aperture of mucous cavity abovethe pectoral fin very small and round. Arrangement of fins in relation to oneanother the same as in the other species, but they are all supported by very softand very markedly elastic rays, covered by a rather thick membrane, all rathermore blunt at the tips, and rounded. Anus and duct from the ovary or testicle,as also the two conical perforated papillae, as it were, of the urinary bladderslightly prominent. Color same as in previous species.

Pectoral fin with 9 rays, ventral 6, anal 29, caudal 17 (apart from 4r-5 verysmall subcutaneous ones on either flank, sunk under the skin). 7 dorsal rays.

In the Munich Museum there are several specimens preserved in spirits ofwine.

Length 5 inches, of another 6 inches, of another 8 inches.

Inhabits rivers of equatorial Brazil.

VI. DORAS LACEP.

Head more or less depressed, elevated in the region of the nape, coveredwith large osseous scutes extending right down to the anterior dorsal fin. Mouthsmall and located at tip of snout;

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14 DORAS.

upper margin of the mouth formed by the intermaxillary bones. The arch of themaxillary proceeds to a rather large, thick barbel, supported by the sides of theupper lip. Four barbels in the skin of the lower jaw. Lips thick, fleshy, and bloated.Teeth villiform and minute in lower jaw, intermaxillaries and bottom of vomer.In some species there are minute papillae instead of teeth. Four nares, spacedout. Eyes positioned laterally. 6 branchiostegal rays. The scapula extendsposteriorly to the pectoral spine, which adheres laterally to the skin. Body naked.A row of scutes with a spine or ridge in the middle along either side of body.Other scutes rough or spiny on the surface. Two dorsal fins, the posterior oneadipose and sometimes not prominent. First ray of dorsal and pectoral fins verystrong, osseous and rather depressed, deeply serrated onboth edges and capableof being held stable in a hinge at the creature's will. *)

NOTE. In the species dissected, Doras humboldti, the intestinal tract is twice as long asthe body. The stomach is hardly distinct, with walls slightly thicker; the small intestinefills the whole abdomen with its convolutions; the rectum is thick; the liver has two lobes;the gall bladder is in the middle between the two lobes of the liver, discharging into theduodenum; the spleen is at the left side of the stomach; the kidneys are of moderate size;the urinary bladder is distinct, oblong, adhering to the rear wall of the intestinal rectum;the air bladder is very large, suspended from its own osseous structure.

1. DORAS HUMBOLDTI AGASS. PL V.

Mouth edentate. Body naked and smooth, with the lateral line covered oneither side by a row of 24 osseous scutes, the four in front being curtailed andmuch smaller, those following being provided in the middle with a reclinedspine which is compressed and lies low, the spines of the plates in the rear gettinggradually larger and more reclined; the spine bearing plates in front are oblong,those of the middle of the body being arched and triangular; those of the tailtriangular.

Corydoras edentulus, Spix **)

The head is large and elongate, curtailed, pointed in front, and naked. Eyesbordered below by a semicircular shield. Four nares set in a square on the barepart of the snout, positioned laterally on the head; those in front large, tubular,closeable with a flap of skin; those behind oval and smaller. Operculumtriangular, scutiform. Lips very thick, fleshy and bloated. 6 barbels, the two atthe tip of the maxillary longer than the four under the mandibular symphysiswhich are slightly shorter than those of the maxillary.

*) On consideration of all matters which the very celebrated Alex, von Humboldtmentions about Doras crocodilus (Observ. de Zool. v. 2 p.181) this species should, itseems to me, be classified in a special genus not only for its uniradial dorsal fin butalso for the quadriradial appendix to its caudal fin, whereby it differs very muchfrom Doras. It ought to be designated Centrochir Agass. (Kevtpov, pointed; x^P, hand).

*) This fish should by no means be referred to the genus Corydoras Lacep. since the mostillustrious Lacepede has this to say: "Point de barbillons; deux nageoires dorsales;plus d'un rayon a chaque nageoire du dos." [No barbels; two dorsal fins; more thanone ray at each fin of the dorsum.jThis does not at all correspond with thecharacteristics of this fish.

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DORAS. HYPOPHTHALMUS. 15

Of these, those inside are slightly shorter than those outside (those in the rearare the longer). The shield over the nape of the neck, which extends to the sidesof the insertion of the dorsal fin, is rounded, and stretches to a position behindthe gill opening, which itself tends towards the vertebral column over againstthe scapulum. Body completely naked, rounded, very thick at the dorsal fin,slimming gradually towards the tail, compressed at the insertion of the caudalfin. A row of 24 osseous scutes on either side; the four in front are curtailed,much smaller than the-rest, partly rounded; those behind are transverse, longerthan broad, oblong, equal in width throughout their length. Those in the middleof the body are arched, triangular and the largest. Those on the sides of the tailare smaller and triangular. Every scute provided medially with a very highlycompressed spine which is curved, sharp, prone and very prominent. The spinesthemselves increase in size from the first plates, where they are rather smallright down to the last. There is an adipose fin, stretching out, narrow and verylong, from the anterior dorsal fin to the caudal fin, rather like a second skin.Dorsal fin opposite space between pectoral and ventral fins.

Pectoral fin with 11 rays, ventral 7, anal 11, caudal fin emarginate, with 16rays (six besides, and smaller rays laterally on both sides), anterior dorsal finwith 7.

Color olive-grey (not blackish or black, neither in the died specimens nor inthe specimen which is preserved in spirits of wine); caudal fin tip yellowish;serrated rays of dorsal and pectoral fins, like the lateral scutes, are muddy. Lateralspines white at the tips.

In the museum of Munich there is a single specimen preserved in spirits ofwine, and several dried specimens.

The length of the specimen preserved in spirits of wine is 20H inches; fromthe snout to the anterior ray of the anterior dorsal fin the distance is 10>4 inches.The length of the dried specimens varies from 6 inches to 24 inches.

Inhabits the Sao Francisco River in central Brazil.

A very similar species to Doras niger Valenc. (in Humb. Observ. de Zool. Vol.2. p.184), moreover the very celebrated Cuvier, having seen Spix's pictures,agreed; but on comparing the specimens, this species, differing in the followingcharacteristics, appears to me to be a peculiar species; 1. not all the scutes aretriangular; 2. the posterior spines are gradually larger; 3. the barbels scarcelydiffer from one another in size; 4. the length of the adipose fin; 5. the olive-greycolor.

VII. HYPOPHTHALMUS SPIX. *)

Head very small, very much compressed, and depressed at the tip of thesnout, whence it is seen from a side to be triangular; completely naked. Mouthless large than might have been expected. The upper line of the mouth conformsentirely with the intermaxillaries. Lips absent. 6 barbels, 2 maxillary, 4mandibular. Teeth very small,

*) The eye is situated on the lower margin of the head.

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villiform, papilliform, not visible to the naked eye. Eyes rather large,-positionedat bottom of lower edge of sides of head. Four nares: those in front set at theedge of the mouth, those behind above its angle. 5 or 15 branchiostegal rays. As.in all fish, the convex exterior edge of the branchial arch supports the lamellaeof the gills. In certain fishes it is known that teeth are observed on their interiorconcave edge [of the branchial arch]. Here, indeed, you have (PI. A, Fig 7.) arare, strange phenomenon in that on there are fine, elongated, white, growths(like metal plates) on the interior concave edge of any gill-arch, occupying itsinner side. They look towards the gullet. On the outer side of the same marginthere is a thin membrane, rising to half the height of the growths and at a shortdistance from them. The growths themselves are longest in the first gill arch,longer than the gill-lamellae themselves; in the gill arches to the rear the growthsgradually diminish in length. (These metal plate-like growths are rigid and veryfragile in contrast to the extr actable nature of teeth, which we consider to be ofthe greatest significance). Body completely naked, compressed, wide, thinningtowards caudal fin. Trunk very short. Abdominal cavity very small, scarcelylonger than head (so that the bulk of the fish is as nothing unless the tail is verylong, broad and fleshy). Two dorsal fins, that behind being adipose. Anal finvery wide: extending from the anus, set a little behind the pectoral fins, almostright across to the caudal fin. First ray of pectoral fins and dorsal fin a littlestronger than the others, and serrated.

NOTE. It is amazing that so bulky a body should be nourished by intestines so small.I have carefully examined the foot-long viscera of the toothless Hypophthalmns. Theabdominal cavity is V/2 inches long and % inch high and a few lines wide—and in thispuny space the nutrient fluid is prepared for so great a body! Since it is very likely that thisfish (because its mouth is virtually toothless) cannot seize larger creatures, we must inferthat it tirelessly hunts the innumerable small organisms, a very great abundance of whichinhabit the waters of Brazil, and that the lamella are useful in this special way; that, likenets they let water through but retain the organisms. And that is the way with the whaletoo. The oesophagus is short; the stomach is oblong, rounded on top; the small intestine,with several joints, goes down to the stomach; the gallbladder and spleen I have not seen,strictly because of the near-decomposed state of the specimen. The kidneys are very narrow,extra long; they lie close to the vertebral column and discharge urine into a very largebladder.

1. HYPOPHTHALMUS EDENTATUS SPIX. PL IX

Dorsal fin origin opposite anal fin. The whole back is continued in a nearlystraight line down to the nape of the neck. Pectoral fins, when placed on thebody, cover the ventral fins. A small furrow extends from the nape of the neck tothe tip of the snout. 15 branchiostegal rays.

The fish is completely naked. Head compressed. Aridge especially prominenton the nape of the neck. Eyes of moderate size, set on lower edge of either sideof head, in the middle of the space between maxillary barbel and lower angle ofoperculum. Four nares, equal in size, rounded, with skinny edges; barelyprominent and can scarcely be closed. Those set lower appear adjacent to edgeof upper jaw,

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immediately above a barbel. Those set higher are above the angle of the mouth.Maxillary barbel almost equidistant from tip of snout and angle of mouth, butcloser to the former. There are four barbels from the skin of the lower jaw, two ofwhich are exactly at the mandibular symphysis; two more positioned laterallyand further back. All barbels .are of almost the same length. 15 branchiostegalrays. Trunk, like the tail, tightly compressed; its vertical diameter is greatest inthe region of the dorsal fin. Tail so compressed near the anal fin that it appearsflat (and so effectively covers the insertion of the rays of the same fin that youcannot see their base unless the skin is cut away). Lateral line very straight.Anterior dorsal fin furnished with narrow rays opposite insertion of anal fin.Almost at the end of that same fin there is an adipose fin with a notched edge.Pectoral fins broad, almost triangular. Behind their insertion are the ventral fins,smaller and blunt. Caudal fin forked. The fish is bluish on its back and head,yellowish on its sides. Fins reddish yellow.

Pectoral fin with 18 rays, the ventral 7, the anal 72, the caudal 20 (8-9 besideson either side, gradually smaller laterally); anterior dorsal fin with 7.

In the museum of Munich there are two specimens preserved in spirits ofwine.

Length 10-12 inches.

Inhabits rivers of equatorial Brazil.

2. HYPOPHTHALMUS NUCHALIS Swx. PL XVII.

Dorsal fin positioned a little behind pectoral fins. The back rises graduallyfrom the nape of the neck, but sinks towards the tail. Ventral fins set on underside,behind tip of pectoral fins. An elongate, shallow furrow on the neck. Snoutdepressed on top. 5 branchiostegal rays.

Head small compared to size of the body, compressed behind, depressed atthe tip of the snout. Eyes very large, set in the. lower edge of the sides of thehead. They occupy almost the whole space between the angle of the mouth andthe gill opening; indeed, they extend to the lower side of the head. Four nares,set in a sort of transverse parallelogram, the two in front beside the margin ofthe maxilla. A maxillary barbel on each side, set in the angle of the mouth. Fourbarbels at the mandibular symphysis. This admirably structured little fish exhibitsexceedingly well the singular character of the maxillary barbels of the Silurus.The lowest third part of a barbel is a small, tenuous bone, round and arched,which ends in a soft thread. At the base it is laterally inserted in the intermaxillarybones at a joint. So it is nothing other than a maxillary bone which is surroundedwith skin; along all its length, it is unconnected with bones of the head, beingjoined only at its interior tip, unattached behind. Upon reflection, Silurus militarisBloch, pi. 362 (my genus Ceratorhynchus (see note above, page 10)) exhibits asimilar character. The bones of its maxilla, which are erect, like horny serrae,emerging from an appendage which is soft and thread-like, provide the creaturewith that strange character. Body completely naked, compressed, widest at thebase of the anal fin. Lateral line almost obscure, branching sideways. Anteriordorsal fin furnished.with rays and lies opposite the anterior part

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of the space between pectoral and ventral fins. Posterior dorsal fin very small/adipose, set almost above anal fin. Pectoral fins sharp; the first ray is strong andserrated, the remaining rays are gradually smaller, and form an obtuse angle.Ventral fins larger than pectorals, behind the tips of which they are set on theopposite side, triangular in shape. Anal fin begins a little behind ventral fins,short but very broad, with the ends of the rays emerging well beyond theconnecting membrane. Caudal fin forked. The fish is silvery, bluish on top. Allthe fins are dark brown.

Pectoral fin with 12 rays, ventral 15, anal 45, caudal 18 (apart from 2-3 smallerrays on either side), anterior dorsal 8.

In the Munich museum there is a single specimen preserved in spirits ofwine.

Length 7 inches.

Inhabits equatorial Brazil.

VIII. PIMELODUS LACEP. Cuv.

Head rather depressed, naked, or covered with a larger or smaller scute.Mouth (which has minute barbels) rather large, armed with villiform teethdisposed in bands in the intermaxillaries and in the lower jaw. Intermaxillarybones form almost the entire line of the upper lip. The upper maxillary bonesare very small and proceed into a barbel at the corner of each lip on either side.Eyes large, placed laterally. Nasal apertures, large or small, positioned in theapex of the snout and open in four nares set more or less apart from one another.5-10 branchiostegal rays. Trunk completely naked, somewhat compressed. Tailcompressed. Two dorsal fins, the posterior one adipose. First ray of pectoral fins(and of dorsal fin) very strong and serrated. It can be positioned firmly at thecreature's will.

NOTE. Dissection of Pimelodus Spix has shown the following: the stomach is shortand oblong, barely twice as ample as the small intestine which, proceeding from the lowerpart of the stomach, curves to the left, then, ascending, goes across beyond the liver, thendescends to the right side of the stomach and after it has thus circled the whole stomach,it becomes thinner, and, after a few windings, now very small, it terminates in the anus.The liver is positioned transversely in the upper part of the abdominal cavity. It is narrow,with thick lateral lobes. There is a very large gall bladder lying transversely between theliver and the part of the small intestine into which it opens and which crosses above theupper wall of the stomach. The spleen is lobed, supported by the mesenterium, behindthe stomach, on its lower wall. There is a very large air bladder, heart-shaped, in the upperpart of the abdominal cavity. The kidneys are undivided, depressed, triangular, laterallybroad, facing up, but at the apex facing down, where the ureters come down and expandinto a sufficiently large oblong urinary bladder. With their rather broad sides the kidneystouch the air bladder in the very middle of the abdominal cavity. Between the urinarybladder and the intestinal rectum is the ovary or testicle, stretching like a funnel to theupper edge of the kidneys.

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PIMELODUS. 19

1. PIMELODUS SPIXII AGASS. PL VII. Fig. 1.

A rather large shield extends from the anterior dorsal fin right down to theneck. A longitudinal furrow in the middle of the scute right up to the tip of thesnout. Four very large nares which can be closed only from behind with (flapsof) skin, in pairs which are very slightly apart from each other. A very smalladipose fin.

Pimelodus albidus Spix.

(The name Pimelodus nlbidus, which has long been assigned by the mostfamous Lesueur, in his Memoires du Museum vol. 5, to a species of Pimelodus,entirely different from Spix's species; it has been changed by me.)

Head (on account of the scute at the nape of the neck, which extends rightdown to the anterior dorsal fin and is very large in relation to the size of thebody), equal to a third part of the whole body in length. Scute on nape of theneck is ridge-shaped down to its middle, but furrow-shaped in its lower part.The head, moreover, is naked, depressed in the direction of snout, at the point ofwhich four nares appear, with those in front displaced more to the sides, thepairs set apart on both sides by a narrow ledge. Eyes set in a small depressionrather ovate-oblong. 6 barbels, those in upper jaw longer, extending right downto tips of pectoral fins. Intermaxillary and lower jaw teeth rather long, not veryclosely set. Some teeth in the vomer, sparse, rather large, like protuberances.Body compressed. Tail very compressed indeed, particularly at base of caudalfin. Lateral line very straight, curved upwards at base of caudal fin. Dorsal finlong, its anterior ray very strong, serrated on both sides, set opposite the middleof the space between ventral and pectoral fins. First ray of pectoral fins strongand itself serrated. Anal fin rounded. Caudal forked. The head is dusky blue-black, the back and sides are ash-blue, shading into silver, the lower partsaltogether silvery; the fins are dusky-bluish, the tail dusky.

Pectoral fin with 10 rays, ventral 6, anal 16 (two smaller anterior rays besides,on the sides); caudal 15 (10—12 rather small and very small rays besides), anteriordorsal fin with 7 rays.

In the Munich museum there are several specimens preserved in spirits ofwine. Length 7-8 inches.

Inhabits equatorial Brazil.

PIMELODUS RIGIDUS SPIX. PL VIL Fig. 2.

A very large shield extends from the anterior dorsal fin to the tip of thesnout. An obscure, low furrow on the neck. Four nares set in what is almost asquare, those in front tubular, those behind cleft. The scapula extends backwardsabove the pectoral fins. The anterior dorsal fin does not wholly lean backwards.The adipose fin is of the size of the anal fin, and opposite it.

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20 PIMELODUS.

Head high. A straight profile slopes down from the nape of the neck to the tip of thesnout, covered by a granular scute that is ornate. A shallow fossa in the anterior part of thescute. Four nares set in a square, those in front, before the maxillary barbel, being set inalmost the very edge of the upper lip and tubular; the posterior ones are transverse, abovethe angle of the mouth, cleft, opening in a triangular aperture. 6 barbels, four rather short,in the skin of the lower jaw, the other two being maxillary, extending to the anal fin, themaxillary bones being extended to the insertion of the barbels. Head, down to posteriorangle of operculum, equals almost a fifth part of the total length of the whole fish, anddown to the anterior dorsal fin, a third part. The scapula stretches back over the pectoralfins. Body rather compressed and completely naked. Lateral line very straight, curvedupwards at the caudal fin. Pectoral fins inserted beneath the angle of the operculum, theanterior ray being thick, osseous (only at the rear edge) and at the base serrated on eitherside. Ventral fins positioned opposite last ray of dorsal fin. Dorsal fin furnished with raysand rigid, very long, not altogether tilted backwards, the anterior ray is very sharp only atthe back and at the tip, on both sides. Adipose fin of the same size as the rectangular analfin, and opposite it. Caudal fin forked. Body dark ash below, on the sides and underneathsilvery; the seute on the head and the caudal fin dark; the other fins grey-blue.

Pectoral fin with 10 rays, ventral 6, anal 9 (two smaller anterior rays besides),caudal 17 (4-5 smaller lateral rays besides, on both sides), anterior dorsal 7 (apartfrom a single very small ray and a sharp spine in front, which is serrated).

In the museum of Munich a single specimen is preserved in spirits of wine.Length 5 % inches.

Inhabits equatorial Brazil.

3. PIMELODUS PIRINAMPU SPIX PL VIII.

Head depressed at tip of the snout, sinks very steeply at nape, flattened likean elevated plateau. Barbels compressed, very broad, enlarged at the sides witht

skin/ very long, all extending beyond the ventral fins. Pectoral fins extend overinsertion of ventral fins.

Head very high at nape, compressed, depressed at the tip of the snout. Fournares, set in a transverse parallelogram. The anterior ones positioned aboveedge of upper jaw, in front of and between the maxillary barbels, tubular, andcloseable with a flap of skin. Posterior ones transverse, oblong and patulous.Eyes nearer to the barbels than to the rear angle of the operculum. Alow furrowbetween the nares at the rear and the eyes. Teeth very small, villiform, in broadbands in lower jaw, in intermaxillary bones and at end of the branchial arch.Barbels compressed, broad, very long, extending beyond tip of ventral fins. Bodysomewhat compressed, very thick at the ventral fins, cylindrical under the endof the tail, very compressed at the base of the caudal fin. First ray of anteriordorsal fin simple and very long. The other rays are cleft at their extremities.There is a space between the pectoral fins (which are long, covering the insertionof the ventral fins, the first ray being simple, and serrate underneath) and theventral fins. The ventral fins themselves are inserted opposite by the same spacebetween the dorsal fins. Anal fin positioned under adipose fin

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PIMELODUS. 21

with two simple rays in front, and other smaller rays. Caudal fin deeplyemarginate in the middle. Adipose fin high, very broad and curved. The fish isbluish, silver-grey underneath. The fin tips are reddish, the caudal fin is bluishbelow at its termination, the adipose fin is wholly blue.

Pectoral fin has 16 rays, ventral 6, anal 10 (with two smaller anterior raysbesides), caudal 17 (also 8-10 lateral rays on both sides), the anterior dorsal 7.

In the museum of Munich a single specimen is preserved in spirits of wine.Length 18 inches. .

Inhabits Brazilian rivers.

4. PIMELODUS CTENODUS AGASS. PI. VIII. a.

Head very small and depressed, the'nape sloping very steeply. Body verythick at the ventral fins. Adipose fin high and very wide. Ventral fins oppositethe space between dorsal fins. Barbels somewhat rounded, the maxillary onesextending beyond the anal fin. A single row of rather large teeth in theintermaxillary and mandibule, behind which there are very small villiform teethshaped like papillae.

This very beautiful fish, which differs a little from other Pimelodus in the structure ofits teeth, but is remarkable for its very small depressed head. Teeth in a single series in theintermaxillary and lower jaw, set very slightly apart from one another, blunt on top androunded. Behind this row are very small villiform teeth shaped like papillae, especially inthe lower jaw. A couch of villiform teeth at the end of the branchial arch. Upper jaw slightlyprominent. The barbels of the jaws are rather thick and rounded, and extend beyond theanal fin. There are four barbels in the skin spread among branches of the mandible. Ofthese two are in front and shorter, and closer together, the two behind are longer andplaced more to the sides. They are smaller, rounded and tubular, positioned above themargin of the upper jaw. Eyes rather small, almost at the top of the head but lookingtowards the sides, distant from each other by the same space as the maxillary barbels, andequally apart from themselves and the rear angle of the operculum. The space betweenthe rear of the head and the anterior dorsal fin slopes very steeply. Body completely naked,somewhat compressed, and very thick at the ventral fins. Lateral line very straight. Adiposefin very broad, fibrous in appearance, terminating above end of anal fin. Anterior dorsalfin positioned opposite the space between the pectoral and ventral fins, has rays, the firstsimple, the rest cleft at the tip. Ventral fins opposite the space between the dorsal fins, theanterior ray being simple. Anal fin has three anterior simple rays and is almost oppositethe extremity of the adipose fin. Caudal fin deeply emerginate; it is remarkable, with 15simple rays which get smaller gradually on either side. The fish is bluish, silver grey at thesides and in the abdomen, the fins are reddish at their points, the adipose and anal fins areblue.

Pectoral fin with 15 rays, ventral 7, anal 10 (apart from 2 smaller anteriorrays), the caudal 16 (apart from 14 lateral fins on either side, gradually gettingsmaller to very small), dorsal fin 7.

In the Museum of Munich a single specimen is preserved in spirits of wine.Length 17 inches.

Inhabits rivers of equatorial Brazil.

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22 PHRACTOCEPHALUS.

IX. PHRACTOCEPHALUS AGASS.

Head very broad, much depressed, covered with a very large scu te whichextends beyond the nape. Mouth very large, surrounded by barbels. Teeth verysmall, villiform, set very close together in broad bands in the wide intermaxillarybones, in the vomer, and in the lower jaw, and even in the fifth branchial arch.Maxillary very small, jointed with the outer sides of the intermaxillaries, whichterminate in barbels. Eyes small, set behind the maxillary barbels. The nasalapertures open out in four nares above the apex of the snout. 8 branchiostegalrays. Body completely naked. There is, however, a pliant round plate in front ofthe rayed dorsal fin, above the insertion of the pectoral fins. The scapula extendsbackwards to the vertebral column, which adheres to the skin. Two dorsal fins,the posterior one adipose but osseous at the tip. First ray of pectoral fins verystrong, compressed, osseous, serrated; it can be positioned firmly at the animal'swill.

NOTE. The internal organs of this fish are of an amazing nature. The gulletis immediately enlarged into a large sack, the stomach, to be sure, whose thickwalls are fleshy and occupy almost the whole upper abdominal cavity whichhas the shape of a globe very lightly pressed in front and rear, but well pressedfrom above; pressed from the left side of that, an appendage proceeds. Thatdeserves mention for the reason, at the same time, that the small intestinecommences behind here at the same place where the gullet enlarges; and so theheart and the pylorus are situated over against each other. The small intestinedescends to the right side of the abdominal cavity, then curves down to thelower side of the stomach, zig-zagging across from the right to the left wall ofthe abdominal cavity. Then the large intestine, more than twice as large as thesmall intestine, descends very directly down to the left side of the spinal column.The liver is very small, suspended in the upper wall of the peritoneum, in a foldin it which is well marked. The liver itself is narrow in its middle, rough on itssides, and lobed. Our specimen—the grief of it! —is holed in the very site of thegall bladder, so I have not seen its shape or the duct from it. In the mesenterium,behind the stomach, is the lobed spleen. The air bladder is a large sac, heart-shaped, compressed, behind the stomach and outside the peritoneum, extendingall the way down to the lower third part of the abdominal cavity. It has verythick walls, which are fibrous and gleam like silver. It is suspended outside ofthe first ray, which is very thick and straight. I did not see its outlet because, onaccount of its holes, it could not retain the air pumped into it. The kidneys areoutside the peritoneum, behind the intestinal rectum in a pit formed by shortprocesses of the vertebrae crossing one another. In their lower section they arenarrow. At their middle two ureters come very close together and, at the lowerside of the air bladder, they separate into two lengthened horns which ascend tothat sac; on both sides, in the horn of each of them, the ureters rise to the top,come close together in a fork, and on the posterior wall open into the upper pastof the urinary bladder, which is very large, with thin walls, and pyramidal infront. It opens through its own exit behind the anus. On both sides, on the flanksof the intestinal rectum is a discharging duct, undivided, tubular, windings, inthe extremity of which is the ovary or testicle in the form of very small fibers.

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PHRACTOCEPHALUS. PLATYSTOMA. 23

1. PHRACTOCEPHALUS BICOLOR AGASS. PL VI.

Head very wide/ rather spherical, a third as long as the body with the caudalfin omitted. Operculum shield-shaped. An oval scute in front of the anteriordorsal fin, at the very insertion of the fin, which is emarginate. Scapula extendsbackwards and is wrinkled. Body is naked, depressed in front. Tail cylindrical.Ventral fins positioned opposite posterior rays of dorsal fin base. Adipose finhas a plate at its tip, furnished with rays, osseous and extended. Caudal finemarginate.

Picarara ~bicolor, Spix.

Head almost level. Neck with a shallow longitudinal furrow. Eyes ofmoderate size, positioned at the edge of the scute on the head, orientated laterally.Four nares in a long parallelogram, set transversely. Those in front are tubular,on the edge of the upper lip, in front of and within the maxillary barbels. Thosebehind are above the angle of the mouth, oval, capable of being closed withskin, raised and wide. Teeth villiform, very small, and set very close together.The bands of teeth on the vomer are very broad in the middle, thinning on thesides, and refrorse. 6 barbels. Maxillary barbels longer, extending beyond thepectoral fins. Mandibular barbels shorter, set out in an arched line. Operculumis shield-shaped and wrinkled. The scute in front of the anterior dorsal fin isflexible and granular. The recessed front of the scapular process is wrinkledabove the insertion of the pectoral fins. Trunk depressed, completely naked. Avery small rounded orifice betweeen the front of the scapula and the pectoralfins, as in Cetopsis candiru. The bones at the extremities of the thorax are joinedtogether under the throat with a sagittal suture. These bones are very firm andset in a thick, very strong arch, into which the pectoral fins are inserted laterally.The pectoral fins have an anterior ray which is very thick, depressed, osseousand serrated, and which can be positioned as the creature wills. Ventral finsopposite posterior rays of anterior dorsal fin. Adipose fin opposite anal fin, andof like size. Tail compressed at the base of its fin, which is emarginate. Coloryellowish, the head dusky and the back swarthy, mottled with black. Duskybands at bottom of abdomen and on sides of lobes of caudal fin.

Pectoral fin with 10 rays, ventral 7, anal 8 (apart from two smaller anteriorrays), the caudal 17 (apart from 6-8 rather small and very small rays inserted onboth sides), the anterior dorsal 8.

In the museum of Munich two specimens are preserved, one dried, 2}/2 feetlong, the other in spirits of wine, 12 inches long.

Inhabits the Amazon River.

X. PLATYSTOMA AGASS.

Head depressed, level on top and very long. Upper jaw protrudes forward.Mouth very large. Teeth villiform, tightly packed in broad bands in theintermaxillaries, the vomer and the lower jaw. A platform of villiform teeth inthe fifth branchial arch. Nasal fossae positioned laterally, located internally bythe maxillary barbel; they open out in four nares. Eyes small and positionedlaterally.

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24 . - PLATYSTOMA.

15 branchiostegal rays. Body completely naked, elongate, more or less depressedin front, elsewhere cylindrical, compressed towards the caudal fin. Two dorsalfins, that in the rear being adipose. First ray of dorsal fin very slightly strongerthan the rest. First ray of the pectoral fins very strong indeed, osseous .andserrated.

NOTE. The internal organs of the Phractoceplialus are long for the sole reason thattheshape of its body is what it is. The stomach is oblong and skinny, but with walls that arenot rough. The very celebrated von Spix had noted in reference to the specimen ofPlatystomaplania'ps that it fed on other fish. Piso, at page 63, refers to very many species of this genuswhich are different from those we know, the Curtii alone being very near kin to ourplanicsps.Siluriisfasdnl-iis Bloch (PI. 366) must also be referred here. I have not retained the namesgiven by Spix since it has been established that barbarian names should not be receivedfor the purpose of na tu ra l history. Also since names written by Spix himself on dryspecimens do not always agree with the names which are written on his pictures of them.Besides, di f ferent names have been given in different places to the same species offish.

1. PLATYSTOMA LIMA AGASS. PL XV

Head very depressed, flab, not reaching one third of body without caudalfin; upper jaw extends very far beyond the lower one; eyes situated in the lowerlateral margin of the head; body slightly compressed along its whole length; tailvery compressed at the tip; caudal fin forked, upper lobe pointed, lower loberounded, larger than the other; adipose fin small, pointed, above the middle ofanal fin.

Silnnis Limn Schneider Syst. pag. 384.—Sorubim infraoculare Spix.

Head very depressed, very elongated, flat, furrowed on the skull, slightlybroader than anterior part of body, not reaching one third of it without the caudalfin. Upper jaw arched, extending far beyond lower one. Intermaxillary teethbands, and the vomeral interrupted one, arched and completely separated onefrom the others. Six tiny barbels, the maxillary ones—towards which themaxillary bones are elongated for a long distance—elongated, produced laterallyfrom the space between the nostrils to beyond the pectoral fins; mandibularones shorter. Nostrils disposed in a transverse parallelogram, almost at theextremity of the snout, the anterior ones almost round, the posterior ones oblong.The eyes are behind the angle of the mouth, in the space midway between thetip of the snout and the posterior angle of the opercle, along the lower margin ofthe head. The body is somewhat compressed, slightly depressed on the nape,very compressed near the tip of the tail. The lateral line is very straight. Theanterior dorsal fin is situated between the pointed pectoral fins and the pointedventral fins; its anterior simple ray is quite thick and serrated along its posteriorside and on both sides at the tip. Adipose fin small, pointed, opposite to thelong anal fin. Caudal fin forked, with unequal lobes, the upper one smaller,pointed, the lower one larger and rounded. Head confusely blackish brownabove, back vivid dark brown, sides and abdomen silvery; a broad black stripeabove the lateral line from the upper angle of the opercle to the extremity of thelower lobe of the caudal fin; fins reddish.

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PLATYSTOMA, 25

Pectoral fin with 9 rays/ ventral 6, anal 18 (apart from 3 smaller rays in front)/caudal 20 (the upper lobe 8/ the lower lobe 12) apart from 6 smaller rays on theupper side/ and 10 on the lower side; anterior dorsal fin with 7 rays.

In the Museum at Munich/ a single specimen is preserved in spirits of wine9 inches long.

Inhabits rivers of equatorial Brazil.

2. PLATYSTOMA PLANICEPS AGASS. PL XII.

Head wholly level/ equal to a third part of the body with the caudal finexcepted. Upper jaw somewhat pointed/ extends well beyond lower jaw. Bodysub-cylindrical but depressed anteriorly. Lateral line somewhat 'archeddownwards towards the front of the body but elsewhere very straight. Caudalfin forked and with pointed lobes. Adipose fin pointed.

Sorubim Pirauaca Spix. (The name of this fish has also been written asPirayapea.)

Head very depressed/ wholly level/ greatly depressed at the neck. It is verymuch broader than the body and its length is equal to a third part of the bodylength with the caudal fin excepted. Upper jaw arched at the top/ somewhatpointed and extending very far beyond the'lower jaw. The bands of theintermaxillary and vomeral teeth are separated by an arched bare space. Sixbarbels, the two maxillary barbels being rather rough and extended beyond theventral fins. The other 4 are on the lower jaw; those outside are short and thosewithin are very short. Nares set out in a transverse parallelogram/ those behindare near the maxillary barbels/ very little distant from each other. Byes placedlaterally, sub-ovate/ nearer the tip of the snout than the rear angle of theoperculum. Body depressed anteriorly/ elsewhere cylindrical and pressed downtowards upper end of tail. Lateral line curves slightly downwards at the front/-elsewhere very straight. Anterior dorsal fin set in the space which lies betweenthe pointed pectoral fins (whose anterior ray is rough, osseous and serratedonly on the inner side), and the "ventral fins which are equally pointed. It ishowever/ closer to the latter fins. Adipose fin pointed and lies opposite thepointed anal fin. Caudal fin forked and has pointed lobes. The head, back andsides- are of a deep olive colour/ marked with small found spots. The fins areolive-coloured, pink at the tips. The anterior dorsal fin and the pectoral finshave black spots. The abdomen and the sides have a silvery sheen below. Fromthe pectoral fin, above the ventral fins, almost right down to caudal fin, there isa broken olive-coloured line.

In the Museum in Munich a single dried specimen is preserved 25 incheslong.

Inhabits rivers .of equatorial Brazil: the Amazon, Solimoes, Rio Negro.

- There is a figure of this fish with its mouth open/ and the body is/ for thatreason/not altogether level/ and the trunk is rougher than it naturally is.

Ill

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26 PLATYSTOMA.

3. PLATYSTOMA SPATULA AGASS. PL XIV.

Head very broad, equal to more than a third of the length the of body, withthe caudal fin excepted. Upper jaw obtuse, extends very far beyond the lowerjaw. Body cylindrical. Tail somewhat compressed. Lateral line somewhat curveddownwards anteriorly. Caudal fin deeply divided, with pointed lobes. Adiposefin triangular.

Sontbim Jandid Sprx (The name of this fish is also written as Pirayapea).

Head very broad, depressed and gently sloping from the nape of the neck,hollowed on the neck. Snout wholly level. Upper jaw angular, extends so farbeyond the lower jaw that the broad bands of the tightly packed and very smallteeth on the intermaxillary bones can be seen from the outside when the mouthis closed. The vomeral teeth join the band of teeth on the intermaxillaries. In the3-foot specimen we have there is an area as broad as the breadth of 3 thumbs, inthe upper jaw, crowded with teeth. Bands of teeth on lower jaw narrow. Nareslocated at tip of snout. Those in front almost on the edge of the upper lip, furtheraway from each other than the nares behind, which open out between themaxillary barbels. Eyes positioned laterally, closer to the tip of the snout than tothe rear angle of the operculum. The shoulder extends backwards and is creased.Body sub-cylindrical. Tail compressed at its upper end. Lateral line somewhatcurved downwards anteriorly. Ventral fins opposite rear end of rayed dorsalfin. Pectoral fins pointed, the anterior ray rough, osseous and serrate on eitherside. Adipose fin triangular and opposite the rectangular anal fin. Caudal fin isdeeply divided in its middle, has pointed lobes. The head is a reddish yellow.The fins and the back bright red, becoming lighter and pink on the sides. Thehead and the dorsal fin, also the pectoral and ventral fins are maculated withsmall round black spots. The caudal fin is yellow at its tip.

Pectoral fin with 11 rays, ventral 6, anal 10 (that in front being simple), caudal19 (apart from 4 to 5 lesser rays on the sides). The anterior dorsal fin has 7 rays.

In the Museum at Munich an imperfect, dried specimen is preserved, morethan 3 feet long.

Inhabits rivers of equatorial Brazil.

4. PLATYSTOMA CORRUSCANS AGASS. PL XIII.

Head sub-cylindrical, depressed above, equal in length to a third part of thebody with the caudal fin excepted. Snout very depressed. Upper jaw rounded,extending scarcely at all beyond lower jaw. Body cylindrical. Tail compressed atits apex. Lateral line almost straight. Caudal fin deeply divided, with roundlobes. Adipose fin rounded.

Pimelodus coiruscans Berlin Museum (after the illustrious Wiegmann.)

Sorubim Capamry Spix.

Head sub-cylindrical, level on top. Snout depressed. There is a scute in the middle ofthe neck which extends to the nape and into a rising obtuse process; a rhomboidal, narrow,long fossa which is rather wide

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above the eyes. Eyes positioned laterally, small, set in middle of head. Nares located in atransverse parallelogram, those in front being close to and between the maxillary barbels.Upper jaw extends beyond lower jaw, but not so far that the intermaxillary teeth can all beseen from outside when the mouth is closed, as in the rest of our species. Maxillary barbelsextend right down to the ventral fins. Mandibular barbels, 4 in number, much shorter.Body is cylindrical. Tail compressed at-the upper end. Lateral line almost straight butslightly curved downwards only in the middle. Pectoral fins pointed, set below the angleof the operculum, the first ray rough, osseous, flattened and serrated on the lower side.Ventral fins round with the anterior ray simple. Anterior dorsal fin, set in the space betweenthe pectoral and ventral fins, has a simple ray in front, the rest being scarcely rougher.Adipose fin round, opposite the anal fin, whose anterior ray is simple. Caudal fin deeplydivided in its middle, with lobes which are altogether round. The head is yellowish brown;the fins and the sides above the lateral line are yellowish gold, turning to silver below. Thesides below the lateral line are wholly yellow. The dorsal fins, the caudal fin, the back andthe sides have a sprinkling of larger or smaller round spots, or oblong black spots whichare surrounded with rings of a slightly lighter colour.

Pectoral fin with 11 rays, ventral 6, anal 10, caudal 15 (apart from 4 to 5smaller rays on both sides) and the anterior dorsal fin has 7.

In the Museum at Munich there is a defective, dried specimen preserved, 25inches long.

Inhabits the Sao Francisco River in central Brazil.

5. PLATYSTOMA TRUNCATUM AGASS. PI. XIII. a.

Head very depressed and level, strictly equal in length to a third part of thebody down to the extremity of the caudal fin. Upper jaw truncate and extendsonly very slightly beyond lower jaw. Body sub-cylindrical and very slightlydepressed in front. Lateral line very straight. Caudal fin deeply divided, haslarge lobes on the sides. Adipose fin not especially prominent, placed oppositethe caudal fin.

Head very large, very long and very depressed, equal in length to a third part of the(shortened) body right down to the tip of the caudal fin. These features make this fishparticularly worthy of note. In the middle of the scute on the head, there is a long rhomboidgroove quite deep extending from the nape to the snout. Upper jaw truncate, somewhatarched, extending slightly beyond lower jaw. The bands of the intermaxillary teeth are notvery wide and are concealed in the broad space away from the very wide vomeral band.The bands of the lower jaw are somewhat narrow. 6 barbels, shorter than in the otherspecies, not extending beyond the pectoral fins. 4 nares, those in front ovate and in front ofand slightly within the maxillary barbels, separated from each other more than the naresbehind are. These latter are found above the angle of the mouth and separated from thenares in front by a long space. They are branching, bent and admitting of being closed bya widely emerging flap of skin. Eyes positioned laterally, larger than in the other species,set in the space between the upper snout and the rear angle of the operculum. Bodysomewhat depressed in front but cylindrical elsewhere, and compressed at the tip of thetail. Lateral line is very straight. Anterior dorsal fin has a simple ray in front which isscarcely rougher than the rest. The fin itself is opposite the middle of the space betweenthe pectoral fins (which are pointed and have a first ray which is serrated underneath andrough and osseous) and the rounded ventral fins. Adipose fin

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28 PLATYSTOMA. HETEROBRANCHUS.

stands out only very slightly. It is round and set opposite the rectangular anal fin. Caudalfin deeply divided and has wide round lobes with rays which are very much compressed,very wide and simple, merely striated. The whole fish is flame-coloured. The head is adirty yellow, the dorsal and caudal fins have black spots.

Pectoral fin with 11 rays, ventral 6, anal 10 (apart from 2 smaller anterior rays), thecaudal 17 (apart from 5 to 6 smaller and very small rays almost concealed by skin on bothsides).

In the Museum at Munich there is an imperfect, dried specimen 3 feet long.

Inhabits the rivers Japura and Solimoes in equatorial Brazil.

XL HETEROBRANCHUS SEXTENTACULATUS SPIX. PL XL

Having examined the illustrious Spix's pictures/ the illustrious Cuvier doubtswhether this fish belongs to the genus Heterobranchus. Whether he is right I amunable to affirm since the single specimen in the Museum at Munich consistsonly of a poorly preserved skin. There are, indeed, gill lamellae, but I was unableto take note of their appendages, which are bundled together in the third andfourth gill arches, although for many months I softened the skin in spirits ofwine. Until researchers in this area conduct an investigation on a fresh specimenof this fish, a doubt remains whether it should rather be depicted under Pimelodusin the stricter sense in terms of the most recent definitions of this genus, whoseexternal characteristics it does exhibit. Teeth elongate, densely packed in bandson the intermaxillary and mandible. Vomer edentate. Head with a wrinkledscute, very small compared to body, flat on top, the sides perpendicular. Atransverse section through the eyes exhibits the shape of a square. Eyes placedlaterally, oval, near the edge of the scute of the head. 4 nares, set apart in what isalmost a square. The barbels on the upper jaw and on its sides extend to themiddle of the space between the nares and proceed right down to the ventralfins. The scute of the operculum is creased. Trunk cylindrical, completely naked.Tail compressed. Lateral line slightly curved downwards in the middle. Pectoralfins pointed; the first ray rough, osseous and serrated on the outside. Ventralfins elongated and rounded at the tip. Below the end of the anterior dorsal fin,which throughout its width is equally elevated, there is in front a simple ray.Adipose fin very wide and appears to be fibrous, perhaps on account of drying.Anal fin below middle of adipose fin; it is small and round. Caudal fin deeplydivided, has long, narrow, pointed lobes. The whole fish is grey but a dirty whiteunderneath.

Pectoral fin with 11 rays, ventral 6, anal 9 (apart from 2 smaller anteriorrays), caudal 17 (apart from 3 to 4 smaller rays on either side hidden under theskin). Anterior dorsal fin with 7 rays, that in front being simple. 7 branchiostegalrays.

In the Museum at Munich there is a single specimen preserved, dried, 12inches long.

Inhabits rivers of equatorial Brazil.

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FAMILY III. CLUPEOIDEI Cuv.

Diagnosis. Head completely naked or covered with osseous scutes/ neverscaly. Upper jaw fashioned medially out of intermaxillaries (which are non-protrusible)/ and on the sides by bones of the upper jaw; edentate or solitarysharp teeth or villiform teeth. Gill opening very large. Trunk always coveredwith large scales. No adipose fm.i -

Description. Body more or less compressed/ at the abdomen acutely ridge-shaped and serrated, in some species rounded/ covered with large scales which/in some species are thin and deciduous and in others rough/ osseous and firmlyadhered to the skin. Fins generally short. A single dorsal fin. No adipose fin.Ventral fins are lacking in Pristigaster alone. Head completely naked or coveredwith broad osseous scutes all over; never covered with scales. In some generathe mouth is small/ almost round/ edentate or armed with very small teeth. Inothers/ to be sure/ by large/ sharp/ transverse teeth/ sewn down at the "margins.In the palate/ "minute villiform teeth. The edge of the mouth is in its middledefined above by the intermaxillary's non-protrusible bones/ and on the sidesby bones of the maxilla/ and below by the lower jaw. Gill opening very large.

Air bladder present in all the genera. There are pyloric appendages in severalgenera. Stomach elongated and large..

LIST OF GENERA,

a) With rounded body.

- XH. SUDISCuv.

Head large/ very depressed/ bony on the outside. Mouth very large/transverse/ armed with long, conical teeth along its entire margin. Teeth in thepalate are villiform. Intermaxillary bones are quite wide and constitute the uppermargin of the mouth/ while the (upper) maxillary bones/ which are somewhatarched backwards and thin, constitute the sides of the upper jaw.

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30 - CLUPEOIDEI.

Eyes and nares at top of snout. 11 branchiostegal rays. Body long, compressedand covered with large osseous sutes. Dorsal fin very long, set opposite anal fin,and extends to the tip of the tail.

XIII. ERYTHRINUS GRONOV.

Head blunt, rounded, bony on the sides and creased, not scaly. Infraorbitalbones very large/ wholly covering the cheeks. Mouth very large, transverse andprovided with rather larger or smaller teeth alternating along the whole of itsedge. Intermaxillary bones of moderate size; those of the upper jaw are narrowand on either side support more than half of the upper lip. The bones of thepalate are covered with villif orm teeth. Tongue very wide, level, and unattachedat its tip. 5 branchiostegal rays. Body rather rounded and compressed towardsthe apex of the tail, covered with large scales. Dorsal fin positioned oppositeventral fins.

b) Body compressed.

XIV. OSTEOGLOSSUM VANDELLI.

Head small, compressed and completely naked. Infraorbital bones completelycover the cheeks. Eyes positioned at top of snout. Mouth very large, with teethin the upper jaw, vomer, palate and tongue. 2 barbels at the mandibularsymphysis. Body very compressed and covered with very large scales. Abdomenridge-shaped. Dorsal and anal fins very wide and the latter is conjunct with thecaudal fin.

XV. GLOSSODUS Cuv.

Head pointed, compressed and naked. Eyes placed laterally. Mouth small.Villif orm teeth in the intermaxillary bones, which constitute the whole uppermargin of the mouth, also in the lower jaw and in vomer. Upper jaw edentate.Tongue cartilaginous and edentate. Rather large, tuberculate teeth in the hyoidbone and palate. Body scaled, somewhat compressed. At the insertion of theventral fins the scales greatly lengthened and retrorse.

XVI. ENGRAULIS Cuv.

Head compressed and naked. Eyes extend to tip of snout. Mouth very large.Intermaxillaries very small and set below the tip of the snout. Upper maxillarybones very long

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and extend beyond lower jaw. Teeth very sharp in all bones of the mouth. Gillopening perhaps larger than in all other fishes. Body compressed. Abdomenridge-shaped. Ventral fins ahead of the dorsal fin.

XVII. CLUPEA LINN. Cuv.

Head compressed and completely naked. Eyes large, set laterally. The bonesof the upper jaw are divided into several lamellae; edentate or very few teeth.On the inner margin of the branchial arches are large bony processes whichserve as teeth. Gill opening very large. Body very compressed and covered withdeciduous scales. Abdomen ridge-shaped and serrated. Ventral fins oppositedorsal fin.

XVIII. PRISTIGASTER Cuv.

Head compressed and naked. Eyes very large. Mouth small, provided withvery small teeth. Body very compressed/ short and covered with scales. Abdomensharply ridged and deeply serrated. No ventral fins.

XII. SUDIS GIGAS Cuv. PL XVI

Sudis Pirarual Spix

Since only a skeleton of this fish is preserved in the Museum at Munich, Ihave no means of saying more than what our picture contains. All I can do is todescribe the skeleton rather accurately. I shall begin with the very well-definedcaudal vertebrae and thereafter describe the abdominal vertebrae and theextremities, proceeding hence very broadly to a description of the head.

The backbone consists of 80 vertebrae. These resemble very short cylinders, thelongitudinal diameter of which does not exceed half the width except for those at the endof the tail, whose length and breadth are about equal, so that they appear to be almostquadrangular. The body of all the vertebrae on their anterior and posterior surfaces is sohollowed out that the hollow is not wholly concave but conical. Between each set of twovertebrae there is a bi-conical space which is filled with cartilage in between. The outersurface of each vertebra is itself concave, so that the margins of pairs of vertebrae effect attheir jointure a hard, prominent rim. These concave surfaces are marked by very smallfossulae and foramina, to which muscles are attached and blood vessels enter. The uppervertebral arches fit very well together. The 42 lower arches on the tail are of the samenature as the upper arches, and continue similarly into spiny processes. But 38 anterior orabdominal arches differ markedly in that they are open underneath and

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32 - SUDIS.

exhibit articulated ribs. The extremities of the upper arches extend forwards from theupper anterior edge of the vertebral discs, ascend a little way vertically, then suddenlybendbackwards at an angle of 45°. In this angle itself every arch has a short process which,bending forwards, is provided with a jointed surface at its tip, where it is joined with thearch immediately in front, so that all the arches are joined one with another and the sectionsof the backbone are all firmly jointed together. At this jointure, on both sides, betweenpairs of discs and their arch, large foramina are found in which the spinal nerves proceed.It is indeed remarkable that on the lower margin of each foramen on the lower side of eachdisc, -a small unattended process appears which divides those openings almost entirelyinto two parts. But the division is not complete since it does not extend all the way towhere the arches join one another. The extremities of the arches are joined at the upperend in a solid process and give rise to spiny process of the vertebrae. This happens only inthe lower part of the backbone, while in the middle of the backbone and thence in the

. middle of the arch, the farther back the extremities are, the farther forward and moredeeply they are joined together. Between each pair of processes there is a spine which isjointed only with the ligaments themselves, and at the lower end is attached loosely amongmuscles. The rays of the dorsal fin are jointed with the upper end of the arches.' Thesespines between the vertebrae are rather small and thin in front, but become larger in sizeand weight the farther back they occur, right down to the anterior third part of the dorsalfin, where they attain their largest size; and from that place they gradually become smallerand disappear altogether behind the dorsal fin. The lower arches of the vertebrae of thetail are similar to the upper arches; from a point very close to the vertebral column theextremities give rise to the lower spinal processes, between whose apices the spinesthemselves are attached to ligaments in the same manner as the spines above. At the tip ofthose spines which, in the whole series, occupy the central area, the rays of the anal fin arejointed. The extremities of the lower vertebral arches of the tail are turned backwardsfrom their insertion in an angle of about 40°. A groove which is formed by the juncture ofthe extremities broadens out gradually towards the anus; and in the same manner as isnoted above, extremities and processes which are coarser and firmer emerge and extendto that canal below which the anus opens. The extremities here are even and spatulate andthe spinal process is not compressed along its sides like those of extremities behind. It ishollowed out in a broad depression on the anterior surface throughout its length; such adepression is found also in the nearest posterior processes but is not extended throughouttheir length. The rays of the caudal fin are joined together on a wide truncated apicalplatform of the spiny processes of the lowest vertebrae, which diverge like spokes of awheel at the upper end of the tail. From the anus, in the direction of the head, lie theabdominal vertebrae which are of such a nature that their extremities, which are not jointed

. underneath, do not get larger from the lower part of the body, but are gradually set higheron the sides of the body, so that they look outwards horizontally at the seventh or eighthdisc. Worthy of special mention is the fact that their exterior sections are joined togetherlike so many ribs in front of the vertebrae, some longer others shorter (they are shorter infront and longer in the rear of the trunk). There are transverse processes which are verywide, on the apices of which the spines are joined together. These processes are flat orcompressed horizontally. These transverse processes rise out of sides of the vertebrae(contrariwise, in the tail such processes arise in the lower part of the vertebrae). It thuscomes about that the vertebrae are set as though in a ridge more deeply set into theabdominal cavity; the sides of this ridge are marked on every vertebra with oblong deepdepressions, one on each side of the posterior abdominal vertebrae, two in the vertebraein the middle and three in the anterior vertebrae.

The extremities of the bones of the thorax, which are commonly called the scapulargirdle, are formed by the bones mentioned below. The shape and the jointure of thesebones I shall set out in a few words. The os suprascapulare is broad and level. Its internalsurface is concave on the inside and perforated outside both in front and behind (the

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perforations are the vents of the canal of the lateral line); the anterior edge of this bone isdeeply excised so that the lower process commencing from the excision is rather long andslender, and at its end is provided with a articulated surface to enable it to be jointed witha rock-hard bone. There is an upper process too which is attached to the outer occipitalbone. The os scapulare is entirely level and is jointed with the upper part of the shoulderand with the os suprascapulare by the lower end of which it is covered up to one-third ofits length from above. The stylus coracoideus is lacking in our specimen. The os humeri iscurved in its middle so as to exhibit two branches, one vertical and compressed on its sideand level, and the;other horizontal, very much depressed and very wide. The anterioredge of the vertical branch is rough and forms a strong crest .which extends. along themiddle of the upper surface of the horizontal branch up to the junction of the bones of theshoulder; on the inner surface of the crest, a processes arises which is joined with the ulnain a genuine suture. At this junction a strong arch arises which forms a depression at thejunction of a ray with the lower posterior section of the humerus and the ulna. Thedepression itself provides- a crossing in the muscles which draw the pectoral fin to thebody. The exterior end of the horizontal branch emerges from the lower rough edge itselfof the vertical branch. At its beginning it is coiled, but gradually levels out towards theend. The lower surface of this horizontal branch is level except in the posterior angle,where a bony crest arises in the same place where the posterior margin of the verticalbranch spreads out on to the surface of the horizontal branch. The ulna is level, extendingin front to the juncture of the bones of the humerus; it is rough at the rear. Between itslower part and the humerus, there is the radius whose posterior edge is provided with alarge surface in front of where the first ray of the pectoral fin is attached. The ossa carpiare three in number, joined together by the internal edge of the radius. The pectoral fin hastwelve rays in all, the first of which is simple although it is articulated. It is much strongerat the base and rougher than the other rays, which are all jointed and divided into manysections at their tips. The extremities of the pelvis are lacking in our specimen.

The head *) is in the form of an elongated cylinder, depressed on top. Its length ismore than twice its breadth. The lower jaw scarcely extends beyond the upper jaw; theeyes are very small; the cheeks are wholly covered by rough bones. All the bones of thehead on the outside are creased and furrowed; there are many mucous canals in them,which open out in level furrows on their external surface.

On the bony head of the fish you may discern the bones of the cranium and variousorgans which are joined together in articulation one with another, such as the operculumwith the supratemporal bones, the temporal plates and palate, also the suborbital bones,as also the jaws with their teeth and the branchial apparatus with the hyoid bone.

*) Lest there be difficulty in understanding my descriptions of the skeletons of fishes, Imust here explain that I have used the terminology which the celebrated Cuvier usedin his most recent fine book Histoire naturelle des poissons, although I cannot agreealtogether with some of his determinations. I myself have serious doubts about hisexplanation of parts of the occipital bone, the temporal bone and the bones of theoperculum and the neck; but this is not the place for discussing these matters. Thegreater the differences are in opinions relating to comparison of these parts of thehead with those of mammals, birds and reptiles, the greater will be their usefulness toscience. If the terminology adopted by the illustrious Cuvier in his zoologicaldescriptions were received until their significance could be ascertained with certainty,that would be most beneficial and would continue to be useful until others provide usfor the future with images of skeletons of fishes. It would be as useful if the latterwould all denote on their picture in the same way and with the same numbers whichCuvier used in the very different representations of the head of the common perch. Inthis way the pictures of all authors could very easily be compared one with anotherand facility would be provided eventually to make it possible to define which bonesare regarded as being applicable only to instances of joining of bones or to the partsonly of a single bone.

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34 SUDIS.

I shall describe the bones of the cranium in the following order so that they moreeasily be reviewed. 1°) the basicranial bones (unpaired): the processes of the atlas bone,the basal bone of the occiput, the principal sphaenoid bone, the anterior sphaenoid bone(this is unpaired in most other species but is paired in Sudis), the vomer; 2°) the superocranialbones; the upper occipital bone (unpaired), the upper part of the exterior occipital bone(paired) and of the mastoid bone (paired), the parietal bone (paired), the principal frontalbone (paired), the nasal bone (paired); 3°) the laterocranial bones; the lower part of theexternal occipital bone and of the mastoid bone, the otolith (paired), the lateral occipitalbone (paired) the large wing of the sphaenoid bone (paired), the posterior frontal bone(paired), the orbital wing (paired), the anterior frontal bone (paired), and the ethmoidbone (unpaired).

Cause for wonder is the structure of the base of the cranium and its articulation withthe first vertebra of the trunk, on the lower side of whose anterior margin are two verylong antrorse processes (referred to as transverse) and very depressed, wholly level, parallelto each other and produced anteriorly in a longitudinal cleft, being separated from eachother; in this cleft is found the ridge of the basalbone of the head. The apices of the processesof the atlas bone are joined together very closely by sutures in furrows lying on the sidesof the principal sphaenoid bone; such an articulation of the atlas bone with the craniumhas nowhere been noted in the whole animal kingdom. The body of the os basilare iscylindrical at the rear. Its articulated surface is conical, similar to that of the vertebrae, andis joined with the atlas bone by intervertebral cartilage. From the inferior margin and infront of the vertebra a spatulate plate proceeds, much longer anteriorly, and lies againstthe posterior apex of the principal sphaenoid bone. In the middle of the lower surface ofthat plate rises a ridge which is joined with the outgrowths of the atlas bone, and thatridge enters the vertebral process in a cleft. The edges of the basal bone on their sides andthe upper surface are joined by sutures with the lateral occipital bone, and their anteriorcorner is joined with the large wing. The os sphaenoideum principale is very long, quitebroad, with lateral edges that are parallel to each other throughout its entire length. In itsmiddle, on both sides, there are transverse processes which are strong, provided with anarticulated surface by which it is itself joined with the surface of the pterygoid bone. Theupper surface of the sphaenoid bone is narrow and the greatest part of it forms the base ofthe cranial cavity. On the lower surface there is a key-hole shaped space covered all overwith minute teeth packed together so that it faces backwards in its wider margin. Theposterior part of the sphaenoid bone extends into two processes, the exterior side of whichis incised, with a deep furrow for the enterance of the processes. The lateral margin issutured to all the bones which make up the sides of the cranium; above the transverseprocess of the sphaenoid bone itself lies the anterior sphaenoid bone, and a little behind itis the great wingbetween which and the anterior sphaenoid bone a space is left, and in theanterior part of its edge lies the anterior frontal and the ethmoid bone. The vomer is joinedwith the lower apex and particularly with the forward section of the lower surface of thesphaenoid bone. The first bone of the base of the cranium, the under surface of which islevel and covered all over with minute teeth, is like that of the sphaenoid bone. The uppersurface has very many articulations and is joined in its upper section with the lowest partof the apex of the sphaenoid bone in its middle with the ethmoid bone. In its middle asurface emerges which is heavily indented and by it this bone is joined with the basalbone. In front of it is a deep furrow which is rounded and with which the upper maxillarybone is linked; the forward edge of the vomer is joined with the intermaxillary bones andthe anterior part of the lateral margin is joined with the palatal bone.

The upper cranium, at its front, covers the following bones: the os nasale is level,rather long and perforated with a mucous canal. The upper surface is creased and itsanterior edge is joined with the intermaxillary bone. A little behind is a very rough surfaceby which it is connected with

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the vomer. Besides, the lower surface is joined with the ethmoid bone and the posterioredge with the frontal bone. The edges themselves on the inside are joined one with anotherand the outer edge with the suborbital bones. The os frontale is more than twice as long asit is broad, very level and perforated lengthwise by a mucous canal. In the middle of thisupper surface there is a furrow, very rough, perforated and mucous; the lower surface islight, apart from having a rough crest in its middle whose anterior section is joined withthe ethmoid bone, its middle section with the anterior frontal bone, while its rear section isdivided, joined with the orbital wing in its exterior rearward angle and at the same timewith the plate of the mastoid bone and the parietal bone, it is joined in one and sited by theposterior extremity of the frontal bones; the inner edges of the frontal bones are joined onewith another by sutures and the outer margins are joined by links with the sub-orbitalbones. The os parietale is perforated by a mucous canal and at the outer rearward anglethere is a mucous fossa. Its posterior margin is wider than the anterior one. The anteriorsection of the lower surface is smooth and enters into the structure of the cranial cavity.The rearward section partly covers the upper sections of the occipital bone. On its outerside it is joined with the mastoid bone by sutures. The inner edge of the parietal bones arejoined one with another and the outer edge with the inner edge of the plate of the horizontalmastoid bone. It is also joined with the large wing, a small process of which lies in betweenmastoid bone and the external outer edge of the parietal bones. The os mastoideum; theposterior section is rough and separated sharply from the rest of it. There is an upperhorizontal plate, greatly extended forwards. This horizontal plate forms the exterior marginof the rear section of the cranium and is perforated longitudinally by a mucous canal. Inits upper middle surface is found a creased mucous fossa. The lower surface of this plateis joined by sutures with the frontal bone at its rear and the top of the edge of the largewing. The superior supratemporal bone is joined with the internal side of the posterioredge, while the inferior subtemporal bone is joined with the outer side, which itself is alsojoined with the upper supratemporal bone. The rough section of the mastoid bone isperforated with a mucous canal and is joined above with the parietal bone, while its inneredge is joined with the outer occipital bone and its upper edge with the petrous bone, andthe anterior edge finally with the large wing, all in sutures. Its outer surface is light belowand is perforated by many wide foramina; in its upper section there is a long jointed fossa,extending from the outer margin of its horizontal plate. The fossa is concave, serving forentry of a process of the superio-posterior end of the temporal bone. The os occipitaleexterior is rather small, lying in the midst of the mastoid bone, the parietal bone, theupper occipital bone, the lateral bone and the petrous bone, and joined with them bysutures. It is extended backwards in a bulbous process to which is joined an upper sectionwith a large fleshy side. Between it, the mastoid bone and the petrous bone is found alarge opening, perhaps an auditory opening, but I am unable to sketch this with any degreeof certainty since I am unable to examine its winding path in the excessively dry cranium.The os occipitale superior is level on top and almost wholly covered by bones on its sides.Since it is externally joined by sutures with the outer occipital bone in the centre, it extendsto a crest which is very compressed on its sides but dearly marked; it is perforated bymucous canals which open out in furrows lying outside the inner surface; the lower partof its outer edge is joined with the lateral occipital bone. The lower surface is light andconcave, forming the upper posterior section of the cranium. It is divided into three furrowsby two circular fossae. The otolith is very small, lying between the mastoid bone and theexterior and lateral occipital bones, joined with them by sutures. It is extended backwardsinto a small process, the extremity of which is joined at its lower end with the suprascapularbone; on the outside, another small process is joined with a process at the rear of the largewing. By means of this jointure an arch rises above the lateral occipital bone.

The bones which cover the cranium on its sides are the following: the os occipitalelaterale is inelegant, multi-angled, exhibiting several surfaces. The inner surface is lightand well marked, with two

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fossae in front. These depressions are perforated at their base by large foramina. The outersurface is porous, rough and provided with very many crests and processes for articulationwith surrounding bones. The inner section of the upper edge is joined with the upperoccipital bone, the middle section with the outer occipital bone, and the outer part withthe mastoid bone, all in sutures. One of its processes is linked with the otolith and with thelarge wing. The anterior margin also is linked with the large wing, the lower edge and theposterior edge with the basal bone of the occiput. The ala magna ossis sphaenoidei isobliquely squarish, quite level on top; there is a mucous canal opening into the anteriorupper angle and the posterior lower angle. The posterior upper angle extends to a longnarrow process which is joined with the otolith and the lateral occipital bone by sutures;the upper edge is very rough, joined with the mastoid bone; between the anterior part ofthis edge and the horizontal plate in the mastoid bone, an open space is left in the drycranium. The rearward margin is joined with the lateral occipital bone; the lower edge issharp and is joined with the principal sphaenoid bone, while the anterior edge is in itsupper section joined with the rear of the frontal bones, all by sutures; between these bones,the anterior sphaenoid, the principal sphaenoid and the lower part of the lower margin ofthe large wing, there is a large opening which is the sphaenopalatine cleft. In the middle ofthe internal surface there is a prominent sharp crest which divides the surface into twoparts, of which the anterior is more level, while the posterior crest is again divided intotwo parts, the part below being the smaller and the part above being much the larger,whichlike a concealed canal is extended right up to the anterior margin of these bones. The osfrontale posterior is level above and joined with the horizontal plate of the mastoid boneand with the parietal and principal frontal bones by sutures." In the middle of the lowersurface there is a process which is strong and partially retrorse. It is joined with the upperedge of the large wing. There are two lateral plates attached to the sides of that wing, theone on the outside slightly concave, whose anterior margin is joined with the anteriorsphaenoid bone. The lower margin is joined with the orbital wing by sutures; the internaledge is very convex and looks towards the cavity of the cranium. To the rear of the middleof the process, at the rear external angle of the posterior frontal bone, is a deep, articulatedfossa for the admission of the jointed anterior upper process of the temporal bone. The ossphaenoideum anterior, which in most species is unpaired, is paired in Sudis. It has a rod-Eke formation, narrow but widening at the base, which is joined with the upper sphaenoidbones above the very transverse outgrowth of that bone in a suture. It rises obliquelybackwards and is joined at its apex with the lower anterior margin of the posterior frontalbone, and at its anterior margin with the orbital wing all along its length, evenly withsutures. The ala orbitalis is situated between the anterior sphaenoid bone, the posteriorpart of the principal frontal bone and the anterior edge of the posterior frontal bone withwhich it is joined by sutures. In its lower part there is an opening and between its anterioredge and the principal frontal bone, and between the posterior edge of the anterior frontalbone and the sphaenoid bone, there is a large open space, which is the upper cleft of theorbital wing. The os frontale anterior is narrow and elongated vertically. It lies betweenthe anterior part of the principal frontal bone and the sphaenoidal bone with which it isjoined by sutures. Its posterior edge is widely concave. The os ethmoideum lies betweenthe nasal bones, the anterior frontal bones, the principal sphaenoid bone and the vomer,with which it is joined by sutures as well as by its posterior edge and its anterior frontalbone. All of it, or at least the middle of it is joined with the vomer; on its sides it has largecells and is perforated along its length on the outside by an open mucous canal. The jointuresof the nasal bone and of the principal frontal bone lie in that canal. The lateral edge isjoined with the first sub-orbital bone.

Only in a few fishes, as for example the carps, is the cranial cavity so surrounded as itis in the species Sudis. Three furrows are especially marked in the cranial cavity; the fossaposterior or articulation of the posterior of the cranium

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is indeed all that the canal is, conforming to the head from the basal bone by way of thelateral bones and the upper occipital bone; the openings correspond to the condyloid

• openings; the fossa media or the central articulation of the cranium is very wide but verynarrow, and is composed of the principal sphaenoid bone/ the large wings, the posteriorfrontal bones and the parietal bones. In the upper part of the large wing there is an ovaland.rounded opening. Between the large wing, the posterior frontal bone, the orbital wingand the anterior and principal sphaenoid bones, is a sphaenopalatine cleft. The fossaanterior," or the anterior articulation of the cranium, is very long and is made up of theanterior sphaenoid bones, an extension of the principal sphaenoid bone, the orbital wingsand the anterior frontal bones. In the orbital wing there is an opening for the eyes, and.between the anterior frontal bone and the orbital wing, the upper orbital fissure, finally,the vomer, the ethmoid bone and the nasal bones, which make up the nasal cavity whichis a fourth part of the cranium.

Apparatus temporalis etpalatinus: The os temporale is irregular, multi-angled andprovided with three articulated processes and very many sagittal bones on its margin.The posterior angle extends to a retrorse process, whose small articulated head is joined atits tip with-the operculum; the upper edge has two such small heads, that in front is largerand is jointed with the posterior frontal bone, while that behind is level and joined withthe mastoid bone. The anterior part of the lower edge is joined by sutures with thesymplectic bone and the bone of the tympanum. The anterior angle extends to a very longslender spine which is joined with a spine of the. outer surface of the internal pterygoidbone. The os symplecticum and os tympani are level and are joined, one with the other,by a scaly suture, forming a wide plate between the lower angle of the bone of thetympanum and the upper angle of the jugular bone, with which they are joined by a genuinesuture; moreover, the symplectic bone, is at this point joined with the pre-operculum, andthe bone of the tympanum on its internal side with the internal pterygoid bone. The osjugale is almost triangular. The upper edge is very long, being extended with the symplecticbone and the bone of the tympanum. The lower edge is rough and "the angle between thelower and outer edges provide a articulated platform for-seating the jointed bone of thelower jaw. The anterior upper part of the internal surface is jointed with the internalpterygoid bone; and the anterior upper angle is accommodated in a trough formed by theposterior apex of the palatal bone. The os pterygoideum internum is oblong, ovate andon the internal surface it is very slightly concave and covered by very small, tightly-packedteeth. The external surface is thin except at the rear end, which is joined with the jugularbone and the bone of the tympanum. The process of the posterior upper angle is joinedwith the anterior process of the temporal bone; between these processes and the externalsurface of the internal pterygoid bone there is an extended border which has a jointedsurface for seating the transverse process of the principal sphaenoid bone. The lower edgeis joined with the palatal bone and is of very nearly the same shape as that of the internalpterygoid bone, except that it is inverted, i.e. turned towards the forward part-of the upperside. The internal surface of that edge is similarly set with small teeth; the anterior sectionof the internal edge is joined with the vomer; but the posterior apex has a very deep furrowfor seating the anterior upper angle of the os jugale. The anterior part of the externalsurface is joined with the first suborbital bone and with the upper jaw bone. The bonesdescribed above, namely, the temporal bone, the bone of the tympanum, the symplecticbone, the os jugale, the internal pterygoid bone and the palatal bone, form- a large platewhich is joined with the external and lower sides of the cranium with a flexible jointure.They are similarly joined also with the bones of the operculum and also provide a seatingfor the lower maxillary bone. The bones of the operculum are the operculum itself, properlyso-called, and the os planum, which is wrinkled on the outside and furrowed, its posterioredge is rounded, its anterior margin is very straight and attached in its upper section atthe place where it meets the rounded. It is very

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rough and has a jointed cup-like formation in which the small articulated head of theposterior process of the temporal bone is lodged. On the smooth internal surface of theoperculum there is an elevated crest which extends from that cup-like formation to thelower posterior angle. The pre-operculum extends beyond the junction of the operculumwith the temporal bone/ and they are both covered by what are called the ossibussupratemporalibus, of which the upper lies at the posterior angle of the mastoid bone,from which there runs a cloven mucous canal which is continuous with the lateral line;the lower is set externally near the horizontal plate of the same mastoid bone between theoperculum and the suborbital bone with which it is connected, and thus entirely coversthe articulation of the temporal bone with the operculum. These supratemporal bonescannot in any way be called bones of the cranium because they are only bone-like scaleswith their shape very slightly modified. The supra temporal bone is the topmost scale ofthe (lateral) line and below it is the scale of the operculum. At the lower anterior angle ofthe operculum lies the sub-operculum, very small and almost triangular, between the loweredge of the angle of the operculum and the inter-operculum, joined with both themembranes of the operculum. The lower edge of the sub-operculum is rounded and in itsupper angle is rough. The pre-operculum in this genus is similar in its form to a right-angled triangle, one of whose shorter sides, that lying behind, is joined to the anterioredge of the operculum; but the other shorter side, which is set lower, is parallel with theentire lower margin of the inter-operculum; the middle and lower section of the hypotenuse,where it descends obliquely from the upper to the lower end, is joined with the symplecticbone and with the os jugale. The internal surface of the pre-operculum is thin and in itsmiddle, outside, there is a crest at a right angle, parallel to the rear lower edge of the pre-operculum. With the middle of this crest are joined the wide suborbital bones; and fromthe middle of this crest two smaller crests extend to the rear edge and three other crests tothe lower edge, proceeding thence to the external margin, forming between themselvesand the middle of the crest mucous fossae which communicate one with another inlongitudinal canals cleft in the bone. A canal which perforates the pre-operculum connectswith that of the supratemporal bone and through it with the cleft in the lateral line. Theinter-operculum is lanceolate, connected on its rather broad posterior edge with the sub-operculum and the operculum. The lower edge is joined with the pre-operculum in such away that the inter-operculum which leans against the internal surface of the pre-operculumcan scarcely be seen from the outside. The lateral branches of the hyoid bone are joinedwith the internal surface of the inter-operculum.

The ossa suborbitalia: the anterior bone is analogous to the lachrymal bone and isjoined with the ethmoid bone, forming the anterior edge of the orbit. It is triangular, witha mucous furrow near its anterior angle. It is joined with the intermaxillary bone, theupper maxillary bone and the bone of the palate. The second bone is joined along itsupper edge with the principle frontal bone and its anterior angle with the posterior angleof the anterior suborbital bone. It also forms the upper part of the rear margin of the orbit.There are two mucous furrows at the posterior edge at its point of meeting with the thirdsuborbital bone; the third bone is the largest, longest, lying adjacent to the outer margin ofthe principle frontal bone and the plate of the horizontal mastoid bone, with which isjoined by membranes and extends down to the lower subtemporal bone, covering theentire upper part of the cheeks. Its posterior edge is joined with the lower subtemporalbone with which it forms a mucous furrow. It is joined also with the pre-operculum whilethe lower edge is joined with the fourth suborbital bone and its anterior edge with thesecond; the lower anterior apex is extended right down to the edge of the orbit; the fourthbone of the same group of the suborbital bone is almost as large as the third and has amucous canal in front; it is very sharp and forms only a small part of the edge of the lowerorbit; the lower edge at its rear is joined with the pre-operculum. The fifth bone is triangular;its upper angle is obtuse and forms the middle section of the lower edge of the orbit. Theanterior edge is joined with the first suborbital bone. The posterior edge is joined with thefourth, and the lower edge is unattached. There are two mucous fossae in the lower partof the external surface. 124

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The jaws are equal/ the lower forms much of the edge of the mouth. The upper takes itsshape in the middle from the intermaxillary bone and on the side from the bones of theupper jaws. The opening of the mouth is semilunate. The os intermaxillare is arched onthe rough anterior edge while behind it widens out into a plate, the upper surface ofwhich is joined with the anterior section of the surface of the nasal bone, and the lowersection with the bone of the upper jaw. The internal edges of the intermaxillary bones arejoined together and extend backwards into a process which is linked with the vomer byan articulation. Teeth are inserted in the lower margin. The os maxillare superior is thin,smooth and curved, and in the middle section of the lower edge there is a furrow forseating of the teeth. The anterior part of the bone extends into a narrow process which isset in the jointed furrow of the vomer; it is linked also with the intermaxillary bone and isextended backwards with the lower surface of its level plate, and with the anterior part ofthe external surface of the palatal bone; the posterior part of the upper jaw bone is roundedand stands out unattached towards the rear. The maxilla inferior is made up of five boneson either side. The largest of them is called the os dentale which curves into a squarishshape formed by its own anterior section and then by the teeth in front, so that at thejunction of the right and left dental bones the teeth are set in a semicircle. Then, from theteeth at the rear, a blunt bone ascends into a coronoid process. The section of the dentalbone at the rear is produced into two thin plates, sharp at the top and vertical, one aboveand the other below. Between them there is a deep incision for seating of the other bonesof the lower jaw. The external surface between the coronoid process and the upper posteriorspine is concave. The lower edge of the lower maxillary bone is very rough and level atthe rear; but in front is rough with mucous furrows and very many wide openings. The osoperculum fills almost the entire space between the posterior spine of the dental bone. Itsanterior angle extends markedly to the canal of the lower maxillary bone and there is aprocess of the posterior upper edge which joins the rear posterior spine. The lower angleis rough and unattached, rising backwards. Between it and the lower posterior spine thereis a narrow space for seating the os angulare, small, narrow and wedge-shaped. Its posteriorapex is rounded, and in the rear part of the upper surface there is a jointed small furrow,which, along with that of the os articulare forms jointly a rather large fossa in which thelower maxillary bone is joined with the os jugale. The os articulare has the same form asthe os angulare except that it is twice as large and has a jointed surface at the rear at thetop of its apex. It lies between the os angulare, the os operculum and the lower posteriorspine of the dental bone; there is a small elongated bone set in its apex, in front extends into the canal of the lower maxillary bone and can be called the os apicale.

The teeth of the lower jaw and all the teeth of the bones of the upper jaw and all theteeth of the maxillary bones are lodged in the level sulcus within these bones, and arejoined together with a skinny web. The teeth themselves are very compressed laterallyand very slightly bent backwards, hollow right up to the somewhat rounded apices. Thevilliform teeth of the hyoid bone, the sphaenoid bone, the vomer, the palate and thepterygoid bone are conical; and hollow like the maxillary teeth but only in their roots,while the apices are solid. .

The apparatus branchialis is entangled with the hyoid bone, so that it may be veryeasily described, it is necessary to discern the following; 1°) Corpus ossi hyoidei; which ismade up of very many bones joined together in a long series. These bones are joinedlaterally with this corpus as follows; 2°) behind are the branchial arches; 3°) in front thecornua ossis hyoidei, with the rays of the membrane covering the fins; 4°) at the placewhere the cornua are joined with the corpus, the cauda ossis hyoidei is inset, which islinked with the jointure of the bones of the humerus. The corpus ossis hyoidei is made upof four bones set in a longitudinal series which are level, very wide

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and elongated, equal in length to one another, lying on the upper surface and whollycovered with very small, very close-set sharp teeth. The lower surface is rough, enablingthe insertion in-it of muscles and branchial arches. In the three middle anterior bones, astrong ridge stands out strongest particularly at their junctions one with another. The firstis the largest and longest. In its apex is the cartilage of the tongue (in place of a bone.) Onits sides are the lateral branches of the hyoid bone; the second is the widest, and at itsjunction with the first bone a counterpart of the first branchial arches is inserted; the thirdis smaller; and at its junction is inserted the second counterpart of the branchial arches,and at its rear angle a third counterpart. The fourth is very level and almost quadrangular.It is joined loosely with the third and provides the seating for the fourth counterpart of thebranchial arches. The fifth pair of the branchial arches, which are actually the lowerpharyngea, are not joined with the corpus of the hyoid bone but are only linked betweenthemselves as arches. The first three of the branchial arches correspond to three bones.The fourth counterpart only to two bones; all these bones are thin and so curved that theypresent a convex surface outwards, but is itself concave, being internally furrowed,

- providing a seating for the blood vessels and nerves which proceed towards the gills; thefifth counterparts which are actually the lower pharyngea, are not furrowed since they donot support the gills; on the internal surface there are five counterparts, provided withclosely set processes in series, and branching, turned forwards, similar to the branchiostegalmembrane. The fifth counterpart has two such series, the posterior series being turnedbackwards. On the upper apices of the branchial arches small bones are inserted, providedwith very small teeth termed the upper pharyngea, which increase the flexibility of thearches. One of them is set between the apices of the first and second counterparts, thesecond between the apices of the second and thkd counterparts, and the third is in thevery apex of the fourth counterpart.. At the junction between themselves of the apices ofthe fifth counterpart there are similar small bones set with teeth. The branchial arches areall connected at their upper apices by ligaments with the base of the cranium, i.e. with thecorpus of the sphaenoid bone and with the processes of the atlas bone, which are turnedforwards. The cornua lateralia of the hyoid bone are made up of very many large roughbones; the first is set in the apex of the corpus of the hyoid bone. It is short, bulbous andjoined closely with that corpus; it is followed by a second bone which is long, level andcompressed on its sides, wider at its rear than in front, and joined with the third bonewhose posterior end is narrower than its anterior end. In it is set a thin small bone of theprocessus styliformis of the hyoid bone, which joins this process with the lower surfaceof the temporal bone, and the second bone of the hyoid cornua with the operculum. In thelower edge of the lateral branch of the hyoid bone are set 11 rays of the operculum on bothsides of it, six joined with the larger second bone, two connected with the junction of thatbone with the thkd bone and three joined with the third bone itself. At the place where thelateral branches of the hyoid bone are articulated with the corpus of that bone there is anelongated bone, whose lower surface is level and smooth while its upper surface is concaveand provided in its middle with a plate which longitudinally contains a sort of emergingridge for sealing off the lower section of the large muscle on the side of the trunk. Thisbone corresponds to the tail of the hyoid bone.

Sudis gigas lives in the great rivers of equatorial Brazil, in the River Amazon, the RiverJapura etc. It grows to a length of three to five feet and its weight not seldom exceedsseveral hundred pounds. According to the very famous writer Knight von Martius, Indiansof the forest tribe Maue use the hyoid bone of this fish as a grinding stone for grinding asubstance which they called guarana, which is prepared from fruits of the digestiblePaullinia Mart. The powder is mixed with water and sugar and is administered as a potionfor ailments of the stomach. The hyoid bone of the more than 3 ft. long specimen wepossess has a plate which is 7 inches long and 1^4 inches wide, covered with close-setsharp teeth, which enables its use as a scraper.

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ERYTHRINUS GRONOV. SYNODUS SCHNEID.

Head blunt, very rounded, not scaly. The head and also the suborbital bones (whichare very large and wholly covered by the cheeks) are visible from outside. The bonesthemselves are rough and the head is therefore creased on all sides. Mouth very large andtransverse. Bones of upper and lower jaws and the intermaxillaries set with alternatinglarge and small bristly teeth. Bones of the palate and the inner-pterygoid bones, also theupper and lower pharyngeal bone, as also sometimes the hyoid bone, covered with verysmall viUiform teeth. Tongue fleshy, unattached in front and level, sometimes rather narrowand sometimes very broad, with the sides extending outwards. Branchiostegal membranewith five rays. Body rather slender and somewhat compressed towards the end of the tail,which is covered with large, hard, deciduous scales. Dorsal fin set opposite ventral fins.

There are several species, all closely interrelated, like the species of carps, but one maydistinguish them easily by the size and proportion of the head, the setting of the teeth andby how the jaws relate to each other, as well as by the width of their sections. By theirstructure and by the very great strength of their mouths, it is clear that Erythrinus must benumbered among the most rapacious of fish. No less does the structure of their internalorgans declare their mode of life. The stomach is a fleshy bag, very large and almost whollyfilling the abdominal cavity; the intestine is very short. There is only one river, almost aslong as the stomach. The air bladder is very large. This at any rate is what is true of theErythrinus macrodon, in the stomach of which we found a specimen which althoughimperfect, presents us with the configuration of a new species of the very same genus; thestomach of this specimen equals a third part of the entire length of the predator fish. Thefollowing is its description:

1. ERYTHRINUS SALVUS AGASS,

Head short, very blunt, rounded in front, VAl/z *); tongue rather narrow, setat the top by the intermaxillary bones and below in the corresponding part ofthe lower jaw. Three large teeth on either side, set very slightly apart from oneanother so that when the mouth is closed they fill alternately into the interveningspaces. Body rather compressed.

I found this fish in the stomach of an Erythrinus macrodon (the head was still intact butthe scales and the rest of the pectoral fins, as also the ventral, dorsal and anal fins hadcollapsed). Head very broad in the upper surface and shorn off to present a very blurvtappearance in front. Three supratemporal bones: the one at the rear large and triangularwith rounded angles. The bone in the middle is very small and quadrangular, that in frontis longer, broader in front, ending in a very sharp spine. Lower jaw scarcely extends inlength beyond the upper jaw. The bones on the upper jaw are conical, very small and setin a single series, those in front gradually smaller than those behind but scarcely largerthan the latter. At the outer extremity of the intermaxillary bones are a few teeth equal inlength to the corresponding bones of the upper jaw; in the inner part of their edge on bothsides there are three teeth which are large and conical and set not far from one another;and among them some teeth are, in some individual fishes, smaller than the rest. Theinner-most tooth of each of the intermaxillary bones is very large and these two teeth areset very dose together leaning towards each other when the mouth is closed; they are setat the symphysis of the narrow branches of the lower jaw. The teeth of the lower jaw inthat part •

*) This proportion indicates the ratio between the body and the head with the caudal finincluded.

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which is opposite to the bones of the upper jaw and the outer end of theintermaxillary bones/ are very small, conical and along the whole line of themare of the same size and shape; in front in that part of the lower jaw which isopposite the main structure of the intermaxillary tooth/ three larger teeth areset/ the outermost of which is the largest on either side; when the mouth is shutthese teeth fit into the intermediate spaces of the upper teeth. At the junction ofthe teeth of the lower jaw on both sides are some very small teeth. In the bone ofthe palate and the internal pterygoid bone are found a few very small teethwhich are villiform. The tongue is thin and narrow/ somewhat compressed at itsend and fleshy. The length of the whole fish from the tip of the snout to the endof the caudal fin is 4H times the length of the head (down to the rear angle of theoperculum). The caudal fin is rounded and has black spots. It has 15 rays whichare cleft at the tip/ apart from 4 to 5 smaller rays on either side/ also very small,simple rays.

In the Museum at Munich there is a defective specimen preserved in spiritsof wine.

Length 4 inches.

Inhabits the Sao Francisco River together with Erythrinus macrodon.

2. ERYTHRINUS UNITAENIATUS SPIX. PI. XIX:

Head very rough/ very broad and rounded in front/1:4. Maxillary teeth ofmoderate length; those on the lower jaw wider. Tongue papillated and verywide. Body slim/ compressed towards the end of the tail. 35 scales on the lateralline and 8 scales in a transverse line between the ventral fins and the dorsal fin.

Head very wide on top, wider than high, flat and rounded in front; inter-orbital spacealmost three times longer than the diameter of the orbit. Eyes small, set laterally, surroundedby the suborbital bones which altogether cover the cheeks. Three supratemporal bones,almost triangular in shape with an obtuse apex turned downwards. Two nares on eitherside, those in front being tubular, above the juncture of the intermaxillary bones and theupper bones of the jaw. The nares at the rear are wide and ovate. Entire margin of bones ofupper jaw set with conical teeth, all equal in size. Two large, sharp bones at external apexof intermaxillaries. One tooth at the top of the internal apex larger than the rest. Betweenthese teeth on each side are three smaller teeth. In the middle of the bones of the lower jawthere is on either side a strong tooth, sharp, and, when the mouth is shut, leaning againstthe teeth in the middle of the intermaxillary bones; the remaining teeth of the lower jaware smaller, almost equal one to another, but from the junction of the bones growing smallerin size down to the meeting point of the bones of the upper jaw. Branches of lower jawrather wide. Tongue very broad, rounded at the end, fleshy and blistered on top. Bands ofvilliform teeth on palatal bone, internal p terygoid bone, lower pharyngeal bone and upperpharyngeal bone. Body wholly covered by scales, thin, compressed towards base of tail.Lateral line marked with rather small pores set in a very straight line in the middle of 35scales along the middle of the side. The transverse line between the ventral fins and thedorsal fin carry 8 scales. Scales of anterior trunk larger than those of the anterior tail; allthe scales very close-set with concentric arcs which are rougher on the lower part of eachscale,

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and coursing down along, with diverging rays. *) Lateral line scales have their point ofradiation almost at the middle of the scale, but slightly towards the rear. Their radii divergein all directions and are equidistant one from another. The anterior edge is almost straightto wavy. Mucous canal short/ set longitudinally, opening at the rear in a small pore. Thescales of the middle of the back are somewhat rounded and have a few radii on theirsides. Scales of the upper side very large and somewhat rounded, the forward edge beingalmost straight. These scales differ very much from the rest in that the curved concentriclines in the middle of a scale are not distinct, and in their place are a large number of radiijoining together and forming a web; the scales of the tail rejoice in many more anteriorradii than the rest. Dorsal fin with 12 rays almost equal one to another, except that thefirst, which is conspicuous, is very small; the other 11 rays larger, articulated and cleft attheir tips only. Caudal fin rounded, with rays which are all articulated, with 15 larger raysat the apex, twice deeply cleft, while on both sides there are four or five smaller and verysmall simple rays. Anal fin with 12 articulated rays of which the three in front are rathersmall and simple, but the rays are cleft at the tip. Ventral fins with 8 articulated rays, thefirst simple, while the rest are cleft twice at the tip. From the second to the fifth, these raysincrease in size and then decrease. The fish is of one colour, reddish-brown,lighter in theabdomen, while in the middle of its sides there is a broad longitudinal band of black. Thedorsal fin and the anal fin have black spots. .

Pectoral fins with 1.14 rays, ventral 1.7, anal 3.9, caudal 5.15.5, dorsal 1.11.

In the Museum at Munich there is a single specimen preserved in spirits ofwine, 8 inches in length..

Inhabits the Sao Francisco River.

3. ERYTHRINUS MACROPON AGASS. PL XVIII.

Head wholly level on top, very wide/and somewhat depressed in front, 1:4.Tongue very wide and rough with very small teeth. Branches of lower jaw verywide: the teeth on the jaws very large indeed. Body somewhat compressed.Lateral line scales number 40 and those on the transverse line between the ventralfins and dorsal fin 11.

The point from which the rays of a scale diverge, which-is at the same time the centreof the concentric arcs, I shall designate the point of radiation. The rays themselveswhich diverge from here I shall distinguish in the following manner: those whichproceed forwards and are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body I shall call theanterior Tays. Those which proceed backwards I shall call the posterior rays. Thosewhich turn towards the sides and are parallel to the transverse axis of the body I shallcall lateral rays, distinguishing between the upper and lower lateral rays. The raysthat -are between these, I shall refer to as oblique rays, distinguishing between theanterior and "the posterior oblique rays as between the upper and the lower obliquerays.

That I should call rays these 'lines' which proceed from the centre to the periphery,no one will consider strange. It is indeed regrettable that zoologists should have termsvery many diverse parts 'rays'! Even on the side of the shoulder we find a ray and onthe fins other rays, and that in addition to the ray [radius] on the pectoral fins! Theseare far more like fingers than rays and there are very many such in the membranecovering the gills. In fact they even call the spines on the sea urchin 'rays'! Such lack ofcare is deplorable anywhere and is most detrimental to the study of zoology andespecially in comparative anatomy, such lack of care keeps growing from day to day.

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44 ERYTHRINUS.

Erythrinus Trahira Spix.—Maturaque, Marcgr.? *)

Head very large, very broad and level on the upper surface, linked with the back in astraight line. A single supratemporal bone, ovate-lanceolate. Eyes rather small and whollyturned towards the sides with a rather large space between them (the space is twice thediameter of the orbit). Two nares on either side; the anterior ones tubular and capable ofbeing covered by a (flap of) skin which spreads out wide. The posterior ones pear-shaped.The branches of the lower jaw (which extend only very slightly beyond the upper jaw) arespreading and so extended, especially behind their juncture one with the other, that whenthe mouth is closed their anterior sections touch each other. The teeth of the intermaxillarybones as well as the anterior teeth of the lower jaw are very strong, compressed on theanterior side and provided with sharp external edges; in front of these are a few skinnyappendages as in the Uranoscopus scaber, the lower of which are set in the depressions ofthe intermaxillary bones. External teeth of palatal bone and internal teeth of pterygoidbone larger than the rest of the teeth, which are villiform; there are, besides, very smallteeth on the whole surface of the hyoid bone. Body rather slender in front, somewhatcompressed behind, covered with rather large scales. Lateral line very straight in what isalmost the middle of the sides of the body, but slightly above the middle and distinctlyvisible, marked with oblong pores in the middle of the scales. Dorsal scales and the scaleson the tail and below the thorax smaller than those lateral scales on the body. Curvedconcentric lines present on all scales, but those in the posterior section are rougher, coursingdown to the edge. Lateral line scales almost round and have their point of radiation in themiddle of each scale. Radii closely packed especially in their forward sections, and for themost part extend forwards and backwards. Mucous canal long and in the rearward partof a scale opens out in an oblong pear-shaped aperture. Scales of the back and sidessomewhat rounded and blunt in front, with anterior and posterior radii thickly set, meetingtogether in the middle of the scale, separate one from another, and forming a web. There isa single lateral radius which is curved. The radii of the scales of the tail are close-set infront and disposed in three small concentrations, those behind being smaller and lyingapart from one another, the one behind being set obliquely and being simple. The twoanterior rays of the dorsal fin very slightly shorter than the rest and simple. Lateral rays ofcaudal fin rounded and simple, those in the middle being branched at the tip; those infront are rather short and simple, the first being the smallest. Ventral fins rounded at thetip, the first ray being very slightly shorter than the rest and simple. Pectoral fins alsorounded, the first ray being very short, rather rough and simple. The entire fish is a muddyblack; the fins are ruddy and marked with black spots.

Pectoral fins with 14 rays, ventral 8, anal 3.9, caudal 3.15.3 and dorsal 2.13.

In the Museum at Munich a specimen is preserved, 11 inches in length.

Inhabits Lake Almada in Bahia Province and the Sao Francisco River.

4. ERYTHRINUS MICROCEPHALUS AGASS.

Head very slightly convex on top and rather depressed in front, 1:4#.Branches of lower jaw narrow. Teeth on jaws rather small. Tongue rather narrow,cartilaginous and edentate. Body very rough, slender and compressed towardsthe end of the tail. 48 scales on the lateral line, 11 on the transverse line betweenthe ventral fins and the dorsal fin.

*) On account of the very close affinity between the following three species and becausethe descriptions are-imperfect when extant, synonymies can scarcely be determinedsince the earliest descriptions of them are missing.

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ERYTHRINUS. 45

Synodus Tareira Schneid.?

In relation to its body, the head of this species is smaller than the head of the remainingspecies. It is rather convex on top and sloping down from the nape of the neck to therounded tip of the snout. Supratemporal bone oblong, the upper end being sharp. Eyes ofmedium size, turned both sideways and upwards, set apart from each other by a spaceequal to twice the diameter of the orbit. Two nares on either side, very little apart fromeach other, those in front being tubular and those behind ovate and spreading. Jawssubequal (since the lower scarcely extends beyond the upper) set with medium-sized teeth.The branches of the lower jaw narrow and convex throughout their length, farther apartwhen the mouth is closed and distant one from the other by a greater space than theirtransverse diameter. Body covered with rather large scales, very rough in front of theventral fins, somewhat narrow and compressed only at the base of the tail. Lateral linevery distinct and straight, marked in the middle of the side of the fish with long pores in•the centre of the scales. Scales on back, tail and below the thorax smaller than the rest. Allscales marked with concentric curved lines which, in the rear section, are not as rough asin-the forward surface, and coursing down to the rear edge. Lateral line scales semicircularposteriorly but straight anteriorly, their angles obtuse. The centre of radiation of each scalein its own centre. Their radii proceed from a spreading web, those in front and behind arevery numerous, those on the sides are few and turned backwards. There is one anterioroblique radius, clearly marked from the rest on both sides. Mucous canal rather short andopens out in an elongated aperture. The anterior and posterior radii of the scales of the.back and the sides, which are somewhat rounded, are very close-set, proceeding from amedium sized spreading web of each rounded scale. The posterior radii of the scales ofthe tail are rather small, those in front are close set and disposed in two small groups,while those on the sides are numerous and turned rearwards, curved, and not all proceedingfrom the point of radiation, but closer and shorter in proportion to their distance in frontfrom the edge. The four anterior rays of the dorsal fin are simple and gradually larger, andthe fifth ray and those behind it are longer than those in front; they are also branched atthe tip. Caudal fin rounded with outer rays shorter and simple while those in the middleare cleft at the tip. Anal fin short and has three simple anterior rays shorter than the rest.First ray of the lanceolate ventral fins is rougher than the rest and simple, like the raywhich follows it. The two anterior rays of the sharp pectoral fins are simple and muchshorter than the rays which are behind it and are cleft at the tip. The fish is dusky on topand a muddy silver on the sides and below. The ventral fins and the anal and dorsal finshave black spots.

Pectoral fins with 15 rays, ventral 8, anal 3.9, caudal 3.15.3 and dorsal 4.10.

In the Museum at Munich a single specimen is preserved dried, 14 inches inlength.

Inhabits the Sao Francisco River.

5. ERYTHRINUS BRASILIENSIS SPIX. PI. XX.

Head level on top, rather narrow, compressed on the sides, rounded at itstip, 1:4. Jaw teeth rather large, very long and very sharp. Tongue pointed,cartilaginous, edentate. The branches of the lower jaw spread out. Bodysomewhat compressed. 42 scales on lateral line, 12 on the transverse line betweenventral and dorsal fins. " '""'

• Tareira do Rio Marcgr.?

Head altogether level on top, continuous with the back in a straight line, narrow,rounded at the tip, and compressed on the sides. Supratemporal bone is straight on top,rounded below. Eyes large,

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46 ERYTHRINUS. OSTEOGLOSSUM.

directed wholly towards the sides and distant from each other by a space scarcely largerthan the diameter of the orbit. Two nares on either side, close together, those in front beingtubular, those behind spreading and rounded. Lower jaw scarcely extends beyond theupper jaw. Jaws teeth very sharp throughout. Teeth at rear of the lower jaw, as also theupper jaw, very small, though larger in front, thin and very long, the smaller and smallestbeing intermixed almost alternately. Exterior teeth of the palatal bone and the anteriorteeth of the pterygoid bone are larger than the rest of the teeth, which are villif orm. Branchesof the lower jaw rather distant from each other and somewhat spread out below. They arescarcely set apart from each other when the mouth is closed and are parallel to one another.'Body somewhat compressed throughout its length. Lateral line very straight and distinct,but not throughout the middle of the side of the body, very slightly lower at the middle,marked with elongated pores at the middle of the scales. Rather large scales on the lowersides of the body, smaller on the back than below the thorax, all marked with concentriccurved lines which are rougher in the lower part of a scale and coursing down to theposterior edge; the diverging radii are smaller than in the-species described above. Thescales of the lateral line have their point of radiation in between the rearward hemisphericaledge and the forward inner straight edge. Their posterior radii, two in number, are veryclose together. They are joined together onboth sides and are very slightly bent backwards.Their anterior radii are very many and diverge outwards. The mucous canal is short,opening behind in a furrow which extends to the rear edge of the scales. The lateral scalesexcept those of the mucous canal are like the scales of the lateral line; the scales of themiddle of the back are rounded and marked with a few radii which spread out verymarkedly since the point of radiation is in the middle of the scale itself. Several radii in themiddle of the scales of the tail meeting together form a web. The three anterior rays of thedorsal fin are simple and almost equal in length. The external rays of the rounded caudal

-•fin are simple while those in the middle are branched at the tip. Anal fin very short, itsanterior rays being simple and rather short. First ray of ventral fins simple and rougherthan the rest. Pectoral fins slender, the first ray being simple. The fish is blue on top andmuddy brown in its lower part. Ventral, dorsal, caudal and anal fins marked with blackspots.

Pectoral fins with 13 rays, ventral 8, anal 2.6, caudal 3.15.3 and dorsal 3.10.

In the Museum at Munich a specimen is preserved dried, 8 inches in length.

Inhabits Peruaguacu.

XIV. OSTEOGLOSSUM VANDELLI. ISCHNOSOMA SPDC.

Head is small, very compressed and completely naked. Suborbital bones very wideand cover the cheeks altogether. Operculum and pre-operculum are very wide and verylarge. Suboperculum and inter-operculum very small and invisible from the outside. Eyesplaced on the top of snout. Nasal apertures are four in number and open out into nares.Mouth very spread and very large, its opening descending obliquely on the side andcovered throughout with teeth. Lower jaw provided on the top with barbels. Lower jawbones conform in their anterior middle sections to those of the upper jaw. The maxillarybones are very narrow indeed and very long, covering the entire side of the upper jaw. Allthese bones are provided with sharp conical teeth, small and close together and evenlyspaced in a single series. The branches of the lower jaw are slender, very long, and providedwith teeth in the same manner as the bones described already. At the jointure of the bonesalone there is a double series of retrorse teeth on the inner side. Vomer and anterior part ofpalatal bone covered with sharp, close-set teeth. Posterior part of palatal bone and interiorpterygoid bone covered over their entire surfaces with very small villiform teeth. Thereare rows of rather large pointed teeth on'the inner margin of the internal pterygoid bone.Lower pharyngeal bones are provided with a few villiform teeth.

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OSTEOGLOSSUM. 47

Tongue free at the tip and cartilaginous, provided over all its surface with very smallclose-set villiform teeth,' those on the sides and the edges being larger than the rest, andpointed. The corneal processes even of the anterior margin of the branchial arches arerough with very small 'teeth. Branchiostegal membrane with 10 rays. Body very compressedand covered with very large reticulated scales. Abdomen keeled. Anal and dorsal finsplaced as far to the rear as possible, very large and joined-with the caudal fin.

1. OSTEOGLOSSUM BICIRRHOSUM VAND. PL XXV.

There are two barbels at the jointure of the bones of the jaws. The head,when the mouth is closed is 1:5#L When the mouth is open 1:4}4 Body verycompressed, the tail very slightly longer than the body down to the anus. Pectoralfins extend beyond the ventral fins.

Ischnosoma bicirrhosum Spix. ' .

Head small in relation to the trunk of the body, level on top and connected with theback in a straight line, very compressed laterally, with four wide, lightly granulated bones(consisting of an operculum which is rounded at the rear and extended behind with skinwhich fans out widely, a triangular pre-operculum and two posterior suborbital bones, ofwhich the one above is four-sided and the one below three-sided and wholly covered).What is termed the supratemporalbone is in this species only a scale, marked with severalmucous furrows lengthwise, and a thin skin. Eyes large, placed at the tip of the snout,above the very anterior edge of the upper jaw bone. Nasal fossae placed above and infront of the eyes. At their base are several longitudinal holes. The opening is divided oneither side by a transverse ligament to form two oblong nostrils, the lower of which can beclosed with a (flap of) skin that spreads out internally from the transverse ligament. Mouthvery spread out and set obliquely; when the mouth is closed the lower jaw does not extendvery far beyond the upper jaw, but when the mouth is open it forms a right angle with theupper jaw, so much so that along all its length it extends beyond the upper jaw. It turns outtherefore, that the relationship between the head and the body differs according as themouth is closed or open. The maxillary bone is barely flexible and extends like a narrowband only in the interior edge of the sub-orbital bones. The branches of the lower jaw arethin and not very much apart from each other when the mouth is closed, but they can bespread out very wide since their jointure is very loose, and the membrane between thebranches themselves and the hyoid bone is very large. Two short barbels at the mandibularsymphysis. The branchiostegal membrane when, in a state of rest, lies wholly below thepre-operculum and the bones of the lower jaw. Entire trunk very greatly compressed andlevel down to the third part of the body. The tip of the tail is obtusely conical. Backrounded.Abdomen keeled. The scales covering the trunk on all sides are very large, almost spherical,rough and rigid. On their outer surface they are marked with thickly-set concentric lineswhich are deeply furrowed, some of them in roughly net-like formation, irregular in themiddle of the scales but regular at their edges and marked with rhomboidal figures, whilethe internal surface is lightly reticulated. There is a mucous canal in the scales of the

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48 OSTEOGLOSSUM. GLOSSODUS.

lateral line extending from the forward edge along the whole length down to the loweredge in a furrow descending very slightly obliquely. The scales of the middle of the sidesare very large but those under the breast and on the lower side of the tail and at its apexare much smaller; three are very large, larger than the rest, and they cover the nape of theneck, that in the middle covering the internal edges of both the sides; they are markedwith longitudinal mucous furrows which communicate with the lateral line and withfurrows of the surface of the cranium. Lateral line very well marked, has the appearanceof an oblique furrow in the apex of the scales through which its course extends beginningat the nape of the neck, proceeding in a straight line, down to a point a third of the lengthof the body on the underside and then running very correctly to the end of the tail. Dorsalfin placed very much to the rear and stretches right down to the end of the tail oppositethe anal fin. Anal fin itself is very broad, beginning in the middle of the body with all itsrays simple, which increase in size all the way from the anus to the tip of the tail lengthwise:the first ray is the smallest of all and can scarcely be seen. This fin is joined with the caudalfin whose rougher rays alone distinguish it from the other. Pectoral fins very greatlyextended beyond the ventral fins; their first ray is very long, very strong and simple,while the rest of the rays are shorter and divided once on the base and twice or thrice intheir other parts. Ventral fins set in almost the middle of the abdomen, their rays beingshort in relation to the rays of the other fins, the two in front being longer and simple,those following being cleft at the tip. The entire fish is a reddish yellow. The rearwardmargins of the scales is bright bluish. The fins are yellowish-red.

Pectoral fins have 7 rays/ ventral 6/ anal 50/ caudal 6 and dorsal 42.

In the Museum at Munich there is an excellent single specimen preserved inspirits of wine/ 24 inches in length.

Inhabits the Amazon River.

XV. GLOSSODUS Cuv.

Head of medium size/ compressed/ completely naked/ extending to aprominent snout. Eyes large/ set laterally. The nasal furrows can be closed withskin which is twice perforated. Mouth small and arched, lying under the summitof the extended snout. Intermaxillary bones rather large/ supporting only (almost)the upper edge of the mouth. Teeth very small and viHiform/ crowded together.The lower jaw, the vomer/ and the bones of the palate are similarly providedwith teeth. Upper maxillary bones very small/ spread over the posterior end/flexible in front, forming only a part of the lateral lower edge of the mouth.Tongue small, narrow and very sharp at the tip/ free and edentate. Hyoid bone(in its anterior section)/ presphenoid bone and the internal pterygoid bonecovered with rather large tubular teeth. Posterior section of the hyoid bone/internal surface of the branchial arches and upper and lower pharyngeal bonescovered with very small villif orm teeth. Branchiostegal membrane with 12 rays.Body somewhat compressed and covered with thin deciduous scales. Abdomenkeeled but not serrated. Fins slender; some scales greatly produced backwardsat the base of the ventral fins, which lie opposite the end of the dorsal fin.

Only one species of this genus has hitherto been observed/ and since thisspecies is barely separately identifiable/ it has furnished a key for establishingseveral other species and names as of fish belonging to this genus, or perhapsfor inventing them/ until the most illustrious Cuvier provided us with a threadthrough the labyrinth and put an end to mistakes.

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GLOSSODUS. 49

1. GLOSSODUS FORSKALII AGASS. PL XXII [sic.]. Fig. 2. PL XXIV. Fig. 2.

Head marked with a longitudinal furrow below the eyes and another in thesinciput 1:4%. Snout pointed/ extending beyond upper jaw. Body somewhatcompressed/ covered with silvery scales; some scales quite long, set at the angleof the ventral fins/ 82 on the lateral line and 16 in the transverse line between theventral fins and the dorsal fin; dorsal and anal fins covered with deciduousscales. Caudal fin forked.

Argentina glossodonta Forsk.—Albula Plumieri Schneid.—Albula gonorhynchusId.—Esox argenteus Forst.-—-Butirin banane Commers. Lacep.—Clupee macrocephaleLacep.—Synode renard Lacep.—Esox vulpes Linn.—Engraulis serious Spix.—Engraulis bahiensis Spix. a quite young specimen/ abraded/ differing from E. seriousonly by a somewhat paler colour; the absence of scales on the dorsal and analfins is negligently illustrated (pi. XXIV. fig. 2), as their remains are well presentin our specimen. •—-For more/ see in Memoir du Mus. Vol. 1. p. 228.and Vol. V p.371.

Head of moderate size, pointed, compressed on the sides, rather wide around theocciput, attenuated in front with sharp lateral angles. Arather shallow furrow in the middleof the head, widening towards the rear; in front and above are nostrils which graduallydisappear but again are found spreading out on the summit of the snout, held in on eitherside by ridges which are very slightly prominent and carried forward longitudinally. Eyeslarge, set in middle of sides of the head, surrounded below by wide sub-orbital bones anda longitudinal mucous canal. Ethmoid bone can be seen above the summit of the snout,extended forwards. Nares pro tectedby twice perforated skin. Anterior orifice much smallerthan the other and can be closed with skin. Posterior opening semicircular and spreading.Mouth small, placed backwards, rounded or rather arched, circular and very much open.Body covered with medium-sized subequal scales. It is somewhat compressed, theabdomen indeed being compressed and hollowed but not serrated. Lateral line straight,distinct and appears very clearly in the form of a continuous line. Scales silvery, shiningand all of them of almost the same shape and structure, provided with a point of radiationin their centres. There are only two or three radii spreading forward. They correspondwith small lobes set forward on the edges of the scales. Curved, thickly-set concentriclines, which are very thin, are found extending fonvards only, right down to the anterioroblique radii; in the anterior segment of a scale there are instead very close-set lineshollowed out in the same manner as those curved lines and diverging from the point ofradiation like rays. There is a mucous canal in the scales of the lateral line leading from thepoint of radiation to the rear margin of the scale. In the middle of the back there is alongitudinal line in the "scales, which is most worthy of mention because the scales areextended on the rear margin by very long appendages which are lanceolate and granulate,in front of the dorsal fin; behind the fin itself, however, they are shorter than elsewhere.Above the base of the dorsal fin there is a series of scales extending backwards over thetotal length of the fin; these scales are three-cornered and are on the lower part of the fin,whence a furrow is formed for seating the pectoral fins. Near the base of the ventral finsthere are very many scales extending distinctly backwards, which are sharp. Dorsal fin inthe middle of back, with three anterior rays

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50 BNGRAULIS.

which are simple, getting gradually larger but shorter than the fourth ray; all the rays ofboth sides are covered in their anterior margin by a row of scales. Caudal fin large, forked,with lobes which are sharp at the tip. This fin has 17 rays which are branched at the tip. Setbetween two larger lateral rays which are simple, there are besides on either side 4 to 6simple rays which are rather or very small. Anal fin very small, short and set very much tothe rear, the rays being covered with scales like those of the dorsal fin. Ventral fin ofmoderate size, set almost opposite the end of the dorsal fin. Its first ray is rather rough andsimple while the rest are deft at the tip. Pectoral fins slender, the first ray being ratherrough and simple. The fish is bluish on top, shaded red underneath, dark purple in theregion of the eyes and glows all over with a silvery sheen.

Pectoral fins with 18 rays, ventral 10, anal 8, caudal 6-7. 17.6-7, the dorsalfin 3.15.

In the Museum at Munich there are two mutilated specimens preserved inspirits of wine, in length 5-6% inches. • .

Inhabits Bahia.

XVI. ENGRAULIS Cuv.

Head small, compressed, completely naked. Ethmoid bone is above intermaxillarybones and extends to the prominent snout. Eyes large, set on the sides at the apex of thesnout. Nares covered by skin, twice perforated. Mouth very wide and large, providedwith very sharp teeth throughout. Intermaxillary bones very small, set below the ethmoidbone. The bones of the upper jaw are very long, enclosing the sides of the mouth completelyand extending beyond the jointure of the maxillary bones. Lower jaw smooth, set with asingle series of teeth, both rather large and rather small. In the vomer and in the verymarkedly elongated bones of the palate there are rather small, sharp teeth in a singleseries, while the teeth in the internal pterygoid bone are villiform, as also are the teeth onthe hyoid bone and the upper and lower pharyngeal bones. On the interior edge of thebranchial arches too, there are such teeth to be found. The tongue is very small and scarcelyvisible. The branchial opening is very large, in fact larger than in any other species of fish.The branchiostegal membrane has 10 to 15 rays, the body is compressed and covered withvery large, thin, deciduous scales. Abdomen keeled but not serrated. Fins small and slender.Ventral fins set in front of the dorsal fin, or below its very base.

1. ENGRAULIS GROSSIDENS. Cuv. in litt. PL XXIV, Fig. 1.

Head small, narrow and compressed, 1:5. Snout pointed, extendingmoderately beyond the upper jaw. Teeth on the sides of the lower jaw very large.Body compressed, broader than the length of the head. The extremity of thedorsal fin is set opposite the insertion of the very long anal fin. A very long,retrorse scale near the base of the pectoral fin.

'Engraulis Janeiro Spix

Head short, narrow and compressed, equal to a fourth part of the body including thecaudal fin. On the top there is a ridge which in its middle is prominent along the wholelength of the head. Besides, it extends on either side of the

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ENGRAULIS. 51

upper edge of the orbit, right back to the occiput. Snout pointed, very compressed, scarcelyextending beyond the upper jaw. Eyes very large, occupying the entire space between theupper jaw and the lateral edge of the cranium. They also extend to the middle of theupper jaw bone. Nares branched, and lie before and above the eyes, oblique and turnedupwards. Teeth on sides of lower jaw very large and lie apart from one another. Bodycompressed and has very large but thin, deciduous scales. Abdomen is very compressed,keeledbut not serrated. All the scales are very thin, paper-like, with very close-set concentriccurves which themselves are very narrow; there is also a loose, irregular network of lineswhich are more deep than the curved lines mentioned above. A series of smaller scales inthe base of the anal and dorsal fins. Dorsal fin covered at its base with small scales; theanterior rays are rather simple and rather short, the rest are branched at the tip. Caudal finlarge and forked, lying between the simple large lateral rays; 17 rays, branched at the tip;4 simple rays which are smaller or very small on both sides. Anal fin very long, withsimple rays in front. Ventral-fins small, set in the middle of the abdominal region; the firstray simple. Pectoral fins of moderate size, the first ray being simple and much larger thanthe rest. The back is blue, the sides and abdomen golden, the fins are reddish yellow.

Pectoral fins with 14 rays, ventral 7, anal 3.21, caudal 5.17.5, dorsal 3.12.

In the Museum at Munich there are two damaged specimens preserved inspirits of wine, 6 inches in length.:

Inhabits Rio de Janeiro.

2. ENGRAULTIS TRICOLOR AGASS. PL XXIIL Fig. 1.

Head of moderate size, rather wide, 1:4%. Apex of snout extends beyondupper jaw bone. All the teeth very small. Body compressed, its width beingalmost equal to the length of the head. Dorsal fin opposite space between ventralfins and anal fin.

Engmulis Piquitinga Spix,-—not Piquitinga Marcgr., which in no case can bereferred to the genus Engraulis.

Head of moderate size, compressed and rather wide, 4% in length of bodyincluding the caudal fin. In front it extends to a very depressed snout/ which isalso very pointed and extends very much beyond the upper jaw. Above,.in themiddle of the summit and on both sides by its lateral edge, there are longitudinalridges which extend right back to the occiput. The eyes are large, set on thesides, extending to the middle of the upper jaw. The nostrils, two in number, oneach side, are set before and above the eyes, turned upwards. Those in front arerimose and can be closed with skin; those behind ovate and spreading. Theteeth are all very small and set very close together. The body is compressed,almost as wide as the length of the head, covered with large, deciduous scales (Isay this because in the two specimens 2%-3 inches long, which are preserved inspirits of wine in the Museum at Munich, not even one scale is present). Dorsalfin, with its two simple anterior rays, opposite space between, ventral and analfins. Caudal fin large and forked; 6 or 7 simple lateral rays on

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52 CLUPEA.

either side/ which gradually increase in size; 17 rays which are branched at thetip. Anal fin broad, with simple anterior rays. Ventral and pectoral fins smallerand slender, the first ray being simple and slightly rougher than the rest. Thesides of the head are wholly glistening and silvery; the back is blue, while in themiddle of the sides is a broad band which is silvery-golden, extending from theoperculum to the base of the caudal fin; on the underside and the abdomen it isa whitish red; the fins are greyish-yellow.

Pectoral fins with 12 rays, ventral 7, anal 2.18, caudal 6-7. 17. 6-7, dorsal2.10.

Inhabits Bahia and Para.

XVIII. CLUPEA LINN. Cuv.

Head compressed, completely naked. Eyes large, set laterally and providedwith a noticeably prominent eyelid. Mouth moderate, somewhat oval, sometimesedentate and sometimes provided with very small sharp teeth in the maxillarybones and in the hyoid bone. Palatal bone edentate. The intermaxillary bonesare small and hold together the middle of the upper lip. The bones of the upperjaw are large, enclosing the mouth on the sides, arched, bent backwards anddivided into several plates. The processes are large and very long. There arehorn-like protuberances in place of teeth, as in Hypophthalmus in the inner edgeof the branchial arches. The branchial aperture is very large indeed.Branchiostegal membrane with 7 rays. Body very compressed, covered withvery thin deciduous scales. Abdomen keeled and serrated. These serrations ofthe abdomen are the protruding long ends of the bone structure, strictlyproportionate to the sections of the breast bone. The pectoral and ventral finsare small, the latter being opposite the dorsal fin.

This genus is divided into three sub-genera;

1°. CLUPEA, sensu strictiori.

Mouth provided with teeth. No elongted fin rays. We have no new speciesof this sub-genus.

2°. CLUPANODON LACEP.

Mouth edentate. No elongted fin rays.

1. CLUPANODON AUREUS SPIX. PI. XXI.

Head very compressed, very large, when the mouth is open, 1:3 . A ridgebarely emerging in the middle of the top of the head and another on both sideson the outer side of the top of the head, coming together both in front and behind.Body very compressed, wider than the length of the head and covered withclose-set, rather large scales. Some elongated scales near the base of the pectoralfins, and other scales less elongated near the base of the ventral fins. Ventral finsset near the insertion of dorsal fin. Caudal fin forked.

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CLUPANODON. MEGALOPS. 53

Clupea gasterostea Berlin Museum, (after the illustrious Wiegmann) —Clupea menada Mitchill?

Head very large, very compressed, terminating in a shortened snout, humped on topand marked with three ridges, that in the middle being rather wide and blunt. The ridgesare found on the sides, coming together in the occiput, and converging behind the nares.Upper lip located between the intermaxillary bones, deeply incised. Lower jaw (when themouth is barely closed) scarcely extends beyond the upper jaw, but when the mouth isopen it extends very much beyond it. Mouth large. Tongue very small and rounded. Hornyprocesses present on branchial arches, which in this species are so extended that when themouth is open they could be seen from the outside. Eyes large and set laterally above themandibular symphysis near the upper edge of the sides of the head. They are coveredboth in front and behind with skin which opens out wide. Nares on the top of the head inthe space between the eyes and the tip of the snout, covered with skin twice perforated.The anterior aperture is very small and dosed with skin; the opening behind is large andspreads out in a large triangle. Body very compressed and with rather small, deciduousscales set very close together. Lateral line absent. The scales are all very thin, like paper,and provided with curved, very thin, concentric lines which can scarcely be seen; thescales of the rear part of the trunk, however, are marked with a few radii which divergeirregularly. The scales of the middle of the body are smaller than the rest and on the rearedge are deeply cloven; the scales on the sides have small lobes on their rear edge. Theabdominal scales, as also the caudal scales, have uninterrupted edges; very sharp lanceolatescales, which are very long, are found extended above the insertion of the pectoral finsbeyond the middle of the fins. At the pit of the ventral fins there are scales of the same size,but less extended; there are small scales at the base of the rays of the anal fin. The dorsalfin is short, only minutely elevated, with rays which are branched several times. Thereare, however, three anterior rays which are shorter and undivided. The caudal fin is forkedand has inner rays which are deeply divided and multi-branched, while the outer rays areundivided and become gradually rather small and even very small. Anal fin rather long,not at all high, and provided with three anterior simple rays, the rest of the rays beingdivided at the tip. Ventral fins short, very small, set opposite base of the dorsal fin. Itsanterior ray is simple, the others divided only at the tip. Pectoral fins long, sharp andtriangular, the first ray simple and very long. The back is greenish-blue, the sides of theabdomen golden, the operculum silvery gold, while behind the upper angle of theoperculum is a round black spot. The fins are dusky red.

Pectoral fin with 15 rays, ventral 7, anal 3.20, caudal 9-10.17.9-10, dorsal3.15.

In the Museum at Munich there are two splendid specimens preserved inspirits of wine, length 8 inches.

Inhabits Bahia and elsewhere on the coast of eastern Brazil.

3. MEGALOPS LACEP.

Mouth edentate. Posterior ray of the dorsal fin is very greatly elongated.

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54 - MEGALOPS.

1. MEGALOPS THRISSOIDES. AGASS. PL XXII.

Head very compressed and small, 1:5}4 On its upper surface in front andbehind are lateral ridges which converge to form a rhombus, from the middle ofwhich a straight ridge emerges in a forward direction. Mouth very small. Bodyvery compressed, V/z times as broad as the length of the head. There are ratherlarge scales pressed down near the insertion of the pectoral fins, forming a smallfossa for accommodating the fins set backwards. Caudal fin deeply forked. Firstray of dorsal fin more than twice as long as the fourth ray.

Clupanodon thrissoides Spix. Megalops tenuifilis Cuv. Msc. in litt.

Head small, greatly compressed, furrowed beneath and narrow above. From its middleforwards it is marked with a ridge which is wider in its middle. On the sides are ridgeswhich converge in front and behind and enclose a rhomboidal concave space. Mouth verysmall and rounded. Lower jaw prominent when the mouth is open. Tongue pointed andsmall. Eyes large and set on the sides of the head, above and behind the juncture of theupper jawbones near the upper edge of the sides of the head. The eyes are covered whollyin front and behind with skin. The nasal apertures are on the top of the head in the middleof the interorbital space and the tip of the snout; they are covered with skin twice perforated,the anterior openings being very small, the posterior openings being branched, obliqueand extending wide. Body very greatly compressed, wide and covered with rather largedeciduous scales. No lateral line. The scales are all very thin like paper and marked withvery close-set concentric curved lines; and apart from them, set in the middle of the back,all the other scales have a transverse line furrowed out in their middle; in the scales of thetail there are very many such lines equidistant from one another. The scales of the sides ofthe body are larger than the rest and there are two large anterior scales on the nape, markedwith seemingly sculptured tree-like designs. At the insertion of the pectoral fins there arescales which are pressed down in the middle, forming a small fossa for the accommodationof the fins themselves, which are placed in the rear.There are elongated scales near theinsertion of the ventral fins, and other, smaller scales near the basin of the rays of thedorsal fin. The dorsal fin is short, much higher set in front than behind, its four anteriorrays being rather small and simple, while those behind are branched, but only at the tip.The last ray is more than twice as large as the fourth and is itself undivided and jointed,rather coarse at its base but very thin at the tip. The middle rays of the caudal fin aredeeply divided into many branches, but those on the sides are simple, getting graduallysmaller and even very small. The rays of the anal fin are very short, those of the frontbeing simple while those behind are only marginally longer/ and branched at the tip. Theventral fins are small, set opposite the middle of the dorsal fin, the first ray being undividedand the rest branched and branched but only at the tip. The pectoral fins are sharp with avery long first ray which is simple and rather coarse, while the rest are divided, but onlyat the apex. The colour is blue on top, the sides and the abdomen are golden, the operculumsilvery, the fins of unequal size are bluish red, those of equal size being red.

Pectoral fins with 15 rays, ventral 7, anal 20.4, caudal 5-6.17.5-6, dorsal 4.15.1.

Three specimens are preserved in spirits of wine in the Museum at Munich,length 5—7 inches.

Inhabits Bahia.

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PRISTIGASTER. 55

XVIII. PRISTIGASTER Cuv.

Head small/ compressed and completely naked. Eyes very large, set laterally.Nares undivided, turned upwards. Mouth small and turned upwards.Intermaxillary bones larger than in the genuine species of Clupea, whollysubtending the middle of the upper lip. Bones of the upper jaw large and archedbackwards/ consisting of three plates which are extended beyond the junctureof the bones of the upper jaw. Lower jaw extends forwards and has hornyprocesses which are markedly raised. Teeth very small and sharp/ set in thebones of the lower jaw near their juncture, as also in the vomer/ palatal bones,the interior pterygoid bon'e and in the hyoid bone. Tongue fleshy, rounded andunattached at its tip. Branchial opening large. Gill membrane with five paper-thin/ wide rays. Body covered with large, deciduous scales. The body itself isvery compressed, somewhat rounded and thin towards the base of the tail.Abdomen supported by a structure of very long ribs which is wholly adaptedto the abdomen itself, resembling breast bones. These breast-bone like ribs arein their lower section joined together on both sides, running to very sharp, retrosespines. The ribs form that memorable abdominal saw which is peculiar to Clupea,Serrasalmo etc. There are no ventral fins *); the anal fin is very broad.

1. PRISTIGASTER MARTII AGASS. PL XXIV. a.

Head marked above on either side with a sharp lateral ridge, 1:4%.Operculum emarginate twice posteriorly. Nape straight but with a sloping ridgeand provided with small spines which scarcely rise above the surface. Backnarrow and rounded. Body very compressed, with large, deciduous scales whichbecome gradually larger in the direction of the abdomen. No lateral line. Caudalfin small and forked, with equal lobes. Anal fin does not extend all the way tothe caudal fin.

Head laterally compressed and narrow on top, marked with lateral ridgeswhich converge forwards between the nares. Eyes very large and cover themiddle of the sides of the head. Nares rounded and set between the eyes andthe upper jaw bone, turned upwards. Inset near the side of the vertical ridge,the rear margin of the operculum is twice interrupted. Mouth small and arched/almost quadrangular when open. Lower jaw produced with mouth open wide.Body very compressed/ very wide/ almost cylindrical/ but thin towards the baseof the tail and covered with large, deciduous scales, getting larger gradually inthe direction of the abdomen/ paper thin and marked with curved concentriclines. No lateral line. The ridge of the abdomen is very sharp/ deeply serratedwith spines gradually becoming larger behind and turned backwards. Nape ishollowed and there is a straight line descending to the base of the dorsal fin. Sixsmall spines which scarcely emerge from the surface and are set far from eachother; the back is very narrow behind the dorsal fin and rather rounded.

*) Here we see very well what this classification of the fishes based on the fins is worthand what would happen if one were mechanically to adopt it, without paying attentionto anything else. It is not less obvious that authors have unwillingly grouped similarspecies using characters other than this one. Very many examples of this kind exist inzoology; for it is clearer than light that Pristigaster has very great affinities with Clupea.

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56 PRISTIGASTER. SALMONES.

Dorsal fin positioned opposite the end of the backward-turned pectoral fins/with three rays in front which are short and undivided, while the rest arebranched but only at the tip and getting smaller gradually. The caudal fin issmall, divided and provided with equal lobes; the rays in the middle are branchedat the tip, those on the sides get smaller and very small and are undivided. Theanal fin is very wide but does not extend all the way to the caudal fin. Its raysare undivided and filament-like at the tip. The pectoral fins are pointed andlong, the first ray being smooth to rather coarse and very long, while the rest arebranched, only at the tip and become smaller gradually. There are no ventralfins. The body is bluish on top, the sides and the abdomen have a silvery sheen.

Ventral fins with 12 rays, anal 48, caudal 5-6.17.5-6, dorsal 3.12.

In the Museum at Munich there is a single specimen preserved in spirits ofwine, 3 inches in length.

Inhabits the estuary of the Amazon River.

This species differs from Pristigaster argenteus which the celebrated Cuvierhas caused to be described in Regne animal Vol.4. PL X. Fig. 3, which I have notmyself seen in its natural state. It has small spines on the nape which scarcelyemerge from the skin and are very distant one from another, while the back isnot humped. The dorsal fin is rather large, the caudal fin rather small, regularand provided with equal lobes. The anal fin is not markedly extendedbackwards.There is no lateral line. The operculum is twice deeply interrupted at the rear.The scales on the lower side and on the abdomen are much larger than the rest.

FAMILY IV. SALMONES Cuv.

Diagnosis. Head is wholly naked or protected with bony scutes, nevercovered with scales. The middle of the upper jaw follows the line of the non-protrusible intermaxillary bones, but the sides of the upper jaw follow the lineof the bones of the upper jaw. There are either no teeth at all or only molars,multi-cuspids or more or less sharp teeth which are from point to point larger orsmaller, singly in places or in series more or less numerous. The body is alwaysscaly. There are two dorsal fins, that in front provided with rays, that behindbeing very small and fleshy.

Description. Head large or small, rounded, cylindrical ofcompressed, ratherlong or rather short. Mouth in the tip of the snout, sometimes small, sometimesvery large. Intermaxillary bones always located above the middle of the lip andoccupy sometimes a larger, sometimes a smaller, part of the head. These bonesare set in the same arch as that of the bone

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SALMONES. 57

of the upper jaw/ either very small and lying above, obliquely to the base of theupper jaw, or very large/ supporting the entire lateral section of the mouth. Insome genera there are no teeth at all/ and in others the teeth are very small andset in the small bones of the mouth/ while in others again they are very large/very sharp and individually set/ or-they are villiform and set in a single or inseveral bands near the bones of the mouth/ in still others again they are rough,molariform and multicuspid. Operculum large and flexible. Branchial aperturelarge. Body always covered with scales which are rather large or rather small/and greatly varied in shape. Some species are slender or rather compressed andelongated while others are very markedly compressed and short. In some speciesthe abdomen is keeled and serrated as-in some species of Clupeoides.

Gullet ample. Stomach large and skinny. Intestine short. Several pyloricappendages present. Air bladder large/ opening into the gullet.

The fishes of these genera are rapacious/ swift and strong; since they areprized for their delicious flesh/ traps are laid for them by men-so that you maysay that their rapacity towards other fish is scarcely unjustified. Very manyspecies live in the rivers but others live in the sea and move upstream at breedingtime to deposit their eggs there. Among all types of fish there are few which livein waters of mountains higher than there where salmon live.

LIST OF GENERA.

XIX. ANODUS SPIX.

Head of medium size/ rounded on top/ rather compressed on the sides. Eyeslarge/ set laterally. Mouth small and transverse. No teeth. Intermaxillary boneslarge/ supporting the entire upper lip. Bones of upper jaw very small and set onthe sides. The lower jaw prominent. Tongue unattached at its tip. Gill membranewith five rays. Body covered with very small scales/ is elongated/ somewhatnarrow and compressed on the sides. Fins of medium size.

XX. PROCHILODUS AGASS.

Head small/ rough and wide. Eyes large and set laterally. Mouth small/ set atthe tip of the snout and surrounded by a very wide/ wholly protruding, fleshylip. Teeth very small/ introrse/ set at the very edge of the fleshy lip. Theintermaxillary bones

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58 SALMONES.

and the bones of the upper jaw are very small and hidden in the flesh of the lip.No tongue. Gill membrane with four wide rays. Body compressed and wide,covered with large, hard scales...Fins of medium size.

XXI. LEPORINUS SPIX.

Head small and wide on top, compressed on the sides. Eyes large/ set laterally.Mouth small, surrounded by very rough, fleshy lips. Teeth divided, elongateand sharp, set in the large intermaxillary bones which support the whole upperlip, and in the lower jaw. Internal teeth projecting further and more antrorsethan the rest. Upper jaw bones very small, located on the sides of the head. Notongue. Four small branchiostegal rays. Head covered with quite large scalesand is elongated, rather slender and somewhat compressed on the sides. Thefins are of medium size.

XXII. SCHIZODON AGASS.

Head small, very wide and depressed. Eyes large, placed laterally. Mouthsmall and rounded. Teeth very wide, cut off at the tip and divided, lying in theintermaxillary bones which support the whole upper lip, and in the projectinglower jaw. Upper jawbones are very small, lying on the sides. Tongue very small.Four wide branchiostegal rays. Body somewhat slender, elongate and coveredwith large, hard scales. Fins of medium size.

XXIII. CHALCEUS Cuv.

Head of moderate size, wide on top and rather compressed on the sides.Eyes large, set in the sides. Mouth of medium size, transverse open and square.Lower jaw projects forward. Teeth sharp, very small and set in the small widebones of the upper jaw and in the interior band of the intermaxillary bones,which in their middle sustain the upper lip. In the lower jaw and in the rearbend of the intermaxillary bones, there are very large multicuspid teeth, thecusps in the middle being rather large and more prominent. Tongue papillated.Four slender branchiostegal rays. Body wide, compressed and covered withlarge scales. Fins of medium size, but the anal fin is very broad.

XXIV. TETRAGONOPTERUS Cuv.

Head very small and compressed laterally. Eyes very large and set in thesides. Mouth quite large, open and square, the lower jaw prominent. Teeth largeand cusped,

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SALMONES. 59

serrated at their apices in the anterior part of the lower jaw, while they are foundin two bands in the wide intermaxillary bones which conform to the wholeupper edge of the mouth. Bones of the upper jaw small/ somewhat arched to therear/ lying on the sides of the body and furnished with very small teeth like theteeth in the posterior section of the branches of the lower jaw. Tongue free at itstip. Gill membrane with four broad rays. Body covered with large scales/ verycompressed and very wide. Fins of medium size. Anal fin very broad.

XXV. SERRASALMO LACEP. Cuv.

Head large/ compressed laterally. Eyes large/ set laterally. Mouth ample/ wellprovided with teeth/ transverse. Teeth very large/ very sharp and very broad/set in a single band in the protruding lower jaw and in the very largeintermaxillary bones forming the whole upper edge of the mouth. Bones of upperjaw very small, lying transversely to the juncture of the maxilla. Tongue free atits tip. Gill membrane with four wide rays. Body very compressed/ very wideand covered with very small scales. Abdomen keeled and serrated. Fins ofmedium, size. Dorsal fin wide. Anal fin very wide.

XXVI. MYLETES Cuv.

Head very large and compressed. Eyes large/ set in the sides. Mouth large/transverse/ open and square. Teeth very large/ rough and molariform/ set in asingle band in the lower jaw and in two bands in the very large intermaxillarybones which match the upper edge of the mouth. Upper jaw bones very small/lying perpendicular to the juncture of the maxilla. Tongue wide/ free at the tip.Five thin branchiostegal rays. Body very compressed/ very large and coveredwith very small scales. Abdomen keeled and serrated. Fins of medium size/-anal fin the largest.

XXVII. RHAPHIODON AGASS.

Head small/ very compressed. Eyes large/ lying on the sides. Mouth verylarge/ drooping obliquely. Teeth very strong and very sharp/ alternating withsmaller teeth in the smaller intermaxillary bones which form the anterior edgeonly of the upper jaw bone/ and in the lower jaw bone. Upper jaw bones long,thin and covered on their sides with teeth. Tongue large/ extending forwards/unattached at the tip. Branchial aperture very large. Gill membrane with fourslender rays. Body elongated/ compressed and covered with small scales.Abdomen sharply keeled but not serrated. Pectoral fins large/ ventral fins small,anal fin very broad.

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60 SALMONES. ANODUS. '

XXVIII. XIPHOSTOMA SPDC.

Head very long, pointed, thin and rather shapely. Eyes rather small, setlaterally. Mouth very large indeed, long, set transversely and provided withvery small teeth set close together, and sharp along the entire edge (i.e. in thevery long intermaxillary bones, which form the entire upper edge of the mouth,as well as in the lower jaw). Upper jaw bones very small and perpendicular tothe jointure of the maxilla. Tongue large, wide and unattached at the rip. Fourslender branchiostegal rays. Body elongated, shapely and covered with medium-sized, hard scales. Ventral fins small. Dorsal fin lies behind ventral fins. Caudalfin large.

XXIX. SAURUS Cuv.

Head covered with scales, pointed, of medium size and somewhat depressed.Eyes of medium size, set laterally. Mouth very large, transverse, with very sharpclose-set teeth, set in many bands in the lower jaw, the upper jaw, in the bones ofthe palate and the upper and lower pterygoid bones, as well as in the upperhyoid bone. Tongue pointed and covered all over with teeth. Branchiostegalmembrane with 15-18 slender rays. Body elongated, shapely and covered withlarge scales. Fins of medium size; ventral fins elongated.

XIX. ANODUS SPDC. CURIMATES I. Cuv.

Head wholly naked, of medium size as compared with the body, slightlycompressed, rather larger on top and rounded. Nares turned upwards andcovered with skin, twice perforated; the rear opening rather large. Eyes large,set laterally; the eyeballs are partly covered with an eyelid which can open outwidely. Mouth small, sub-transverse at the very tip of the snout, wholly lackingin teeth. Upper lip supported by the large inter-maxillary bones. Bones of theupper jaw very small and lie in front of the maxillary juncture. Lower jaw extendsvery little indeed beyond the upper jaw. The branchial arches are provided onthe inner edge with long horny processes instead of teeth, as in species of Clupea.Tongue rather wide and unattached at the tip. Branchial aperture quite large.Branchiostegal membrane with five rays. Body elongate, somewhat slender andcompressed on the sides, covered all over with very small scales. All the fins ofmedium size; the ventral fins are opposite the middle of the dorsal fin and theadipose fin opposite the end of the anal fin. The following species must beclassified under this genus in addition to our new species, as appears to bewholly correct: Curimatus amazonum Humboldt. - Curimatus taeniurus Valenc. -Salmo edentulus Bloch.

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ANODUS. 61

1. ANODUS ELONGATUS SPDC. PL XL

Head elongate, rather thin, compressed laterally, 1:4^4. Lower jaw articulatedunder the eyes, protruding scarcely at all beyond the upper jaw. Body slender,elongated, rather shapely, and slightly compressed on the sides, the abdomenbeing rounded. Humerus produced backwards above the insertion of the pectoralfins. Near the insertion of the ventral fins there are markedly retrorse scales.

Head elongate, pointed and rounded on top, continuous with the back,somewhat arched and almost in a straight line with the back, compressed onthe sides and equal to more than a fourth part of the body with the caudal finincluded. Lower jaw very long, articulated under the eyes but lifted in front andscarcely protruding beyond upper jaw. Eyes large, surrounded by rather roughskin on all sides, so that they appear smaller than they are. Nostrils turnedupwards and forwards, two of them on either side above the upper summit ofbones of upper jaw; those in front smaller, rounded and wide, those behindlarger, oblong-pyramidal, with a cutaneous eyelid. Operculum elongated, verylarge. Branchial aperture larger than in the next species mentioned below. Bodywholly covered with scales, elongate, slender, rather shapely since the back andabdomen are rounded and the fish is compressed only on the sides. Humerusextends above insertion of pectoral fins to a process which is very narrow andscaly outside. All scales very thin, small, like paper, with concentric curved linesset very close together in the middle of the scale but projecting out towardstheir edges, and with some radii which are irregular and scarcely visible in therear section of the'scales. Scales of lateral line clearly marked from the anterioredge to the middle furrow, then to the posterior edge by a mucous canal whichopens out in a very small circular aperture. Scales very markedly extendedbackwards to insertion of ventral fins. Lateral line distinct, running directly fromposterior angle of operculum to upper end of tail. Anterior dorsal fin with twosimple anterior rays, the first-being much the smaller; the rays behind arebranched only at the tip, and become gradually smaller in length. They are allextended on either side with skin which emerges outwards. Adipose fin fibrousat the tip. Caudal fin elongate, deeply forked, with 17 inner rays, deeply branchedseveral times, also with outer rays which are undivided and gradually decreasingin size. Anal fin small with simple anterior rays, the first being very small, scarcelyvisible from outside, those behind being branched only at the tip. Ventral finssharply angled, the first ray simple, the rays being divided from the middle.Pectoral fins small and pointed, the first ray simple, those following graduallydecreasing in size and branched only at the tip. Back greenish; rest of the fishwholly golden. • . . .

Pectoral fins with 18 rays, ventral 11, anal 3.9, caudal 5.17.5, dorsal 2.10.

In the Museum at Munich there is a very beautiful specimen preserved inspirits of wine, 8l/2 inches in length.

Inhabits rivers of Brazil.

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62 ANODUS. PROCfflLODUS.

2. ANODUS LATIOR SPIX PL XLI.

Head somewhat broad, somewhat thick, broad above, 1:4; lower jawarticulating in front of the eyes, protruding scarcely at all beyond the upper jaw.Body broad, broader than head length, compressed, abdomen keeled and notserrated; humerus slightly produced above the insertion of the pectoral fins;scales at the insertion of the pectoral fins directed backwards as much as in theprevious species.

Head of moderate size, broad, very thick above, compressed laterally and especiallybelow, equal to one fourth of the length of the body; mandible articulating shortly in frontof the eyes, but scarcely protruding beyond upper jaw. Eyes large, occupying almost thewhole anterior side of the head. Two nostrils on each side in the space between the eyesand the tip of the upper jaw, not distant one from the other, the anterior ones smaller,rounded, patulous, the posterior ones larger, semilunar, rimose, covered by a small skin.Opercle broad, rounded behind. Body somewhat broadened, compressed laterally, entirelycovered by very small scales; back compressed, almost keeled in front of dorsal fin butrounded behind; side compressed, abdomen arched, strongly keeled but not serrated.Humerus slightly protruding behind above the insertion of the pectoral fins, rounded. Allscales small, gracile, but thicker than in Anodiis elongatus, suborbicular, marked by veryclosely-set curved lines, ciliato-lobate along posterior margin; scales of the lateral line ofsame type as others, except that they are marked on their whole length by a mucous canalopening along posterior margin by a very small round foramen. Some elongated scales atthe insertion of the ventral fins. Lateral line distinct, straight from the upper angle of theopercle to the extremity of the tail. Anterior dorsal fin with simple anterior rays, the firstone very small, barely visible from outside, the following ones gradually decreasing inlength, branched twice from the middle, all continued by a salient skin. Adipose fin fringedat the extremity, arched bakwards. Caudal fin broad, forked, with lower rays branchedseveral times, outer ones simple decreasing immediately in length. Anal fin locatedbackwards, wider than in the previous species, with simple anterior rays, following onesbranched at the tip. Ventral fins smaller than pectoral ones, first ray simple, others branchedseveral times. Pectoral fins slender, first ray thicker, others branched. Back greenish, restof fish golden.

Pectoral fins with 18 rays, ventral 11, anal 3.12, caudal 5.17.5, anteriordorsal 3.9.

In the Museum at Munich a specimen is preserved in spirits of wine, 6inches in length.

Inhabits the rivers of equatorial Brazil.

XX. PROCHILODUS *) AGASS. — CURIMATES I. Cuv. —PACU SPIX.

Head small compared to body, very broad above, fatty. Eyes large, situatedin the middle of the side of the head. Nasal fossae covered by a thin skinperforated twice. Mouth small, of a noteworthy construction; intermaxillarybones small supporting in the middle the upper lip and on the sides

, lip; o5ov£, tooth.

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PROCHILODUS. 63

the maxillary bones themselves very mobile/ two mucous fossae at theirconjunction; dental mandibular bone transverse, straight, articulating at rightangle with the coronoid bone, resulting in a very mobile lower jaw. All theseintermaxillary, upper maxillary and dental mandibular bones are covered by acutaneous lip widely protruding and interconnected; but the most noteworthyis that this circular lip is armed along the whole of its external margin with very-small, closely set teeth curved at the tip, set in a single row; towards the interioranother arched series on both intermaxillary bones, another at the tip of bothdental mandibular bones. No tongue, but at its position a swollen space fixed atthe tip of the corpus of the hyoid bone. The branchiostegal membrane supportedby four broad rays. Body widened, compressed, covered by large scalessomewhat thickened, rugose. Fins of moderate size.

1. PROCHILODUS ARGENTEUS AGASS. PL XXXVIII.

Head stretched out, marked in its middle on top with a longitudinal furrowwhich is rough above the eyes, 1:5. Nape arched and somewhat ridged. Abdomenrounded above the ventral fins and keeled in front of them. 18 scales on atransverse line which lies between the ventral fins and the anterior edge of thedorsal fin; 52 on the lateral line. The adipose fin is very small and the humerusis produced on top backwards above the tip of the pectoral fins.

Pacu argenteus Spix.

Head rather depressed on top, rounded, angular and very blunt where it merges intonape of the neck. Then it is marked from the trunk downwards, more clearly than in theProchilodus nigrlcans, by a longitudinal furrow on top and in the middle of the head. Headequal to a fifth part of the body in length, inclusive of the caudal fin, and somewhatcompressed laterally near the eyes. Eyes large, set in the sides of the head, surrounded bylarge suborbital bones which are wrinkled, especially on the upper side. Operculumfurrowed with small longitudinal lines at the back. Nares set in the middle of the spacebetween the edge of the upper orbit and the apex of the upper jaw, turned towards thesides, particularly more in that direction than upwards. There are two of them on eitherside, those in front being ovate and rather small, those behind being branched and larger,all capable of being closed with skin. Body compressed, wide and covered with largescales which easily fall off. Back somewhat covered with a ridge. Abdomen lies in front ofthe ventral fins and is rounded, also keeled behind those fins. All the fins have close-setcurved concentric lines, those behind being rougher and running down to the very edge.The scales of the back of the nape are smaller than the rest and have no diverging radii; thescales on the sides of the trunk have very small radii behind and on the sides; the scales ofthe abdomen are truncated in front and their edges are not well marked, while theirposterior radii are numerous. The scales on the lateral lines have each a single lateralradius, also a very short mucous canal in almost the middle of the scales, slightly towardstheir rear. There is a very large scale, lanceolate in form, at the insertion of the ventral fins.The anterior dorsal fin has three simple anterior rays, the first of which is very small. Therays behind are divided but only at the tip. The caudal fin is large and forked. The rays areall osseous, those underneath spreading out at the tip and branched several times, whilethose outside are undivided. The anal fin has simple rays, the first very small and thethird very coarse, while those which follow are branched several times. The ventral finshave a simple first ray which is rather coarse. The rays are branched but only at the tip.The pectoral fins are pointed, the first ray being very long and undivided, those followingbecoming gradually smaller, and branched at the tip. The back is bluish and the sidesshining silver.

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64 PROCHILODUS.

Pectoral fins with 16 rays, ventral 9, anal 3.9, caudal 3.17.3, anterior dorsal3.9.

In the Museum at Munich a dry specimen is preserved, 15 inches in length.

Inhabits the Rio Sao Francisco.

2. PROCHILODUS NIGRICANS AGASS. PL XXXIX.

Head almost straight, almost continuous with slope of nape, very broadabove, marked in the middle by a longitudinal furrow, 1:4}4; abdomen angulousin front of pelvic fins, keeled behind them; scales very rugose, 18 in transverserow between the ventral fins and the dorsal one, 48 along lateral line; adiposefin widened behind, fringed, with narrow stem; humerus rounded above theinsertion of the pectoral fins.

Pacu nigricans Spix.

Head very broad above, broader than trunk, therefore the exterior side appears veryprominent from above, marked in the middle by a narrow longitudinal furrow, with astraight dorsal profile continuous with the slope of the back, slightly larger than one fourthof the back, caudal fin included, compressed laterally below the eyes. Eyes large, in themiddle of the side of the body [sic], surrounded by suborbital bones smaller than in theprevious species. Opercle striated, continued posteriorly by a broadly protruding skin.Nostrils almost midway between the eyes and the apex of the upper jaw, but closer to thefirst than to the second, two on each side, the anterior ones smaller, semilunate, patulous,the posterior ones larger, capable of being closed by skin. Body very compressed, verybroad between the ventral and dorsal fins, covered by large rugose scales; back almostkeeled in front of dorsal fin, somewhat rounded behind it; abdomen angulous in front ofventral fin, keeled behind them. Almost all orbicular scales have a radiation point in themiddle and are marked by closely-set curved concentric lines, in the posterior part of thescale thicker, irregular, battered-therefore the rugosity of the scales-and by the verynumerous rays diverging from the middle; on the scales of the lateral line, a very shortmucous canal opening by an oblique foramen at the posterior third of the scale. Very largelanceolate scale at the insertion of the ventral fins. Anterior dorsal fin elongate, with anteriorrays simple, first one very small hardly visible from outside, following ones only branchedat the extremity of the apex. Adipose fin broader behind, fringed, with slender, gracilestem. Caudal fin broad, forked, with inner rays branched deeply and several times, theouter ones simple, gradually shorter. Anal fin short, with first ray very small, simple asthe following two, the others branched. Ventral fins opposite to middle of dorsal, withfirst simple ray only slightly thicker than the other, branched ones. Pectoral fins slender,acuminate, first ray simple, longer and only slightly thicker than the following ones whichare branched at apex and of gradually decreasing size. Fish from black to greenish above,sides brilliant golden; dorsal and caudal fins spotted black,

Pectoral fins with 16 rays, ventral 9, anal 3.9, caudal 3—4.17.3—4, anteriordorsal 3.9.

In the Museum at Munich a very nice specimen is preserved is spirits ofwine, 7 inches in length.

Inhabits the rivers of central Brazil. As the previous one, it feeds on insectsand other small aquatic animals. Because of its tasty flesh, it is among the delightsof the Brazilians.

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LEPORINE 65

LEPORINUS SPIX. CURIMATES 3. Cuv.

Head small, acuminate in front, somewhat wider above, sub-depressed, laterallysomewhat compressed. Eyes large, lateral. On both sides two nostrils distant from eachother, the anterior ones tubulous. Mouth small, transverse, somewhat rounded when open,surrounded by very thick fleshy lips, pleated inside as in Labrus. Incisive teeth elongate,antrorse, pointed, on the wide intermaxillary bones supporting the whole upper lip andon the mandible; inner teeth above and below larger than the others and more prominent,similar to the incisive teeth of dormouse [Glis], therefore the generic name§. No tongue.Branchiostegal membrane supported by 4 short rays, broadly fused to the bones of thehumerus, resulting in a small branchial opening. Body covered by quite large scales,elongate, somewhat rounded but slightly compressed laterally. Fins of moderate size; thedorsal one high.

LEPORINUS NOVEMFASCIATUS SPIX. PL XXXVII.

Head small and pointed/1:4^/2. Lips very thick, the lower edge being fibrous.Humerus extends into a pointed process above insertion of the pectoral fins. Avery long lanceolate scale lies near the insertion of ventral fins. 44 scales in thelateral line, which is very straight in the middle of the side. 15 scales lie in a linebetween the ventral fins and the dorsal fin in a transverse direction. Dorsal finrays extended on both sides by skin.appearing above the surface.

Salmo fasciatus Bloch/ PL 379.

Head naked, almost round, its top and sides only being somewhat depressed. Mouthvery small. Jaws equal. Lower lip fibrous. Operculum rounded behind and lengthenedwith skin lying above the surface. The anterior nares extend into a long tube, those behindbeing branched and Wide. Body compressed and covered with quite large scales. Lateralline very straight. All scales slender and somewhat rounded, but with the anterior edgetruncate or emerginate. The point of radiation is almost in the anterior third part of eachscale. The scales themselves are marked with concentric curved lines rather rougher inthe rear and sloping down to a membraneous margin, while there are also very thinjadiiwhich can clearly be seen, which diverge only _towards the rear and form a very thinnetwork in the point of radiation itself. There is a mucous canal beginning in the forwardedge of the lateral line which opens in a very small round aperture, in almost the middleof the scales. A very long scale, very thin and lanceolate near the insertion of the ventralfins. Dorsal fin elevated, all its rays extended by skin rising above the surface on the sides/the two anterior rays being undivided and those following being equal to one another andbranched only at the tip. Adipose fin rounded. Caudal fin forked and has internal rayswhich are branched several times and exterior rays which are undivided and becomegradually smaller. Anal fin has undivided anterior rays, those behind getting graduallysmaller and divided at tip. Ventral fins triangular, the first ray being simple and coarserthan those which follow, becoming gradually smaller from that in the centre. Head blackish,trunk bright brown with black bands lying transversely; fins shadowy.

Pectoral fins with 18 rays, ventral 10, anal 2.8, caudal 4.17.4, anterior dorsal 2.10.

Editors' comment: this sentence is difficult to understand as the generic name isobviously based on the Latin lepus, leporis, the hare. It is either a lapsus or the indicationthat Agassiz used another name in an early version of the manuscript, then changedit and overlooked this sentence.

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66 SCHIZODON.

In the Museum at Munich a specimen is preserved in spirits of wine, 7 inches in length.

Inhabits the rivers of equinoctial Brazil.

In addition to the species described, Salmo friderid Bloch has also to be added to thisgenus.

XXII. SCHIZODON*) AGASS. CURIMATBS 2. Cuv.

Head wholly naked, small, depressed and very wide. Eyes large and setlaterally. Two nares on either side. Mouth small and arched, open and rounded,with very broad teeth notched at the tip, cloven in the lower jaw, which extendsforwards and in the wide intermaxillary bones which define the whole upperjaw of the mouth. Bones of upper jaw very small and toothless, lyingperpendicular at the point of meeting of the jaws. Tongue very small and setback. The branchial opening is small since the membrane covering the gills iswidely joined with the humerus. Four branchiostegal rays. Body elongated,rounded and somewhat compressed, covered with large scales. Fins of moderatesize.

1. SCHIZODON FASCIATUS AGASS. PI. XXXVI.

Head depressed, rounded above, connected with the back in an almoststraight line. Lower jaw prominent. Humerus extends backwards above theinsertion of the pectoral fins. Ventral fins set opposite middle of dorsal fin. Caudalfin wide and deeply forked. A lanceolate scale produced backwards at theinsertion of the ventral fins. 42 scales on the lateral line and 11 on a line whichlies across between the ventral fins and the dorsal fin.

Curimata fasciatus Spix.

Head small, wide and somewhat pointed in front and rounded at the tip, markedabove in its middle by a shallow fossa. The head itself is very wide and rounded. Mouthvery small, arched, open, round, surrounded by very rough lips set with wide teeth, thosein the middle being wider than the smaller teeth on the sides, which are split at the tip andlie in the lower jaw, numbering four on either side, while there are five such on either sidein the intermaxillary bones. Eyes large and set in the sides in the middle of the spacebetween the tip of the snout and the posterior angle of the operculum, behind the jointureof the bones of the upper jaw. Two nares on either side, lying in the middle between theupper jaw and the edge of the orbit. Those in front tubular, those behind lying scarcelyapart from those in front, pyramidal and spreading. Body somewhat rounded, somewhatcompressed on the sides, elongated and covered with large scales. Back somewhat furrowedin front of the dorsal fin but rounded behind it, while the abdomen is round. All the.scalesare quite firmly set, almost circular, the anterior edge being only very slightly markedwith curved concentric lines very dose to each other, rather rough in the rear with smallswellings which are irregular, and some of which slope down to a membranous edgewhere rough scales canbe seen as well as a few rays divergingbackwards. Scales themselvesmarked with a single spot in front; a short mucous canal on the lateral line of the scales,running down from almost the centre scale in its third section behind and opening in avery small round aperture. There is a scale, slender and lanceolate,

*) With split tooth: ox,tt;co, split; o5ov^, tooth.

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SCHIZODON. CHALCEUS. 67

extending backwards very markedly down to the insertion of the ventral fins. The dorsalfin is elongated with all its rays augmented by protruding outside the membrane. The twoanterior rays simple, those behind almost all of equal length and branched only at thevery tip. Adipose fin small, located opposite middle of anal fin, branched at the tip. Caudalfin broad, deeply forked and deeply divided in many places; external rays undivided andgrow gradually shorter. Anal fin short, the anterior rays growing gradually larger; theyare undivided, while those behind are slender and branched at the tip. Ventral fins largerthan pectorals, the first ray being simple and rather coarse, those following curved at theroots and branched at the tip. Pectoral fins slender, the first ray being simple and veryslightly smaller than the second, third and fourth. Those following grow gradually shorter.The whole fish is greyish-black. Operculum and sides shining golden. Transverse bandsblackish.

Pectoral fins with 18 rays, ventrals 9, anal 3.9, caudal 4.17 A, anterior dorsal2.10.

In the Museum at Munich there are two fine specimens preserved in spiritsof wine, 6-8^2 inches in length.

Inhabits the rivers of Brazil. The tasty flesh is greatly desired by theinhabitants.

The other species of this genus is the Curimata of Marcgrave, which is Salmounimaculatus Bloch.

XXIII. CHALCEUS Cuv.

Head of medium size, wholly naked, somewhat compressed on the sides and verybroad on top. Eyes large, set in the sides in the forward section of the body. Nasal fossaecovered with skin twice perforated, placed before and above the eyes. Mouth of mediumsize, set transversely, open, square, with the lower jaw prominent. Upper jawbones small,closing in the sides of the mouth, provided with very small sharp teeth. Intermaxillarybones very large, holding up the entire upper lip. Teeth set in two bands. The teeth in theupper rank are large, but smaller than those in the other. The teeth in the band behind andin the anterior part of the lower jaw are very large, pointed, multicuspid and very sharp.The teeth on the sides of the lower jaw and those behind are much smaller than those infront. Between the anterior and posterior bands of teeth of the inter-maxillary bones, orbehind those teeth, there are teeth of the same type as those of the posterior band. Themiddle cusp of the teeth is larger than the rest, more prominent and sharp. Tongue ratherbroad, papillated and free at the tip. Branchial opening large. Four slender branchiostegalrays. Body rather wide, more or less compressed, covered with large scales. The fins are ofmedium size, the anal fin being wider than the rest. In addition to our new species thisgenus includes the following species too, which have been described by the most learnedCuvier in Mem. du Mus.: Chalceus macrolepidotus, - Chalceus opalinus, - Chalceus fastiatus.

1. CHALCEUS ANGULATUS SPIX. PL XXXIV.

Head flat on top but falls away, 1:4 %. Body very compressed, V/2. times widerthan length of head. Abdomen angular and furrowed. Scales very large andvery thin. Pectoral fin very long, extending right down to the anus. Dorsal finset in the space between ventral and anal fins. Lateral line straight, lying in theupper third part of the trunk and parallel with the back.

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gg CHALCEUS.

Head level on top, falling away and joining its blunt side with its back, very compressedlaterally. Mouth small, the teeth on the edge of the upper jaw are very small, scarcelyvisible. The teeth of the anterior band of the intermaxillary bones are scarcely smaller thanthose of the posterior band and are tricuspid; between the anterior and posterior bands oneither side there are three teeth equal in size to the teeth behind; the anterior teeth of thelower jaw have 5 cusps and are larger than the teeth of the intermaxillary bones. The teethof the sides are smaller the more rearwards they are placed. On either side of the mandibularsymphysis is a very sharp and very long tooth which is undivided, unicuspid, and setbehind the teeth of the lower jaw. Nares placed behind and above the eyes; two on eachside, those in front being branched and capable of being closed with skin. Those behindoblong, much larger and spreading. Eyes surrounded by wide sub-orbital bones. Bodycovered with large, very thin, paper-like, deciduous scales. These scales have very thinand very close-set curved concentric lines, and a few irregular radii. The body itself isvery compressed, V/2 times wider than the length of the head. The back is almost level andsomewhat hollowed. Abdomen acutely hollowed and angular in front. There is aperpendicular plate extending to the rear of the hyoid bone, set very much within thebody. The dorsal fin lies opposite the space between the ventral fins and the anal fin; it hasa first ray which is undivided, while the rays following are branched but only at the tip,their extremities being very slender. Adipose fin elongated and fibrous at the tip. Caudalfin emarginate; its internal rays are branched several times, while the external rays areundivided and become gradually smaller. The anal fin is very wide and emarginate, withthree anterior rays which are very small and simple like the fourth ray. The rays behindare branched at the tip and become smaller, but very gently so. The ventral fins are small,the first ray being undivided, those following being branched but only at the tip. Thepectoral fins are very long, extending beyond the anus, the first ray being simple and verylong, the rest becoming gradually smaller, branched at the tip, which is rather coarse. Theback and fins are bluish, the operculum silver, the sides golden.

Pectoral fins with 12 rays, ventral 7, anal 4.28, caudal 5.17.5, anterior dorsal1.10.

In the Museum at Munich two specimens are preserved in spirits of wine, 5inches in length.

Inhabits the rivers of equatorial Brazil.

2. CHALCEUS AMAZONICUS AGASS. PL XXXV.

Head rounded above and blunt, 1:4H- Body rough, somewhat rounded,compressed on the sides, covered with scales of medium size. Abdomen rounded.Pectoral fins do not extend even to the ventral fins. Ventral frns set over againstthe end of the dorsal fin. Anal fin has scales at its base. Lateral line branchedand curved downwards.

Charadmis amazonicus Spix.

Head wider and rougher than in the preceding species, rounded on top and very-broad, blunt in front. Mouth quite large and transverse, open and square. Teeth in thebones of upper jaw very small, sharp, conical, but blunt in the anterior band of theintermaxillary bones. Those in the posterior band larger and tricuspid, while behind themon both sides are two very large teeth with five cusps like the anterior teeth of the lowerjaw, while the teeth of the lower jaw grow gradually shorter on the sides. A very smallconical tooth on either side of mandibular symphysis. Tongue very wide, blunt and heavilypapillated. Two nares on either side, those in front ovate, spreading and rather large, thosebehind longer, narrower

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CHALCEUS. TETRAGONOPTERUS. 69

and branched, covered with skin. Eyes surrounded below and above with wide suborbitalbones. Operculum lengthened behind with skin rising above the surface. Body elongated,rough and compressed on sides and back; abdomen rounded, completely covered withmedium-sized scales. Lateral line curved downwards. Humerus extends above insertionof pectoral fins, backwards into a blunt process. All scales quite firm, somewhat roundedand marked with very close-set, curved, concentric lines, also in the entire posterior sectionwith very many undulating, extremely thin radii. Scales of lateral line similar; the mucouscanal of those scales extends from the anterior edge only down to a furrow on the middlescale; from there the mucous canal opens in very small apertures in smaller canals whichare formed twice or three times in the rear edge of the scales. A very thin scale, lanceolateand very long, extends far backwards to insertion of ventral fins. Scales which are smallerthan those of the trunk cover the base of the rest of the anal fin. Anterior dorsal fin in themiddle of the back, all its rays lengthened outwards with skin rising above the surface, therays in front being undivided, those behind getting gradually smaller and branched at thetip. Adipose fin widens out behind, fibrous at the tip. Caudal fin emarginatebuthas internalrays which are deeply divided at many points, while the external rays are undivided andbecome gradually smaller. Anal fin with scales at its insertion; anterior rays which areundivided, the first being the smallest, while those which follow it are gradually, butmarginally, smaller in length. Ventral fins are almost triangular, the first ray being undividedand marginally coarseer than the rest. Pectoral fins with first ray simple and rather coarse,while those on the side are gradually smaller and branched at the tip. Head bluish, but therest of the entire fish is olive grey and bright gold.

Pectoral fins with 16 rays, ventral 87 anal 3.24, caudal 5.15.7, anterior dorsal2.9.

In the Museum at Munich there is a fine specimen, 10 inches long, preservedin spirits of wine.

Inhabits the Amazon River.

XXIV. TETRAGONOPTERUS ARTEDI. Cuv.

Head very small and compressed. Eyes very large, occupying a large part ofthe side of the head and surrounded by wide sub-orbital bones. Nasal fossae lieabove the juncture of the bones of the upper jaw with the inter-maxillary bonesand are covered with skin twice perforated. Mouth rather large and transverse,open and squarish. Upper jaw bones small, lying along the side, somewhatarched backwards, covered with very small teeth which can scarcely be seeneven with a glass, on the edge of the bones, but above and close to the junctureof the bones of the upper jaw with the intermaxillary bones on either side thereare three or four larger teeth. Intermaxillary bones wide, supporting entire upperpart of upper lip, provided with two bands of teeth; the teeth in the anteriorband are marginally smaller and tricuspid while those in the posterior band arelarger and have five cusps. Lower jaw protrudes with very large, five-cuspedteeth in front, those on the sides getting gradually smaller the more rearwardthey are placed, and finally becoming very small indeed. Snout very short. Askinny covering behind upper teeth. Body very compressed, very wide andcovered with large, thin scales. Back somewhat ridged. Abdomen rounded. Finsof moderate size, anal fin being the widest.

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70 TETRAGONOPTERUS. SERRASALMO.

1. TETRAGONOPTERUS CHALCEUS AGASS. PL XXXIII. Fig. 1.

Head small, very blunt/ 1:4V& with the mouth closed; with the mouth open1:4. 12 teeth in the anterior band of the intermaxillary bones, and 10 in theposterior band, while in the lower jaw there are 8. The teeth in front are ratherlarge. Body very compressed and almost twice as wide as the length of the head.Pectoral fins lie above insertion of ventral fins, which themselves lie oppositethe dorsal fin. Caudal fin is forked. 34 scales on the lateral line and 12 scales onthe transverse line between the ventral fins and the dorsal fin. Lateral line curveddownwards.

Nape drops significantly and is moderately ridged, but is marked in the middle by alongitudinal furrow between the eyes. Head blunt in front, truncated, rounded andcompressed on the sides. Operculum posteriorly emarginate. Two nares on either side,those in front being rounded and wide, those behind being crescent-shaped, capable ofbeing closed with skin. Body very compressed, very wide and covered with large scaleswhich are higher than they are long and very thin, like paper. Lateral line somewhat archeddownwards, marked only with very small pores. All scales truncate in front, scarcelyemerging above the surface, rounded only at the rear edge and all marked with a transverseline in the middle, which is deeply hollowed, as well as with very close-set curved concentriclines, but only in the anterior part of the scales. The posterior part is very light except forsome very thin radii which can be seen only in the extreme edge behind it. Mucous canalof lateral line scales short, opens out in a very small round aperture in the third posteriorpart of the scale. Anterior dorsal fin rather high, its first ray being very small and scarcelyvisible from outside. Second and third rays undivided, the rays following getting smallergradually and branched at the dp. Adipose fin spreads out and is fibrous at the tip. Analfin very wide, with slender rays, the anterior rays being simple and those following gettingsmaller gradually, branched only at the tip. Ventral fins with a first ray which is simpleand rather coarse, those behind branched at the tip. Pectoral fins pointed, slender, withthe first ray being undivided and very long, those following getting gradually smallerand branched at the tip. The whole fish is a bright grey with longitudinal golden bands.

Pectoral fins with 14 rays, ventral 8, anal 3.29, caudal 6-7.17.6-7, anteriordorsal fin 3.9.

In the Museum at Munich there is a fine specimen preserved in spirits ofwine, 3% inches in length.

Inhabits the rivers of equatorial Brazil.

In the light of the characteristics noted above, this species differs fromTetragonopterus argenteus Artedi.

XXV. SERRASALMO LACEP. Cuv.

Head naked, large, very compressed and very blunt. Eyes large, set anteriorly on thesides, surrounded by large sub-orbital bones which wholly cover the cheeks. Nares set inthe front of the upper margin of the eyes. Mouth large, arched and transverse. Lower jawprominent. Intermaxillary bones very large, supporting the whole upper lip, while theteeth are very large and triangular, very wide

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SERRASALMO. 71

at their roots/ serrated on their sides and very sharp at the tip; they are disposed rn a singleunbroken series. Bones of upper jaw edentate, very small and set in the outer extremity ofthe intermaxillary bones close to the maxillary juncture. Branchial aperture of moderatesize. Branchiostegal membrane with four wide rays. Body very compressed, very wide,and covered with very small scales. Abdomen keeled and serrated as in Clupea. Fins ofmoderate size, the anal fin being the largest.

Very many species of this genus have been noted apart from our two species, all fromBrazil. They are rapacious, fearsome to swimmers since they can cause grave hurt veryeasily with their sharp teeth. Salmo rhombeus Linn., Senasalmo piraya Cuv., Senasalmo mentoCuv., Serrasalmo denticuhtus Cuv., Sermsalmo albus Humb.

1. SERRASALMO PIRANHA Cuv. PL XXVIII.

Head very blunt and truncate. A line on the nape of the neck which is almoststraight and turned downwards. Trunk very wide between pectoral fins andnape, almost V/z times wider than the length of the head. Dorsal fin set muchmore to the rear than the other species. Anal fin rather high, its insertion widelycovered with scales. Some rather blunt spines on the abdominal ridge, verywide, formed Eke gutter tiles, not emerging significantly from the skin. A tuberclein place of a spine in front of dorsal and anal fins.

Piranha Marcg. Piso p.69 - Cuv. Mem. du Mus. vol. 5. -

Head very blunt, truncate, continuous with the nape in a straight line. Sub-orbitalbones very wide and striated lightly, like the bones of the operculum. Two spreading nareson either side, rounded, those at the rear capable of being half-closed with skin. Bodyrough, very compressed, very wide at the operculum and covered with very small, close-set scales. The scales themselves are irregular, differing widely in shape in the same fish,since very many scales are joined together very often and lines originate from the scalesand extend very irregularly and sinuously; all are granulated in the middle but are markedwith closely packed concentric curved lines and in the rear section only, with a few radii.120 scales on lateral line, lying in a furrow on the forward edge right down to the point ofradiation, while the mucous canal extends from there to the rear edge. Anterior dorsal finwith rays, of which those in the middle are very long, while those in front are simple andthose behind are gradually shorter, and branched only at the very tip. In front of the finthere is a tubercle in place of a spine. Posterior dorsal fin fleshy and provided with a bonyplate which is somewhat rounded. Caudal fin wide, emarginate, its internal rays beingvery wide and branched at the tip, while its external rays are undivided and graduallysmaller. Anal fin minimally higher in front, with three simple anterior rays, the third beingthe most coarse, while the others are branched at the tip and covered almost to the middlewith rather small scales. Ventral fins small, set at middle of stomach, almost all the raysbeing undivided. Pectoral fins elongated but in our picture longer than in nature, sincethey do not cover the ventral fins when the tip is set back; the first ray simple and rathercoarse, those following gradually smaller and branched only at the very tip. The fish isgreenish on top, the head and sides and the fins being yellowish.

Pectoral fins with 15 rays, ventral 5, anal 3.28, caudal 8.19.8, dorsal 4.15.

In the Museum at Munich two specimens are preserved dried, 15 inches inlength.

It inhabits the Sao Francisco River and the neighboring lakes, ponds andbrooks.

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72 SERRASALMO.

2. SERRASALMO AUREUS SPIX. PL XXIX.

Head blunt, rounded in front somewhat lacking a well-defined edge. Napesomewhat arched. Trunk very wide down to the dorsal fin/ more than twice aswide as the head is long. Bones of abdominal cavity sharp, well separated fromone another, and standing clear. Vertebral column slender and straight, down tothe dorsal fin. A small bifurcate bone in front of the anal fin. Dorsal fin in themiddle of the back; anal fin very wide and short, and as high as wide, with scalyrays right up to its middle.

Head blunt and rounded in front, the edge of its vertex somewhat ill-defined; napearched. Lower jaw does not protrude as much as in the other species. Two nasal passageson either side, rounded and very large, those in front spreading, those behind capable ofbeing closed entirely with widely emerging skin. Body very compressed, very wide, morethan twice as wide as the head is long. Dorsal ridge free of scales down to the dorsal fin,and narrow. Bones of abdominal cavity very sharp and sub-conical; the farther back they-are, the larger they are and the farther apart from one another. Lateral line somewhatarched behind the operculum, thereafter very straight and marked with 86 scales. Scalessmall and all grained in the middle, outside of which they are marked with curvedconcentric lines very close together, but with no radii at all. Scales of lateral line, from theirforward margin right across to their centres, dearly marked by a furrow and a very shortmucous canal with a rounded open outlet. A sharp bone turned towards the cavity aheadof the anterior dorsal fin. Anterior rays of the fin itself simple, those behind branched atthe tip and gradually smaller. Adipose fin rather wide with a rounded tip. Caudal finemarginate, with rounded lobes, the inner rays being very wide and branched at the tips,the outer rays undivided and gradually getting smaller. Anal fin very wide, with raysbranched at the tips and almost equal one with another, having scales right up to theirmiddle on all but the three anterior rays, which are undivided; of these, the third is theroughest, and longer than the rest. Ventral fins small, closer to anal fin than in any otherspecies, with the first ray being simple and rather rough. Pectoral fins blunt, the first rayrather rough and simple, those following being gradually smaller and branched at thetips. The whole fish is olive-coloured, with a gold sheen; the fins and head are swarthy.

Pectoral fins with 15 rays, ventral 7, anal 3.35, caudal 6.17.6, anterior dorsal2.14.

There is, in the museum at Munich, a specimen about 7 inches is preservedin spirits of wine.

Inhabits rivers and lakes of equatorial Brazil.

3. SERRASALMO NIGRICANS SPIX. PL XXX.

Head blunt, with a greatly protruding lower jaw. Nape extends from headin an almost straight line. Back almost straight down to the dorsal fin; close tothis fin the trunk is very broad, more than 1% times broader than the head islong. Scales much smaller than in the other species. Bones of abdominal cavityvery sharp, very compressed and set close together, those in the rear being largerand farther apart from one another. Backbone sharp straight in the direction ofthe cavity, in front of dorsal fin, which begins at the middle of the back in acircle; there is a twin-pointed protuberance in front of the rather high anal fin,whose base is widely scaled.

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SERRASALMO. MYLETES. 73

Head wide on top, very blunt, very compressed towards the nape, at the very top ofwhich there is a very long, narrow furrow. Lower jaw protrudes very far, much as in theSerrasalmo mento Cuvier. Two round nares on either side, being capable of being half-closedwith a loose cover of skin, very large and in front of the eyes. Dorsal ridge in front of theanterior dorsal fin free of scales as in the S. piranJui, but very narrow in this species. Bodyvery compressed. Abdominal keel pointed: spines sharp, close together and verycompressed, those behind being larger and farther apart from one another. All scales verysmall, set very close together, with very close-packed concentric curved lines, and those ofthe upper trunk marked with radii at the back. Mucous canal of scales of lateral line ofgreater size, extending over the whole length of the scale, opening out in a very smalloblique aperture in the rear edge. 96 scales on the lateral line. A sharp bone turned towardsthe cavity in front of the anterior dorsal fin. The fin itself has two short simple rays, therays behind them being branched only at the very tips and gradually decreasing in length.Adipose fin rounded, somewhat fibrous at the tip. Caudal fin has internal rays which aredeeply branched at many points, and external simple rays, which get gradually smaller.Anterior anal fin rays simple, the third much rougher than the rest, those behind beingbranched at the tip, and the base being scaly, with its anterior angle rounded. The fin itselfis taller but less wide than in the other species. Ventral fins small and pointed, set in themiddle of the abdomen, but slightly backward of it. Pectoral fins somewhat triangular,extending beyond insertion of ventral fins, the anterior rays being slightly rougher thanthose behind, which get gradually smaller. The whole fish is blackish olive, with a goldensheen; fins darker.

The pectoral fins have 16 rays, the ventral 6, the anal 3.28, the caudal 7-8.21.7-8, the anterior dorsal 2.15.

In the Museum at Munich there is a very beautiful specimen preserved inspirits of wine, 4K inches in length.

It inhabits rivers of equatorial Brazil, as the other species, is very voracious,attacks all aquatic animals, is good to eat.

This species is closer to the Salmo rhombeus than to any other, but on thebasis of the given characteristics set out it is specifically different.

XXVI. MYLETES Cuv.

Head rather large or rather small, compressed, completely naked. Snout very short.Eyes large, up in front and on the sides, and surrounded by quite large suborbital bones.The nasal passages are covered with skin twice perforated, set before and above the eyes.Mouth rather large or rather small, transverse, open and quadrate. Lower jaw usuallyprotruding. IntermaxiHaries very large, supporting the whole upper h'p. Upper maxillarybones indeed very small, lying along the sides, provided with a few minute teeth only atthe junction with the intermaxillary bones. Teeth on intermaxillaries disposed in two bands,those in the lower jaw in a single band, molariform, rough, triangular, with rounded angles.A sharp, conical, undivided tooth behind the internal teeth of either branch of the lowerjaw. Teeth sharp, very small on pharyngeal bones. Vomer, palatine and pterygoid bonesedentate. A wide membranous covering behind the intermaxillary teeth. Branchiostegalmembrane with five thin, papyrus-like rays. Branchial opening quite large. Body verycompressed, more or less wide, even very wide, covered mostly with very small scales.Abdomen boat-shaped and more often than not, serrated. Fins of moderate size. Anal finvery large and very wide.

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74 MYLETES.

The following species of this genus are known to us; Salmo dentex Hasselq.or Myletes liasselquistii Cuv., Myletes macropomus Cuv./ Myletes rhomboidalis Cuv./Myletes duriventris Cuvv Myletes bmchypomus Cuv./ Myletes paco Humb./ and twospecies to be described below.

1. MYLETES AUREUS AGASS. PL XXXI.

Head and mouth very small/ 1:5. Upper jaw truncate. Lower jaw narrowand exceedingly protruding. Trunk very compressed/ very wide/ more than threetimes as wide as the head is long, wholly covered with very small scales. Anabdominal saw/ very prominent and arched. Pectoral fins falcate. Ventrals minute/anal very long and much higher behind/ rounded and covered all over withsmall scales. Caudal fin arched/ emarginate. Adipose fin covered at its base withthe tiniest of small scales.

Tetragonopterus aitreus Sprx

Head small, angular and very compressed. Operculum narrowed at the rear, extendedwith widely emerging skin. Mouth very small. Upper jaw truncated, very blunt. Lowerjaw narrower and exceedingly protruding. Five teeth on either side in the upper band ofthe intermaxillary bones are slightly smaller than the rest and have very sharp, antrorsepoints. Two slightly larger teeth with several points in the rear band. Four teeth on eitherside of the lower jaw, those in. front much larger than those behind. A very sharp, undivided,conical tooth behind the inner tooth, with a slightly retrorse tip. Suborbital bones are lesswide than in the species described below. Two nasal passages on either side, those in frontbeing smaller, rounded and spreading, those behind arched, and capable of being closedwith skin. Body very compressed, very wide down to the anterior dorsal fin/ more thanthree times as wide as the head is long, and covered all over with very minute scales.Body arched in front of the dorsal fin, gradually sloping thence. Abdomen exceedinglyprominent, arched/ sharply keeled and serrated/ with very sharp bones, compressed andcurving, gradually larger the farther back they are set. Lateral line behind the operculumsomewhat arched downwards and then very straight all the way down to caudal fin. Allthe scales very thin, paper-like and very small, marked with concentric curves but with noradii. Scales of the lateral line remarkable for a wide furrow from the forward edge rightacross to the point of radiation/ but made conspicuous from there by a mucous canal rightacross to the forward edge of the scales. Anterior dorsal fin with three simple anteriorrays, the first small and scarcely observable, those following branched at the tip, andgradually smaller. Adipose fin covered with very minute, scarcely visible scales, from itsinsertion until beyond its middle. Caudal fin with inner rays which are branched at thetip, and outer rays which are simple, gradually getting smaller. Anal fin very wide, roundedbehind and much higher there than in front, with three simple anterior rays, those behindbeing branched at the tip, all so completely covered almost throughout their entire lengthwith very minute scales that they can scarcely be seen from outside. Ventral fins small andclose to the anus, but not extending right up to it, with the first ray simple, longer androugher than the rest. Pectoral fins falcate, the first ray very long and rougher than thosewhich follow, which are gradually smaller and branched at the tip. Back olive-coloured,but the whole fish is golden. Eyes red/ head grayish blue on top.

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MYLETES. ' 75

Pectoral fins with 15 rays, ventral 6, anal 3.30, caudal 6.17.6, anterior dorsal3.12.

La the museum at Munich there are three specimens preserved in spirits ofwine, 5-7 inches in length.

It inhabits rivers of equatorial Brazil, called Piranha roduleira by theinhabitants. More closely related than any other to Myletes .duriventris Cuv.Behaves as Serrasalmo piranha.

2. MYLETES BIDENS SPIX. PL XXXII.

Head large, 1:3%; upper jaw rounded; lower jaw dilated. Trunk verycompressed, 1% times wider than the head is long, wholly covered with verysmall scales. Abdomen serrated, somewhat arched; ventral fins extend rightdown to the anus; anal fin is higher in front and rounded, the posterior raysgradually smaller, covered with small scales only at the insertion. Caudal finnot sharply edged; adipose fin arched, fibrous at the tip.

Head large, rough and very blunt, rounded in front. Mouth of moderate size: lowerjaw wider and less protruding than in the preceding species. Teeth very large, very sharp-pointed in front, five on each anterior band of intermaxillary bones, two on each side ofthe posterior band. Six teeth on each side of lower jaw, the three at the back being muchthe smaller, but those in front only slightly smaller than the teeth of the upper jaw. Behindthe inner tooth on either side there is a protruding tooth, larger than in any species, fromwhich the specific name is derived. Operculum rounded, extended by widely emergingskin. Two nasal passages on each side, those in front being smaller, rounded and spreading,those behind larger and somewhat quadrangular, and capable of being closed with skin.Body very compressed, 1% times broader than the head is long, wholly covered with verysmall scales. Back, down to the dorsal fin, arched and ridged, the top of the ridge beingfree of scales; abdomen boat-shaped, somewhat arched and serrated, the spines very sharp,retrorse, smaller than in the preceding species. Lateral line arched downwards in theanterior section, but very straight in the posterior. All scales are very thin and paper-like,with very close-set, concentric, curved lines, and marked in the rear section with verysmall, scarcely noticeable radii, the rear edge being ciliate. Scales of lateral line conspicuousbecause of a mucous furrow proceeding from the forward edge to the point of radiation,and then, those in front because of two small channels extending obliquely backwardsright across to the edge, diverting from one another, those behind for a single channeldirected downwards. Dorsal fin with anterior rays simple, and gradually getting larger,while those behind are branched at the tip and get gradually smaller. Adipose fin coveredwith very minute scales right up to its middle, its tip is bare and fibrous. Caudal fin hasinner rays which are very wide at the tip and branched in many places, and outer rayswhich are simple and get gradually smaller. Anal fin rounded in front and much higher infront than behind/ with three simple rays in front, the third being coarser than the rest,those behind being branched at the tip and gradually getting smaller. All the rays arecovered at the base with small scales, but are elsewhere clear and very distinct. Ventral finpointed, extending right down to the anus, set opposite the anterior edge of the dorsal fin,its first ray is simple and coarse than the rest, which are gradually smaller and branchedat the tip. Pectoral 'fins rather wide, extending right down to the insertion of ventral fins.First ray is simple, coarser than the rest, branched only at the very tip. Back olive-grey,head blackish on top, sides golden, fins blackish at their tips.

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76 MYLETES. RHAPfflODON.

Pectoral fins with 18 rays, ventral 8, anal 3.25, caudal 6.17.6, anterior dorsal3.15.

In the museum at Munich two specimens are preserved in spirits of wine, 5inches and 7 inches in length.

Inhabits rivers of equinoctial Brazil.

XXVII. RAPHIODON*) AGASS. CYNODON SPIX.

Second subdivision of HYDROCYON**) Cuv. Mem. du Mus.

Head small, very compressed, completely naked. Snout very short. Eyes large, setforward, surrounded by very large suborbital bones which completely cover the cheeks.Nasal passages set before and above eyes, covered with skin twice perforated. Mouthvery large, descending obliquely, fearfully armed. Lower jaw very narrow, exceedinglyprotruding, with the mouth open, in the direction of the orifice of the mouth. Intermaxillarybones rather small, supporting only the anterior part of the upper lip. Upper jaw bonesnarrow but very large, enclosing the sides of the mouth. All teeth very sharp. In the apexof the intermaxillary bones in front and within, there is, on either side, a very long tooth,very sharp, designed to slot into a pit in the lower jaw; behind these teeth there is a bandof smaller teeth, very dose set; and in the external apex there is another tooth, very sharpand very long. Entire ridge of bones of upper jaw right back to the rearward apex coveredwith teeth, alternately larger and smaller. At the apex of the bones of the lower jaw oneither side there is a very long canine tooth, more than twice as coarse and long as any ofthe rest of the teeth, designed to fit in a deep sheath of the upper jaw; for the rest, thewhole lower jaw is full of teeth, larger teeth alternating with smaller. When the mouth isclosed, the narrow lower jaw, with all the teeth, which are recessed in the sheaths of thejawbones, is surrounded by the upper jaw, and only the forward teeth of the intermaxillarybones are set in the apex of the lower jaw. Tongue is free at the tip, projecting. Branchialaperture very large. Four slender branchiostegal rays. Body elongated, compressed,covered, with rather small scales, narrowly boat shaped but not serrated. Pectoral finslarge, ventral very small, anal fin very wide.

1. RAPHIODON VULPINUS AGASS. PL XXVI.

Head very small and very compressed, with the mouth closed 1:6]4, withthe mouth open 1:5/4; operculum angular behind; body very long, compressed,about as wide as head is long; back straight, continued in a straight line fromthe head; breast prominent; pectoral fins triangular, extended down to middleof abdomen; dorsal fin inserted very far back, very small; middle ray of caudalfirx longer than the rest.

*) pa<t>iov, needle; o5ov£;, tooth. I have altered Spix's name Cynodon because there alreadyare two genera of the vegetable kingdom so named.

**) On very cogent grounds the most illustrious von Spix has differentiated twosubdivisions of the genus Hydrocyon; but the very distinguished Cuvier has separatedthem as distinct genera; on the same basis, however, the rest of the subdivisions of thesame genus should be held to be genera, as follows:(1) HYDROCYON Cuv. sensu stricto: under which must be grouped Hydrocyon

forshihlii Cuv.(2) XEPHORHYNCHUS Agass.: Salmo fakatus Bloch, Salmo ode Bloch, Hydrocyon

faldrostris Cuv.(3) SALMJNUS Agass.: Hydrocyon brevidens Cuv.

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RHAPHIODON. 77

Cynodon vulpinus Spix

Head small in relation to body/ very compressed, with the mouth shut one sixth of thewhole body, with the mouth open barely one fifth. Eyes large, covered with skin widelyemerging on the edge, and surrounded by very large, very wide suborbital bones whichwholly cover the cheeks and extend beyond the junction of the upper jaws. Nares situatedabove and minimally in front of eyes, two on each side, those in front being ovate andspreading, much smaller than those behind, which are semicircular and larger and admitof being closed with skin. Mouth aperture very large, ascending obliquely; with mouthopen, lower jaw protrudes exceedingly, very narrow, all the teeth larger than in Raphiodongibbus and very markedly protruding; but the teeth of the upper jaw of this species aresmaller than in the other species.Body very long and of the same width along almost theentire length of the body, at the rear end only gradually thinning. Breast very prominent,since the extremity of the hyoid bone is very wide and extends very far downwards. Backrounded, very sharply keeled, but not at all serrated. Lateral tine very straight. All thescales very small, very close-packed with concentric curved lines, but with no radii, thoseof the trunk being rounded. Lateral line scales at the rear much larger than the rest, andconspicuous for ample mucous canal in the middle of a scale from the forward edge rightacross to the point of radiation. Anterior dorsal fin set very far back, not opposite even thecommencement of the anal fin; anterior rays simple, those following are branched at thevery tip only; tips fibrous. Caudal fin rounded, the middle ray much longer than the rest,all those within being branched several times, those outside gradually smaller andundivided, and all covered with very small scales from the insertion extending beyondthe middle. Anal fin very wide but shorter than in Raphiodon gibbus, and scarcely longerthan a quarter of the trunk; the rays are very slender, those in front being simple, the restbranched at the tip, but all joined together with coarse skin and covered with very smallscales. Ventral fins very small and short, minimally distant from the anus. Pectoral finsvery large, triangular, hardly at all distant from the operculum, extending right down tomiddle of abdomen; first ray simple, very coarse; the rest branched many times at the tipand gradually smaller. The fish is greenish on top, but golden overall.

Pectoral fins with 17 rays, ventral 8, anal fin 4.44, caudal 5-6.17.5-6, dorsal2.10.

In the museum at Munich there is an incomplete specimen preserved in spiritsof wine, 12 inches long.

Inhabits rivers of Brazil.

2. RAPHIODON GIBBUS. AGASS. PL XXVI.

Head very small and compressed, when the mouth is closed 1:5 , when themouth is open 1:4 . Operculum rounded at the rear. Body elongated, verycompressed, broader in front than the length of the head. Back arched down toanterior dorsal fin. Breast arched, protruding. Pectoral fins large and triangular,extending beyond anus. Anal fin very broad, equal in length to half length oftrunk. Caudal fin forked. Dorsal fin opposite larger part of anal fin. Anus inmiddle of body.

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78 RAPfflODON. XIPHOSTOMA.

Cynodon gibbus Spix.

This species is akin to Hydrocyon scomberoides Cuv, but on the basis of characteristicsstated by Cuvier, this is a distinct species. Head very small, very compressed/ with themouth closed five and a half times, with the mouth open four and a half times of wholelength of fish. Two nares on either side, those in front smaller, spreading and rounded,those behind much larger arched and capable of being closed with skin. Mouth formed asin Raphiodon vulpinus, the teeth alone, in the upper jaw in this species, being larger, inproportion to the size of the fish. Operculum rounded at the back. Trunk hunched, verycompressed; back rounded, exceedingly arched down to the anterior dorsal fin, and verystraight behind it. Breast arched, very sharply keeled. Shoulder very wide above insertionof pectoral fins, protrudes backwards. Scales very minute, of the same kind as in thepreceding species, but more high than long. Lateral line scales truncated at the rear, roundedin front, with a conspicuous mucous canal from the forward edge almost right across tothe rear margin, at first simple, then twin-forked, with the bifurcations very greatlydiverging above and below (with lesser clarity), and a very small aperture appearing inthe upper and the lower edges of the scale. Dorsal fin set almost in middle of back, withelongated rays, those in front being undivided, those behind being branched only at thevery tip, gradually but only minimally smaller, the bifurcations not far apart from oneanother. Adipose fin narrow, rounded at the tip. Caudal fin forked, the internal rays beingbranched many times at the tip, the external rays being undivided. Anal fin very wide,equal in width to half the length of the trunk, with very slender rays, covered to theirmiddle with very minute scales, the anterior three simple, all those behind being branched,only at the very tip. Ventral fins very small, the first ray slightly coarser than the rest.Pectoral fins very wide, triangular, and extend beyond the insertion of the ventral fins andthe anus, the ray in front being simple, coarser than those which follow and are graduallysmaller and branched at the tip. Back purplish; sides silvery golden; operculum silvery.

Pectoral fins with 17 rays/ ventral 9, anal fin 3. 75, caudal 5.17.5, anteriordorsal 2.10.

In the museum at Munich a defective specimen is preserved in spirits ofwine, 6 inches in length.

Inhabits rivers of Brazil.

XXVIII. XIPHOSTOMA *)Sm.

Head exceedingly elongated, pointed in front, sharp and rather elegant. Eyessmall, set above upper jointure of the intermaxillary and upper jaw bones, andsurroundedby very wide sub orbital bones which wholly cover the cheeks. Nasalpassages set in front of eyes, covered with skin, twice perforated. Mouth verylarge, very long, lying across face; intermaxillary bones very large, very wide,wholly supporting upper lip. Bones of upper jaw small, somewhat archedbackwards. Lower jaw armed with very small teeth, set close together, hookedinwards and backwards at the tip, disposed in a single band. A skinny transverseveil between intermaxillary bones. Branchial aperture large. Four slenderbranchiostegal rays.

*) |i<|>o£;, sword; otoua, mouth.

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XIPHOSTOMA. 79

Body elongated and smooth/ compressed slightly on the sides, covered withhard scales of moderate size. Fins of moderate size. Dorsal finbehind the ventral/while the caudal is larger.

Here must be included Hydrocyon Indus Cuv, too/ differing from our speciesonly in that it has equal upper jaws and its caudal fin is not blotched.

1. XIPHOSTOMA CUVIERI SPDC. PL XLII.

Head exceedingly attenuated in front/ pointed and smooth/ 1:4. Upper jawprotruding, the apex extended with a cartilagineous appendix. Shoulder verygreatly extended backwards above insertion of the pectoral fins. Trunk coarseand somewhat smooth/ rather compressed only on the sides; there are scaleswhich are posteriorly ciliate. A black blotch at the base of the caudal fin.

Apex of lower jaw recessed into intermaxillary with mouth closed. Headcompletely naked/ above very flat/ with all the bones radiated/ rugous/ like thesuborbital bones and the operculum. Two nares on either side, those in frontrounded and spreading, those behind ovate/ much larger/ capable of being closedwith skin. Body rather smooth/ cylindrical/ coarse/ uniformly wide throughoutalmost all its length, somewhat attenuated only towards its tail, somewhatcompressed laterally; lateral line very straight. All scales firm/ marked with close-set concentric curved lines/ in the rear of the body also with several sinuousradii/ but only one or none at all in the front. A very short mucous canal of 105scales of the lateral line opens in almost the middle of the scales. 24 scales ontransverse line between ventral fins and dorsal fin. A lanceolate scale at insertionof ventral fins. Anterior dorsal fin higher/ with simple anterior rays/ those behindbeing gradually smaller and branched at the tip. Adipose fin very small/ with aspreading, fibrous tip. Caudal fin somewhat forked/ the inner rays spreading atthe tip and branched, the outer rays gradually smaller and very small and simple.Anal fin small, set very far back, emarginate, the anterior rays being simple,those following suddenly smaller/ branched at the tip. Ventral fins somewhattriangular/ set ahead of dorsal fin/ the first ray being simple/ those followingbeing branched many times at the tip only/ and gradually smaller. Pectoral finsarched/ the first ray longest/ simple, and much coarser than those that follow/which are gradually smaller/ branched at the tip. The fish is greenish above/golden on the sides. Operculum and cheeks silvery. A round black blotch atbase of caudal fin.

Pectoral fins with 26 rays, ventral 8, anal 3.8, caudal 7.17.7, anterior dorsal2 0

.0.

In the museum at Munich a specimen 16 inches is preserved in spirits ofwine.

Inhabits rivers of Brazil.

The very famous von Spix has named this species in honour of the immortalGuvier, who was the first to diagnose the genera of salmonids accurately.

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80 SAURUS.

XXIX. SAURUS Cuv.

Head of moderate size/ somewhat depressed/ with scales on the sides. Snoutmore or less pointed. Nasal passages located in front of the eyes/ covered withskin twice perforated. Eyes situated at the tip/ more or less/ of the snout/ close toeach other. Mouth very large/ transverse. Edge of upper jaw on both sides formedfrom a single bone; whether the bones are intermaxillary or of the upper jaw Ido not know because one set of them is missing, and I do not have a skeletonavailable for examination. Teeth very sharp/ elongated/ and very close set inseveral bands in lower jaw/ and in upper jaw/ in lower and upper pharyngealbones/ in body of hyoid bone and in inner edges of branchial arches. Tonguepointed/ wholly covered with teeth. Branchiostegal membrane with 15-18 veryslender rays. Branchial opening very large. Body covered with large/ obliquescales/ rather slender and elongated. Cheeks wholly and the operculum partlycovered with scales. Ventral fins well formed/ almost immediately below thorax/elongated.

Very many species have already been observed/ living in the sea/ whetherthroughout the year I do not know.

1. SAURUS LONGIROSTRIS SPIX. PL XLIII.

Snout elongated/ very pointed. Eyes weU apart from each other/ lying abovealmost the middle of the upper jaw/ only slightly to the rear. Head 1:4% roughand furrowed above at back/ smooth in front and between eyes/ hardly presseddown. Body cylindrical/ covered with rather small scales. Anal fin rather small.

Head very pointed/ attenuated in front/ more level than in the speciesdescribed below/ furrowed only in the back of the head. Two very small nareson either side/ ovate-rounded and spreading/ those in front pyramidal.Operculum entirely covered with scales. Body cylindrical/ slightly coarse at thebase of the dorsal fin. Lateral line rather arched downwards. All the scales arethin/ paper-like/ marked with thick-set curved lines/ the point of radiation beingin the third section of the rear; their forward edge is lobed, with three or foursmall lobes; the radii are rather few/ diverging and separated only in front; therear edge is rounded and oblique; an ample mucous canal of 65 scales of thelateral line opens in almost the middle of the scales. Some scales at insertion ofventral fins, also at either side of caudal fin. Dorsal fin slender/ with simpleanterior rays/ those behind being branched only at the tip. Adipose fin verysmall. Caudal fin forked/ the inner rays being branched at the tip/ the outerbeing smaller gradually/ and simple. Anal fin smaller than in the other species/with very slender rays. First ray of pectoral fins simple/ coarser and longer thanthose which follow and are gradually smaller and branched at the tip. The fishis olive-green on top, golden on the sides.

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SAURUS. 81

Pectoral fins with 13 rays/ ventral 8, anal fin 12, caudal 6.17.6, anterior dorsalfin 2.10.

In the museum at Munich two specimens are preserved in spirits of wine, 7-8l/z inches in length.

Inhabits the ocean bathing Brazil, visiting at given times the estuaries of therivers.

2. SAURUS INTERMEDIUS SPIX. PL XLIV.

Snout elongated; tip less acute. Eyes located above middle of upper jaw, setapart from each other. Head 1:4 , smooth above, hollowed between eyes. Headcylindrical anteriorly, covered with very large scales. Pectoral fins arched, ratherwide, longer than in the other species.

Head elongated, snout projected forward, but less acute than in Sauruslongirostris, smooth on top and hollowed between the eyes. Operculum andcheeks covered with scales. Two nares on either side, those in front being smaller,rounded and somewhat tubular, those behind being larger, ovate and spreading.Eyes set above middle of the upper jaw. Body cylindrical, slightly attenuated atthe rear, covered with very large, somewhat angular scales, whence the bodyappears to be striated lengthwise. All the scales oblique, grained in the middle,and marked at the edge with curved concentric lines; the rear edge is rounded,the anterior truncated, lobed, a few lobes provided with radii which divergetowards the cavity. The mucous canal of 55 scales in the lateral line is scarcelyvisible from outside; it is A^ery short and opens in the middle of the scales. Somescales at insertion of ventral fins and on sides of caudal fin elongated. Dorsal finwith two simple anterior rays, those behind being gradually smaller andbranched at the tip. Adipose fin very small, the tip being spread out and rounded.Inner rays of caudal fin branched at the tip, the outer simple and graduallysmaller. Anal fin with rays lying apart from one another, all undivided, the firstslightly coarser than the rest. Ventral fins exceedingly elongated, the rays onlyonce branched, gradually longer. The whole fish is greenish olive, with a goldensheen below, marked with broad black transverse bands.

Pectoral fins with 12 rays, ventral 8, anal fin 12, caudal 5.17.5, anterior dorsal2.10.

In the museum at Munich there is a specimen preserved in spirits of wine,8>2 inches long.

Inhabits the ocean that bathes the coast of Brazil.

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82 SAURUS.

3. SAURUS TRUNCATUS SPIX. PL XLV.

Snout very short and truncated; eyes at its apex, very close indeed to eachother. Head 1:4, is very rough on top and pitted, marked between the eyes witha deep furrow. Body rather compressed laterally, with very thin scales, smallerthan in Saurus intermedius. Pectoral fins very small; anal fin wider.

Head blunt, truncated in front, its length equal to a quarter of the wholelength, most rough in the sculpture of the bones of the a-aruum above. Eyesplaced at very tip of snout, very close indeed to each other. Two very smallnares on either side, at the very tip of the snout, those in front being larger andcapable of being closed with skin, those behind being much smaller andpyramidal. Cheeks covered with scales. Operculum bare. Body slightlycompressed, gradually thinning behind, covered with very smooth scales. Lateralline scarcely discernible. All the scales are very thin, like paper, with the point ofradiation in the rear third part. Scales grained in the middle, marked outsidewith very close-set concentric curved lines, and in the forward area with a fewradii. Their anterior edge is truncated, somewhat lobed, the rear edge oblique-rounded; some scales at insertion of ventral fins and at sides of the caudal finslonger than the rest. Dorsal fin slender, its anterior rays simple, those behindbranched only at the very tip. Adipose fin very small and wedge-shaped. Caudalfin forked, its inner rays being branched at the tip, the outer rays graduallysmaller and undivided. Anal fin with simple rays. Ventral fins inserted underthe thorax, very long, with rays gradually longer, and only once branched.Pectoral fins very small, arched, with the first ray simple and coarser than therest, which are gradually smaller and branched only at the tip.

The whole fish is olive-coloured, marked with golden longitudinal bands;the dorsal fin has black dots.

Pectoral fins with 12 rays, ventral 8, anal fin 15, caudal 6-7.17.6-7, anteriordorsal 2.10.

In the museum at Munich there are two splendid specimens preserved inspirits of wine, 6-7 inches long.

Inhabits estuaries of Brazilian rivers.

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PLEURONECTOIDEI. 83

II. MALACOPTERYGII SUBBRACHIALES Cuv.

FAMILY V. PLEURONECTOIDEI Cuv.

Diagnosis. Fishes of this family are clearly distinguished notonly from other fish but also from all other vertebrates by theasymmetry of their bodies and especially of their head. The headis very compressed, and covered with scales. Both eyes are set inthe same side of the body, and that side alone is pigmented invarious colours, the other side being uncoloured or pallid. Themouth is twisted to the right side or to the left; the whole upperlip is supported by mtermaxillary bones. Fins normally equal arehere unequal—which is to say they are cUssimilar. The body isvery compressed and covered with scales. Seven branchiostegalrays.

Description. Head is very compressed, larger or smaller in proportionto size of the body, but generally small. Mouth irregular and twisted;right or left side more or less rolled out, set at the apex of the snout, bywhich however, it is often over-arched. Intermaxillary bones, drawnslightly forwards and armed with teeth, form the entire upper edge ofthe mouth. Upper jaw bones edentate, and are articulated behindintermaxillary bones. Teeth rather large or rather small, usually villif ormand set in intermaxillary bones, in lower maxillary bones, and even theupper and lower pharyngeal bones. Both eyes, by a twisting of thecranium, set on the same side of the head, which is turned up when thelive fish swims. Operculum rather narrow. Branchial opening quiteample. Body very compressed, more or less wide, sometimes elongatedand oblong, sometimes very wide, quadrangular, covered with scaleswhich are generally rather small. Dorsal and anal fins, which are verylong, embrace entire upper and lower edges of the fish, down to thecaudal fin, with which they are not infrequently joined. The smallerventral fins, joined one with another, appear quite as though they belongto the anal fin,

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84 PLEURONECTOIDEI.

and are often wholly joined with it. Pectoral fins unequal, one beinglarger, the other smaller, sometimes that of the lower side is lacking,sometimes both.

Abdominal cavity small, extended slightly backwards between themembers of the arches of the lower vertebrae of the tail. Air bladderabsent.

Fishes of this family live in all seas, especially in deep seas, andeverywhere fishermen hunt it for its a healthy and delicious flesh.

Very rarely specimens are found with an eye on both the left and theright side; as a rule all specimens of a species have both their eyes eitheron the left or on the right side. Sometimes, too, and often by chance,fishermen find specimens that are like-coloured on both sides, called bythe fishermen (certainly not by zoologists) "double-sided".

LIST OF GENERA.

. XXX. RHOMBUS Cuv.

Mouth armed with strong, sharp teeth both above and below. Pharyngealbones covered with villiform teeth. Dorsal fin extends forwards to the mouth,and backwards over the whole back as the anal fin itself is to the caudal fin.

XXXI. SOLEA Cuv.

Mouth twisted, deformed, located only on the side which has no eyes,equipped with very close-packed villiform teeth. On the other side, which haseyes, there are no teeth. The dorsal fin rises by the side of the mouth and, likethe anal fin, extends to the caudal fin.

XXXII. MONOCHIR Cuv.

Mouth and upward fins are as of the Solea. Pectoral fin small, on the sidewhich has the eyes; on the other side it is very small and scarcely visible, or ismissing.

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RHOMBUS. 85

XXIII. PLAGUSIA Brown.

Mouth as in Solea. Pectoral fins absent. Fins on upper side, dorsal/ anal andcaudal, confluent.

XXX. RHOMBUS Cuv.

Body very compressed, covered with scales/ rather large or rather small,rhomboid/ more or less wide or elongated. Most species with eyes on left side.Head small/ truncated. Operculum covered with scales. Branchial opening ample.Seven branchiostegal rays. Mouth more or less ample, turned upwards. Borderof upper jaw conforms with intermaxillary bones and, like lower jaw, is armedwith rather large sharp, strong teeth in front. Inner border of the branchial arches,also the pharyngeal bones/ covered with villiform teeth. Dorsal fin commencesat the mouth/ like the anal fin/ which commences under the pectoral fins, andextends across the entire body to the caudal fin, with which it is not joined.Pectoral fins of the ornate side are longer/ those of the other side shorter. Ventralfins located under the throat/ small/ irregular, and joined together.

There are numerous kindred species of this genus; some of them are verylarge.

1. RHOMBUS OCELLATUS AGASS. PL 46.

The fish is left-sided *) and small. Body very wide, coloured with blue spots.Eyes yellow/ very markedly distant from each other. Pectoral fins small/ pointed.Dorsal/ anal and caudal fins spotted. Mouth rather small.

Head very high/ rather short, wholly covered with scales. Eyes very far apartfrom each other, the upper at the edge of the back/ the lower behind the mouth,with a sharp pointed crest extending to the tip of the snout, as in the Rhombusmancus, and surrounded from above. Operculum small and narrow. Mouth rathersmall. The forehead slopes down very steeply. Small nares, twice perforated,are situated between anterior and posterior spikes of superciliary crest. Raysand branchiostegal membrane are concealed under operculum andsuboperculum. Dorsal and anal fins of equal height, the former rising amongthe ventral fins/ the latter extended from upper jaw to base of lanceolate caudalfin. Ventral fins very small/ that on the left almost continuous with the anal fin/that on the right much smaller. Trunk smooth/ covered with very small, almostuniformly equal scales. Left side rosy flesh-coloured, sprinkled over irregularlywith round blue spots. Right side coloured uniform ashy-white. Lateral line iscurved posteriorly as in a semicircle. Scales thin, almost circular, at the rear edge

*) Through the artist's negligence our illustration is right-sided.

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RHOMBUS.

provided with small bristles, ctenoid, set diverging inwards and laterally/ markedalso as though with concentric lines. The point of radiation lies towards theback. Scales of lateral line pyramidal, with a straight canal on. open edge at therear of the scale.

Pectoral fins with 12 rays, left ventral 6, right ventral 5, dorsal fin 82, caudal5.11.3, anal 62.

In the museum at Munich there is a single specimen preserved in spirits ofwine, 3l/2 inches long, 2 inches wide.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

Rhombus podas Laroche Ann. du Mus. torn. HI. p. 354. fig. 14. is very nearakin; it differs however, in its larger markings, which are less distinct, and in theless distant separation of the eyes, in the protrusion of its snout and in its longerlower jaw.

Rhombus pantherinus Ruppell. Atlas. Fische des rothen Meeres PL 31. is noless akin, but differs in its much longer trunk, in being less high, in its eyes beingvery close together, and in the first ray of its left pectoral fin being exceedinglyelongated.

2. RHOMBUS SOLEAEFORMIS Cuv. in lift. PL 47.

The fish is left-sided, with elongated body, blackish olive, and a black blotchbehind the operculum; it has rather large scales, a rather large mouth, and alateral line that is almost straight.

Head small, rather rounded, level, wholly scaled. Cheek scales rather small. Mouthslanting upwards. Front teeth rather large. Lower jaw slightly longer, eyes set back slightly,dusky-red, oval, with no superciliary crest. Lower eye located above jointure of upperjaws, the upper eye slightly above the lower, and behind it. Nares located in front of lowereye. Operculum merges into a blunt spine; suboperculum inferior, rounded. Trunk ovate-oblong, narrower behind, very compressed, covered with rather large scales. All the scalesvery thin, paper-like, transparent, deciduous, truncated at the rear, rough with minutebristles, rounded in front, marked with delicate concentric lines, and with radii diverginginwards, the point of radiation being at the rearward edge. Scales on top of back and at thebottom of abdomen, and those of fin rays, much smaller. Scales of lateral line more rounded,with a straight mucous canal which becomes narrow towards the rear. Scales themselvesconspicuous on the open rearward edge. Pectoral fins of moderate size, somewhat pointed.Ventral fins sharp, equal, scarcely distant from the anal fin. Dorsal fin rises at right side ofdorsal base, not high, slightly wide in the middle of the back, and gradually narrowertowards end of tail, like anal fin. Caudal fin rounded.

Entire fish blackish olive, greener in the middle of the side. A black blotch above andbehind the operculum, more or less distinct, ash-coloured below. Eyes dusky red.

Pectoral fins with 12 rays, ventral 6 on either side, dorsal fin 88, caudal 4.11.4, anal 72.

In the museum at Munich there are two specimens preserved in spirits of wine, 6-7inches long

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

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SOLEA. 87

XXX. SOLEA Cuv.

Body ovate/ more or less elongated/ very compressed/ covered with small/very rough/ almost equal scales. Most species are right sided. Head small/ verythickly covered with scales/ so much so'that neither the operculum, nor the raysof the operculum nor the bones of the jaws can be seen. Branchial opening notnoticeably large. Mouth arched and deformed/ depressed on to the side; whichhas the eyes. Upper jaw more or less projecting, surrounding lower jaw. Teethminute/ villiform/ very closely packed/ only on the uncoloured side; colouredside edentate. Nares are appendages. Pectoral and ventral fins small. Dorsal finorigin above mouth. Anal -fin rises a little behind the ventral fins and both ofthem are fused with the caudal fin.

The abdominal cavity is the smallest among all Pleuronectoides/ such a fish-is almost entirely tail. There are very many species of this genus/ very similar toone another in the general form of their bodies/ but very dissimilar in the structureof the scales in the several parts of their trunks. The suggestion has been madeto me that these species of our seas be set out in accurate pictures/ with thescales added/ delineated as ascertained under a microscope.

I. SOLEA BRASILIENSIS Cuv. in litt. PL 48.

Snout somewhat prominent. Trunk brownish red, dusky underneath. Pectoralfins black from the middle onwards/ and the caudal fin at its tip.

Head small/ equal only to a sixth part of the body/ covered all over withsmall prickly scales. Snout blunt and protruding. Eyes small/ oval/ slightly apartfrom each other/ yellow/ the upper slightly in front of the lower. Cheeks notdepressed. No fringed crests. Nares located in front of the lower eye/ immediatelyabove upper edge of mouth/ extended with skinny tubes. Branchial openingdoes not extend beyond insertion of pectoral fins. Trunk oblong, getting graduallythinner towards the tail, three times longer than its height, covered with smallscales/ getting slightly longer/ however/ in the middle of the side/ but muchsmaller towards the dorsal/ anal and caudal fins and their rays. Lateral line verystraight from corner of operculum to caudal fin. Scales all thin, elongated/somewhat tetragonal/ roughened at the rear with very many minute spines/marked with close-packed concentric lines as well as radii diverging inwards;the point of radiation is in the third rearward part of a scale. Lateral line scalespyramidal/ with a conspicuous mucous canal/ narrowed at the rear and extended.Dorsal fin in the middle of the back. Anal fin in the middle of the tail and ratherhigh. Caudal fin rounded.

Pectoral fins with 8 rays/ ventral 5 on each side/ dorsal fin 96, anal 84/ caudal4.15.4. . •

In the museum at Munich there are two specimens preserved in spirits ofwine/12 inches long.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean bathing Brazil.

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MONOCHIR.

XXXII. MONOCHIR Cuv.

Body compressed/ rather short and wide/ covered with small rough spinyscales. Most species have eyes on the upper side. Head small/ rounded/ andwholly covered with scales. Operculum scarcely distinct. Branchial openingnarrow. Mouth small/ arched/ armed with very minute teeth/ only on the blindside. Pectoral fins very small and frequently absent on lower side. In variousspecimens of this species, it is at the bottom of the side. Ventral fins small/ thatof the side which has the eyes being joined with the anal fin. Dorsal and analfins wholly surround the trunk.

1. MONOCHIR MACULIPENNIS AGASS. PL 49.

Trunk sub-spherical, blackish/ marked with very black transverse lines> anda dirty white underneath. Vertical fins marked with black spots. Pectoral finabsent on the other side.

The shape of the whole body is almost circular/ with the caudal fin appended.Head small/ level/ equalling a fourth part of length of body/ rounded in front.Operculum rounded. Eyes very small/ set scarcely at all apart from each other/and yellowish/ the lower behind the corner of the mouth/ the upper a little aboveand in front of the lower. There is no crest with spines above. Nares locatedbetween and in front of the eyes. Trunk wholly covered with small scales almostequal in size, smaller by the vertical fins and their rays, but larger in the napeand the lower operculum. All scales firmly set, oblong and tetragonal/ with therear edge prickly. The scales themselves are marked with very close-set concentriclines and with some radii which diverge inwards and course down to the forwardedge; the point of radiation is set back. The scales of the lateral line are heart-shaped/ not well defined in front. There are no radii but a very long mucouscanal/ very greatly extended and narrower at the rear than in all other species.Dorsal and anal fins higher at the rear. Caudal fin rounded. All have blackblotches. Left ventral fin small and independent/ the right joined with the analfin.

In the younger specimens even the trunk is marked with black blotches.

Right pectoral fin with 5 rays/ right ventral 6/ left ventral 5/ dorsal fin 56,anal 46, caudal 2.12.2.

In the museum at Munich there are several specimens preserved in spirits ofwine 3-6 inches long.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

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PLAGUSIA. • 89

XXXIII. PLAGUSIA Brown.

Body compressed, rather convex above, wholly level underneath, elongated,lanceolate, covered uniformly with small scales. Head small, uniformly coveredwith scales. Branchial opening is very small. Operculum hidden under scalesand not clearly discerned. Mouth small and arched, on the blind side only withvery small villiforrn teeth. Head not at all dearly separated from trunk. Finssmooth; dorsal, caudal and anal fins are joined together and surround the wholeedge of the trunk from the tip of the snout right down to the gullet. A singleventral fin on the blind side. No pectoral fins.

1. PLAGUSIA BRASILIENSIS Cuv. in litt. PL 50.

Left-sided, head small, darkly dusky, scarcely equal to a sixth part of thebody in length; trunk elongated, lanceolate, of a glowing black colour, yellowishbrown underneath. Tail thin; fins swarthy; lateral line absent.

Head covered with such dense small scales that neither the rearward sectionsof the indistinctly marked operculum nor the branchiostegal rays nor the upperjaws can be seen. Mouth very small, arched with the upper jaw scarcelyprotruding. Eyes very small and very close together, above the jointure of theupper jaws, the higher slightly in front of the lower. Nares located between andin front of eyes, rather tubular. Cheeks not depressed. Scales of trunk disposedin rather small crossed lines near the edges of the body, especially of the headand of the tail. All the scales in the rear edge are with very minute pickles and ofthe same structure, oblong, rather tetragonal, tenacious, firm, with very thick-set concentric lines. Lateral line absent; pectoral fins absent; a single very smallventral fin on blind side; vertical fins smooth, with no scales, surrounding thetrunk with a uniform, wide band.

Right ventral fin with 4 rays, dorsal 98, anal 84, caudal 12.

In the museum at Munich there is a single specimen, preserved in spirits ofwine, 6x9 inches long.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.'

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90 ANGUILLAEFORMES.

III. MALACOPTERYGII APODES Cuv.

FAMILY VI. ANGUILLAEFORMES Cuv.

Diagnosis: Body more or less elongated, more often very long, cylindrical orcompressed, throughout almost all its length, uniformly wide, smooth, slimy,covered with very small scales imbedded in the skin (often not observable withthe naked eye). Head small. Opercle (operculum, a suboperculum,interoperculum, and praeoperculum all present) very small, as are also the veryslender branchiostegal rays are concealed under skin. Branchial opening small,frequently very small. Mouth ample, often sharply armed with teeth of varioustypes. No ventral fins. No pectoral fins, or only very small ones. Dorsal andanal fins are, as a rule, very long, surrounding the entire back and belly, and notseldom joined with the caudal fin.

There is no caeca, and no air bladder.

The fish is very slimy, shaped like a snake, quick, voracious, found in greatnumbers in the sea and in rivers all over the world.

XXXIV. GYMNOTHORAX BL.

Body very long, thin, and cylindrical, more or less compressed and uniformlywide over almost all its length, thinned and narrow only towards the tip of itstail. Head small, compressed, covered with skin so rough that neither operculumnor branchiostegal rays can be seen from outside. Branchial opening very small,set on a side, and semicircular. Mouth narrow, but its gape extends far beyondthe eyes. The profile of the whole snout conforms at the top with the bones ofthe upper jaws. Only at the very tip are the very small intermaxillary bonesrecessed in the bones of the upper jaw. Teeth very sharp, turned backwards onthe entire edge of thebones of thelower andupperjaws. Teeth at the rear smaller,more dose set; those in front much longer and further apart from one another.Some of the longest teeth

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GYMNOTHORAX. 91

are set in the vomer. Anterior nares tubular. Trunk slimy/ covered all over withvery minute scales, scarcely visible to the naked eye. The dorsal fin extendsover the whole back to the tip of the tail, as also does the anal fin/ from themiddle of the trunk. They are so joined together that the caudal fin does notappear to be separate.

1. GYMNOTHORAX ROSTRATUS AGASS. PI. L. a.

Snout noticeably extended forward. Trunk and dorsal fin yellowish whitewith rather large and rather small black blotches irregularly disposed on them.Edge of dorsal fin black. Anal fin also black. Black longitudinal furrows behindcorner of mouth.

Head small, more compressed than in most species of this genus. The head is oneseventh as long as the body from the apex of the snout to the branchial opening. Mouthvery long; two or three of the teeth on the vomer very long. Snout narrow/ projecting. Eyessmall/ rounded/ set above middle of upper jaw, between it and the edge of the peak of thesnout. Cheeks somewhat swollen and smooth. Trunk compressed, more particularlytowards the neck and in the direction of attenuated tail. Dorsal fin, starting at the nape,supported by very numerous rays, higher in the middle of the back but gradually shortertowards the tip of the tail. Anal fin narrower than dorsal, supported by more closelypacked and thinner rays. An erect fold of skin extends from the tip of the snout to theorigin of the dorsal fin; within this fold the rays of the dorsal fin are received backwards.The rays cannot be counted owing to the thickness of the membranes of the fins. The blackblotches of the head are smaller than those of the trunk. Towards the tip of the tail theblotches crowed together more and more, so that its apex is veritably black.

In the museum at Munich a single specimens is preserved in spirits of wine/22 inches long.

Inhabits estuaries of large rivers of Brazil.

2. GYMNOTHORAX OCELLATUS AGASS. PL L. b.

Head slopes down, its top furrowed. Snout rather small. Gullet swollen.Trunk rather elegant. Tail compressed, pointed. Fins dotted with black and whitespots. Tip of the tail with black and white bands. Trunk and head dusky, markedwith yellowish white spots. Abdomen muddy yellow.

Head small, rather coarse, one seventh as long as body, from tip of snout to branchialopening. Cheeks and gullet swollen. Eyes small. Teeth slightly shorter than in Gymnothoraxrostratus. Nares located at very tip of snout, tubular and turned inwards. Trunk almostsmooth, attenuated towards the tip of the tail, gradually more and more compressed andthin. Dorsal fin rising behind the branchial opening, twice higher than anal, and both ofthem are black and marked with large whitish blotches. Trunk dusky on top, a dirty yellowbelow, conspicuous patches on its back and several smaller whitish yellow patches scatteredirregularly.

In the museum at Munich there are two specimens preserved in spirits of wine, 12-14inches long.

Inhabits estuaries of large rivers of equatorial Brazil.

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92 ANARRHICHAS.

IV. ACANTHOPTERYGII Cuv.

FAMILY VII. GOBIOIDEI Cuv.

Diagnosis. Body elongated, cylindrical/ more or less compressed/ slimy/covered for the most part with very minute scales embedded in. the skin. Headcovered with rather rough skin spread over the operculum and the branchiostegalrays. Teeth of various types. Dorsal fin rays more or less slender and flexible/the fin itself is very long or divided into many strands. Pectoral fins large. Ventralssometimes connected together, sometimes very small, sometimes absent.

Intestinal canal uniform and large; caecum and air bladder absent.

XXXV. ANARRHICHAS LINN.

Body smooth and slimy, covered over with very small scales set deep underthe skin, elongated. Tail rather thin. Head twisted and irregular. Operculumsmall. Six branchiostegal rays. Mouth large. Palatine bones, vomer and lateraledge of jaws equipped with very large, bluntly conical teeth. Anterior edge ofjaws armed with very strong, somewhat curved, conical teeth. Dorsal fin withsimple, flexible rays in front, but branched rays behind; like the anal fin it extendsto the rounded caudal fin. Pectoral fins rounded and large. No ventral fins. Large,voracious and scary fish. Intestine short and coarse, with no caecum.

1. ANARRHICHAS LEOPARDUS AGASS. PL LI.

Dorsal fin higher towards tail. Trunk dusky, blotched with large, back patches.Lower jaw twisted to the right, upper to the left.

Body higher at commencement of dorsal fin, slightly compressed. Headcompressed above, one fifth length of the whole body. Operculum sharpposteriorly, and somewhat pricked. Branchiostegal membrane coarse. Branchialopening large. Eyes of moderate size, set forward, at the edge,

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LABROIDEI. 93

almost/ of the cranium/ above middle of upper jaw. Nares in mid-positionbetween eyes and tip of snout. Cheeks smooth and fleshy. Skin smooth andslimy/ covered with very small/ scattered scales/ marked with rather a fewconcentric lines. Pectoral fins large/ rounded, with 20 rays. Dorsal fin higherthan anal/ surrounding entire body. In the dried specimen we have/ the. caudalis so damaged I cannot describe its nature at all accurately.

In the museum at Munich there is a single dried specimen preserved/ invery poor condition/ 20 inches long.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

FAMILY VIII. LABROIDEI Cuv.

Diagnosis. Head oblong, covered with scales/ more or less compressed/ eitherscaled or bare. Lips fleshy, coarse, and large (whence the name of the family).Pharyngeal bones, like the jaws/ armed with teeth of various kinds/ small orlarge/ sharp or rather blunt/ or villiform, or separated or singly placed. Dorsalfin supported in front by spines/ and behind by rays which .are articulated/ veryoften branched. Anterior rays of anal fin are/ some of them/ spiny.

No air bladder. No caecum/ or only two very small ones.

The Labroidei excel all other fish in their delicate and pleasant colours.

LIST OF GENERA.

XXXVI. LABRUS LINN. Cuv.

Body elongated/ Joke the head/ covered with rather small or rather large scales.Lateral line deflected under extremity of dorsal fin. Five branchiostegal rays.Upper lip doubled/ the lower part being folded. Jaw teeth bluntly conical/ thosebelow being slightly longer. Phaxyngeal teeth blunt/ attenuated/ and disposedin several bands.

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94 LABROIDEI.

XXXVII. JULIS Cuv.

Body elongated, covered with rather large scales. Head completely naked.Lateral line curved downward at extremity of dorsal fin, and is thence straightagain. Jaws armed externally with conical teeth, internally with smaller, bluntteeth, curved in front and much longer.

XXXVIII. XYRICHTHYS GOLDF. Cuv.

Body compressed, covered with large scales. Head slopes down very steeply.Lateral line interrupted. Jaws convex, rounded, covered with imbricate scales.Lips fleshy. Pharynx covered by hemispheric teeth.

XXXIX SCARUS LINN.

Body ovate-oblong, rather compressed, covered with very large scales. Lateralline interrupted below extremity of the dorsal fin. Jaws convex, rounded, coveredwith imbricate scales. Lips fleshy. Pharyngeal bones covered with teeth in thefashion of those of the Labrus.

XL. CYCHLA BL. SCHN.

Body elongated, somewhat compressed, covered with rather small scales.Lateral line interrupted. Operculum pointed. Cheeks and operculum coveredwith scales. Intermaxillary bones extended significantly. Teeth villiform, disposedabove and below in a large band. Pharyngeal teeth uniformly villiform.

XXXVI. LABRUS LINN.

Body elongated, more or less compressed, covered with rather large or smallscales. Lateral line deflected below extremity of dorsal fin. Head of moderatesize, bearing forward, covered with scales. Five branchiostegal rays. Operculumangular and, like the praeoperculum, unarmed. Cheeks wholly covered withscales. Mouth of moderate size surrounded with very coarse, fleshy lips/ doubledabove. Upper lip rises from infra-orbital bones, the lower, folded, from themaxillary and intermaxillary bones. Intermaxillary bones alone determineconfiguration of the upper surround of the mouth. Bones of the jaws bluntlyconical, disposed in a single band, larger or smaller, those in front being longer.Pharyngeal teeth blunt,

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LABRUS. 95

attenuated, disposed in several bands. Anterior part of long dorsal fin supportedby spines, the posterior with rays joined and branched. Anal fin much shorter,augmented in front with some spines.

The intestine thin and devoid of caeca. Rectum ample. An undivided, largeair bladder.

1. LABRUS CRASSUS AGASS. PL LII.

Trunk coarse, wide, swollen, yellowish-brown. Tail much thinner behinddorsal and anal fins. Scales moderate-sized, with very thin and skinnymembranes in their rearward edge.

Head rough, swollen, longer than a fourth part of the entire length of the fish. Cheekscovered with scales which are smaller than those of trunk .or operculum, disposed inradiating bands. Scales of operculum irregular and of varying size. Nasal furrows on eitherside open out in two apertures, above upper edge of the orbit; the rear opening is larger,and spreading, the anterior tubular. Eyes of moderate size, behind the jointure of the jaws.Trunk rather wide, somewhat compressed in front, gradually thinner towards the tip ofthe tail, where it is most compressed. Scales all almost uniform in size, tenacious, angular,the rear edge being thin and membranous; those at the nape and the tip of the tail rounded;smaller below the pectoral fins, marked with concentric curved lines, and with severalclose-set radii too, which diverge inwards. Point of radiation reticulate, located in theposterior third part of a scale. Scales of lateral line rather small, yet rather long and narrow,and made conspicuous by a mucous canal which is ample in front, narrower at the rear,and knotted in that part of a scale where it is covered by the sides. Lateral line, ascendingslightly behind the operculum, and parallel to the back, much closer to each of them,thereafter straight down to the end of the dorsal fin, under which it curves, tending to themiddle of the side of the tail, and proceeds in a straight line to the middle of the caudal fin.Part of dorsal fin spinous, augmented by short, skinny appendages, with rays that areshorter than in the articulated part. Caudal fin rounded, with the spaces of its base coveredwith scales between the rays. Anterior rays of anal fin rather short and spiny, those followinggradually longer, branched and articulated. Pectoral fins rounded.

Pectoral fin with 15 rays, ventral 6, dorsal 17+14, caudal 5, 11, 5, anal 3,11.

In the museum at Munich there is a single specimen, 12 inches long in spiritsof wine.

Inhabits the ocean bathing the coast of Brazil.

XXXVII. JULIS Cuv.

Body elongated, more or less compressed, covered with large scales. Lateralline straight, suddenly deflected below extremity of dorsal fin, then again straight.Head small and completely naked. Sub-operculum pointed in its rear. Branchialopening large. Branchiostegal membrane with six rays. Mouth small.Intermaxillary bones form the upper edge of mouth. Bones of lower jaw

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96 JULIS.

armed with conical teeth, disposed in a single band. In front and above there isa single tooth on either side, and below, two curved larger and longer teethwhich are very sharp. Behind the band of conical teeth, above and below, thereare two bands of much smaller, hemispherical teeth. Dorsal fin very long,supportedby spines in front, and by rays behind, which are joined and branched.The anal fin long, with simple anterior rays.

1. JULIS DIMIDIATUS AGASS. PL LIII.

Head small. Trunk compressed, overed with very large, angular scales.Mucous canals of scales of lateral line bifurcated down to the extremity of thedorsal fin, thereafter undivided. Abroad, bluish purple longitudinal band, anda blue patch at the upper lobe of the caudal fin.

Head compressed small, smooth, devoid of scales, pinkish purple barelyequal in length to a quarter of the length of the whole fish. Suboperculumextended at its rear with an appendix, skinny. Interoperculum wide, whollycovering rounded membrane below, as well as branchial opening, which is verylarge. Mouth small, narrow. Lateral external teeth uniform in size, conical, rathernarrow, long and curved. Those turned inwards three tunes larger than the others.Two teeth above, slightly apart from each other, and four teeth below (two oneither side), directed inwards in the same way, the external teeth, however, beingturned slightly outwards, the internal teeth turned inwards and receiving theexternal teeth among them when the mouth is closed. Eyes small, set at the edgeof the brow. Nares very small, two on either side, at the forward edge of theorbit. Brow covered with several mucous openings. Cheeks level. Scales of trunkvery large, rhomboid, rather large on the side, but smaller at the nape, belowthe pectoral fin, and at the extremity of the tail. All scales in their rear edge arevery thin, membranous, marked with very close-set curved concentric lines, aswell as with many radii diverging in all directions, but especially inwards; thepoint of radiation is almost at the middle of the scale, and webbed withcrisscrossing radii. Scales of lateral line slightly smaller than neighbouring scales,and remarkable for a mucous canal beginning in the third anterior part of ascale, and opening out in a bifurcation near the third posterior part. Mucouscanal of farther caudal scales undivided. Dorsal fin, almost thtmighout its length,of uniform height, the articulated part slightly higher, but not longer than thespiny part. Caudal fin truncated. Anal fin long and uniform. Pectoral fins pointed,of moderate size, the first ray rather stronger, those following more slender,three times, and those at the end twice, branched, and all articulated.

Pectoral fin with 12 rays, ventral 6, anal 3,13, caudal 5,12, 6, dorsal 9,13.

The whole fish is rosy pink, adorned with a broad, longitudinal purple band.Dorsal fin rosy pink in front, purple behind. A blue patch beside caudal fin.Anal fin pallid purple.

In the museum at Munich there is a specimen 61/3 inches long preserved inspirits of wine.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

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XYRICHTHYS. 97

XXXVIII. XYRYCHTHYS GOLDF. Cuv.

Body very compressed/ more or less wide/ covered with large scales. Lateralline interrupted. Head small/ sloping steeply; the vertical -crest is fashioned bythe ethmoid bone and the ascending processes of the intermaxillary bones.Operculum-small/ but sub-operculum and inter-operculum rather large.Branchial opening large. Mouth small. Intermaxillary bones/ which determinethe shape of the whole upper surround of the mouth/ large and/ like the bonesof the lower jaw/ armed with conical teeth disposed in a single band in front.Above and below/ on either side there is a conical tooth somewhat curved, verylong and very sharp. Pharynx covered with hemispherical teeth. Dorsal finspinous in front/ with articulated/ branched rays behind. Anal fin long, withsimple rays in front.

Intestinal canal with no caeca. Air bladder ample.

1. XYRICHTHYS UNIOCELLATUS Cuv. in litt. PL LV.

Trunk very compresed/ with very large rounded-rhomboid scales in themiddle of the side. Head small/ marked with azure-blue transverse lines;suboperculum with appendages. A black/ ocellus in central part of dorsal fin/surrounded with white.

Head small/ very compressed/ sloping down/ not quite equalling in length a fourthpart of the whole body, bare and smooth. Operculum small. Suboperculum withappendages behind and skinny. Interoperculum large/ covering branchiostegal membraneand rays. Cheeks smooth and level. Eyes small/ placed at the top of the brow. Nares verysmall, two on either side, set at anterior margin of eyes. Mouth very small, girt with broadlips, barely protrusible. When the mouth is closed, the lower canine teeth are receivedamong the upper. Scales very thin, paper-like and deciduous, membranous and large inthe rear edge, larger in the middle of the side, smaller at the nape and under the pectoralfins, all are marked with very short close-set curved concentric lines, also with dose-setradii diverging forward and backwards. Lateral line very close to back, parallel to it andcontinuing down to the end of the dorsal fin; then, interrupted in the middle of the side ofthe tail, it proceeds straight on to the caudal fin; its scales are perforated in a mucous canalwhich is undivided and open/ across to the third posterior part. Posterior part of dorsal finslightly higher than anterior articulated part. Caudal fin rounded. Anal fin almost equallyhigh throughout all its length, the rays lying farthest back alone being longer than the rest.Ventral fins small and pointed, the first ray being spiny and shorter by half than the rest.

Pectoral fins with 11 rays, ventral 6, anal 3,13/ caudal 3/12/ 3/ dorsal 9/13.

The whole fish-is from rosy pink to purple in colour.. Head ashy/ bandedwith azure blue transverse stripes. A black patch girt with white in the rearwardspinous part of the dorsal fin.

In the museum at Munich there are two specimens preserved in spirits ofwine/ 6 inches long.

Inhabits seas of Brazil.

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98 SCARUS.

XXXIX. SCARUS LINN.

Body ovate-oblong, somewhat compressed, covered with very large scales.Lateral line interrupted beneath extremity of the dorsal fin. Head of moderatesize, pointed and covered with scales. Operculum extended at the rear.Branchiostegal membrane with 4 rays. Mouth small. Jaws convex, rounded, andcovered with teeth of a wonderful type. Clearly, the corners and the anteriorfeatures of the intermaxillary bones which constitute the shape of the upperedge of the mouth and those of the bones of the lower jaw are covered withseveral bands of imbricate teeth. Of these the more recently formed externalteeth grow forward from behind and root out and take the place of those infront. Lips fleshy. Pharyngeal bones covered with teeth like those of the Labrus.

1. SCARUS FRONDOSUS Cuv. in litt. PI. LIV.

Snout prominent. Suboperculum appended. Scales of trunk very large, thoseof lateral line adorned with a branching mucous canal. The farthest scale of thetail is lanceolate and very long indeed.

Head small, equal in length to a fourth part of total length of fish, covered with very-large scales. Eyes of moderate size, set at the edge of the brow. Two nares on either side,set before the eyes, those behind spreading, those in front tubular. Mouth small, armedwith imbricate teeth, the band of the inner edge being very sharp indeed. Youngerspecimens have some very pointed teeth jutting out. Branchiostegal rays and membranecovered by the interopercle. Cheeks covered with scales. Abdomen rounded. Trunkcompressed and covered with very large scales, gradually smaller towards the tip of thetail. A band of scales towards insertion of dorsal fin. All scales quite firm, tenacious, thinnerand rather skinny in the posterior edge, marked with very close-set concentric curvedlines, also with several radii diverging forwards and backwards; the posterior radii proceedon all sides, not only from the point of radiation but also, like the teeth of a comb, form aline lying across the middle of a scale. Lateral line parallel to the back right down to theextremity of the dorsal fin, being much nearer to it than to the abdomen; it is thereafterstraight in the middle of the side of the tail; its mucous canal is undivided in front, andstraight, but the middle of the scale is very branched, and opens out through a host ofapertures. Last scale very large, lanceolate, pointed. Dorsal fin quite uniformly highthroughout its length, its spinous part equal in length to its articulated part. Caudal finemarginate, the outer rays slightly longer. Anterior rays of anal fin slightly shorter, thosefollowing equal. Pectoral fins somewhat rounded. Ventrals pointed.

Pectoral fins with 12 rays, ventral 6, anal fin 12, caudal 4,11, 4, dorsal 9,11.

The fish is rosy overall, shading to purple.

In the museum at Munich there are several specimens preserved in spirits of wine 5-12 inches long.

Inhabits seas of Brazil.

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CYCHLA. 99

XL. CYCHLA BL. SCHN.

Body elongated, rather compressed, covered with rather small scales. Lateral lineinterrupted. Head extended forward, somewhat pointed. Operculum pointed at the rear;suboperculum lengthened behind, while the cheeks are covered with scales. Mouth large,somewhat turned upwards. Intermaxillary bones exceedingly extended forward,supporting entire upper surround of the mouth, covered, just as the bones of the lowerjaw are, with a broad band of villiform teeth. Pharynx too, armed with villifbrm teeth.Five branchiostegal rays. Dorsal fin long, its anterior part spinous and longer than itsposterior part, which is smooth. Anal fin short. Caudal fin rounded.

1. CYCHLA LABRINA SHX. PL XLIL Fig. 1.

Head depressed forward. Lower jaw prominent, longer than upper. Lipsvery coarse. Pectoral fins rounded. Anal, caudal and smooth part of dorsal finblotched with white, the patches, being in bands. A black patch at the tip of thetail.

Head elongated, sharp, depressed in front, equal in length to a 3:/3 of length of wholefish, bare on top. Cheeks covered with very small scales. Operculum covered with ratherlarge scales. Suboperculum pointed in the rear, skinny, covered with much larger scales.Praeoperculum and interoperculum bare and smooth. Apex of operculum twin pointed.Branchial opening very large. Eyes large, set behind and above the jointure of the jaws.Nares on either side, undivided, spreading, midway between eyes and tip of snout.Infraorbital bones crowded with numerous rather large mucous openings. Mouth large,turned downwards, covered above and below with a band, very wide in front, narrowerbehind, of villiform teeth. Tongue fleshy, narrow, rounded at the tip, lacking a frenulum.Trunk elongated, somewhat compressed, gradually thinner and more compressed towardsthe tip of the tail, with moderately large scales, hard, rough, coarse, deciduous, ratherlarge in the middle of the side, gradually smaller towards the tail and in the nape, muchsmaller before the pectoral fin and under it. All the scales are marked with very close-setcurved concentric lines, as also are the radii diverging forward to the wavy and lobededge; external upper surface of each scale rough, with radii; the rear is marked with ratherlong, very thin spines. Lateral line curved upwards from upper angle of operculum, liesvery close to the back and parallel to it, down to the soft part of the dorsal fin; thereafterstraight in the middle ofthesideof the tail. Mucous canal of scales of lateral line undivided,opens out in the rear edge of the scale. Spiny part of dorsal fin longer than smooth part,whose rays at the very end and slightly longer; the rays of the anterior, spiny part havelong filamentous appendages, as is common with Labrus. Caudal fin rounded. Anteriorrays of anal fin rather short, those following gradually shorter. Pectoral fins rounded.

The pectoral fins with 16 rays, ventral 6, anal 3,10, caudal 4,14,4, dorsal 20+14.

The fish, on the whole, varies in colour from a blackish olive. Anal, caudaland posterior part of dorsal fin are blotched with black, their rays maculated. Ablack, rounded patch at the tip of the tail, above the lateral line.

I had no opportunity to compare this species with the similar Cychla saxatilisSchn.

In the museum at Munich there are two specimens preserved in spirits ofwine. 4}4-7 inches long.

Inhabits seas of Brazil.

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100 . CYCHLA.

2. CYCHLA MONOCULUS SPDC PL LXIII

Trunk wide, compressed/ with four transverse black bands above and white-ringed ocelli on the side of the abdomen and at the base of the caudal fin. Caudalfin indistinctly edged in the middle. Smooth part of that fin/ also anal fin andanterior rays of the ventral fin covered with very small scales.

Head large and sloping, equal in length to 3^4 part of length of whole fish/bare on top. Cheeks level. Operculum blunt and prominent. Suboperculumattached as an appendix at the rear apex/ scaled. Praeoperculum andinteroperculum bare and smooth. Branchial opening very large. Eyes large/ setabove the jointure of the jaws. Nares are on either side/ undivided and spreading,closer to the eyes than to the brow of the snout. Mouth large/ somewhat turnedupwards, surrounded by coarse/ fleshy lips. Lower lip prominent and longerthan upper lip. Trunk covered with small scales, tenacious and rough/ slightlylarger on the nape/ but smaller at the base of the caudal fin. All the scales arerather thin/ more transparent than in Cychla labrina, marked with close-set curvedconcentric lines and radii diverging forwards; forward edge lobed/ rear bristlywith spines/ the external, rear surface being scabrous and covered with radii.Lateral line curved upwards from upper corner of operculum, parallel to thebackup to the middle of the posterior dorsal fin, where it is deflected downwards/and interrupted; then it is straight in the middle of the side of the tail. Anundivided mucous canal which is ample/ narrower, behind and pointed, opensout in the lower edge of a scale. Minute scales, which cover the caudal and analfins on all sides, also the interradial spaces on the dorsal fin and the anteriorrays of the ventral fins exhibit the same characters, but are irregular and of severalshapes. Dorsal fin emarginate, the rays in the front and in the rear of the spinouspart, and the forward rays in the smooth part being shorter; the spiny rays areall briefly attached. Caudal fin rounded, the rays being scarcely discernible acrossthe scales. Anal fin small. First ray of ventral fins coarse, very strong and spiny.The pectoral fins pointed.

Pectoral fins with 15 rays, ventral 6, anal 3,11, caudal 5,13, 5, dorsal 15+16.

Back dusky, marked with black bands and blotches. Sides yellow, adornedwith rather large, white-ringed black ocelli. One such spot at base of caudal fin.Dorsal fin black.

In the museum at Munich there is a specimen preserved in spirits of wine 13inches long.

Inhabits seas of Brazil.

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SCOMBEROIDEI 101

FAMILY IX. SCOMBEROIDEI Cuv.

Diagnosis. The body is found in various forms/ some very long cylindricalor compressed/ others ovate-oblong, ovate or very wide/ wider at the base thanlonger/ and very compressed indeed/ always covered with very small scales/and looking as though they were smooth. In rather a few species the lateral lineis armed with a band of scutif orm plates. The caudal fin is, as a rule/ very strong,and the side of the tail sometimes has appendages of skinny folds. The head isvery large or very small/ varying with the size of the body; the trunk/ likewise,varies very much in shape. The branchiostegal membrane is/ as a rule, verynarrow/ and hidden under the operculum; the branchial opening is quite oftenlarge. In some fish the teeth are villif orm and very small; in others discrete andrather large or rather small/ and very sharp. There is a single dorsal and singleanal fin/ or there are many of them. In very many species the rays at the veryend are separated. The pectoral fins are/ as a rule/ large. The ventral fins aresmall or/ rarely, absent.

There are very many caeca, rather often joined together in clusters.

The fish of this family are very plentiful in all seas. They are fast andrapacious, and pursue other minuscule fish/ particularly Exocoetus volitans. Theirflesh has a fine flavour and is highly valued; for this reason fishermen ambushthem everywhere. There exist very many genera of them/ so different from oneanother that they may later be classified in more families; but the species are sovery numerous and so similar, one to another, that one very often cannotdistinguish between them.

LIST OF GENERA.

XLI. CYBIUM Cuv.

Body elongated, covered with very minute scales. Tail extended on the sideswith skinny folds. Head small/ conical, sharp. Mouth large, armed with large,compressed, lanceolate/ very sharp teeth. Palate and vomer covered withvillif orm teeth. Anterior dorsal fin spiny and long. Posteriormost rays of posteriordorsal fin, like those of the anal fin, free.

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102 SCOMBEROIDEI.

XLII. MICROPTERYX AGASS.

Body very compressed, ovate, wide/ covered with very small scales. Headsmall, keeled. Seven branchiostegal rays. Branchial opening very large. Mouthsmall, armed with minute teeth. Two dorsal fins, separated, anterior one spinous,posterior one soft, like the anal fin, and long. Two spurs in front of anal fin.

XLIII. CARANX Cuv.

Body compressed, more or less wide. Head keeled on top. Sevenbranchiostegal rays. Branchial opening very large. Tongue covered with villiformteeth. Jaws armed outside with a band of sharp, rather small teeth; and insidewith villiform teeth. Lateral line with scutiform plates. The two dorsal finsseparated. Some spurs in front of anal fin, separated or joined together in a littlefin.

XLIV. ARGYREIOSUS Cuv.

Body very compressed, very short and very wide, covered with very minutescales. Head large, keeled in front, sloping steeply. Branchial opening very large.Mouth small, armed with minute villiform teeth. Two dorsal fins, the anteriorshort and spinous, the posterior soft, longer, as is also the anal fin, the third raybeing simple, very greatly drawn out and very long. Ventral fins very small andpointed. Pectoral very long.

XLV. VOMER Cuv.

Body very compressed, wide and short, covered with very minute scales.Head large, keeled in front and perpendicular. Branchial opening very large.Mouth small, armed with very minute villiform teeth. Two dorsal fins, theanterior short and spiny, the posterior soft; anal fin longer. Ventral fins verysmall. Pectoral very long.

XLVI. CORYPHAENA LINN.

Body compressed, elongated, covered with minute scales. Head keeled above,sloping in an arch. Mouth large, armed with small, sharp teeth. Sevenbranchiostegal rays. Dorsal fin extends over the whole back, supported by flexiblerays.

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CYBIUM. 103

XLI. CYBIUM Cuv.

Body elongated, subcylindrical, slightly compressed on the sides/ covered with veryminute scales hardly visible to the naked eye. Tail thin, remarkable for skinny folds on itssides. Head small, conical-tetragonal and pointed. Operculum narrow. Branchiostegalmembrane very narrow, hidden under suboperculum and interoperculum. Sevenbranchiostegal rays. Branchial opening very large. No scutiform band on chest. Head very-large. Snout very pointed. Intermaxillary bones wide, surrounding upper edge of mouth.Bones of lower jaw high, armed with large teeth compressed on the sides, lanceolate, andvery keen. Bones of palate and the vomer itself set with very minute villiform teeth. Uppermaxillary bones very small, very narrow and edentate, spreading below into a wide plate.Lateral line covered with scales, scarcely of any appreciable size or hardness. The twodorsal fins are of differing nature, that in front being shorter, with shorter rays all connectedby a membrane, that behind being soft, with anterior rays longer, those following graduallysmaller, set farther apart and separated. Caudal fin forked, very long. Anal fin similar toposterior dorsal fin. Ventral fins very small.

1. CYBIUM MACULATUM Cuv. PL LX.

Trunk blue above and silvery below, marked with cloudy black blotches onthe sides. Lateral line sinuous, with 9 small fins above and below.

Cybium maculatum, regn. anim. Edit. 2. vol 2. p. 200. note 1—Scomber maculatus, Mitch. Trans. New-York I. vi. 8.

Head pointed, conical, somewhat level and somewhat keeled on top, equal in lengthto almost a sixth part of the whole body. Snout very pointed and thin. Jaws of equal length;lower jaw wider. Jaw teeth very sharp and keen, compressed along the sides, slightlyapart from one another, and rather large, those in front smaller and covered by the lips.Eyes located above jointure of upper jaws. Two spreading nares on either side, near and infront of them. Those behind lower, larger, oblong and perpendicular, those in frontsemicircular. Cheeks level. Praeoperculum and operculum covered with minute scales.Operculum somewhat straight behind, extended with a loose, narrow membrane. Trunkelongated, subcylindrical, somewhat compressed along the sides, thin down to the verystrong tail, covered with very minute scales, inconspicuous to the naked eye, (which areequally rather large in Spix's picture). All the scales very simple, transparent, deciduous,wider than long, marked only with curved, concentric lines not very close-set. Scales atinsertion of dorsal fins larger, and longer than wide. Scales of lateral line larger, coarser,hard, bony, and conspicuous in their undivided mucous canal. Lateral line sinuous, set inthe middle, almost, of the trunk, though anteriorly it is slightly closer to the back. Anteriordorsal fin long, extended by its rays (which are spiny, slender, of moderate size and havingappendages of skin) right across, almost, to the commencement of the posterior dorsal fin.Its longer, anterior rays are, along with the rays behind them, which are branched, joinedtogether into a coarse fin which is covered with very close-set, very minute scales; posteriorrays

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104 MICROPTERYX.

separated. Caudal fin branched into many prongs and has very long lobes, several simpleexternal rays, and internal rays which are several times branched. A large fold of skin oneither side down to the tip of the tail; there is, besides, another, smaller fold at the base ofeach lobe on either side. Anal fin exhibits precisely the same characteristics as posteriordorsal fin. Ventral fins very small. Pectoral fins wide at their base, and of moderate size.

Pectoral fins with 24 rays, ventral 6, anal 17+9, caudal 9, 19, 9, posteriordorsal fin 17+9, anterior dorsal 17.

In the museum at Munich there is a very beautiful specimen preserved inspirits of wine, 3 inches long.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

XLII. MICROPTERYX AGASS.— Seriola Cuv. *)

Body very compressed, ovate and wide. Head small, compressed, sharply keeled ontop. The branchiostegal membrane very narrow, hidden under interoperculum. Sevenbranchiostegal rays. Branchial opening very large. Mouth small, the lower jaw slightlylonger and more prominent. Tongue small, narrow, free at the tip, covered with very minutevilliform teeth. Intermaxillary and Tower jaw teeth conform to the profile of the mouthand are armed with close-set very small, sharp teeth disposed in a single band. Bones ofupper jaw edentate, wide, and set behind maxillary bones. Trunk covered with very smallscales, the lateral line with scarcely larger, imbricate plates. Two separate dorsal fins, theanterior one supported by thin spines; in front of the fin itself lies a spine. The posteriorone has articulated rays branched at the tip, those at the very end in some species beingseparate. Anal fin very long, of the same description as posterior dorsal; in front of it aretwo spines free or more or less joined together by a membrane. Ventral fins very small.

1. MICROPTERYX COSMOPOLITA AGASS. PL LIX.

Lateral line armoured in front, then very straight and covered partially withscutiform plates. Abdomen exceedingly arched and prominent. Anal fin verylong, longer than soft dorsal fin. Pectoral fins very long, extending right downto the middle of the anal fin. Dorsal fin spiny and small.

Seriola cosmopolita Cuv. regn. an. Edit. 2. vol 2. p. 206.

Scomber chloris Bloch. PL 339.

Head scarcely longer than its width, sharply keeled on top and exceedingly sloping,appears small owing to the width of the trunk. It is scarcely equal in length to a quarter ofthe total length. Eyes large, placed behind and above jointure of upper jaws. Two nares oneither side, very small, oblique and oblong, set in the middle of the space between theeyes and the middle of the brow. Operculum of moderate size, somewhat rounded behind.Suboperculum very narrow. Interoperculum rounded. Cheeks level and smooth. Mouthsmall and turned upwards, the lower jaw prominent, longer, with a narrower edge. Jawteeth very small, set in a single band, bluntly conical, very close to one another. Trunk verycompressed, wide, covered with very small scales (equally large in the picture we have),deciduous, very thin and transparent. Abdomen exceedingly arched and prominent. Scalesof roughly the same size, somewhat rounded,

*) A genus of plants has already been given the name Seriola by the famous Linnaeus.

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CARANX. 105

undivided, marked with close-set transverse/ nearly parallel lines. Scales of lateralline slightly larger and rougher/ and remarkable for their pyramidal mucouscanal/ those of the straight section of the lateral line being larger and rathershield-like in shape/ with the mucous canal forked at the rear. Two dorsal fins(in front of which lies a long spine). Anterior dorsal fin spiny and small/ withthin rays/ those behind gradually smaller. It is joined with the posterior soft fin/the anterior rays of which are simple and longer than those of the spiny fin, therays behind being gradually smaller/ articulated/ and branched at the tip. Caudalfin forked/ the outer rays being simple and gradually smaller. Anal fin exhibitsthe same features as the soft dorsal fin/ except that its first ray is shorter andspiny. In front of the fin itself there are two spines/ joined together by a cuticle.Ventral fins very small/ the first ray being short and spiny. Pectoral fins joinedtogether/ very long and sword-shaped/ the first ray short/ that following,undivided and articulated/ broad and. rather coarse.

Pectoral fins with 20 rays/ ventral 6, anal 2, 28, the caudal 6,15, 6, posteriordorsal 28/ anterior dorsal 8.

The fish is green on top/ the sides and abdomen are silvery/ the fins are ashcoloured, the eyes yellow.

In the museum at Munich there are several specimens preserved in spirits ofwine/ 5-6 inches long.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean and according to the illustrious Cuvier also thePacific Ocean.

XLIIL CARANX Cuv.

Body compressed/ ovate-elongated, more or less wide, of some of them very wide.Head large, compressed, sharply keeled on top. Operculum narrow. Branchiostegalmembrane very narrow/ hidden under the operculum, with 7 rays. Branchial openingvery large. Mouth large or small/ the lower jaw slightly longer and prominent. Tonguefree at the tip, covered with very minute villiform teeth. Bones of lower jaw andintermaxillary bones conform to the upper edge of the mouth/ armed with an outer bandof smaller, sharp teeth, within appear very minute villiform teeth, rather close-set, especiallyat the edge of the jaws. Upper jaw bones edentate, articulated behind the intermaxillarybones, very narrow above, spread out below into a spatulate plate. Trunk covered withscales which are more often very minute. Lateral line with shield-like plates which arelarger and longitudinally keeled on the side of the tail. Two separate dorsal fins: anteriorone supported by longer or shorter spines, and a spine lies in front of it; the posterior ismade up of articulated rays which are articulated, branched at the tips and sometimesseparate from one another.

1. CARANX LATUS AGASS. PL LVI. b. Fig. 1.

Body very compressed and wide. Lateral line arched upwards anteriorly.Pectoral fins very long and sword shaped, set well back, extending well behindinsertion of anal fin. Head higher than long.

Marcgr. p. 172.

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106 CARANX.

Head higher than long, very compressed/ very sharply ridged on top, steeply slopingin front, equal in length to a quarter of the whole length of the body. Snout very blunt.Lower jaw wide, scarcely prominent. External teeth of lower jaw all of same size, slightlycurved backwards. Anterior teeth of the upper jaw slightly longer than posterior ones,very sharp and somewhat curved inwards. Cheeks level and covered with minute scales(also the anterior upper corner of the operculum and the upper part of the praeoperculum).Eyes large, set above jointure of upper jaws, midway between them and the brow. Twonares on either side, midway between eyes and profile of snout, those behind beingpyramidal and capable of being closed with cuticle, those in front with the appearance ofbeing cracked, and spreading. Trunk compressed, ovate, thinned, arch-like towards thetail; the length does not exceed the width by more than twice. Scales very small, disposedin crossed lines, very thin, deciduous, circular, undivided, provided only with very close-set curved concentric lines, not marked with any radii. The shield-like scutes of the lateralline (which from the operculum to the middle of the trunk is arched upwards, then straight)are small in the arched section, then level and each marked with a very ample flask-shapedmucous canal. They number about 50. The scutes of the sides of the tail are graduallylarger, wider, sharply ridged, spiny and imbricate (there are 35 such scutes). The ray lyingin front of the anterior dorsal fin projects outwards. The third ray of the spinous dorsal finis very long, but shorter than the longest ray of the soft dorsal fin, whose anterior rays aremuch longer than those which follow. Caudal fin quite large, its exterior rays rather wideand strong. Anterior rays of soft anal fin much longer than those which follow. The twoanterior spines are joined together by a membrane. Ventral fins small, the first ray beingsimple and very small. Pectoral fins very long, sword-shaped, pointed, the anterior raysand those farthest back being shorter, the former wider and undivided, the latter branchedat the tip.

Pectoral fins with 20 rays, ventral 6, anal 2.20, caudal 6.15.6, posterior dorsal24, the anterior 8.

In the museum at Munich there is a specimen preserved in spirits of wine, 6inches long.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

2. CARANX LEPTURUS AGASS. PL VI. b. Fig. 2.

Body very compressed and wide. Lateral line arched upward in front andangled. Caudal fin small. Tail thin. Pectoral fins extend right down to the insertionof anal fin. Head very slightly longer than high.

Head very compressed, keeled on top, sightly longer than wide, longer than a quarterof the whole length of the body, sloping in front. Snout very blunt. Lower jaw narrowerthan in Caranx latus, slightly projecting. External teeth of lower jaw all of same size, slantedbackwards, slightly smaller than those of upper jaw, the anterior teeth twice larger thanthe posterior, and very sharp. Cheeks level and, like the upper parts of operculum andpraeoperculum, covered with very small scales. Eyes large and set above and in front ofthe jointure of the jaws. Two nares on either side, closer to the profile of the snout than tothe eyes, those behind being the larger, ovate and spreading, those in front being smallerand seemingly cracked, and somewhat tubular. Trunk very compressed and ovate,exceedingly thinned down to the very slender tail, marked with lines which are almoststraight, not more than twice wider than long. All the scales are so small that they arescarcely visible to the naked eye. Scales very plain

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CARANX. 107

and oblong, marked with concentric curved lines less close-set than in Caranx latus; noradii. Lateral line almost straight, curves upwards from upper corner of operculum, archesdown to middle of the side, and proceeds again in a straight line to the tip of the tail. 55scutes on the curved part, very small, wider than long, conspicuous for their mucouscanal. 40 scales on the side of the tail, wide, imbricate, ridged, spiny, gradually larger, butvery small at the very end. A ray lying in front of anterior dorsal fin/ which has two rays infront, very thin and rather short, a third which is longer and coarser, those followinggradually shorter. Anterior rays of posterior dorsal fin articulated but simple; the third,which is the longest ray of this fin is longer than the third ray of the anterior fin; thosefollowing are branched at the tip, gradually smaller, those at the very end rather ill-defined.Caudal fin small and thin. Anterior rays of soft anal fin much longer than those following,the spines in front rather ill-defined, shorter than in Caranx latus. Ventral fins small andblunt. Pectoral pointed, sword-shaped and narrow.

Pectoral fins with 18 rays, ventral 6, anal 2, 20, caudal 7,15, 7, dorsal 8, 24.

The fish is blue on top; the sides and abdomen are silvery.

.In the museum at Munich there is a specimen preserved in spirits of wine,4.9 inches long.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

3. CARANX MACROPHTHALMUS AGASS. PL LVI. a. Fig. 1.

Body compressed/ elongated. Lateral line is almost straight. Pectoral finslean back, do not extend beyond anal spines. Head elongated. Lower jaw longer.Eyes very large.

Head evenly convex on top, with a keel in the middle that is very slightlyprominent/ much longer than high. Head barely exceeds a fourth part of thebody in length. Snout extended forwards, somewhat pointed. Lower jaw moreprominent than in other species, wide and, like the intermaxillary bones, armedwith an external band of teeth which are uniformly very minute. Cheeks,praeoperculum and upper part of operculum covered with very thin, transparentscales. Upper corner of operculum extended forwards, serrated; rear edge is notwell-defined. Eyes very large, occupying almost entire side of head. Two nareson either side/ and on both sides very close to each other, directed upwards;those behind being much larger, circular and spreading, those in front very smalland tubular. Trunk compressed, almost uniformly wide along all its length,gradually thinning behind towards the tail, covered with very thin, transparentscales. All the scales very thin, transparent, heart-shaped and marked only withclose-set concentric lines. Lateral line scutes somewhat straight anteriorly, largerthan in most species, higher than long, imbricate, 48 in number. Scutes on sidesof tail gradually larger, then again smaller, 45 in number. The ray lying in frontof the anterior dorsal fin is hidden under skin. Rays of spinous dorsal fin veryslender and slightly longer than longest rays of the soft fin, whose posteriorrays, only once branched/ emerge gradually smaller. The anterior rays of theanal fin are rather long, those following gradually smaller, branched only at thevery tip. Two spines farther away from the anal fin than in most other species,longer/

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108 CARANX.

joined only at the base with skin. Ventral fins pointed/ connected at the basewith, the abdomen by a very thin membrane. Pectoral fins sword-shaped andpointed, narrow at the base.

Pectoral fins with 20 rays, ventral 6, anal fin 2, 24, caudal 6,15, 6, anteriordorsal 8, posterior dorsal 28.

The fish is blue on top; the sides and abdomen are silvery.

In the museum at Munich there is a specimen preserved in spirits of wine, 7inches long.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

4. CARANX PUNCTATUS AGASS. PI. LVI. a. Fig. 2.

Body sub-cylindrical, slightly compressed, elongated. Lateral line slightlydeflected in its middle. Pectoral fins short. Head elongated and drawn forward.Snout tapering. Lower jaw scarcely longer. Eyes of moderate size.

Marcgr. Edit. 1648 p. 150.

Head smoothly convex on top, with the middle of the keel slightly prominent, muchlonger than it is high, pointed, equal in length to a quarter of the whole length of the fish.Snout protrusible and sharp. Lower jaw scarcely longer than upper, narrow and pointed,armed, like the intermaxillary bones, with an external band of uniformly very small teeth.Mouth much smaller than in most species. Cheeks, praeoperculum and upper part of theoperculum covered with rather large transparent scales. Rear edge of operculum indistinctlymarked, the lower corner drawn forward and somewhat sharp. Eyes of moderate size, setin the middle of the sides of the head. Two nares on either side, each parr dose together,directed backwards, those at the rear being much longer and spreading, while those infront are very small, with the appearance of being cracked, and rubular.Trunk almost equallywide throughout its entire length, thinned gradually towards its rather shapely tail, coveredwith very thin, transparent scales. All the scales are very thin, transparent and circular,marked only with very close-set concentric lines; the scutiform plates of the lateral line areslightly larger than the rest of the scales, somewhat circular, and imbricate, numbering 60;the shield-like plates of the side of the tail are gradually larger, those in the middle widest,then narrow, then again smaller, numbering 40. There is a ray lying in front of the anteriordorsal fin. Rays of spinous dorsal fin are very slender, longer than those of the very longsoft fin, the posterior rays of which, branched once only at the tip, are slender and graduallybecome smaller; the farthest ray lies farther away from the others and is unconnected.There are two short spines in front of the anal fin, joined together at the base only withskin. Ventral fins small, the first ray being very small and spiny. Pectoral fins small, smallerthan in most species of this genus, and pointed.

Pectorals fins with 20 rays, ventral 6, anal fin 2+27,1, caudal 6,15,6, posteriordorsal 33,1, anterior dorsal 8.

The colour of the back shades from green to blue; the sides and back aresilvery; on the lateral line there are very black spots.

In the museum at Munich there are two specimens preserved in spirits ofwine, 5^4-6 inches long.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

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ARGYREIOSUS. 109

XLIV. ARGYREIOSUS Cuv.

Body very compressed/ short and wide, covered with very minute/ loosely attachedscales that are scarcely visible to the naked eye. Lateral line scales slightly longer than therest/ scutiform. Head large, very compressed, almost three times higher than long, verysharply keeled in front, and exceedingly sloped almost perpendicularly. Operculum smalland narrow. Branchiostegal membrane very narrow and hidden under interoperculum,with seven branchiostegal rays. Branchial opening very large. Mouth very small and setvery low with the lower jaw is scarcely prominent. Tongue very narrow, unattached at thetip, covered with very minute, villif orm teeth. Intermaxillary bones, like those of the lowerjaw, wide, drawn forward and armed with a narrow band of very small, villif orm teeth.Bones of upper jaw spread downwards on to a spatulate plate. Trunk very short and drawntight behind in straight edges to the thin tail. Two dorsal fins: 'the anterior one with a fewrather short, slender spiny rays; the posterior one pliant and long. The third ray simpleand greatly extended. Caudal fin large and forked. Anal fin of the same type as posteriordorsal fin. Ventral fins very small and pointed. Pectoral fins very large, sword-shaped andpointed

1. ARGYREIOSUS VOMER Cuv. PL LVIII.

Back humped anteriorly. Anterior dorsal fin very small. Pectoral fins extendedalmost to extremity of posterior dorsal fin. Third ray of anal fin and of soft dorsalfin extend beyond the tail. Ventral fins very small. Lateral line arched in front,but very straight thereafter.

Zeus vomer Linn. Mus. ad Frid. XXXI. 9. — Bloch 193.Selene argentee Lacep. IV. ix. 2.Marcgr. Edit. 1648 p. 161 and 145. fig. only.

Head large, very compressed, almost three times higher than it is long, veryacutely keeled in front, almost perpendicular, equal in length, from the tip ofthe snout to the upper corner of the operculum, to a third part of the entirelength of the body. Eyes of moderate size, set in the middle of the sides of thehead. Two nares on either side, very small, oblong and spreading, lying midwaybetween eyes and edge of brow/ those in front slightly below those behind.Operculum very small and elongated. Suboperculum and interoperculum verylong and very narrow. Cheeks very level and smooth. Branchial openingexceedingly large. Mouth small, set at the-bottom of the head, turned upwardsand arched. Lower jaw wide, prominent and very compressed. Teeth of the jawsvery minute, villif orm, very close-set, and disposed in a very narrow band. Trunkpresents the shape of a truncated rhombus, very compressed and level. Backhumped in front, thereafter straight right down to the insertion of the posteriordorsal fin, whence it slopes steeply down to the narrow tail. Abdomen straight,the posterior section of its lower edge ascending to the caudal fin. All the scalesare so small that they cannot be discerned at all by the naked eye, very plain,marked only with very close-set concentric lines. Lateral line

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VOMER.

arched in front/ sub-semicircular, thereafter very straight; its shield-like plateslarger than scales, imbricate and conspicuous for their single mucous canal,which is ample and very large. Two dorsal fins: anterior one very small andspiny, the first ray and those folio wing being very short; posterior one soft, withvery many rays of almost the same length, except the third, which is simple,very long, and leaned back, extends beyond caudal fin; fourth and fifth rayslonger than those which follow. Caudal fin forked, with long lobes. Anal finwith same characteristics as posterior dorsal fin. Ventral fins with very thin rays,pointed. Pectoral fins very long, extending almost to extremity of dorsal fin.

Pectoral fins with 20 rays, ventral 6, anal fin 21, caudal 8, 15, 8, posteriordorsal 24, anterior dorsal 8.

The fish is blue on top, the sides and abdomen silvery.

In the museum at Munich there are several specimens of various sizes,preserved in spirits of wine.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

XLV. VOMER Cuv.

Body very compressed, very short and very wide, covered with very minute scales,hardly visible to the naked eye. Lateral line scales rather large. Head large, very compressed,more than twice higher than it is long, perpendicular in front, and very sharply keeled.Operculum small and narrow. Branchiostegal membrane hidden under interoperculum.Seven branchiostegal rays. Branchial opening very large. Mouth large, set at the bottom ofhead. Tongue narrow, free at the tip, covered with very minute, villiform teeth.Intermaxillary bones wide on top, spatulate below, and edentate. Trunk very short, taperingbehind to a very thin tail. Two dorsal fins: the anterior one supported by short spines, ofwhich those at the extremity are free; the posterior one soft, with longer rays in front. Analfin with same characteristics as posterior dorsal. Ventral fins very small. Pectoral verylong, sword-shaped, pointed.

VOMER BROWNII Cuv. PL LVII.

Back straight down to posterior dorsal fin, then curved and sloping. Anteriordorsal fin very small. Pectoral fins extend almost to extremity of insertion ofanal fin. Anterior profile perpendicular. Lateral line arched, thereafter verystraight.

Zeus setapinnis Brown. Jamaic. p. 455. — Mitch. New-York I. 9.

Cuv. regn. anim. Edit. 2. vol. 2. p. 210.

Head large, very compressed, more than twice higher than long, very sharplykeeled in front; from apex of snout to upper corner of operculum equal to morethan a third part of the whole length of the fish. Eyes of moderate size, set in themiddle of the head, higher than the insertion of the pectoral fins. Two nares oheither side, ovate, small and spreading, those in front being smaller and slightlylower than those behind. Operculum small, round at the rear, and pointedbelow.Suboperculum

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CORYPHAENA.

very narrow and very small. Interoperculum and praeoperculum narrow andvery long. The branchial opening is exceedingly long. Mouth, small, set at bottomof head, turned upwards and arched. Lower jaw wide, very compressed andprominent. Jaw teeth very minute, villiform, very close-set and disposed in anangular band. Trunk exhibits the form of a half, almost, of a rhombus, verycompressed and level. Anterior profile perpendicular, hollowed below. Backstraight in front, down to the insertion of the soft dorsal fin, then slopingdownward and curved. Abdomen straight, the posterior part of the lower edgeis almost straight, rising in a gentle curve. All the scales are so small as to bescarcely visible to the naked eye. They are very plain, somewhat heart-shaped,marked with very close-set near-parallel, curved, concentric lines. Lateral linearched anteriorly, somewhat semicircular, then very straight; its shield-like platesare larger and rougher than scales, and imbricate, conspicuous for an undividedlarge mucous canal. Two dorsal fins, of which the anterior is very small andspinous, with very short rays; the posterior is soft, with simple rays in front,which are longer, those behind gradually smaller. Caudal fin forked, the lowerlobe being slightly the longer. Pectoral fins sword-shaped and very long. Ventralfins very minute, with very thin rays.

Pectoral fins with 20 rays, ventral 6, anal fin 20, caudal fin 6,15, 6, posteriordorsal 24, anterior dorsal 8.

Blue on top, the sides and the underside are silvery.

hi the museum at Munich there is a specimen 6% inches long preserved inspirits of wine.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

XLVI. CORYPHAENA LINN.

Body compressed, elongated, narrowed behind and pointed, covered with minutescales. Head small, compressed, narrow above and keeled, slopes downward, arched.Operculum and suboperculum small and narrow. Interoperculum very long. Branchiostegalmembrane wide, with seven rays. Branchial opening large. Mouth ample, conforming tointermaxillary bones along its upper edge. Tongue fleshy, free at the tip, covered withvilliform teeth. Teeth very sharp, small, somewhat turned inward, set in several bands inthe intermaxillary bones and in the bones of the wide lower jaw; they are especially close-set in front. Teeth villiform on vomer and palatal bones. Trunk wedge-shaped. Tail verystrong. Dorsal fin surrounds whole back. Caudal fin forked, very long. Anal fin rises frommiddle of trunk and extends to extremity of dorsal fin. Ventral fins pointed, joined togetherby a membrane. Pectoral fins sword-shaped, pointed.

These are the fastest of all fish, and are migratory.

CORYPHAENA IMMACULATA SPDO PI. LVI.

The colour 'of the dorsal fin shades from blue to black; the back is animmaculate blue. Sides and abdomen silvery.

Trunk widest at insertion of ventral fins, from where it gradually thins downto the tip of the tail, covered by very small tenacious scales, elongated and firmlyattached to the skin. Head

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112 SQUAMIPENNES.

small, equally high and long, rounded in. front and very blunt, the length equalto a sixth part of the total length of the body. Operculum narrow, silvery andlight. Branchiostegal membrane wide, angular behind. Cheeks level, coveredwith minute scales. Eyes large, yellow, set above the juncture of jaws. Two nareson either side set in middle of sides of head, midway between eyes and profileof snout, those behind large and spreading, those in front appearing to be cracked,and tubular. Lower jaw wide, rough, high, not longer than the high. All thescales of about the same height, slightly larger only near insertion of dorsal fin,very plain, ovate elongated, slightly thinner in front, marked only with concentriccurved lines which are not very close-set. Lateral line rises from rear upper edgeof operculum, turns upward and, describing a very obtuse angle, descends againand proceeds in a very straight line to the tip of the tail. Dorsal fin higher thananal, almost uniformly high throughout all its length, with flexible rays buriedin the skin, branched only at the very tip; but the last ray is branched severaltimes. Caudal fin deeply forked, with very sharp and particularly long lobes.Anterior anal fin rays rather small, those following simple, slightly longer, theposterior ones being branched at the tip. Ventral fins very sharp. Pectoral finswider at their insertions and pointed, the first ray very small, the next very largeand coarser.

Pectoral fins with 20 rays, ventral 9, anal 28, caudal 9, 20, 9, dorsal 58.

In the museum at Munich there is a single specimen 21 inches long, preservedin spirits of wine.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

FAMILY X. SQUAMIPENNES Cuv.

Diagnosis. Body very compressed, more or less elongated, wide or very wide,underneath much wider than long, always covered with scales of moderate size,hard and harsh. Head generally small in relation to mass of body, verycompressed and blunt, or extending to a short snout and, like the trunk coveredeverywhere with rather moderate-sized scales. Operculum small, bare or spiny.Praeoperculum larger, either smooth or serrated, sometimes also armed withfearsome spines. Inter operculum rather rarely serrated. Branchial opening notvery large. Mouth small, armed with very long, very thin, bristly teeth, hookedat the tip, disposed in several bands. Vertical fins very large and generally sothickly covered with scales that

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EPHIF1"

one can scarcely discern them apart from the trunk. Dorsal and anal fin spinousin front or split into several fins. Ventral and pectoral fins of moderate size.

The intestine is long, with several caeca. Air bladder is large and strong.

Edible, not all that long, generally superb in colour.

XLVII. EPHIPPUS Cuv.

Body very compressed, very wide, short, almost as high as long, coveredeverywhere with small scales. Head small in relation to size of body, compressed,but coarser than trunk and exceedingly sloping, covered with scales all over.Operculum of moderate size, pointed behind, not spinous. Praeoperculumbare.Branchial opening small. Four branchiostegal rays, joined together with skin atthe neck. Mouth very small, armed with very thin, rather long teeth, disposedin the intermaxillary and upper jaw bones. Upper jaw bones very small andedentate, set behind the intermaxillary bones. Lips skinny. All the fins exceptthe anterior dorsal thickly covered with minute scales. Anterior dorsal supportedby strong spines which admit of being set back in the sheath of the scales in theedge of the back. Some very long, rather plain rays at the front of the posteriordorsal, those following being branched and gradually smaller. Caudal fin large.Anal fin presents same characters as posterior dorsal, augmented in front bysome short, very strong spines. Ventral fins pointed. Pectoral rounded andpointed.

1. EPHIPPUS GIGAS Cuv. PL LXI.

Pectoral fins rounded and small. Caudal fin almost emarginate. Lateral linearched upwards. Scales of the head much smaller than those of the trunk. Backbarely edged.

Ephippus gigas, Cuv. regn. an. Edit. 2. vol. 2. p. 191.

Head small in relation to body, very blunt, exceedingly sloping, its lengthequal to a quarter of entire length of body, with small scales wholly covering it,much smaller than those of the trunk. Operculum, suboperculum,interoperculum and'praeoperculum scaled in the same manner, so that it is notpossible to discern these parts one from another. Branchial opening small.Branchiostegal membrane firmly joined with the skin below the throat. Mouthvery small and rounded, surrounded by narrow, skinny lips, and armed withteeth which are yellowish at the tip. Several mucous openings in the lower edgeof the lower jaw. Eyes large, setbehind and above the juncture of the jaws, almostat the edge of the brow. Cheeks rather level. Two nares on either side, wideapart from one another. Those behind, which also are those higher set, verylong and with a cracked appearance,

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114 MAENIDES.

at the forward edge of the orbit, and spreading; those below, more forward set/rounded/ midway between the upper nares and tip of snout, surrounded byloose skin/ somewhat tubular, and spreading. Trunk very compressed/ coveredwith almost uniform scales/ those at the insertion of the fins however/ beingsmaller, more wide than long (if the fins and head were neglected). Back ridged.Abdomen level/ particularly in the region of the ventral fins. All the scales arethin and transparent, lightly attached/ marked with very close-set curvedconcentric lines in front/ and undulating and scabrous lines behind, in the areavisible from outside. So it comes about that the rear edge becomes lacerated andthe external surface behind harsh. The radii diverge forwards/ some runningdown to a lobed edge. Lateral line arched upwards/ parallel to the back, to whichit is closer than to the abdomen in the middle of the tip of the tail. Lateral linescales smaller than those adjacent to them, remarkable for their rather slightlynarrow mucous canal behind. Anterior dorsal fin smooth, plain, with short/ verystrong rays/ the third longer than the rest, those at the end being shortest. Posteriordorsal fin/ like the anal fin/ thickly covered with very minute scales that canscarcely be counted, those in front being simple and longest/ extending almostto the end of the caudal fin. Caudal fin wide, emarginate. Anterior edge of analfin with three very strong rays, short and spiny. Ventral fins pointed with a firstvery sharp spine, the next very long; numerous very long, pointed scales attheir insertion. Pectoral fins rounded/ small.

A dull ash colour on top/ on the sides a muddy silvery. The fins dull ashgrey, blackening at the tip.

Pectoral fins with 17 rays, ventral 6, anal 3, 21, caudal 7, 15/ 7, posteriordorsal 25, anterior 9.

. In the museum at Munich there are several specimens preserved in spirits ofwine, 7-13 inches long.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

FAMILY XL MAENIDES Cuv.

Diagnosis. Body more or less compressed, elongated, thin/ subcylindrical,or wide and high. Head of moderate size/ wider than trunk, scaled. Operculumbare. Branchial opening large. Upper jaw greatly protrusible forwards, andretractable owing to the very long props of the intermaxillary bones which canbe withdrawn into the orbits. Mouth small/ set at the very tip of the snout, turneddownwards/ when drawn forwards/ armed with very minute teeth disposed ina narrow band in the lower and the intermaxillary bands. Similar teeth on thevomer in some species. Trunk covered with large, plain scales. Dorsal fin issupported in front

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GERRES. 115

by strong spines, in the rear by articulated, branched rays. Anal fin short, with afew very coarse, spiny rays in front. Ventral fins thoracic; some very elongatedscales at their insertion.

The fish are tiny and of good flavour, and are captured among the rocks inthe sea.

This family includes only a few species and fewer genera.

XLVIII. GERRES Cuv.

Body ovate-oblong, compressed, higher beside anterior dorsal fin, coveredwith large scales. Head of moderate size, compressed, pointed, scaled all over.Operculum wide; branchial opening large. Six branchiostegal rays. Mouth small,augmented by fleshly lips, greatly protrusible and flexible downwards.Intermaxillary bones aligned with upper edge of mouth. Bones of lower jawcovered with very minute, villiform teeth. Upper jaw bones extend behindintermaxillary bones into a broad, scaly, sub-quadrangular plate. Infraorbitalbone large anteriorly serrated on its lower edge. Dorsal fin with strong spinesin front, supported behind by thin, articulated and branched rays, which arecapable of being withdrawn in the sheath of the scales on the edge of the back.Anal fin with very strong spines anteriorly. Ventral fins rather far apart fromeach other. Pectoral fins pointed and rather long.

This genus includes many edible species which are not all that long, in bothoceans.

1. GERRES LINEATUS Cuv. PL LXVII.

The scaled sheaths of the dorsal and anal fin wide. Body greenish above,adorned with broken blue stripes. Scales surrounded by a golden edge. Ventralfins, also caudal and anal fins, covered with very minute scales.

Smaris lineatus, Humb. Obs. de zool. pi. XLVI. Fig. 2.Gerres lineatus, Cuv. regn. anim. Edit. 2. vol. 2. p. 188.Marcgr. Edit. 1648. p. 148.

Head pointed, sloping, compressed, covered with scales of various sizes,equal in length to a quarter of the entire length of the fish. Brow smooth, withoutscales. Operculum, suboperculum and cheeks covered with rather large scales.Praeoperculum, infraorbital edge and upper jaw bones covered with muchsmaller scales. Eyes large, set behind juncture of jaws. Two large nares on eitherside, close together, those behind being the larger close to each other, andspreading, those in front surrounded by skin and partly closed. Branchiostegalmembrane hidden under the interoperculum. Trunk compressed and broad; tailmuch

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SPAROIDEI.

narrower. Back somewhat ridged. Abdomen level. Ventral fins rather far apart.Scales large/ somewhat circular/ thin/ tenacious/ all of about the same size/ smallertowards the tip of the tail and the insertion of the dorsal and anal fins/ very longat the insertion of the ventral fins/ but with larger scales on the ventral side ofthe abdomen. All the scales marked with very close-set/ curved/ concentric linesrunning down to the rear margin/ also with not a few lines diverging forwards.Lateral line ascends almost straight from upper angle of operculum, parallel tothe back/ then descends again in an arch/ and is straight in the middle of the sideof the tail; its scales are smaller than those near-by and the rear edge emarginate.A plain mucous canal rises from almost the middle of a scale/ bent and open inthe emarginate edge behind. Anterior part of the dorsal fin spinous/ with verycoarse rays, the second of thembeing the longest/ those following being graduallysmaller. The soft part with rays which are much branched and articulated. Caudalfin forked/ with rays which are covered thickly with very minute scales almostup to their tips. Anal fin with three spines in front/ the first very small/ the secondvery coarse and very long, the third much more slender; those followinggradually smaller/ spiny/ articulated and several times branched/ covered withvery minute scales. Ventral fins wide/ the first ray very coarse and rather short/those following scaly and branched. Pectoral fins pointed/ covered at theirinsertion with scales.' Anus midway between ventral and the anal fin.

Pectoral fins with 17 rays/ ventral 6/ anal 11, caudal 4,15, 4, dorsal 9,11.

In the Museum at Munich there is one specimen preserved in spirits of wine/9 inches long, another preserved dry.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

FAMILY XII. SPAROIDEI Cuv.

• Diagnosis. Body more or less compressed/ ovate/ more or less wide/ coveredwith large/ thin/ transparent scales. Head of moderate size/ compressed/ eithercompletely naked or covered with scales. Bones of head not hollowed.Operculum and praeoperculum bare, armed neither with saw teeth nor spines.Branchial opening large. Not more than six branchiostegal rays. Jaws almostequal/ scarcely projecting forwards/ armed with teeth of various types/ sharp,vi Hi form or separate, hemispherical, humped/ level or flattened/ with manyprojecting points/ now with many rather long, broad and level scourings. Ratheroften several kinds of teeth. Mouth rather large or rather small/ located at verytip of snout. All the fins smooth. Dorsal fin with strong spines in front/ andsupported behind

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PAGRUS.

by articulated/ branched rays which generally admit of being set back in thesheath of the scales of the edge of the back. Dorsal fin supported by rays whichare articulated and branched/ embedded/ mostly in a sheath of the scales of thedorsal fins. Anterior rays of anal fin spiny and strong; some very long scalesnear insertion of ventral fins. Pectoral fins long and pointed.

The pylorus is extended with caecal appendages.

XLIX. PAGRUS Cuv.

Body ovate/ compressed/ covered with quite large/ thin/ transparent scales.Head of moderate size/ compressed/ arched in front and very blunt. Operculumnarrow. Suboperculum and inter op erculum so covered with scales that theirsegments cannot be discerned. Praeoperculum smooth. Cheeks covered withlarge scales; the rest of the head smooth/ very bald and plain. Mouth of moderatesize/ surrounded by skinny lips, scarcely protrusible. Intermaxillary bonesaligned with upper edge of mouth. Bones of lower jaw very wide and rough; oneither side are two bands of rather large and rather small hemispherical teeth/somewhat level at the tip; in front/ in the apex of the bones of the jaw there arevery small/ villiform teeth set very close together/ those at the end, above andbelow being rather long and tending forward. Dorsal fin supported in front bysome spines, and behind by branched and articulated rays; and/ like the analfin/ is embedded in a sheath of scales at the base. Anal fin extended in front bysome spines. Some very long, pointed scales near insertion of ventral scales.Pectoral fins pointed and very long.

1. PAGRUS ARGYROPS Cuv.

Head compressed/ sloping down, arched/ very smooth in front and alongthe sides. Back arched and high. Pectoral and ventral fins/ and tip of caudal finblack.

Sparus argyrops, Linn.

Pagrus- argyrops, Cuv. regn. anim. Edit. 2. vol. 2. p. 183.

Body compressed/ wide/ very high at the origin of dorsal fin/ covered withtransparent scales. Head compressed/ its length shorter than a third of the wholelength of the fish/ and very smooth. Operculum/ suboperculum/ inter op erculumand anterior part of praeoperculum covered with scales/ smaller than those ofthe trunk. Cheeks smooth. Eyes of moderate size/ set almost at the top of thebrow. Two nares on either side/ those behind being set higher/ near the anteriorlower edge of the orbit, appearing cracked/ very long, capable of being closedwith skin, and larger than those in front, which are round, spreading and small.Mouth of moderate size. Lower jaw slightly shorter/ rough/ wide/ not high. Teethin front sharp/ three above on either side/ four below. Trunk wide/ thin at the tail

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PERCOIDEI.

covered with almost uniformly equal scales which are, however/ much smallernear the shoulder and the insertion of the pectoral fins. All the scales ratherwrinkled/ marked with radii which have very close-set concentric curved lineson the rear face/ and with radii which diverge forward. Lateral line parallel toback/ bent upwards/ with rather slightly smaller scales which are remarkablefor their short, ample mucous canal/ which extends only to the middle of a scale.Dorsal fin supported up to its middle by spines/ and behind by articulated andbranched rays. Caudal fin forked, covered at its base with tiny scales. Anal finwith three coarse spines in front and thin, branched rays behind. Ventral finsjoined together, the first ray being thin and spiny; a very long, very sharp scaleat their insertion. Pectoral fins very long, extending right down to origin of analfin, pointed/ with two simple anterior rays/ those following once or twicebranched/ and covered at the base with tiny scales.

The fish is blue on top; sides and abdomen silvery.

Pectoral fins with 15 rays/ ventral 6/ anal fin 3/ 12, caudal 5, 15, 5, dorsal12.13.

In the museum at Munich there are two specimens preserved in spirits ofwine.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

FAMILY XIII. PERCOIDEI Cuv.

Body more or less compressed, elongated/ more or less wide/ extendedbehindwith rather rough/ harsh scales/ tufted behind. Head of moderate size/ sometimeslarge in proportion to the volume of the trunk/ rougher and wider than trunk,very blunt or pointed, bare or covered win scales. Operculum and praeoperculumvariously serrated or set with teeth. Mouth quite large, armed with teeth ofvarious types, set in the intermaxillary bones which are aligned with the upperedge of the mouth and in the bones of the lower jaw and of the palate, thevomer and the pharynx. Branchial opening large, with 5-7 branchiostegal rays.Fins generally smooth, the dorsal supported by spines in front and by rays behindwhich are branched and articulated, or are divided into several distinct fins.Ventral fins generally thoracic.

Stomach bag-like, the pylorus on a side; the appendices of the pylorus arerather few and rather small. Intestine rather short. Liver of moderate size orsmall. No air bladder.

The fish are rapacious/ have a good flavour/ and are generally splendid intheir colouring.

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LIST OF GENERA.

L. MESOPRION Cuv.

Body compressed, covered with rather small scales. Head pointed andsmooth. Operculum, suboperculum and inter op erculum, also the cheeks, coveredwith scales. Operculum with an appendage. Praeoperculum but barely edged,serrated, spiny in the lower edge. Branchial opening large. Seven branchiostegalrays. Anterior part of the dorsal fin rather long and spiny.

LI. CORNIGER AGASS.

Head ovate, wide and compressed, covered with large, rough very harshspines, large and compressed, graved on top. Operculum, suboperculum andinteroperculum spiny. Operculum, praeoperculum and the infraorbital bonesarmed with very sharp spines. Branchial opening large. Eight branchiostegalrays. Mouth large, armed with villif orm teeth. Two dorsal fins, the anterior longerand spinous. Ventral fins with 8 rays.

LII. URANOSCOPUS LINN.

Body rough, cylindrical, covered with scales disposed in oblique bands. Headlarge, rough, very blunt, very bald, without scales, and level on top. Eyes lookupwards. Suboperculum and praeoperculum spiny. Scapular bones and shouldercovered with spines. Mouth large and vertical, surrounded by fringed lips. Oneor two dorsal fins, the anterior of which is spiny. Ventral fins jugular.

L. MESOPRION Cuv.

Body ovate-oblong, compressed, covered with thin, rather wrinkled scales.Head of moderate size, compressed pointed, with scales on the sides. Operculumquite wide, extended in the rear to a blunt angle. Suboperculum with.appendages. Praeoperculum serrated at rear, the edge being more or lessindistinct. Cheeks covered with scales. Seven branchiostegal rays. Branchialopening large. Mouth of moderate size, surrounded by skinny lips. Intermaxillarybones aligned with upper edge of mouth. Bones of lower jaw slightly longer,armed with a band of sharp teeth,

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of which those in front are larger and antrorse, behind which are villiform teeth.Dorsal fin supported in front by spines/ behind by branched and articulatedrays. Caudal fin emarginate. Anal fin augmented in front by a few spines. Somevery long scales near insertion of ventral fins. Pectoral fins pointed.

The species of the genera Diacope and Mesoprion are similar and analogous/perhaps they are the same fish/ and the differences are only in age, whereforethese genera should be combined, or differentiated in other ways/ so that thespecies in which the dorsal and anal fins are recessed in a sheath at the edge ofmarginal fins may be included together under the name Mesoprion, the rest/with scaly fins not so sheathed, under the name Diacope.

I. MESOPRION UNINOTATUS Cuv. PL LXV.

Dorsal and anal fins sheathed, the spaces between rays covered by a band ofvery minute scales. Caudal fin covered with scales of uniform size. Back bluish,sides rosy, with longitudinal golden stripes. A large black blotch under the softpart of the dorsal fin.

Cuv., hist. nat. des poiss. Vol. 2. p. 449.

Head pointed, longer than a third part of the entire length of the fish, compressed,without scales on top, and very smooth. Operculum large and, like suboperculum andinteroperculum, covered with scarcely smaller scales than those of the trunk.Praeoperculum serrated at rear edge with very small serrae, emarginate below, armedwith larger teeth in the lower corner. Branchiostegal membrane definitely hidden underinteroperculum and suboperculum. Cheeks covered with scales. Eyes behind and abovejointure of the jaws, set almost at the edge of the brow, quite large. Two nares on eitherside, midway between the eyes and the tip of the snout, those above being much thelarger, ovate and spreading, those below circular, capable of being dosed with skin. Lowerjaw slightly prominent/ with five rather large teeth in front on both sides thrusting out,and with two teeth above on either side, larger than those of the lower jaw, set apart fromeach other, and curved back somewhat inwards. Trunk compressed, covered with scaleswhich are almost equal, slightly smaller only near the dorsal fin, towards the tip of the tailand in the nape. AD. the scales marked with very close-set, curved, concentric lines andwith several radii diverging forwards. The centre of each scale criss-crossed with lines.Lateral line turned upward somewhat, almost parallel to the back, straight, with scaleswhich are slightly smaller, remarkable for the short mucous canal, most ample, extendingslightly beyondthe middle of a scale. Dorsal fin spines slightly longer than its soft rays,standing much apart from one another, very sharp, coarse, and covered at their base witha few tiny scales; the rays in front are undivided, those following once or three timesbranched. Spaces between rays covered by a band of tiny scales. Caudal fin covered withscales almost to its tip, and emarginate. Anal fin augmented in front with three rathershort, coarse spines, but is otherwise exactly like the soft part of the dorsal fin. Ventral finspointed, first ray spiny, shorter than the next. Pectoral rays pointed, extending right downto commencement of anal fin, with two simple anterior rays.

The fish is very beautiful, blue on top, rosy on the sides, adorned with goldenlongitudinal stripes and marked with a black patch between the dorsal and the anal fin,by the lateral line.

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MESOPRION.

Pectoral fins with 16'rays, ventral 6, anal 3.9, caudal 5.15.5, dorsal 10.12!

In the Museum at Munich there are several specimens preserved in spirits ofwine, 7-9 inches long.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

2. MESOPRION AUROVITTATUS AGASS: PL LXVI.

Dorsal and anal fins covered up to their middle with minute tiny scales. Backblue, sides and abdomen silvery with golden longitudinal stripes.

Head pointed, of moderate size, longer than a quarter of the total length of thefish, compressed, without scales above and in front, very smooth. Operculum sharpposteriorly. Suboperculum with appendages. Inter op erculum and cheeks coveredwith larger scales than those of the trunk. Praeoperculum slightly emarginate,armed with serrae which are very minute behind, but larger in the lower corner.Branchiostegal membrane definitely hidden under the inter op erculum andsuboperculum. Eyes behind and above jointure of jaws, midway between it andthe brow, and rather small in size. Two nares on either side, midway between eyesand tip of snout, those above being larger, ovate-oblong and spreading, those belowrather circular and capable of being dosed with skin. Lower jaw slightly prominent,armed with external subequal teeth. Two rather large, outward-pointing teeth inthe intermaxillary bones, on either side. Trunk ovate-oblong, with a much thinnertail, covered with almost uniformly equal scales, which are smaller, however,towards the back and the tip of the tail. All the scales are transparent, markedwith very close-set concentric curved lines Which are wavy behind, also with severalradii diverging forwards; the point of radiation is at the third posterior part of thescale. Lateral line bent slightly upwards, parallel to the back, almost straight,conspicuous, with scales slightly smaller than those adjacent to it; a short mucouscanal, very ample and open near the point of radiation. Tips of dorsal and analfins protrude rather high, their soft rays being branched only once or three times.Dorsal fin spines more slender than on the Mesoprion uninotatus, and those of theanal fin are shorter and thinner. Caudal fin exceedingly forked. Ventral fins rathersmall. Pectoral shorter.

The fish is blue on top, the sides and abdomen are silvery, all the scales edgedwith gold. There are longitudinal stripes, wider in the middle. Pectoral fins andlobes of caudal fin blackish at the tip.

Pectoral fins with 16 rays, ventral 6, anal fin 3,10, caudal 6,15, 6, dorsal 10,14.

In the museum at Munich there are two specimens preserved in wine, 8 incheslong.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

LI. CORNIGER AGASS.

Body wide, ovate, compressed, covered with scales which are large, rough,very harsh, hard, and spiny behind. Head large, compressed, graved on top,covered on the sides, like the trunk, with spiny scales, fearfully armedeverywhere. Operculum, suboperculum and inter op erculum

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spiny over their entire surface. Operculum armed behind with two spines.Praeoperculum surrounded by two bands of very sharp spines and augmentedin a corner with several rather long spines. Infraorbital bones spiny and armedwith spines which are curved backwards and very strong. Nasal bones spiny atthe base. Branchial opening large/ with 8 branchiostegal rays/ the second/ thirdand fourth rays being spiny on the lower edge. The corner of the shoulder isspiny. Mouth large. Bones of upper jaw large/ spreading out into abroadspatulateplate/ furrowed, toothless and augmented by a supplementary plate.Intermaxillary bones and bones of lower jaw armed with a band of very smallvillif orm teeth which is wider in front. Bones of palate and vomer covered withvery minute/ villiform teeth/ disposed in a narrow band. Upper and lowerpharyngeal bones/ also the cartilage and the tiny internal plates of the branchialarches/ armed with villiform teeth. Two dorsal fins/ joined together with skin.The anterior one longer/ supported by rough/ very sharp spines. The posteriorone much shorter, with articulated and branched rays. Caudal fin small. Analfin augmented with very strong spines. Ventral fins above collar bone/ with avery sharp spine and 7 soft rays. Pectoral fins elongated.

The genus is most outstanding, between the Myripristis Cuv. and HolocentrusCuv.

I. CORNIGER SPINOSUS AGASS. PL LXXV.

Body ovate/ covered with large bony scales which are spiny behind.Infraorbital bones with long spines/ curved dowwards and back.

Head large, longer than a third part of the entire length, compressed and fearfullyarmed. Bones of the cranium are graved, longitudinally furrowed, with radiating furrows.Lachrymal spiny at peak. Two large, spreading nares on either side at the anterior edge ofthe orbits, midway between lachrymal bones and the first infraorbital bone. The eyes arelarge, above the jointure of the jaws, at the edge of the brow, surrounded by the infraorbitalbones, which are spiny and armed with very sharp, backward curving spines. Operculumvery crowded with spines, armed in the rear corner with two spines, and scaled in front.Suboperculum. and interoperculum surrounded with larger and smaller spines.Praeoperculum edged with two bands of rather small spines, augmented in the lowercorner with two large spines which are very sharp and straight, and covered in frontoutside, as cheeks also are, with smaller scales than those of the trunk. Mouth quite large.Lower jaw slightly longer, armed with villiform teeth disposed in rather broad bands,close-packed in front above and below into small heaps. Branchial opening large.Branchiostegal membrane and its rays visible outside. Trunk compressed, wide, extendingto the thin tail, covered with very rough, bony scales. All the scales are of about the samesize, semicircular, the rear edge rounded and spiny, straight in front, marked with veryclose-set almost parallel concentric curved lines; the point of radiation is criss-crossedwith lines. Lateral line turned upwards somewhat, parallel to the back, to which it is twicecloser than to the abdomen. Its scales are remarkable for their very short mucous canalwith a very small open oval aperture in the internal surface. The rear is undulating. Twodorsal fins, joined together. The anterior one longer/supported by very strong, coarse andvery sharp spines; the posterior one more slender, with rays, articulated, undivided oronce or three times branched, those at the end being smaller. Caudal fin small, not firmlyedged, four of the farthest rays short and spiny, two following articulated and undivided,slightly longer. Inside, there are nine rays in the upper lobe and eight in the lower, branchedat the tip.

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Anal fin with three very strong spines in front, of which the second is ratherlonger and sheathed; the rays which follow present the same character as thoseof the posterior dorsal fin. Ventral fins have a first ray which is spiny and verysharp, those following being longer, articulated and branched at the tip/ the lastbeing branched only once. Pectoral fins covered with tiny scales at the base/ thefirst ray being rather small and simple/ those following being longer/ articulatedand branched/ gradually smaller from the fourth onwards/ and many timesbranched.

The whole fish is of a golden hue.

Pectoral fins with 15 rays/ ventral 6, anal fin 3, 12, caudal fin 4, 2, 17, 2, 4,posterior dorsal 15, anterior dorsal 12.

In the Museum at Munich there is a single specimen preserved in spirits ofwine/ 6.3 inches long.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

LII. URANOSCOPUS LINN.

Body rough/ cylindrical/ slightly thinned behind and compressed, covered with scalesdisposed in oblique bands. Head large, rough, very blunt/ somewhat tetragonal withoutscales/ very scabrous however, in the sides of the head, but level on top. Eyes turnedupwards. Operculum wide, very scabrous, rounded behind and bare, surrounded by awide membrane along the edge. Suboperculum spiny. Praeoperculum very wide, holed,the lower spiny, like the wide, very scabrous infraorbital bones. Six branchiostegal rays.Scapular and humeral bones with spines. Mouth large and vertical/ surrounded with fibrouslips. Intermaxillary bones suited to recessing long pedicles within the orbits/ and theyalone are aligned with the upper edge. Lower jaw bones wide and armed with short,sharp teeth. At the jointure of the lower jaw there is a small, mobile bridle. Vomer andbones of palate covered with villiform teeth. Anterior rays of dorsal fins spiny and thin,and either merge in a related sub-fin or are joined together with soft rays. Anal fin long.Pectoral fins large and rounded. Ventral fins jugular with a very small, spiny first ray.

1. URANOSCOPUS OCCIDENTALIS AGASS. PL LXXIII.

Bones of the head severely graved. Pectoral fins with 16 rays. Anal fin 14.

The species is very close kin to Uranoscopus scabrus, perhaps the difference isdue only to difference of climate. The head however, is more heavily scabrous/the spines of the shoulder are longer/ the pectoral fins have 16 rays/ the anal finhas 14 etc. The species differs/ and seems to me peculiar.

Head conical-subtetragonal, levelled horizontally on top. Cheeks and parts of theoperculum vertical. Gullet level. Mouth located at very peak of head. Lower jaw verticalwhen mouth is closed/ horizontal when the mouth is open, forming a right angle withupper jaw. Bones of cranium markedly wrinkled and graved. The first infraorbital openingvery wide/ wholly covering the cheeks/ and wrinkled/ extending in front to two bluntspines. Operculum is scratched/ scored radially/ and at the rear augmented widely with afibrous membrane. Praeoperculum very wide, holed and wrinkled, armed on the loweredge

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124 SCIAENOIDEI.

with four very sharp spines. Suboperculum with a single spine below. Branchiostegalmembrane and branchiostegal rays definitely hidden under the praeoperculum. Eyes verysmall, set at the top of the brow, apart from each other and turned upwards. Mouth large,vertical, surrounded by skinny, rather fibrous lips. Upper lip stretched beneath very narrowintermaxillary bones, the very long limbs of which lodge horizontally in the orbits. Bonesof upper law toothless, rather large, set behind the intermaxillary bones, and vertical.Lower jaw longer than upper, protruding very markedly when the mouth is open: itsarticulated bone extends behind into a very sharp spine. Tongue very broad and blunt.Scapular bone extends behind into two spines. Shoulder armed with a rather long spine,almost straight, turned upwards and slightly bent. Trunk spindle-shaped, somewhatcylindrical, very rough in front, gradually thinner and more compressed behind, coveredwith very small scales embedded in the skin and disposed in oblique bands. All the scalesvery thin, membranous and oblong, with very close-set, curved concentric lines, andmarked with radii which ar almost parallel and diverge forwards. Lateral line ascends tothe ridge of the back, then bends downwards at almost the very peak of the back towardsthe insertion of the dorsal fin, with which it is parallel, right down to the commencementof the caudal fin, where it is deflected and bears down to the middle of that fin. Two dorsalfins, the anterior with thin, simple rays, is joined with the fin behind with soft skin, therays of the latter being longer, and articulated and simple or once branched. Caudal fintruncated, with rays which are rather coarse on the outside, simple, and rather short. Therays of the anal fin are surrounded at the tip with rather rough skin. Ventral-thoracic finssupported by rough skin; the first spine very short. Pectoral fins rounded.

Pectoral fins with 16 rays, ventrals 6, anal fin 14, caudal fin 4,10,4, posteriordorsal 14, anterior dorsal 4.

In the Museum at Munich there are several specimens of various sizes,preserved in. spirits of wine.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

FAMILY XIV. SCIAENOIDEI Cuv.

Diagnosis. Body more or less compressed, elongated, more or less wide,covered with harsh scales. Head not all that large, bloated, and covered with,scales. Operculum and praeoperculum are, as in the Percoidei, variously serratedand armed with teeth. Mouth not all that large, armed with teeth of varioussorts, but aligned with the upper margin of the mouth only in the intermaxillarybones, and disposed in the bones of the lower jaw and the pharynx. No teeth invomer or the bones of the palate. Branchial opening large. Branchiostegal rays5-7. Fins either smooth

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or covered with rather small scales. Dorsal fin supported in front by spines,behind by articulated/ branched rays, or divided into distinct fins. Ventral finsthoracic.

The air bladder is, not seldom, remarkable for its numerous forked andbranching appendices.

Most species are edible, some have an excellent flavour, and everywherecommand a high price.

LIST OF GENERA

LIII. CORVINA Cuv.

Body elongated and compressed. Head covered with scales of various sizes.Snout bloated and very blunt. Operculum spiny behind. Praeoperculum armedwith serrae. Mouth of moderate size, set at the apex of the snout, armed with.villiform teeth. Two dorsal fins, the anterior with thin spines, the posterior onebeing longer and smooth. Anal fin with larger or smaller spines in front.

LIV. PACHYURUS AGASS.

Body compressed, covered with scales all over. Head small, pointed,uniformly scaled. Mouth arched, turned upwards, armed with very minute,villiform teeth. Two dorsal fins, the anterior one spiny, the posterior one muchlonger and wholly covered with scales like the caudal fin, whose rays are not-separated from others externally. Anal fin with a very strong second ray, verycoarse and very large.

LV. LOBOTES Cuv.

Body ovate, covered all over with scales. Head rough. Operculum roundedbehind. Praeoperculurn bare. Five branchiostegal rays. Mouth surrounded byrough lips, armed with a band of sharp teeth/behind which are villiform teeth.Pharyngeal bones covered with blunt, conical teeth, which are somewhat hooked.Lateral line broken. Soft dorsal fin and anal fin with rays which are graduallylonger and scaled. Caudal fin scaled.

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126 CORVINA.

LVI. HAEMULON Cuv.

Head ovate-oblong, compressed, covered with scales of moderate size. Mouthlarge, laterally compressed, armed with villiform teeth which are large outside.Lower jaw prominent when the mouth is open, and capable of being turnedaside. Pharyngeal bones armed with blunt, obtuse teeth. Dorsal fin soft. Caudaland anal fins covered with tiny scales.

LIII. CORVINA Cuv.

Body elongated, more or less compressed, covered all over with scales notall that large. Head less compressed, covered all over with scales of varyingsize. Snout bloated and very blunt, slightly protruding and hollow. Operculumspiny behind, and wide. Suboperculum narrow. Praeoperculum armed withspines/ rather large or rather small. Branchiostegal membrane wide, with 7 rays.Branchial opening quite large. Mouth of moderate size, under the peak of therostrum, arched and armed above in the bones of the upper jaw, and below inthe lower jaw with a very broad band of very minute villiform teeth. Two dorsalfins: the anterior supported by rather long slender spines, the posterior is longer,supported by rays which are branched, and scaled only at the base. Caudal finrather more or less scaled at the base. Anal fin small and armed in front withrather smaller or larger spines. Ventral fins long and pointed, with a thin firstfin. Pectoral fins longer and pointed.

1. CORVINA ADUSTA AGASS. PL LXX.

Body dully ashen, marked with golden-grey bands. Cheeks golden-grey. Finsblackish. Spines of lower corner of praeopercuium larger than those of uppercorner. Scales above eye and on cheeks at the rear are much smaller than thoseof the praeopercuium at its rear and the rest of the scales of the upper corner ofthe operculum.

Sciaena adusta on our plate.

Head blunt-conical, rather compressed on the sides, very blunt, equal in length to aquarter of the total length, wholly scaled. Operculum extends behind into two level bluntprocesses, augmented with skin. Suboperculum thin, appended behind, membranous.Branchiostegal membrane stands out wide, very thin. Operculum, praeopercuium, cheeksand brow covered with quite large, almost uniformly large, scales; but the upper corner ofthe operculum and its posterior edge, bands in front of the praeopercuium and in its rearedge, as well as the upper edge of the orbits are covered with much smaller

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very close-set scales. Eyes small, set above the juncture of the jaws. Two nares on eitherside, close together and spreading, in front of the eyes; those behind being larger andovate, those behind circular. At the tip of the snout are mucous openings rather large andrather small. Mouth small, located under the tip of the snout. Lower jaw recessed withinintermaxillary bones which, when the mouth is closed, are themselves recessed withinthe broad intermaxillary bones. Trunk compressed and covered wholly with almost equalscales. Back somewhat ridged, rounded in a more compressed manner than the abdomen,which is rather level, between the ventral fins. All the scales are somewhat circular, marked•with very close-set curved concentric lines which in the rear of the scales are undulating,wrinkled and rough, also having several radii which diverge forwards, the rear edge isciliate; the point of radiation is in the rear third part of a scale. Lateral line arched upwardsin front, but from the middle of the trunk rather straight; its scales are smaller than thosenearby, remarkable for a quite ample mucuous canal extending beyond the point ofradiation, simple in the anterior rays and forked in those following. Anterior rays of dorsalfin slender, gradually smaller from the third rays. First ray of posterior fin spiny and short,those following articulated and branched, all of about the same length. Caudal fin rounded.Anal narrow, having two short spines in front, of which the second is coarse. Second rayof ventral fin very long. First ray of pectoral fins very small.

The whole fish is dull-ashen, varied with dusky-golden.

Pectoral fins with 18 rays, ventral 7, anal fin 2, 9, caudal 4, 15, 4, anteriordorsal 10, posterior dorsal 1, 28.

In the Museum at Munich there is a specimen 10 inches long preserved inspirits of wine.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

LIV. PACHYURUS AGASS.

Body elongated, compressed, covered all over with small scales. Head small,compressed/ pointed, covered all over with scales. Mouth set above shoulder,serrated behind. Operculum extends behind into a sharp corner, and is scaled.Suboperculum and inter op erculum narrow, small, and covered with scales.Praeoperculum saw-edged behind, armed in the lower corner with short, rathercoarse spines, while the lower edge has serrae. Branchial opening large, thebranchiostegal membrane wide, with 7 rays. Mouth not all that large, turnedupwards, surrounded by skinny lips, armed with very minute, villiform teethdisposed in a broad band in the scaled lower jaw and the intermaxillary bones,which are aligned with the whole upper edge of the mouth. Trunk compressed,ovate, elongated, thinning behind to a rough sub cylindrical tail, and coveredwith almost uniform scales whose rear edge is turned upwards. Two separateddorsal fins, the anterior of which is supported by very sharp spines which aregradually smaller; the posterior is much longer, with tiny rays covering it allover. Caudal fin very rough and so densely covered with tiny scales that therays cannot by any means be seen from outside. Anal fin small, augmented infront with very strong spines, the second being the coarsest and rather long,ridged in front and furrowed behind. Ventral fins wide at the base, the firstspine coarse. Pectoral fins smaller, pointed.

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128 PACHYURUS.

1. PACHYURUS SQUAMIPENNIS AGASS. PI. LXXI.

Forehead delved/ the brow sloping, the back ashen/ the sides lighter in colour.

Sciaena squamipennis Cuv. in litt.

Head highest at operculum/ sharply sloping, then thinner and projecting, its lengthequal to a quarter of the entire length of the body, wholly covered with scales of almostuniformly equal size. Operculum extends posteriorly into a long spine; the suboperculumcannot be distinguished owing to the scales. Lower corner of praeoperculum very blunt,extending slightly backwards. Eyes are not very large, set behind and above the jointureof the jaws, at the edge of the brow. Scales surrounding orbit slightly smaller than those oncheeks. Nares positioned at anterior edge of orbit. Mouth terminal/ quite large, archedupwards and surrounded by skinny lips; lower jaw slightly produced with the mouthopen, but recessed in the intermaxillary with the mouth closed. Trunk ovate-oblong,compressed, extending to a rough, subcylindrical tail. Trunk covered with rather small,almost uniformly equal scales whose rear edges are serrated and are turned upwards,becoming gradually smaller towards the tip of the tail and the edge of the back andabdomen. All scales of the trunk subequal, looking upwards roughly semicircular, markedwith very close-set curved concentric lines, wrinkled, undulating and harsh in the rearpart, as well as with several almost parallel lines tending forwards. The rear edge of ascale is serrated, while the point of radiation is almost in the middle of the scale. Lateralline slightly curved upwards anteriorly, parallel to the back, marked with rather smallscales, which have a plain, rather narrow mucous canal. The scales of the fins present thesame character, but are much smaller and irregular. The foremost spine of the anteriordorsal fin is short, the second being the longest, those following being gradually smaller.Posterior dorsal fin soft, wholly covered with very small scales, its insertion beingsurrounded by a band of rather large scales; the first ray is short and spinous. Caudal finrounded and so thickly covered with scales that one cannot count the rays nor even seethem clearly. Anal fin covered with scales at its insertion, the second spine being the mostcoarse and strongest.

The entire fish is dull ashen, with the fins blackish at the tips.

The pectoral fins with 15 rays, ventral 7, anal 2,9/ anterior dorsal 10, posteriordorsal 1/36.

A dry specimen is preserved in the museum/ in very poor condition/17 incheslong.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

LV.LOBOTESCuv.

Body ovate/ wide and compressed/ covered all over with scales of moderatesize. Head of moderate size and rough. Operculum scaled/ rounded behind.Suboperculum small/ interoperculum wide/ long and scaled; praeoperculumsmooth/ quite without scales. Branchiostegal membrane wide and thin/ withfive rays. Several mucous openings/ arranged in groups/ on the superior apex ofthe snout. Mouth quite large/ surrounded by coarse ]ips/ above and below/ armedin the intermaxillary bones and the bones of the lower

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jaw with series of sharp teeth jutting out, behind which is a broad band of verysmall villiform teeth. Upper and lower pharyngeal bones armed with broadbands of large, blunt, conical teeth, slightly hooked at the tip. Lateral Hneinterrupted. Dorsal fin very long, supported in front by very long spines extendedat the tip with skin, and with rays behind, which are gradually longer and scaledall over. Caudal fin scaled all over. Anal fin augmented in front with very strongspines, but presents the same character elsewhere as the soft part of the dorsalfin. Ventral fins pointed, the first spine being rather short; pectoral fins ratherrounded.

1. LOBOTES OCELLATUS Cuv. in lift. PL LXVIII.

The spines of the dorsal fin are all of the same length, except the first whichis shorter than "the rest. There are ocelli edged with black at the insertion of thepectoral fins, the dorsal fin and the upper lobe of the caudal fin.

Head very rough, very blunt and equal in length to a quarter of the length of the entirebody. Operculum wide, rounded and covered with scales which are slightly smaller thanthose of the trunk; praeoperculum smooth and without scales, pitted with large mucousfossae. Branchiostegal membrane thin and wide, prominent behind the operculum.Branchial opening quite large. Cheeks swollen, covered with small scales. Eyes large, setbehind and above the joinbure of the jaws. Nares on either side, pyramidal, of moderatesize, midway between the eyes and the tip of the snout. Very many mucous openings, ingroups at the .very top of the brow, near the nares and in the infraorbital bones. Mouthsurrounded by thick lips, the lower jaw rough, rather wide and prominent. Trunk wide,rough, and covered with subequal scales, deciduous and gradually smaller at the edge ofthe back and towards the tip of the tail. All scales circular, very regular, marked with veryclose-set curved concentric lines, and several radii diverging forwards, running down to alobed edge. The point of radiation is in the middle, of the scales. The lateral line is curvedupwards, parallel to the back, down to the central area of the posterior dorsal fin, thenbroken, and straight in the middle of the side of the tail. Its scales are barely smaller, andare conspicuous for a plain mucous canal beginning in the middle of a scale and in its ill-marked, open edge. Caudal fin with strong spines beyond its middle, which are verysharp, with appendices at the tip as in LabniSj and, behind, articulated, slender rays which"are branched several times, gradually larger towards the tip of the tail and coveredthroughout their length with very tiny scales. Caudal fin rounded, wholly covered withscales, supported outside by barely visible very small rays embedded in skin, the rest ofthe rays being several times branched. Anal fin with three rather short spines in front,very strong, coarse and very sharp, the rays behind being of the same character and shapeas those of the soft part of the dorsal fin. First spine of ventral fins is twice shorter than theray which follows it. First ray of pectoral fin short, thin and small; the rays following it arenumerous and deeply branched.

The back is greenish, the abdomen and sides yellowish.

Pectoral fin with 15 rays, ventral 6, anal 3,16, caudal not more than 15, dorsal13, 20.

In the Museum at Munich there is a specimen 10 inches long, preserved inspirits of wine.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

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130 HAEMULON.

LVI. HAEMULON Cuv.

The body is ovate-oblong, compressed, wholly covered with moderate-sized scales.The head is of moderate size, compressed, but rougher than the trunk, pointed, slopingand scaled. Operculum rounded behind; suboperculum wide; interoperculum small;praeoperculum serrated and provided with denticles; all these scaled. The branchiostegalmembrane is narrow, and recessed under the operculum, with 7 rays. The mouth is largeand compressed on the sides; surrounded by skinny lips, armed with very sharp, villif ormteeth, those which are external, particularly those near the apex of the jaws, being ratherlarge and set outside. The lower jaw is prominent when the mouth is open, drooping andforming a right angle with the gullet; at its junction there are rather large mucous fossae.The upper and lower pharyngeal bones are covered with small, blunt, conical teeth. Dorsalfin emarginate, the anterior part being soft and spiny, and the posterior part soft and whollycovered with tiny scales. Anal fin. armed in front with strong spines and with soft rays andcovered with very minute scales. Ventral fins pointed, smooth or covered with tiny scales.Pectoral fins longer and pointed.

The fish are remarkable for the redness of their lips; it has a good flavour.

1. HAEMULON CANNA Cuv. in litt PL LXIX

Scales of nape and cheeks much smaller than those of trunk; posterior dorsalfin, caudal and anal fins, as well as pectoral and ventral fins, wholly covered allover with very thick, very minute scales.

The fish is ovate elongated, and compressed; the back humped, the abdomen straight.It is covered all over with transparent scales of varying size. The head is pointed,compressed and sloping, longer than a quarter of the entire length of the fish. The operculumis augmented at the rear with a loose membrane, covered like the suboperculum withscales of moderate size. The praeoperculum is wholly scaled and sharply serratedposteriorly; the interoperculum is covered with very small scales. The cheeks are level,covered with scales of varying size. The upper edge of the orbit, above and below, iscovered with very minute scales. The branchiostegal membrane is completely coveredunder the suboperculum. The mouth is quite large surrounded by rough lips. In the upperand in the lower jaw there is an external series of rather large, very sharp teeth, curvedinwards, over the whole edge of the intermaxillary and mandibular bones; behind theseseries, above and below, on both sides is a band of villif orm teeth, which are much smaller,very close-set. There are two nares on either side, in front of the forward edge of the orbit,to which they are much closer than to the apex of the snout, very close to each other, andof about the same size, those behind spreading, those in front tubular. The eyes are quitelarge, set rather high. Near the juncture of the lower jaw there are rather large mucousfossae. The scapular bone is serrated posteriorly. The back is sharp in front of the dorsalfin, the abdomen is fairly flat. All scales of the trunk about the same size, smaller nearinsertion of the fins and near the tip of the tail. All have curved, concentric lines, veryclose-set, wrinkled behind, with plenty of rays diverging forwards. The point of radiationis criss-crosses with lines, the rear edge being ciliate and hemispherical, straight in front.The lateral line is bent upwards, parallel to the back, to which it is much closer than to theabdomen. Its scales are

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HAEMULON. 131

noteworthy for a quite ample mucous canal extending from the forward edge beyond thepoint of radiation, then bifurcated, with one prong tending upward. The scales of the finspresent the same character as the scales of the trunk but they are much smaller andirregularly disposed, and with an irregular edge. The dorsal fin is supported in front,beyond its middle, by strong sharp spines recessible in a sheath, and by soft rays behind,rather small and much branched at the tip; the caudal fin is forked, with a rather shortlobe below. The anterior rays of the anal fin are spiny, the second being the strongest,coarsest, and furrowed, those following, as with the dorsal fin, being soft. At the insertionof the ventral fin there is a very long, pointed scale; the first ray of these fins is spiny, andsmaller almost by half than the next; the pectoral fins are pointed, the two anterior raysbeing simple and rather short.

The fish is bluish green on top, yellowish at the sides. The fins are golden or yellow.

Pectoral fins with 18 rays, ventral 7, anal fin 3, 9, caudal 5,15, 5, dorsal 12,180.

In the Museum at Munich there is a specimen 11 inches long, preserved in spirits ofwine.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

2. HAEMULON SCHRANKII AGASS. PL LXIX. a.

The scales of the head and the nape are all of about the same size, but smallerthan those of the trunk; the posterior dorsal fin, the anal fin and the base of thecaudal fin are covered with very minute scales; the pectoral and ventral fins aresmooth and without scales.

Head pointed, compressed, sloping, longer than a quarter of the total length of thefish. Suboperculum pointed behind. Operculum augmented by a loose membrane. Orbitabove, surrounded behind and below by rather small scales. Two nares on either side, infront of the eyes, to which they are very close, those behind being the smaller, with skinclosing them, and circular; those in front are the larger, and tubular. The mouth is ample,armed above and below with rather large external teeth, behind which there is a band ofvilliform teeth, narrower than in Haemulan canna. The branchiostegal membrane is setback under the suboperculum. The eyes are smaller than in the other species. The scales ofthe trunk are all of the same size, save in the area near the insertion of the fins and towardsthe tip of the tail, marked with curved concentric lines as close-set as possible, wrinkledbehind, also with several rays diverging forwards. The rear edge of a scale is dilate, lobedin front. The lateral line is curved upwards, parallel to the back, marked with scales muchsmaller than those adjacent to it. Its scales are remarkable for a quite ample mucous canal,bifurcated behind, the branches being much narrower than usual. The dorsal fin issupported beyond its middle by coarse, strong spines, and is recessible in a sheath. Itsposterior rays are slender, scaled and branched. The caudal fin is forked, covered withtiny scales, but not beyond the middle; the second spine of the anal fin is very coarse, verystrong, and sulcate; the ventral fins are smooth, the first spine being, rather coarse, muchshorter than the rays behind; the spaces between the rays on the anterior surface only arecovered with some very minute scales. The pectoral fins are pointed. At the insertion ofthe ventral fins there are some longer scales.

The fish is ash-coloured on top, silvery on the sides; the dorsal fins and the anal fin areyellow, the other fins red.

Pectoral fins with 18 rays, ventral 7, anal 5,10, caudal 6,15, 6, dorsal 12,18.

In the Museum at Munich there are two specimens more than 6 inches long preservedin spirits of wine.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

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132- BATRACHUS.

FAMILY XV. LOPHIOIDEI Cuv.

Diagnosis. The head is very large/ wide and depressed. The trunk is muchthinner/ attenuated behind/ more or less compressed or depressed. Theoperculum is small; the branchiostegal membrane is large; the branchial openingis of various sizes/ or very small or very large. The mouth is big; the intermaxillarybones are aligned with the upper edge of the mouth; the bones of the lower jawand of the palate/ also the vomer/ are armed with rather small near-villiformteeth. The trunk is smooth/ or completely naked/ without scales/ or covered withvery minute scales. The ventral fins are jugular; the pectoral fins are large/noteworthy for an elongated carpus extended outside and rather free andprominent.

This family has only a few genera and only a few species.

LVII. BATRACHUS Cuv.

Head very depressed, very wide/ very large/ much wider than the trunk.Operculum very small/ extending to very strong spines. Suboperculum uniformlyspiny/ but these parts of the opercular plate are covered with so rough a skinthat one cannot distinguish them from outside. Branchiostegal membrane verywide and supported by 6 very long, rough rays/ surrounds the insertion of thepectoral fins. Branchial opening large. The mouth is as large as it can be/ in thevery extremity of the head/ surrounded by rough/ skinny fringed lips. Theintermaxillary bones are somewhat projecting, armed with small.teeth disposedin front in several series, behind in a single series. Bones of the upper jaw edentate/narrow/ longer than those of the intermaxillary. Lower jaw/ the bones of thepalate/ the vomer and upper and lower pharyngeal bones armed with smallteeth disposed in several series. Trunk cylindrical/ somewhat compressed/gradually attenuated behind/ covered with very minute scales. There are 2pectoral fins/ the anterior very small, supported by rough strong spines, theposterior/ like the anal fin/ long, with thin, soft rays embedded in rough skin.Ventral fins compressed, anteriorly fleshy. Pectoral fins with a swollen carpus.

The genus/ which is exceedingly close to Uranoscopus and may later be joinedwith it, counts several related species.

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BATRACHUS. 133

BATRACHUS PUNCTATOS Cuv. in litt. PI. LXXIV.

The head/ the trunk, and all the fins are marked with rather small or ratherlarge black ocelli.

Head as long as a third part of the whole body, entirely without scales, andcovered with a naked, rough skin. Operculum armed with two spines, thesuboperculum with a single spine, all very sharp. The branchial opening spreadswidely out. The eyes are small, set widely apart, very close to the opening of themouth, positioned upward. The mouth is large, surrounded by loose, skinnylips. There is a fimbriated skinny, appendage to the lower jaw. The gular regionis flat, very smooth" and without, scales. The scales of the trunk are very thin,paper-like, embedded deep in skin, plain, marked with curved radii, concentric,not all that close-set. The lateral line presents only small mucous fossae, disposedin a double series on both sides, which is parallel to the back, to which it iscloser than to the abdomen. The abdomen is level, covered with rather smallstales. The anterior dorsal fin is armed.with only 3 spines; the posterior dorsalfin has rays which are soft slightly longer than average, articulated and branchedseveral times, and joined together with coarse skin. The fin itself is very long,extending over the whole back. The caudal fin is rounded; the anal is shorterthan the posterior dorsal and exhibits the same character. Ventral fins jugular,restricted, with a coarse first ray, surrounded by a very coarse skin which isrough; the pectoral fins are wide and rounded.

The fish is dull brownish on top, ashen on the sides; the fins are green, thewhole fish is blotched with blackish patches.

Pectoral fins with 22 rays, ventral 5, anal fin 17, caudal 4, 10, 4, posteriordorsal 21; anterior 3.

In the Museum at Munich there are two splendid specimens 10 inches long,preserved in spirits of wine.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

FAMILY XVI. MUGILOIDEI Cuv.

Diagnosis. The body is elongated, almost uniformly wide over all its length,subcylindrical, covered with large scales. The head is short, depressed, roughand scaled. The operculum is large, the suboperculum very large. There are 6branchiostegal rays. The snout is very short, and at its tip is the small mouth,angular and protractile. In the intermaxillary bones, aligned with the upper edge,and in the bones of the lower jaw there is a series of very minute, very narrowteeth. There are two dorsal fins,

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134 MUGIL.

very far indeed apart/ the anterior having 4 spines; at its insertion there is verylong scale; the posterior dorsal fin is short/ and, like the anal/ soft. The ventralfins are set behind the pectoral/ near whose insertion there is a very long scale.There are a few bristly appendages.

This family has only one genus/ Mugil.

LVIII. MUGIL LINN.

This genus has the characteristics of the family

LVIII. MUGIL BRASILIENSIS SPIX. PL LXXII.

Posterior dorsal/ caudal and anal fins covered with very minute/ tiny scales;trunk purplish on top/ golden-yellow on the sides.

The head is short/ its length equal to a fifth part of the entire length of thebody; covered with large scales/ particularly on top. The branchiostegalmembrane is recessed under the inter op erculum and the suboperculum. Themouth is small/ inferior/ protrusible/ closed/ presenting the shape of a rectangle.There are two nares on either side/ very far indeed apart/ those behind being thelarger, with skin covering them/ those in front much smaller/ circular/ andspreading. The cheeks are swollen/ covered with large scales. The trunk iscylindrical, covered with nearly uniform hemispherical scales/ only near theinsertion of the fins and towards the tip of the tail. All the scales are transparentand covered with concentric lines which are very close-set, wrinkled behind,and marked with a few radii which diverge forwards. The rear edge of a scale isciliate, and lobed in front. One cannot discern the lateral line from outside; itsscales however, marked with a short, very narrow mucous canal. The outer edgeof the posterior dorsal fin and of the anal fin are emarginate, the anterior rays ofeither fin are simple, those behind becoming gradually smaller. The ventral finsare rather wide/ with the anterior rays spiny and rather short. The pectoral finsare pointed and rather wide.

The fish is purplish above/ the sides golden yellow; the fins are bluish at thetips.

Pectoral fins with 15 rays/ ventral 6, anal fin 14, caudal fin 4,15,4, the posteriordorsal 10, the anterior 4.

In the Museum at Munich there are two specimens preserved in spirits ofwine; there is another, larger, dried specimen at the same place.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

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ATHERINA. 135

FAMILY XVII. ATHERINOIDEI Cuv.

Diagnosis. The body is elongated/ almost uniformly wide throughout itslength/ more or less compressed/ covered everywhere with large scales. Thehead is scaled/ depressed on top/ and compressed on the sides. The operculumis regular and quite large. There are six branchiostegal rays. The mouth is at thevery tip of the snout/ and not all that ample; in the protrusible intermaxillarybones/ which are wholly aligned with the upper edge of the mouth and in thebones of the lower jaw there are series of rather small/ very sharp teeth. Thereare two dorsal fins/ quite distant from each other/ set very far back, the anteriorspiny/ the posterior soft. The anal fin is quite long; the ventral fin is in the middleof the abdomen. The intestinal canal has no caeca. The air bladder is quite large.

This family has only one genus.

LIX. ATHERINA LINN.

This genus has the characteristics of the family. The fish have a good flavour.They live in shoals.

1. ATHERINA TAENIATA SPIX. PL XXXIII. Fig. 2.

The body is grey/ adorned with 7 broad silvery bands on the sides; the lowerjaw is longer than the upper.

The head is small/ equal in length to a sixth part of the total length of thebody/ covered with large scales/ and depressed on top. The eyes are very large/occupying almost the whole width of the head. The nostrils are midway betweenthe eyes and the tip of the snout/ large and spreading. The trunk is very bluntand truncate/ the upper jaw being rather short. The trunk is wider on top,gradually more compressed towards the end of the abdomen/ covered with verywide/ transparent and very thin scales. The anterior dorsal fin is midway betweenthe anal fin and the ventral fins/ with very slender/ fine rays; the posterior dorsalfin is opposite the anal fin/ with shorter but coarser rays than the anterior. Therays of the caudal fin are rather long and simple, and there are very many verysmall rays at their base. The anterior rays of the anal fin longer than those behind,which are gradually smaller. The ventral fins

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136 ATHERINA.

are slender, the first ray being simple; the pectoral fins are very high/ wide androunded, set behind the upper corner of the operculum.

Grey on top/ marked with a silvery band on the sides.

Pectoral fins with 15 rays/ ventral 6, anal 15, caudal 8,17, 8, posterior dorsal12, anterior dorsal 5.

In the Museum at Munich there is a single defective specimen, 2.4 incheslong.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

2. ATHERINA MACROPHTHALMA SPIX. PL LXII. Fig. 2.

Snout pointed, eyes as large as they can be; trunk covered with roundedscales; lower jaw shorter than the upper.

Is it Atherina brasiliensisl Cuv. (Quoy et Gaym. Voyage de Freycin. Zool. p.332.)

The head is narrower than the trunk, equal in length to a fifth part of thewhole body, covered with scales that are very large indeed; the mouth is largeand conspicuous, the upper jaw being the longer. The nares are large, above thesymphysis of the maxillaries. The eyes are very large, set at the edge of thebrow. The trunk is compressed, covered with large, plain, hemispherical scales.All the scales are marked only with concentric lines, and are lobed at the forwardedge; the centre of radiation is criss-crossed with lines. The lateral line is markedwith short and very narrow mucous canals. The dorsal fin is very small, oppositethe anterior edge_of the anal fin, with rather long, articulated rays, the first rayonly being simple and shorter than the rest. The anal fin is long, its first andsecond rays being simple, those behind being branched and gradually shorter.The ventral fins are wide, the first ray undivided; the pectoral fins are very wideat the base, short, with the rays gradually shorter. The caudal fin is forked.

Olive-grey on top, in the middle of the side there is a yellowish, silverylongitudinal band.

Pectoral fins with 16 rays; ventral 6,- anal 18, caudal 4, 17, 4, the posteriordorsal 8, the anterior dorsal 5.

In the Museum at Munich there is a single specimen, 4 inches long, preservedin spirits of wine.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

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ALUTERA. 137

FAMILIA XVIII. SCLERODERMATOIDEI Cuv.

Diagnosis. The body is of various forms, covered with a harsh, wririkledgrained skin. The head is pointed, extending more or less to a pointed snout.The maxillary is attached to the side of the intermaxillary bone. The mouth issmall, armed with large, sharp teeth, set apart from one another. The bones ofthe palate are joined with the cranium by a suture. The operculum and thebranchiostegal membrane are entrenched directly under coarse skin. Thebranchial opening is small and narrow. The skeleton is rather cartilaginous; theribs being scarcely conspicuous. There are no ventral fins. The intestinal canal isample, with no caeca. The air bladder is large.

LX. ALUTERA Cuv.

The body is compressed, more or less elongated. The head is compressed,projecting greatly forward into a prominent snout. The operculum is very narrow,covered under skin. The mouth is very small, terminal, armed above and belowwith a single series of large, very compressed and very sharp teeth. The wholefish is covered with very scabrous, wrinkled skin. At the nape there is a verystrong spine which can be positioned at the will of the creature. In the middle ofthe back there is a quite long fin consisting of simple rays; the caudal fin is large,with rays only once branched; the anal fin is very long and exhibits the samecharacteristics as the dorsal; there definitely are no ventral fins; the pelvis iswholly hidden under skin, and is nowhere exposed, as in the rest of the Balistes.The pectoral fins are small, made up of simple rays.

ALUTERA PUNCTATA Cuv. in litt. PL LXXII.

The whole body is dull-ashen, marked with black blotches.

The body is very compressed, and exceedingly sloping, like the head, whichis scarcely distinguishable from the body. The lips are skinny and black,surrounding- the small mouth. The branchial opening is small, in front of andabove the insertion of the pectoral fins. The eyes are small, midway between theupper angle of the branchial opening and the spine on the nape. There are twovery small nares on either side, perforated and spreading, in front of the eyes, ina very smooth membrane. The whole head, like the trunk, is covered by roughskin. The length of the head from the tip of the snout

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138 ALUTERA.

to the rear edge of the orbit represents more than a quarter of the whole lengthof the body. The trunk is very compressed, very wide, and equal in length to athird part of the entire length of the body. Small, granular bones, very close-setand joined together very firmly with skin cause the roughness of the fish. Thenuchal spine is very strong and coarse. The rays of the dorsal fin are quite long,simple and articulated. The external rays of the caudal fin are coarse at theirbase, the internal rays being particularly long, branched only once. The rays ofthe anal fin are slightly shorter than those of the dorsal fin. The pectoral fins aresomewhat rounded, very small in relation to the mass of the body.

The whole fish dull-ashen, dotted with black.

Pectoral fins with 2 rays, anal 40, caudal 12, dorsal 25.

In the Museum at Munich there is a single specimen, 15V£ inches long,preserved in spirits of wine.

Inhabits the Atlantic Ocean.

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S E L E C T A

G E N E R A E T S P E C I E S

PI S C IU MB R A S I L I E N S I U M .

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S E L E C T A

G E N E R A E T S P E C I E S

P I S C I U MQ U O S

I N I T I N E R E P E R B R A S I L I A M

ANNIS MDCCCXVn — MDCCCXX

J U S S U E T A U S P I G I I S

M A X I M I L I A N I J O S E P H I L

B-AVARIAE REGIS AUGUSTISSIMIP E R A C T O

C O L L E G I T E T P I N G E N D O S C U R A V I T

Dr. J. B. dc SP1X,Quondam Ordinis Regii Corona; Civilis Bavaricce Eques, ^icademice Scientiamm

Bavaricce Socius Ordinarius, Musei Regii zoologici, zootomici ct ethnographiciConservator rel.

DIGESSIT, DESCPJPSIT ET OBSERVATIOIMBUS ANATOMICIS ILLUSTRAVIT

Dr. L. AGASSIZ,

P R A E F A T U S EST ET ElJlDIT ITINERIS S O C I U S

Dr. F. C. Ph. de MART I US.

MONACHII ,

T Y P I S C . W O L F .

1 8 2 .

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VIRO ILLUSTRISSIMO

L. B. DE C U V I E R

S U M M O Z O O L O G O

0 U I

PRAECLARO INGENIO TOTAM NATURAM

QUAE EST QUAEQUE FUIT AMPLEXUS

E T E R R A E A E Q U O R I S Q U E P E N E T R A L I B U S

U B E R I O R E M

A N I M A L I U M H I S T O R I A M

EDUXIT DISPOSUIT STABILIVIT

H O C O P U S

A B A M I C O D B F U N C T O I N C H O A T U M

D. D. D.

L. AGASSIZ ET-C. F. PH. DE MARTIUS.

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N o rn i n ahuic ope r i ins crib en d-a d e d e r u n t :

L U D O V I C U S I., R e x B a v a r i a e a . . . . . i

C A R O L I N A F R I D B R I C A G O L I E L M A , B a v a r i & e Regis v idua i

G U L I E L M U S , Dux B a v a r i a e i

M A R I A A M A L I A , D u x B i p o n t i n a , C o m e s Palat ina i

A U G U S T A A M A L I A , Dux Leucht e n b e r g e n s i s , P r i n c e p s E i c h s t a d t e n s i s , 3

A L E X I U S F H I D B R I C U S C H R I S T I A N U S , D ux Anh altino - B e r n b u r g e n s i s . .

F R I D E R I C U S F E H D I N A N D U S , D ux A n h a l t i n o - C o thens i s

F H A N C I S C U S I., A u s t r i a e I m p e r a t o r

C A R O L I N A A U G U S T A , A u s t r i a e I m p e r a t r i x

F R A N C I S C U S C A R O L U S , Arch idux Aust r iae

M A R I A L U D O V I C A , A r c h i d u x A u s t r i a e , D u x P a r m a e , Guas ta l lae e t

P l a c e n t i a e

L E O P O L D U S II., A r c h i d u x A u s t r i a e , M a g n u s D u x E t r u r i a e

L U D O Y I C U S , Magnus Dux Badensis

G U L I E L M U S I., Rex Belg i i

F R I D E H I C U S G U L I E L M D S III., Rex Boruss iae ,

F R I D E R I C U S G U L I E L M U S , P r i n c e p s R e g i u s B o r u s s i a e

F R I D E R I C A C A R O L I N A S O P H I A A L E X A N D H I N A , D u x C u m b e r l a n d i a e , P r i n -

c e p s M e g a p o l i t a n a

P E T R U S I., I m p e r a t o r B r a s i l i a e

L U D O Y I C U S , M a g n u s Dux Hass o - D a r m s t a d t e n s i s

P A U L U S A L E X A N D E R L E O P O L B U S , P r i n c e p s L i p p e - D e tmo ldens i s . . . .

F R A N C I S C U S I., Rex u t r i u s q u e S ic i l i ae

M A R I A I S A B E L L A , R e g i n a u t r i u s q ' u e S i c i l i a e . ,

H E N R I C U S LXXII., P r i n c e p s R e u s s - E b ers d o r f - G e r a e n s i s

N i c o L A u s I . , R o s s i a e I m p e r a t o r

FELIX C A R O L U S J O S E P H U S , Rex Sard in iae .

C A R O L U S E M A N U E L A L B E H T U S , P r i n c e p s C a r i g n a n ensisG a L r E L M U s L, Rex W u r t e m b er g iae

P R O S P E R L U D O V I C U S , Dux A r e m h e r g e n s i s . . . , . . - i

M A R I A T H E R E S I A , P r i n c e p s E s t e r h a z y de . Galantba i

C A R O L D S E G O N , P r i n c e p s F u r s t e n b e r gens i s i

Pr inceps de L i e v e n , August . I m p e r a t o r i Ross iae quoad cul tum e t

erud. publ. Min i s t e r 10

233

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J O S E P H U S , P r inceps Saim - R e i f e r s c h e i d - D y k e n s i s .C A R O L U S P H I L I P P U S d e W r e d e , P r i n c e p s E l l i n g e n s i s

B i b l i o t h e c a R e g i a B e r o l i n e n s i s— — — U n i v e r s i t a t i s B o n n e n s i s— — — D r e s d e n s i s— — — U n i v e r s i ta tis E r l angens i s.— — — U n i v e r s i t a t i s G o t t i n g e n s i s .— — — U n i v e r s i t a t i s H e r b i p o l i t a n a . . . . . . .— — — M o n a c e n s i s— — U n i v e r s i t a t i s Reg. M o n a c e n s i s— — T r i b u n a l i s Reg. re rum m e t a l l u r g i c . M o n a c e n s i s— — Inip. h o r t i b o t a n . P e t r o p o l i t a n i— — R e g i a S o r o e n s i s— — U n i v e r s i t a t i s Reg. T u b i n g e n s i s— — Imp. e t R e g . Mu ' se ih i s t . n a t u r . V i n d o b o n e n s i s . .

L. B. S T E I N ab A L T E N S T E I N , Reg- Bor. in reb. ad cult, et erud. pxibl.spect. Min i s t e r 3

A R T A R I A e t F O N T A I N E , B i b l i o p o l a e M a n h e m i i 4G. A. Bo N A T O , P r o f . B o t a n . in Univ . P a t a y iG A B R I E L , Comes de B R A T , Reg. Bavar . ad I m p e r . A u s t r i a e L e g a t u s , Soc.

R. bot . Rat i sb . P r a e s e s iJ O S E P H U S , C o m e s d e E s T E R H A Z r , V i n d o b o n a e iF H I D . F L E I S C H E R , B i b l i o p o l a L i p s i e n s i s 9H O F F M A N N e t C A M P E , B i b l i o p o l a e H a m b u r g e n s e s . 4

J . F R A N K , B i b l i o p o l a B r u x c l l e n s i s 2VIN K E N T I U S , C o m e s de K A U N I T Z , P r a g a e , Caes. C u b i c u l a r i u s iS. e t J . L U C H T M A N S , B i b l i o p o l a e L u g d u n e n s e s . . . iJ . M X I L L E R e t S o c i i , B i b l i o p o l a e A m s t e l o d a m e n s e s -4L. B. de M I J N C H , V i n d o b o n n e iL. B. de O L E N I N , Ross. Imp. a C o n s i l . s e c r e t , Praes . Acad. art. P e t r o p o l . 2P E H T H E S e t B E S S E R , B i b l i o p o l a e H a m b u r g e n s e s 4C. G. C. R E I N W A R D T , Prof . Ti is t . nat. L u g d u n i B a t a v iJ. R E N O U A R D , B i b l i o p o l a P a r i s i e n s i s . , iP. J. S c H A L B A C H E R e t S o c i i , B i b l i o p o l a e V i n d o b o n e n s e s 4C. S en A U M B U R G et Soc i i , B i b l i o p o l a e V i n d o b o n e n s e s iF. S c H w a G R I C H E N , P r o f. hist . nat. L i p s i e n s i s iG A S P A H U S , C o m e s de S T E R N B E R G , Pragae iT R E U T T E L , W U R T Z e t R I C H T E R , B i b l i o p o l a e L o n d i n e n s e s 2P. U S T E H I , M. D. et a C o n s i l i i s pvibl. , T i g u r i . i

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Car. de Martius Lectori salutem!

JT raefaturus in descriptiones piscium brasiliensium quag ad exempla in Museo R.Monacensi exhibita exarare AGASSIZ rioster in se suscepit, de tristi jactura amicissi-mi JOA. DE SPIX, strenuissimi per iter socii, quin moestus conquerar, facere nonpossum. Propositum illi per hoc iter erat, omnes regrii animalium partes rimari,quo factum est, nt, perspicax aeque ac indefessus in observando ut erat, magnammemoria digru'ssimarum observationum copiam comparaverit, quae tamen post ejusmortem, cum plerisque ejus scriptis, misere perierunt. Quod ad pisces attinet,nil praeter icones jam in lapide delineatas reliquit, quam ob causam nobis est ex-pectandum, dum alius quis peregrinator de piscium natura, moribus, per aquasdistributione rel. satagens, nostram jacturam sarciat Mihi quidem, divitiis Flo-rae, per vastum Brasiliae imperium incredibili luxurie exuberantis, allecto atque in hiscolligendis cumque cura observandis quam maxime occupato, non licuit, nisi quasialiud ag-endo, et natura sese quodammodo obtrudente, de piscibus non tarn obser-vationes quam observationum frag-menta instituere, quae Tibi, benevole Lector, heicdum ofFero, defectuum veniam a Tua aequitate me impetraturum esse confido.

Duo vero haec scribenti mihi sunt proposita: primum quidem, ut observatio-nes quasdam de piscibus in genere commemorem tarn maritimis quam flumina stag'-naque incolentibus, singnlarium etiam quorundam piscium indolem enarrem; turnetiam ut, quibus artibus ab incolis capiantur, et quem ad vitam et rem oeconomi-cam usum habeant exponam.

Piscibus, quos brasilienses jure dicimus, vix in alia quavis orbis terrarum parteampliorem, imo aeque amplum , in quo degant, campum concessum fuisse,is facile intelliget, qui longissimum ilium tractum orae maritimae consideret, quamOceanus atlanticus alluit, fluminaque ing^entia in hunc demoim aquarum immen-

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snm molem devehentia, qualia sunt Paraguay*), Uruguay, Flumen St Francisci,Rio Doce, Itapicuru, Miarim, Tocantins, Solimoe's, quod in decursu fluminum omniumlonge maximum evadit nomenque Fluvii Amazonum sortitur, nee non flumina, hisquidem minora, postremis duobus tributaria, et ipsa tamen ingentia Xingu, Tapajoz,Madeira, Japura, Rio Negro, Jutahy, Puruz, Javary, reliqua. Et sane nescio, quidmirari magis debeam, copiamne prorsus incredibilem individuorum, an formas, ma-gnitudines, colores, quibus piscium has diversas aquas Jnhabitantium genera distin-guuntur. In multis certe hujus imperii regionibus quotannis mulla millia piscium ca-piuntur, maximamque aliment! partem constituunt, quo incolae vitam sustentant; etspecierum praeterea is est numerus, ut, quae in hoc opere describuntur, perexiguamcarum partem constituant, plurimae vero, dum plures provinciae adhucdum quasiintactae et incognitae peregrinatores nactae fuerint, innotescent; ego quidem exisli-mo, siquando cunctorum ad Brasiliam pertinentium animalfum calalogus exhibea-tar, fore, ut piscium numerus sexcentas vel septingentas comprehendat species.

Magna certe ilia marinorum piscium copia, quibus omnis Oceanus atianticus ab-undat, atque etiam qui littoribus brasilianis adnatant, mireBrasiliae ichthyologiarn di-tat; elegantes illi Scombri Thynni (/Hbacoras) et Scombri Pelamides (Bonitas)—,qui celeritate ingenti naves inOceano atlantico cursitantes comitantur, Squati Coryphac-naeque, utrique turmas minorum piscium agentes, non rari sunt littoribus brasilianisadvenae. Exocetus evolans, aliaeque plures hujus generis species, Cichlaque volitans,qui pisces omni tempore ob saltus, quos volatui aemulos extra aquam peragunt,inter miracula zonae torridae numerati sunt, porro Echeneis Naucrales (JperuguibaBrasilianorum) quae scuto. suo vertical! navibus adhaeret, quas per omnia maria co-mitatur, Syngnathus Hippocampus, variae species generis Zeus dictij Cotti, Scorpae-nnc, Pleuronectis, et qui alii pisces anomalarum harum formarum non raro piscato-ribus ad Brasiliae littera in praedam cedunt; etiam Rajarum species plures (Nari-lYari, Aiereba, Jnbubira^ Jabebiretc etc.) occurrnnt. Vulnus vero, quod hae ve-nenaLo suo, infligunt aculeo (quemadmodum eliam in Pisonis historia legimus) inco-lae curant superposita radice frixa Rhizophorae Mangles (jQuaparaiba), inunctionecliam olei ex fructibus variorum palmarum, aut cataplasmatibus ex illo confectis.Punctnra Raja, ut mihi homo indigena narravit, qui ab hoc pisce olim punctus fuit,inferiorem caudae partem contorquet, reliquo corpore simul varie agitato, ut tarn im-pedimentum removeat, quod aculeum impediret applicavi, quam applicitum profundiusadigat- Vulnus factum mox, vehementes dolores causat, valdeque ardentes3 qui plures

*) Nomina hoi'um fluminum, ut ab incolis pronuntiantur, reddimus, quod ad formam latini sermo-nis abtorta minus facile in cards geogrophicis inveniantur, et ejusmodi detorsione barbariejTocabuli non eyitetur.

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horas quandoque diem integrum durant, loco tarn rubedine quam tumore circumdato;subinde febris etiam accedit, rarissime tamen ejusmodi punctio letbifera est.

Ouum de maris piscibus infestis incidit sermo, moneor. ut aliquid etiam de Squallspeciebus (Tubaroes) Carcbaria, Zygaena, quae non male malleum refert, Tiburone at-que aliis congeneribus referam. Observatum nempe est, bos pisces non passim Bra-siliae littoribus adpellere, sed statas quasdam quasi stationes observare; frequenlissimisolent esse prope insulam de S. Luiz de Maranhao dictam, ilem ad oras provinciarumSeara, Rio Grande do Norte, et S. Pauli, quibus locis periculosum est in mari lavari.Etpotest forte universe dici, oras Brasiliae promonlorioS. Rocbi, quod maxime omniumin Orientem procurrit, (latitudine austr. 5° 28' 17", longitud. occ. a Par. 3y° Zn1 26")adBoream sitas, parcius a piscibus invisi, quam ad Auslrum positas, cujus rei causavidetur, quod orae circa Para , Maranbao et Seara sint humiliores, amplisque syrtibusmajoribus piscibus accessum difficiliorem reddant, in australi vero plaga pro locoqua sol jam versus Austrum jam versus Boream vergit, aquae marinae jam versusBoream 3 jam versus Austrum agantur; constat vevo, pisces itus reditusque suos adnormam aquarum, quas incolunt, variare.

Quantum vero pisces vicissitudinibus mobilis elementi afficiantur eliam inde col-ligitur, quod statas anni tempestates observant, quibus potissimum ad oras adnatent.Notum est enim fluxus marinos in orientalibus Brasiliae oris directionem ventorumsequij qui mensibus Martio, Aprili, usque in Septembrem, inter Mesocaeciam(Or.versus Sept.) et Eurum (O.Mer. Or.) variant, a Septembri veroinMartium (quamanni tempeslatem, quod pluviosa sit, hyemem dicunt) inter Arctopeliotem(Sept. Or.) et alium ventum, cujus direclio magis adAuslrum vergil, (Sepl. Or. [fa Or.)alternant; vehementiae vero ventorum ffuxuum celeritas est propoi'tionalis. VenlisMesocaecia vel Euro inlermediisve flanlibus fluxus maris in parle Promonlorio S.Augustini ad Austrum sita minores, quam in parte Boream spe,ctante, ubi celeritasa, mense Junio, Julioque perpetuo crescit, venlo ArctOpeliote dominante. Ad sinumOmnium Sanctorum (Bahia de todos os Santos) Arctopelioles malulinum fere sibi tern-pus vindicat; Zephyroboreas vero, qui ex terra continenle spiral, vesperam noctem-que sibi sumit. Cum itaque plerumque adverse flumine pisces natai'e soleant, ma-nifeslum fit, tempus potissimum vespertinum noclurnumque mensesque aeslivos (quicum nostris, quod sicci sint, etsi in opposilo climate, iidem habentur) maxime pis-cium appulsui ad littora favere. Sunt vero etiam alii, qui non tarn in hac re ven-tos observant, quam tempus, quo magis vadosa sunt liltora, ut ova, quae ponunt,solis fotu felicius excludantur, quapropler saepe fluvios etiam longo tractu adscen-

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dunt; quemadmodum apud nos Salmo Salar Rbenum usque Schafthusiam et lacxisvaries Helvetiae adscendit. Tempus hoc, quo pisces ad Brasiliae oraa appelluntur,Indorum idiomate Pira-que, \. e. piscium introitus , appellatur. Pisces magnitudineinsignes, e quorum numero sunt: Caravates, Ccwallos, Turapicus, Albacoras(Scomber ThynnusL. et alia Scombri sp.), easolummodo littorafrequentant, quae minusalte in sinus recedunt idque nonnisi caute cogitateque facere videntur. Mihi quidem certeplures veteres regionis Ilheos Indi confirmarunt, bos pisces in hoc negotio valde providese gerere, semper quosdam seniorum praecedere speculatorum instar, qui aquarumregionem explorent, aptissimaque deponendis ovis loca indagent. junioribusque pro-danL Multo copiosiores minorum piscium txirmae sunt, quae oris adnataiit, qua-les sunt Paratis et Carames, a Lusitanis Tainhas dicti (Atherinae species?). Alii,uti Camuris (Diodon Hystrix L.) Tatacapirema, Curtd (Guri), Bagres (SilurusBagre), firutas (Urutas Pisoni) ova sua in limo deponunt, quapropter-multo altiusfluvios adscendunt, sed societates minus numerosas formant. Omni tamen praeterhoc, quo ova deponant, vitae tempore pisces hi oceanici a fluviis abstinent orasquedeserunt, altum repetentes, quam primum ova parta sunt, quae suae sorti relin-quuntj a maribus, post feminarum discessum advenientibus, foecundanda, qui tamenipsi peracto negotio discedunt Et vero mirum non est, pisces ovorum suorum itaparum curam gerere, ut et saepe matres ova sua devorent ipsae, quod praesertimde Siluro Bagre notum est: nam nee in conceptu voluptatem sentiunt, nee sinemagna molestia pondus ovorum deponunt. De illo tamen piscium genere, quodCavallos dicunt. asseritur, matres pullos non deserere. sed cum illis jam una exclusismare repetere. Rarius quoque accidit, ut pisces minores a majoribus, Xiphia sci-licet, Catodonte et Squali speoiebus rel. perterrid in oras aufugiant, ubi maxima co-pia in piscatorum insidias incidunt.

Quodsi quaedam Brasiliae littora piscibus mirum in modum abundant, multotamen copiosiores, proportione habita, flumina, et qui cum his jungnntur, lacusalunt et stagna. Horum alii per magnam hujus imperii partem difFusi sunt, uti PiranhaSerrasalmo Piranha) (Curimata) Schizodon fasciatus, Pacu (Prochilodus argenteus,nigricans), Sorubim (Platystomatis species); alii vero singularibus fluminum trac-tibus proprii sunt; nee improbabile videtur, cuivis prope majori flumini species quas-dam competere, quod quidem in ea penuria observationum cum cura institularum,quae nunc obtinet, nee asseri nee negari secure potest. Quemadmodum oceanici,ita quoque pisces aquarum dulcium certis moribus indulgent, qui a peculiari locali-que natura element! pendent, quod incolunt Et hi statis quibusdam temporibus tur-matim secundo flumine vel adverse natant, stagnaque lacusque cum fluviis connexosingrediuntur.

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Observatu nempe dignum est, in hao re pendere omnia minus ab anni tempestatequam a natura regionis horum fluminum , quorum in hoc ingentis amplitudinis im-perio alia quidem aquis evacuantur suis, aliis adhuc dum plenis permanentibus. Hocautem plerumque observatum est, pisces secundo flumine descendere, quum aquaeminuuntur, adscendere, qxium illae abundant. Multi certis anni temporibus fluminadeserunt, et in connexos lacus et stagna sese recipiunt, quodam quasi consilio, turnne soboles ab aliis voracibus animalibus devoretur, turn ne ovalocorum, quibus con-credita sunt, intempestiva pereant exsiccatione, quum vel in amplissimis Brasiliae flu-minibus fere solemne sit, ut quotannis ejusmodi subjiciantur vicissitudinibus, quam obrem etiam pisces, de quo diximus, morem, in his praecipue fluminibus observant.Fit autem hoc in quovis flumine et certo tempore, et eadem ac antea via ; quodexperti accolae fluminis S. Francisci in canalibus, qui inundantes fluctus dedueunt,aggeres construendo, quo minus pisces in flumen possint reverti, largissimas illorumcopias capiunt.

Ejusmodi itinera jam a piscibus iiistituuntur singulis, jam, et frequentius qui-dem, turmatim proficiscuntur, nee angustis finibus concluduntur; nam bonis aucto-ribus fama nititur, pisces ex flumine Paraguay non tantum eas aquarum molespervadere, quae nomine Lagos dos Xarayes notae singulis annis ab exundanteubique flumine formantur, sed etiam in superiorem Parana seu Rio Grande usquead fontes illius in Minas Geraes adscendere. In flumine S. Francisci, quum inMinarum provincia anni sicca tempestas obtinet, descendunt usque ad cataractas dePaulo Affonso dictas, in quo quidem itinere aliquot centenas leucas permetiuntur.Hae vero cataractae sunt ea magnitudine, ut non tantum naves, sed piscium ipso-rum sistant itinera, descendentesque nonnisi ad earum viciniam progrediantur, oceani-ci vero ab illis inexsuperatis deflectant.

Non spatiosa minus itinera pisces instituunt in vasto illo tractu, quern Amazo-num fluvius cum vastissimis, qui undequaque confluunt, ramis efformat; pisces enima fonlibus australium fluminum Xingu, Tapajoz, Madeira, Javary, uti septentriona-lium Jca, Japura, Rio Negro etc., in hunc maximum omnium fluminum descen-dunt, cpzo-dictu vix credibilis piscium copia in ilium confluit, turn temporis prae-sertim manifesta, quum flumen hoc quaquaversum exundat, et omnia pontus fiunt.Stupet sane europaeus itinerator, quum navi inter proceras arbores, quae tuna sefloribus induunt, provehitur, et in sylva hac arborum florentium innumeros piscessolita sua negotia gerere videt, quorum alii folia, flores, fructusque, qui forte de-ciderunt, legunt, alii limum sorbent, alii cortices rodunt, alii lusibus bellisve mu-tuis indulgent; omnia tune vivunt, omtiia sese agitant, loois post paucos menses}

aquis in terminos suos regressis, in silentia limosaque deserta mutatis, Quae vero

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sit singuiarium specierum in hoc piscium numero vitae ratio, quis nutriendi se mo-dus, quae inter illos amicitiae, quae inimicitiae obtmeant, quibus artibus bella ge-rantur, quibus proles propagentur, posterioribus observatoribus, quibus majus otiumerit, inquirendum reliquimus.

Eorum piscium, qui per ma gnam Brasiliae partem diffusi sunt, praeter superneadductos Pacii et Curimatd, nominari merentur: Piau, Taraira do Rio (Syno-dus Taraira) ^4cary, Pocomo, Bagre (Silurus Bagre), Pird (tamquam piscis nartZoyyv, quum hoc verbo in idiomate brasilico piscis quilibet appelletur), qui obcopiam et abundantiam multis locis et regionibus nomina conciliarunt, uti sunt Pi-ra-hy, Pacu-hy, Piau-hy, Carirnata-hy; (in quibus vocibus adjecta vocula Hy(aqua) significat, praecipuos regionis fluvios eos pisces alere). Aliud simile nomenest regionis Trahiras, quod contraclum est ex Tarairas.

Genus piscium non per omnem Brasiliam tantrum, sed etiam per Bonariam,Paraguariam, Guyanam, Columbian! diffusum Serraesalmonis est; et mihi quidemvidetur, speciem quandam hujus generis., in Brasilia communem (Piranha ordina-rid) in Paraguayo Palometa, in Guyana Pery vocari. Affinis huic speciei estSerrasalmo albus HUMBOLDTII quo auctore ad Orenocum Umati, a GUMILLA vero(Orenoco Vol.III. cap.42) Quacorito, et abHispanis, qui quandamin eo cum Caraiborumgente similitudinem crudelitatis visi sibi sunt invenisse, Pexe Caribe vocatur. Omneshujus generis species ob ingluviem, qua carnes appetunt, me monent, ut nonnihilde illarum historia commemorem.

Solent horum magnae societates, ut plura saepe millia sociorum numerent, iti-nera sua instituere, omniaque, quae forte occurrunt, animalia invadere. Os eoramduplici dentium acutorum ordine armatum est ita arete compactorum, ut si valida-rum aeque ac latarum maxillarum ope comprimantur, omnia tarn facile, quamnovacula pilos, discindant. Refert certe GUMILLA loco.supra laudato, Lidos Quirru-bas has maxillas cum suis dentibus in forficum speciem aptare, quibus occisorumhostium capita abscindant; hinc etiam piscis nomen apud Brasiliae indigenas impetra-vit: Piranha, quod piscem secantem, seu, quemadmodum Lusitani loquuntur, PeixeTezoura significat. (^uae quidem arma incredibili voracitati et sanguinis siti con-juncta piscem hunc fluminum, quae incolit, tyrannum longe maxime formidandumreddunt; nee enim raro contingit, ut si quis bos, vel tapirus, vel aliud majorumanimalium flumen ingressum in ejusmodi piscium societatem incurrat, mo-mento devoretur, quo vis pisce forte nonnisi bolum unicum decerpente, quo tamenfit, ut minori, quam sit credibile, tempore ex toto animal! nihil nisi sceleton super-sit, pelle, carnibus, intestinis absumtis. Visus est bos flumen nonnisi 3o vel 4<>pedes latum, potaturus ingressus littus oppositum attingere non potuisse, nisi forma

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sceleti semimortui. In rem suam utuntur hoc pisce populi ad Orenocum incolen-tes, Guaraunos dicti, qui ut GUMILLA. refert (1. c. I. cap. !/»• p. 3i4- versionisgall.) mortuorum suorum sceleta in corbibus memoriae servant; hi noctem unamcadavera in flumine suspendunt, postero die sceleta. quam optime mundata educturi.

Animalia harum aquarum accolae, quasi experientia docta, cavent sollicite, neaquam potatura moveant aut turbent Equi vero canesque siti coacti aquam quo-dam loco vehementer commovent, aufugiunt dein, allectis in hunc locum Piranhis,potaturi jam alibi securius 5 quodsi vero ab ejusmodi pisce deprehendantur 5 nonraro labia perdunt, mordicus ab illo ablata; quo etiam astu sese canes et equos acrocodilis defendere constat. Quin etiam in fugam acta animalia hostes hos aqua-ticos verentur, quod inprimis de Hydrochoeri Capivara notum est, quae celerri-mum cursum sistit, quum primum timet, ne motu suo voraces Piranhas alliciat.Ita piscis hie ipso crocodilo terribilior est, qui quidem ipse nee lorica sua contraPiranharum tutus est morsum. De sola lutra brasiliensi, quae sub longo suo villodenso vellere minorum pilorum tegitur, fama fert, ab ilia Piranhas in fugam agi.Olfactus his piscibus insignis est, quo fit, ut procul sanguinis carnisve in flumineforte praesentis odore alliciantur. Primus, qui hujus rei meminisset, quantum egoquidem scio, GUMILLA est (Orenoc. Vol. HI. c. 42-), qui ample de Piranhis locutusest, quamvis nonnihil fabulae admiscueritj dicena, posse hominem incolumem interillas natare, si nulla parte corporis quidquam sanguinis aquae misceat, quo san-guinis in pisce sitis accendatur. Contra quod faciunt, quae .DOBRIZHOFBR (de Abipo-nibus I. p. 370.) refert, qui dicit, novisse se duos 'milites hispanos, qui nantesin flumine nantes equos sequebantur, perfectissime eviratos a palometis. Verumtamen est, sanguine carneve aquae admotis, cui Piranhae insunt, voracitatem ho-rum animalium vehementer excitari; ipse ego vidi Indum domesticum ex meo comita-tu, minus caute in eundem locum quum reversus esset, ubi paulo ante gallinas quas-dam occisas eluerat, a Piranha digito prehensum, dimidium ejus articuli extremimordicus perdidisse. Notum etiam est, sanguine haec animalia ita incitari, ut velin suam speciem saeviant, quanquam et hominem et animal quodvis nulla praeviairritatione invitati passim invadant; imo lacinias panni rubri avide prehendunt, ethoc modo facile capiuntur, quod ipse in lacubus ad flumen S. Francisci prope Sal-gado et Malhada saepius tentavi. Gratulandum tamen est incolis earum regionumquod hoc piscium genus rapidos fluyios non amet, sed recessus sinusque, et stagnaquaerat, ubi aqua pigrior est, quo illorum instinctu usi evitare illos possunt facilius.At vero exundantibus fluviis atque per interiora terrae diffusis, quumpisces generis om-

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nis mire turbantur, in ejusmodi inundatis nullibi securitas est ab hoc aquarumdulcium tyranno, quod accolae fluminis a S. Francisco diet! quotannis damno suoexperiuntur, quando, exundante hoc flumine, equos armentaque ex collibus aquacircumdatis, in quibus tandem fame perirent, in continentem elevatiorem traducerecoguntur, quo casu saepe fit, ut ipsis inspectantibus. bos unus alterve aut equus aPiranhis frusticatim discerpatur. Nee mansuetiora solum animalia huic fato subjectasunt, quod ipsa felis Onca, ferocissima Brasiliae fera, non satis evitare potest.

Quodsi hoc piscium genus, si solitarium animal spectes, nee magnum (dua-rum scilicet et quod excedit librarum, uti jam DOBRJZHOFER 1. c. auctor est), nee utintuenti videtur,'formidandum, easdem slrages in aquis dulcibus causat, ob quasnon minus voraces, quam robustigiganteique squali oceanum periculosum reddunt, neeex Rajis desunt species nonnullae, aquas Brasiliae dulces inhabitantes, quae atrociaculeo minentur, praeserlim sub Aequatore et in provinciis Rio Negro et MattoGrosso dictis. Nihil quidem de hujus piscis natura, nisi narrantibus incolis, mihi so-ciove itineris innotuit, quum nulla arte, nullis promissis specimen quoddam illiusobtinere potuerimus, quod, auctoribus incolis, non nisi casu raroque condngat ali-quem capi. Limo sese dimidio corpore hos pisces immergere, aut saltern fundo li-moso adprimere dicunt, nee nisi raro in retia venire, rarius acu piscatoria capi.Verentur vero incolae vehementer aculeum harum Rajarum, quod vi in corpushumanum adactus non solum inflammationes malignas, sed etiam tetanum, et mor-tem ipsam adducit. Quod plurimum commendant contra hos venenatos ictus reme-dium praesentissimum coloni quidem provinciae Rio Negro, cataplasmata sunt fer-vida ex contuso semine Puchury (de Ocoteis Puchury majore et minore Mart, de-cerpto) vulneri arte nonnihil dilatato imposita. Indi. has Rajas aeque timent ac an-gues veneniferos, imo magis, quod, quum sint viviparae, nee solis beneficio egeantad excludendos ex ovis pullos. Plurimum tamen abest, ut sint aeque foecundaeac pisces ovipari. — De alio pisce hominibus infesto nonnulla afferre debeo, quernBrasilienses Candird, Hispani in provincia Maynas degentes Canero nuncupant.Singular! enim instinctu incitatur in ostia excretoria corporis humani intrandi, quaequum.-igitur in iis, qui in flumine lavant, attingit, summa cum violentia irrepit,ibique carnem morsu appetens, dolores, imo vitae periculum affert. Urinae odorehi pisciculi valde alliciuntur, guam ob causam accolae intraturi flumen amazonum,cujus sinus hac peste abundant, praeputium ligula constringunt, et a mingendoabstinent. Pertinet hie piscis ad Cetopseos, quod depinximus, genus; at nescio, andescriptarum specierum (C. Candiru et C. coecutientis) individua juniora, an ter-dae cujusdam speciei minoris individua crudeli hoc instinctu a natura sint donata.

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Angnis electricus, Gymnotus electricus, L., in Brasilia Poracfae vocatus, per sep-tentrionalium provinciarum fluvios abundat, et plures vidi, examinavi, experimen-ta de illorum actione electrica institui. Quum vero nil novi adjiciendum habeamiis, quae cl. de HUMBOLDT praeclare retulit, ad alia transeo.

Quod ad pisces oviparos attinet, posteritas iis non obtingit ae(jue nume-rosa, ac immanis ovorum numerus partu editus promittit, quod in omni spe-cie vario modo obtinet, quo etiam fit, ut species aliae nonnisi solitarrae va-g-antes occurrant, aliae quasi familias constituant, aliae in populos numerososcongregentur. Cujua rei causas investigandi provinciam futuris observatoribusrelinquimus; multas quidem illas variasque esse credibile est. Quod cogitan-ti primum occurrit, illud est, ova non omnia foecundari, sive quod maresvel parum numerosi sint, vel saltern pauci locis illis adveniant, ubi feminae suaova deposuere, vel quod et hi, qui adveniunt, parum salaces sint; fit etiam utipsi parentes partem ovorum devorent. Dein vel intempestivae fluviorum eluvioneSjvel oborta siccitas ejus loci, quo posita sunt ova, fotum eorum non leviter turbant;quodsi ejusmodi aqua vel gradum caloris, qui speciei conveniat, non habeat, velputrescentibus veg'etabilibus vel aliis inquinetur sordibus, vel mineralibus eo deve-ctis nociva reddatur, plures certe causas bujus phaenomeni cur quaeramus, nonhabemus. Quod quidem ad-aquarum temperiem attinet, mihi dictum est, observa-tum esse, pisces temperiem moderatam praehabere, in ilia et sanitate gau.dere melio-re, et sapidiorem habere carnem, quanquam etiam sint, qui dicant, illos ultrafidem elatos temperiei gradus ferre. Ipse ego in sinubus nuvii Amazonum, (cujusmediam temperiem 26° therm. Reaum. inveni), qui vix ultra unum duosve pedes altamaquam, eamque soils vi ad gradum temperiei 32° Reaum. incalescentem habent,numerosos pisces cepi; erant etiam, qui mihi dicerent, rivum Agoa quente in ProvinciaGoyaz, cujus temperies est 28 — 3o° R. mox ad suos fontes a piscibus frequentari.Videtur tamen longiori tempore perdurans alta temperies piscibus parum proficua,quod praesertim tempestate pluviosa retardata, aut ingruente siccitate manifestumfit, quo tempore mortiferis morbis infestantur, cujus rei, ut ex pluribus unumexemplum afferam, annis 1746—1749 experimentum factum est in provincia MattoGrosso. Nam quum haec provincia terrae motibus illis., quibus Peruvia tune con-quassabatur, compateretur, plurium annorum siccitate laborabat, quo factum est,ut maxima pars piscium periret. Aquae materiis illis impraegnatae', quas mate-rias extractivas adpellant, piscibus illas inhabitantibus nihil damni videntur adfer-re; observatum tamen est, saporem salubritatemque carnis ejusmodi piscium al-terari. Ita pisces fluminis Yupura sapidiores pinguioresque evadunt, quum Decem-

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bri, Januario, Februario mensibus certae quaedam ftrbores matures fructus derait-tunt, quibus illi praecipue gaudent, ad quas arbores referenda est Labatia macro-carpa, quam alibi (Nov. gen. IT. t. 170.) descripsi pingendamque curavi. Hue spectatphaenomenon quam maxime singulare ab auctore lusitano (Fonseca, Navegafaodo Para ate as Minas de Motto Grosso^ p. 38.) relatum. In occidentali scilicetfluminis Madeira ripa lacum quendam situm esse fluminique conjunctum, a nume-roso piscium grege habitatum; hos vero, ignota quadam ex causa, tali laborareinertia, ut nulla coqui arte sapor iis possit reconciliari: nomen ita Jurupari-pirai. e. piscium diaboli, hunc lacum adeptum esse. Caeterum multum valet, qua pis-cium caro mutetur, cibi ratio. Ita ad flumen S. Francisci observatum dicunt, carnempiscium veneniferam fieri, quum fructus Hermesiae castaneaefoliae maturescunt, quodeo majorem fidem meretur, quia alia stirps eidem Euphorbiacearum ordini ad-scripta, Hippomane Mancinella, cancros marines veneficos reddat, qui inde come-derunt. Mineralia quod attinet, Indi superioris Yupura retulerunt, pisces nonnun-quam infirmari, quando flumen hoc exundans glomeres pyritis sulphurei attingit,solvitque; quod ut credam, eo facilius inducor, quum etiam existimem, huic py-riti deberi magna ex parte hepatis enormia incrementa, quibus accolae illius fluviipassim laborant.

Et haec quidem de moribus piscium, quantum illos per iter observare licuit,dicenda habebam; nunc varias artes, quibus incolae utuntur, piscibus potiundi,usumque, in quem captos adhibent, ut exponam, narrationis ordo poscit. — Juvatvero rem omnem a principio repetere, primumque de artibus disserere, quibushujus terrae autochthones usi sunt, quae, quod advenae Lusitani tradiderunt, nonaliae erant, quam quibus contra feras utebantur, arma nempe varii generis, ut adeopiscatus venatusque artes distinctae non essent. Praeterea erant illis herbae quaedamnarcoticae notae, quibus pisces inebriarent; atque hac ratione piscatus varii modiinter Indos valent, quos quidem omnes icone illustrandos curavi, duplici consilio,ut facilius a lectoribus intelligerentur, utque ornamenti quid quasi piscium ipsis figu-ris adjicerem.

Mature natura hos homines docuit, uti plerasque alias feras nationes, lignaquaedam elastica in catapultas aptare, qualis funda est, arcusve, quibus acumina-tum lignum, sagittam, telum, et quandoque globum ex argilla cocta comparatumvibrarent. Ad piscatum telis peculiarem formam tribuebant; nee enim satis aptumputabant, siquidem illud pluribus uncis elongatis armarent, sed uncos hos seu lig-neos, seu ex ossibus piscium vel arundine arborescenti formatos ita dextre corpori

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sagittae nectebant, ut addito piscis pondere facile ex hoc excideret corpore, pisce,cui inhaerebat, vulnerato fundum aquae petente, dum filum telo circumvolutum,quo altera tenebatur extremitate, facile explicabatur, piscemque sequebatur, telointerim in superficie haerente, locumque piscis indicante. (Haec ego tela, in Atlanteitineris descriptioni adjecto, inter arma reliqua figuris 16, 17 et 22 , et figura 26,balistam, quam JSotoque, vel EstoUca vocant, qua globulos argillaceos, parvasvesagittas vibrant, depingenda curavi). Non minore hunc Barbari piscatus modumexercent dexteritate, quam qua feras nemorum avesque venantur. Norunt nempeet aquae vim refringendi luminis, et corpori injecto resistendi, ut illis et piscis visiverus in aqua locus, et quantum vi directionique project! corporis decedat,' accu-rate sit in comperto. Hunc illi venatum (Vid. tab. nostra A.) vecti cymbis insti-tuere solent, quibus ilia praecipue loca petunt, quae prae caeteris faustum even-turn spondent; spondent vero prae aliis ilia fluminum lacuumve loca, quorum ripaecopiosas arbores frugiferas alunt, quae fruges, quum maturae in aquas delabun-tur, piscium greges alliciunt. Quo vero piscibus telo petitis potiantur Barbari,aut ipsi aquis insiliunt, aut uxores liberique hoc illis officium praestant.

Non sine longo rerum usu, nee nisi in gente non omnino inculta fieri potuit, utpiscaturi hamo retibusve uterentur; norant vero utrumque ante I/usitanorum adven-tum; et piscium quidem ossiculis, aut spinis arborum tenuioribus utebantur, dumhamos ferreos a Lusitanis pretio comparaverint. Pilum ex fibris palmarum (Ttccurn)paratur. Quo vero nostrates piscatores (de Anglis, qui in hac arte sunt callidis-simi, non loquor) multum superant, accurata est escarum notitia quae cuiquepiscium specie! maxime ad palatum faciat; coleoptera varia, muscas , vermes, re-centem, coctam, putridamque carnem, pilos etiam, stupam, arborumque fibras,quibus variarum escarum formas induunt, in usum trahunt, piscesque nominarequeunt, quos specie escae data capturi sint. Virgam quidem, ex qua linea cumhamo dependeat, adhibent; sed lineam etiam omnem manui circumvolvunt, quamdein magna dexteritate longissime in aquam projiciunt, sola inter digitos retentaextremitate, quo fit, ut levissimos motus insultusque, quos piscis in esca lineavecausat, facili negotio advertant (Tab. nostra B.). Minus olim ad perfectionem ad-ductus fuisse videtur is piscatus, qui retibus fit. Certe retia, quibus hodie tribusadhuc iricultae utuntur, nee magna sunt, nee ad usum apte contexta. Quum veroinctigenae magna dexteritate in arte plectendi gaudeant, hodie magisterio Europae-orum docti retia conficiunt, in quibus nihil ad perfectionem desideres, in quorumfabrica fibras «x palmarum foliis praecipue adhibent. Maxime omnium celebran-tur retia, quae indigenae provinciae Para, qui quidem littus accolunt, conficiunt,

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et inter hae"c primas tenent in oppidxilo Caete facta. Haec devoluta a nonnullis In-dis per fluminum vada piscosa deferuntur, aliis in littore attrahentibus, pari modo acnostrates piscatores agere solent. (Tab. C.) Nee indignum videtur observatione, hamoretibusque piscandi arte illos praecipue populos excelluisse, qui ad gentem Tupino-rum (Tupis) pertinebant, cujus adhuc reliquiae ad Parae littora supersunt. A marihi non alieni, suis illud navibus tentabant, prae aliis gentibus et moribus et lin-guae facultate exculti. Contra plures alii, in interioribus terrae continents vagantesa natationibus, navigatione ct piscandi artibus abhorrebant. Probe hi norunt, cer-tos pisces noctu taedae splendore allici, et tanta dexteritate agunt, ut manibus saepeillos capiant.

Est et alius apud Brasiliae indigenas piscandi modus inusu, qui eo redit, utpisci consuetum elementum subtrahant, aut certe tarn arete illi succidant, utcaptura facillima reddatur. Naturam et in hac re magistram habuere, observantes,refluente aestu persaepe fieri, ut vel in littore, vel in rivorum fossis ab aqua re-lictis pisces passim in vado remanerent. Igitur naturam imitaturi rivos humilesexhauriunt, quo piscibus aquam subtrahant, quod tanta dexteritate celeritatequepraestant, ut illi quidem, qui non ipse viderit, incredibilis videatur. Postquamnempe rivum variis locis aggere clauserunt, duobus ordinibus illi adstantes peri-carpiis Crescentiae Cujete in phialas [Cujos) aptatis haustam intra pedes magnavi celeritateque retro projiciunt (Tab, G.) Hunc illi piscatum Igapujct vocant, ad-hibentque potissimum in rivis maritimis humilioribus, vel in illis canalibus, quiatagna lacusque conjungunt.

Quum usu didicerint, quomodo varii pisces natent, quasque potissimum viasteneant, nassis uti coeperunt, quas ex Juncis caulibusque lentis Marantae, quamAUBLETUS Tonckat appellavit, variis formis conficiunt, diverse, quern locorum diversi-tas poscit, usui accomodatas. Eas lingua his populis communi (Lingua geraT) I\fa-tapy vocant, et ad capturam praesertim minorum piscium adhibent, de felicieventu certissimi, quum et aquae in fluviis vias et piscium itinera notissima ha-beant. Ad nassas etiam referri queunt, quas illi quidem Camboas adpellant, quaequasi stantes seu erectae et ampliores nassae sunt, ex palis fluvii fundo infixis,formam fere fidium habentes; tres nempe semicirculares cameras formant, quasingressi pisces consilii inopes evadunt, nee qua fluvii campum repetant, satis ma-ture inveniunt. Utuntur plerumque hac nassarum forma illis locis, quibus piscesmaxime ultra citraque commeare atque illis, ad quae pisces a lutrarum gregibus,quae his locis frequentes sunt, in fugam acti, adnatare solent. (Tab. D.)

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Accurata denique longaque observatio naturae hos homines aliam piscatus ra-tionem docuit, quae caeteris ingeniosior videtur, illam dico 3 quam a quibusdamvegetabilibus, piscibus inimicis, eosque inebriantibus repetunt, quibus adhibitis piscesob temulentiam sui impotentes in aquae superficiem evecti nullo negotio capiun-tur. Hoc aquarum veneficium in Brasilia vario modo variisque plantis exequunturpraesertim lacte variarum Euphorbiacearum, aut succo complurium in aqua con-tritarumSapindacearum; et quidem omnium frequentissimae Hura crepitans (Oassacu),Anda Pisonis (Anda) , Paullinia pinnata (Timbo) 3 Jacquinia armillari, Jacquinia obova-ta, (Tinghi) et Bailleria aspera (Conami] *) adhibentur. Arbores illae ex cortice pro-fundius vulnerato insignem copiam succi lactei, qui ad aeris contactum spissjor evaditpartimque in floccos coagulatur, largiuntur, quern dein American! in vasis ficlilibusrepositum cum opus videtur, coarctatis aggere rivis, fluviis, vel edam ampliori-bus, quietis tamen, aquis infundunt, et agitatis fluctibus probe immiscent. Quumvero non infuso lacte sed herbis, quae alias communi Timbo, alias Cunabi autConami nomine salutant, hoc veneficium peragunt, vel succum aquosum tritu interligna lapidesque iis expressum, aquaque addita dilutum locis convenientihus, aquaeinfundunt, vel fascicules harum plantarum plus minus arcta pressione tritarum aquaeinjiciunt, cymbisque aut plerumque pari cymbarum sociatarum vecti post se trahentes,circumducunt. (Tab. D. E.) Immo vel eo modo aquam materia toxicaria impraegnant,quod certis fustibus virgisque, quibus venenum inhaeret, earn fortiter caedant.(Tab. F.} Effectus omnium horum vegetabilium idem fere videtur, quanquam inEuphorbiaceis vehementior sit, longiorique tempore duret; in omnibus tamen haec

*) Plantas ichthyoctones secundum familias natui-ales dispositae, yia.s vel in variia auctoribuj memoratajinveni vel propria experientia cognitas habui, sunt sequentes: Polygoneac: Polygon! variae speciea, apud Jaya-nos in usum vocatae, attamen nondum nominatae (Blume, Bijdi'agen to.t de Flora van iiederlandsch Indie, I.p. 41, nota,); Tliymelaeac: Daphne indica et Mezereum L. Coiiiferat: Taxus baccata L. Euphorliaocae: Eu-phorbia nereifolia, E. cotinifolia, TirucaLi L. piscatoria Ait,, et forsan fruticosae species fere omnes, Esula,amygdaloides , pinifolia, hiberna, Lathyris L., et aline plures; Phyllanthus Conami Sw., virosus Klein, Piica-torum Kunth, Croton Tiglium L.; Manihot utilissima Pohl, Jatropha Curcas L., Anda brasilienjia Raddi;Hura crep.itans L. Solaneae: Yerbascum Thapsus, thapsoides L. et alia plura, (quoad semina). Bignoniaccac:Dignonia cruoigera L., Leucoxylon L., Jacaranda procera Juss,, Tecoma radicanj Juss. MyTfincac: Aegicerajminus Ga'rtn. Sapoteae: Jacquinia armillaris L., obovata Schrad,, Apocyntae; Cerbera Ahovai Li., ManghaaGarta.j Strychnos Nux vomica L., Lobellaceae: Lobelia Tupa L, , Khodoraceae: Hhododendron dauricum L.Chailletiaceae: Chailletia toxicaria Don., Tapura gujanensis Aubl. Composltae: Bailleria aspera Aubl., BarbascoKunth. Ichthyothere Cunabi Mart. lUilzoboleac: Caryocar glabrum Pers. Sapindaccae; Paullinia Cururu, pin-nata L., macrophylla Kunth., thalictrifolia Juss., Seriana triternata W., Phaeocarpus campestris M. Myrtactac:Barringtonia speciosa Forst., Gustavia augusta L. Mcnispermeae : Menispermum glaucum Lam., Cruciferae :Lcpidium Piscidium Forst., oleraceum Forst, Tlliaceae: Grewia asiatica L., Mallococca Forst. Leguminoiai:Tephrosia tomentosa, toxicaria, litoralis, piscatoria, cinerea Pers., coronillaefolia DC., Piscidia Erythrina,carthaginensis L., Lonchocarpuj Nicou D. C., Cassia venenifera Rodschied., Dalbergia heterophylla W., Pha-seolus semierectus L.

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fere symptomata parit: mox a peracto veneficio pisces inquietari, passim supcr-ficiem petere, editis ore poppysmis, vel tentatis saltibus fugam exinimico elementoconari, tardius, branchiis largissime hiantibus, in utramque partem nutantes, obli-que primum aqua emersi, denique omnino supini, atque motus impotes in super-ficiem emergere. Quod si pisees vi veneni diutius expositi relinquantur, omninopereunt; mature vero aquae purae injecti vires recuperant, et vivere pergunt.Caro Vero hoc modo captorum piscium sine noxa comeditur. Piectores Brasiliae,bene gnari, hac piscandi ratione non stagna tantum lacusque, sed fluvios etiampiscibus exhauriri posse, illam subditis interdixerunt, sed haec mandata non indi-genae modo, sed europaeo sanguine prognati pluries negligunt. Methodus haecpisces veneno petendi et Ethnographorum et Physiologorum observatione digna vi-detur. Illorum, quod non in America sola sit in usu, sed etiam in India oriental!,in-Insulis maris pacifici, circa Madagascariam, paucis: in omnibus regionibus tropi-cis ab hominibus morum cultura carentibus adhibeatur, qui tamen parum, quaemorbis pellendis conducant, quove modo in corpus humanum agant, nosse curant.Physiologorum vero maxime interest, ut sectentur, quale systema corporis ani-malis his venenis potissimum afficiatur, et quibus denique principiis chemicis in-toxicatio sit adscribenda. Nos quidem in illis piscibus, quos Indi Hurae crepitan-tis lacte et Bailleriae asperae succo ceperant, quod jam descripsimus phaenome-non, branchiarum scilicet velocem et agitatum motum, et iridem nimis dilatatamobservavimus, et in interemptis cor venaeque capitis sanguine ultra modum tur-gentia sunt reperta. Ego tamen procul absum, ut existimem, solam hanc in sy-stema vasorum sanguineorum agentem vim subitaneae mortis causam esse, sed il-lam inimica in systema nervosum actione perfici persuasus sum. Caeterum mihiest verosimillimum, plantis his ichthyoctonibus, quae ad varias casque diversissi-mas familias pertinent, diversa inesse principia chemica, quorum vi pisces pereant 5id quod jam experientia compertum habemus, qaum alia' ex Euphorbiaceis, alia eLegnminosis alia e Sapindaceis chemica arte educta sint elementa. In Euphorbiaceisquidem intoxicatio forsan pendet a principiis nonnullis sibi invicem subtiliter mixtis:oleo plus minus volatili, resina acri et substantia quadam alcalina, cujus vestigia,ut alia sileam, in Hurae crepitantis lacte cl. BOUSSINGAULT et RIVERO detexerunt(Ann. de Chim. et Phys. Vol. XXVIII. p. 43o.). In Sapindaceis aliud elemen-tum praeest, quod frater meus e medicamine quodam brasiliensi, Guarana dicto,e Paulliniae, quam sorbilem nuncupavi, fructibus praeparato chemica arte elicuit(Kastner, Archiv, Vol. VII. p. 266.), ipsi Guaraninum dictum atque sic dicto Ane-monino prae aliis proximum. Hoc .quidem subtilissima portione propinatum nonpisces solummodo sed etiam lepores aliaque mammalia et columbas enecavit. Pari-

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ter in Menispermeis illud elementum, cui Picrotoxino nomen Chemici indiderant,et in Strych.no aliud, Strychninum dictum, piscibus lethalia esse constat Quodvero ad Legnminosas et Cruciferas attinet, plantaa caeteroquin principiis deleteriisorbatas, sane mirum, plures" illarum species piscibus tarn esse inimicas, quarumquidem vis in oleo quodam essentiali atque in principiis amaris extractivis, ad ean-dem cum s. d. Cytisino seriem referendis, posita esse mini videtur. In Thyme-laeis, Compositis et Myrtaceis pariter oleum acre, in Solaneis principium alcalinum,in Bignoniaceis, Apocyneis, Sapoteis, Lobeliaceis partes extractivae et gummire-sinosae lethalem in pisces vim prae se ferre verosimile est. Sed missa jam haecfaciamus, quae ulterius Chemicorum studium illustrabit, et ad aliam quam pertra-•ctandam nobis sumsimus materiem progrediamur.

De usu scilicet jam nunc paucula mihi sunt dicenda, in quern Brasilienses,quos descriptis modo artibus ceperant, pisces adhibent. Quod vero ad Autochtho-nas attinet, hi, in diem vivere sued, omnes, quos forle ceperint pisces parumcurant, nee nisi, rejectis reliquis, eum numerum reponunt, qui sibi suisque illodie sufficiat. Fit vero quandoque, ut etiam de commeatu cogitent, longiori forteinstante itinere; et turn .quidem exenteratos primo pisces, et, ubi sal muriaticumnotum est, hoc intrito, salitos ad solem vel ad ignem siccant. Sunt etiam, et inhis Miranharum g-ens, ad superiorem Yupura fluvium degens, qui muriae loco ci-neres clavellatos adhibent, e cineribus arborum, quas lingua in Brasilia communis. tupinamba Kukyra-ibyra i. e. salis arbores (variae sunt Lecythidis species)dicunt, parare solent. Quum ad solem siccandi sunt pisces, illos filis acu trajectissuspenses pluribus diebus continuis ardentissimis solis radiis exponunt. Filumejusmodi cufn suis• piscibus lingua tupinamba Pira-apitdma vocatur. Quodsi veroigne siccari pisces placuerit, machinamentum ex tig'illis construunt. (Girdo), duoscirciter pedes supra terram elevatum, in quo pisces in proprio adipe assant. Turn,quantum satis est coctos magnis foliis involutes in summitate mapalis, ubi fumusexit, suspendunt. Miranhae foliorum loco vaginas plantae cujusdam, quae incolisPacova Sororoca dicitur :':) in usum vocant. Persuasi sunt praeterea, nescio, anr-ecte, plericpie hi homines, exsiccationem turn demum probe fieri, quura omnemachinamentum accorrate quatuor mundi plagas respiciat. Caeterum notatu dignumvidetur, Indos e Tupinorum g-ente multiplici arte pisces pro esu praeparare callere,et fercula diversis nominibus salutare; ita piscis frixus: pird-piryric, omninoassatus: pird-mixira, leviter tostus: pird caem, sale conditus: pird yukyra pdra,

*) Est Urania amazonica, ATart., maxima in Brasilia stirps e Musncearum familia, ab aKa specie ma-dagascaricnsi praecipuo distinguenda arOlo nbroso rubro, nee coeruleo.

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XVI

maceratus: pird em, cum farina mandioccae in mortario contusus et commixtus,farinam aemulans grossam: pird passoca audit — Quod ad advenas ex Europaeorumque successores attinet, illi quidem tarn in piscium captura, quam in illorumusu communiter methodos europaeas adhibent, qua in re multum tamen pro loco-rum varia ratione variatur. His fluvii eximiam quotannis messem largiuntur, nu-mcrosiorem tamen lacus et piscinae secundum magnorum fluminum ripas ubiqucfere obvii. Jam hos pisces sapidiores omnes nominare nimis longum foret, quamob causam in iis acquiescam afferendis, qui gregarii degentes, pariter ac Harenginostris in maribus, magno numero simul capti in communem usum cadunt. Quo-rum quidem praecipui sunt sequentes: i. Guarupa piscia marinua, mihi non visus,qui ad oras Provinciarum Porto Seguro, Espiritu Santo et ad .insulas Abrolhosdictas, capitur, sali'tus siccatusque halecum instar in commercium venit. 2. Tainha(Atherina brasiliensis), cujus non minor copia ad oras maritimarum regionum ca-pitur. 3. Pirarucu (Sudis Gigas), qui praesertim borealiorum Provinciarum flu-vios incolit, et siccatus incolarum commeatui servatur. 4- Piquira, pisciculus qui-dam nondum rite descriptus, primis anni mensibus ingruente novilunio fluvios Pro-vinciae Matto Grosso tot tantisque gregibus adscendit, ut illarum regionum accolaecorbes per vada dispositos facili negotio illis repleant, qui dein pisciculi igni expo-siti limpidum adeps largiuntur, olei loco et praeparandis cibis et nutriendis lam-padibus idoneum. Pariter et pisces minores pro adipe decoquere aliis in Ipcis mosest, e. g. in deserto Bahiensi, secundum fluvium 8. Francisci prope Soroa, quapiscinae piscosissimae late patent. — Supremus ipse Brasiliae magistratus de variislocis tarn maritimis quam mediterraneis piscatui aptandis solicitus fuit, qualia sunte. g- ad Chaves et Monforte in insula Marajd, quibus magna pisciura horum co-pia capitur. Edam monasteria quaedam piscandi juribus gaudent. In fluminibusSolimoes et Rio Negro dictis piscatus publica auctoritate institutus est, quo pro-videatur excubiis ad provinciae limites positia, ibidemque piscis Pirarucu salariiloco inter eos qui rei publi.cae serviunt distribuitur. Capitur is praecipue, quum aquaesunt humiliores, quod quidem tempus omni piscatui, qui in continente exercetur,est opportunissimum. Omnis piscatus decima pars a piscatoribus aerario redditur,numerata publicanis pecunia.

Haec quidem de piscibus in genere et de piscatu in Brasilia exercito di-cenda babui. Quae sequuntur , cl. Agassiz studio conscripta, de piscium, quosdelineavimus, forma et structura tractant

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Memor iae Joa. Bapt . de SPIX.

Jbostremum opus itinerum nostrorum socii cum publico communicalur i d t i p l i c inos officio satisfacturos opinati summus, tarn erga pic dcfunclum, qiiam crga rel icluseius amicos, quibus ejus laborcs liltcrarii cordi fucrunt , si quacdam de i l l ius i , i l a ohistoria praemitteremus, iconcmquc, vultum illius non iuiquc refcrcnlcm, adjicc-rcmus.

JOANNES BAPTISTA DB SPIX natus cst g. Fcbr: 1781 , Hochstadii, ad Aiochamfluvium, principaLus olim Bambergensis urbecula, patrc chirurgo so l c r l i , nccignobili, qui Lamen mature praemorluus- filiolum soli malri cducandum reli-quit , foeminae industriae, quae na t ione ilala omncs pnl i - iac suac igniciilos in f i l i umsuum transfudisse videbatur. Primis li l tcrarum rudimcnl is puer Bambcr^ac inseminario Aufseesiano instructus esl, ubi ctiam scholas (Jymnasii f r c q u c n l a v i t . exquo demum ad 'Universi talem, quae Unn temporis adluic Bambci '^nc floi'el.ial ,transiit; in qua Docloris Philosophiae gradum ob l inu i t . Discesdil ponlu-a U c r J i i j i o l i n inseminario Clericorum pracceploribus bonis Tbcologiac daLurus operam. quod piacmatris volis dcdit: et quum hujus doclrinae propcdcuLica IracUxbal, ph i losop l i i ca ] > l i i -lolog^icaque magnis animis ag-grcssus, intcrna Lamcn quadarn vi vehemcnler his. (p i t -bus destinalus erat, sLudiis eripicbaLuf. Harmoniam per univorsam naUu-am dilTusamdemiraLus violenlis quibusdam slimulis ad univcrsam li islori ixm nalurac rapiebatur ,ad AnaLomiac praecipue Physiolog'iacquc s L u d i a , quae princcps crcaloi-ia opus incorporca nalura, horninem, homini palcfaciunL. Ua facLum cst, u l , r r l i r l a 'I 'hco-logia, nunc loLus in Mcdicinam incumbcrc l , in qua cliam anno i O o ~ s i ipremamlauream adeptus csL; oblinuit ctiam a Pieyc 13avariac MAXIJDI.IANO Josm-iiu non soltnnlicentiam, quo sibi ampliores in anatomia cogniliones compararcL, cxlcras j i c l cad i IIM--ras, sed etiam siimtus necessarios. Gavisus Parisiid est consortio v i rornni i l l u s l r i t imCuvieri, Geoffroi S.Hilaire, Blainvi l l i , a l iorumquc, ct usns pracLercn. quae Parisiiset copiosa sunt et longe insti'uctissima3 Museis, in id praecipue a n i i n u m i n t c n d i l ,ut formas animalium diversissimas in systema quoddarn refcrrct, ca rumquc cvolu-tionem quasi g-cnetieam ope systematis cercbralis ncrviniquc scrutaretur. Uuc »ni-nem suum conatum, omnia sua studja conferebat3 et ut crat vi magna imag inaml ipraeditus, gradus org~anismi animalium praecipue secundum formas capilis scclctic;ucrimari conatus est. Quern in finem etiam oram Normandiae mari l imam, ac Italiamomnem usque Neapolin peragravit, tam ut maritimorum animal ium sibi nol i l i_amuberiorem compararet, quam ut ct animum suum artis h u m a n a c .sublimissimis-operibxis pasceret. Quas noctcs ad pedcm Vesuvii et inter vclcri.s Roinae rc l i -quias consumcbat, Dantei praecipue lectione condicbat, poolac subl imis , - .qui aninuimillius profundis de omni rerum natura ideis implevit.

Monachium ex hoc it inere redux amicus nosier Acadomiac scicnliarum a d j u n c -tus renuntiatus est, quo quum fungerclur muncre , scripsil h i s to r iam n n i n i u n i -?y-

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stemaLum zoologicorum inde ab Aristotele ad nostra usque tempora; tardius, ordi-nariusAcademiae socius constitutes, opere alio, quod Cephalogenesin vocavit, suasideas de structura capitis per o'mne genus animalium explicuit. Erunt fortasse, quidicant, in hoc opere nonnunquam phantasiam et peculiarem quandam idearum as-sociationem sobrio veritalis vim inferre scrutinio , certum tamen est, copiosas noncontemnendi pretii eo contineri observationes. et futurum fuisse, ut, si auctori otiumsuppetiisset, in cerebri genesin ulterius inquirendi, atque alteram ejus partem, En-cephalogenesin, scribendi, multa correxisset. Negari certe nequit, in modo, quonoster naturam considerabat, singulare quiddam conatumque egregium cubasse, ob-servationibus ex phantasia et splendorem et nobiliorem unitatem addendi.

Hujus certo operis, quo vitae quasi summam impendere voluit, perficiendi finemsibi proposuit, quum anno 1817 iter in Brasiliam Regis MAXIMILIANI JOSEPHIauspiciis mecum ingrederetur. Verum hie alius longe sese campus observatoriobtulit: non jam anatomicis disquisitionibus nunc erat locus; varietas ingens for-marum animalium, quibus abundat Brasilia, uno quasi obtutu consideranda, acad systematis ductum describenda nunc erat. Id quidem post reditum ex Brasiliain illis operibus factum est, quorum seriem praesens terminal, de quorum autempretio judicare meum non est. Verum inter hos labores, quos forte, corpore jamexhausto et nimis irritabili, SPIXIUS nimia contentione continuabat, litteris, qui-bus valetudinem vitamque posthabuit, typho nervoso ereptus est 16. Maji 1826,me tune in Anglia a charo capite divulso, ac impotente 3 postrema illi obsequiapraestandi, quare mihi nihil jam reliquum est, quam ut his paucis memoriamejus conservem, illis praesertim, qui ex ejus conaminibus intelligunt, eum nonsine fructu pro societate humana, et pro gloria supremae sapientiae laborasse.

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C O N S P E C T U S

P I S C I U M B R A S I L I E N S I U M .

T. MALACOPTERYGII ABDOMINALES Cuv.

FAMILIA I. GONYODONTES AGASS.

ACAITTHICUS Hystrix Spix. — Tab. I. » . . p«g. 3

RHUJELEPIS aspera Spix. — Tab. II. — 4

LOBICABIA rostrata Spix. — Tab. III. — 5

HrrosTOJU. etentaculatum Spix. — Tab. IY. . . . . . . — 7

FAMILU II. SILUROIDEI Guy.

CETOPSIS coecutiens Agass,.— Tab. X. Fig. 2. (Silurus coecutiens Licntenst. Cat., Spix). — 12

— — Candiru Agass. — Tab. X Fig. 1. (Silurus Candiru Spix.) . . . — 13

DORAS Humboldtii Agass. — Tabi Y- (Corydoras edentatus Spix.) . . . . — i4

HIPOPHTJU.I.MXIS edentatus Spix. — Tab. IX. . . . . . . . . — 16

— — — nuchalis Spix. — Tab. XYH. . — 17

PIMELODDS Spixii Agass. — Tab. YII.-Fig. l. (Pimelodus albidus Spix.^ . . . — 19

— — rigidus Spix. — Tab. YII. Fig. 1. — 19

— — Pirinampu Spix. — Tab. YHI — 20

— — ctenodus Agass. — Tab. YIII. a. — 21

PHHACTOCEpHAiUs bicolor Agass. — Tab. YI. (Pirarara bicolor Spix.) . . . — 23

PLATTITOMA Lima Agass. — Tab. XY- (Silurus Lima Scktu, Sorubim inJfraoculare Spix). — 24

— — planicep* Agass. — Tab. XII. (Sorubim Pirauaca Spix.) . . . . — 25

— — spatula Agass. — Tab. XIY- (Sorubim Jandia Spix.) . . . . — 26— — coiTuscans Agass. — Tab. XIII. (Sorubim Caparary Spix. , Pimelodu* corrui-

cans Mus. Berol.) — 26— — truricatum Agass. — Tab. XIII. a. — 27

HKTIHOBBAHCHDS sextentaculatus Spix. — Tab. XI. — a$

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FAWII.U III. CLUPEOIDEI GUY.

SBDIJ Gigaj CUT. — Tab. XYI. (Sudis Pirarucu Spix.) p»g. 31

EBYTHHIMUS salrus Agass. . . . . . . . . . . . . — 4i

— — unitaeniatus Spir. — Tab. XIX. . . . . . . . . — 4z

— — macrodon Agass. — Tab. XYIH. (Erythrinus Trahira Spir.) . . . — 43

— — microcephalus Agass. . . . . . . . . . . — 4 4

— — brasiliensis Spix. — Tab. XX. . — 45

OSTEOGLOSSUM Yandellii Guy.*) — Tab. XXY. (Ischnosoma bicirrhosum Spir.) . . — 47

GLOSSODUS Forslialii Agass. — Tab. XXIII. Fig. 2. Tab. XXIY. Fig. 2- (EngraulU »ericu»

Spir. — bahiensis Spix,, jun.) . . . . . . . . . — 4 9

ESGBAUI.IS grossidens GUT. — Tab. XXIY. Fig. l. (Engraulis Janeiro Spii.) , — 50

— — tricolor Agass. — Tab. XXUI. Fig. l. (Engraulis Piguitinga Spix.) . — 01

CLUPAHODOM aureus Spix. — Tab. XXI. (Clupea gasterostea Mus. Berol.) . . — 52

CHATOESSUI thrissoides Agass. — Tab. XXII. (Megalops thrissotde» Agass.**), tenuifilu CUT.

Clupanodon thrissoides Spir.) — 54

PJUSTIGASTEB JIartii Agass. — Tab. XXIY- a- — 55

FAMILU. IV. SALMONES Guy.

ASODOJ elongatus Spii. — Tab. XL. — 61

— latior Spir. — Tab. XLI. — 62

PBOCHILODUS argenteus Agass. — Tab. XXXVIII. (Pncu argcnteus Spir.) . . . — 63

— — nigricans Agass. — Tab. XXXIX. (Pncu nigricans Spix.) . . . — 64

LEPORIWUS noTemfasciatus Spix. — Tab. XXXVII. (Salmo fasciatus Bloch.) . . . — 65

.SCHIZODOH fasciatus Agass. — Tab> XXXYI. (Curimata fasciatus Spir.) . . . — 66

CHALCEUS angulatus Spix. — Tab. XXXIV — 67

— — amazonicus Agass, — Tab. XXXV. (Characinus arnozonicus Spix.) . . — 68

TETBAGOMOPTKHUS Chalceus Agass. — Tab. XXXIII. Fig. i. . . . . . . — 70

SEBRASII.JIO Piranha CUT. — Tab. XXVIII — 71

— — nurcm Spix. — Tab, XXIX. . . . . . . . . . . — 7s

-—- — nigricans Spix. — Tali. XXX. . .. . . . . . . . — 72

MYJ.ETEJ aureus Agass, — Tab. XXXI. (Tetragonopterus aureus Spix.) . . . — 74

bidens Spix. — Tab. XXXII. . . — 75

EHAPHIODOH Tulpinus Agass. — Tab. XXYI. (Crnodon Tulpinus Spix.) . . . — 76

— — gibbus Agasi. — Tab. XXYH, (Gynodon gibbus.) — 77

XIPHOSTOMA CuTieri Spix. — Tab. XLII. , — 79

SAUHIH Jongirostris Spir, — Tab. XHII. — go

— intermedim Spix. — Tab. XLIY. — 81

— truncatui Spir. — Tab. XLY. — 8i

*) Nomen i clan'sjimo Cuvier regn. an. 2. edit . pig. 528. propositum, accipio.

•*) Haocc« ipcciei »d novum genuj ChatoeasuJ CUT. regn. «n. edit. 1, pag. J J O , pertinct.

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II. MALACOPTERYGII SUBBRACHIALES Guv.

FAMILIA V. PLEURONECTOIDEI Cur.

BHOHBUS ocellatus Agass. — Tab. XLYI. . ....... pag, gj

— — toleaeformis Guy. — Tab. XLYIL . ...... , _ gg

SOI.EA brasiliens'is CUT. — Tab. XLYH1. . . . . ..... — ' 8 ?

MorfOCHiH maculipennis Agass. — Tab. XL/DC. . . . . . . . . — gg

PLAGUSIA brasiliensis CUT. Tab. L ........ , — gg

IE. MALACOPTERYGH APODES Cuv.

FAMIMA VI. ANGUILLAEPORMES Cuv.

GYWKOTHORAX rostratm Agass. — Tab. L. a . . . . . , , . . . — gi

— — ocellatus Agass. — Tab. L. b.

IV. ACANTHOPTERYGH Cur.

FAMIMA VII. GOBIOIDEI Cuvr

AitiSCHiCHAj L«op'ardus Agajs. — Tab. LI. . . . ^ ,. . — 92

FAMIHA VH1. LABROIDEI Cur-.

LABHUS crassus Agass. — Tab. LII. ..... ..... _ 95

Juut dimidiatus Agass. — Tab. LIII. , . . . . . . - . — g 6

XTHICHTHTS uniocellatus CUT. — Tab. LY. • . . . . . \ — g7

SCABDS frondosus CUT. — Tab, LIY- . . . . ^ . — g8

CTCHLA labrina Spix. — Tab. LXII. . . . . . . . . . . — -gg

— Monoculut Spix. — Tab. LXIU. ....... . . — 100

FAMILIA IX. SCOMBEROIDEI Cuv.

CVBUJJI maculatum CUT. — Tab. LX. . . ........ — 103

MICBOPTEBVX cosmopolita Agass. — Tab. LIX. (Seriola cosmopolite CUT.) . . . — lo4

CAEAITJ: latus Agass. — Tab. I/YI. b. Fig, i. ........ — 1O5

— • lepturus Agass.. — Tab. LYI. b. Fig. 2. . . . . . . . — 106

— macrophthalmus Agass. °) — Tab. LYT. a. Fig. i. . . . . . — 107

— punctatus Agass. — Tab. LYI. a. Fig.. 2. . . . . . , — 108

') Descriptione Carangij macrophthalmi nostri jam typis eipressa, tjuinhu fasciculus Piscium maris rubriauctore Huppell nobia allatus cst, in cpio'alia nova Carangia species nomine C. macropUthalmi describi-tur. Hacc Huppelliana species minoribus oculis (juam nostri gaudet ideo^pie minuj apte huic nomenmacrophthalmi in suo genere convenit. Ut et nominum confmionem in posterom eritemui et gruto animoquo erga auctorem ferimur satisfaciamut, Ruppellianum Cirangem macrophtkilmum uominc CaraagiiRuprELLii a nostro distinguemus.

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ABGTBXIOSUS Yomer CUT- — T»b. LV1IL (Zeus Vomer Linn. — Selene argentee Lacep). pag. 109

YOMIS Brownii CUT. — Tab. LVI1. (Zeus aetapinnis Brown.) . , . . . — no

COBTPHAKICA immaculata Spix. T»b. LYI. — -ail

FAMILIA X. SQUAMIPENNES Cuv.

EPHITPUS Gigas CUT. — Tab. LXI. — 113

FAMILIA XI. MAENIDES Cuv.

GKRBES lineatu« CUT- — Tab. LXYII. (Smaris lineatui Humb.) — 115

FAMILIA XII. SPAROIDEI Cur.

PAGBUS argyrops CUT. — Tab. LXIY — 117

FAMILIA XIII. PERCOIDEI Guy.

MESOPBIOM uninotatui CUT. — Tab. LXY. > . — 120

— — auroTittatus Agass. — Tab. LXYI — 121

COBBISER spinosuj Agass. — Tab. LXXY- . . . . . . . . , — 122

TJnAiroicopus 6ccidentalis Agms. — Tab. LXXIII> — 123

FAMILIA XIV. -SCIAENOIDEI Cur.

COBTIITA adusta Agass. — Tab. LXX. . , — 126

PACHTCRUS squamipennis Agass. — Tab. LXXI. . — 12§

LOBOTES ocellatus CUT. — Tab, LXYTII. . — 129

HAEMULOM canna CUT. •— Tabv LXIX, — 130

— — SchranUii Agass. — Tab. LXIX. a — 131

FAMIUA XV. LOPHIOIDEI CUT.

BATBACHUS punctatus CUT. — Tab. LXXIY. — 133

FAMILIA XVL MUGILOIDEI Cuv.

MUGII. brasilienjis Spii. — Tab. LXXII. — 134

FAMILIA XVII. ATHERINOIDEI Cuv.

ATHEBISA taeniatA Spix. — Tab. XXXIII. Fig. 2. — 135

— — macropblhalma Spix. — Tab. LXII.. Fig. 2. . . . . . . . — 136

FAMILIA XVIII. SCLERODERMATOIDEI Cuv.

ALOTZBA punctata CUT- — Tab. LXXYI. — 137

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Tabulae anatomicae explicatae.

TAB. A. Dentes Gonycdontium. Viscera Cetopseos et caput Osteogloasi.

FIG. I. Dentes Acanthici.FIG. II. Dentes Rhinelepidos.FIG. III. Dentes Loricariae.

FIG. IV. Dentes Hypostomatos.FIG. V. Viscera Cetopseos in situ natural]'.FIG. VI. Viscera ejusdem explicata.

a. Cor; — a' pericardium; — a2 ventriculus cordis; — ' a3 atrium cordis tflobum ; —a4 bulbus aortae ; — b. ventriculus; — c. c. tractus intestinorum ; — c' pylorus; — d. hepar;— e. e. peritoneum; — f. vesica fellea;— f ductus cysticus; — g. vena portarum j — h. h. ova-rium ; — i. vesica urinaria; — k. uretheres; — 1.1. mesenterium cum vasis sanguiferis; —m. anus;— n. n. paries ventris musculosa ;— o. r«n«s per peritoneum transparentes.

FIG. VII. Arcus branchialis Clupanodontis aurei cum ejus elasmiis.

FIG. VIII. Caput Osteoglossi Vandellii. 17, 17. os intermaxillare; — 18. 18. ossa maxil-laria superiora; — 22. ossa palatina; — 34- mandibula; — 5o. lingua.

TAB. B. Sceleton Sudis gigantis.

Numeri iidem per omnes figuras easdem partes sceleti designantSceleton intactum summum locum occupat in hacce tabula.i. Os frontale principale et in figura III. I.;— 7. os parietale et in fig. I. III.; — 8. os oc-

cipitale superius et in fig. I. III.; — 17. os intermaxillare et in fig. I. II. IV.; — 18. os maxfl-lare superius et in fig. I. II. IV.; — 19. 19'. ossa infraorbitalia et in fig. U. III.; 20. os na-sale et in fig. I. II. III.; .— 28. operculum et in fig. I. II. IV.; — 3o. praeoperculum et in fi°-.I. II. IV.;— 32. interoperculum et in fig. I. II.;— 34. os maxillare inferius et in fig. I. II. IV.;— 38. cornu laterale ossis hyoidei et in fig. V.; — 4i. os linguale et in fig. V.; — 43. radiibranchiostegi et in fig. V.; — 46- os suprascapulare et in fig. VII.; — 47. os scapulare et infig. VII.; — 48. os humerale et in fig. VII. ; — 65. radii pinnae pectoralis et in fig. VII.;— 68.68. vertebrae abdominales ; — 69. 69. vertebrae caudales ;— 78. vertebrae pinnae caudalis et infig. X. ;— 71. radii pinnae caudalis;— 76. ossicula Lnterspinalia dorsi; — 7-4. ossicula interspi-nalia pinnae dorsalis et in fig. XIX.; — 76. radii pinnae dorsalis et in fig. IX.; — 79. ossiculainterspinalia vertebrae analis; — 80. pelvis; — 82. pinna ventralis; ambae in nostro sceleto de-sunt;— 83. vertebra analis.

FIG. I. Caput a latere visum, demptis ossibus infraorbitalibus omnibus.

FIG. II. Singula ossa lateris sinistri ejusdem capitis.i. Os frontale principale; — 7. os parietale;— 8. os occipitale superius;— 17. o« interma-

xillare;— 18. os maxillare superius; — 19.19'. ossa infraorbitalia 5 ;— 20. os nasalej—• ai. ossasupratemporalia;— 22. os palatinum ; — 23. os tetnporale ; — a5. os pterygoideum intemum; —26. os jugale; — 27. os tympani;— 28. operculum; — 3o. praeoperculum;— 3i. os symplecti-cum ; — 32. interoperculum; — 33: suboperculam; — 34. os maxillare inferius;— 35. os arti-culare;— 36. os angulare; — 37. os operculare.

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PIG. III. Caput superne visum demptis maxillis.i. Os frontale principale ; — 7.03 parietale; — 8. os occipitale superius; — g. 03 occipitale

exterius ; — 12, os mastoideum ; 19. 19'-. ossa infraorbitalia;— 201 os nasale.PIG. IV. Caput a latere inferiore, demptis ossibus lateralibus sinistris et dextris parum in

latus yersis.5. Os occipitale basilare;— 6. os sphaenoideum; — 11. ala m a g n a ; — 16. vomer;— 17.05

intermaxillare ;— 18. os maxillare superius;— 22. os palatinum; — 23. os temporale; 26. os pte-rygoideum internum ;— 26. os jugsle ; — 27. os tympani ; 28. operculum; — 3o. praeoperculum.

PIG. V. Apparatus hyoideus et arcus branchiales a latere.4i. Os linguale;—54. os ento-hyale Geoffr.; — 42. cauda ossis hyoidei, — 38.-37. cornu

ossis hyoidei laterale;— 43. radii branchiostegii; — 61. arcus branchiales.FIG. VL Arcus branchiales a latere superiore.

54. Os ento-hyale Geoffr.; — 55. os uro'-hyale Geoffr,; — 61. arcus branchiales; — ossapharyngea superiora.

FIG. VII. Cingulum thoracicum cum pinna pectoral!.46. Os suprascapulare; — 47. os scapulare;— 48. os humeri;-— Si. cubitus ;— 62. radius.

FIG. VIII. Vertebra prima, seu Atlas et ejus processus inferiores , qui cum osse occipitali ba-silari suturn. conjunguntur.

FIG. IX. Ossiculum interspinale cum radio pinnae dorsalis.74. i. Ossiculum interspinale; 2. ossioulum interradiale; — 76, 3- radius pinnae.Ulerque radius antice cum ossiculo interspinali, postice cum ossiculo interradiali articulatur.

FIG. X. Vertebra pinnae caudalis.i. Corpus vertebrae;— 2. apophysis ejusdem spinosa.

TAB. C. Dv E. F. Squamae omnium apecierum descriptarum.Quanti momenti squamae pro distinguendis speciebus sint, et descriptionibus praemissis et

hisce figuris colligi posse existimo. Praeterea nonnullas observations de earum structura, confor-matione et situ addere liceat. Sunt squamae formationes cutis propriae. Unaquaeque in propriosacculo mucoso inter corium et epidermidem sita est, parte posteriore in plica epidermidis receptaatque ibidem fixa, anteriore vero parte libera in sacculum prominente.

Hoc scilicet ita fit: epidermis non solum extrorsum visibilem squamae partem obducit, sedetiam, in posteriore margine replicata , faciem internam ejusdem partis posterioris , antequam se-quentem adeat squamam. Squamae omnes constant lamellis tenuissimis subtus impositis , mucoindurato conjunctisj recentiores faciet internae affiguntur, priores summae, externae sunt

Lamellae in ea parte quam punctum radiationis nominavi _minimae primordiales , sequentes sen-sim majores subtus imponuntur, et earum margines a recentioribus semper superati illas lineasconcentricas conformant, quas in variis speciebus adeo variantes inveni dum in aliis inter se pro-piores, in aliis vero magis remotae (sen afnpliores) sint, in aliis circulares, in aliis ellipticae, autadeo tortuosae, ut earum sinus et prooessus aculeorum iustar promineant etc. Praeter has li-neas concentricas plurimae squamae radios exhibent varie in marginem eicurrentes, tune rectos^tune curves, aut irregulares etc. Hi radii sulci sunt, liberos tantum singularum lamellarum margi-nes exarantes; facies lamellarum quatenus inter se conjunguntur omnino laeves sunt. Squamaelineae lateralis simillimam habent ind_olem, et eo tantum discrepant, quod lamellae singulae inmedio perforatae, tubulatae sint, tubulo reclinato et faciei posteriori squamae apposito.

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PISCES BRASILIENSES.

I. MALACOPTERYGII ABDOMINALES GUY.

FAMILIA I. GONYODONTES AGASS. GEN. LORICARIA LIN.

Diagnosis. Corpus loricatum; os inferum; dentes setacei,flexiles , apice introrsuni liamati.

Descriptio. Gaput et corpus loricatum; os inferum, velo lato, membra-naceo, plerumque cirrhato munitum. Ossa intermaxillaria minima, subrostro pendula; mandibularia transyersa, sejuncta, dentibus longioribus,setaceis, gracilibus, fiexilibus, apice introrsum hamatis munita. Ossapharyngea dentibus- minutissimis numerosis obsita. Dentes in aliis gene-ribus simplices, in aliis vero miro rnodo radiati ut pinna piscinalis, sin-gulis radiis membrana haud laxa connexis, vel accumbentibus. :;<)

Operculum afflxum, adnatum; in ejus angulo inferiore ante pinnamthoracicam, ossicula duo triangularia inter se membranis fibrosis conne.-xa, unde mobilia et valvulae speciemformantia. Membrana branchiostegaossibus quatuor latioribus sustentata. Costa prima validissima, extrorsumrecta; caeterae costae gracillimae. Radius primus pinnae dorsalis, pectoralis,interdum cjucxjue Yen trails, aculeus validus, osseus, crassus; pinnae pecto-ralis radius primus in gynglimo semicirculari excavate subversatilis.

Nee coeca, nee vesicula ae'rea.

*) Denies in genere yidentur eodem typo formati quo extremitates et eorum tegumenta e. gr. extremitatespythonis et dentes serpentlum; ungula mammaliara dentescjue lamellosi eorum; etc. etc. de quo pluraloqui ad aliud tempus refero.

1

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2 G O N Y O D O N T E S .

C O N S P E C T U S GENERUM.

I. ACANTHICUS SPIX

Totum corpus aculeatum; truncus scutis osseis. crassis, squamiformibus, distin-ctis tectus; abdomen non scutatum. Denies bisinflexi per series radialas (nee circu-lares) dispositi. Velum labiale circulare. Pinna dorsalis unica.

II. RHINELEPIS SPIX

Totum corpus limatum; truncus scutis majoribus, imbricatis; venter scutis mi-nutis discretis tectus. Dentes radiati, apice hamati, primus bisinflexus, apice fissus.Labium inferius solum velatum, labium superius cirrhatum. Pinna dorsalis unica.

III. LORICARIA LINN. LACEP.

Corpus subangulosum, scutis majoribus supra obductum, abdomen aeque scuta-tum. Dentes simplices apice hamati. Velum labiale circulare, cirrhatum villosum-que. Pinna dorsalis unica.

IV. HYPOSTOMA LACEP.

Corpus subangulosum, scutatum. Abdomen alepidotum. Dentes subradiati,apice hamati. Velum labiale circulare, papillosum cirrhatumve, aut papillosum etcirrhatum. Pinnae dorsales duae, postica radio unico simplici crasso.

I. ACMTHIGUS *) SPIX.

Caput depressum, latissimum , maximum, totum aculeis longioribus -brevioribusque in foveo-l'|S articulate-inserlis, ut in echino eduli, munitum; velum labiale OS totum atnbiens, cirrhosum.Dentes (tab. A. fig. i) bisinflexi, per series radiatas (nee circulares) in ossium maxillarium exca-vatorum margine extenore ita articulati et dispositi, ut antrorsum et retrorsum mover! possint; inutraque serie dens primus extrorsum hamatus, caeteris introrsum hamatis, dimidio brevier, etab ipsis parum dislans, sequentes 7 aut 8 membrana conjunct! et ita dispositi ut radii in pinna;xitrinque supra et subtus 26 — 3o tales dentium series. Fossae nasales in summo capite, .membra-na in medio bis perforata, obtectae. Corpus totum scutis squamiformibus, osseis, crassis, multan-gulis, intervallis cutaneis dircmptis, distinctis, in medio dentato-aculeatis, obtectum; abdomen acu-

') dxavSiKof, aculeatus.

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ACANTHICUS. 3

leis minutissimis limae superficiem quasi referentibus , per acervulos polygonos dispositis aspe-rum. Pinnae dorsalis unicae , analis, pinnarum pectoralium ventraliumque primus radius et pin-nae caudalis radii laterales validissimi, ossei, aculeati.

1. ACANTHICUS HYSTRIX SPIX Tab. I. f.l., f.2. OS.

Aculeis in rostro majoribus; angulo operculi inferiore aculeis apice tmcinatis,iramerosissimis, confertissimis, posteris gradatim longioribus, obsito: radio primopinnae pectoralis apicem pinnae ventralis fere superante; pinna caudali bifurcata, ra-diis lateralibus maxime productis; pinna dorsali ventralibus opposita.

Caput forma coni obtusi, depressi ; OS sub rostro positum ; velum labiale in angulo orisutroque cirrho elongato munitum ; OS triangulare in operculi parte inferior! aculeis apice uncina-tis numerosissimis, posteris gradatim longioribus obsitum. Pars rostri anterior aculeis longioribus,erectis, in scrobiculis mobiliter articulantibus , densissimis, cervicem versus minoribus minimisque,armata. Aculei in occipite per lineas oculos versus convergentes dispositi, tria triangula formant,basi tergum spectantia. Oculi si longitudinem capitis spcctas, in mcdio capitc sili, magno intcrvallodisjunct!, potius sursum, quam in latus versi. Narcs ante oculos, intcrvallo dimidio minor!, quamoculorum, inter se disjunctae, plane sursum spectantes, membrana bis perforata vcslitae , foramineposteriori major!, cuticula claudendae. Corpus dcpressum; caudam versus rotundalum, ad pinnamcaudalem lateraliter compressum. Squamae vel potius scuta ossea corpus obtegcntia, aliis par-tibus corporis alia forma; in cervice ovatae, in dorso rhomboidales , in lateribus oblongo-ovataecaudamque versus quadratae ; omnes in medio serie aculeorum validorum, caudam versus spec-tantium, cristam formantium, munitae; caetera squamarum superficies quam minimis aculeis ob-sita. Pars inferior corporis usque ad anum alepidota, aculeis minimis, quadrata formantibus , exas-perata. Pinna dorsalis pinnis ventralibus opposita. Radius primus harum pinnarum, sicutpinnarum pectoralium, utque radii laterales pinnae caudalis, ossa crassissima aculeis validis ar-mata; radii caeteri, minimis aculeis obsiti. Apex pinnae pectoralis insertionem pinnae analisattingit; pinna caudalis bifurcata, radiis exterioribus maxime productis.

Caput tertiam totius corporis partem, excepta pinna caudali, longitudine superat

Pinna pectoralis radiis 7, ventralis 6, analis 6, caudalis 6, dorsalis 9.

Color capitis dilute albido - ochraceus, Iruncus sordide fulvus, pinna caudali? apicem versusdilute nigro-virescens, aculei omnes albidi, apice flavicantes.

In Museo Monacensi specimen unicum siccum servatur.

*) Com delineationes characterum genericornra in tabulia pictis minus accuratae evaserint, operam d edi,ut nonnullae tabulae anatomtcae delinearcntur, generum diaracteros synopticc Olustrantes et utriijucparti operia adjicicndae. Agass.

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'4 R H I N E L E P I S

Longitude, mensura expressa parisiensi, qua per totum opus usi sumus, usque ad pinnamcaudalem igj/a/'j ca'pitis J\fi", radii lateralis pinnae caud. \o\fz".

Habitat in Jlumine Amazormm. *)

II. RHINELEPIS **) SPIX.

Caput depressum, latum, scutis aculeis minimi's osseis confertissimis limae superficiem referen-trbus tectum. Labium superius velo nullo, in cirrhurn lateralem exiens; labium inferius vclo an-gustiori. Denies (tab. A. fig. 2) radiati, in omnibus seriebus primus bisinflexus apice fissus, undc bamu-lusbicuspis, sequentes duo aut Ires simplices apice hamati. Fossae nasales supmores, rnembrana bisperforata obtectae, cuticula vix claudendae. Corpus totum scutis majoribus, sicut ilia capitis, aspe-ris, cut! appressis, margine posteriori imbricatis, obtectum; pectus abdomenque, medium versus,scutis succesive minoribus. Pinnae aeque asperae. Pinnae dorsalis unicae, analis, pinnarum ven-tralium radius primus et pinnae caudalis radii laterales validiores, ossei, subteretes; pinnarumpectoralium primus radius dcpressus, latissimus, validissimus, osseus.

RHINELEPIS ASPERA SPIX Tab. ir. f. 1., f. 2. OS.

Labio superior! exeunte in cirrhum brevem, crassum, cartilagineum . aculeisminimis exasperatum; radio primo pinnae pectoralis latissimo, insertioncm pinnaeventralis superante; pinna ventrali margin! pinnae dorsalis anterior! opposita; radio

lateral! pinnae caudalis hamato ; capite fere quartam corporis partem. pinna cau-

dal! exclusa, aequante; corpore toLo aculeis minutissimis asperrimo.

Cap.ut obtusum , oordatum, trunco paulo latius , quintam longitudinis partem totius piscisinde a rostro usque ad extremitatem pinnae caudalis non adaequans, quarlam vero partem supe-rans. Labium superius sine velo , in cirrhum brevem, crnssum , cartilagineum desinens. Ca-put totum scutis obductum, quae quum aculeis minimis, densissimis obtegnntur, limae quasi su-perficiem exhibent. Oculi tantopere ceryicem versus remoti, ut fere pinnae pectoralis inserlionioppositi sint, inter se valde disjunct!, in latus versi. Fossae nasales sursum vcrsae inter se nonadeo distantes quam oculi, et ipsis dodrante parte propinquiores quam rostro, membrana bis per-forata tectae, et cuticula vix claudendae. Corpus fere rotundatum, sensim sensimque se exte-nuans, caudam versus laleraliter compressum; truncus squamis osseis rhomboidalibus , imbricatisleclus. Squamae in lateribus maximae , imbricatae in abdomiue minimae neque imbricatae ; om-nes in tola superficie sicut caput aculeis quam minimis densissimis in margine squamarum po-

*) Quum post mortem illustr. de Spix nulla ejus scripta de piscibus brasiliensibus reperiebantnr , tuneso]um locum natalem accuratius indicore potui, ubi in ipso pisce sicco inscriptus fuit, Spccimina inspiritu vini servata interdum chartam, patria nomineque ab incolis indito inscriptis , ore ferebaut.

") pivi) lima, 'Xutls sojuama.

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L O R I C A R I A . 5

stico tantum prosilientibus, obtectae. Omnes pinnarum radii eodem modo exasperati. Pinnadorsalis in fossa quadam inserta, pinnae abdominal! opposita, longius vero caudam. versus ex-tensa; pinnarum pectoralium radius primus ultra" initium pinnarum abdominalium porrigitur.Primus omnium pinnarum radius validissimus, praesertim pinnae pectoralis depressus, latissi-mus ; radii extern! pinnae caudalis apicem versus hamulo lateral! aucti. *) Piscis unicolor fusco.ater.

Pinna pectoralis radiis-7, ventralis 7, analis 6, caudalis 16, dorsalis 8.

In Museo Monacensi specimen unicum siccum seryatur. Longitude usque ad apicem pinnaecaudalis 22", capitis 6".

Habitat in Jlamine S. Francisci, Lusitanis Roncador, in lingua brasiliensi Aearydictus.

III. LORICARIA LACEP. **)

Caput scutis tectum. Dentes (tab. A. fig. 3) simplices ; apice introrsum hamati, per seriemunicam in margine haud intumido ossium intermaxillarium mandibulariumque insert!. Velum la-hiale circulare, cirrhatum, villosumque. Fossae nasales oculis approximatae, membrana bis perfo-rata tectae. Corpus subangnlosum supra et subtus. scutis imbricatis tectum. Pinnae dorsalis uni-cae analisque, pinnarum pectoralium et ventralium radius primus et pinnae caudalis radii latera-les ceteris apice fissis "vix crassiores, simplices, ossei, teretiusculi.

1. LORICARIA ROSTRATA SPIX. Tab. m f. x et 2.

Rostri maxime producti, sursum subinflexi apice et lateribus aculeis minutissi-

mis asperis; corpore vix aapero, in latere utroque carinis duabus in cauda media

confluentibus et ejus aciem lateralem efformantibus 5 cauda depressissima; pinna

pectorali insertionem pinnae ventralis superante; pinna ventrali pinnae doraaliopposita.

Caput, propter rostrum productum, formam con! elongati dimidiati repraesentat, cum capi-tis latus inferius, in cujus medio os Iransversum patet, planum, solumque latus superiusconvexum sit. Oculi laterales , cervici proximi. Fossae nasales sibi approximatae, sursum spec-tantes, oculis proximae , in sinu ad marginem anteriorem interiorem orbitarum sitae. In utroque

*) In specimine nostro apices radiorum lateralium pinnae caudalis non jntacti.**) 111. com. de Lacepede primus a genere Loricariae Lin. novum suum genus Hj'postoma sejunxit

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0 H Y P O S T O M A

angulo oris cirrhus distinctus. Corpus pisciculi hujus nitidissimi depressum, ante pinnam dorsalemvero convexum, cauda depressissima fere plana, atque omnino sequent! modo loricatum: abdo-men scutis minoribus, maximam ad partem aequalibus obductum; circa anum scuta nonnullamajora; ante piunam dorsalem scutum quadrangulum, ante hoc aliud scutum lunatum, majus,dorsi fere tolam latitudinem complcctens, et scutum lunatum minus cervicis cingens; ia dot-soscuta lata, in cauda totum superius latus tegentia, quae quum scuta .subcaudalia aeque lata at-tingant, aciem caudae lateralem formant Trunci latera inde ab operculo usque ad lateracaudae scutis latis oblique a dorso inferiorem posterioremque corporis parlem spectantibus , cari-nisque binis lateralibus insignibus, pone finem pinnae analis cum acie laterali caudae confluenti-bus, circumdantur. Cauda depressissima, plana, praelonga, ad pinnae caudalis insertionem abruptelateraliter compressissima. A pinna dorsal! et anali usque ad pinnam caudalem supra et subtusin mediis scutis fossula linearis porrigitur. Oculo haud armato scuta totius corporis laevia viden-tur, oculo yero armato totam superficiem tuberculosam esse crederes, existimoque haec tubercu-la re vera aculeos obtusos minimosque esse. Quum praeterea aculei distincti et in radiis sin-gulis pinnarum et in rostri apice- conspici possint, haec opinio eo vero similior esse videtur.Omnium pinnarum radius primus simplex, ceteris apice fissis paullo crassior, osseus, fir-mus. Omnes pinnarum radii aculeis minutissimis exasperati. Pinna ventralis margin! anterior!pinnae dorsalis opposita; pinna caudalis furcata; pinna pectoralis insertionem pinnae ventralissuperans. Anus in medio spatio inter pinnas venlrales et pinnam analem. Caput quintam cor-poris partem refert. Totus flavidus, pinnis fusccscentibus.

Pinna pectoralis radiis 7, ventralis 6, analis 6, caudalis 12, dorsalis 8.

In Museo Monacensi specimen in spiritu vim servatur. Longitude 7]/z" a rostri apice adpinnae caudalis apiccm.

Habitat in Brasiliae fluviis.

IV. HYPOSTOMA. LACEP.

- Caput scutis tectum. Velum labiale circulare, papillosum cirrhatumve aut papillosum etcirrhatum. Dentes (tab. A fig-. 4) subradiati, primus sequenli bis tertia parte brevier, extror-sum hamatus, secundus bisinilexus, ut tertius quartusque rectus, apice introrsum hamatus; se-quentes sensim ac sensim minores subsemicirculares, subconferti, xinde dentium series posticenon distinctae. Apcrturae nasalcs duae, membrana claudendae. Corpus subangulosum, scutisimbricatis tectum; abdomen alepidotum, aculeis minutissimis asperum. Pinnae dorsales duae,posterior radio unico simplici crasso, osseo, hamato; ceterum omnium pinnarum radius primuset pinnae caudalis radii laterales ossei, crassi, validi. Pinnae pectoralis radius primus in gynglfmoarticulatus, ad animalis libitum figendus.

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H Y P O S T O M A

HYPOSTOMA ETENTACULATUM SPIX. Tab.iv. f .* . , f. 2. OS.

Velo labiali papillose; cirrho nullo; capite subpentagono; corpore subtrigono,scutis carinatis obducto; pinna ventrali radio tertio, pinna anali radio ultimo pin-nae dorsalis oppositis; radio lateral! superiore pinnae caudalis subarcuato, inferiore

subrecto.

Caput ovato-trigonum, subtus applanatum, supra anguloso • convexum, unde subpentagonum,

quartam corporis partem referens. Osinferum, rotundum, velo labiali papillose, cirrhis destitute,immediate infra rostri obtusi apicem; margines capitis inferiores laterales, integri3 subarcuati ;oculi laterales, orbiculares, occipiti proximi, inter se dislantes; nares fere in medio ca-pite, majusculae, oblongo-ovatae , sursum patulae^ paullo supra et ante oculos sitae, mem-

brana tenui claudendae. Caput supra et subtus aculeis minutissimis appressis, apice posticosubpatentibus numerosissimis, densissime positis, inde limae speciem represenlantibus, in rostriapice magis emergentibus, minoribus, obtectum. Truncus trigono -pyramidalis, subtus totusapplanatus sxipra polygono-convexus, scutis osseis rnaximis rhomboidalibus in medio ca-rina emergente instructis , aculcatis, marginc poslico pccliniformi, ccterum capitis ad in-star exasperatis, superficie tota cuti appressis, margine postico imbricatis , obductus. Scuta ipsasubtetragona in utroque latere trunci superioris per scries quatuor digesta , in serie suprema acinfima recte in seriebus duabus intermediis oblique inserta, caxidam versus sensim ac scnsimminora et in caudae lateribus subrotundata. Truncus subtus ab jugulo usque ad anum aculeisminutissimis per polygona irregularia dispositis limae ad instar subexaspeiatus. Cauda subtus scu-tis osseis ut truncus superior tecta. Omnium pinnarum radius primus et radii laterales pinnaecaudalis ceteris validiores, crassi, ossei; radii omnes aculeis minutissimis aspcri. Pinna ventralisradio tertio, pinnaque analis radio ultimo pinnae dorsalis, oppositae; radius lateralis superiorpinnae caudalis subarcuatus, inferior subrectus. Pinna pectoralis radiis 7, venlralis 6, analis 5,caudalis 16 ad margines ejus utrinque radii sculiformes 3, pinna dorsalis posterior radio i, ante-rior in fossula inserta radiis 12. Piscis unicolor flavus, radius superior lateralis pinnae caudulis

nigro fasciatus.

In Museo Monacensi specimem unicum siccum servatur. Longitudo 16".

Habitat in Brasiliae septentrionalis flaviis.

ADNOTATIO. Piso nomine Guacari piscem depinxit descripsitqtie (pag. 72) ad genus Hy-postoma referendum, a nostro vero ,,cirrhis ab' extremitate membranae labii infcrioris instar bar-

bae depcndentibus" distincturo.

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10 S I L U R O I D E I .

nudutn aut scuto major! minorive obductum. Corpus nudum. Pinnae dorsales duae,posterior adiposa. Radius primus pinnarum pectoralium el pinnae dorsalis validusserratusque.

IX. PHRACTOGEPHALUS AGASS.

Denies velutini per fasciam latam in ossibus intermaxillaribus, in vomere, inmandibula, et in quinlo radio branchiali. Membrana branchiostega radiis 8. Osmaximum. Cirrbi 6. Caput lalissimum, sculo maximo ad nucham usque producloteclum. Corpus nudum. Pinnae dorsales duae, posterior adiposa; radius primuspinnarum pecloralium validissimus, serratus.

X. PLATYSTOMA AGASS.

Denies Phractocephali in fasciis latissimis. Membrana branchiostega radiis i5.Os amplissimum. Cirrhi 6. Capul depressissimum, planum, valde elong-alum, ma-xilla superiore prominenle. Corpus plus minusve compressum, omnino nudum.Pinnae dorsales duae, poslerior adiposa. Radius primus pinnarum pectoralium etpinnae dorsalis caeteris parum validior.

XI. HETEROBRANCHUS GEOPFR.De Heterobrancho sexlentaculato Spixii infra plura scribam.

genus distinctissimum; Pilcmodus Cur. vomere edentulo; HypophtJialmits Spix edentulus fere, obelasmia memorabilis, Pimelodo est, quod Schilbe Siluro. In Glanlde Agass. denies in ossibusintermaxillaribus et in vomere, scutum capitole nullum j in Phractocephalo Agass. dentitlo eadem, scu-tum latissimum in capite ultra nucham protensum; in Flatyitomatc Agass. caput depressissimum,Lucii, maxilla superior acute prominens. Tria haec ultima genera comprehendit pristinum ge-nus Bagra Cuvieri, qui jam in suo regno am'm. similes divisiones proposuit. Noraen fiagres non re-lioui, cum barbarum esset, jatnque strictiore sensu adhibitum, dubia relinqueret. Pro eo propono Gla-nidem, nomen Siluri cujusdam ignoti antiquum. Ab Ageneioro Lacep. illae species, quarum ossa maxilla-ria ut cornu crenatum prominent, separandae videntur sub nomine Ceratorhynclii Agass.; hujus loci essetSilurus militaris; — nomen yero aLac^pede propositam, pro illis capite inermi a reliquis tantopere re-cendentibus, servandum esset. Callichthyos Linn. (Cataphracti Lacep.) genus e Gonvodontium famiKapotius mihi esse videtur. Cum vero siccata tantum ct mutUa specimina videndi copia sitfacta, certinihil afferre possum.

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CETOPSIS . n

V. CETOPSIS AGASS. *)

Caput obtusissimum", truncatum, inerme; os parum amplum, cirrhis 6 breyibus. Denies(vide Tab. VII.) simplices, distincti, inter se parum distantes, per seriem simplicem in mandibulaet in Yomere dispositi; in ossibus intermaxillaribus series dentium simplex aut multiplex. Fossaenasales in apice rostri, profundae, membrana occxiltatae, singulae binis inter se distantibus naribusaperiuntur. Oculi tegumentis omnino teed et rescissa tantum cute visibiles; neque minus oper-culum cute obductum est, ita ut fissura branchialis minima, angustata, ut Muraenae Anguillae,transverse ante pinnae pectoralis insertionem pateat. Membranae branchiostegae radii 9 extus nonvisibiles. Truncus rotundatus, subcylindricus, caudam versus compressus, omnino nudus; linealateralis obtuse - elevate, angustissima. Pinna dorsalis unica , antica^ radii pinnarum omnes molles.

Characteribus datis, hoc genus a Siluro admodum recedit.

ADNOTATIO. In hujus generis specie Condiru, quam secui, haec fere reperi : **)

Inter crura extremitatum thoracicarum antice coeuntia, cor in pericardio conditum; ventricu-lus cordis pyriformis, anticus (pisce stante); atrium majus, bilobum, posticum, ventriculum undiqueinvolvens; bulbus aortae amplus, cutaneus. Intestina inclusa in pcritoneo cutaneo , firmo, telacellulosa laxa conjuncto cum pariete musculosa ventris. Pharynx amplus in magnum coecumsaccum, stomachum scilicet, expanditur. A latere hujus sacci ad supen'orem tertiam partem inte-stinum tenue oritur, quod per totam suam longitudinem aeque fere amplum, a mesentereo insitu suo continetur et in anum aperitur. Lien in posteriore stomach! pariete , extrorsum super-neque affixus est Hepar mediocre, simplex, non lobatum, posteriore margine subincrassatum,anteriore acutum. Vesica fellea magna ad interiorem hepatis parietem, liq\iorem suum fundit insupremam intestini tenuis partem baud procul a ventriculo per'ductum vesicam longitudine aequan-tem. Ovarium et testis funiculi praelongi fimbriati figura apparent, qui ad medium cavum abdo-minale prolongatur. R.enes magni, satis compacti, vertebris accumbunt extra peritoneum, et asecunda tertiave inde vertebra ad inferiorem tertiam cavi abdominalis partem usque extensi trans-eunt in uretheres, qui in amplam vesicam urinariam aperiuntur. Maxime memorabile in hocgenere est foramen pone et supra pinnam pectoralem in xitraque specie magnitudine et figuradiversum, quo aperitur cavitas satis ampla, membrana mucosa, mucum secernente, vestita. Inspecie Candiru nobis dicta, cavitas oblongo -'Ovata, magnitudine seminis phaseoli minoris, et apcr-tura rotunda, minima est; Cetopseos coecutientis cavitas subrotunda , pisi magnitudine, duplica-tura paullulum prominente membranae mucosae, in media anteriore parte, in duas quasi partialesfoveas subdividitur. Apertura major ovato-oblonga.

*) KJjtO! cetej <JxJ>if adspectus, fades.

**) Confer Tab. A. fig. 5. Viscera in situ naturali; et fig. 6. Viscera explicate, a. Cor. a'. Pericardium,a". Ventriculus cordis. a'". Atrium cordis bilobum. a"". Bulbus aortae. b. Ventricalus. c. c. Tractus in-testinorum. c'. Pylorus, d. Hepar. e. e. Peritoneum, f. Vesica fellea. f. Ductus cysticiis. g. Vena porta-lum. h. h. OYariurn. i. Vesica urinaria. k. Uretheres. 1. ]. Mesentereum cum vasis sanguiferis. m. Anus.n. n. Paries ventris musculosa. o. Renes per peritoneum Lrnnsparentcs.

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12 C E T O P S I S .

1. CETOPSIS COEGUTIENS AGASS. Tab. x. f. ..

Ambitu corporis juxta pinnam dorsalem maximo, caudam compressam versussensim decrescente; capite crassissimo, rotundato; apertura branchial! majuscula,antice insertionem pinnae pectoralis ambiente.

Silurus coecutiens, Lichtenst. *) Spix.

Caput omnino nudum, aeque fere altum ac latum , teretiusculum, antioe truncato-rotunda-turn. Oculi cute communi obtecti, nigri, punctuli instar per bane pellucentes, minimi, supraoris ang-ulum in medio spatio inter cirrhum maxillarem et foramen nasale posterius siti, a bran-chiis longissimo interstitio dirempti, laterales. Wares quatuor; posteriores superiores, majores,supra oculos, inter se parum distantes; anteriores, inferiores minores supra rostri apicem anteet supra cirrhos sitae , interslilio duplo major! inter se distantes; omnes margine intumido, cu-taneo claudendae. Oris rictus transversus, rectus, angustiusculus, ceti ori non dissimilis , labits carnosis crassis, attamen non prominulis, maxilla superiore ultra inferioretn paullo excedente.In ossibus intermaxillaribus denies tribus seriebus distributi, in vomere et in mandibula seriesimplici simulque majusculi, acuti, inter se paullulum distantes. Cirrhus maxillaris supra oris angu-lum breviusculus, filiformis , in antica parte foveolae quasi labiatae situs; cirrhi quatuor longioresejusdem formae in cute mandibulae, per lineam arcuatam dispositi. Membrana branchiostegasublaxa, operculum.subtrigonum obtegens, margine integerrimo, pinnae, pectoralis basin anticecircumcludens. Foramen cavitatis mucosae oblonguni) majusculum, paulo pone simulque suprapinnae pectoralis basin. Truncus oblongus teretiusculo-subcompressus, pectore abdomineque in-tumido , laevissimus; postice attenuatus, compressissimus. Linea lateralis rectissima, carinae in-star obtusae prominens. Pinna dorsalis unica radiis apice divisis, subrigidis, antico posticumduplo superante, caeteris sensim minoribus , pinna pectorali remotior. Pinnae pectoralis radii com-pressi, subfirmi; anticus simplex caeteros apice fissos paulo superans. Pinnae ventrales pinnadorsal! remotiores, minores , radiis posticis sensim brevioribus, antico simplici, caeteris apice fis-sis, satis longo intervallo ante anum inserlae. Canalis deferens vesicae urinariae, et ovariivel testis tanquam papilla perforata prominet. Pinna analis paulo pone anum incipiens et antepinnae caudalis basin finiens parum alta, mcmbrana inter radios expansa versus truncum incras-sata, ita ut radiorum liasis vix conspici possit, versus radiorum apicem vero tenuis; radii apiceex membrana emergunt. Pinna caudalis furcata, radiis apice fissis, lateralibus exceptis.

Unicolor cinereo • argenteus, dorso in olivaceum yergente ; pinnis apice fuscescentibus.

Pinna pectoralis radiis 10 , ventralis 6, analis 21, caudalis 16 praeter alios utrinque latera-les 7 sensim minores, dorsalis 7.

*) Amiciss. Dr. et Professor Wagler, cul copia fuit in novissimo congressu nalurae scrutatorum medico-rumque Germaniao museum zoologicum berolinense perscrutandi, me certioiem fecit Silurian coecu-tientem Licht. Catal. et Spixii T. X. f. 2. non differre.

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In Museo Monacensi specimen unicum in spiritu vini servatur. Longitude 5\fz".

Habitat in Jluviis Brasiliae aec/uatorialis.

2. CETOPSIS CANDIRU AGASS. T*b. x. %\e _ subcylindraceo, -pinnam caudalem versus compresso; capite parum

depresso; apertura branchial! minima-ante et infra pinnae pectoralis insertionempatente. .

Silaras Ca.nd.iru.) Spice.

Species habitu affinis praeccdenli, attamen distinctissima. Caput subdepressum, longius.Oculi per cutem , qua ut in altera specie obducuntur, non pellucentes , cute rescissanigri punctuli instar in tela cellulosa immersi, attamen nervum opticum, cujus diame-ter bulbum oculi fere adaequat, oculum intrare facillime observare licet. Nares quatuorper quadratum quasi dispositae; quum anteriores minores rotundae inter se vix magis discretisint, quam posteriores, quae majores, rimaeformes et margine intumido claudendae sunt, et abanterioribus eodem interstitio distant quam inter se. Maxilla superior paullo ultra inferiorem por-recta. In ossibus intermaxillaribu's, in yomere et in mandibula series simplex dentium minoruminter se paullulum distantium. Apertura branchialis minima, ante et infra pinnam pectoralemita patetj ut ejus Lasis nullo modo circumclusa sit a menibrana branchiostega non emergente.Truncus cylindraccus, rnidus; linea lateralis rectissima, minus prominens quam in Cetopsicoecutiente; cauda compressa, ratione habita longitudinis trunci, longior quam in ilia specie. Aper-tura cavitatis mucosae suprapinnalis minima, rotunda. Pinnarum inter se dispositio eadem quamin altera specie, sed omnes sustcntantur radiis mollissimis et maxime elasticis, membrana cras-siori obductis, omnes apice magis obtusae, rotundatae sunt. Anus et ductus deferens ovarii veltestis nee non vesicae tirinariae tanquam papillae duae conicae perforatae parum prominent.Color idem ac in specie praecedente.

Pinna pectoralis radiis 9, yentralis 6, analis 2 9 , caudalis 17, praeter 4—5 radios minimosutrinque lateraliter sub cute reconditos, dorsalis 7.

In Museo Monacensi specimina plura in spiritu vini servantur.

I/ong-^udo 5", alterius 6", alterius 8".

Habitat in Brasiliae aequalorialis Jluviis.

VI. DORAS LACEP.

Caput plus minusve depressum, nucham versus elevatum, scutis magnis osseis ad pinnamdorsalem anteriorem usque protensis tectum. Os parvum in apice rostri; ossa intermaxillaria

' 4

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14 D O R A S .

marginem superiorem oris form ant, et ossa maxillaria arcuata in cirrhum majorem crassum ex-e'untia partes laterales labii superioris sustinent. In cute mandibulae cirrhi quatuor. Labia crassa,carnosa, intumida. Dentes velutini, minuti, in mandibula, ossibus intermaxillaribus imoque invomcre, in nonnullis speciebus pro dentibus papillae minutae. Wares quatuor inter se distantes.Oculi laterales. Membrana branchiostega radiis 6. Scapula retrorsum in spinam lateraliler cudadhaerentem producta. Corpus nudum, in utroque vero corporis latere series scutorum osseo-

•rum in medio spina aut carina elevata instructorum, caetera superficie aspera, aculeatave. Pinnaedorsales duae, posterior adiposa ititerdum vix promincns. Radius primus pinnae dorsalis pin-narumque pecloralium validissimus, osseus , subplanus , utrinque profunde serratus pro animalislibitu in gynglimo serrato stabiliendus. *)

ADNOTATIO. In specie secta, Dorade Humboldti, tractus intestinorum longitudine duplici cor-poris; ventriculus vix distinctus, parietibus paullo crassioribus ; intestinurn tcnuR pluribus convo-lutionibus abdomen replens; rectum incrassatum ; hepar bilobum; vcsica fellea in medio interhepatis lobos, in duodenum fel fundens; lien ad ventriculi latus sinistrum; renes medicares;vcsicula urinaria distincta, oblonga, parieti posteriori intestini recli apprcssa; vcsica aerca maxi-ma apparatui osseo "proprio suspcnsa.

1. DORAS HUMBOLDTI AGASS. Tab. v.

Ore edentulo; corpore nudo, laevi; linea lateral! utrinque serie scutorum24 osseorum tecta, scutis quatuor anticis muticis nxulto minoribus, sequentibus inmedio spina compressa reclinata instructis, posteriorum spinis sensim majoribus ma-gisque reclinatis, scutis spiniferis anterioribus oblongis, medii corporis arcuato-trigom'Sj caudae trig-onis.

Corydoras edentaius} 5^ . **)

Caput magnum, elongatum , clypeatum, antice acutum, nudum. Oculi inferne clypeo semi-lunari cincti, in lateribus capitis. Nares quatuor per quadratum dispositae, in parte rostrinuda ; anteriores majores, tubulosae, cuticula claudendae; posteriores ovatae, minores. Operculumscutiforme, subtrigonum. Labia valde incrassata, 'carnosa, intumida. Cirrhi 6, duo in apiceossium maxillarium longiores, quatuor sub symphysi mandibulae, magnitudine illis maxillae

') Omnibus, quae Celeberr. Alex, de Humboldt de Dorade Crocodili (Observ. de Zool, r. 2, p. i f l t ) re-fert perpensis, haec species ad genus peculiare referenda mihi videtur, non modo pinna pectoral! uni-radiata, sed etiam appendice quadriradiato pinnae caudalis maxime a Dorade recedens et nomine Cen-trocliir Agass. (xtVTpoV aculeus, X£'P manus) insj'gnandum. i

**) Hie piscis nullo raodo ad genus Corydoradem Lacep. referendus, quum inter characteres hujus ge-neris clnriss. Lacepede hoc afferat: nPoiut de barbillons ; deux nageoires dorsales; plus d'uii rayon acheque napeoire du dos." Quod ininime .curn nosti-o pisce congruit.

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DOPtAS. H Y P O P H T H A L M U S . 15

parura recedentes, honvm interni paullo breviores, extern! ipsis magis postpositi longiores. Cly-peus nuchalis ad latera insertionia pinnae dorsalis productus, rotundatus, pone aperturam bran-chialem in spinam rectam scapulam versus vergentem protensus. Corpus totum nudum, rotunda-tum, ad pinnam dorsalem crassissimum, caudam versus sensim attenuatum, ad insertionem pinnaecaudalis compressum; in' utroque latere series scutorum 24 osseorum, quorum quatuor anticamutica, multo minora, subrotunda, sequentia transversa, longiora quam lata, oblonga , et in totalongitudine aequilata , quae in medio corpore arcuato - trigona maxima sunt, in caudae lateribusminora, trigona; tmum quodque scutum in medio instruction spina compressissima, falcata,acuta, reclinata, valde prominula; spinae ipsae a primis scutis ubi minores , ad ultimum usquetnagnitudine augentur. Pinna adiposa porrecta , angustata, longissirna i» e. a pinna dorsali an-teriore ad pinnam caudalem, duplicaturae cutis instar, producta. Pinna dorsalis spatio interpinnas pectorales et ventrales opposite.

Pinna pectoralis radiis 11, ventralis 7, analis 11, caudalis emarginata 16, praeter 6, utrin-que lateraliter minores radios, dorsalis anterior 7.

Color olivaceus (non nigrescens vel niger, nee in speciminibus siccis, ncc in illo, quod inspiritu vini servatur) ; ape?? pinnae caudalis flavescens; radii serrati pinnae dorsalis et pinnarumpectoralium ut scuta lateralia lutescentes; spinae laterales apice albae.

In Museo Monacensi specimen unicum in spiritu vini, pluraque sicca s'ervantur.

Longitude speciminis in spiritu servati zo1^.", a rostro ad radium anticum pinnae dorsalisanterioris ^olj\"} speciminum siccorum 6" — 24".

Habitat in Jluvio S, Francisci mediae Srasiliae.

Simillima species Doradi nigro Valenc. (in Humb. Observ. de Zool. vol. 2. p. i84.), quinimo celeberr. Cuvier, visis Spixii tabidis, pro eodem haiuit, sed comparatis speciminibus, cha-racteribus sequentibus diversa, peculiaris species mihi videtur: i. scutis non omnibus trigonis, 2.spinis posleris sensim majoribus, 3. cirrhis inter se magnitudine vix discrepantibus, 4. longitu-dine pinnae adiposae, 5. colore olivaceo.

VII. HYPOPHTHALMUS SPIX. *)

Caput minimum, valde compressum, in rostri apice depressum , unde a latere visum trian-gulare, omnino nudum. Os minus amplum. Margo superior oris omnino ossibus intermaxillari-bus conformatur. Labia nulla. Cirrhi 6, duo maxillares, 4 mandibulares. Denies minutissimi,

*) Ob oculos in margine inferior! capitis sitos.

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l(j H Y P O P H T H A L M U S .

velutini, p&pillaeformes , tantum armato oculo visibiles. Oculi majores, in margine imo, lateral!capitis siti. IS'ares quatuor, anteriores in margine oris , posteriores supra angulum ejus sitae.Membrana brancliiostcga radiis 5 vel 16. Arcus branchiales in margine exteriore, convexo, ut inomnibus piscibus, lamellas branclliales sustentant. In illorum margine interior!, concavo, in qui-busdam piscibus, denies obsorvari satis cognitum est; hie vero raram et paradoxam indolem(Tab. A. Sg. 7.) habes, quod in margine interior! (ioncavo cujusvis arcus iranchialis productustenues, elongati, elasmiformes, alb!, ejusdem interius latus occupant, quique faucem versusspectant; ad latus exterius vero ejusdem marginis membrana tenuis ad dimidiam productuumaltitudinem elevatur, quae ab ipsis paullulum distat. lidem productus in arcu primo branchial!longissimi, longiores quam ipsae lamellae branchiales et longitudine gradatim in sequentibus arcu-bus decrescunt. (Hos processus elasmiformes, rigidos et valde fragiles pro eruenda dentiumnatura summi moment! habemus.) Corpus omnino nudum, compressum, latum, caudalem pin-nam versus attenuatum. Truncus brevissimusj cavitas abdominalis minima, vix longitudine capi-tis; itaque major piscis moles nihil est nisi cauda longissima, latissima, musculosa. Pinnae dorsa-les duae, posterior adiposa. Pinna analis latissima i. e. ab ano, paullo pone pinnas pectoralessito, fere ad pinnam caudalem usque producla. Radius primus pinnarum pectoralium et pinnaedorsalis caeteris paullo validior, serr&tus.

ADNOTATIO. Tarn parvis intestinis tantam corporis molem nutriri summopere mirum est.

pia aquas Brasiliae habitant, persequi, et elasmia hac ipsa esse utilitate, ut retis instar, aquatransmissa, ilia retineant; idem cetis mos est. Oesophagus brevis ; ventriculus oblongus, su-perne rotundatus; intestinum lenue pluribus compaginibus anum tendit; hepar duobus elongatislobis secus parietes venlriculi proteuditur; vesicam felleam et lien non vidi, certo ob statum sub-putridum speciminis. Renes angustissimi, praelongi , spinae vertebral! accumbentes urinam fun-dunt in vesicam praegrandem.

1. HYPOPHTHALMUS EDENTATUS SPIX. Tab. ix.

Pinna dorsali initio pinnae analis opposita; toto dorso linea fere recta in nu-cham continuato; pinnis pectoralibus 3 si trunco adponuntur, pinnas ventrales obte-gentibus; a nucha ad rostri apicem, in vertice, fossula; membrana branchioslegaradiis 16.

Piscis totus nudus. Caput compressum, praecipue in nucha tanquam carina prominens,Oculi mediocres, in margine inferiore lateral! capitis , in medio spatio inter cirrhum maxillaremet angulum inferiorem operculi. Nares quatuor, magnitudine aequales, rotundatae, marginibuscutaneis parum prominentibus , vix claudendae; inferiores juxta ipsum marginem maxillae

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H Y P O P H T H A L M U S . 17

superioris patentes, immediate supra cirrhum; superiores supra oris angulum, Cirrhus maxilla-ris fere aeque distans a rostri apice et ab angulo oris , huic tamen propinquior-; cirrhi quatuorex mandibulae cute, quorum duo ad ipsam symphysin ossium mandibularium, duoque magis la-terales et posteriores; omnes cirrhi ejusdem fere longitudinis. Membrana branchiostega radiis 16.Truncus, ut cauda, compressissimus; diameter verticalis maximus in regione pinnae dorsalis.Cauda prope pinnam analem adeo compressa, tit plana videatur, et cutis basin radiorum ejusdempinnae ita obducit, ut eorum inserdonem non possis conspicere nisi resecta cute. Linea latera-lis rectissima. Pinna dorsalis anterior radiata, angusta et initio pinnae analis opposita , fere verofini ejusdem pinna adiposa, margins crenulata. Pinnae pectorales latae, fere triangulares ; poneearum insertionem pinnae ventrales, minores, obtusae. Pinna caudalis furcata, Piscis in dorsoet capite caerulescens, in lateralibus flavescens; pinnae rubro - flayidae.

Pinna pectoralis radiis 18, ventralis 7, analis 72, caudalis 20, praeter 8—g utrinque, sen-sim minores laterales , dorsalis anterior 7.

In Museo Monacensi specimina duo in spiritu yini seryantur.

Longitudo 10—12".

Habitat in fluviis Brasiliae: aetjuatorialis.

2. HYPOPHTHALMUS NUCHALIS SPIX. T*. xvn.

Pinna dorsal! pinnis pectoralibus paullo remotiore; dorso a nucha inde sensimelevato, caudam versus declivej pinnis ventralibus pone apicem reversum pinnarumpectoraliuni insertis; fossula in cervice elongata, obsoleta; rostri apice depresso;membrana branchiostega radiis 5.

Caputj ratione habita corporis, minutum, postice compressum , antice in apice rostri-depres-sum. Oculi praemagni, in margine inferiore laterali capitis, totum fere spatium occupant interangulum oris et fissuram branchialem, immo ad inferius capitis latus extenduntur. Nares quatuor,in parallellogramma transyersum quasi dispositae, duae anteriores juxta marginem maxillae supe-rioris. Utrinque cirrhus maxillaris fere in anguli oris ; cirrhi quatuor ad symphysin ossiummandibularium. Hie mire conformatus pisciculuSj singularem exhibet indolem cirrhorum maxilla-rium, qua optime patet, quid sint illi cirrhi maxillares Silurorum. Est scilicet infima tertia cirrhipars ossiculum tenue, rotundum, arcuatum, quod in filum molle desinit et basi lateraliter ossi-bus intermaxillaribus articulo inseritur, igitur nihfl aliud est,-nisi OS maxillare, quod cute cir-cumdatur, et tola, sua longitudine ab ossibus capitis liberum, tantrum interior! apice articulatum,et postice liberum, redexum, arcuatum est. Similem indolem ostendit Silurus militaris Bloch.T. 36a — meum genus Ceratorhynchus (vide notam, supra pag. 10.)—cujus ossa maxillaria superioraerecta, cornuum serratorum instar, absque appendice molli, filiformi , animali ilium paradoxumhabitum praebent. Corpus omnino nudum, compressum., ad pinnae analis initium latissimum.Linea lateralis fere obsoleta, lateraliter ramulosa-. Pinna dorsalis anterior radiata , parti anteriori

- - 5

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spatii inter pinnas pectorales et ventrales opposita; posterior adiposa minima, fere supra finempinnae analis. Pinnae pectorales acutae; radius primus validus, serratus; radii reliqui sensim mino-res angulum obtusum conformant. Pinnae ventrales pectoralibus majores pone earum reflexumapicem , triangulares. Pinna analis paulo pone pinnas ventrales initium habet, hrevis sed latissi-ma, radior.um apicibus valde ultra membranam connectentem emergentibus. Pinna caudalis fur-cata. Argenteus, supra caerulescens; pinnae oebraceae.

Pinna pectoralis radiis 12, ventralis 16, analis 45, caudalis 18, praeter 2—3 minores utrin-que laterales , dorsalis anterior 8.

In Museo Monacensi specimen unicum in spiritu vini servatur.

Longitude 7".

Habitat in Brasilia aecjualoriali.

VIII. PIMELODUS LACEP. Guv.

Caput subdepressum, nudum, aut scuto majori minorive obductum. Os cirrhis munitum,majusculum et dentibus velutinis per fascias in ossibus intermaxillaribus et in mandibula disposi-tis armatum, Ossa intermaxillaria marginem fere totum labii superioris formant; utrinque ineorum angulo lateral! ossa maxillaria superiora minima , in cirrhum exeuntia. Oculi majores , adlatera capitis siti. Fossae nasales majores minoresve in apice rostri, aperiuntur naribus quatuorplus minusve inter se distantibus. Membrana branchiostega radiis 5—10. Corpus omnino nudum,subcompressum; cauda compressa. Pinnae dorsales duae, posterior adiposa. Piadius primus pin-narum pectoralium et pinnae dorsalis validissimus , serratus, pro animalis libitu figendus.

ADNOTATIO. Sectio Pimelodi Spixii sequenlia docuit: Ventriculus brevis, oblongus, vixduplo amplior quam intestinum tenue , quod ex ventriculi parte inferiore prodiens sinistrorsumcurvatur, turn adscendens ultra hepar transit, tune ad dextrum stomachi latus descendit, etposteaquam ita totum stomachum circumdederit, angustatur et post nonnullos anfractus in anominimum terminatur. Hepar transversum in parte cavi abdominalis superiore, angustum, lobislateralibus incrassatis. Vesica fellea maxima, transversa jacet inter hepar et illam intestini tenuispartem } in quam aperitur, quae supra superiorem stomachi parietem transit. Lien lobatus, amesentereo suffultus, pone stomachum, in hujus inferiore pariete. Vesica aerea maxima, cordifor-mis, in parte superior! cavi abdominalis. Renes indivisi, depress!, triangulares, latere latiorisursum spectantes , apice deorsum, ubi uretheres prodeunt, qui ampliantur in oblongam, satismagnam vesicam urinariam. Renes margine suo latiore vesicam aeream in ipsa media cavitateabdominal! attingunt. Inter vesicam urinariam et intestinum rectum ovarium vel lestis, ut funi-culus ad renum marginem superiorem protensus.

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P I M E L O D U S . jg

1. PIMELODUS SPIXII AGASS. Tab. vn. fig. ,.

Scuto majore a pinna dorsali anteriore ad ccrvicem usque producto; sulco lon-gitudinal! in medio scuto ad rostri apicem usque; naribus quatuor maxim'is, paten-tibus, posticis tantummodo cuticula claudendis, binis utrinque inter se parum distan-tibus; aliquot dentibus vomeri insertis; pinna adiposa minima.

Pimelodus albidas Spix.

(Nomen Pimelodi albidi, quod in Memoires du Museum vol. 5. jam dudum a clariss. Le-

sueur in speciem Pimelodi, a Spixiana toto coelo diversam, collatum est, mini erat mutandum.)

Caput ob scutum nucnale ad pinnam dorsalem anteriorem usque productum, pro corporis

magnitudine maximum, tertiam partem longitudinis totius corporis acquans. Scutum in nucha

ad medium usque carinatum, in parte inferiore sulcatum. Caput praeterea nudum, rostrum ver-

sus depressum, in cujus apice quatuor nares patent , posterioribus lateraliter magis recedenlibus,

binis ntrinque inter se angusto isthmo distinctis. Oculi in fossula siti, subovalo - oblongi. Cirrht

6, maxillares longiores usque ad pinnarum pectoralium apicem product!. Denies velulini ossium

intermaxillarium et mandibularium longiores, non adeo conferti , in vomcre dentos nonnulli,

sparsi, majores, tuberculiformes. Corpus compressum ; cauda, praecipue ad pinnae caudalis in-

sertionem, compressissima. Linea lateralis rectissima ad pinnae caudalis inserlionem sursum cur-

vata. Pinna dorsalis longa, radio antico validissimo, utrinque serrato, medio spatio inter pinnas

ventrales et pinnas pectorales opposita. Fiadius primus validtis pinnarum pectoralium et ipse ulria-

que serratus est. Pinna analis rotundata; caudalis furcata. Caput obscure nigricanti-cocrulcscens,

dorsum et latera cinereo-coerulea r latera in argenteum vergenlia , paries inferiores omnino ar-

genteae; pinnae fusco-coerulescentes3 caudalis fusca.

Pinna pectoralis radiis 10, ventralis 6, analis 16, praeter duos minores anteriores , caudalis

16 , praeter 10—12 utrinque laterales minores minimosque , dorsalis anterior 7.

In Museo Monacensi specimina plura in spiritu vini servantur, longitudine 7—8".

Habitat in Brasilia aecjuatoriali.

2. PIMELODUS RIGIDUS SPIX. T«b. vn. fie. 2.

Scuto maximo a pinna dorsali antica ad rostri apicem producto; fossula obso-leta in cervice; naribus quatuor per quadratum fere dispositis, anterioribus tubulo-sis, posterioribus rimaeformibus; scapula supra pinnas pectorales retrorsum pro-ducta; pinna dorsali anterioj-e haud omnino retrorsum reclinanda, pinna adiposamagnitudine pinnae analis eique opposita.

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Caput altum , linea recta a nucha &d rostri apicetn declire, scuto granulato et insulplo te-ctum; fossula obsoleta longitudinal! in scuti parte anteriore. Wares quatuor per qnadratum dis-positae, anteriores ante cirrhum maxillarem , in ipso fere labii superior-is margine sitae, lubulo-sae, posteriores supra oris angulum transversae, rimaeformes , in fossula triangular! patulae.Girrhi 6, in cute mandlbulae quatuor breviores, maxillares duo ad pinnam analem usque prolon-gati , ossibus maxillaribus in eorum basia productis. Caput usque ad angulum posteriorem oper-culi fere quintnm, usque ad anteriorem pinnam dorsalem tertiam partem longitudinis totius piscisaequat. Scapula supra pinnas pectorales retrorsum protensa. Corpus subcompressum, omninonudum. Linea lateralis rectissima, ad pinnam caudalem sursum Inflexa. Pinnae pectorales, ra-,dio antico crasso, osseo, margine tantum postico, et basi utrinque serrate, sub angulo posticooperculi insertae; pinnae ventrales radio ultimo pinnae dorsalis anterioris oppositae. Pinna, dor-salis radiata rigida, praelonga, haud omnino retrorsum reclinanda, radio antico acutissimo tantumpostice et in apice utrinque serrato. Pinna adiposa eadem magnitudine quam pinna analis rec-tangula, eique opposite. Pinna caudalis furcata. Nigro-cinereus, in lateribus et inferne argen-teus; scutum capitale et pinna caudalis fuscescentia; caeterae pinnae fusco - coerulescentes.

Pinna pectoralis radiis 10, ventralis 6, analis 9, praeter duos minores anteriores, caudalis17, praeter 4—5 laterales utrinque minores, dorsalis anterior 7, praeter unicum minimum, anteradium acutum , serratuvn.

In Museo Monacensi specimen unum in spiritu vini servatur , longitudine 5ZJ\."

Habitat in Brasilia aec/uatoriati,

3. PIMELODUS PIRINAMPU SPIX Tab. vm.

Capite in rostri apice depresso, in nucha maxime declivi, compresso, tanquamcarina prominente; cirrhis compressis, latissimis, lateraliter cuticula auctis, longissi-mis, omnibus ultra pinnas ventrales productis; pinnis pectoralibus insertionem pin-narum ventralium superantibus.

Caput in nucha praealtum, compressum, in rostri apice depressum. Nares quatuor per pa-rallellogramma transversum dispositae; anteriores supra marginem maxillae superior-is, ante etintra cirrhos maxillares, tubulosae, margine cutaneo claudendae; posteriores transversae, oblong-ae,patulae. Oculi cirrhis propinquiores quam angulo operculi postico. Inter nares posticas et ocu-los fossula obsoleta. Dentes minutissimi, velutini per fascias latas in mandibula, ossibus interma-xillaribus et in ultimo arcu branchial!. Cirrhi compressi, lati, longissimi, omnes ultra pinnarumventralium apicem product!. Corpus subcompressum , ad pinnas ventrales crassissimum, sub caudaefine cylindraceum, ad pinnae caudalis insertionem compressissimum. Pinna dorsalis anterior ra-dio primo simplici,-praelongo, caeteris apice fissis, spatio inter' pinnas pectorales (longas , ventra-lium insertionem superantes, radio antico simplici interne serrato,) et pinnas ventrales; pinnae ven-trales ipsae eo spatio inter pinnas dorsales oppositae. Pinna analis sub fine pinnae adiposae , ra-

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P I M E L O D U S . 21

diis duobus anticis simplicibus caeteris minoribus. Pinna caudalis in medio profunde emarginata.Pinna adiposa alta, latissima, sinuata. Coerulescens, ad latera et inferne cinereo - argenteus pin-nae apice rubescentes, pinna caudalis sub fine coerulescens, pinna adiposa tota coerulea.

Pinna pp.ctoralis radiis 16, ventralis 6, analis 10, praeter duos anteriores minores, caudalis17, praeter 8—10 laterales utrinque minores minimosque, dorsalis anterior 7,

In Museo Monacensi specimen unicum in spiritu vim servatur, longitudine 18."

Habitat in Brasiliae Jluviis.

4. PIMELODUS CTENODUS AGASS. Tab.vin...'

Capite minimo, depresso; nucha maxime declivi; corpore ad pinnas • ventralescrassissimo; pinna adiposa alta, latissima, pinnis ventralibus spatio inter pinnas dor-sales oppositis 5 cirrhis subteretibus, maxillaribus ultra pinnam analem productis; inossibus intermaxillaribus et in mandibularibus serie simplici dentium majorum, ponequos dentes minimi velutini, papillaeformes.

Hie pulcherrimus piscis , qui ipsa dentium structura a reliquis Pimelodis parum recedit, in-signis est capite minimo depresso. Dentes per seriem simplicem in ossibus intermaxillaribus et man-dibularibus , inter se parum distantes, apice obtusi, rotundati; pone hanc seriem dentes minutis-simi, velutini, papillaeformes, praecipue in mandibula. In ultimo arcu branchial? dentium yeluti-norum pulvinar. Maxilla superior parum prominula. Cirrhi maxillares crassiores, teretes etultra pinnam analem product!; in cute, inter ramos mandibulae extensa, cirrhi quatuor, quorumduo breviores , anteriores inter se propinquiores, duo posteriores longiores, magis laterales. JNa-res quatuor fere per quadratum dispositae, posteriores tamen inter se magis distantes, oblongae ;transversae, anteriores minores, rotundatae , tubulosae , supra marginem maxillae superioris-Oculi minores, in summo fere capite, attamen lateraliter spectantes, inter se eodem intervallodistantes quo cirrhi maxillares et ab ipsis et angulo postico operculi aeque distantes. Spatium in-ter occiput et pinnam dorsalem .anteriorem valde declive. Corpus omnino nudum, subcompres-sum , ad pinnas ventrales crassissimum. Linea lateralis rectissima. Pinna adiposa alta, latissima ,adspectu fibrosa, supra finem pinnae analis desinens. Pinna dorsalis anterior radiata, radio pri-mo simplici, caeteris apice fissis, opposita spatio inter pinnas pectorales et ventrales ; pinnae ven-trales radio antico simplici, spatio inter pinnas dorsales oppositae. Pinna analis radiis tribusanterioribus simplicibus, fere extremae pinnae adiposae opposita. Pinna caudalis profunde emar-ginata radiis 16, utrinque lateraliter sensim minoribus simplicibus, insignis. Coerulescens, e.dlatera et in abdomine cinereo-argenteus; pinnae apice rubescentes, adiposa et analis coeruleae.

Pinna pectoralis radiis 16, ventralis 7, analis 10 , praeter 2 minores anteriores , caudalis 16,praeter i4 laterales utrinque sensim minores minimosque, dorsalis anterior 7.

In Museo Monacensi specimen unicum in spiritu vini servatur, longitudine 17".

Habitat in Brasiliae aequatorialis Jluviis.

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IX. PHRACTOCEPHALUS AGASS.

Caput latissimum, valde depressum, scuto maximo ultra nucham producto obtectum. Osmaximum, cirrbis 6 circumstantibus. Denies minimi, velutini, confertissimi per fascias latas inlalis ossibus intermaxillaribus, in vomere et in mandibula, quin etiam in quinto arcu brancbialidisposili. Ossa maxillaria minima articulata in lateribus exterioribus ossium intermaxillarium, etparum in cirrhos producta. Oculi minores pone cirrhos maxillares. Fossae nasales naribus qua-tuor supra rostri apicem aperiuntur. Membrana branchiostega radiis 8. Corpus omnino nudum ;sed ante pinnam dorsalem radiatam clypeus mobilis et supra pinnarum pectoralium insertionemscapula retrorsum in spinam cuti inhaerentem producta. Pinnae dorsales duae, posterior adiposa,apice ossea. Radius primus pinnarum pectoraliiun validissimus, compressus , osseus, serratus proanimalis libitu figendus.

ADNOTATIO. Viscera hujus piscis mirae indolis. Faux statim amplialur in magnum saccum,stomacbum scilicet, cujus parietes incrassatae, musculosae sunt, fere totum cavum abdominale su-perius explentem, forma globi a posteriore et anteriore parte parum compress!, a superiore veroimpress!, ex cujus impressionis sinistro latere appendix coecus prodit; id simul memorabile, quodIntestinum tenue postice eodem loco initium habeat, quo faux ampliatur, atque ita cardia etpylorus ventriculi juxta se invicem siti sint. Intestinum tenue ad latus dextrum cavi abdominalisdescendit, ad ventriculi latus inferius aliquoties in Ziczac transverse a dextra ad sinistram parie-tem cavi abdominalis curvatur, tumque intestinum crassum , duplo amplius quam intestinum tenue,ad sinistrum latus spinae vertebralis rectissime descendit. Hepar minimum , suspensum in parietesuperiore peritonfii, in ejus plicatura valde prominente, in ipsius medio attenuatum, lateraliter in-crassatum, lobatum. Specimen nostrum, proh dolor! in ipso loco vesicae felleae perforatum est,quare ejus formam et ductum deferentem non vidi. Pone ventriculum in mesentereo lien lobatus.Vesisa aerea saccus permagnus, cordiformis, compressus, pone ventriculum, extra peritoneum,ad tertiam inferiorem cavi abdominalis partem usque protensus, parietibus crassissimis, fibrosis,argenteo nitentibus , primae costae crassissimae extrorsum rectae suspensus; exitum non vidi, quiaac'rcm inflatum ob perforationes non retinebat. Renes extra peritoneum, pone intestinum rectum,in sulco a processibus brevioribus vertebrarum transversis formato, in parte inferiore angusti suntet in ipso eorum medio ambo uretheres inter se maxime approximati, ad latus inferius vesicaeae'reae in duo cornua producta dividuntur , quae ad illam utrinque adscendunt; in utriusque cor-nu parte inferiore uretheres in superficiem proveniunt, 'in furcatione approximantur et in parieteposteriore colli vesicae urinariae aperiuntur. Haec maxima est, parietibus tenuibus , obverse py-riformis et proprio ostio pone anum aperitur. Utrinque ad latera intestini recti vas deferenssimplex, tubulosum, absque anfractibus , in cujus parte extrema ovarium vel testis non evolutusfimbriarum minutissimarum forma.

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P H R A C T O C E P H A L U S . PLAT Y S T O M A . 23

1. PHRACTOCEPHALUS BICOLOR AGASS. TJ,. vi.Capite latissimo, suborbiculari, tertiam corporis partem, excepta pinna caudali,

referente; operculo scutiformi; scuto ante pinnam dorsalem anteriorem ovali, mo-bi l i j ad insertionenl ipsam pinnae emarginato; scapula retrorsum producta, rug'osa;

corpore nudo, antice depresso; cauda cylindracea; pinnis ventralibus radiis posticis

pinnae dorsalis radiatae oppositis, pinna adiposa apice lamella radiata ossea aucta;

pinna caudali emarginata.

Pirarara bicolor, Spix.

Caput fere planum; in cervice fossula. longitudinalis obsoleta. Oculi mediocres, ad marginemscuti capitalis, latcrales. Wares quattior per parallelogramma longum, transversum dispositae ; ante-riores in labii superioris margin e , ante et intra cirrhos maxillares, tubulosae; posteriores supraoris angulum, orales, cuticula late emergente claudendae. Dentes yelutini, minutissimi, confer-tissimi; fascia dentium vomeralis in medio latissima , lateraliter attenuata, retrorsum flexa. Cirrhi6; maxillares longiores 5 ultra pinnas pectorales producti; mandibulares breviores per lineam ar-cuatam dispositi. Operculum scutiforme, rugosum. Scutum ante pinnam dorsalem anterioremmobile granulosum et processus reflexus scapulae supra pinnarum pectoralium insertionem rugo-sus. Truncus depressus, caeterum omnino nudus. Inter processum scapulae eh pinnas pectoralesipsas apertura minima, rotunda cavitatis mucosae ut Cetopseos Candiru. Ossa extremitatum tho-racicarum sub jugulo conjunguntur sutura sagittali, firmissima et arcum validissimum, crassumconformant, cui pinnae pectorales, radio antico crassissimo ; depresso, osseo, serrate, et pro ani-malis libitu figendo, lateraliter insertae sunt. Pinnae yentrales radiis posterioribus pinnae dorsa-lis anterioris oppositae. Pinna adiposa pinnae anali opposita et eadem magnitudine. Cauda adinsertionem pinnae emarginatae compressa. Color flavidus, capiit fuscescens et dorsum obsciire-fuscum riigro-punctatum ; fascia in imo abdomine et utrinque in lobis-pinnae caudalis fusca.

Pinna pectoralis radiis 10, ventralis 7, analis 8, praeter duos anteriores, minores , caudalis17, praeter 6—8 minores minimosque utrinque lateraliter insertos, dorsalis anterior 8,

In Museo Monacensi specimina duo servantur, alterum siccum z\fi_' longum, alterum, inspiritu vini, 12" longum.

Habitat in fluvio Amazonum.

X. PLATYSTOMA AGASS.

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24 P L A T Y S T O M A .

Membrana branchiostega radiis i5. Corpus elongatum, antice plus minusve depressum, caeterumcylindraceum , caudalem pinnam versus compressum, omnino nudum. Pinnae dorsales duae ,posterior adiposa. Radius primus pinnae dorsalis caeteris parum validior, pinnarum pectoraliumvalidissimus, osseus, serratus.

ADNOTATIO. Viscera Phractocephali, solummodo magis elongata ob formam corporis. Ventricu-lus oblongus, cutaneus, parietibus non incrassatis. Celeberr. de Spix adnotaverat in specimine Pla-tystomatis planicipitis, piscibus hoc vesci. Hujus generis plures species habet Piso pag. 63., anostris vero diversas, sola Curui, planicipiti nostrae valde affinis ; hue quoque referendus Silurusfasciatus Bloch T. 366. — Nomina indica Spixii non retinui, quum stabilitum sit, in historian!naturalem nomina barbara nulla recipienda esse et praesertim quum nomina ab ipso Spixio pis-cibus siccis inscripta non semper cum nominibus, quae tabulis inscripta sunt, congruant, autetiam diyersa nomina diversis in regionibus data, in eodem pisce inscripta legantur.

\ PLATYSTOMA LIMA AGASS. Tab. xv.

Capite depressissimo, piano, tertiam corporis partem, excepta pinna caudali,non referente; maxilla superiore quam maxime ultra inferior-em prominente; oculisin margine imo laterali capitis sitis; corpore per totam suam longitudinern sub-compresso; cauda apice compressissima; pinna caudali furcata, lobo superiore acute,inferiore rotundo illo multo majore; pinna adiposa parya, acuta, supra mediumpinnae analis.

Silarus Lima Schneider Syst. pciff, 38Zf — Sorubim infraoculare Spix.

Caput depressissimum, elongatissimum , planum, in cervice sulcatum, corporis antica parteparum latius, tertiam ejus partem, excepta pinna caudali, non referens. Maxilla superior ar-cuata, maxime ultra inferiorcm prominens. Fasciae dentium intermaxillares, et vomeralis inter-rupta, arcuata, inter se admodum recedentes. Cirrhi 6 tenues ; maxillares, ossibus maxillaribuslonge in eos productis , lateraliter in medio spatio inter nares , ultra pinnas pectorales product!;mandibulares breviores. Nares per parallelogramma transversum dispositae, fere ad rostriapicem, anteriores subrotundae, posteriores oblongae. Oculi pone angulum oris , in mediospatio inter rostri apicem et operculi angulum posteriorem, in latere imo capitis. Corpus sub-compressum , in nucha parum depressum, ad caudae apicem compressissimum. Linea lateralisrectissima. Pinna dorsalis anterior, radio antico simplici crassiore, postice et in apice ulrinqueserrato, spatio opposita inter pinnas pectorales acutas, radio primo valido interne et in apiceutrinque serrato, et pinnas ventrales acutas. Pinna adiposa parya, acuta, longae pinnae analiopposita. Pinna caudalis furcata, lobis inaequalibus, superiore minore acuto, inferiore majore ro-tundato. Caput supra obscure nigro - fuscum, dorsum colore umbrino, latera et abdomen argen-tea, supra lineam lateralem inde ab operculi angulo superiore ad apicem lobi inferioris pinnaecaudalis fascia nigra lata; pinnae rubescentes.

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P L A T Y S T O M A . 25

Pinna pectoralis radiis g, ventralis 6, analis 18, praeter 3 minores, anteriores , caudalis 20,lobi superioris 8, lobi infenoris 12, praeter 6 minores laterales superne et 10 inferne, dorsalisanterior 7.

In Museo Monactinsi specimen unlcum in spiritu vini seryatur, longitudine 9"-.

Habitat in Brasili'ae aequaioridliS fluviis.

2. PLATYSTOMA PLANICEPS AGASS. Tab. m

Capite omnino piano, tertiam corporis partem, excepta pinna caudali, referente;maxilla superiore subacuta, valde ultra inferiorem prominente, corpore subcylin-drico, in parte anteriore tamen depresso 5 linea lateral! in parte corporis anterioreinferne subarcuata, praeterea rectissima; pinna caudali furcata, lobis acutis; pinnaadiposa acuta.

Sorubim Piraaaca Spix\ nomine Pirayapeaai inscriptas.~)

Caput depressissimum j omnino planum, in. ceryifie inlpressum, corpore iriulto latius 5 tertiamcorporis longitudinis partem, excepta pinna caudalij referenSi Maxilla superior apice arcuata,Subacuta j maxime ultra inferiorem prominens ; fasciae dentium intermaxillares e't vomerales spatioarcuato nudo distinctae. Cirrhi sexs duo maxillares (irassiores ultra pinnas veritrales producti, qua-tuor mandibulares; extern! breves, interni brevissimi. Nares in parallelogrammum transversumdispositae; posteriores juxta cirrhos maxillares j inter se minus distantes. Oduli laterales j subova.-les, rostri apici propiores quam angulo postico operculi. Corpus antice depressiusculum, caete-rum cylindricum, in apibd caudae compressum. Linea lateralis in parte antica inferne subincur-vata, caeterum rectissima. Pinna dorsalis antica opposila spatio, quod est inter pinnas pectorales acil-tas, radio antico crasao, osseo, interne tantum Berrato et pinnas yentrales pariter aoutas, huic tamenparum propior. Pinna adiposa acuta pinnae anali acutae opposita. Pinna caudalis furcata, lobisacutis. Caputj dorsum et latera intense oliyacea, maculis nigris rotundis minoribus'Tiotata; pinnaeolivaceae, apice roseae, dorsalis anterior et pinnae pectorales nigro maculatae, abdomen et laterainferne argenteo resplendentia; a pinna pectofali supra pinnas Yentrales fere ad pinnam cauda-lem usque linea olivacea, interrupta.

Pinna pectoralis radiis 11, ventralis 6, analis 10, praeter duos anticos, minores, simplices;caudalis 17, praeter 6—8 minores minimosque utrtnque lateralittir in cute sensim indistinctiores jdorsalis anterior.

In Museo Monacensi specimen unicum, siccutn seryatur , longitudine 26".

Habitat in Brasiliae aecjuatorialis Jluviis, in flumine sdmazonum, SolimOens, RioNegro. -

Icon cum repraesentat ore aperto, quare caput non oninino planum apparetj etiam truncusaequo crassior.

7

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26 P L A T Y S T O M A .

3. PLATYSTOMA SPATULA AGASS. Tab. xiv.

Capite latissimo, ultra tertiam corporis partem, excepta pinna caudali, refe-rente; maxilla superiore obtusa, valde ultra inferiorem prominente; corpore cylin-draceo; cauda subcompressa; linea lateral! in parte antica inferne subarcuata; pin-na caudali profunde diyisa, lobis acutis; pinna adiposa triangulari.

Sorubim Jandid Spix. (Piscis nomine Pirayapea inscriptas].

Caput latissimum, depressum, leniter a nucha decliye, in cervice excavatum; rostrum om-nino planum. Maxilla superior angularis adeo ultra inferiorem prominens , lit lata fascia dentiumconfertissimorum , minimorum, in ossibus intermaxillaribus ore clause externe conspiciantur , fas-cia dentium vomeralis cum ilia ossium intcrmaxillarium confluens, unde in noslro tripedali speci-mine superficies trium pollicum in maxilla superiore dentibiis confertissimis obducta est; fasciadentium in mandibula angusta. Wares in apice rostri; anteriores fere in margine labii superioris,inter se magis distantes quam posteriores, quae intra cirrhos maxillares patent. Oculi laterales,apici rostri propinquiores quam operculi angulo posteriori. Scapula retrorsum producta , rugosa.Corpus subcylindricum; cauda apice compressa. Linea lateralis in parte antica inferne subarcuata.Pinnae ventrales margini postico pinnae dorsalis radiatae oppositae, rotundatae; pinnae pectoralesacutae , radio antico crasso , osseo, utrinque serrato. Pinna adiposa triangularis, pinnae analirectangulae opposita; pinna caudalis profunde in medio divisa, lobis acutis. Caput rubescenti-ochraceum, pinnae ut dorsum igneae, lateribus dilutioribus, roseis. Caput et pinnae dorsales,pectorales et ventrales maculis nigris parvis rotundis notatae, pinna caudalis apice flavescens.

Pinna pectoralis radii's 11 , ventralis 6', analis 10, antico simplici, caudalis 19, praeter 4—5utrinque minores, laterales , dorsalis anterior 7.

In Museo Monacensi specimen siccum mancum servatur, ultra 3' longum.

Habitat in Brasiliae aequatori'alis Jluyiis.

4. PLATYSTOMA CORRUSCANS AGASS. Tab. xm.

Capite subcylindraceo j supra depresso, tertiam corporis partem, pinna caudaliexcepta, referente; rostro depressissimo; maxilla superiore rotundata, parum ultrainferiorem prominente3 corpore cylindrioo, cauda in apice compressa; linea lateral!fere recta; pinna caudali profunde incisa, lobis rotundatis; pinna adiposa rotundata.

Pimelodas corrascans Masei Berolin. (secundam cl. Wiegmann^Sorubim Caparary Spix.

Caput subcylindricum, supra applanatum; rostrum depressum, in ceryice medio scuto adnucham in processum obtusum prosilientem producto ; fossa rhomboidalis, longitudinalis, angustata,

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P L A T Y S T O M A . c^l

supra ocxilos latior. Oculi laterales in medio capite siti, parvi. Nares in parallelogrammum trans-versum dispositae; anteriores juxta et intra cirrhos maxillares. Maxilla superior ultra inferioremprominens , non adeo tamen ut ore clause denies intermaxillares omnes externe conspici possint,ut in caeteris speciebus nostris; cirrhi maxillares ad pinnas ventrales usque protensi, mandibula-res quatuor multo breviores. Corpus cylindricum; cauda apice compressa. Linea lateralis fererecta, in medio tantum parum inferne subarcuata. Pinnae pectorales acutae, sub angulo operculijradio antico crasso, osseo, piano, interne serrato. Pinnae ventrales rotundatae, radio antico sim-

plici. Pinna dorsalis anterior, radio antico simplici caeteris vix crassiore, spatio inter pinnas pec-torales et pinnas ventrales opposita. Pinna adiposa rotundata, pinnae anali radio antico simpliciopposita. Pinna caudalis profunde- in medio incisa , lobis omnino rotundatis. Caput lutco-fus-curn ; dorsum, pinnae et latera supra lineam lateralem luteo - auranliaca, inferne in argenteumvergentia ; latera infra lineam lateralem omnino argentea, pinnae dorsales , pinna caudalis, dor-sum et latera maculis sparsis majoribus minoribusque rotundis, vel oblongis nigris, annulo dilu-tiori cinctis, notata.

Pinna pectoralis radiis 11, ventralis 6, analis 10, caudalis 16 , praeter 4—7-5 minores utrin-que laterales; dorsalis anterior 7.

In Museo Monacensi specimen siccum mancum servatur, 25" longum.

Habitat in Jlumine S. Francisci Brasiliae mediae.

5. PLATYSTOMA TRUNCATUM AGASS. <r«b. xm. a.

Capite depressissimo piano, tertiam corporis partem usque ad apicem pinnaecaudalis stricte referente; maxilla superiore apice truncata, ultra inferiorem parumprominente; corpore subcylindraceo, in parte antica parum depresso; linea laleralirectissima; pinna caudali profunde incisa, lobis lateralibus magnis, rotundatis; pinnaadiposa parum prominente 3 pinnae caudali opposita.

Caput maximum, longissimum, depressissimum, tertiam corporis abbreviati partem usque

ad pinnae caudalis apicem referens, liunc piscem admodum notabilem reddit. In medio scuto ca.-pitali a nucha ad rostrum fossa longitudinalis rhomboidalis, elongata, satis profunda. Maxilla su-perior truncata, subarcuata, parum ivltra inferiorem excedens ; fascia dentium intermaxillaris nonadeo lata, lato interstitio a latissima vomerali secreta; fascia, maxillae inferioris subangusta.Cirrhi 6, quam in caeteris speciebus breviores, non ultra pinnas pectorales product!. Nares cjua.-tuor, anteriores ovatae, ante et parum intra cirrhos maxillares, inter se magis distantes quamposteriores, quae .supra oris angulum sitae , ab anterioribus lato interstitio distant, rimaeform'cs,obliquae, cuticula late emergente claudendae. Oculi laterales, quam in caeteris speciebus majo-res, in medio spatio inter rostri apicem et angulum operculi posticum siti. Corpus antice subde-pressum, caeterum cylindraceum, in apice caudae vero compressum; linea lateralis rectissima.Pinna dorsalis antica, radio priori parum crassiore, opposita medio spatio inter pinnas pectora-les acutas, radio primo interne serrato, crasso, osseo, et pinnas ventrales rotundatas. Pinna adi-

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28 PLATYSTOMA. HETEROBRANGHUS.

posa parum emergens, r o tun data , pinnae anali rectangulae opposita. Pihha caudalis profunSeincisaj lobis latis rotundatis , radiis compressissimis, latissimis indivisis, tantum striatis. Color to-tus pisois igneus; caput obscurius fuscescens; pinna dorsalis et caudalis nigro maculatae,

Pinna pectoralis radiis 11, ventralis 6, analis 10 , praeter a anteriores minores, caudalis 17,praeter 5—6 minores minimosque sub cute fere conditos utrinque. laterales.

In Museo Monacensi specimen siccum mancum, 3' Ion gum, servatur,

Habitat in Jluviis Japurd et Solimoens Brasiliac aequatorialis.

XL HETEROBRANGHUS SEXTENTAGULATUS SPJX. Tab. xr.Visis claris. Spixii tabulis, illustrisslmus Cuvier dubitat, hunc piscem ad Hcterobranchi genuS

pertinere; mini jure, affirmare nequeo, quum specimen unicum Musei Monacensis male conservatacutis tantum sit; lamellae branchiales quidem adsunt, sed appendices earum fasciculatos in tertioet quarto arcu branchial! observare non licuit, quamquam cutem per pluros menses in spirituvini emolliverim. Donee quisquam naturae scrutator in recentem hunc piscem inquisiVerit, du-bium manet, num revera ad Heterobranchum referendus sit, vel potius ad Pimelodum, strictioresensu, post novissimas scilicet generis restrictiones, cujus externos characteres exhibet. Denieselongatij conferti , per fascias in ossibus intermaxillaribus et mandibularibus insert! sunt; vomeredentulus. Caput scuto rugoso tectum, pro corporis mole parvum, supra planissimum, lateraperpendicularia fere, ita ut sectio transversalis per oculos planum fere quadratum exhiberet. Oculilaterales, ad marginem scuti capkalis, ovales. Nares quatuor, fere per quadratum dispositae.Cirrhi maxillares lateraliter ad medium inter nares prodeuntes, ad pinnas ventrales usque pro-duct!. Operculi scutum rugosum. Truncus cylindraceus, omnino nudus, cauda compressa. Li-nea lateralis in medio inferne subarcuata. Pinnae pectorales acutae, radio primo crasso, osseo,externe serralo; ventrales elongatae, apice rotundatae, sub fine pinnae dorsalis anterioris, quaeper totam suam latitudinem acque alta est, radio anlico simplici. Pinna adiposa latissima, fibril-losa videtur, forsan ob exsiccalionem ; pinna analis sub ejus medio, parva, rotundata. Pinnaoaudalis profunde incisa, lobis angustis elongatis, acutis. Totus piscis fuscus, inferne sordidealbidus.

Pinna pectoralis radiis 11, ventralis 63 analis 9, praeter 2 anteriores minores, caudalis 17,praeter 5—4 minores laterales utrinque sub cute conditos, dorsalis anterior 7, antico radio sim-plici. Membrana branchiostega radiis 7.

In Museo Monacensi specimen unicum siccum seryatur, longitudine 12".

Habitat in Brasiliae aequatorialis Jluviis,

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C L U P E O I D E I . 2Q

FAMILIA III. CLUPEOIDEI. Guv.

Diagnosis. Caput aut omnino nudum,, aut scutis osseistectum,, nunquam squamatum; maxilla superior conformaturin medio ab ossibus intermaxillaribus, non protractilibus,lateraliter ab ossibus maxillaribus superioribus; dentes autnulli, aut solitarii acuti, aut velutini; apertura branchialismaxima; truncus semper squamis magnis obtectus; pinna adi-posa nulla.

Descriptio. Corpus plus minusve compressum, in abdomine nuncacute carinatum et serratum, nunc rotundatum, squamis magnis tectumnunc tenuibus, deciduis, riunc crassis, osseis, cuti firmiter inhaerentibus.Pinnae plerumque breves; dorsalis unica, — adiposa nulla. In soloPristigastre pinnae ventrales desunt. Gaput aut omnino nudum aut la-tis scutis osseis undique tectum, nunquam squamatum. Os in aliis ge-neribus parvum, subrotundum, edentulum, aut dentibus minutis arma-tum, in aliis vero transversum, maximum, dentibus acutis in toto suomargine et in palato dentibus velutinis munitum; ejas margo semperconformatur supra in medio ab ossibus intermaxillaribus non protractili-bus, in lateribas ab ossibus maxillaribus superioribus, infra a mandi-bula. Apertura branchialis maxima.

"Vesica aerea in omnibus generibus; in pluribus appendices pyloricae.Yentriculus elongatus, amplus.

C O N S P E C T U S G E N E R U M .

a) Corpora rotundato.

XII. SUDIS Cw.

Caput magnum, depressissimum, extus osseum. Os amplisaimum, transversum,in toto suo margine dentibus elongatis, conicis armatum; in palato dentes velu-tini: ossa intermaxillaria satis lata marginem superiorem, ossa maxillaria superioraretrorsum subarcuata, angusta, margines lateres maxillae superioris conformant

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Oculi et nares ad rostri apicem. Membrana branchiostega radiis 11. Corpus elon-gatum, compressum, squamis magnis osseis tectum. Pinna dorsalis longissima analiopposiba ad caudae apicem usque producta.

XIII. ERYTHRINUS GRONOV.

Caput obtusum, rotundatum, extus osseum, rugosum, r>on squamatum; ossainfraorbitalia maxima, buccas omnino obtegentia. Os amplissimum,, transversum,in toto suo margine dentibus majoribus minoribusque alternantibus armatum; ossaintermaxillaria mediocria, maxillaria superiora angusta, utrinque ultra dimidiampartem labii superioris sustinentiaj ossa palatina dentibus velutinis obsita. Lingualatissima, plana3 apice libera. Membrana branchiostega radiis 5. Corpus subteres,versus caudae apicem subcompressum 3 squamis magnis tectum. Pinna dorsalis ven-tralibus opposita.

b) Corpore compresso.

XIV. OSTEOGLOSSUM VAKDELLI.

Caput parvum, compressum, omnino nudum. Ossa infraorbitalia buccas om-nino obtegentia. Oculi ad rostri apicem. Os amplissimum, dentibus in maxillis, invomere, in palato et in lingua armatum. Ad symphysin ossium mandibulariumcirrhi duo. Corpus compressissimum, squamis maximis tectum; abdomen carinatum.Pinna dorsalis et analis latissima, haec cum caudali conjuncta.

XV. GLOSSODUS Cuv.

Caput acutum, compressum, nudum. Oculi laterales. Os parvum. Deniesvelutini in ossibus intermaxillaribus totum marginem oris superiorem conformanti-bus, in mandibula et in vomere, maxilla superior edentula. Lingua cartilaginea,edentula, in osse hyoideo vero et in palato dentes majores tuberculiformes. Corpussquamatum, subcompressum. Ad insertionem pinnarum ventralium squamae valderetrorsum productae.

XVI. ENGRAULIS Cuv.

Caput compressum, nudum. Oculi ad rostri producti apicem. Os amplissi-mum; ossa intermaxillaria minima sub rostri apice inserta, ossa maxillaria superiora

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CLUPEOIDEI . 31

praelonga, ultra mandibulam producta. Dentes acutissimi in omnibus oris ossibus.

Apertura branchialis his prae omnibus forsan piscibus maxima. Corpus compres-

sum, abdomen carihatum. Pinnae ventrales ante pinnam dorsalem.

XYII. CLUPEA LINN. Guv.

Caput compressum, omnino nudum. Oculi magni laterales. Ossa maxillaria

in plures lamellas divisa. Dentes aut omnino nulli aut minimi 5 in margine interno

arcuum branchialium processus magni cornei pro dentibus. Apertura branchialis

maxima. Corpus compressissimum, squamis deciduis tectum 3 abdomen carinatum,

serratumque. Pinnae ventrales dorsal! oppositae.

XYIII. PRISTIGASTER Guy.

Caput compressum j nudum. Oculi maximi. Os paryum, dentibus minutissi-

mis obsitum. Corpus compressissimum, breve, squamatum; abdomen acute carina-

tum et profunde serratum. Pinnae ventrales nullae.

XII. SUDIS GIGAS Guv. Tab. xvi.

Sudis Pirarucu Spioc.

Quum in Museo monacensi sceleton tantum hujus piscis conserveturj ut plura dicam,. quamquae jam tabula nostra indicantur, baud habeo ; nihil restat, quam ut sceleton accuratius descri-bam. Incipiam a simplicissimis caudae vertebris, et posteaquam abdominales vertebras et extre-mitates exposuero, de capite fusius tractabo.

Spina vertebralis octoginta vertebris constat } qnarum omnium corpora exhibent cy-lindros brevissimos, quorum diameter longitudinalis dimidiam latitudinem non superat, ex-ceptis posterioribus caudae, quorum longitude et latitude subaequales sunt, ut fere qua-drangTila rideantur. Corpora, vertebrarum omnium in anteriore et posteriore a.rtic\\larisuperficie ita excavata sunt, ut cavitas non exaccte concava sed conica sit. Intra binasvertebras spatium biconicum existit, quod molli cartilagine interarticulari repletur. Exterior cor-poris vertebrarum superficies ipsa concava est, ita ut juncti margines binarum vertebrarum pro-minentem callum efficiant; hae concavae superficies notantur pluribus fossulis et foraminibus qui-bus musculi affiguntur et vasa sanguifera intrant. Arcus vertebrales superiores inter se satis con-formes ; inferiores 4z caudales ejusclem indolis ut superiores, in processus spinosos eodem modocontinuantur; at 38 anteriores seu abdominales. in eo eminenter differunt quod inferne aperti sint et

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costas articulatas praebeant. Crura arcuum superiorum e margine superiors anteriore corporum verte-brarum prodeunt, verticaliter paullulum adscendunt, turn subito retrorsum flectuntur sub angulo-45O. Hoc ipso in angulo quilibet arcus brevem processum exhibet, qui antrorsum tendens apicesuperficie articulari praeditus est, qua cum antecedente arcu jungitur, ita ut omnea arcus in-ter se articulati sint et sic partes spinae vertebralis inter se arctius junctae. Hoc nexu utrinque in-ter bina corpora vertebralia et eorum arcus magna foramina oriuntur , per quae nervi spinalesprodeunt; id vero memorabile est, quod in inferiore margine cujuslibet foraminis in posteriorecujusvis corporis vertebralis parte processus parvus libere promineat, qui ilia foramina in duaspartes fere dividit, sed incomplete tantum, quum baud continuetur usque ad commissuram arcuum in-ter se. Haec crura inter se apice junguntur in processum solidum et processus spinosos verte-brarum efficiunt; id in anteriore spinae vertebralis parte modo apice fit, in media spina inde a,medio arcu, et quo crura posteriora sunt eo prius et profundius junguntur. Inter binos processusspinosos spina est, quae cum ipsis tantum ligamentis jungitur et apice inferiore libere inter mus-culos haeret; radii pinnae dorsalis in illarum superioribus apicibus articulantur. Hae spinae in-ter vertebras anteriores minores et tenuiores magnitudine et mole augentur quo posteriores, us-que ad pinnae dorsalis anteriorem tertiam partera, ubi maximae sunt, ab hoc inde loco sensim,decrescunt et pone pinnam dorsalem omnino evanescunt. Arcus inferiores vertebrarum caudaese habent ut superiores; proximo a vertebrae corpore crura arcuum inferiorum junctione proces-sus spinosos inferiores efficiunt, inter quorum apices eodem quo supra modo spinae ligamen-tis affixae sunt; in apice earum, quae in tola serie medium occupant, radii pinnae analis arliculatisunt. Crura arcuum inferiorum vertebrarum caudae a. basi inde retrorsum spectant sub angulo45°. Canalis, qui junctis cruribus conformatur, versus anum sensim amplificatur et eadem rationecrura atque processus spinosi crassiores et firmiores evadunt ad ilium usque, ante quern anusaperitur, cujus crura omnino plana, spathulaeformia sunt, et cujus processus spinosus non latera-liter compressus est ut posteriorum sed transversaliter et in superficie- anteriore per totam longi-tudinem sulco lato exsculptus est; talis sulcus jam in proximis posterioribus adest, sed non pertotam longitudinem processus extendilur. Radii pinnae caudalis articxilati sunt in apice truncatolalo processuum spinosorum vertebrarum ultimarum, qui ut radii rotae in apice caudae divergent.Ab ano inde versus caput vertebrae abdominales ea gaudent indole, ut crura, quae inferne nonconjunguntur, non amplius ex inferiore parte corporis vertebrae prodeant, sed sensim altius elatere corporum, ita ut ad septimam aut octavam vertebram horizontaliter extrorsum spectent.Id praecipue memorabile est, quod eorum partes exteriores tanquam totidem costae, pro vertebrislongiores vel breviores (breviores in anteriore, longiores in posteriore trunco) articulatae sunt.Processus transversi, in quorum apice articulatae sunt, latissimi, plani et horizontaliter compressisunt. Eo, quod processus transversi e laLeribus corporum vertebrarum oriuntur (quum contra incauda ex inferiore eorum parte proveniant) id fit, ut corpora vertebralia tanquam carina altiusin cavum abdominale promineant; facies laterales hujus carinae in quovis corpore vertebral! no-tantur fossulis oblongis profundis, unica utrinque in posterioribus vertebris abdominalibus , dua,-tus in mediis, tribus in anterioribus.

Extremitates thoracicae, vulgo cingulum thoracicum dictae, a sequentibus ossibus con-formantur, quorum nexum et formam paucis verbis exponam. Os suprascapulare latum,planum; ejus superficies interna concava, externa antice et postice perforata, (haec fa-

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SUDIS. 33

ramina sunt exitus canalis mucosi lineae lateralis); margo hujus ossis anterior profundeita cxcisus est, ut processus, hac excisione ortus, inferior, qui longior et teres , apice superficiearticulart praeditus sit, qua cum osse petroso jungatur, superior vero processus ossi occipitali ex-teriori applicetur. Os scapulars omnino planum, jungitur cum humeri parte superiore et cumosse suprascapulari a cujus apice inferiore ad tertiam usque partem superiorem obtegitur. Sty-lus coracoideus in nostro specimine deest. Os humeri in medio ita curvatum est ut ramosduos praebeat, alterum perpendicularem a latere compressum , planum, alterum horizontalem de-pressissimum et latissimum; margo anterior incrassatus rami perpendiqularis, cristam validam for-mans, producitur in media superficie superior! rami horizontals usque ad symphysin ossium hu-meri inter se ; in facie interna hujus cristae processus surgit, qui cum ulna sutura vera jungitur;hoc nexu fit arcus validus, qui junctione radii cum parte'inferiore et posteriore humeri et ulnaeforamen format musculis pinnam pectoralem ad corpus trahentibus transitum praebens. Margoexterior rami horizontalis etiam e margine anteriore incrassato rami perpendicularis prodit, ab initiorevolutus , sensim apicem versus planus evadit; superficies inferior ejusdem rami horizontalis pla-na, nisi in angulo posteriori, ubi crista ossea surgit eodem in loco in quo margo posterior ramiperpendicularis in superfictem rami. horizontalis dilatatur. Ulna plana, antice ad symphysin os-siutn humeri usque producta, postice incrassata; inter ejus partem inferiorem et humerum radiussitus , cujus margo posterior magna superficie articulari praeditus est pro articulatione radii primipinnae pectoralis. Ossa carpi tria cum margine interne radii junguntur. Pinna pectoralis ipsaduodecim radiis constat, quorum primus simplex, etsi articulatus, praecipue ad basin multo va-lidior et crassior est caeteris, qui omnes articulati, in apice multifariam diyisi sunt. Extremitatespelvis in nostro specimine desunt.

Caput *} forma cylindri elongati, superne depress!; ejus longitude latitudine duplo major;maxilla inferior vix ultra maxillam superiorem prominens; oculi minimi; buccae omnino ossibusasperis tectae. Ossa cranii externe omnia rugosa, sulcata ; in ipsis plures canales mucosi, qui la-tis fossis planis in eorum superficie externa aperiuntur.

In capite osseo piscis opportet discernas ossa cranii et varios apparatus, qui mobili articula-tione cum ipsis junguntur, nempe operculum cum ossibus supratemporalibus dictis, laminam tempo-ralem et palatinam, ossa suborbitalia , maxillas cum dentibus et apparatum branchialem cumosse hyoideo.

*) Ne nostrae descriptiones sceleti piscium male intelligantur, jam opus est ut indicemus nos in ipsis iliaterminologia uti, quam illustrissimus Guvier in novissimo optimoque libro: Histoire naturelle des poissons ad-hibuit, cjuarnvis nonnullis ipsius determiiiationibus omnino assentire non possimus; satis magna dubianobis reniunt de ipsius explicatione partium osais occipitis, ossis temporalis, operculi et ossis jugalis, sedhaec exponendi hie non est locus. Quo magis vero inter se different opiniones de analogia harum par-tiurn cranii cum illis mamrnalium, arium ct reptilium, eo majorem scientia utilitatem caperet, si haecillustrissimi Cuvieri terminologia in descriptiva Zoologia reciperetur, donee significatio carum cum certi-tudine eruta sit; paremque utilitatem afFeret, dum ii, qui in posterutn icones sceletorum pjsciuin editurisint, tabulas suas pari modo o m n e s numeris illustrarent i i s d e m , quibus illustrissimus Cuvier usus estpari modo in diversissimis repraesentationibus capitis Percae yulgaris; ita sane tabulae omnium autorumfaciljirne inter se conferri possent, tandemque copia daretur, ut deliniri possit, quaenam ossa ornnibus iugeneribua constantia, quaeque tautum pro articulationibuj vel unius ossis partibus essent habendae.

9

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34 SUDIS.

Ossa cranii sequent! ordine dcscribam ut facilius respici possint: 1°) ossa baseos crami(imparia); processus atlantis, os basilare occipitis, OS sphaenoideum principale, os sphaenoideumanterius (plerumquc impar in Sudi par est), vomer 2°) ossa cranii superiora: os occipitalesuperius (impar), partem superiorem ossis occipitalis exlerioris (paris) et ossis mastoidei (pan's) }

os parietale (par), os frontale principale (par), os nasale (par); 3°) ossa cranii laleralia: par-tem inferiorem ossis occipitalis exterioris et ossis mastoidei , os petrosum (par), os occipitalelaterale (par), alam magnam ossis sphaenoidei (parem), os frontale posterius (par) , alam orbita-Jem (parem), os frontale anterius (par), et os ethmoideum (impar).

Mira est conformatio baseos cranii et ejus articulatio cum prima trunci vertebra cujus cor-

pus in margine inferiore eb anteriore in duos processus, transversns dictos, hie vero antrorsumversos, longissimos, depressissimos, omnino pianos, inter se parallelos et rima longitudinal! distin-ctos producitur; hac rima carina ossis basilaris occipitis recipitur, apices vero processuum atlan-tis in sulcis lateralibus ossis sphaenoidei principalis suturis veris arctissime articulantur; tail's ar-

ticulatio atlantis cum cranio nuscjuam in tola regno- animali praeterea hucusque nota est.Os basilare postice corpus cylindricum offcrt, cujus superficies articularis conica ei vertebrarumsimilis est et cum allante cartilagine intervertebrali jungitur; a margine inferiore et anteriorecorporis lamina spathulaefqrmis prodit, quae antice multo latior est et apici postico ossis sphae-noidei principalis incumbit, in media superficie inferiore illius laminae cum processibus atlantis articu-laris carina surgit, quae in rima inter processus vertebrae primae recipitur; ossis iasilaris margineslaterales et superficies superior suturis cum osse occipital! lateral!, angulus vero anterior exteriorcum ala magna junguntur. Os sphaenoideum principale longissimum, satis latum, marginibuslateralibus per totam fere longitudinem parallelis; in ejus medio titrinque processus transversusvalidus superficie articular! munitus, qua cum ilia ossis ptcrygoidei intern! jungitur; superficiessuperior ossis sphaenoidei laevis, maxima ex parte basin cavitatis cranii format, in superficie in-ferior! spatium clavaeforme ita dentibus minulis confertissimis omnino obsitum est, ut ampliorifine retrorsum spectet. Pars posterior ossis sphaenoidei in duos processus exit, quorum latus ex-terius sulco profundo incisum est pro recipiendis processibus atlantis. Margo lateralis suturiscum omnibus ossibus jungitur, quae latera cranii constituunt; supra ipsum processum transver-sum ossis sphaenoidei, os sphaenoideum anterius, paullo posterius ala magna, inter quam et os

sphaenoideum anterius spatium relinquitur, in parte anterior! illius marginis os frontale ante-rius et os ethmoideum. Cum apice anteriore vero et praesertim cum parte antica superfipiei in-ferioris ossis sphaenoidei vomer jungitur, os primum baseos cranii, cujus superficies inferior planaet omnino dentibus minutissimis obtecta est, ut ilia ossis sphaenoidei; superficies superior permul-tas init articulation es, in parte posteriore cum superficie inferiore apicis ossis sphaenoidei, in partemedia cum osse ethmoideo; in medio latere superficies grosse dentata exstat, qua jungitur cumosse nasali, et ante illam fossa articularis profunda, rotundata cum qua os maxillare superiusarticulatione jungitur; margo vomeris anterior cum ossibus intermaxillaribus et pars anterior mar-ginis luteralis cum osse palatine jungitur.

Cranium superne, a parte antica, sequentia ossa claudunt: Os nasale plenum, lon-giusculum, canali mucoso perforatum, superficie superior! rugosa; margo ejus anterior ar-ticulatione cum osse intermaxillari jungitur, paullo posterius superficies asperrima qua cum

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yomere connectitur, praeterea superficies inferior cum osse ethmoideo, et margo poste-rior cum osse frontali, margines vero intern! inter se , et margo externus cum ossi-bus suborbitallbus junguntur. Os frontale duplo longius quam latius, planissimum, canalimucoso longitudinaliter perforatum, in media superficie superiore asperrima et sulcata fossa mu-cosa; superficies inferior laevis praeter cristam medians asperam, cujus pars anterior cum osseethmoideo, media, cum frontali anteriore et posterior furcata cum ala orbitali jungitur; in ejusangulo exteriore postico et simul cum lamina ossis mastoidei, et cum osse parietali connexum osfrontale posterius situm est; margines intemi ossium frontalium inter se suturis , margines exte-riores cum ossibus suborbitalibus articulalione junguntur. Os parietale canali mucoso perforatumest; in angulo exteriore postico fossa mucosa; illius margo posterior anteriore latior. Pars ante-rior superficiei inferioris laevis intrat in conformationem cavitatis cranii, pars posterior vero par-tim tegit ossa occipitale superius, exterius et mastoideum et cum ipsis suturis jungitur ; margo in-ternus ossium parietaltum inter se, margo externus cum margine interne laminae horizontalis os-sis mastoidei et cum ala magna mediante parvo processu hujusce marginis externi suturis jungun-tur. Os mastoideum: in hoc distinguitur pars posterior incrassatus et lamina superior horizon-talis valde antrorsum protensa; haec lamina horizontalis marginem externum partis posterioriscranii conformat, canali mucoso longitudinaliter perforata est, ei in media superficie superiorerugosa aperitur fossa mucosa; superficies inferior hujus laminae suturis jungitur cum osse frontaliposteriore et margine summo alae magnae; cum latere interno marginis posterioris os supratem-porale superius, et cum latere externo os supratemporale inferius jungitur, quod prae-terea cum superiore nectitur. Pars incrassata ossis mastoidei canali mucoso perforata, su-perne cum osse parietali, ejus margo internus vero cum osse occipital! exteriore, margoposterior cum osse petroso , margo inferior cum osse occipital! lateral! et margo an-terior tandem cum ala magna suturis junguntur; superficies ejus exterior in parte inferiore lae-vis, et multis foraminibus nutritiis pertusa in parte superiore vero ad marginem externum lami-nae horizontalis fossa articularis exstat longitudinalis, concava, pro recipiendo processu articu-lari superiore posteriore ossis temporalis. Os occipitale exlerius, minus, inter os mastoideum.p&rietale, occipitale superius, laterale et petrosum situm et cum ipsis suturis junctum, postice inprocessum mammaeformem producitur, cui pars superior magni musculi lateralis affigitur; interillud, os mastoideum et os petrosum foramen magnum exstat, meatus auditorius forsan , sed cumcertitudine hoc indicare nequeo, cum in cranio exsiccato labyrinthum ejusque exitum inquirerenon possim. Os occipitale superius superne planum, et ab ossibus parietalibus fere omnino tec-turn, externe qxmm osse occipitale exteriore suturis junctum atque postice, in medio, in cristamlateraliter compressissimam, prominentem productum, canalibus mucosis perforatum est, qui infossis exterioribus superficiei internne aperiuntur; pars inferior ejus marginis externi cum osseoccipital! lateral! jungitur; superficies inferior laevis, concava efformat superiorem posteriorempartem cranii, et duobus gyris in tres fossas divisa est. Os petrosum minimum inter os ma-stoideum, occipitale exterius et laterale situm et cum ipsis suturis junctum, postice in processurnparvum producitur, quocum cornu inferius ossis suprascapularis articulatione jungilur; externe almsprocessus minutus sutura cum processu posteriore alae magnae jungitur, et hoc nexu arcus sur-git supra os occipitale laterale.

Ossa quae cranium e latere claudunt sequentia sunt: Os occipitale laterals, defor-me, multangulum, plures superficies exhibens, quarum interna laevis, antice duabus fos-

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sulis insignia eat , in fundo magnis foraminibus perforatis ; superficies exterior porosa,aspera et pluribus cristis et processibus praedita pro articulatione cum circumstantibus ossibus.Pars iaterior marginis superioris cum osse occipitali superiore, pars media cum osse occipitale ex-teriore et pars exterior cum osse mastoideb suturis junguntur; processus ejus proprius cum ossepetroso et cum ala magna, margo anterior etiam cum ala magna., margo inferior et posteriorvero cum osse basilari occipitis nectitur. ^4la magna ossis sphaenoidei oblique quadrangula ,exteriie sat plana, ad angulum isuperiorem anteriorem et ad inferiorem posteriorem aperitur ca-nalis mucosus; angulus posterior superior in processum longum gracilem producitur qui cum oss,epetroso et occipitali lateral! suturis jungitur; margo superior valde incrassatus cum osse. mastoi-deo nectitur; inter partem hujusce marginia anteriorem et laminam horizontalem ossis mastoideiin sicco cranio spatium apertum relinquitur; margo posterior cum osse occipitali laterali, margoinferior acutus cum sphaenoideo principal! et margo anterior in parte superiore cum osse fron-tali posteriore suturis junguntur; inter haec ossa, sphaenoideum anterius, sphaenoideum principa-le et partem inferiorem marginis anterioris alae magnae magnum foramen, nempe fissura sphae-nopalatina, exstat. In media superficie interna crista prominens acuta, qune hanc superficiem induas partes dividit, quarum anterior planior perforata, posterior vero iterum crista in duas fos-sas dividitur superiorem minorern et inferiorem multo majorem, quae tanquam canalis coecus us-que ad marginem hujusce ossis anteriorem producitur. Os frontale posterius, superne planunacum lamina horizontal! ossis mastoidei, cum parietali et cum frontal! principali suturis jungitur;in media superficie inferiore pila valida parum retrorsum versa assurgit, quae cum margine supe-riore alae magnae jungitur, et ad cujus lalera duae superficies laterales exstant, altera externaparum concava, cujus margo anterior cum osse sphaenoideo anteriore, margo inferior vero cumala orbilali suturis jungitur , _altera interna cavum cranii spectans convexissima, prominens; retropilam mediam ad angulum posteriorem externum ossis frontalis posterioris fossa articularis pro-funda pro recipiendo processu articulari anteriore superiore ossis temporalis. Os sphaenoideumanterius, plerumque impar, in Sudi par est, bacillus tenuis, basi dilatatus, qui cum osse sphae-noideo principali supra ipsum ejus processum transversum sutura jungitur et oblique retrorsumsurgit j apice cum margine inferiore anteriore ossis frontalis posterioris et margine anteriore totasua longitudine cum ala orbital! aeque suturis nectitur. dla orbitalis, inter os sphaenoideumanterius inter partem posteriorem ossis frontalis principalis , et marginem anteriorem frontalis po-sterioriSj quibuscum suturis jungitur, sita est; in ejus parte inferiore foramen est atque marginemanteriorem inter et os frontale principale, marginemque posteriorem ossia frontalis anterioris etsphaenoideum, magnum spatium vacuum exstat, nempe fissura orbitalis superior. Os frontaleanterius angustum , elongatum perpendiculariter inter partem anteriorem ossis frontalis principaliset sphaenoideum, quibuscum suturis jungitur; margo ejus posterior late concavus est. Oselkmoideum inter ossa nasalia, frontalia anteriora, sphaenoideum principale et vomerem situmest, quibuscum suturis jungitur, nee non margine posteriore cum osse frontal! anteriore. Corpusseu pars media ejus cum vomere jungitur; partes laterales vero cellullas majores continentes etlongltudinaliter canali mucoso extrorsum aperto perforatae, suturae ossis nasalis frontalisque prin-cipalis insident; margo lateralis cum primo osse suborbitali articulatur.

In paucis piscLbus, ut tamen Cyprinis ex. gr. cavitas cranii tarn exacte circumcluditur, quam inSudi. Tres fossae cavitatis cranii inprimis disliagmintvrj fossa posterior seu vertebrae posterioris cr,a-

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nii angustior, revera tantum canalis est, ab osse basflari, lateralibus et superiore occipitis, conformatus ;foramina ejus respondent foraminibus condyloideis ; fossa media seu vertebrae mediae cranii, amplis-sima sedbrevissima, conformatur ab osse sphaenoideo principal]', alis magnis, frontalibus posterioribus etparietalibus; in parte superiore alae magnae foramen ovale et rotundum; inter alam magnam,os frontale posterius , alam orbitalem , sphaenoideum anterius et principale fissura sphaenopalalina.fossa anterior seu vertebrae anterioris cranii longissima, conformatur ab ossibus sphaenoideisanterioribus, parte producta ossis sphaenoidei principals, alis orbitalibus, ossibus frontalibusanterioribus; in ala orbitali foramen opticum et inter os frontale anterius, ossibus sphaenoideiset alam orbitalem fissura orbitalis superior ; vomer denique, os ethmoideum et ossa nasalia nasa-lem seu quartae cranii vertebrae cavitatem conformant.

Apparatus temporalis, et palatinus: Os tempordle irregulare, multaiigulum, tribusprocessibus articularibus et pluribus marginibus sagittatis munitum est; angulus posteriorin processum retroversum producitur, cujus capitulum articulare apicale cum operculo jun-gitur; margo superior talia capitula duo praebet, anterius majus cum osse frontftli po-steriore, posterius applanatum cum osse mastoideo articulatur ; pars anterior marginis in-ferioris suturis cum osse symplectico et osse tympani jungitur, et angulus anterior inspinam tenuem longissimam producitur , quae cum spina superficiei externae ossis pte-rygoidei interni jungitur. Os symplecticum et os tympani plana sunt, inter se suturasquamosa junguntur, et ita laminam latam conformant inter angulum inferiorem ossis tympani etsuperiorem ossis jugalis, quibuscum sutura vera junguntur; praeterea os symplecticum adhuc cumpraeoperculo , et os tympani, latere interne, cum osse pterygoideo interne jungitur. Os jugal.efere triangulum; margo superior longissimus cum osse symplectico et cum osse tympani, margoinferior incrassatus est et angulus inter marginem inferiorem et exteriorem trochleam articularempraebetpro recipiendo osse articular! maxillae inferioris; pars superior anterior superficiei internaecum osse pterygoideo interno jungitur et angulus superior anterior in sulco apicis posteriorisossis palatini recipitur. Os ptery goideum inlcrnum ovato -oblongum , in superficie inlerna pa-rum concavum et omnino dentibus minutissimis, confertissimis obductum. Externa superficieslaevis, nisi in margine posteriore, qui cum osse jugali et tympani jungitur; processus anguli su-perioris posterioris cum processu anteriore ossis temporalis jungitur, inter quern processum et su-perficiem externam ossis pterygoidei interni emarginatio exstat superficie articular! pr.aed.ita/ prorecipiendo processu transverse ossis sphaenoidei principals; margo inferior cum osse palati jun-gitur, ejusdem fere formae, quam quae est ossi plerygoideo interno, modo inversae, i. e. lateremajori antrorsutn verso. Superficies ejus interna eodem modo dentibus minutis obsita; pars an-terior marginis interni cum vomere jungitur, apex posterior vero profundum sulcum praebet prorecipiendo angulo anteriore superiore ossis jugalis; pars anterior superficiei externae cum ossesuborbitali primo et maxillari superiore jungitur. Ossa supra descripta, nempe os temporale,tympani, symplecticum, jugale, pterygoideum internum et palalinum latam laminam conformant,quae mobili articulatione cum lateribus externo et inferiore cranii jungitur et ossibus operculi, -nee non maxillae inferior! insertionem praebet. Operculi ossa sunt: operculum proprie sic dichrn., osplanum, externe rugosissimum, sulcatum; margo ejus superior posterior rotundatus ; margo anterior re-ctissimus, in parte superiore, eo loco, ubi cum margine superiore rotundato confluit, valde in-

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crassatus, et acetabulo articulari praeditus pro recipiendo capitulo articulari processus posteriorisossis temporalis; in superficie interna laevi operculi crista ab acetalmlo ad angulum posterioreminferiorem protensa prominct. Praeopcrculum ultra articulationem operculi cum osse temporal!protensum, utrumque praeterea ab ossibus supralemporalibus dictis, tegitur, quorum superiusad angulum posteriorem ossis mastoidei jacet, canali mucoso cum linea lateral! continue, perfo-ratum, inferius externe ad laminam horizontalem ejusdem ossis mastoidei inter operculum et ossuborbitale posterius jacet, quibuscum nectitur et ita articulationem ossis temporalis cum operculoomnino obtegit. Haec ossa supratemporalia nullo modo ossa cranii dici possuntj nam nihil aliudsunt, nisi squamae osseae figura paullulum mutata ; os supratemporale superius est summa squamalineae lateralis, inferius squama operculi. Ad angulum inferiorem anteriorem operculi, interejus marginem inferiorem et interoperculum et cum ambabus membranis connectum subopercu-lum jacet minimum subtrigonum, margine inferiore rotundato, et angulo superiore incrassato.Praeoperculum in genere fofmam trianguli rectanguli praebet, cujus catheta altera postica cummargine anteriore operculi jungitur, altera vero inferior pum toto margine inferiore interoperculiparallela est; pars media et inferior hypothenusae , oblique a parte superiore ad inferiorem des-cendentis cum osse symplectico et jugali jungitur. Superficies interna praeoperculi laevis est, inmedia externa vero crista prominet angulum rectum formans > et cum margine posteriore et infe-riore praeoperculi parallela; cum hac crista media lata ossa suborbitalia junguntur; ab hac cristamedia duae cristae minores ad marginem posteriorem et tres ad inferiorem producuntur, in mar-ginem externum exeuntes, inter se vero et cristam mediam fossas mucosas conformantes, quaeinter se canalibus longitudinaliter in osse perforatis communicant. Canalis, qui praeoperculum per-forat cum eo ossis suprntemporalis confluit et per hunc cum illo lineae lateralis. Interoperculumlanceolatum, margine posteriore laliore cum sub.operculo et operculo connexum , margo inferiorcum praeoperculo ita jungitur, ut interoperculum faciei internae praeoperculi incumbens, externevix conspici possit. Cornua lateralia ossis hyoidei cum interoperculi superficie interna junguntur.

Ossa suborbitalia: Valerius ossi lacrymali analogum, cum osse ethmoideo jungitur et margi-nem anteriorem orbitae format, subtriangulum, ad cujus angulum anteriorem fossa mucosa, cum osseintermaxillari, maxillari superiore et osse palati jungitur; Secundum margine superiore cum frontali prin-cipali, angulo anteriore cum angulo posteriore ossis suborbitalis anterioris jungitur et partem superioremmarginis posterioris orbitae format, ad ejus marginem posteriorem una cum tertio osse suborbi-tali duae fossae mucosae exstant; Tertium maximum longissimumque juxta marginem exterioremossis frontalis principalis et laminae horizontalis ossis mastoidei } quibuscum membranis junctum,extenditur usque ad os supratemporale inferius, totam superiorem buccarum partem obtegens 5ejus margo posterior cum supratemporali inferiore, quocum fossam nrucosam format, et cumpraeoperculo, margo inferior cum quarto osse suborbitali, margo anterior cum secundo jungituret modo apex anterior inferior ad orbitae marginem usque producitur; Quartum ejusdem fere magnitu-dinis est quam tertium, antice fossa mucosa praeditum, acuminatum; parvam tantum partem marginisorbitae inferioris format; margo posterior et inferior cum praeoperculo junguntur; Quinlum tri-gonum; angulus ejus superior obtusus, partem mediam marginis orbitae 'inferioris format, margoanterior cum osse suborbitali primo, posterior cum quarto conjungitur et inferior liber est; fos-sae mucosae duae in parte inferiore ejus superficiei externae.

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Maxillae aequales, inferior ore magno clause vix prominet, superior in medio ab ossibusintermaxillaribusj in lateribus ab ossibus maxillaribus superioribus conformatur; oris rictus semi-lunaris. Os intermaxillare in margine anteriore inclrassalo arcuatum, postice in laminam pro-ductum, cujus superficies superior cum parte anteriore superficiei ossis nasalis jungitur, inferiorvero cum osse maxillari superiore; margines intern! ossium intermaxillarium inter se junguntur etretrorsum in processum, qui cum vomere articulatione jungitur j producuntur; in margine infe-riore denies inseruntur. Os maxillare superius tenuej teres, curvatum, in parte media margi-nis inferioris sulcus pro recipiendis dentibus; pars ossis anterior in processum acutum producitur,qui in fossa articulari ossis vomeris recipitur j praeterea cum osse intermaxillari nempe cum super-ficie infera ejus laminae planae retrorsum protensae et cum parte antica superficiei externae ossispalatini; para ossis maxillaris superioris posterior rotundatus, retrorsum liber prominet, Maxillainferior utrinque quinque ossibus constat; maximum eorum os dentale dicitur, a parte sua an-teriorej a dentibus anterioribus inde, in quadrantem curvatur, ita ut conjunctione ossis dentalisdextri et sinistri j symphysi mentali ; dentes in semicirculum dispositi sint. Jnde a dentibus poste-rioribus os in processum coronoideum' obtusum adscendit; pars posterius ossis dentalis in duaslamellas tenues apice acutas perpendiculares producitur, alteram superiorem , alteram inferiorem >inter quas incisura profunda pro recipiendis caeteris ossibus maxillae inferioris exstat. Superficiesexterna inter processum coronoideum et spinam posteriorem superiorem concave; margo inferiorossis maxillaris inferioris valde incrassatus postice aequissimus, antice vero fossis mucosis et per-multis foraminibus nutritiis exasperatus. Os operculare fere solum totum spatium inter spinasposteriores ossis dentalis replet, apex ejus anterior valde in canalem maxillae inferioris prominet;processus marginis superioris posterioris cum spina posteriore sxiperiore jungitur, angulus inferiorincrassatus liber retrorsum prominet, et inter eum et spinam posteriorem inferiorem spatium an-gustum exstat pro recipiendo osse angulari, parvoj acuto, Cuneiform!. Hujus apex posterior ro-tundatus, in parte postica superficiei superioris fossula articularis exstat, quae simul cum ilia ossisarticularis fossam articularem majorem conformat, pro articulatione maxillae inferioris cum ossejugali. Os articulare fere eandem formam praebet quam os angulare, modo duplo majus et ar-ticulari superficie in summo apice postico praeditum, inter os angulare} operculare et spinam po-steriorem inferiorem ossis dentatis jacet; ejus apici anterior! ossiculum elongatum inseritur, quodin canalem maxillae inferioris prominet et os apicale dici potest.

Dentes maxillae inferioris, ossium maxillarium superiorum et intermaxillarium omnes insuloo applanato borutn ossium recipiuntur, articulatione membranacea juncti ; dentes ipsi laterali-ter compressissimij et parum retrorsum curvati, omnes ad apicem subrotundatum usque cavi sunt.Dentes velutini ossis hyoidei, sphaenoidei, vomeris, palatini et pterygoidei conici, ut maxillarescavi sed modo in radice, cum apex compactus sit.

Apparatus branchialis cum osse hyoideo intricatus est et quo facilius describi possit, necesseest ut sequentia discernas : i °) Corpus ossi hyoidei, quod pluribus ossibus per seriem longitudi-nalem articulatis constat. Cum hoc corpore lateraliter junguntur: 2°) postice arcus bronchioles3°) antice cornua ossis hyoidei cum radiis membranae branchiostegae. 4°) Eo loco ubi cornuacum corpore junguntur, cauda ossis hyoidei insidet, quae cum symphysi humerorum jungitur.Corpus ossis hyoidei quatuor ossibus constat, per seriem longitudinalem dispositis, planis , latissi-

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mis elongatisque, superficie superiore aequissima et omnino dentibus minimis, acutis, confertissi-mis obtecta; superficies inferior nspera pro insertione musculorum et arcuum branchialium; inrnediis tribus ossibus anterioribus carina valida prominet, idque maxime ad juncturas eorum in-ter se; prfmum maximum longissimum ; in ejus apice cartilage (pro osse) lingualis et lateralitercornua lateralia ossis hyoidei; secundum latissimum, ad junctionem ejus cum primo, pare arcuumbranflhialium primum inseritur; tertium minus; ad ejus junctionem cum secundo, par secundumarcuum branchialium inseritur et ad ejus angulum posteriorem par tert ium; quartum planissimum,subquadrangulum , laxe cum tertio jungitur, et solum pari quarto arcuum branchialium insertio-nem praebet. Par quintum arcuum branchialium, sen ossa. pharyngea inferiora cum corpore os-sis hyoidei non jungitur, sed modo utrinque inter se arcus nedtuntur. Tria priora arcuum bran-chialium paria tribus ossibus constant, par quartum duobus tantum; haec ossa omnia tenuia, itacurvata sunt, ut convexa facies extrorsum spectet. Haec externa superficies ipsa concava, sulcalapro recipiendis vasis sanguiferis et nervis ad branchias tertdentibus ; par quintum seu ossa pha-ryngea inferiora non sulcata sunt, quum branchias nonferant ; in superficie interna paria quinqueprocessibus confertis, seriatis, corneis, antrorsum versis armata, similibus radiis membranaebran-chiostegae, par quintum tales series duas fert, anteriorem antrorsum, posteriorem retrorsum ver-sam. In apicibus superioribus arcuum branchialium ossicula dentibus minutissimis armata, pha-ryngea superiora dicta, inseruntur, quae mobilitatem arcuum augent, unum inter apices pan'sprimi et secundi, alterum inter eps paris secundi et tertii, tertium in ipso apice paris quarti.Ad junctionem apicum inferiorum paris quinti inter se itidem talia ossicula dentibus armata ex-stant. Arcus branchiales omnes apicibus superioribus cum basi cranii i. e. cum corpore ossissphaenoidei et cum processibus antrorsum versis atlantis ligamentis junguntur. Cornua lateraliaossis hyoidei pluribus magnis, crassis ossibus constant; primum apici corporis ossis hyoidei inser-tum, breve, torulosum, arctissime cum corpore conjunctum; hoc sequitur allerum longum, pla-num, lateraliter compressum, cujus pars posterior anteriore latior cum tertio jungitur, cujus apexposterior anteriore angustior. Huic ossiculum tenue insidet processus styliformis ossis hyoidei,qui processus cum ossis temporalis superficie interna et os secundum cornu hyoidei cuminteroperculo jungitur. Margini inferior! cornu lateralis ossis hyoidei radii branchiostegi undecimutrinque insident, sex secundo ossi major!, duo junction! illius cum tertio, et tres hinc ipsi ter-tio. Ad arliculalionem cornuum lateralium ossis hyoidei cum corpore os elongatum affigitur, cu-jus superficies inferior plana et laevisj superior vero concava in medio lamina longitudinaliter latetanquam carina emergente munita, pro insertione partis inferioris magni musculi lateralis trunci.Hocce os caudae ossis hyoidei plurium lacertarum respondet.

Sudis Gigas yitam in fluviis magnis Brasiliae aequatorialis degit, in fluvio Amazonum, Japuraetc. peryenit ad longitudinem trium usque quinque pedum et pondere baud raro pluries centumlibras superat. lllustrissimo Equite de Martius auctore, sylvestres Indi ex tribu Maue osse hyoi-deo hujus piscis utuntur tanquam lamina tritoria, ad conterendam substantiam Guarana ipsis dic-tam. e fructibus Paulliniae sorbilis Mart, comparatam , cujus ex pulvere cum aqua et saccharoconfectam potionem pro stomachico adhibent. Os hyoideum scilicet speciminis ultra tres pedeslong! laminam offert 7" longam, i\f<i" latam, confertis et acutis dentibus obsitam, ita ut hacipsa conditione radulam sistat.

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XIII. ERYTHRINUS GRONOV. SYNODUS SCHNBTO.

Caput obtusum, magnum, rotundatum, non squamatum ; ossa capitis externe visibilia, neenoil bssa suborbitalia maxima et buccas omnino obtegentia, rugosa sunt, quare caput undiqueclypeatum est. Os amplissimum transversum ; ossa mandibularia, maxillaria superiora et interma-xillaria dentibus minoribus majoribusque alternarttiius borride armata; ossa palatine, pterygoideainterna, pharyngea superiora et inferiora nee non interdum ossa hyoidea dentibus minutissimisvelutinis obsita. Lingua cartilaginea apice libera, plana, nunc angustior, nunc latissima, lateribusemergentibtfs. Membraria branchiostega radiis 5. Corpus subteresj caudae apicem versus sub-compressum, squamis magnis, duris, deciduis tectum. Pinna dorsalis ventralibus opposita.

Species plures, omnes inter se valde affines, ut Cyprini species, attamen facile capitis magnitu-dine et proportione, dentium situ et relatione inter se nee non latitudine ramorum mandibulaej di-slinguere potes. Constructione et armis validissimis oris jam patet, Erythrinos inter rapacissimospisces numerandos esse ; neque minus conformatio viscerum modum vitae declarat Yentriculussaccus est cutaneus, amplissimus,- totam fere cavitatem abdominis replens; intestinum brevissimum.Hepar simplex, ejusdem fere longitudinis quam ventriculus. Yesica ae'rea maxima. Sic salternres se habent in Erythrino macrodonte in cujus ventriculo specimen baud adeo imperfectumspecie! novae hujus ipsius generis reperi, quod tertiam partem longitudinis illius superah Est baec:

1. ERYTHRINUS SALVUS AGASS.

Oapite brevi, obtusissimo, antide rotundato, i: 4'^ *); lingua angustiore; su-pra, in ossibus intermaxillaribus, et subtusj in parte correspondente mandibulae,\ttrinque tribus dentibus majoribus parum distantibus et inviceni ore clause interspatia intermedia reoipiendis; corpor'e subcompresso.

Hunc piscem in yentriculo Erytbrini macrodontis reperi, caput adhuc intactum, s.quamaevero et radii pinnarum pectoralium, ventralium, dorsalis et analis delapsi erant. Caput supralatissimum antice obtusissime truncatum. Ossa supratemporalia tria, posterius triahgulare majus,angulis rotundatis, medium minimum quadrang-ulare , anterius longius, antice latius, postice inspinam acutam exiens. Maxilla inferior vix superiorem longitudine superans. JDentes in osse ma-xillari superiore conici, minimi et serie unica dispoSiti, anteriores posterioribus^ magnitudine, gra-datfin recedentibus, parum majores ; in ossium. intermaxillarium apice externo nonnulli dentesiisdem maxillae superioris aequales, in parte interna vero marginis eorum •utrinque tres dentesmagni, conici, non adeo inter se distantes, inter bos tamen interdum aliquot minores ; dens inti-mus utriusque ossis intermaxillaris maximus, ambo dentes inter se maxime approximati et oreclause dentibus minutis incumbentes, qui ad sympbysin. ramorum augustorum mandibulae insert!sunt. Dentes mandibulae in ea parte, quae ossibus maxillaribus superioribus et apici externo os-

*) Haec proportio , relationem capitis et corporis indicat, inclusa pinna caudali.

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sium intermaxillarium opposita est, itidem conici, minimi, at in toto ramo ejusdem magnitudineet forma sunt ; anterius in ea parte mandibulae quae corpori ossium intermaxillarium oppositaest, tres dentes majores inserti sunt, quorum exterior utrinque maxtmus; ore clause hi deniesin spaliis intermediis dentium superiorum recipiuntur; ad symphysin ossium mandibulariumutrin-que aliquot dentes minimi. In oss6 palatino et pterygoldeo interno pauci dentes minimi, velulini.Lingua, tenuis, angusta, apice subemargmata, cartilaginea. Longitude totius piscis a rostri apicead apicem pinnae caudalis quater longitudinem capitis (usque ad angulum posteriorem operculi)et dimidiam haLet. Pinna caudalis rotundata, nigro - maculata, radils apice fissis 16 , praeter 4—5utrinque minores minimosque simplices.

In Museo Monacensi specimen mancum in spiritu vini servatur,

Longitudo k".

Habitat cum Erythrino macrodonte in Jlumine 8. Francisci*

2. ERYTHRINUS UNITAENIATUS SPIX M,. xix.

Capite c'rassissimo, latissimo, antice rotundato, i: 45" dentibus maxillaribusmediocribus; ramis mandibulae latioribus; lingua papillosa latissima; corpore teretijapicem caudae versus compresso: squamis in linea lateral! 35, in linea transversainter pinnas ventrales et dorsalem 81

Caput s'upra latissimum , latius quam altius, planum , antice rotundatum; spatnim inter ocu-los diametro orbitae triple fere majus. Oculi paryi omnino laterales, latis ossibus suborbitalibuscincti, quae totas buccas obtegunt; ossa supratemporalia tria, subtrigona, apice obtuso, sursumspectantia. Nares utrinque duae, anteriores tubulosae, supra symphysin ossium intermaxillariumet maxillarium superiorum sitae, posteriores patenles, ovatae. Margo totus ossium maxillarium su>-periorum dentibus conicis minutis, aequalibus obsitus; ad npicem e.xternum ossium intermaxilla-rium dentes majores acuti duo et ad summum apicem irtternum unus itidem caeteris major, in^ter quos utrinque tres dentes minoi'es; in eo loco ossium mandibularium medio ossi intermaxil-lari oppositus est utrinque dens validus, acutus, ore clause dentibus mediis ossis intermaxillarisincumbens; caeteri dentes mandibulae minores, subaequales et a symphysi ad commissuram ma^xillarum usque magnitudine sensim decrescentes. Rami martdibulae latiusculi. Lingua latissima ,apice rbtundata, Carnosa j supra papillosa. Fascia dentium velutinonlm in osse palatino, ptery-goideo interne, pharyngeo inferiore et superioribus. Corpus omnino squamis tectum, teres, caux

dae apicem versus compressum. Linea lateralis notattir poris minoribus in 35 mediis squamismedii lateris per lineam fectissimam dispositis; in linea transversa inter pinnas ventrales et pin-nam dorsalem squamae 8 numerantur. Squamae trunci anterioris illis caudae majores, omneslineis curvis concentricis confertissimis ia parte posteriore squamae crassioribus, in marginem

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ERYTHRINUS. 43

decurrentibus et radiis divergentibus notatae stint. *) Squamae lineae lateralis ptmctum radiatio-nis in media fere squama habent parum posterius ; radii earum undique divergunt et aequaliterdistant; margo anterior subrectus, sinuahls; canalis mucdstis brevis, longitnldinalis, postice poroparyo aperitur; squamae medii dorsi subrotundae, radiis1 lateralibus pauciis ; squama'e lateris supe-rioris maximae subrotuildae, rriargine antico subrecto, eo valde a cae'teris' differuntj cfuod lineaecurvae concentricae in media squama non distinctae sint et pro lllis radii numerosi iti. media squa-ma confluentes rete conferment; squamae caudae pliiribus radiis anterioribus quaiti caeterae gau-dent. Pinna dorsalis radiis la fere aequalibus, primo minimo , vix conspicuo excepto, constat;radii undecim majores articulati fit modo apicem versus fissi sufat: Pihna caudtdis rotundata, ra-diis omnibus articulatis, 16 majoribus apide bis profunde fissiS, et utrinque' 4—5 mlnoribus mini-misque sitnplicibus. Pinna analis radiis 12 arliculatis constat, quorum tres anteriores mirioressimplices , caeteri vero apice fissi stint. Pinnae ventrales radiis articulatis 8 , primo simplici, se-quentibus apice fissis. Pinnae pectorales rotundatae, r'adiis i5 articulads, primo integro , caete-ris bis apice fissis, a secundo ad quintum magnitudine auCtis, et inde decrescentibus constant.Concolor rufo - bruneus, in abdomine dilutior, in medio latere lata fascia longitudinalis nigra;Pinna dorsalis et analis nigro maculatae.

Pinnae pectorales radiis i. i4, ventrales i. 7, analis 3. 9, caudalis 5i 16. 5, dorsalis i. 111

In Museo Monacensi specimen unicum in spiritu vini servaturj longitudine 81"

Habitat in flamine S. Franciscii

3. ERYTHRINUS MACRODON AGASS, Tab, xviif.

Capite supra omnino piano, latissimo, apice subdepresso, i: 4? Hngna latissimadentibus minutissimis aspera; ramis mandibulae latissimis^ dentibus nlaxillarum quammaximis; corpore subcompresso; squamis in linea lateral! 4°j in linea transversainter pinnas ventrales et dorsalem 11.

*) Punotum ex ijuo radii squamae divergunt et quod simul centrum linearnm curvarum conceritricarum est,

pilnctam radiatlonis nominabo, radios vero, qui hinc inde divergunt sequenti modo designabo; illos , quirecta antrorsum tendunt et cum axi longitudinali corporii paralleli sunty anterlores, retrorsum tendenteiposterior/a, in latus versos et cum axi transversali corporis parallelos laterales et quidem lateralcs superio-res et lateraJes inferiores discernens. Radios inter hos intermedios obliques rocabo et quidem oTiliijuos aa-

terioTes et posterior/a, supdriorcs et inferiores.

Has a centre ad peripheriam tendentes lineaj radios a me vocari, nemo mirabitur. Sane dolendurriest, ZoolOgos diversisslmas paries radios vocasse ! Et in brachio radium juxta ulnam, et in pinnia alios

(idque in pectoralibus praeter ilium!) radios, qui minime illi radio sed digitis analogi sunt, nee non inmembrana brancniostega habes plurimosi porro Echini aculeos radios vocant etc. Talis iiegligentia, utalibi, ita et hie Zoologiae universae, imprimis vero anatomiae comparatJTae maximo est detrimento, quod

in. dies augetur.

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Erythrinus Trahira Spix. — Maturaque. Marcgr.? *)

Caput maximum, latissimum, supra omnino planum, cum dorso linea recta continuum; ossupratemporale uhicum 'orato-lanceolatum. Oculi minores omnino in latus versi et inter ne.inajorespatio distanles , quam est duplex diameter orbitae. NareS utrinque duae, anteriores tubulosae,membrana late emergente tegendaej posteriores pyriformes. Mandibulae parum ultra maxillamprominentis rami inferne applanati et adeo dilatati sunt j praecipue pone eorum symphysin, utore clauso eorum partes anteriores sese tangant. Dentes ossium intermaxillarium nee non ante-riores exteriores mandibulae yalidissimi, a latere anteriore compress!, et marginibus externisacutis praediti sunt; ante hos aliquot appendices cutaneae, ut in Uranoscopo scabro; inferiores infossis ossium intermaxillarium recipiuntui*; denies externi ossis palatini et pterygoidei intefni cae-teris velutinis majores ; praeterea denies minutissimi in tola superficie corporis ossis hyoidei. Cor-pus anlice subteres, postice subcompressum, squamis majoribus tectum; linea lateralis rectissimain medio fere corporis latere} allamen polius superior, dislinota, aperturis oblongis squamarummediarum notata; squamae dorsales, caudales et subthoracicae minores illis corporis lateralis; om-nium squamarum lineae curvae concentricae in parte posteriore squamae crassiores et in hunc mar-ginem decurrentes ; squamae in linea lalerali fere rotundae punctum radiationis in media squamaliabent, radii earum praesertim anlice conferti, fere tantum antrorsum et retrorsum tendunt; ca-nalis mucosus sat longus in postica squamae parte foramine oblongo pyriformi aperitur; squamaedorsi et lateris subrotundae, antice obtusiores, radiis anterioribus et posterioribus confertissimis,in media squama, conflucntibus et rele conformantibus dislinctae, radio lateral! unico curvo ; ra-dii squamarum caudae anteriores conferti per tres fascicules dispositi, posteriores pauciores distan-teSj obliquus posterior utrinque xmus. Pinnae dorsalis radii duo anteriores caeteris parum bre-viores, simplices; pinnae caudalis rolundalae radii lalerales simplices, medii apice fissi; pinnaecaudalis anteriores breviores simplices, primus minimus. Pinnae ventrales apice rotundatae, radioprimo caeteris parum breviore simplici; pinnae peCtorales etiam rotundalae, radio priino brevissi-mo, crassiore simplici. Totus piscis fusco-aler , pinnis rufescenlibus, nigro maculalis.

Pinnae peclorales radiis i4, venlrales 8, analis 3. 9, c&udalis 5. 16. 3, dorsalis a. i3.

In Museo Monacensi specimen servatur longitudine 11."

Habitat in lacu Almada Prov. Bahiensis et in fluvio S. Francisci.

4. ERYTHRINUS MICROCEPHALUS AGASS.

Capite supra parum convexo, apice subdepresso, i: 4^5 ramis mandibulaeangustis; denlibus maxillaribus minoribus; lingna angustiore, cartilaginea, edentula;corpore crassissimo, tereti, caudae apicem versus compresso; squamis in Jinea Ja-terali 48, in linea transversa inter pinnas ventrales et pinnam dorsalem 11.

*) Ob majorem affinitatem trium specierum sequenlium et ob imperfectas descriptiones, (juae exstant, sy-nonymia vix determinari potest, ubi originalia specimina descriptionum pristinarum desiderantur. .

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Sy nodus Tareira Schneid?

Caput in hac specie, ratione corporis habita, minus quam in caeteris; supra convexiuscu-lum, a. nucha ad rostri apicem rotundatum, declive. Os supratemporale oblongum, apice ante-riore acuto. Oculi medicares simul in latus et sursum versi, inter se eodem spatio distantes quodest duplex diameter orbitae. Nares utrinque duae, inter se parum distantes, anteriorea tubulosae,posteriores ovatae, patulae. Maxillae subaequales, quum inferior vix ultra superiorem promineat,dentibus mediocribus sunt armatae; mandibulae rami angustiper totam longitudinem convexi sunt,ore clauso inter se majori spatio distant, quam esteorum diameter transversalis. Corpus squamismajusculis tectum, ante pinnas ventrales crassissimum, subteres, caudae apice tantum compresso.Linea, lateralis distinctissima, rectissima, in medio latere longis canalibus in squamis mediis notata.Squamae dorsi, caudae eb subthoracicae caeteris minores; omnes notatae lineis curyis concentricisin parte posteriore non lam crassis quam in specie antecedente attamen in marginem posterioremdecurrentibus. Squamae lineae lateralis postice semicirculares, antice rectae, angulis obtusis,punctum radiationis in suo medio habent; radii earum e reti laxo disci exeunt, anteriores et po-steriores numerosi, laterales pauci retrorsum versi, obliquus anterior utrinque unus distinctior;canalis mucosus breviusculus postice apertura elongata patens ; squamarum dorsi et lateris subro-tundatarum radii anteriores et posteriores confertissimi, e disci reti mediocrilaxo emergentes; squa-marum caudae radii posteriores pauciores , anteriores conferti in duos fascicules dispositi, latera.les plures retrorsum versi, curvi, et non omnes e puncto radiationis prodeuntes, sed quo anterio-res eo margin! propiores et breviores. Pinnae dorsalis radii quatuor anteriores simplices,, grada-tim majores, quintus et sequences longiores anterioribus, et apice fissi. Pinna caudalis rotundata,radii's exterioribus brevioribus simplicibus, mediis apice fissis. Pinna analis brevis radiis tribusanterioribus simplicibuB, brevioribus. Pinnarum ventralium lanceolatarum radius primus caeteriscrassior et ut sequens simplex; pinnarum vero pectoralium acuminatarum radii duo anterioressimplices, sequentibus apice fissis multo breyiores. — Supra fuscescens , in lateribus et infra hi-tescenti-argenteus. Pinnae ventrales, analis et dorsalis nigro -maculatae.

Pinnae pectorales1 radiis 16, ventrales 8, analis 3. 9, caudalis 5. 16. 5, dorsalis 4. 10.

In Museo Monacensi specimen unicum siccum servatur, longitudine i4.''

Habitat in Jluvio Sancti Francisci.

5. ERYTHRINUS BRASILIENSIS SPIX. Tab. xx.Capite supra piano, angustiore, lateraliter compresso, apice rotundato, i: 4-

dentibus maxillarum majoribus, praelongis, acutissimis; lingua acuta, cartilaginea,edentula; ramis mandibulae dilatatis; corpore subcompresso 5 squamis 42 in Hnealaterali, 12 in linea tranaveraa inter.pinnas ventrales et dorsalem pinnam.

Tareira do Rio Marcgr.?Caput supra omnino planum, linea recta cum dorso continuum, angustum, apice rotundatum,

lateraliter compressum. Qs supratemporale superne rectum, inferne rotundatum. Oculi magni,

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4(5 E R Y T H R I N U S . O S T E O G L O S S U M .

omnino in latus spectantes et inter se vix majori spatio distantes quam est diameter orbitae. Na-res utrinque duae, approximatae , anteriores tubulosae, posteriores patulae, rotundae. Maxillainferior parum ultra superiorem prominens ; dentes maxillae utrinque acutissimi, in parte posticamaxillae inferioris et superioris minimi, antice vero majores , graciles, longissimi, minoribus mi-nimisque subalternantibus intermixes ; denies exteriores ossis palatini et pterygoidei interni caete-ris yelutinis majores ; rami mandibulae dilatati, inferne subexplanati, ore clauso inter se parumdistantes j paralleli. Corpus per totam longitudinem subcompressum ; linea lateralis rectissima ,distincta, non prorsus in medio corporis latere, sed potius parum inferior, canaliculis elongatisin mediis squamis notata. Squamae majusculae in lateribus corporis inferioribus, minores in dorsoet sub thorace, omnes notatae lineis curvis concentricis in parte posteriore squamae crassioribus,et in marginem posteriorem decurrentibus; radiis divergentibus paucioribus quam in speciebusanterioribus. Squamae lineae lateralis postico margine hemisphaerico, antico subrecto punctumradiationis in medio habent, radii earum posteriores duo tantum proximS, lateralis utrinque unusparum retrorsum flexus, anteriores plures divergentes; canalis mucosus brevis , poslice sulco admarginem squamae posticum usque producto apertus ; squamae laterales (excepto canali mucoso)iis lineae lateralis consimiles 5 squamae dorsi medii rotundi paucis radiis maxime divergentibusnotatae, quum punctum radiationis in media ipsa squama sit; plures radii in mediis squamis cau-dae confluentes rete conficiunt. Pinnae dorsalis radii tres anteriores simplices, subaequilongi;pinnae caudab's rotundae radii externi simplices, medii apice fissi; pinna analis brevissima, radiisanterioribus simplicibus brevioribus ; pinnarum ventralium radius primus simplex caeteris crassior;pinnae pectorales graciles, radio prim o simplici. — Supra caerulescens, in parte inferiore lutescens jpinnae ventrales, dorsalis, caudalis et analis nigro maculatae.

Pinnae pectorales radiis i3, ventrales 8, analis 2. 6, caudalis, 3. 16. 3. dorsalis 5. 10.

In Museo Monacensi specimen siccum servatur longitudine 8."

Habitat in Peruaguagu.

XIV. OSTEOGLOSSUM VANDELLI. ISCHNOSOMA SPIX.

Caput parvum, compressissimum , omnino nudum ; ossa suborbitalia latissima buccas omninoobtegentia; operculum et praeoperculum latissima, maxima j suboperculum et interoperculum mi-nima extus non conspicienda. Oculi ad rostri apicem. Fossae nasales quatuor naribus patulae.Os amplissimum, maximum, rictu oblique descendente, undique dentibus obsitum. Mandibulaapice cirrhis munita. Ossa intermaxillaria minora partem anteriorem et mediam maxillae superioris

tantum conformant; ossa maxillaria superiora vero angustissimai longissima, totum latus maxillae supe-rioris. Omnia dentibus acutis conicis, paryis approximatis, aequalibus per seriem unicam dispositisarmata sunt. Mandibulae rami. graciles, praelongi eodem modo dentibus armati : ad symphysintantum duplex series dentium, interna retrorsum versorum. Vomer et pars anterior ossis palatini den-tibus acutis confertis obteguntur; pars posterior ossis palatini et os pterygoideum internum intota. superficie dentibus velutinis minimis, confertissimis tecta. Series dentium acutorum majorumin margine interno ossia pterygoidei interni. Ossa pharyngea inferiora paucis dentibus velutinis

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obsita. Lingua apice ILbera, cartilaginea; os linguale in tola superficie dentibus minutis, velutinisconfertissimis obsitum, lateralibus seu marginalibus majoribus acutis. Processus cornei etiam mar-ginis anterioris arcuum branchialium dentibus minutissimis exasperati sunt. Membrana branchio-stega radiis 10. Corpus compressissimum, squamis maximis reticulatis tectum. Abdomen carina-tum. Pinna analis et dorsalis quam maxime retrorsum positae, latissimae, ilia cum caudaliconfluens.

1. OSTEOGLOSSUM BICIRRHOSUM VAND. ™>. xxv.

Cirrhis duobus ad symphysiu ossium mandibula'rium 5 capite, ore clauso, i: 5y^3

ore aperto, ;: k\fi'i corpore compressissimo; cauda parum longiore quam corpususque ad anum; pinais pectoralibus ultra ventrales productis.

Ischnosoma bicirrhosam Spix.

Caput ratione molis corporis habita parvum, supra planum et linea recta cum dorso conti-nuum, lateraliter' compressissimum et quatuor latis ossibus tenuiter granulatis, nempe operculopostice rotundato et cute late emergente postice aucto, praeoperculo trigono et duobus posteriori-bus ossibus suborbitalibus quorum superius tetragonum, inferius trigonum, omnino obtecbum. Ossupratemporale dictum in hoc pisce mera squama, et pluribus sulcis mucosis longitudiualibus,cute laevi obtectis notatum. Oculi magni ad rostri apicem supra ipsum marginem anteriorem os-sis maxillaris superioris. Fossae nasales supra et ante oculos sitae; in illarum fundo plures plicaelongitudinales; apertura ligamento transverso utrinque in duas nares dividitur oblongas, quaruminferior cuticula a ligamento transverso inferne emergente claudi potest. Os amplissimum, obli-quum; ore clauso maxilla inferior non adeo ultra superiorem prominet ; aperto vero cum supe-riore angulum rectum conform&t, ita, ut tota sua longitudine ultra maxillam superiorem promi-neat. Hac re proportio capitis et corporis ore clauso et aperto differt. Os maxillare superiusvix mobile tanquam fascia tenuis tantum in anteriore margine ossium suborbitalium prominet.Rami mandibulae graciles inter se ore clauso non adeo distant, attamen valde dilatari possunt,quum symphysis eorum laxissima et membrana inter ramos ipsos et os hyoides perampla sit. Cirrhiduo breves ad symphysin ossium mandibularium. Membrana branchiostega in statu tranquilloomnino sub praeoperculo et mandibula latet Truncus totus compressissimus, planus ad tertiamposteriorem partem usque parallelus ; caudae apex obtuse conicus; dorsum rotundatum, abdomenvero carinatum. Squamae truncum undique obtegentes maximae, orbiculares fere, crassae, firmis-simae, in superficie externa lineis concentricis confertissimis profunde exaratis neo non rete grosso,in mediis squamis irregulari, ad margines earum regulari, areolis rhomboidalibus, notatae, super-ficie interna laevi reticulata. In squamis lineae lateralis canalis mucosus a margine antico pertotam longitudinem porrigitur et ad marginem posticum sulco oblique parum descendente aperi-tur. Squamae medii lateris maximae; eae vero sub pectore, in parte inferiore caudae et ad ejusapicem multo minores sunt; tres prae caeteris maximae, quae nucham obtegunt et quarum mediamarginea internes ambarum lateralium tegit, sulcis longitudinalibus mucosis notatae sunt, qui cum

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48 OSTEOGLOSSUM. GLOSSODUS.

linea laterali et oum sulcis superfioiei cranii communicant. Linea lateralis distinctissima, apparettanquam sulcus obliquus in apice squamarum , per quas cursum tendit, incipiendo a nucha linearecta ad tertiam inferiorem corporis partem supra anum et inde rectissime ad caudae apicem de-currit. Pinna dorsalis maxime retrorsum posita, et usque ad caudae apicem porrecta, pinnaeanali opposita est, attamen parum posterius quam ilia incipiens, radiis omnibus simplicibus, sub-aequalibus munita. Pinna analis latissima, a medio corpore incipiens, radiis omnibus simplicibuset ab ano ad caudae apicem longitudine semper crescentibus constat; radius primus caeterum mi-nimus vix conspicuus. Conjuncta est cum. pinna caudali, cujus radii- crassiores tantum earn distin-guunt. Pinnae pectorales maximae ultra pinnas ventrales protensae; radio primo longissimo, va-lidissimo , simplici, caeteris apice semel, bis aut ter fissis, brevioribus. Pinnae ventrales in me-dio fere abdomine insertae, radiis, ratione caeterarum pinnarum habits, brevibus, anterioribusduobus longioribus, simplicibus, sequentibus apice fissis. Totus piscis rubescenti-flavus ; posticussquamarum margo laete caerulescens; pinnae flavo • rufescentes.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 7, ventrales 6 , analis 5o , caudalis 6, dorsalis 4s.

In Museo Monacensi specimen unicum egregium in spiritu vini servatur, longitudine 24."

Habitat in Jluvio Amazonum.

XV. GLOSSODUS Cuv.

Caput mediocre, compressum, omnino nudum, in rostrum prominens productum. Oculimagni laterales. Fossae nasales cuticula bis perforata claudendae. Os parvum, arcuatum, subrostri product! apice ; ossa intermaxiUaria majora tantum fere marginem superiorem oris susti-nentia 3 dentibus minimis velutinis 3 confertissimis obsita, sicut mandibula, vomer, etossapalatina;ossa maxillaria superiora minima, apice posteriore dilatata, antrorsum mobilia, minorem tantumpartem marginis lateralis inferioris oris formantia. Lingua parva , angusta, apice acutiuscula , li-bera, edentula; corpus ossis hyoidei in parte antica, os sphaenoideum principale et os pte-rygoideum internum dentibus majoribus tuberculiformibus obsita; pars posterior corporis ossishyoidei, superficies interna arcuum branchialium nee non ossa pharyngea superiora et inferioradentibus velutinis minub'ssimis obsita sunt Membrana branchiostega radiis 12. Corpus subcom-pressum, squamis tenuibus, deciduis tectum; abdomen carinatum sed non serratum. Pinnaegraciles; ad insertionem pinnarum ventralium fini pinnae dorsalis oppositarum squamae nonnullaeretrorsum valde productae.

Unica hue usque species hujus generis nota est, quae quum. male distingueretur, ansampraebuit plures species et genera nominalia seu fictitia condendi, donee illustrissimus Cuvier perlabyrinthum filum praebuerit, atque finem fecerit erroribus.

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G L O S S O D U S . 4g

1 GLOSSODUS FORSKALII AGASS. Tab. XXII. fig. 2. Tab. XXIV. fig. 2.

Capite notato sulco longitudinal! sub octilis, altero in syncipite, i : 4yi; rostroacuto, ultra maxillam superiorem prominente; corpore subcompresso squamis ar-genteis obtecto; squamis rionnullis praelongis ad insertionem pinnarum ventralium 3

82 in linea laterali et 16 in linea transversa inter pinnas ventrales et dorsalemjpinna dorsali et anali squamis facillime deciduis obtectis; pinna caudali furcata.

Argentina glossodonta Forsk. — Albula Plumieri Schneid. — Albula go-ndfhynchus Id. — Esox argenteus Forst. — Butirin banane Commers. Lacep.— Clupee macrocephale Lacep. — Synode renard Lacep. — Esox vulpes Linn.— Engraulis serious Spice. — Engraulis bahiensis Spice, specimen junius, detri-tum, a serico tantum colore pallidiore differt, nam defectus sf/uamarum inpinna dorsali et anali (Tab. XXIf. Jig. 2) incuriose exhibitus est, rudimentdearum in nostro specimine omnino adhuc adsunt. — Plura vide in IYTemoir. duIWus. torn. I. p. 228 et Tom. f. p. 3jii

Caput mediocre, acutum, lateraliter compressuni, supra in occipite latiusculum, antice atte-nuatum, angulis lateralibus acutis ; in medio capite sulcus planiusculus postice dilatatus, anticesupra nares evanescens, et in rostri apice iterum dilatatus, carinis utrinque paullulum prominulislimitatus, longitudinaliter porrigitur. Oculi magni in medio capitis latere siti, inferne latis ossi-bus suborbitalibuSj sulco mucoso longitudinal! notatis, circumdati, os ethmoideum in rostri apicemprominulum productum. Fossae nasales in medio spatio inter oculos et rostri apicem 5 in mar-gine acuto laterali superiore cranii siti j cuticula bis perforata tectae, foramine anteriore multominore cuticula claudendo, posteriore majore semicirculari patulo. Os parvum, inferum, arcua-tum, quam maxime apertum, circulare. Corpus squamis mediocribus, subaequalibus tectum, sub-compressum, abdomen vero compressum carinatum, sed non serratum. Linea lateralis recta, di-stinctissima sub lineae continuae forma apparet. Squamae argenteo, nitentes, omnes ejusdem fere1,structurae et forrriae 3 puncto radiationis in medio instructae; radii tantum duo aut tres an-trorsum divergunt et tot lobulos in margine squamarum antice conformant; lineae curvae concen-tricae'confertissimae tenuissimae antrorsum tantum ad radios obliquos anteriore's usque coritinuan-tur et in segmento anteriore .squamae pro illis lineae confertissimae eodem modo exaratae, quamillae lineae curvae et a puncto-radiationis tanquam radii divergentes. Canalis mucosus in S<JUR.-mis lineae lateralis a puncto radiationis ad ipsum posteriorem squamae marginem usque produci-tun In medio dorso linea longitudinalis squamarum eo irfaxime nlemorabillum, quod in posticomargine appendicibus lanceolatis granulatis imbricatis ante pinnam dorsalem longissimis, pone il-lam brevioribus auctae sunt. Supra insertionem pinnae dorsalis series squamarum per totam pin-nae longitudinem retrorsum producta, trigonarum et in parte inferiore impressarum, unde sulcusefficitur pro recipiendis pinnis pec'toralibuSi Ad insertionem pinnarum ventralium plures squamaevalde retrorsum productae, acutae. Pinna dorsalis in medio dorso j radiis tribus anterioribus sim-

i3

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50 ENGRAULIS.

plicibus, sensim majoribus, quarto brevioribus, et inde longitudine decrescenlibus, radii omnesutrinque serie squamarum margine antico afBxarum obtecti. Pinna caudalis- magna, furcata , lo-bis apice acutis; radiis 17 apice fissis intra duos laterales majores simplices ; praeterea utrinque4—6 simplioes minores minimique. Pinna analis minima, brevis, valde retrorsum posita, radiisut illi pinnae dorsalis, squamatis. Pinnae ventrales mediocres fini fere pinnae dorsalis opposi-tae, radio primo crassiore, simplici, caeteris apice fissis. Pinnae pectorales graciles, radio primocrassiore simplici. Supra coerulescens., inferne fuscescens, regione oplithalmica intense violacea ,totus piscis argenteo nitet.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 18, ventrales 10, analis 8, caudalis 6—7. 17. 6—7, dqrsalis 5. i5.

In Museo Monacensi specimina duo mutila' in spiritu vini servantur , longitudine 5—6 1Jz-'f

Habitat Bahiae.

XVI. ENGRAULIS Guv.

Caput parvum, compressum, omnino nudum; os ethmoideum supra ossa intermaxillaria inrostrum prominens productum. Oculi magni, laterales ad rostri apicem. Fossae nasales cuti-cula bis perforata obtectae. Os amplissimum, maximum, dentibus acutissimis undique armatum;ossa intermaxillaria minima sub osse ethmoideo inserta; ossa maxillaria superiora longissima, la-tera oris omnino circumcludentia et ultra commissuram maxillarum producta; mandibula gracilis,serie simplici dentium majorum minorumque acutissimorum armata ; in vomere et in ossibus pala-tinis elongatissimis denies acuti uniseriati minores, denies velutini in osse pterygoideo interno, inosse hyoideo et in ossibus pharyngeis superioribus et inferioribus, nee non in margine interiorearcuum branchialium. Lingua minima, vix conspicua. Apertura branchialis maxima, major sci-licet quam in ullo alio pisce. Membrana branchiostega radiis 10—-i5. Corpus compressum, squa-mis magnis, facillime deciduis , tenuibus tectum. Abdomen carinatum, sed non serratum. Pinnae

parvae, graciles, ventrales ante dorsalem aut sub ipsius initio insertae.

1. ENGRAULIS GROSSIDENS Cuv. in ntt. Tab. xxiv. fi&. a.

Capite brevi, angusto compresso, i : 5; rostro acute, mediocriter ultra maxil-lam superiorem prominulo; dentibus mandibulae lateralibus maximis; corpore com-presso, latiore quam caput longum est; pinnae dorsalis fine initio pinnae analis lon-gissimae opposita; ad insertionem pinnae pectoralis squama longissima retrorsumproducta.

Engraulis Janeiro Spix.

Caput breye, angustum, compressum, quintam corporis partem, inclusa pinna caudali,aequans; supra carina media per totam longitudinem prominens, praeter hanc utrinque cdtera a

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ENGRAULIS. 51

margine superiore orbitae ad occiput usque protensa. Rostrum acutum, compressissimum parumultra maxillam prominens. Oculi permagni tohun spatium inter maxillam superiorem et crariiimarginem lateralem occupant, et ad mediam maxillam superiorem usque protensi sunt. Naresante et supra oculos rimaeformes , obliquae, sursum versae. Dentes mandibulae laterales maxi-mae, inter se distantes. Corpus compressum, squamis maximis, tenuissimis, facillime deciduistectum, abdomen compressissimum, carinatum, sed non serratum. Squamae omnes tenuissimae,papyraceae, lineis curvis concentricis confertissimis, tenuissimis, notatae, nee non reti laxo irre-gulari multo magis exarato quam illae lineae curvae; squamae elongatae inter pinnas pectoraleset altera longissima, acutissima supra earum inaertionem; series squamarum minorum ad insertio-nem pinnae analis et dorsalis. Pinna dorsab's basi squamulis obducta ; radii's anterioribus simplici-

bus, brevioribus, caeteris apice fissis. Pinna caudalis magna, furcata, inter majores radios late-rales simplices, 17 apice fissi exstant, praeter 4 simplices minores minimosque utrinqiie laterales.Pinna analis longissima radiis anterioribus simplicibus. Pinnae ventrales parvae in medio abdo-mine insertae, radio primo simplici; pinnae pectorales mediocres radio primo simplici caeteriemulto majore. Dorsum coeruleum, latus et abdomen aureum; pinnae rubro - flavescentes,

Pinnae pectorales radiis i4, ventrales 7, analis 3. 21, caudalis 5, 17. 5, dorsalis 3. 12.

In Museo Monacensi specimina duo mutfla in spiritu vini servantur, longitudine 6"

Habitat in Rio de Janeiro.

2. ENGRAULIS TRICOLOR AGASS. Tab. xxin. % ..

Capite mediocri, latiuaculo, i: 4yi j rostro margine ultra maxillam superioremprominulo; dentibus omnibus minutissimis; corpore compresso latitudine longitudinemcapilis subaequante; pinna dorsali opposita spatio inter pinnas ventrales et pinnamanalem.

Engravlis Piquitinga Spix. — non Piqnitinga Marcgr, 5 cpi nnllo modoad genus Engraulis referri potest.

Gaput compressum mediocre, latiusculum, quartam et dimidiam corporis partem, inclusapinna caudal!, aequans, antice in rostrum compressissimum ^ acutissimum , valde ultra maxillamsuperiorem prominens productum, supra in medio yertice et utrinque ad ejus marginem latera-lem carinae longitudinales ad occiput usque productae. Oculi magni laterales ad mediam maxil-lam superiorem usque extensi sunt. Nares ante et supra oculos, sursum versae, utrinque duae:anteriores rimaeformes, cuticula claudendae; posteriores ovatae, patulae. Dentes omnes minutis-simi, confertissimi. Corpus compressum, aeque fere latum quam caput longum est ct squamismagnis facillime deciduis obtectum; nam in duobus speciminibus, 2 \f^ — 3" longis, quae inMuseo Monacensi in spiritu vini servantur, ne unica quidem squama adhuc superest. Pinna dor-ealis radiis duobus anterioribus simplicibus, opposita est spatio inter pinnas ventrales et pinnamanalem. Pinna caudalis magna furcata; inter 6—7 radios utrinque laterales simplices, sensim

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52 CL/UPEA.

majores, 17 apice fissi exstanti Pinna analis lata -radiis anterioribus simplicibus. Pinnae ventraleset pectorales minores, graciles, radio primo simplici caeteris vix crassiorei Latera capitis omninoargenteo-resplendentia; dorsum caeruleum, in medio latere lata fascia argenteo-aurea, al> oper-culo ad pinnae cau'dalis insertionem producta 5 latus inferius et abdomen rubro - lutescens; pinnaedilute flavido-fuscae.

Pinnae pectorales radiis la , ventrales 7. analis a. 18. caudalis 6—7, 17. 6—7, dorsalis 2. 10.

Habitat Bahiae et Paraet

XVIII. CLUPEA LINN.- Guv.

Caput compression, omnino nudum, Oculi magni, laterales, membrana nictitante satis emer-gente praediti. Os mediocre, subovale, nunc edentulum, nunc dentibus minimis aculis in ossi-1

bus maxillaribus et in osse hyoideo armatum. Palatum edentulum. Ossa intermaxillaria parvamedium labium superius occupant ; maxiUaria superiora magna, lateraliter os circumcludentia, &r-

cuata , retrorsum flexa, et in plures lamellas divisa. Processus magni longissimi, cornei pro den-tibus, ut in Hypophlhalmo, in margine interrio arcuuni .brahchialium. Apertura branchialis quam

maxima. Membrana branchiostega radiis 7. Corpus compressissimum squamis deciduis, tenuissi-mis tectum; abdomen carinatum serratumque. Hae serraturae abdominis sunt apices inferioresemergentes apparatus ossei omnino proprii sterno analogi. Pinnae pectorales et yentrales par-y.ie , bae dorsali oppositae^

Hocoe genus in tria subgenera dividitur i

1°. CLUPEA, sensu strictiori.

Os dentibus armatum. Nulli prae caeteris elongati radii pinnarum. — Cujus subgenerisspecies novas nullas habemus.

2°, CLUPANODON LACEP.

Os edentulum. Nulli radii pinnarum prae caeteris elonga(i.

1. CLUPANODON AUREUS SPIX. Tab. XXL

Gapite compressissimo, maximo, ore aperto i : 3y^, carina in medio supraVix emergente, altera titrinque in verlicis latere exteriore antice et postice conver-gente, notato; corpore compressissimo, latiore quam caput longum, squamis minori-bus, confertissimis obducto; squamis elongatissimis ad insertionem pinnarum pecto-ralium, aliis minus elongatis ad illam pinnarum ventralium; pinnis ventralibus initiopinnae dorsalis oppositis-, pinna caudal! furoata.

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C L U P A N O D O N , MEOALOPS. 53

Clapea gasterostea M~as. berolini (secundum clarissimi Wiegrndnn^) —Clapea Menada Mitchill?

Gaput maximum, compressissimum, in rostrum truncatum exiens, supra gibbum, carinistribus notatum, media latiore, obtusiore, lateralibus in occipite confluenlibus et pone nares con-vergentibus. Labium superius in medio inter ossa intermaxillaria, profunde incisum; nlandibula,ore clause vix, ore1 aperto valde ultra maxtilam superiorem prominens. Os magnum. Lingua mi-nima, rotundatai Processus cornei arcuum branchialium adeo prolongati in hac specie utore. aperto extus visibiles sink Oculi magni laterales supra commissuram mandibularum ad mar-ginem capitis lateralis superiorem, antice et postice cuticula late emergente obducti sunti Fossaenasales in summo capite in medio spatio.inter oculos et rostri apicem cuticula bis perforata ob-tectae ; foramine anteriore minimo, cuticula cooperto , posteriore magno pyriformi patente. Cor-pus compressissimum squamis minoribus confertissimis 5 facile deciduis obtectum; linea lateralisnulla. Squamae omnes tenuissimae, papyraceae, instructae lineis curvis concentricis tenuissimis, vixconspicuis, squamae vero trunci posterioris radiis nonnullis irregulariter divergentibus notatae; squa-mae medii dorsi caeteris minores et in margine posteriore profunde ciliatae sunt, laterales majo-res in margine posteriore lobulis minutis praeditae; squamae abdominales et caudales marginibusintegris; squamae lanceolatae acutissimae, longissimae supra insertionem pinnarum pectoraliumultra, medias pinnas productae-; ad insertionem pinnarum ventralium ejusdem indolis squamae , sedminus prolongatae exstant; squamulae ad basin radiorum pinnae analis. Pinna dorsalis brevis ,parum elevata , radiia apice tantum 3 sed pluries fissis j tribus anterioribus simplicibus brevioribusiPinna caudalis furcata radiis interioribus profunde et multifariam fissis, exterioribus simplicibussensim minoribus minimisque. Pinna analis longior, parum alta, radiis anterioribus simplicibustribus3 caeteris apice fissis. Pinnae ventrales breves, minimae, imtio pinnae dorsalis oppositae t

radio antico simplici, caeteris apice tantum fissis; pectorales longiores, acummatae, triangulares jradio primo simplici longissimo. Dorsum Coeruleo - virescens , latera et abdomen aurea, operc'U'-lum aureo- argenteum, pone angulum operculi superiorem. macula rotunda, nigra 5 pinnae rubro-

fuscae.

Pinna pectoralis radiis i5 , ventralis 7, analis 3. 20, caudalis 9—10. 17. 9—103 dorsalis

3. 16.

In Museo Monacerisi specimina duo egregia in spiritu vini servantur ; longitudine 8/'

Habitat Bahiae et alibi in ora Brasiliae orientaU.

3. MEGALOPS LACEP.

Os edentulum. Radius posticus pinnae dorsalis maxime elongatus.

i4

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54 MEGALOPS.

1, MEGALOPS THRISSOIDES AGASS. Tab. xm

Capite compressissimo, parvo, i: 5y^, supra carinis lateralibus antice et po-stice convergentibus et rhombum conformantibus, ex ejus medio carina antrorsumrecta emergente; ore minimo; corpore compressissimo 5 i[fz latiore quam caputIonium; squamis majoribus, ad insertionem pinnarum pectoralium impressis etfoasulam conformantibus pro recipiendis pinnis retrorsum positis; pinna caudali pro-funde furcata; radio ultimo pinnae dorsalis ultra duplo longiore quam radiusquartus.

Clapanodon thrissoides Spix. Megalops tenaifilis CUD. Msc. in Hit.

Caput parvum, valde compressum, inferne carinatum, supra angustum, a medio antrorsumcarina media latiore notatum , lateraliter carinis antice et postice convergentibus et spatium con-cavum rhombiforme ambientibus. Os minimum, rotundum; maxilla inferior ore aperto promi-nens; lingua acuta, parva. Oculi magni, laterales, supra ct pone commissuram maxillarum, admarginem superiorem capitis lateralis, antice et postice cute quam maxime emergente obtecti. Fos-sae nasales in summo capite in medio spatio inter oculos et rostri apicem; cuticula bis perforataobtectae, foraminibus anterioribus minimis, posterioribus rimaeformibus, obliquis, patentibus.Corpus compressissimum, latum, squamis majoribus deciduis obtectum ; linea lateralis nulla. Squa-mae omnes tenuissimae, papyraccae, notatae lineis curvis concentricis confertissimis et praeterillas medii dorsi omnes linea exarata transversa in mediis squamis, in squamis caudae tales lineaeplures inter se sab distantes; squamae laterales caeleris majores, nuchae anteriores duae magnae ,connatae et sculptura dendromorpha notatae; ad insertionem pinnarum pectoralium squamae inmedio impressae et fossulam conformantes pro recipiendis pinnis ipsis retropositis; squamae elon-gatae ad insertionem pinnarum yentralium ; aliae minores ad basin radiorum pinnae dorsalis. Pinnadorsalis brevis antice multo altior quam postice radii's 4 anterioribus minoribus, simplicibus, sequen-tibus apice tantum fissis ; ultimus radius quartura plus quam duplo superans, simplex, articulatus,basi crassior, apice tenuissimus. Pinnae caudalis radii medii profunde et multifariam fissi, lateralessimplices sensim minores, minimique. Pinnae analis radii brevissimi, anteriores simplices, tan-'tum postici parum longiores apice fissi. Pinnae ventrales parvae, mediae dorsali oppositae, radioprimo simplici, caeteris apice tantum multifariam fissis. Pinnae pectorales acutae, radio primolongissimo, simplici, crassiore, caeteris apice tantum fissis. Color supra coeruleus, lalera et ab-domen aurea , operculum argenteum; pinnae impares rubro - coerulescentes , pares rubentes.

Pinnae pectorales radii's 16, ventrales 7, analis 20. 4 , caudalis 5—6. 17. 5—6, dorsalis4. 16. i.

In Museo Monacensi specimina tria in spiritu vini servantur; longitudine 5—7".

Habitat Bahiae*

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PRISTIGASTER. 55

XVIII. PRISTIGASTER Cuv.

Caput parvum, compressum, omnino nudum. Oculi maximi, laterales. Nares simplices sur-sum spectantes. Os parvum sursum spectans. Ossa intermaxillaria, quam in Clupeis veris majora,medium labium superius omnino occupant; ossa maxillaria superiora magna retrorsum arcuata,e tribus lamellis constantia, ultra commissuram maxillarum extenduntur; mandibula prominens,processibus coronoideis valde elevatis. Dentes minutissimi, acuti in margine ossium intermaxilla-rium et maxillarium superiorum sed tantum in parte inferiore retrorsum arcuata, in. ossibus man-dibularibus ad eorum symphysin, in vomere, in ossibus palatinis, pterygoideis internis et in ossehyoideo. Lingua carnosa, rotundata, apice libera. Apertura branchialis magna. Membranabranchiostega radiis 5 tenuibus, papyraceis, latis. Corpus squamis magnis facillime deciduis tec-turn, compressissimum, suborbiculare, versus caudae apicem attenuatum. Abdomen sustentaturapparatu omnino proprio costarum longissimarum, sterni speciem referendum; hae costae sterna-les in parte infera utrinque inter se junguntur in spinas acutissimas retrorsum versas, et illammemorabilem, Clupeis, Serrasalmis etc. propriam serram abdominalem conformant. Pinnae ven-trales nullae *), pinna analis latissima.

1. PRISTIGASTER MARTII AGASS. Tab. xxiv. a.

Capite supra utrinque carina laterali acuta notato, i: k\fi'-> operculo posticebis emargiuato; nucha recta declivi carinata, spinulis vix emergentibus armata;dorso angusto rotundato; corpore compressissimo, aquamis magnis abdomen versussensim majoribus, facillime deciduis tecto; linea laterali nulla; pinna caudali par-va, aequiloba, furcata; pinna anali non prorsus ad pinnam caudalem usque producta.

Caput lateraliter compressissimum, supra angustum, carinis lateralibus antice inter nares con-vergentibus notatum. Oculi maximi medium capitis latus occupant. Nares rotundatae in mediospatio inter oculos et maxillam superiorem, sursum spectantes, et ad latus carinae verticalis sitae.Margo posticus operculi bis emarginatus. Os parrum arcuatum, apertum subquadrangulum ; ma-xilla inferior prominens, maxime ore aperto. Corpus compressissimum, latissimum, suborbicu-lare, caudae apicem versus attenuatum, squamis obtectum magnis facillime deciduis, abdomen versusseusirn majoribus, tenuibus, papyraceis, lineis curvis concentricis tenuissimis notatis; linea lateralisnulla. Carina abdominis acutissima, profunde serrata, spinis postice sensim majoribus, retrorsumversis. Nucha carinata, linea recta ad initium pinnae dorsalis adscendens, spinulis vix emergen-tibus 6 inter se distantibus armata; dorsum pone pinnam dorsalem angustissimum, subrotundatum.

*) Hie optime videre licet, quid valeat ilia piacium classificatio ex pinnis desumta, cjuidipe eveniret, si quij,nulla alia habita ratione, mechanice quasi, earn vellet sequi; neque minus patet, autores, quamvis forsaninscii, secundum alias, praeter illam, notas characteristicas similes similiius conjunxisse. Ejusmodi exem-pla permultain Zoologia exatant. — Jam enim Pristigasterera Clupeis valde affinem ease luce clarini est.

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5(3 PPJSTIGASTER. S A L M O N E S .

Pinna dorsalis fini pinnarurn pectoralium retrorsum versarum opposita , radii's tribus anterioribusbrevibus simplicibus, caeteris apice tantum fissis et magnitudihe sensim decrescentibus. Pinna

caudalis parra, furcata, aequiloba, radiis mediis apice fissis , lateralibus sensim minoribus mini-rnisque simplioibus. Pinna analis, latissima, tamen non prorsus usque ad pinnam caudalem por-rectaj radiis simplicibus, apice filamentosisi Pinnae pectorales acutae3 longae j radio primo sim-plicij crassiore^ longissimo caeteris apice tantum fissis, sensim minoribus. Pinnae ventrales nullae.Supra coerulescens , latera et abdomen argenteo nitentiai

Pinnae pectorales radiis aa , analis 48, caudalis 5—6. 17. 5—6, dorsalis 5. 12.

In Museo Monacensi specimen unicum in spiritu vini conservatur , longitudine 5".

Habitat in ostiis Jlamirds Amazormm.

Differt haec species aPristigastre argenteo, quern illustrissimus Cuvier in P«.egn. anim. Vol. k.t. X. f. 5 delineandum curavit, quern vero ipse in natura non vidi: spinulis nuchalibus vix pro-minentibus , magis distantibus 3 dorso non gibbo ; pinna dorsali latiore; pinna caudali minpre,regulari, aequiloba; pinna anali non adeo retrorsum porrecta ; linea laterali nulla; opercult) po-stice bis profunfle emarginato ; squamis lateris inferioris et abdominalibus multo majoribus quamsunt reliquae.

FAMILIA IV. SALMONES Ctiv.

Diagnosis. Caput aut omniiio nudum, aut scutis osseistectum, nunquam squamatuna. Maxillae superioris mediumossibus intermaxillaribus non protractiliLus, latera vero os-sibus maxillaribus superioribus conformantur. Dentes autiiulli, aut molares,, multicuspides, aut acuti majores rnino-resve,, nunc solitarii nunc per plures series dispositi. Corpussemper squamatum. Pinnae dorsales duae, anterior radiata.,posterior minima adiposa.

Descriptio. Caput majus minusve, rotundatum, cylindricum, autcompressum, longius aut Lrevius. Os in apice rostri nunc parvum, nuncmaximum. Ossa intermaxillaria semper raedium labium superius, nuncmajore, nunc minore ex parte occupant, in eodem arcusitacum ossibus

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SALMONES. 57

maxillaribus superioribus, quae aut minima oblique supra commissurammaxillarum jacent, aut maxima totam lateralem oris partem sustinent.Dentes in aliis generibus omnino nulli, in aliis minutissimi et paucisoris ossibus inserti, in aliis maximi, acutissimi solitarii aut velutini perunicam aut plures series in omnibus, oris ossibus. in aliis vero crassi,molares, multicuspides. Operculum magnum mobile. Apertura branchia-lis magna. Corpus semper squamis majoribus aut minoribus ob.tectum,formamaxime varians; alii pisces scilicet teretes, autsubcompressi, elon-gati, alii compressissimi, breves. In nonnullis abdomen carinatum, ser-ratumque ut in Glupeoideis nonnullis.

Faux ampla; ventriculus magnus, cutaneus; intestinumbreve; appen-dices pyloricae plures; vesica aerea magna in faucem aperta.

Pisces in gen ere rapaces, agiles, validi, ob carnem delicatam aestu-mati insidiis bominum exercentur, ut dicas, ipsos in alios vix impunesaevire. Plurimae species in fluviis vitam degunt, aliae vero in _mari ettempore faecundationis in fiuvios adscendunt ova ibidem depositurae. In-ter omnes pisces pauci sunt, qui aquas habitent altiorum montium quamSalmones.

C O N S P E C T U S G E N E R U M .

XIX. ANODUS SPIX.

Caput mediocre, supra rotundatum, lateraliter subcompressum. Oculi magnilaterales. Os parvum, transversum. Dentes nulli. Ossa intermaxillaria magna,totum labium superius sustinentia; maxillaria superiora minima, lateralia; mandibulaprominens. Lingua, apice libera. Membrana branchiostega radiis 5. Corpus squa-mis minimis obtectum, elong-atum, subteres, lateraliter subcompressum. Pinnaemediocres.

XX. PROCHILODUS AGASS.

Caput parvum, crassum, latum. Oculi magni laterales. Os parvum in summorostri apice, labio latissimo, carnoso, emergente omnino circumdatum. Dentes mi-nutissimi, apice introrsum flexi in ipso margine labii carnosi. Ossa intermaxillaria

i5

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58 SA.LIYTONES.

cb maxillaria superiora minima in labii substantia recondita. Lingua nulla. Mem-brana branchiosteg-a radiis 4 latis, Corpus compressum, latum; squamis magnisduris obtectum. Pinnae medicares.

XXI. LEPORINUS SPIX.

Caput parvum supra lalum, lateraliter compressum. Oculi magni laterales. Osparvum, labiis crassissimis carnosis circumdatum. Denies incisivi, elongati, acutiin ossibus intermaxillaribus magnis, totum labium superius sustinentibus et in man-dibula; dentes interni prae caeteris antrorsum versi, prominentes; ossa maxillariasuperiora minima latcralia. Lingua nulla. Membrana branchiostega radiis 4 brevi-bus. Corpus squamis sat magnis obductum, elongatum, teretiusculum, lateralitersubcompressum. Pinnae mediocres.

XXII. SCHIZODON AGASS.

Caput parvum, latissimum, depressum. Oculi magni laterales. Os parvum,rotundatum; dentes latissimi, apice crenati, incisivi in ossibus intermaxillaribus la-tissimis. totum labium superius sustinentibus et in mandibula prominente. Ossa ma-xillaria superiora minima lateralia. Lingua minima. Membrana branchiostega ra-diis 4 latis. Corpus subteres, elongatum, squamis magnis duris obductum. Pinnaemediocres.

XXIII. CHALCEUS Cuv.

Caput mediocre, supra latum, lateraliter subcompressum. Oculi magni, latera-les. Os mediocre, transversum, apertum, quadratum; mandibula prominens. Den-tes acuti, minutissimi in parvis ossibus maxillaribus lateralibus et in serie anterioreossium intermaxillarium totum labium superius in medio sustinentium ; in mandibu-la et in serie posteriore ossium intermaxillarium, dentes maximi, nralti cusp ides,cuspide medio major!, magis prominente. Lingua papillosa. Membrana branchio-stega radiis 4 gracilibus. Corpus latum, compressum, squamis magnis obductum.Pinnae mediocres, analis latissima.

XXIV. TETRAGONOPTERUS Cuv.

Caput minimum, lateraliter compressum. Oculi maximi, laterales. Os satmagnum, apertum quadratum: mandibula prominens. Dentes magni cuspidati, apice

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serrati in mandibulae parte anteriore, et in duabus seriebus in latis ossibus inter-maxillaribus totum marginem superiorem oris conformantibus; ossa maxillaria supe-riora p.arva retrorsuna subarcuata, lateralia, dentibus minutissimis, ut in parte po-steriore ramorum mandibulae, armata. Lingua apice libera. Membrana branchio-stega radiis 4 latis. Corpus squamis magnis tectum, compressissimum, latissimum.Pinnae mediocres, analis latissima.

XXV. SERRASALMO LACEP. Guv.

Caput magnum, lateraliter compressum. Oculi magni, laterales. Os amplum,armatum, transversunii Dentes maximi, acutissimi, latissimi per seriem simplicemin mandibula prominente, et in maximis ossibus intermaxillaribus totum oris supe-riorem marginem conformantibus. Ossa maxillaria superiora minima ad commissu-ram maxillarum transversa. Lingua apice libera. Membrana branchi.ostega radiis4 latis. Corpus compressissimum, latissimum, squamis minimis o'bductum; abdomencarinatum serratumque. Pinnae mediocres, dorsalis latior, analis latissima.

XXVI. MYLETES Cuv.

Caput magnum, compressum. Oculi magni, laterales. Os magnum, transver-sum; apertum quadratum. Dentes maximi, crassi, molares per seriem simplicemin mandibula, per duplicem in ossibus intermaxillaribus maximis totum marginemsuperiorem oris conformantibus; ossa maxillaria superiora minima, ad commissurammaxillarum perpendicularia. Lingua lata, apice libera. Membrana branchiostega ra-diis 5 tenuibus. Corpus compressissimum, latissimum. squamis minimis obductum 5abdomen carinatum serratumque. Pinnae mediocres, analis maxima.

XXVII. RHAPHIODON AGASS.

Caput parvum, compressissimum. Oculi magni laterales. Os maximum, obli-que descendens. Dentes validissimi , acutissimi, cum minoribus alternantes, in os-sibus intermaxillaribus minoribus marginem tantum anteriorem maxillae superiorisconformantibus et in mandibula: ossa maxillaria superiora longa, angusta, lateraliadentibus minoribus obsita. Lingua magna, prominens, apice libera. Apertura bran-chialis maxima. Membrana brancbiostega radiis 4 gracilibus. Corpus elongatum,compressum, squamis parvis obductum; abdomen acute carinatum sed non serratum.Pinnae pectorales magnae, ventrales parvae, analis latissima.

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XXVIII. XIPHOSTOMA SPIX.

Caput longissimum, acuminatum, tenue, subteres. Oculi minores, Idterales.Os quam maximum, longissimum, transversum armatum denlibus minutissimis3 con-fertissimis acutis in toto suo margine, id est, in longissimis ossibus intermaxilla-ribus, quae totum oris marginem superiorem conformant, nee non in mandibula;ossa maxillaria superiora minima, perpendicularia ad commissuram maxillarum.Lingua magna, lata, apice libera. Membrana branchiostega radiis 4 gracilibus.Corpus elongatum, teres, squamis mediocribus duris obductum. Pinnae ventralesparvao, dorsalis pone ventrales, caudalis magna.

XXIX. SAURUS Guv.

Caput squamatum, acutum, mediocre, subdepressum. Oculi mediocres, late-rales. Os maximum, transversum dentibus acutissimis, confertissimis, per pluresseries dispositis in mandibula, maxilla superiore, in ossibus palatinis, pterygoideissuperioribus et inferioribus, nee non in ossis hyoidis corpore. Lingua omninodentibus obsita, acuta. Membrana branchiostega radiis iS—18 gracilibus. Corpuselongatum, teres, squamis ir.agnis obtectum. Pinnae mediocres; ventrales elon-

XIX. ANODUS SPIX. CURIMATES z. CUV.

Caput omnino nudum pro corporis mole mediocre, subcompressum, supra latiusculum, ro-lundalum. Fossae nasales sursum spectantes cuticula bis perforata obtectae , foramine posterioremajore. Oculi magni, laterales; eorum bulbus membrana nictitante late emergente partim ob-tectus est. Os paryum, in summo capitis apice, transversum, dentibus omnino destitutum. Ossainlermaxillaria magna totum labium superius sustinent; ossa maxillaria superiora minima ante com-missuram maxillarum, lateralem tantum parvamque oris rictus partem concludentia. Mandibula pa-rum prominens, Arcus branchiales in margine interno pro dentibus processibus longis cornels,ut Clupeae 7 armati. Lingua latiuscula, apice libera. Apertura brancbialis sat magna. Membranabranchiostega radiis 5. Corpus squamis minimis omnino obtectum, elongatum, subteres , laterali-ter subcompressum. Pinnae omnes mediocres 5 ventrales mediae dorsali, adiposa fini analis oppo-svtae. Huic generi, praeter noslras species novas, sequentes, ut omnino vero simile videtur, ad-numerandae sunt: Curimatus Amazonum Humboldt. — Curimatus taeniurus Valenc. — Salmoedentulus Bloch.

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1. ANODUS ELONGATUS SPIX. Tab. XL.Capite elongate, subang-usto, lateraliter compresso, i: 4J/4.J maxilla inferiore

sub oculis articulante ultra superiorem parum prominente; corpore gracili, elon-g-ato, subtereti, lateraliter parum compresso, abdomine rotundato; humero suprapinnarum pectoralium insertionem retrorsum producto; ad insertionem pinnarumventralium so^iamis valde retrorsum protensis.

Gaput elongatum, acutum, supra rotundatum, linea subarcuata, fere recta cum dorso conti-

nuum, lateraliter compressum, ultra quartam corporis partem, pinna caudali inclusa, aequans.Mandibula longissima sub oculis articulans, antice acuta, et parum ultra maxillam superioremprominens. Oculi magni, at cute crassiore undique ita circumdati sunt ut minores videantur.Nares sursum et antrorsum spectantes supra apicem superiorem ossium maxillarium utrinque duae,anteriores minores, rotundatae, patulae, posteriores majores oblongo-pyriformes , cuticula clau-dendae. Operculum elongatum, maximum; apertura branchialis major quam in specie sequente.Corpus omnino squamatum, elongatum, gracile, subteres quum dorsum et abdomen rotunda-tum et piscis tantum a latere sabcompressus sit. Humerus supra insertionem pinnarum.pcctora-lium in processum sat acutum extus squamatum producitur. Squamae omnes tenuissimae, mini-mae, papyraceae, lineis curvis concentricis in mediis squamis confertissimis, ad margines vero la-xioribus, et radii's nonnullis vix conspicuis irregularibus in squamarum parte posteriore , notatae;squamae lineae lateralis a margine antico ad medium sulco, inde ad marginem posteriorem canalimucoso, apertura minima rotunda aperto, insignes. Squamae maxime retrorsum productae adinsertionem pinnarum ventralium. Linea lateralis distincta, ab angulo operculi posteriore ad cau-dae apicem recta. Pinna dorsalis anterior radiis duobus anterioribus simplicibus, primo multo mi-nori, sequentibus apice tantum fissis sensim longitudine decrescentibus; omnibus utrinque cuteextus emergente auctis. Pinna adiposa apice fimljriata. Pinna caudalis elongata, profunde furcata,radiis interioribus 17 profunde pluries fissis, exterioribus simplicibus , sensim magnitudine decres-centibus. Pinna analis parva radiis anterioribus simplicibus, primo minimo, extus vix conspicuo,sequentibus apice tantum fissis. Pinnae ventrales acutangulae, radio primo simplici , caeteris a

medio inde fissis. Pinnae pectorales parvae acutae, radio primo simplici, sequentibus magnitudinesensim decrescentibus apice tantum fissis. Dorsum virescens, caeterum totus piscis aureus.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 18, ventrales 11, analis 3. 9, caudalis 5. 17. 5, dorsalis 2. 10.

In Museo Monacensi specimen pulcherrimum in spiritu vini servatur , longitudine 8^."

Habitat in Brasiliae Jluviis.

iG

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2. ANODUS LATIOR SPIX Tab. XLI.Capite latiore, crassiore, supra lato, i : 4 j maxilla inferiore ante oculos arti-

culante ultra superiorem parum prominente; corpore lato, latiore quam caput Ion-gum, compresso, abdomine acute carinato non serrato; humero supra insertionempirmarum pectoralium vix prolongato; squamis ad insertionem 'pinnarum pectora-lium minus retrorsum productis quam in specie anteriore.

Caput mediocre, crassum, supra latissimum, lateraliter vero et praesertitn inferne compres-sum, quartam longitudinis corporis partem, inolusa pinna caudali, aequans ; mandibula brevis anteoculos articularis, attamen antice parum ultra maxfllam superiorem prominens. Oculi magni to-tum fere latus capitis anterius occupantes. Nares utrinque duae, in medio spatio inter oculos etmaxillae superioris apicem sitae, inter se minime distantes, anteriores minores ovatae, patulae,posteriores majores semilunares, rimaeformes, cuticula obtegendae. Operculum latum, postice ro-tundatum. Corpus latiusculum , lateraliter compressum, omnino squamis minimis obductum ; dor-sum ante pinnam dorsalem subcarinatum pone illam vero rotundatum ; latus compressum j abdo-men arcuatum, acute carinatum, sed non serratum. Humerus supra pinnarum pectoralium inser-tionem parum retrorsum prominens, rotundatus. Squamae omnes parvae, graciles , crassiores ta-men quam inAnodo elongate, suborbiculares, lineis curvis concentricis confertissimis notatae , marginepostico ciliato-lobatae; squamae lineae lateralis ejusdem idolis quam caeterae, excepto eo, quodper totam longitudinem canali mucoso, in margine postico foramine minimo rotundo aperto, nota-tae sunt. Nonnullae squamae elongatae ad insertionem pinnarum yentralium. Linea lateralis di-stincta, ab angulo superiore operculi ad caudae apicem recta. Pinna dorsalis anterior radii's an-terioribus simplicibus, primo minimo extus vix conspicuo, sequentibus longitudine sensim decres-tentibus a medio inde bis fissis, omnibus extus cute emergente auctis. Pinna adiposa apice fimbri-ata, retrorsum arcuata. Pinna caudalis lata, furcata, radiis interioribus multifariam fissis, exterioribus

simplicibus longitudine statim decrescentibus minoribus minimisque, simplicibus. Pinna analis valderetroposita, latior quam in specie praecedente, radiis anterioribus simplicibus, sequentibus apice fis-sis. Pinnae ventrales pectoralibus minores radio primo simplici, caeteris pluries fissis.-Pinnae pecto-rales graciles radio primo, caeteris fissis, crassiore. Dorsum virescens, caeterum totus piscis aureus.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 18, ventrales 9, anab's 5. 12, caudalis 5. 17. 5, dorsalis anterior 3. 9.

In Museo Monacensi specimen in spiritu vini seryatur, longitudine 6".

Habitat in Brasiliae aec/ualoriaUs fluviis.

XX. PROCHILODUS *) AGASS. _ CURIMATES i. Cuv.-PAcu SPIX.

Caput, ralione corporis habita, parvutn, supra vero latissimum, incrassatum. Oculi magni,in medio capitis latere siti. Fossae nasales cuticula bis perforata obtectae. Os parvum, sed.mirae conformation's; ossa intermaxillaria parva labium superius in medio, ossa maxillaria

*) icpoyiiiXov labium, dSoOf dens.

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ut iUa valde mobilia in parte lateral! sustinent, ad eomm conjunctionem duae utrinque fossaemucosae; os dentale mandibulae transversum rectum sub angulo recto cum osse coronoideo arti-culans, unde maxilla inferior yalde mobilis. Haec ossa omnia intermaxillaria, maxfllaria superioraet ossa dentalia mandibulae labio cutaneo late emergente circumdata et inter se connexa sunt; quodvero maxime memorabfle est, hocce labium circulare in toto ambitus margine externo dentibusminutissimis, per seriem unicam dispositis, confertissimis et apice introrsum flexis, armatur;praeterea tails series arcuata in utroque osse intermaxillari, altera in apice utriusque ossis dentalismandibulae. Lingua nulla nisi pro ilia habeas spatium intumidum, at undique fixum in apice os-sis hyoidis corporis. Membrana branchiostega radiis quatuor latis sustinetur. Corpus latiuscu-lum, compressum, squamis magnis crassiusculis asperis obtectum. Pinnae medicares.

1. PROCHILODUS ARGENTEUS AGASS. Tab. xxxvin.

Capite exserto, supra in medio sulco longitudinal! notato, supra oculos aspero,i: 5; nucha arcuata subcarinata; abdomine ante pinnas ventrales rotundato, poneillas carinato; squamis 18 in linea transversali inter pinnas ventrales et dorsalismarginem anteriorem, 62 in linea lateral!; pinna adiposa minima; humero suprainsertionem pinnarum pectoralium. retrorsum producto.

Pacu argenteus Spix.

Caput supra subdepressum, rotundatum, angulum obtusissimum cum nucha conformans } indea trunco distinctius quam in Prochilodo nigricante, supra in medio sulco longitudinal! notatum,quintam corporis partem, inclusa pinna caudali, aequans, lateraliter in regione ophthalmica subcompres-sum, Oculi magni, in medio latere capitis, undique latis ossibus suborbitalibus circumdati rugosis,praesertim superioribus. Operculum radiolis longitudinalibus postice divergentibus exaratum est.Nares in medio spatio inter orbitae marginem superiorem et maxillae superioris apicem , in latusmagis quam sursum spectantes, utrinque duae, anteriores minores ovatae, posteriores majores ri-maeformes, cuticulaque claudendae. Corpus compressum, latum, squamis magnis facile deciduisobtectum, dorsum subcarinatum; abdomen ante pinnas ventrales rotunda turn , pone illas carinatum.Squamae omnes lineis curvis concentricis confertissimis, in parte postica squamae vero crassiori-bus et in ipsum marginem decurrentibus, notatae, dorsi et nuchae caeteris minoribus sine radiisdivergentibus; illae lateris trunci paucissimis radiis posterioribus et lateralibus ; illae abdominisantice truncatae emarginatae, radiis posterioribuspluribus. Squamae lineae lateralis radio lateral! utrin-que uno, canal! mucoso brevissimo in mediis fere squamis parum vero p'osterius notatae. Squama maxi-ma lanceolata ad insertionem pinnarum ventralium. Pinna dorsalis anterior radiis tribus anterioribussimplicibuSj primo minutissimo, sequendbus apice tantum fissis. Pinna caudalis magna, furcata, radiisomnibus osseis, interioribus apice dQatatis, pluries fissis, externis simplicibus. Pinna analis radiis an-terioribus simplicibus, primo minutissimo, tertio crassissimo , sequenribus plaries fissis. Pinnaeventrales radio primo simplici, crassiore, caeteris apice tantum fissis. Pinnae pectorales acumina-tae, radio primo simplici crassiore longissimo sequentibus sensim minoribus apice tantum fissis.Dorsum coerulescens , latera argenteo nitentia.

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Pinnae pectorales radiis 16, ventrales 9, analis 3. 9, caudalis 3. 17. 3, dorsalis anterior 3. 9.

In Museo Monacensi specimen siccum servatur; longitudine 16".

Habitat in flu mine S, Francisci.

2. PROCHILODUS NIGRICANS AGASS. Tab. xxxix.

Capite linea fere recta cum nucha declivi continue, supra latissimo, in medio

sulco longitudinal! notato, i : klf$'-> abdomine ante pinnas ventrales angulato, poneillas carinato; squamis asperrimis 18 in linea transversal! inter pinnas ventrales etdorsalem, 48 in linea laterali; pinna adiposa postice dilatata, fimbriata, stipite te-

nui; humero supra pinnarum pectoralium insertionem rotundato.

Paca nigricans Spix.

Caput supra latissimum , latius quam truncus, qua re ejus latus exterius superne valde promi-nere videtur, in medio sulco longitudinal! angusto notatum, cum dorso declivi linea fere rectacontinuum, vix ultra quartam corporis partem, pinna caudali inclusa, aequans, lateraliter suboeulis compressum. Oculi magni in medio corporis latere, ossibus suborbitalibus circumdati mino-ribus quam in specie praecedente. Operculum radiolatum, postice cute late emergente auctum.Wares in medio fere spatio inter oculos et maxillae superioris apicem, illis tamen propiores quamhuic, utrinque duae, anteriores minores semilunares patulae, posteriores majores cuticula vixclaudendae. Corpus compressissimum, inter pinnas ventrales et dorsalem latissimum, squamismagnis asperis tectum; dorsum ante pinnam dorsalem subcarinatum pone illam subrotundatum 5abdomen ante pinnas ventrales angulatum , pone illas vero carinatum. Squamae omnes fere or-biculares punctum radiationis in ipso medio habent et lineis curvis concentricis confertissimis,in parte vero squamae posteriore crassioribus , irregularibus, gibbis unde asperitas squamarumoritur, nee non paucissimis radiis e medio divergentibus notatae sunt; in squamis lineae lateraliscanalis mucosus brevissimus in tertia posteriore parte squamae foramine obliquo aperitur. Squamamaxima lanceolata ad insertionem pinnarum ventralium. Pinna dorsalis anterior elongata radiisanterioribus simplicibus, primo minimo extus vix conspicuo, sequentibus in summo apice tanlumfissis. Pinna adiposa postice latior, fimbriata, stipite tenui, gracili. Pinna caudalis lata, furcata,radiis internis profunde et pluries fissis, externis simplicibus sensim brevioribus. Pinna analisbrevis, radio primo minimo ut sequentes duo simplici, caeteris fissis. Pinnae ventrales mediaedorsal! oppositae, radio primo simplici caeteris fissis parum crassiore. Pinnae pectorales graciles,acuminatae radio primo simplici, longiore, et parum crassiore, quam sequentes apice fissi, longi-tudine sensim decrescentcs. Piscis supra ex nigricante-virescens, lateribus euro nitentibus ; pinnadorsalis caudalisque nigro maculatae.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 16, ventrales 9, analis 3. 9 , caudalis 3—4. 17. 3—4, dorsalis an-terior 3. 9.

In Museo Monacensi specimen pulcherrimum in spiritu vim servatur, longitudine 7".

Habitat in Brasiliae mediae fluviis. Uti praecedens insectis aliisque animalculis aqua-tilibus victitat. Ob carnem sapidam Brasiliensibus inter delicia habetur.

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XXL LEPORINUS SPK. CURIMATES 3. Guv.

Caput paryum, antioe acuminatum , supra lab'usculum, subdepressum, lateraliter subcompres-sum. Oculi magni laterales. Nares utrinque duae inter se distantes, anteriorea tubulosae. Osparvum, transversum, apertum subrotundatum, labiis crassissimisj carnosis, interne plicatis, ut inL/abris, circumdatum. Denies incisivi, elongati, antrorsutn versi, acuti, in latis ossibus interma-xillaribus totum labium superius sustinentibus et in mandibula; dentes iflterni supra et subtus ma-jores quam caeteri magisque prominentes, dentibus incisivia Glirium similes, unde nomen genericumLingua nulla. Membrana iranchiostega radiis 4 brevibus sustentata, late cum ossibus humericonjungitur, unde apertura branchialis parva evadit. Corpus squamis majusculis obtectum, elon.gatum, teretiusculum, lateraliter vero subcompressum. Pinnae mediocres; dorsalis elerata.

1. LEPORINUS NOVEMFASCIATUS SPIX. TA. XXXVIL

Capite parvo, acuto, i: 4[/25 labiis crassissimis, inferiore margine fimbriato;humero in processum acutum suprp. pinnarum pectoralium insertionem producto 5squama longissima, lanceolata ad insertionem pinnarurn ventralium; squamis 44 inlinea laterali in medio latere rectissima, i5 in linea inter pinnas ventrales et dor-salem transversa; radiis pinnae dorsalis lateraliter utrinque cute emergente auctis.

Salmo fasciatas Bloch. tab. 379.

Caput nudum fere teres 3 vertice et lateribus tanhim subdepressis. Os minimum, maxillisaequalibus; labio inferiore fimbriato. Operculum postice rotundatum, cute emergente auctum.Nares anteriores in longum tubulum productae, posteriores rimaeformes, patulae. Corpus com-pressum, squamis sat magnis obductum; linea lateralis rectissima. Squamae omnes graciles sub-rotundae, margine anlico truncate, emarginato, punctum radiationis fere in tertia anteriore squa-mae parte habent, et lineis curvis concentricis confertissimis notatae sunt, in parte postica paul-lum crassioribus et in marginem membranaceum d'ecurrentibus, nee non radiis tenuissimis vix con-spicuis retrorsum tantum divergentibus, in puncto radiationis rete tenuissimum conformantibus.Canalis mucosus squamarum lineae lateralis in margine antico incipiens, foramine minimo rotundoin 'mediis fere squamis aperitur. Squama longissima j tenuissima, lanceolata ad insertionem pin-narum yentralium. Pinna dorsalis elevata radiis omnibus cute lateraliter emergente auctis, duo-bus anterioribus simplicibus, sequentibus subaequalibus apice tantum fissis. Pinna adiposa arcuate.Pinna caudalis furcata radiis interioribus pluries fissis, exterioribus simplicibus sensim minoribus.Pinna analis radiis anterioribus simplicibus, sequentibus sensim minoribus apice fissis. Pinnaeventrales triangulares, radio primo simplici crassiore, sequentibus sensim minoribus a medio indefissis. Pinnae pectorales acuminatae, radio primo simplici, sequentibus sensim minoribus a medioinde fissis. Caput nigricans, truncus laete - fuscus, fasciis novem nigris transversis; pinnaeobscurae.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 16, ventrales 10, analis 2. 8, caudalis 4. 17. 4, dorsalis anteriora. 10.

17

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In Museo Monacensi specimen in spiritu vini servatur; longitudine 7."

Habitat in Brasiliae aequinoctialis JJuviis.

Praeter descriptam speciem Salmo Friderici Bloch quoque huic generi adnumerandus est.

XXII. SCHIZODON *) AGASS. CURIMATES a. Guv.

Caput omnino nudum, paryum, depressum, latissimum. Oculi magni, laterales. Waresutrinque duae. Os paryum arcuatum, apertrum rotundatum, dentibus latissirnis, apice crenatis,incisivis in mandibula prominente et in latis ossibus intermaxillaribus marginem superiorem oristotum conformantibus; ossa maxillaria superiora minima edentula ad commissuram perpendicularia.Lingua minima, postica. Apertura Lranchialis parva, quum membrana branchiostega late cumhumero conjuncta sit. Membrana branchiostega radii's 4 latis. Corpus elongatum, teres,~subcom-pressum, squamis magnis obductum. Pinnae mediocres.

1. SCHIZODON FASCIATUS AGASS. Tab. xxxvi.

Capite depresso, supra rotundato, linea fere recta cum dorao continue; man-dibula prominente; humero supra pinnarum pectoralium insertionem retrorsum pro-ducto; pinnis ventralibus mediae dorsali oppositis; pinna caudali lata, profunde furcata;sqxiama lanceolata, retrorsum producta ad insertionem pinnarum ventralium; 42squamia-in linea laterali, 11 in linea inter pinnas ventrales et dorsalem transversa.

Curimata fasciatus Spix.Caput parvum, latum, antice subacuminatum, apice rotundatum; supra in medio sulco ob-

solete notatum, latissimum , rotundatum. Os minimum, arcuatum, apertum rotundum fere labiisincrassatis circumdatum, instructum dentibus latis, mediis latioribus lateralibus minoribus, apice crenatisin mandibula utrinque 4, in ossibus intermaxillaribus utrinque 3. Oculi magni laterales, in me-dio spatio inter rostri apicem et angulum operculi posteriorem, pone maxillarum commissuram siti.Nares utrinque duae, mediae inter maxillam superiorem et orbitae marginem superiorem, anterio-res tubulosae, posteriores, parum ab anterioribus distantes , pyriformes patulae. Corpus subteres,lateraliter subcompressum, elongatum, squamis magnis obtectum; dorsum ante pinnam dorsalemsubcarinatum, pone illam rotundatum, abdomen rotundatum. Squamae omnes sat firmae, subor-biculares, margine antico tantum emarginato, lineis concentricis curvis confertissimis, in parte po-stica vero cr'assioribus, gibbis, irregularibus et in marginem membranaceum partim decurrenti-bus, undo squamae asperae videntur, nee non radiis paucis retrorsum divergentibus et unicorecto antico notatae; canalis mucosus squamarum lineae lateralis brevis a media fere squama de-currens in tertia postica ejus parte foramine minimo rotundo aperitur. Squama gracilis, lanceo-

') Fissidens: rfx'^oo scindo, o'Sou; dens.

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lata ad insertionem pinnarum ventralium valde retrorsum producta. Pinna dorsalis elongate, ra-diis omnibus extus cute emergente auctis, duobus anterioribus simplicibus, sequentibus aeque ferelongis in summo tantum apice fissis. Pinna adiposa breyis mediae anali opposite, apice fimbriata.Pinna caudalis lata, profunde furcata, radiis internis lab's multifariam et profunde fissis, externissensim brevioribus simplicibus. Pinna analis brevis radiis anterioribus sensim majoribus, simpli-•cibus, sequentibus apice fissis gracilibus. Pinnae ventrales pectoralibus majores, -radio primo sim-plici crassiore, sequentibus basi subincurvis apice fissis. Pinnae pectorales graciles radio primo

simplici quam secundus, tertius et quartus parum breviore, sequentibus sensim brevioribus. To-tua nigro -fuscus, operculo et lateribus aureo nitentibus, fasciis transversis riigricantibus.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 16, ventrales g, analis 3. 9, caudalis 4- 17. 4, dorsalis anterior 2. 10.

In Museo Monacensi specimina duo egregia in spiritu vini servantur, longitudine 6—SJ/^".

Habitat in Brasiliae Jlaviis. Caro sapida, incolis valde exoptata.

Altera hujus generis species est Curimata Marcgr., qui Salmo unimaculatus Bloeh.

XXIII. CHALCEUS Cuv.

Caput mediocre omnino nudum, lateraliter subcompressum, supra latiusculum. Oculi magni, latera-les, anteriores. Fossae nasales cuticula bis perforata obtectae ante eb supra oculos sitae. Os mediocre,transversum; apertum quadratum mandibula prominente. Ossa maxillaria snperiore parva, late-ralem oris partem concludentia, dentibus minutis, acutis armata; ossa intermaxillaria maxima to-tum labium superius sustinentia, duabus seriebus dentium armata; dentes in anteriore serie mtiltominores, quam in altera ; in serie posteriore ut in parte anteriore mandibulae maximi, acuminati,multicuspides, acutissimi. Dentes mandibulae laterales et posteriores anterioribus multo minores.Inter seriem anteriorem et posteriorem ossium intermaxillarium aut pone illas dentes nonnulliejusdem indob's quam illae^ seriei posterioris. Cuspis medius omnium dentium caeteris major, ma-gis prominens , acutior. Lingua latiuscula, papfllosa, apice libera. Apertura branchialis magna.Membrana branchiostega radiis 4 gracilibus. Corpus latiusculum, plus minusve compressum ,squamis magnis obductum. Pinnae mediocres, analis latior. Praeter nostras novas species hoccegenus sequentes numerat, ab illustrissimo Cuvier in Mem. du Mus. descriptas: Chalceum macrole-pidotum, — Chalceum opalinum, — Chalceum'fasciatum.

1. CHALCEUS ANGULATUS SPIX. T^XXXIV.

Capite supra recto, declivi, i: 4J/i; corpore compreasissimo, latisaimo, i y^ la-tiore quam caput longnm; abdomine ang-ulato, carinato; squamis mag-nis, tenuissi-mis: pinna pectoral! long^issima, ad anum usque producta; pinna dorsali spado in-ter pinnas veiitrales et analem opposita; linea laterali recta, in tertia superiore trunciparte j cum dorso parallela. •

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(J3 CHALCEUS.

Caput supra rectum, declive, et cum dorso angulum obtusum conformans, lateraliter C-JIK-pressissimurn. Os parvum ; denies in margine ossium maxillarium minulissimi, vix conspicui; den-ies seriei anlerioris ossium intermaxillarium illis seriei poslerioris parum minores, tricuspides; in-ter seriem anleriorem et posteriorem ulrinque Ires denies posterioribus magniludine aequales;denies mandibulae anteriorea quinquecuspides dentibus ossium intermaxillarium majores, laleralesquo posleriores eo minores, ad symphysin ossium mandibularium utrinque dens acutissimus lon-gissimus, simplex, unicuspis pone denies mandibulares. Nares ante et supra oculos, utrinqueduae, anteriores rimaeformes, culicula claudendae, posleriores oblongae, multo majores, patentes.Oculi lalis ossibus suborbilalibus circumdali. Corpus obleclum squamis magnis lenuissimis papy-raceis, facillime deciduis, lineis curvis concentricis confertissimis tenuissimis , et paucis radiis irre-gularibus notalis, compressissimum, i \/\s quam caput lohgum est, dorsum subrectum, sub-corinalum; abdomen vero acute carinatutn anlice angulatutn , lamina perpendicular! caudae ossishyoidis maxime inferne producla. Pinna dorsalis spalio inler pinnas ventrales et pinnam analemopposita radio primo simplici, sequentibus apice tanlum fissis, ultimis gracillimis. Pinna adiposaelongata, apice fimbriata. Pinna caudalis parum emarginata , radiis inlernis pluries fissis, exler-uis simplicibus, sensim minoribus. Pinna analis latissima, subemarginataj radiis tribus anterioribusminimis ut quartus, simplicibus, sequentibus apice fissis magnitudine sensim sed parum decrescen-tibus. Pinnae ventrales parvae, radio primo-simplici, sequenlibus apice tantum fissis. Pinnaepectorales longissimae ullra anum produclae, radio primo simplici, longissimo, caeleris sensimminoribus apice fissis, crassiore. Dorsum et pinnae coerulescentes, operculum argenteum^ lateraaurea.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 12, ventrales7, analis 4. 28, caxidalis 5, 17. 6, dorsalis anterior i. 10.

In Museo Monacensi specimina duo in spiritu vini seryantur, longitudine 5".

Habitat in Brasiliae aequinoctialisjluuiis<

2. GHALCEUS AMAZONICUS AGASS. Tab. xxxv.

Capita supra rotundato, obtuso, i: 4 V a j corpore crasso, subtereti, lateralitercompresso, squamis mediocribus obtecto; abdomine rotundato; pinnis pectoralibusne ad ventrales quidem productis; pinnis ventralibus fini anteriori dorsalia opposi-tis; pinna anali basi squamata; linea laterali frondosa, inferne arcuata.

Characinas amazonicus Spix.

Caput latius et crassius quam in specie praecedente, supra rolundalum } lalissimum, anticeobtusum. Os sat magnum transversum, apertum quadratum; denies in ossibus maxillaribus supe-rioribus minutissimi, acuti 5 in serie anleriore ossium intermaxillarium obtuse conici, in serie po-sleriore majores, tricuspides,^et pone eos utrinque denies duo maximi quinquecuspides ut deniesanteriores mandibulae, denies mandibulae laterales sensim minores evadunt; ad symphygin ossiummandibularium interne utrinque dens minimus conicus. Lingua latissima, obtusa, grosse papillosa.Nares ulrinque duae, anleriores ovalae, patulae, majores, posteriores longiores, angustiores, ri-

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G H A L C E U S . T E T R A G O N O P T E R U S . (JQ

rimaeformes , cuticula claudendae. Oculi inferne et postice latis ossibus suborbitalibus circtundati.Operculum postice cute emergente auctum. Corpus squamis mediocribus obtectum, elongatum ,crassum, lateraliter compressum; dorsum et abdomen rotundatum; linea lateralis inferne arcuata.Humerus supra insertionem pinnarum pectoralium retrorsum in processum obtusum productus.Squamae omnes sat firmae^ suborbiculares, notatae lineis curvis concentricis confertissimis, neenon in tola parte posteriore pluribus radiis flexuosis tenuissimis. Squamae lineae lateralis ejusdemindolis ; earum canalis mucosus a margine antico ad mediam squamam usque sulcum tantum^)raebet et inde canaliculis bi - ant trifurcis in postico squamarum margine foraminibus minimis ro-tundis aperitur. Squama teniiissimaj lanceolata, longissima, valde retrorsum producta ad insertio-nem pinnarum veutralium. Squamae illis trunci minores basin radiorum pinnae analis obtegunt.Pinna dorsalis anterior in medio dorso, radiis omnibus extus cute emergente auctis, radiis anterio-ribus simplicibus , sequentibus sensim minoribus apice fissis. Pinna adiposa postice dilatata, apicefimbriata. Pinna caudalis emarginata, radiis internis profunde et multifariam fissis, externis sim-plicibus, sensim minoribus. Pinna analis basi squamata, radiis anterioribus simplicibus, primo mi-nimo, sequentibus sensim sed parum longitudine decrescentibus. Pinnae ventrales sub triangular es,radio primo simplici caeteris parum crassiore. Pinnae pectorales radio primo simplici crassiore,caeteris sensim minoribus apice fissis. Caput coefulescens, caeterum totus piscis oliyaceus etaureo - nitens.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 16, ventrales 8, analis 3. 24, caudalis 5. 17. 5, dorsalis ante-rior 2. g.

In Museo Monacensi specimen egregium, 10" longum, in spiritu vini servatur.

Habitat in fluvio Amazonum.

XXIV. TETRAGONOPTERUS ARTEDI. Guv.Caput minimum, compressum. Oculi maximi, magnam lateris capitis partem occupantes, et

latis ossibus suborbitalibus circumdati. Fossae nasales supra ossium maxillarium superiorum jun-clionem cum ossibus intermaxillaribus sitae et cuticula bis perforata obtectae. Os majusculum,transversum ; apertum quadraturn. Ossa maxillaria superiora parva, lateralia, retrorsum subar-

cuata, obsita dentibus minutissimis vix oculo armato conspicuis in margine eorum anteriore, supravero ad conjunctionem cum ossibus intermaxillaribus utrinque 3 aut 4 majoribus. Ossa interma-xillaria lata, totam superiorem labii superioris partem sustinentia et duabus dentium seriebus ar-mata; dentes in serie anteriore parum minores tricuspides, in serie posteriore majores, quinque-cuspides. Mandibula prominens dentibus anterioribus maximis quinquecuspidibus, lateralibus quoposterioribus eo sensim minoribus minimisque obsita. Rostrum brevissimum. Velum membranaceumpone dentes superiores. Corpus compressissimum, latissimum, squamis magnis tenuibus obtectum.Dorsum subcarinatum, abdomen rotundatum. Pinnae mediocres ; analis latissima.

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70 T E T R A G O N O P T E R U S . S E R R A S A L M O .

1. TETRAGONOPTERUS CHALCEUS AGASS. Tab. xxxiir. fig. i.

Capite parvo, obtusissimo, ore clause i : U l f 1 } ore aperto i: 4; in serie an-teriore ossium intermaxillarium dentibus duodecim, in serie posteriore decem, et in

mandibula octo anterioribus majoribus; corpore compressisaimo duplo fere laliorequam caput Ionium est; pinnis pectoralibus insertionem pinnarum ventralium pinnae

dorsali oppositarum, superantibus j pinna caudali furcata; scpiamis in linea lateral!

34. in linea inter pinnas ventrales et dorsalem transversa 12; linea laterali inferne

subarcuata.

Nucha valde declivis, subcarinata, in medio tamen sulco longitudinal! inter oculos usqueproducto, notata. Caput antice obtusum, truncatumj rotundatum, lateraliter compressum. Oper-culum postice subemarginaturo, Nares utrinque duae, anteriores rotundae , patulae; posterioressemilunares, cuticula claudendae. Corpus compressissimum, latissimum, squamis magnis altioribusquam longis, papyraceis tenuissimis obtectum. Linea lateralis inferne subarc'uata, tanturn porisminimis notata. Squamae omnes antice truncatae, subemarginatae, margine postico tantum roj

tundato, omnes notatae linea media transversa profunde exarata et lineis curvis concentricis con-fertissimis in parte antica squamae tantum; pars posterior laevissima exceptis nonnullis radiistenuissimis in extreme margine postico tantum conspicuis. Canalis mucosus squamarum lineaelateralis brevis in tertia parte posteriore squamae foramine minimo rotundo aperitur. Pinna dor-salis anterior altior, radio primo minimo extus vix conspicuo, secundo et tertio simplicibus, SB-quentibus sensim minoribus apice fissis. Pinna adiposa dilatata, apice fimbriata. Pinna caudalisfurcata radiis internis pluries fissis, exlernis sensim minoribus simplicibus. Pinna analis latissimaradiis gracilibus, tribus anterioribus simplicibus, sequentibus gradatim minoribus, apice tantum'fissis. Pinnae ventrales radio primo simplici, crassiore, sequentibus apice fissis. Pinnae pectora-les acuminatae, gracileSj radio primo simplici longissimo, sequentibus sensim minoribus apice fis-sis. Totus piscis laete fuscus, vittis longitudinalibus aureis.

Pinnae pectorales radiis i4, ventrales 8, analis 3. 29, caudalis 6—7. 17. 6—7, dorsalis ante-rior 3. .9.

In Museo Monacensi specimen egregium in spiritu vini seryatur, longitudine 3 ZJ\"<

Habitat in BrasiUae aequinoctialis jluviis.

Characteribus supra datis baec species satis a Tetragonoptero argenteo Artedii recedit*

XXV. SERRASALMO LACEP. Cw.Caput nudum, magnum, compressissimum, obtusissinrom. Oculi magni, antici, laterales, mag-

nis ossibus suborbitalibus circumdati, buccas omnino obtegentibus, PJares ante oculorum margi-nem superiorem. Os amplum, arcuatum, transversum. Mandibula prominens et ossa interma-xillaria maxima, totum labium superius sustinentia, dentibus maximis triangularibus, basi latissi-

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S E R R A S A L M O . 71

mis , lateraliter serratis, apice acutissimis, et per seriem simplicem dispositis armata. Ossa ma-xillaria superiora prorsus edentukj quam minima, in apice ossium intermaxillarium ex-terno ad commissuram maxttlarum sita. Apertura branchialis mediocris. Membrana branchiostegaradiis 4 latis. Corpus compressissimum, latissimum, squamis minimis obtectum. Abdomen carina-tum serratumque ut in Clupeis. Pinnae mediocres; analis latissima.

Plures nunc hujus generis species praeter nostras duas novas notae sunt, omnes brasilienses}

rapacissimae, natantibus formidolosae, quum dentibus acutis facillime graviter laedant: Salmo rhom-beus Linn., Serrasalmo piraya Guv. , Serrasalmo Mento Cur. , Serrasalmo denticulatua Guv.,Serrasalmo albus Humb,

1. SERRASALMO PIRANHA Guv. Tab. xxvm.Capite obtusissimo, truncate; nucha linea fere recta declivi; trunco inter pin-

nas pectorales et nucham latissimo i \f^ fere latiore quam caput longnm est; pinnadorsali magis retropoaita quam in altera specie; pinna anali altiore,. late basi squa-mis obducta; spinis carinae abdominalis obtusioribus, latissimis, imbricatis et nonemergentibus; pro spina ante pinnam dorsalem et analem tuberculo.

Piranha Marcg. Piso p. 69 — Cuu. Mem. da. Mas. vol. 5. —Caput obtusissimum, truncatissimum3 linea recta cum nucha continuum. Ossa suborbitalia latissi-

ma, sicut ossa operculi tenuiter striata. Nares utrinque duae patulae, rotundae, posteriores tamencuticula ad diinidium claudendae. Corpus crassum, compressissimum, ad operculum latississimum,squamis minimis confertissimis obtectura. Squamae irregulares, forma in eodem pisce valde diffe-runt quum saepissime plures in unam conjungantur, unde lineae squamis oriundae valde irre-gulares et sinuosae evadunt; omnes in medio granulatae, caeterum lineis curyis concentricisconfertissimis, et in parte posteriore tantum paucis radiis notatae ; squamae lineae lateralis120 a margine antico ad punctum radiationis usque sulco, inde ad marginem posticum canali m'u-coso insignes. Pinna dorsalis anterior radiis mediis longissimis, anterioribus simplicibus et poste-rioribus in summo apice tantum fissis sensim brevioribus. Ante pinnam pro spina tuberculum.Pinna dorsalis posterior adiposa lamina ossea subradiata suffulta. Pinna caudalis lata, emarginata,radiis internis apice latissimis fissis, externis simplicibus sensim minoribus. Pinna analis antice pa-rum altior radiis tribus anterioribus simplicibus, tertio crassissimo, sequentibus apice fissis ad me-dium fere usque squamis minoribus obtectis. Pinnae ventrales parvae in medio abdomine insertae,radiis fere omnibus simplicibus. Pinnae pectorales elong-atae, in figura nostra tamen aequo lon-giores, quum apice retroposito ventrales pinnas non superent; radio primo simplici crassiore, se-quentibus sensim minoribus in summo apice tantum fissis. Piscis supra virdscens, capite lateribuspinnisque lutescentibus.

Pinnae pectorales radiis i5} ventrales 5, analis 3. 28, caudalis 8. 19. 8, dorsalis 4. i5.

In Museo Monacensi specimina duo sicca servantur, longitudine i5".

Habitat in flumine Sancti Prancisci, inque vicinis lacubus, piscinis, rivulis.

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72 S E R R A S A L M O .

2. SERRASALMO AUREUS SPIX, Tab. xxix.

Capite obtuso, antice rotundato, supra subemarginato; nucha subarcuata; truncoante pinnam dorsalem latissimo duplo latiore quam caput longum 5 spinis carinaeabdominalis acutis, sejunctis, emergentibus; spina acuta antrorsum recta ante pin-nam dorsalem, et ossiculo bicuspide ante pinnam analem; pinna dorsali in mediodorso; pinna anali latissima, brevi, aeque alta, radiis ad medium usque squamatis.

Caput obtusum, anlice rotundatum5 vertex subemarginatus; nucba arcuata. Mandibula non.adeo prominens quam in caeteris speciebus. Fossae nasales xttrinquae duae rotundae maximae ,anteriores patulae, posteriores omnino cuticula late emergente claudendae. Corpus compressissi-mum latissimum, ante pinnam dorsalem duplo latius quam caput longum est; carina dorsalis antepinnam dorsalem alepidota, angusta. Spinae carinae abdominalis acutissimae , subconicae et quoposteriores eo majores magisque distantes. Lfnea lateralis pone operculum subarcuata, inde rec-tissima,'squamis 86 notala. Squamae parvae, omnes in medio granulatae, caeterum lineis curvisconcentricis confertissimis sed nullis radiis notatae. Squamae lineae lateralis a margine antjcoad medium usque sulco et inde canali brevissimo mucoso, foramine rotundo aperto, insignes.Ante pinnam dorsalem anteriorem spina acuta antrorsum versa. Pinna ipsa radiis anterioribussimplicibus, sequentibus sensim minoribus apice fissis. Pinna adiposa latiuscula, apice rotundata.Pinna caudalis emarginata angulis externis rotundatis, radiis internis apice latissimis, fissis, ex-ternis simplicibus sensim minoribus. Pinna analis latissima, radiis apice fissis subaequalibus admedium usque squamatis, exceptis tribus anterioribus simplicibus, quorum tertius crassissimus cae-teris longior est. Pinnae ventrales parvae, ani propiores quam in- ulla specie, radio primo sim-plici crassiore. Pinnae pectorales obtusae, radio primo crassiore simplici, sequentibus sensim mi-noribus apice fissis. Totus piscis olivaceus, et aureo-nitens; pinnae et caput nigricantes.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 16, ventrales 7, analis 3. 35, caudalis C. 17. G, dorsalis anterior 2. i4-

In Museo Monacensi spechnen in spiritu vini servatur, longitudine 7" fere.

Habitat in Brasiliae aequatorialis JIuviis lacubusque.

5. SERRASALMO NIGRICANS SPIX Tab. xxx.

Capite obtuso; mandibula maxime prominente; nucha linea fere recta cum ca-pite continua; dorso ante pinnam dorsalem. subrecto; trunco ad hanc pinnam latis-simo, i y^ latiore quam caput longum est; squamis multo minoribus quam in cae-teris speciebus; spinis carinae abdominalis acutissimis, compressissimis, confertis,posterioribus majoribus magisque distantibus; spina acuta, antrorsum recta antepinnam dorsalem a medio dorso circiter incipientem; tuberculo bicuspide ante pinnamanalem altiorem basi late squamatam.

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SERRASALMO. MYLETES. 73

Caput supra latum, obtusissimutn, nucham versus compressum; in summo vertice sulcus lon-gitudinalis angustissimus; mandibula maxime prominens, fere ut in Serrasalmone Mentone Cuyieri.Nares utrinque duae rotundae, posteriores cuticula laxa semiclaudendae, maximae, ante oculossitae. Garina dorsalis ante pinnam dorsalem anteriorem ut in S. Piranha alepidota, sed in haccespecie angustissima. Corpus compressissimum; carina abdominalis acuta; spinis acutis, confertis,compressissimis, posterioribus majoribus magisque distantibus. Squamae omnes minutissimae, con-fertissimae, lineis curyis concentricis confertissimis et illae trunci superioris paucis radiis posteriori-bus notatae* Canalis mucosus squamarum lineae lateralis vastus per totam squamarum longitudi-nem producitur et in margine postico foramine obliquo minimo aperitur. In linea lateral! squa-mae 96. Ante pinnam dorsalem anteriorem spina acuta antrorsum versa. Pinna ipsa radiis duo-bus anterioribus simplicibus brevioribus, sequenlibus in summo apice tantum fissis, sensim longi-tudine decrescentibus. Pinna adiposa rotundata, apice subfimbriata. Pinna caudalis radiis inter-nis multifariam et profunde fissis, externis simplicibus sensim minoribus. Pinna analis radiis ante-rioribus simplicibus, tertio caeteris multo crassiore, sequentibus apice fissis, basi squamata anguloanteriore rotundato , altior sed minus lata quam in caeteris speciebus. Pinnae ventrales parvaeacuminatae, in medio abdomine sed parum posterius sitae. Pinnae pectorales subtriangulares,acuminatae ultra ventralium insertionem productae, radiis anterioribus parum crassioribus sequen-tibus inde sensim gracilioribus. Totus piscis nigricanti-olivaceus et aureo - nitens; pinnae obscu-riores.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 16, ventrales 6 , analis 3. 28, caudalis 7—8. 21. 7—8, dorsalisanterior 2, 16.

In Museo Monacensi specimen pulcherrimum in spiritu vini servatur, longitudine k\fi".

Habitat in Brasiliae aequatorialis Jluviis, uti relic/uae species, voracissimus, omnibusanimalibus aquatilibus infestissimus, edulis.

Haec species Salmon! rhombeo propinquior quam ulli at characteribus datis sat specificedifferens.

XXVI. MYLETES Cw.

Caput majus minusve, compressum, omnino nudum; rostrum brevissimum. Oculi magni,antici , laterales et ossibus suborbitalibus sat magnis circumdati. Fossae nasales cuticula bis per-forata obtectae ante et supra oculos sitae. Os majus minusve, transversum, apertum quadratum-,mandibula plerumque prominens. Ossa intermaxillaria maxima, totum labium superius sustinentia;ossa maxillaria superiora vero minima, lateralia, tantum ad conjunctionem cum intennaxillaribuspaucis dentibus minutis armata. Dentes in ossibus intermaxillaribus per series duas et in manfli-bula per seriem simplicem dispositi, molares, crassi, subtriangulares, angulis vero rotundatis.Pone denies internos utriusque rami mandibulae utrinque dens acutus simplex conicus. Dentesacuti, minimi in ossibus pharyngeis ; in vomere vero ut in ossibus palatinis et pterygoideis in-ternis nulli. Pone denies intermaxillares velum latum membranaceum. Membrana branchiostegaradiis 5. tenuibus, papyraceis. Apertura branchialis sat magna. Corpus compressissimum, plusminusve latum vel latissimum, squamis plerumque minimis obtectum. Abdomen carinatum, etsaepius serratum. Pinnae mediocres; analis maxima latissima,

19

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74 MYLETES.

Sequentcs hujus generis species nobis notae sunt: Salmo dentex Hasselq. sen Myletes Has-selquistii Guv., Myletes macropomus Cuv., Myletes rhomboidalis Cuv., Myletes duriventris Cur.,Myletes brachypomus Guy. j Myletes Paco Humb, et species duae infra describendae.

1. MYLETES AUREUS AGASS. Tab. xxxi.

Capite oreque'minimo, i: 5; maxilla superiore truncata; mandibula anguslavalde prominente; trunco compressissimo, latissimo, triple latiore quam caput Ion-gum est, omnino squamis minutissimis obtecto 5 serra abdominali maxime promi-nente, arcuata; pinnis pectoralibus falcatis, ventralibus minutis, anali longissima,postice multo altiore, rotundata, omniuo squamulis obtecta, caudali arcuato - emar-ginata, adiposa basi squamulis minutissimis obsita.

Tetragonopterus aureas Spioc.

Caput minimum 3 angulatum, compressum; operculum postice angustatum et cute late emer-gente auctum. Os minimum; maxilla superior truncata, obtusissima, inferior angustior valdeprominens; dentes in serie anteriore ossium intermaxillarium utrinque quinque caeteris parum mi-nores et cuspide anteriore acutissimo; in serie posteriore utrinque dentes duo parum majores plu-ribus cuspidibus armati; in mandibula utrinque dentes quatuor, quorum anteriores poslerioribusmulto majores sunt; pone dentem internum dens acutissimus simplex, conicus, apice vero parumreflexo. Ossa suborbitalia quam in sequente specie minus lata. Fossae nasales utrinque duae, an-teriores rotundae, minores, patulae, posteriores arcuatae, cuticula claudendae. Corpus compressis-simum, ante pinnam dorsalem anteriorem lalissimum, triple latius quam caput longum est et om-nino squamis minutissimis obtectum. Dorsum ante pinnam dorsalem arcualum , a pinna inde po-stice gradatim declive ; abdomen maxime prominens arcuatum , acute carinatum serratumque, spi-nis acutissimis, compressis retrorsum curvatis, sensimque eo majoribus, quo posterioribus. Linealateralis pone operculum inferne subarcuata, inde ad pinnam caudalem usque rectissima. Squa-mae omnes tenuissimae, papyraceae , minimae, lineis curvis concentricis sed nullis radii's notatae;squamae lineaelateralis a margine antico adpunctum radiationis usque sulco lato, inde vero ad mar-ginem squamarum anticum usque canalimucoso angusto, oblique descendente et foramine minimo pa-tulo, insignes. Pinna dorsalis anterior radiis tribus anterioribus simplicibus, primo minimo vixconspicuo, sequentibus sensim minoribus apice nssis. Pinna adiposa squamulis minutissimis vixconspicuis a basi ultra medium obsita. Pinna caudalis radiis internis apice nssis , externis sensimminoribus simplicibus. Pinna analis latissima, postice rotundata et multo altior quam antice, ra-diis anterioribus tribus simplicibus, sequentibus apice fissis, omnibus per totam fere longitudinemsquamulis rninimis obtectis, unde exl;us vix conspici possunt. Pinnae ventrales parvae ano appro-pinquatae, sed non prorsum ad ilium usque protensae, radio primo simplici, caeteris longioreet. crassiore. Pinnae pectorales falcatae, radio primo crassiore, longissimo, sequentibus sensimminoribus apice fissis. Dorsum olivaceum, caeterura totus piscis aureus ; oculi ^bentes; caputsupra griseo - coerulescens.

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MYLETES. 75

Pinnae pectorales radii's 15, ventrales 6, analis 3. 3o, caudalis 6. 17. 6, dorsalis anterior 3. 12.

In Museo Monacensi specimina tria in spiritu vini servantur , longitudine 5—7".

Habitat in Brasiliae aequatorialis Jluviis, incolis Piranha roduleira dictus, Myleti duri-ventri Cuv. affinior quam ulli alteri. Mores Serrasalmonis Piranhae.

2. MYLETES BIDENS SPIX. TaJ, xxxii.

Capite magno, i: 3y^.; maxilla superiore rotundata; mandibula dilatata, pro-

minente; trunco compressissimo i y . latiore quam caput longum est, omnino squa-

mis minimis obtecto; abdomine serrato, subarcuato; pinnis ventralibua ad anum

•usque productis; pinna anali antice altiore rotundata, radiis posterioribus sensim

minoribus basi tantum squamulis obtectis, caudali emarginata, adiposa arcuata,apice firabriata.

Caput magnum, crassum, obtusissimum , antice rotundatum. Os mediocre; mandibula latiorBed minus prominens quam in specie antecedente; denies maximi, cuspide antico acutissimo , inserie anteriore ossium intermaxillarium utrinque quinque, in posteriore utrinque duo; in mandi-Lula utrinque sex, quorum posteriores tres multo minores, anteriores vero parum majores illisossium intermaxillarium; pone dente.m internum utrinque dens acutus prominens et major quamin villa altera specie, unde nomen specificum. Operculum rotundatum, cute late emergente au-ctum. Fossae nasales utrinque duae, anteriores minores rotundae, patulae, posteriores majoressubquadrangulae, et cuticula claudendae. Corpus compressissimum, 1^/4 latius quam caput Ion-gum est et omnino squamis minimi's obtectum. Dorsum ante pinnam dorsalem arcuatum, carina-tum, acie carinae alepidota; atdomen carinatum, subarcuatum , serratumque, spinis acurissimisretrorsum flexis sed minoribus quam in specie antecedente et postice minus magnitudine crescenti-bus. Linea lateralis in parte anteriore inferne arcuata, in parte posteriore vero rectissima. Squa-mae omnes tenuissimae, papyraceae, lineis curvis concentricis confertissimis et in .parte posticapaucissimis radiis vix conspicuis notatae, margine postico ciliato; squamae lineae lateralis omnes amargine antico ad punctum radiationis usque sulco mucoso, inde anteriores canaliculis duobusoblique retrorsum ad marginem usque protensis, divergentibus, posteriores unico inferne tendenteinsignes. Pinna dorsalis radiis anterioribus simplicibus sensim majoribus, sequentibus apice fississensim minoribus. Pinna adiposa ad medium usque squamis mintitissimis obtecta, apice nuda,fimbriata. Pinna caudalis radiis internis apice latissimis multifariam fissis , externis sensim minori-bus, simplicibus. Pinna analis antice rotundata et'ibi multo altior quam postice, radiis anterioriiustribus simplicibus, tertio caeteris crassiore, sequentibus apice fissis sensim minoribus, omnibusbasi squamulis obtectis, caeterum liberis distinctissimis. Pinnae ventrales acuminatae, ad anumusque productae, margini anterior! pinnae dorsalis oppositae, radio primo simplici crassiore, se-quentibus sensim minoribus, apice fissis. Pinnae pectorales latiusculae, ad insertionem pinnarumventralium usque productae, radio primo simplici crassiore, sequentibus sensim minoribus apicesummo tantum bis fissis. Dorsum olivaceum, caput supra nigricans, latera aurea, pinnae apicenigricantes.

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7(5 MYLETES. . R H A P H I O D O N ,

Pinnae peclorales radii's 18, ventralesS, analis 3. 26, caudalis 6. 17. 6, dorsalis anterior 3. 16.

In Museo Monacensi specimina duo in spiritu vini seryantur; longitudine 5—7".

Habitat in Brasiliae aequinoctialis Jluviis.

XXVIL RHAPHIODON *) AGASS. CYNODON SPIX.

HYDROCYON **) secuiidae subdiv. GUY. Mem. du Mus.Caput parvum , compressissimum , omnino nudum; rostrum brevissiraum. Oculi magni, an-

tici, latissimis ossibus suborbitalibus, buccas omnino oblegentibus circumdati. Fossae nasalessupra et ante oculos sitae, cuticula bis perforata obtectae. Os maximum, oblique descendens,formidolose armatum; mandibula angustissima ore aperto valde promioens ob directionem rictusoris. Ossa intermaxillaria minora, anteriorem tantum labii superioris partem sustinentia. Ossamaxillaria superiora angusta, maxima, lateralem oris partem concludentia. Denies omnes acutissi-mi; in ossium intermaxillarium apice interno antice utrinque dens longissimus, acutissimus, in fossa'mandibulae recipiendus, pone hunc series dentium minorum, confertorum, et in apice externoalius dens- acutissimus, longissimus. Margo totus ossium maxillarium superiorum ad apicem po-sticum \isque dentibus majoribus minoribusque alternantibus obsitus. Ad apicem ossium mandi-bularium utrinque dens caninus longissimus , crassitie et longitudine omnes caeteros denies duploexcedens, in profunda vagina maxillae superioris recipiendus; caeterum tota mandibula dentibusmajoribus minoribusque alternantibus armata. Ore clauso mandibula angusta, cum omnibus den-tibus, qui in vaginis ossium maxillarium recipiuntur, a maxilla superiore circumdatur, et tantumdenies antici ossium intermaxillarium apici mandibulae inseruntur. Lingua apici libera, promi-nens. Aperlura branchialis maxima. Membrana branchiostega radiis 4 gracilibus. Corpus elon-gatum , compressum , squamis minoribus obtectum; abdomen acute carinatum sed non serratum.Pinnae pectorales magnae, ventrales minimae , analis latissima.

1. RHAPHIODON VULPINUS AGASS. Tab. xxvi.Capite minimo, compressissimo, ore clauso i: 6l/4, ore aperto i: S1/^.; oper-

culo postice angulato; corpore longissimo , compresso, ejusdem fere lalitudinis quam

caput longum est; dorso recto, linea recta ,cum capite continuo; pectore prominente;

pinnis pectoralibus triangular]bus ad medium ventrem usa^e productis; pinna dor-

sati anteriore maximeretroposita, minima; radio medio pinnae caudalis caeteris longiore.

') p°"plovi acusj o'oou; dens. Nomen Cynodon Spixii mutavi, quum jam duo genera in regno yegetabiKsub hoc nomine exstarent.

•*) Summo jure illustrissimus de Spix duas subdivisiones generis Hydrocynos clariss. Cuvier at genera di-stincta sejunxit, sed eodem jure caeterae ejusdem generis subdivisiones pro generibus haberi debent,seo^uend modo denominandis:

1) HYDROCYON Cov. sensu strictiori: hue Hydrocyon Forskahlli Cuv.2) XIPHORHYNCHUS AGASS.: Sahno falcatus Bloch, Salmo Od4 Bloch, Hydrocyon fulclrostris Cuy.3) SALMINUS AOASS.: Hydrocyon brevidens Cur.

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R H A P H I O D O N . 11

' Cynodon vulpinus Spix.

Caput ratione trunci habita minimum, compressissimum et ore clause sextain partem totiuslongitudinis, ore apcrto quintam vix aequans. Oculi magni, cute late introrsum emergente inmargine obtecti et maximis latissimisque ossibus suborbitalibus buccas omnino obtegentibus acultra commissuram maxillarum protensis circumdati. Nares supra et parum ante oculos sitae,utrinque duae, anteriores patulae ovatae, multo minores, posteriores semilunares, majores et cu-ticula. claudendae. Rictus oris maximus, oblique ascendens; mandibula ore aperto maxime promi-nenSj angustissima, dentibus omnibus quam in Rhaphiodonte gibbo majoribus magisque exsertis'dentes vero ossis maxillaris superioris in hacce specie minores quam in ilia. Corpus longissi-mum, per totam longitudinem fere aeque latum, postice'tantum sensim attenuatum , pectus vero

maxime prominens, quum cauda ossis hyoidis latissima, maxime inferne promineat Dorsum ro-tundatum, abdomen vero acutissime carinatum, sed nullo modo serratum. Linea, lateralis rectis-sima. Squamae otnnes minimae, lineis curvis concentricis confertissimis sed nullis radiis notatae ,illae trunci omnes rotundae; squarnae lineae lateralis vero caeteris multo majores, triangulares eta margine antico ad punctum radiationis usque canali mucoso sat amplo ia media squama patuloinsignes. Pinna dorsalis anterior minima, maxime retroposita et ne initio quidem pinnae analisopposita, radiis anterioribus sitnplicibus, sequentibus summo apice tantum fissis. • Pinna, adiposaelongata; apice fimbriata. Pinna caudalis rotundata, radio medio caeteris multo longiore , inter-nis omnibus apice pluries fissis, externis sensim minoribus , simplicibus, omnibus basi, ultra me-dium squamis minutissimis obtectis. Pinna analis latissima, brevier tamen quam in Rhaphiodontegitbo et quartam trunci partem vix superans, radiis gracillimis, anterioribus simplicLbus, sequenti-bus apice fissis , omnibus vero cute crassa. conjunctis et squamulis minimi's obtectis.. Pinnae ven-trales minimae, brevissitnae, ab ano parum distantes. Pinnae pectorales maximae , triangulares,ab operculo parum remotae, ad medium abdomen usque productae, radio primo simpKci, crassis-simo, sequentibus apice pluries fissis, sensim minoribus. Piscis supra virescens , caeterum omni-

no aureus.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 17, ventrales 8, analis 4. 44, caudalis 5—6. 17. 5—6, dorsalis 2. 10.

In Museo Monacensi specimen in spiritu vini servatur, 12" longum, mancum.

Habitat in Brasiliae Jluviis.

2. RHAPHIODON GIBBUS. AGASS. Tab. xxvi.

Capite minimo, compressissimo, ore clause i: Sy^, ore aperto i: 4Vz5 oper-culo postice rotundato; corpore elongato, compressissimo, antice latiore quam caputlongum estj dorso ante pinnam dorsalem anteriorem arcuato; pectore arcuato pro-minente; pinnis pectoralibus magnis triangularibus ultra anum productis; pinna analilatissima3 dimidiam trunci longitudinem aequante; pinna caudali furcata; dorsalimajori parti anterior! pinnae analis opposita 5 ano in medio corpore.

20

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78 R H A P H I O D O N . X I P H O S T O M A.

Cynodon gibbus Spix.

Hydrocyni scomberoidi Guv. affinis; sed ab illo characteribus datis distinctissima species.

Caput minimum compressissimum, ore clauso quintam et dimidiam, ore aperto quartam tantum

et dimidiam partem longitudinis totius piscis aequans. Nares utrinque duae, anteriores minores ,

patulae, rotundae, posteriores multo majores , arcuatae, cuticula claudendae. Os ut in Rhaphio-

donte vulpino conformatum , dentibus tantum ratione molis piscis habita in bacce specie in os"si-

bus maxillaribus auperioribus majoribus. Operculum postice rotundatum. Truncus gibbus compres-

sissimus; dorsum rotundatum, ante pinnam dorsalem anteriorem valde arcuatum, pone illam rectis-

simutn; pectus arcuatum, acutissime carinatum; bumerus supra pinnarum pectoralium inserlionem

latissimus et retrorsum prominens. Squamae minutissimae^ ejusdem indolis quam in specie antc-

cedente, sed altiores quam longae; squamae lineae lateralis postice truncatae, antice rotundatae,

a margine antico ad posticum fere usque canali mucoso, simplici, inde bifurco, furcationibus ma-

xime superne et inferne divergentibus, (lumine minori), et in margine squamae superiore et in-

feriore foramine minimo patente insignes. Pinna dorsalis mcdio dorso fere inscrta radiis elonga-

tis, anterioribus simplicibus, sequentibus summo tantum apice fissis, sensim sed parum minoribus,

furcationibus baud distantibus. Pinna adiposa angusta, apice rotundata. Pinna caudalis furcata ,

radiis internis apice pluries fissis, externis sensim minoribus, simplicibus. Pinna analis latissima,

dimidiam trunci longitudinem. aequans, radiis gracillimis, ad medium usque squamulis minutissinais,

obtectis, anterioribus tribus simplicibus, sequentibus omnibus summo apice tantum fissis. Pinnae

ventrales minimae, radio primo paulum crassiore. Pinnae pectorales latissimae , triangulares ultra

ventralium insertionem et anum productae, radio antico simplici, crassiore, sequentibus sensim

minoribus, apice fissis. Dorsum violaceum, latera argenteo-aurea , operculum argenteum.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 17, ventrales 9, analis 3. 76, caudalis 5. 17. 5, dorsalis anterior 2. 10.

In Museo Monacensi specimen mancum in spiritu vini servatur, longitudine 6".

Habitat in Brasitiae Jluvus.

XXVIH. XIPHOSTOMA *) SPIX.

Caput valde elongatum, antice acuminatum, acutum, subteres. Oculi parvi supra conjunclio-

nem ossium intermaxillarum et maxiUarium superiorem siti et lab'ssimis ossibus suborbitalibus ,

buccas omnino obtegentibus, circumdati. Fossae nasales ante oculos sitae cute bis perforate ob-

tectae. Os maximum, longissimum, transversum; ossa intermaxillaria maxima, latissima et la-bium superius omnino sustinentia , ossa maxillaria superiora minima, retrorsum subarcuata, nee

non mandibula dentibus minutissimis, confertissimis, apice introrsum et retrorsum hamatis, per

seriem simpb'cem dispositis, armata. Inter ossa intermaxillaria velum membranaceum transversum.

Apertura branchialis magna. Membrana branchiostega radiis 4 gracilibus, elongatis suffulta.

") €ij>o/ gladius, dr6fj.a os.

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XIPHOSTOMA. 79

Corpus elongatum teres lateraliter parum compressum, squamis mediocribus, duris obtectum.Pinnae mediocres, dorsalis pone ventrales, caudalis major.

Hue quoque Hydrocyon Lucius Cuv. referendus, qui tantum maxillis aequalibus, et pinnacaudali immaculata a nostro differt.

1. XIPHOSTOMA CUV1ERI SPDL Tat. XLII.

Capite antice valde attenuate, acuminate, tereti, i : 45 maxilla superiore prominente, apice appendice cartilagineo aucta; humero supra pinnarum pectoraliuminsertionem retrorsum valde producto; trunco crasso subtereti, lateraliter tantumsubcompresso; stjuamis marg-ine postico ciliatis; ad mediam basin pinnae caudalismacula nigra.

Ore clause apex mandibulae intra ossa intermaxillaria recipitur. Caput omnino nudum, supraplaniusculum ossibua omnibus radiatis, rugosis ut ossa suborbitalia et operculum. Nares anteoculos utriaque duae, anteriores rotundae patulae, posteriores ovatae multo majores, cuticulaclaudendae. Corpus subteres, cylindraceum, crassum, per totam longitudinem fere aeque latumet caudam versus tantum subattenuatum, lateraliter subcompressuin. L/inea lateralis rectissima.Squamae omnes sat firmae, lineis curvis concentricis, confertissimis notatae, nee non in parteposteriore pluribus radiis sinuosis, et unico aut nullo andco; canalis mucosus 106 squamarumlineae lateralis brevissimus in mediis fere squamis aperitur; squamae a 4 in linea transversa interjjinnas rentrales et dorsalem. Squama lanceolata ad insertionem pinnarum ventralium. Pinnadorsalis anterior altior, radiis anterioribus simplicibus , sequentibus sensim minoribus apice fissis.Pinna adiposa minima, apice dilatata, fimbriata. Pinna caudalis subfurcata, radiis internis apicedilatatis, fissis, externis sensim minoribus minimisque simplicibus. Pinna analis parva, maxinieretroposita, subemarginata, radiis anterioribus simplicibus, sequentibus subito minoribus, apicefissis. Pinnae rentrales subtriangulares, ante dorsalem insertae, radio primo simplici, sequentibusapice tantum pluries fissis, sensim minoribus. Pinnae pectorales arcuatae, radio primo longissimo,simplice, multo crassiore, sequentibus sensim minoribus minimisque apice fissis. Piscis supra

virescens, ad latera aureus, operculum et buccae argenteae, macula nigra rotunda ad basinpinnae caudalis.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 26, ventrales 8, analis 3. 8, caudalis 7. 17. 7, dorsalis ante-rior a. 8.

In Museo Monacensi specimen 16" longum in spiritu vini servatur.

Habitat in Brasffiae ftuviis,

Hanc speciem celeberr. de Spix inhonorem immortalis Cuvieri nominavit, qui primus generaSalmonum accurate distinxit.

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80 SAURUS.

XXIX. SAURUS Guv.

Caput mediocre, subdcpressum, lateraliter squamatum; rostrum plus minusve acutum. Fossaenasales ante oculos sitae, cute bis perforata obtectae. Oculi plus minusve rostri npici et inter seapproximati. Os maximum, transversum. Margo maxillae superioris utrinque ab unico osse con-formatur; an sint ossa intermaxillaria an maxillaria superiora nescio, quum alterum eorum dcsit ,et nullum sceleton perscrutandi causa in promptu habeam. Dentes acutissimi, elongati, confertis-simi per plures series dispositi in mandibula, maxilla superiore, in ossibus palatinis, pharyngeissuperioribus et inferioribus, in corpore ossis hyoidis et in margine interno arcuum branchialium.Lingua acuta, omnino denlibus obsita. Mcmbrnna iranchiostega radiis gracillimis 16- -18. Aper-tura branchialis maxima. Corpus squamjs magnis obliquis obtectum, subteres, elongatum.Buccae omnino et opp.rculum parlitn squamatae. Pinnae ventrales anticae, subthoracicae fore,elongatae.

Plures species jam stint notac, mare inhabitantes; an per totum annum? Nescio.

1. SAURUS LONGIROSTRIS SPIX Tab. XLIII.

Piostro elongate, acutissimo; oculis inter se distanlibus supra mediam fere ma-xillam superiorem, parum tanLum posterioribus; capite i: 4^*5 supra in occipileaspero, insculpto, antice et inter oculos laevi, parum impresso; corpore cylindraceosquamis minoribus obtecto; pinna anali minore.

Caput acutissimum, antice attenuatum , supra planius quam in sequenlibus speciebus, et inoccipite tantum striato - insculptum. Nares utrinque duae minimac, parum inter se distantes, po-steriores parum majores ovato-rotundae, patulae, anteriores pyriformes, Operculum omnino squa-matum. Corpus cylindraceum, ad pinnam dorsalera parum incrassatum; lines laleralis infernesubarcuata. Squamae omnes tenuissimae, papyraceae, lineis curvis concentricis confertissimis no-tatac, punctum radiationis in tertia postica parte habent. Margo earum anticus lobatus, lobulistribus aut quatuor, radiis paucioribus antice tantum divergentibus sejunctis; margo posticus rotun-datus obliquus; canalis mucosus squamarum 65 lineae lateralis amplus in mediis fere squamis ape-ritur; squamae nonnullae longiores ad insertionem pinnarum ventralium; et ad utrumque pinnaecaudalis latus. Pinna dorsalis gracilis, radiis anterioribus aimpliclbus, sequeutibus summo apicetantum fissis. Pinna adiposa minima. Pinna caudalis furcata, radiis internis apice fissis, extern/ssensim minoribus simplicibus. Pinna analis quam in caeteris speciebus minor, radiis gracillimis.Pinnae ventrales elongatae, radio primo simplici, caeteris minore, sequentibus sensim longioribussummo apice tantum fissis. Pinnae pectorales radio primo crassiore simplici longiore, sequentibussensim minoribus apice fissis. Piscis supra olivaceo - virescens, ad latera aureus.

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SAURUS. 81

Pinnae pectorales radiis i3, ventrales Q, analis 12, caudalis 6. 17. 6, dorsedis anterior2. 10.

.In Museo Monacensi specimina duo in spiritu vini servantur, longitudine 7—S^ fy . " .

Habitat in Oceano, Brasiliam attuente, certo tempore fluminum ostia visitans.

2. SAURUS INTERMEDIUS SPIX. Tat. XLIV.

Rostro elongate, apice minus acuto; oculis supra mediam maxillam superiorem,inter se distantibus; capite i: klfa supra laevi, inter oculos exarato; corporepror-sus cylindrico, squamis maximis obtecto; pinnis pectoralibus arcuatis, latiusculis,longioribus quam in caeteris speciebus.

Gaput elong-atum; rostrum productum sed minus acutum quam in Sauro longirostri, supra^laeve , et inter oculos exaratum. Operculum et buccae squamatae. Nares utrinque duae, ante-riores minores rohmdae suttubulosae, posteriores ovatae, majores patulae. Oculi supra mediammaxillam superiorem siti. Corpus cylindricum postice parum attenuatum, squamis maximis suban-gulatis obtectum, unde corpus longitudinaliter striatum esse videtur. Squamae omnes in mediogranulatae, et ad marginem lineis curvis concentricis notatae, obliquae, margine posteriore ro-tundato, antico truncato, lobato, lobulis paucis radiis antrorsum divergentibus conformatis 5 cana-lis mucosus squamarum 55 in linea laterali extus vix conspicua} brevissimus, in rnediis squamisaperitur; squamae nonnullae elongatae ad insertionem pinnarum ventralium et in pinnae caudalislateribus. Pinna dorsalis radiis anterioribus duobus simplicibus, sequentibuS sensim minoribusapice fissis. Pinna adiposa minima, apice dilatata, rotundata. Pinna caudalis radiis intends apicefissis, externis sensim minoribus, simplicibus. Pinna analis radiis distantibus, omnibus simplicibus,primo parum crassiore. Pinnae ventrales valde elongatae, radiis semel tantum fissis, sensim lon-gioribus. Pinnae pectorales arcuatae, radio primo crassiore, sequentibus sensim minoribus3 sum-mo apice fissis. Totus piscis virescente - olivaceus, inferne 'aureo-nitens, latis fasciis nigricantibustransversis notatus.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 12, ventralesS, analis 12, caudalis 5, 17. 5, dorsalis anterior a. 10.

In Museo Monacensi specimen in spiritu vini servatur, 8 \f<i" longum.

Habitat in Oceano ora Brasiliae alluente.

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82 SAURUS.

3. SAURUS TRUNCATUS SPIX. Tab. XLV.Rostro truncato brevissimo; oculis ad ejus apicem inter se valde approximatis;

capite 1 : 4 , supra asperrimo, insculpto, inter oculos sulco profundo notalo; corporelateraliter subcompresso, squamis tenuissimis, minoribus quam in Sauro intermedio;pinnis pectoralibus minimis, anali latiore.

Caput obtusum, antice truncatum, quartam partem totius longitudinis aequans, supra sculptu-ris ossium cranii asperrimum. Oculi ad summam rostri apicem, inter se valde approximati.Wares minimae utrinque duae, in summo rostri apice, anteriores majores cuticula claudendae,posteriores multo minores pyriformes. Buccae squamatae; operculum nudum. Corpus parumcompressum, postice sensim attenuatum, squamis laevissimis obtectum. Linea lateralis vix distincta.Squamae omnes tenuissimae, papyraceae, punctum radiationis in tertia posteriore parte ferentes,in medio granulatae , extus lineis curvis concentricis confertissimis et in parte antica paucis radiisnotatae ; margo earum anticus truncatus sublobatus , posticus oblique - rotundatus; squamae non-nullae longiores ad insertionem pinnarum ventralium et ad latera pinnae caudalis. Pinna dorsalisgracilis, radiis anterioribus simplicibus, sequentibus summo in apice tantum fissis. Pinna adiposaminima cuneata. Pinna caudalis furcata, radiis inlernis apice fissis , externis sensim minoribussimplicibus. Pinna analis radiis simplicibus. Pinnae ventrales subthoracicae, longissimae, radiissensim longioribus semel tantum fissis. Pinnae pectorales minimae, arcuatae, radio primo simplicicrassiore, sequentibus apice tantum fissis sensim minoribus.

Totus piscis olivaceus, vittis longitudinalibus aureis notatus; pinna dorsalis nigro - punctata.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 12, ventrales 8, analis 16, caudalis 6—7. 17. 6—7, dorsalis an-terior 2. 10.

In Museo Monacensi specimina duo egregia in spiritu vini servantur, 6—7" longa.

Habitat ad ostia Brasiliensium Jluminum.

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P L E U R O N E C T O I D E I . 83

II, MALACOPTERYGII SUBBRACHIALES Guv.

FAMILIA V. PLEURONECTOIDEI Guv.

Diagnosis. Non solum a ceteris piscibus, sed etiam abomnibus animalij)us Yertebratis irregularitate trunci et 'prae-cipue capitis pisces hujusce familiae longe distinguuntur.Caput compressissimum, squamatum. Oculi ambo idem la-tus spectant, quod solum variis coloribus pictum; alterumYero decolorum et pallescens est. Os dextrorsum vel sinis-trorsum tortum; labium superius totum. ab ossibus interma-xillaribus sustentatur. Pinnae pares hie dispares, hoc estdissimiles suiit. Corpus compressissimum, squamatum. Blem-brana branchiostega radiis septem.

Descriptio. Gaput compressissimum, pro corporis mole majus velminusj plerumque vero parvum. Os irregulare, tortum; latere dextroaut sinistro magis minusve evoluto, ad rostri apicem situm, a quotamen saepe superatur. Ossa intermaxillaria parum protractilia et den-tibus armata totum ambitum oris superiorem conformant; ossa maxil-laria superiora dentibus carent et pone intermaxillaria articulantur.Dentes majores vel minores, plerumque velutini in ossibus intermaxilla-ribusj in maxillaribus inferioribus, nee non in pharyngeis superioribus etinferioribus. Ambo oculi, torsione cranii, idem spectant latus, quodpisce vivo natante sursum vertitur, Operculum subangustum. Aperturabranchialis sat ampla. Corpus compressissimum, plus minusve latum,nunc elongatam. oblongum, nunc latissimum quadrangulare, squamisplerumque minoribus obtectum. Pinna dorsalis et analis longissimae to-tum ambitum piscis superiorem et inferiorem ad pinnam caudalem us-que amplectuntur, qriacum baud raro conjunguntur. Pinnae ventralesminoreSj inter se conjunctae, saepius quasi ad pinnae analis partem an-

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84 P L E U R O N E C T O J D E I .

teriorem pertinere yidentur, et cum ipsa saepe omnino conjunctae sunt.Pinnae pectorales inaequales, altera major, altera minor; interdum ilialateris inferioris deest, interdum ambae desunt.

Cavum abdominale parvum, paulum retrorsum inter crura arcuuminferiorum vertebrarum caudae producitur. Vesica aerea deest.

Pisces hujus familiae in omnibus maribus, praecipue in profundisdegunt, et illos ob earn em delicatam et sanam undique piscatores in-sectantur.

Rarissime specimina ejusdem speciei reperiuntur et dextrorsum etsinistrorsum spectantia; plerumque vero; omnia specimina ejusdem spe-ciei idem latus, yel dextrum vel sinistrum, spectant. Interdum etiambaud minus fortuito specimina utrinque eodem modo colorata occurruntpiscatoribus, ab ipsis, sane haud Zoologis, duplicata dicta.

C O N S P E C T U S G E N E R U M .

XXX. RHOMBUS Guv.

Os utrinque supra et subtus dentibus acutis, validis armatum; ossa pharyngeavero dentibus velutinis obsita. Pinna dorsalis ad os usque protensa per totumdorsum usque ad pinnam caudalem, ut ipsa analis, porrecta.

XXXI. SOLEA Cuv.

Os tor turn, deforme, tantum in eo later e dentibus velutinis confertissimis te-nuibus armatum, quod oculo caret; in altero oculato latere desunt dentes. Pinnadorsalis juxta os oriunda, ut pinna analis ad caudalem usque extensa est.

XXXII. MONOCHIR Cuv.

Os et pinnae verticales Soleae. Pinna pectoralis in latere oculato parva, inaltero minima vix conspicua; aut deest.

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XXXIII. PLAGUSIA BROWN.

Os Soleae. Pinnae pectorales deaunt. .Pinnae vero verticales, dorsalis, ana-lis et caudalis conjunctae sunt.

XXX. RHOMBUS Guv.

Corpus compressissimum, squamig majoribus minoribusve tectum, formam sistit Rhombi plusiru'nusve lad seu elongati. Pleraeque species sinistrorsum spectant. Caput paryum, truncatum.Operculum squamatum. Apertura branchialis ampla. Radii branchiales 7. Os plus minusve am-plum, sursum versum; limbus maxillae" superioris ossibus intennaxillaribus conformatur, quaeut maxilla inferior dentibus acutis, validis, anticis majoribus armata sunt. Marge interior ar-cuum branchialiunij nee non ossa pharyngea dentibus velutinis obsiti. Pinna dorsalis, ab oreincipiens per totum dorsum usque ad pinnam caudalem, quacum non conjuncta est, ut et ana-lis sub pectoralibus oriunda porrigitur. Pectorales lateris decori longiores, alterius breviores;ventrales sub jugulo, parvae, irregulares, inter se conjunctae.

Species hujus generis munerosae affines; nonnullae maximae evadunt.

1. RHOMBUS OCELLATUS AGASS. Tab. 46.

Sinister*), parvus, corpore latissimo ocellis caerulescentibus picto, oculis flavidis,valde distantibus, pinnis pectoralibus parvis acuminatis; dorsali, anali et caudalipunctulatis; ore minori.

Caput altissimum, brevius, totum squamis obtectum; oculi valde distantes , superior ad mar-ginem dorsi, inferior pone os, crista ossea aculeata ad rostri apicem porrecta, uti in Rhombomanco, superne circumdatus. Operculum parvum angustum. Os minus; frons valde declivis.Nares parvae bis perforatae inter aculeum anteriorem et posteriorem cristae superciliaris sitae.Radii et membrana branchiostegi sub operculo et suboperculo recon " Pinna dorsalis et analisaeque alta, haec inter ventrales oriunda} ilia a maxilla superiore . I basin pinnae cau-dalis lanceolatae extensa. ; ventrales minimae , sinistra cum anali subcontii^ja, dextra multo mi-nor. Truncus planus squamis subaequalibus minutis obductus; latus sinistrum roseo-carneum3 ma-culis ocellatis coerulescentibus irregulariter sparsis ; dextrum unicolor cinerascenti- alburn^ linealatefalis pone operculum semicirculariter curvata inde recta. Squamae tenues, subcirculares, margine

*) Incuria pictoris figura nostra dextrdrsum special.

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postico aculeis parvis pectinatae, et radiis antrorsum et lateraliter divergentibus confertissimis utet lineis concentricis notatae ; punctum radiationis posticum; squamae lineae lateralis pyriformes,

canali recto, in margine postico squamae aperto.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 12, ventralis sinistra 6, dextra 5, dorsalis 82, caudalis 3, 11, 3,

analis 62.

In Museo Monacensi specimen tuiicum in spiritu vini servatur 51/i" longum 2" latum.

Habitat Mare Atlanticwn.

Rhombus Podas Laroche Ann. du Mus. torn. torn. III. p. 354 f. 14. valde affinis; differt tamenocellis majoribus, minus distinctis ; oculis non adeo distantibus; rostro prominente; mandibula

longiore.

Rhombus pantherinus Riippell. Atlas. Fische des rothen Meeres tab. 3i. non minus affinis,differt vero trunco multo longiore, minus alto, oculis approximatis, radio primo pinnae pectoralis

sinistrae valde elongate.

2. RHOMBUS SOLEAEFORMIS Guv. in m. Tab. 47.Sinister, corpore elongate, olivaceo-nigricanti, macula nigra pone operculum;

sqnamis majoribus, ore majusculo; linea laterali subrecta.

Caput parvum , subrotundatum, applanatum otnnino squamatum; squamis buccarum minori-bus. Os magnum oblique ascendens, dentibus anticis majusculis ; maxilla inferior parum lon-gior. Oculi parum remoti rubro-fusci, ovales, crista superciliari nulla; inferior supra maxillarumeommissuram, superior paulo supra et pone inferiorem. Wares ante oculum inferiorem. Opercu-lum in spinam obtusam exiens; suboperculum inferne rotundatum. Truncus ovato - oblongus,postice angustior, compressissimus, squamis majorLbus obtectus. Squamae omnes tenuissimae,papyraceae, pellucidae, deciduae, postice truncatae, aculeis minutis asperae, antice rotundatae,lineis concentricis tenellis notatae , nee non radiis antrorsum divergentibus. Punctum radiationisad marginem posticum. Illae summi dorsi, imi ventri et radiorum pinnarum multo minores sunt.Squamae lineae lateralis magis rotundatae sunt, canali mucoso recto, retrorsum attenuate et in,margine postico aperto insignes. Pinnae pectorales mediocres, subacuminatae ; ventrales acutae,aequales, ab anali parum remotae; dorsalis in canthi dorsalis latere dextro oritur, minus alta,in mtidio dorso paulo latior est et ad finem caudae sensim angustior evadit ut et pinna analis.Pinna caudalis rotundata.

Totus piscis olivaceo - nigricans, medio latere viridiori; macula nigra supra et pone opercu-lum magis minusve distincta; subtus cinereus. Oculi rubro-fusci.

Pinnae pectorales 12, ventrales utrinque 6, dorsalis radiis 88, caudalis 4, n, 4, analis 72.

In Museo Monacensi specimina duo in spiritu vini servantur, 6 — 7"longa.

Habitat per mare Allanticum.

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XXXI. SOLEA Cuv.

Corpus ovatum, plus minusve elongatum, compressissimum, squamis parvis asperrimis subae-qualibus tectum. Pleraeque species dextrorsae sunt Caput parvum, densissime squamatum, adeout nee operculum, nee radii branchiostegi, nee ossa maxillaria perspici possint. Apertura bran-chialis non adeo magna. Os arcuatum deforme, contortum, in latus dejectum , quod oculis caret.

Maxilla superior plus minusve prominens , inferiorem ambiens. Dentes minuti, velutini, confertis-simi in latere decolore tantum; latus pictum edentatum. Nares appendiculatae. Pinnae pectoraleset ventrales parvae. Pinna dorsalis supra os, analis vero paullo pone yentrales oritur, utraquead plnnam caudalfim usque porrigitur.

Cavum abdominale prae omnibus Pleuronectibus minimum. Talis piscis fere totus cauda.Species hujus generis plurimae extant, inter se valde similes quoad fonnam corporis generalem,structura vero squamarum in singulis trunci partibus diversissimae. Mibi est propositum illasmarium nostratum aliquando figuris exactis exponendi addids squamis sub microscopio delineatis.

1. SOLEA BRASILIENSIS Cuv. imut Tab. 48.

Rostro prominulo, trunco rubello-fuscescente, subtus fusco; pinnis pectora-libus a medio inde, pinna caudali apice nigris.

Caput parvum, sextam tantum totius longitudinis partem- referens, undique squamis parvisciliatis tectum. Rostrum obtusum prominens. Oculi paryi, ovales, parum distantes, flavidi; su-perior paullo ante inferiorem. Buccae non impressae. Cristae supraciliares nullae. Nares anteoculum inferiorem, immediate supra marginem superiorem oris , tubulis cutaneis auctae. Aperturabranchialis non ultra pinnarum pectoralium insertionem patens. Truncus oblongatus, sensimcaudam versus attenuatus, triple longior quam altus, squamis parvis, in medio latere tamenpaullo majoribus , ad pinnam dorsalem, analem, caudadem et ad earum radios vero multo mi-noribus obtectus. Linea lateralis ab anguli operculi superiore ad pinnam caudalem rectissima.Squamae omnes tenues elongatae , subtetragonae, postice permultis aculeis minutis exasperatae,lineis concentricis confertissimis nee non radii's antrorsum divergentibus notatae; puncto radiatio-nis ad tertiam posteriorem squamae partem. Squamae lineae lateralis pyriformes, canali mucosorecto, postice attenuate, producto insignes. Pinna dorsaL's in medio dorso, analis in media caudaaltior, pinna caudalis rotundata.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 8, ventrales utrinque 5, dorsalis 96, analis 84, caudalis 4, i5, 4.

In Museo Monaoensi specimina duo in spiritu vini servantxir 12" longa_

Habitat in mare Atlantic'o, Brasiliam alluente.

23

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88 M O N O C H I R .

XXXII. MONOCHIR Cuv.

Corpus compressissimum, brevius, latum; squamis pnrvis ciliatis, asperis tectum. Pleraequespecies dextrorsum spectant. Gaput paryum, rotundatutn, omnino squamatum. Operculum vixdistinctum. Apertura branchialis angusta. Os paryum, arcuatum, tantum in latere caeco dentibusminutissimis velutinis armatum. Pinnae peotorales minimae; in latere inferior! saepius deest, imoin speciminibus variis ejusdem specie!. Pinnae ventrales paryae) ea lateris oculati conjuncta estcum anali. Pinna dorsalis, nee non analis truncum omnino ambit; utraque vero a caudali

secreta.

1. MONOCHIR MACULIPENNIS AGASS. Tab. 49.

Trunco suborbiculari, njgricante, lineis transversis aterrimis notato , subtussordide albicante; pinnis verticalibus nigro maculatis ; pinna pectorali in altero la-tere nulla.

Ambitus totius corporia circulum fere refert pinna caudali appendiculatum. Caput parvurn,planum vix quartam partem totius longitudinis aequans , antice rotundatum. Operculum posticerotundatum, Oculi minimi, parum distantes, flaviduli; inferior pone angulum oris, superiorpaullo supra et ante eum. Crista superciliaris nulla. Wares inter et ante oculos. Truncus om-nino squamis parvis subaequalibus obtectus, ad pinnas verticales et earum radios minoribus, innucha vero et. suboperculo majoribus. Squamae omnes tenaces, oblongae, tetragonae, marginepostico ciliato, b'neis concentricis confertissimis et nonnullis radiis "antrorsum divergentibus et inmarginem anticum decurrentibus notatae; puncto radiationis postico. Squamae lineae lateralis cor-datae , antice emarginatae, sine radiis, canali mucoso longissimo, valde producto et postice an-gustiori prae omnibus distinctae. Pinna dorsalis et analis postice altior, caudalis rotundata; om-

nes nigro maculatae. Pinna ventralis sinistra minima libera 3 dextra cum anali conjuncta.

In speciminibus junioribus et truncus maculis nigris notatus est.

Pinna pectoralis dextra radiis 5, ventralis dextra radiis 6, sinistra 5, pinna dorsalis 56,analis 46 , caudalis 2 , 12, i.

In Museo Monacensi specimina plura in spiritu vini servantur 3—6" longa.

Habitat in mare Atlantico.

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XXXIII. PLAGUSIA BROWN.

Corpus compressum, supra subconvexum, subtus omnino planum, elongatum, lanceolatum,squamis parvis aequaliter obtectum. Caput parvum, aeque squamatum. Apertura branchialisminima. Operculum sub squamis reconditum, indistinctum, Os parvum arcuatum, in latere caecotantum dentibus minimis velutinis armatum. Caput nullo modx> a trunco distinctum. Pinnae lae-ves; dorsalis, caudalis et analis inter se conjunctae, totum marginem trunci a rostri apice indeusque ad gulam ambiunt. Pinna ventralis unica in latere caeco. Pinnae pectorales nullae.

1. PLAGUSIA BRASILIENSIS Cuv. in mt. Tab. 5o.

Sinistra; capite minimo obscure fusco, vix sextam totius longitudinis partemreferente; trunco elongate, lanceolate, laete fuscescenti, subtus flavido-brunneo;cauda tenui; pinnis nigricantibus; linea lateral! nulla.

Caput omnino squamis minutis , adeo densis obductum ut nee partes operculi postice emar-ginati, nee radii branchiostegi, nee maxillae discerni possint. Os minimum, arcuatum, maxillasuperiore parum prominente. Oculi minimi proximi, supra maxillarum commissuram; superioreparum ante inferiorem. Nares inter et ante oculos, subtubulosae. Buccae non impressae.Squamae trunci per lineas cruciatas dispositae, ad margines corporis, praecipue capitis et caudae,minores; omnes ejusdem structurae, oblongae, subtetragonae, tenaces, firmae, in margine posticoaculeis minutissimis ciliatae, lineis concentricis confertissimis et radiis antrorsum divergentibusnotatae. Linea lateralis nulla. Pinnae pectorales nullae; ventralis unica in laterc caeco, minima;pinnae verticales laeves, non squamatae, truncum ut fascia aeque lata circumdant.

Pinna ventralis dextra radiis 4, dorsalis 98, analis 84, caudalis. 12.

In Museo Monacensi specimen unicum in spiritu vini servatur 6". 9" longum.

Habitat Mare Atlcmticum.

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A N G U I L L A E F O R M E S .

III. MALACOPTERYGH APODES Guv.

FAMILIA VI. ANGUILLAEFORMES Cw.

Diagnosis. Corpus plus minusYe elongatum, saepius lon-gissimum,, cylindraceum aut compressum, per totam ferelongitudinem aeque latum, laeve, mucosum, squamis mini-mis obductum,, cuti immersis, saepius oculo inermi inconspi-cuis. Caput parvum; operculum (suboperculum interopercu-lum et praeoperculiim aeque exstant) minimum ut et radiibranchiostegi gracillimi sub cute reconditi. Apertura brancbia-lis parva, saepius minima. Os amplum, saepius acute armatumdentibus variae indolis. Pinnae ventrales nullae; pectorales autparyae aut nullae; pinna dorsalis et analis plerumque longissi-mae totum dorsum et ventrem circumdant et baud raro cumpinna caudali conjunguntur.

Caeca nulla. Vesica aerea adest.

Pisces lubrici, anguillaeformes, celeres, voraces, in mare et in fluviistotius orbis frequentes.

XXXIV. GYMNOTHORAX BL.

Corpus longissimum j tenue, cylindraceum, plus minusve compressum et per totam fere lon-gitudinem aeque latum, versus caudae apicem tantum attenuatum , angustum. Caput parvum,compressum, cute crassa ita obductum ut nee operculum, nee radii branchiostegi extus conspicipossint. Apertura branchialis minima, lateralis, semicircularis. Os angustum ; rictus oris verolongum ultra ocitlos valde productus. Ambitus oris totius supra ob ossibus maxillaribus superio-ribus conformalur; in summo apice tantum ossa intermaxillaria minima inter ea recipiuntur.JDentes acutissimi, retrorsum versi, in toto margine ossium mandibularium maxillariumque ; poste-riores minores , confertiores, anteriores multo longiores magisque distances. Vomeri denies non-

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G Y M N O T H O R A X . gl

nulli longissimi insident. Nares aub'cae tubulosae. Truncus lubricus, mucosus, omnino squamisminutissimis et oculo inermi vix conspicuis obteotus. Pinna dorsalia per totum dorsum ad caudaeapicem usque extenditur, ut analis a medio trunco inde; inter se ita conjunctae sunt, ut pinnacaudalis distincta nbn appareat.

1. GYMNOTHORAX ROSTRATUS AGASS. Tab. L. a.Rostro productiori; capite, trunco pinnaque -dorsali ex flavicanti-albidisj ma.

culis atris notatis, majoribus minoribusque, irregulariter dispositis; pinnae dorsalis

margine nigro, pinna anali nigra; pone oris angulum striis longitudinalihus nigris 5

abdomine nigricante.

Caput parvum, magis compressum quam in plerisque hujusce generis speciebus, a rostriapice ad aperturam branchialem septimam totius longitudinis partem refert. Os longissimurn ;denies vomeris longissimi duo vel tres , rostrum tenue, productius. Oculi parvi, rotundi, supramedium maxillae superioris, inter hanc efc verticis marginem intermedii. Buccae subintumidae, laeves.Truncus compressus, praecipue ad collum et versus caudae attenuatae apicem. Pinna dorsalis anucha incipiens, radiis numerosissimis suffulta, in medio dorso altior, versus caudae apicem verosensim breyior. Pinna analis dorsali angustior, radiis confertioribus tenuioribusque sustentatur. Arostri apice ad initium pinnae dorsalis plica cutis erecta extenditur, inter quam retrorsum radiipinnae dorsalis recipiuntur. Ob crassitiem membranae pinnarum radios numerare non licet. Ma-culae nigrae capitis illis trunci minores; versus caudae apicem. maculae magis ac magis confhumt,ita ut apex prorsus niger evadit.

In Museo Monacensi specimen unicum in spiritu yini servatur, 22" longum.

Habitat per ostia majorum jlaminum Brasiliae.

2. GYMNOTHORAX OCELLATUS AGASS. Tab. L. b.

Capite declivi, vertice sulcato, rostro breviore, gula intumida; trunco suLte-

reti; cauda compressa, acuminata; pinnis nigro albocpie guttatis, caudae apice ni-

gro alboque fasciatis, trunco capiteque fuscis, ocellis ex albido -flavicantibus notatis,

ventre sordide flavicanti.

Caput parvum, crassiusculum, septimam totius longitudinis a rostri apice ad aperturam bran-

chialem referens. Buccae et gula intumidae. Oculi parvi. Denies parum breviores quam inGymnothorace rostrato. Nares in summo rostri apice tubulosae antrorsum versae. Truncus fereteres, caudae apicem versus attenuatus, sensim ac sensim compressior tenuiorque. Pinna dorsa-lis supra aperturam branchialem oriunda duplo altior est quam pinna analis, utraque nigra, tnag-nis ocellis albicantibus notata. Truncus supra fuscus, infra sordide flavicans, ocellis in dorsomajoribus, in capite pluribus minoribus sparsis irregularibus albido- flavicantibus insignis.

In Museo Monacensi specimina duo in spiritu vini servantur, la —14" longa.

Inhabitat ostia Jluminum majorum Brasiliae aequatorialis.24

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Q2 A N A R R H I C H A S .

IV, ACANTHOPTERYGII Guv.

FAMILIA VII. GOBIOIDEI Guv.

Diagnosis. Corpus elongatum, cylindraceum,, plus minus-ve compressum, lubricum, plerumque squamis minutissimiscuti immersis obductum; caput cute crassiori operculum etradios branchiales obtegente tectum. Dentes yariae indolis.Radii pinnae dorsalis plus mirmsve graciles;, fl exiles, pinnalongissima, aut in plures diyisa. Pinnae pectorales magnae;vexitrales tune inter se coiijunctae, tune minimae, tune nullae.

Canalis intestinalis aequalis, amplus; caeca nulla. Vesieaaerea null a.

XXXV. ANARRHICHAS LINN.

Corpus laeve, squalidum , squamis minimi's sub cute reconditis obductum, elongatum, an-guillaeforme; cauda tenuior. Caput tortum, irregulare. Operculum. parvum. Membrana bran-chiostega radiis 6. Os magnum. Ossa palatina, vomer et margo maxillarum lateralis dentibusobtuse conicis praemagnis; margo maxillarum anterior dentibus conicis acutis validissimis subin-curvis armati. Pinna dorsalis radiis anlice simplicibus flexilibus, postice fissis suffulta, ut et ana-Us ad pinnam caudalem usque rotundatam porrigitur. Pinnae pectorales rotundatae magnae; ven-trales nullae. Pisces magni, voraces, formidolosi; ventriculo brevi, carnoso 5 intestine brevi,crasso, sine caecis.

1. ANARRHICHAS LEOPARDUS AGASS. Tab. LI.

Pinna dorsali caudam versus altiore truncoque fusco maculis magfnis nigrismaculatis 5 maxilla inferiore dextrorsum, superiore sinistrorsum torta.

Corpus ad initium pinnae dorsalis altius, parum compressum. Caput superne compres-sum-, quintam totius longitudtnis partem referens. Operculum postice acutum, subaculeatum;membrana branchiostega crassa; apertura branchialis magna. Oculi mediocres, antici, ad mar-

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LABROIDEI . g3

ginem fere cranii, supra mediam maxillae superioris partem. Nares mediae inter oculum et ro-

stri apicem. Buccae laeres, carnosae. Cub's laevis, lubrica, stjuamis minimis sparsis obsita, li-

neis concentricis rarioribus notab's. Pinnae pectorales magnae, rotundatae, radiis 20. Pinna dor-salis anali altior, totum dorsum ambiens. In nostro specimine sicco pinna caudalis adeo laesaest ub ejus indolem accuratius indicare nequeam.

In Museo Monacensi specimen unicum siccum pessimum seryatur, 20" longum.

Habitat in Oceano Allantico.

FAMILIA VIII. LABROIDEI Guv.

Diagnosis. Corpus oblongum, scpiamosum, plus minusvecompressum. Caput aut squamosum, aut nudum. LaLra car-nosa., incrassata, magna, (unde nomen familiae). Ossa pha-ryiigea u.t et maxillae dentiLus yariae indolis majoribus autmiiioriLus, tune acutis' aut obtusioribus, tune velutinis autsegregatis vel solitariis armata. Pinna dorsalis antice aculeis,postice radiis articulatis, pluriesque fissis suifulta; radii anticianalis aculei nonnulli.

Vesica ae'rea nulla. Caeca nulla aut duo minima. •

Coloribus tenellis et amoenis ante omnes piscea excellunt Labroidei.

C O N S P E C T U S G E N E R U M .

XXXVI. LABRUS LINN. Cuv.

Corpus elongatum, ut caput squamis majoribus minoribusve obductum. Linealateralis sub fine pinnae dorsalis deflexa. Membrana branchiosteg-a radiis 5. Labrumsuperius duplicatum, parte inferiore plicata. Dentes maxillarum obtuse conici ,anteriores paullo longiores; pharyngei obtusi, mutici per plures series dispositi.

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XXXVII. JULIS Cuv.

Corpus elongatum, squamis majoribus obtectum. Caput omnino nudum. Linealateralis ad finem pinnae dorsalis inferne curvata, inde iterum recta. Maxillae ex-terne dentibus conicis, interne obtusis minoribus, antice curvis multo longioribusarmatae.

XXXVTII. XYRICHTHYS GOLDF. Cuv.

Corpus compressissimum, squamis magnis obductum. Caput valde declive.Linea lateralis interrupta. Maxillae dentibus conicis armatae, anticis longioribus.Pharynx dentibus haemisphericis obsitus.

XXXIX. SCARUS LINN.

Corpus ovato - oblongum, subcompressum, squamis praemagnis tectum. Linealateralis sub fine pinnae dorsalis subinterrupta. Maxillae convexae, rotundatae,dentibus imbricatis obsitae. Labra carnosa. Ossa pharyngea modo Labrorumdentibus obsita.

XL. CYCHLA BL. SCHN.

Corpus elongatum, subcompressum, squamis minoribus obductum. Linea la-teralis interrupta. Operculum acuminatum. Buccae et operculum squamatae. Ossaintermaxillaria protractilia. Dentes velutini supra et subtus per latam fasciamdispositi 5 in pharynge denies aeque velutini.

XXXVI. LABRUS LINN.

Corpus elongatum, plus minusve compressum, squamis majoribus minoribusve obductum.Linea lateralis sub fine pinnae dorsalis deflexa. Caput mediocre productum, squamatum. Mem-brana branchiostega radiis 5. Operculum angulosum, ut praeoperculum, inerme. Buccae omninosquamatae. Os mediocre , circumdatum labris carnosis crassissimis supra duplicibus : superioreab ossibus infraorbitalibus, inferiore plicato a maxillaribus et intermaxillaribus oriundo. Ossaintermaxillaria ambitum superiorem oris sola conformant. Dentes maxillares obtuse - conici, perseriem unicam dispositi, majores minoresve, anteriores longiores. Dentes pharyngici obtusi,

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mutici, per plures series dispositi. Pars anterior pinnae dorsalis longae aculeis, posterior radiisarticulatis fissisque suffulta. Pinna analis multo brevior, antice nonnullis aculeis aucta.

Intestinum tenue sine caecis, rectum amplum. Vesica aerea simplex, magna.

1. LABRUS CRASSUS AGASS. Tab. LIT.

Trunco crasso, lato, tumido, brunneo-flavescenti; cauda pone pinnam dorsa-lem et analem multo tenuiore 5 squamis mediocribus in margine postico tenuissimis3

membranaceis.

Caput crassum, magnum, intumidum, rostro prominulo , ultra quartam partem totius longi-tudinis aequans. Buccae squamis minoribus illis trunci aut operculi obductae, per series radiantesdispositis; operculi squamis irregularibus yariae magnitudinis. Fossae nasales utrinque duobus fo-raminibus patentes, ante marginein superiorem orbitae: foramine posteriore majore, patulo ; an-teriore tubuloso. Oculi mediocres retro commissuram maxillarum. Truncus latiusculus antice sub-compressus, versus caudae apicem vero sensitn temiior, in apice caudae compressissimus est.Squamae omnes subaequales tenaces, angulatae, margine postico tenui membranaceo, subrotun-dato, in nucha, caudae apice et infra pinnas pectorales minores, lineis curvis concentriois in me-dio confertioribus nee non radiis antrorsum divergentibus pluribus confertis notatae; punctum ra-diationis reticulatum in tertia posteriori squamae parte ; squamae lineae lateralis minores, longioresangustiores, insignes canali mucbso antice ampliori, postice angustiore et in ea parte squamaegeniculato in qua a lateralibus obtegitur. Linea lateralis pone operculum parum ascendens cumdorso parallela cuique multo prouior est, inde .recta usque ad finem pinnae dorsalis, sub quacurvata medium latus caudae petit et recta ad mediam pinnam caudalem tendit. Pinnae dorsalispars aculeate, appendicibus cutaneis brevibus aucta, radiis brevioribus quam in parte articulata.Pinna caudalis rotundata, baseos spatiis interradialibus squamatis. Pinnae analis radiis anterioribusbrevioribus aculeatis, sequentibus sensim lohgioribus fissis articulatisque. Pinnae pectorales rotundatae.

Pinna pectoralis radiis 16, ventralis 6, dorsalis 1/-J-14, caudalis 5, 11, 5, analis 3, 11.

In Museo Monacensi specimen unicum 12" longum in spiritu vini exstat.

Habitat in Oceano liltora Brasiliae alluenti,

XXXVII. JULIS Guv.

Corpus elongatum, plus minusve compressum. Squamis magnis obductum. Linea lateralisrecta, sub fine pinnae dorsalis subito deflexa, inde iterum recta. Caput parvum omnino nudurn.Suboperculum poslice acuminatum. Apertura branchialis magna. Membrana branchiostega radiis6. Os parvum. Ossa intermaxillaria marginem oris superiorem conformantia et ossa mandibularia

26

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96 JULIS.

dentibus conicis per seriem unicam dispositis armata. Anlice supra utrinque dens unus, infra duodenies majores curvi longiores acutissimi. Pone seriem dentium conicorvim supra et subtus seriesduae dentium hemisphacricarum multo minorum exstant. Pinna dorsalis longissima antice aculeis,postice radiis articulatis fissisque suffulta; pinna analis longa radiis anterioribus simplicibus.

1. JULIS DIMIDIATUS AGASS. Tab. LIU.

Capite parvo, trunco coropressissimo squamis praemagnis, angnlosis tecto 5canali mucoso squamarum lineae lateralis usque ad finem pinnae dorsalis bifurco,inde simplici; fascia lata longitudinal! coerulescenti-violacea 5 macula coerulea adpinnae caudalis lobum auperiorem.

Caput compressum, parvum, laeve, alepidotum, roseo - violaceum, vix quartam totius longi-tudinis partem aequans. Suboperculum postioe productum, appendiculatum, membranaceum; in-teroperoulum latum, subtus rotundatum membranam et radios brancbiostegos omnino obtegens.Apertura brancbialis maxima. Os parvum angustum, dentes laterales externi conici aequales, an-teriores longiores curvi antrorsum versi triplo majores: supra duo inter se parum distantes, subtusquatuor (utrinque duo) eodem modo antrorsum tendentes, exteriores tamen parum extrorsum, interio-res introrsum versi, ore clause superiorea inter se recipientes. Oculi parvi ad margiuem verticis.Nares minimae, utrinque duae ad marginem anteriorem orbitae. Vertex pluribus foraminibus mu-cosis obsitus. Buccae planae. Squamae trunci permagnae, rhombeae, in latere majores, minores.vero ad nucham, sub pinna pectorali et ad finem caudae ; omnes in margin e postico tenuissimaBjmembranaceae, lineis curvis concentricis confertissimis notatae, nee non radiis undique praesertimantrorsum divergentibus pluribusque; punctual radiationis ad mediam fere squamam 3 radiis ana-stomosantibus retic.ulatum. Squamae lineae lateralis vicinis parum minores, insignes canali mucosoa tertia anteriore squamae parte incipiente, et ad tertiam posteriorem partem bifurcatione extusaperto; canalis mucosus extremarum squamarum caudalium simplex. Pinna dorsalis per totamlongitudinem fere aeque alta, parte articulata parum altiore, tamen non longiore quam pars acu-leate; pinna caudalis truncata; pinna analis longa aeque alta. Pinnae ventrales acuminatae parvae,radio primo aculeato dimidio breviore quam sequens. Pinnae pectorales acuminatae mediocrcsradio primo parum validiore, sequentibus gracilibus ter, ultimls bis fissis, omnibus articulatis.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 12, ventrales 6, analis 3, 10, caudalis 5, 12, 6, dorsalis g-f-iS.

Totus piscis rosaceus, lata fascia longitudinal! violacea ornatus. Pinna dorsalis antice rosea,postice violacea. Macula coerulescens ad pinnam caudalem, pinna analis pallide violacea.

In Museo Monacensi specimen exstat 6y£" longum, in spiritu vini servatum.

Habitat per mare Atlanticum.

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XXXVIII. XYRICHTHYS GOLDP. Guv.

Corpus compressissimum , plus minusve latum, squamis magnis obductum; linea lateralis inter-rupta. Caput parrum, valde declive; crista vertical! ab osse ethmoideo, et processibus ascenden-tibus ossium intermaxillarium conformata. Operculum parrum, suboperculum et interoperculumvero majora. Apertura branchialis magna. Os parvum. Ossa intermaxillaria totum ambitumoris superiorem conformantia, magna, ut et ossa mandibularia dentibus conicis per seriem sim-

plicem dispositis armata; antice supra et subtus utrinque dens conicus, subincurvus, longissimus,acutissimus. Pharynx dentibus hemisphaericis obsitus. Pinna dorsalis antice aculeis postice ra-diis articulatis fissisque. Pinna analis longa, antice radiis simplicibus.

Canalis intestinalis sine caecis. Vesica aerea amula.

1. XYRIGHTHYS UNIOGELLATUS Cuv. in mt. Tab. LV. -

Trunco compressissimo, squamis rotun'dato-rhombeis in medio latere maximis;capite parvo lineis azureis transversis notato; suboperculo appendiculato; maculanigra alio cincta ocellata in pinnae dorsalis parte media.

Caput parrum compressissimum, valde declive, quartam totius longitudinis partem non prorsusaequans, nudum, laeve. Operculum parvum, suboperculum vero appendiculatum poslice membrana-ceum et interoperculum lata, membranam et radios branchiostegos obtegentia. Buccae laeves,planae. Oculi parvi ad summum verticem siti. Nares minimae utrinque duae ad eorum margi-nem anteriorem. Os minimum labris latis cinctum, parum protractile. Ore clauso denies caniniinferiores inter superiores recipiuntur. Squamae tenuissimae , papyraceae , deciduae, in marginepostico membranaceae, magnae, in medio latere majores, ad nucham, versus finem caudae etsub pinnis pectoralibus minores; omnes lineis curvis concentricis confertissimis notatae, nee nonradiis confertis antrorsum et retrorsum divergentibus. Linea lateralis dorso appropinquate, cumeo parallela usque ad finem pinnae dorsalis continua , inde interrupta in medio caudae latere pin-nam caudalem recta tendit; squamae ejusdem canali mucoso simplici ad tertiam posteriorem par-tem aperto, perforatae sunt. Pinnae dorsalis pars posterior articulata anteriore parum altior est;pinna caudalis rotundata; pinna analis per totam longitudinem aeque fere alta , radiis postremistantum longioribus ; pinnae ventrales parvae acuminatae, radio primo aculeato dimidio breviorequam sequens.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 11, ventrales 6, analis 3, i3, caudalis 3, 12, 3, dorsalis g+i3.

Totus piscis ex roseo violacens ; caput cinereum vittis transversis azureis fasciatum. Maculaocellata nigra albo cincta in pinnae dorsalis parte aculeata posteriore.

In Museo Monacensi specimina duo in spiritu vini servanlur 6" longa.

Habitat in mari Brasiliae.

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98 S C A R U S .

XXXIX. SCARUS LINN.

Corpus ovato - oblongum, subcompressum, squamis praemagnis tectum. Linea lateralis subfine pinnae dorsalis subinterrupta. Caput mediocre, acuminatum, squamatum; operculum posticeproductum. Apertura branchialis magna. Membrana branchiostega radiis 4. Os parvum. Maxillaeconrexae, rotundatae dentibus mirae indolis obsitae. Canthi scilicet et facies anteriores ossiumintermaxillarium marginem superiorem oris conformantium eb ossium mandibularium pluribusseriebus dentium imbricatorum obsiti sunt, quorum recentiores extern! a tergo antrorsum cres-cunt et anteriores obruptos substituunt. Labra carnosa. Ossa pharyngea modo Labrorum den-

tibus obsita-

1. SCARUS FRONDOSUS Guv. in at. Tab. LIV.

Rostro prommulo; suboperculo appendiculato; squamis trunci maximis, lineaelateralis canali mucoso frondoso ornatis, squama caudae postrema lanceolata, quammaxima.

Caput parvum, quartam totius longitudinis partem aequans, squamis maximis tectum. Oculimedicares ad marginem verticis. Nares utrinque duo, ante oculos sitae, posteriores patulae, an-teriores tubulosae. Os parvum dentibus imbricatis armatum, serie interna marginal! acie acer-rima, in speciminibus junioribus extus dentes nonnulli exserti acutissimi. Membrana radii etbranchiostegi ab interoperculo cooperti. Buccae squamatae. Abdomen rotundatum. Truncus com-pressus, squamis maximis obtectum, caudae apicem versus sensim minoribus. Series squamarumminorum ad basin pinnae dorsalis. Squamae omnes sat firmae, lenaces, in margine posterioritenuiores submembranaceae, lineis curvis concentricis confertissimis notatae , nee non radiis pluri-bus antrorsum et retrorsum divergentibus ; radii posteriores non solum a puncto radiationis sedetiam dentium pectinis instar a linea per mediam squamam transversa undique prodeunt. Linealateralis usque ad finem pinnae dorsalis cum dorso parallela et ei multo propior quam ventri, in-de in medio caudae latere recta; canalis ejusdem mucosus antice simplex rectus, a media squamavero ramosissimus per plurima foramina aperitur; squama ultima maxima lanceolata acuminata.Pinna dorsalis per totam longitudinem prorsus aeque alta; pars ejusdem aculeata aeque longaquam pars articulata. Pinna caudalis emarginata, radiis exterioribus paullo longioribus. Pinnaanalis radiis anterioribus paullo brevioribus, sequentibus aequalibus. Pinnae pectorales subrotun-datae, ventrales vero acuminatae.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 12, ventrales 6, analis .12, caudalis 4, n, 4, dorsalis 9 4~n.

Totus piscis rosaccus in violaceum vergens.

In Museo Monacensi specimina plura in spiritu vini servantur 5 — 12" longa.

Habitat in mari Brasiliae.

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XL. CYCHLA BL. SCHN.Corpus elongatum, subcompressum, squamis minoribus obductum. Linea lateralis interrupta.

Caput productum, subacuminatum. Operculum postice acuminatutn, suboperculum postice prolon-gatum, nee non buccae squamatae. Os magnum sursum subinflexum ; ossa intermaxillaria ambi-tum oris superiorem totum sustinentia valde protractilia, ut et mandibularia fascia lata dentiumvelutinorum obsita. Pharynx aeque dentibus velutinis armatus. Membrana branchiostega radiis 5.Pinna dorsalis longa; pars ejus anterior aculeata posteriore molli longior. Pinna analis brevis.Pinna caudalis rotundata.

1. CYCHLA LABRINA SPIX. Tab. XLIT. Fig..Capite depresso, producto; mandibula prominente longiore quam maxilla; 1'a-

bris crassissimis: pinnis pectoralibus rotundatis; pinna anali, caudali et pinnae dor-salis parte molli nigro maculatis, maculis seriatis 5 macula nigra in apice caudae.

Caput elongatum, acutum, antice depressum 51/^ totius longitudinis partem aequans, supranudum; buccae squamis minimis obductae', operculum majoribus et suboperculum postice acumi-natum, membranaceum squamis multo majoribus tecta; praeoperculum et inter operculum nudalaeyia. Apex operculi bicuspis. Apertura branchialis maxima. Oculi magni pone et supra ma-xillarum commissuram. Nares utrinque simplices, patulae, inter oculos et rostri apicem interme-diae. Ossa infraorbitalia foraminibus mucosis plurimis majoribus obsita. Os amplum, sursum sub-inflexum , supra et subtus fascia antice latissima postice angustiore dentium velutinorum obsitum.Lingua carnosa, angusta, apice rotundata liberaque, frenulo laxo. Truncus elongatus subcom-pressus, caudae apicem versus sensim tenuior, compressior, squamis mediocribus duris asperiscrassis deciduis in medio latere majoribus ad caudam et in nucha sensim minoribus, ante pin-nam pectoralem et sub ilia vero multo minoribus. Squamae omnes lineis curvis concentricis con-fertissimis notatae , nee non radiis antrorsum in marginem undatum lobatumque divergentibus,facie externa posteriori squamae scabra, radiata; margine postico aculeis tenuissimis longioribusciliato. Linea lateralis ab operculi angulo superiori sursum flexa, dorso approximata et usque adpinnae dorsalis partem mollem cum eo parallela, inde in medio caudae latere recta. Canalis mu-cosus squamarum lineae lateralis simplex, in margine postico squamae aperitur. Pinnae dorsalispars aculeata longior quam pars mollis, cujus radii postremi paullo longiores suntj radii partis an-terioris aculeati longe appendiculati, ut in plerisque Labris; pinna caudalis rotundata; pinnae ana-lis radii anteriores breviores, posteriores sensim longiores; pinnae pectorales rotundatae.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 16, ventrales 6, analis 3, 10, caudalis 4, i4, 4, dorsalis ao-}-14.

Totus piscis ex nigricanti-olivaceus; pinna anali, caudali dorsalique posteriore nigro macu-latis, maculis radiatis; macula rotundata nigra ad caudae apicem, supra lineam lateralem.

Hancce speciem cum simili Cychla saxatili Schn. comparandi copia non fuit.

In Museo Monacensi specimina dtio in spiritu vini servantur 4/4. —l" l°n&a-

Habitat in mari Brasiliae.26

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100 CYCHLA.

2. CYCHLA MONOCULUS SPDC M,. LXHI.

Trunco lato, compresso, supra fasciis (juatuor transversis nigris3 ad basin pinnaecaudalis et in latere ventri maculis nigris ocellatis albo cinctis ; pinna dorsali inmedio emarginata; parte ejus molli, pinna caudali, anali et radiis anterioribus pin-narum ventralium squamis minimis obteotis.

Capub magnum, compressum, declive, 3 l/^. totius longituditxis partem aequans, supra nudum.Buccae planae, operculum obtuse prominens et suboperculum apice posteriori appendiculatum ,membranaceum, squamatae ; praeoperculum et inter operculum nuda, laevia. Apertura branchialismaxima. Oculi magni supra maxillarum commissuram. Wares utrinque simplices patulae oculis pro-piores quam rostri apici. Os magnum sursus subinflexum, labris crassis carnosis circumdatum ;mandibula prominens, longior quam maxilla. Truncus squamis paryis, tenacious , duris, asperis,tectus, in nucha parutn majoribus; ad basin pinnae caudalis vero minoribus. Squamae omnestenuiores , pellucidiores quam in Cychla labrina, lineis curvis concentricis confertis et radiis an-trorsum divergentibus notatae; margine antico lobato, postico aculeis ciliato; facie externa etposteriori squamae scabra, radiata. Linea lateralis ab operculi angulo superiore sursum flexa cumdorso parallela usque ad mediam pinnae dorsalis posterioris partem ubi inferne deflectitur, inter-rupta; inde in medio caudae latere recta. Canalis mucosus simplex amplus, postice angustior ,acuminatus, foramine parvo in margine postico squamae aperitur. Squamae minutae, quae pin-nam caudalem et analem undique, in pinna dorsali posteriori spatia interradialia et radios ante-riores pinnarum ventralium obtegunt eandem praebent indolem , sed irregulares , polymorphicsunt. Pinna dorsalis emarginata, radiis anticis et posticis partis aculeatae et anticis partis mollisbrevioribus ; radii aculeati omnes breviter appendiculati. Pinna caudalis rotundata, radiis transsquamas vix distinguendis. Pinna analis parva. Pinnarum ventralium radius primus crassus vali-dissimus, aculeatus. Pinnae pectorales acuminatae.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 16, ventrales 6, analis 3, 11, caudalis 5, i3, 5, dorsalis i5-{-i6.

Dorsum fuscum , fasciis et maculis nigris notatutn. Latera flavicantia ocellis majoribus nigrisalbo cinctis ornata; talis ocellus ad basin pinnae caudalis. Pinna dorsalis nigricans.

In Museo Monacensi specimen in spiritu vini servatur i3" longum.

Habitat in mari Brasiliae.

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S C O M B E R O I D E I . 101

FAMILIA IX. SCOMBEROIDEI Guv.

Diagnosis. Corpus formae maxime yariae, in his longissi-mum cylindraceum yel compressum,, in illis oyato-oblongum,ovatum aut latissimuin, latins imo quam longum et quam ma-xime compressum,, semper squamis minimis obtectum, quasilaeve; in paucioribus linea lateralis serie scutorum armata est.Pinna caudalis plerumque yalidissima, caudaeque latus interdumplicis cutaneis appendiculatum. Caput pro corporis mole nuncmaximum, nunc minimum, ut truncus forma maxime varians.Membrana brancbiostega angustissima plerumque sub oper-culo latet. Apertura branchialis saepius magna. Dentes inaliis velutini minimi in aliis discreti majores minoresye, acu-tissimi. Pinna dorsalis et analis aut unica aut plures; inpluribus speciebus radii postremi sejuncti. Pinnae pectoralesplerumque magnae. Ventrales paryae, raro desunt.

Caeca compluria, saepius in racemum coalita.

Pisces hujus familiae in omnibus maribus frecjuentissimi, velo-ces, rapaces, aliis piscibus pisciculisve insectantur, praesertim Exocoe-tis volitantibus. Garo boni saporis, maxime aestimatur, quam ob remubique illis piscatores insidiantur. Genera plurima exstant inter se adeodiscrepantia ut forsan serius in plures familias disjungentur; species veronumerosissimas inter se adeo similes saepius vix distinguere vales.

C O N S P E C T U S GENERUM.

XLI. CYBIUM Cuv.Corpus elongatum 3 squamis minutisimis obtectum. Gauda lateraliter plicis

membranaceis aucta. Caput parvTim, conico-acuminatum. Os magnum, dentibusmagnis, compressis, lanceolatis, acerrimis, armatum; ossa palatina et vomer denti-bus velutinis obsita. Pinna dorsalis anterior aculeata longa; posterioris radii po-stremi ut in anali liberi.

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102 S C O M B E R O I D E I .

XLH MICROPTERYX AGASS.

Corpus compressissimum, ovatum, latum, squamis minimis tectum. Caput par-vum, supra carinatum. Membrana branchiosteg'a radii's 7. Apertura branchialismaxima. Os parvum dentibus minutis armatum. Pinnae dorsales duae, sejunctae,anterior aculeata, brevior; posterior mollis ut analis, longa. Ante pinnam analemaculei duo.

XLIH. CARANX Cuv.

Corpus compressum, plus minusve latum. Caput supra carinatum. Membranabranchiosteg'a radiis 7. Apertura branchialis maxima. Lingua dentibus velutinisobsita; maxillae extus serie dentium acutorum minorum, intus dentibus velutinisarmatae. Linea lateralis scutata. Pinnae dorsales duae sejunctae; ante analemaculei nonnulli sejuncti, aut in pinnulam conjuncti.

XLIV. ARGYREIOSUS Cuv.

Corpus compressissimum, brevissimum, latissimum, squamis minutissimis tec-tum. Caput magnum, antice carinatum, v.alde declive. Apertura branchialis ma-xima. Os parvum dentibus velutinis minutissimis armatum. Pinnae dorsales duae,anterior brevis aculeata, posterior mollis, ut analis longior, radio tertio simplicimaxime producto, longissimo. Pinnae ventrales minimae acuminatae ; pectoraleslongissimae.

XLV. YOMER Cuv.Corpus compressissimum, latissimum, brevissimum, sqriamis minutissimis ob-

tectum. Caput magnum, antice carinatum, perpendiculare. Apertura branchialismaxima. Os parvum, dentibus velutinis minutissimis armatum. Pinnae dorsalesduae, anterior brevis aculeata; posterior mollis et analis longior. Pinnae ventralesminimae; pectorales longissimae.

XLYI. CORYPHAENA LINN.Corpus compressum, elongatum, squamis minutis tectum. Caput supra carina-

tum , arcuatim declive. Os mag-num dentibus acutis parvis armatxim. Membranabranchiostegu radiis 7. Pinna dorsalis per totum dorsum extensa, radiis flexilibussuffulta.

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C Y B I U M . 103

XLI. CYBIUM Guv.

Corpus elongatum, subcylindraceum, lateraliter parum compressum, squamis minutissimisoculo inermi vix conspicuis tectum; cauda attenuata lateraliter plicis membranaceis insignis. Caputparvum, conico-tetragonum, acuminatum. Operculum angustum. Membrana branchiostega an-gustissima sub suboperculo et interoperculo recondita, radiis 7. Apertura branchialis maxima.Cingulum thoracicum scutatum nullum. Os maximum, rostrum acutissimum. Ossa intermaxillarialata, marginem oris superiorem circumdantia et ossa mandibularia alta dentibus magnis, lateralitercompressis, lanceolatis, acerrimis armata; ossa palatina et vomer dentibus minutissimis velutinisobsita. Ossa maxillaria superiora minima, angustissima, edentula, inferne in laminam spatulaefor-mem dilatata. Linea lateralis squamis parum majoribus durioribusque obducta. Pinnae dorsalesduae diversae indolis, anterior brevior radiis brevioribus aculeatis, omnibus membrana conjunctis;posterior mollis, radiis anterioribus longioribus, sequentibus sensim minoribus, membrana con-nexis, radiis sequentibus magis distantibus sejunctis. Pinna caudalis furcata, longissima. Pinnaanalis ejusdem indolis ac dorsalis posterior. Pinnae ventrales minimae.

1. CYBIUM MACULATUM Cuv. Tab. LX.

Trunco supra coerulescente, infra argenteo, lateralibus maculis nebulosis nigrisnotato; linea laterali sinuata pinnulis supra et subtus 9.

Cybium maculatwn, Cuv. regn. anim. Edit. z. vol. 2. p. zoo. nota i. —Scomber maculatus, Mitch. Trans. New-fork /. ri. 8.

Caput acuminatum, conicum, supra planiusculum subcarinatum, sextain totius longitudinispartem fere aequans; rostrum acutissimum , attenuatum ; maxillae ejusdem longitudinis; mandibulalatior, denies maxillarum acutissimi, acerrimi, lateraliter compressi parum distantes majusculi,anteriores minores a labris cooperti. Oculi magni supra maxillarum commissufam. Nares utrin-que duae prope et ante oculos patulae; posteriores inferiores majores oblongae, perpendiculares,anteriores semilunares. Buccae planae ; praeoperculum nee non operculum squamis minutis ob-tectae. Operculum postice subrectum, membrana laxa angusta auctum. Truncus elongatus, sub-cylindraceus, lateraliter subcompressus, in caudam yalidissimam attenuatus, squamis minutissimisoculo inermi inconspicuis (in i5gura Spixiana a.equo majoribus) tectus. Squamae omnes simplicis-simae, pellucidae, deciduae, latiores quam longae, lineis curvis coiicentricis tantum, non a.4eoconfertis notatae; squamae ad insertionem pinnarum dorsalium majores longiores qiiam latae ;squamae lineae lateralis majores crassiores, durae, osseae, canali mucoso simplici insignes. Line*lateralis ipsa sinuata in medio fere trunco, antice tantum dorso parum proprior est. Pinna dor-salis anterior longa, radiis aculeatis, gracilibus, mediocribus, cuticula appendiculatis, fere usquead initium dorsalis posterioris extensa, cujus radii anteriores longiores cum sequentibus fissis mem-brana conjuncli sunt in pinnara crassam squamis minutissimis confertissimis obtectam; radii poste-

27

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riores sejuncti. Pinna caudalis furcatissima, lobis longissimis, radiis simplicibus externis pluribus,

internis pluries fissis. Plica magna cutanea lateralis utrinque ad caudae apicem; praeter hanc ad

insertionem utriusque lobi utrinque altera minor. Pinna analis prorsus eandem praebet indolem

ac dorsalis posterior. Pinnae ventrales minimae. Pinnae pectorales basi latae, medicares.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 24, yentrales 6, analis 17 -j- 9, caudalis 9, 19, 9, dorsalis poste-

rior 17 -(-9, anterior 17.

In Museo Monacensi specimen speciosissimum 23" longum in Spiritu vini servatur.

Habitat per Oceanum Atlanticum.

XLII. MICROPTERYX AGASS. — SERIOLA Guv.-)Corpus compressissimum, ovatum, latum. Caput parvum, compressum, supra acute carina-

tum. Membrana branchiostega angustissima sub interoperculo recondita, radiis 1. Apertura bran-

chialis maxima. Os parvum, mandibula parum longior, prominens. Lingua parva, angusta,

apice libera, dentibus velutinis minutissimis obsita; ossa intermaxillaria et mandibularia ambitum

oris conformantia dentibus acutis minimis confertis per seriem simplicem dispositis armata. Ossa

maxillaria superiora edentula, lata, pone intermaxillaria. Truncus squamis minimis tectus, linea

lateralis scutellis parum majoribus imbricatis. Pinnae dorsales duae sejunctae, anterior aculeis

tenuibus suffulta, ante ipsatn radius recumbens; posterior radiis articulatis , apice fissis3 postre-

mis in nonnullis speciebus sejunctis. Pinna anab's longissima ejusdem indolis ac dorsalis posterior;

ante earn aculei duo ILberi aut membrana plus minusve conjunct; pinnae ventrales minimae.

1. MICROPTERYX COSMOPOLITA AGASS. Tab. LIX.Linea lateral] antice armata, inde rectissima subscutata, abdomine valde arcua-

to prominente, pinna ariali longissima, longiore quam dorsalis mollis, pectoralibu.'longissimis ad mediam analem usque protensis, dorsali aculeata, parva.

Seriola cosmopolita COD. regn. an. Edit. 2. vol. 2. p. 206.Scomber chloris Bloch. Tab. 33g.

Gaput parum longius quam altum, supra acute carinatum valde declive, ob trunci latitudinern

parvum apparet et vix quartam totius longitudinis partem aequat. Oculi magni pone et supra

maxillarum commissuram siti. Wares utrinque duae, minimae, oblongae, obliquae, in medio spa-

tio inter oculos et verticis marginem. Operculum mediocre, postice subrotundatum, suboperculum

angustissimum, interoperculum'magnum rotundatum. Buccae planae laeves. Os parvum, sursum

versum, mandibula prominente, longiore apice angustiore. Denies maxillarum minutissimi, per

seriem unicam dispositi obtuse conici, inter se approximatissimi. Truncus compressissimus, latus,squamis minimis CiQ figura nostra aequo majoribus) deciduis, tenuissimis, pellucidis tectus. Abdo-

men valde arcuatum, prominens. Squamae omnes ejusdem fere magnitudinis, subrotundae, sin-

*) Genus plantarum jam a clar. Linn. Seriolae nomine donatum.

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plices tantum lineis concentricis confertissiniis transversim subparallelis notatae ; squamae lineaelateralis parum majores, crassiores, canali mucoso pyriformi insignes, illae partis rectae lineaelateralis majores subscutiformes, canali mucoso postice furcato. Pinnae dorsales duae: anteriorCante quam aculeus longus recumbens,) aculeata parya, radiis tenuibus, posterioribus sensim bre-vioribus, cum sequent! molli conjuncta, cujus radii anteriores simplices longiores sunt quam illipinnae aculeatae, sequentes sensim minores articulati et apice fissi. Pinna caudalis furcata, radii'sexternis simplicibus, sensim minoribus. Pinna analis eandem praebet indolem quam dorsalismollis, excepto eo quod ejus radius primus brevior aculeatus est; ante ipsam aculei duo cuticulaconjunct!. Pinnae ventrales minimae, radio primo brevi aculeato; pectorales acuminatae, lon-gissimae, ensiformes, radio primo brevi, sequenti simplici articulate, lato, crassiore.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 20, ventrales 6, analis 2, 28, caudalis 6, i5, 6, dorsalis poste-rior 28, anterior 8.

Supra virescens, latera et venter argentei; pinnae cinereae ; oculi flavidi.

In Museo Monacensi specimina plura in spiritu vini servantur 5 — 6" longa.

Habitat in Oceano Atlantico et secundam clarissimum Cuvier etiam in Oceano Pacifico.

XLIH. CARANX Cuv.

Corpus compressum ovato- elongatum, plus minusve latum, nonnullorum latissimum. Caputmagnum, compressum, supra acute carinatum. Operculum angustum. Membrana branchiostegaangustissima, sub operculo recondita, radiis 7. Apertura brancm'alis maxima. Osmajus, minusve;mandibula paullo longior, prominens. Lingua apice lihera, dentibus velutinis minutissimis obsita.Ossa mandibularia et intermaxillaria marginem oris superiorem conformantia, serie externa den-tium minorum acutorum armata, intra quam dentes velutini minutissimi exstant, praesertim admaxillarum apicem confertiores. Ossa maxillaria superiora edentula pone intermaxillaria articu-lantia, supra angustissima, inferne in laminam spatulaeformem dilatata. Truncus squamis saepiusminutissimis obductus ; linea lateralis scutis transversis, in caudae latere majoribus longitudinalitercarinatis. Pinnae dorsales duae sejunctae; anterior aculeis longioribus brevioribusve, et plusminusve validis sufltulta, ante earn aculeus recumbens ; posterior radiis articulatis apice fissis in-terdumque inter se sejunctis componitur; ante analem mollem aculei nonnulli liberi aut in pinnu-lam conjuncd.

1. CARANX LATUS AGASS. Tab. LVI. b. Fig. i.

Corpore compressissimo, lato; linea lateral! antice sursum arcuata, pinnis pec-toralibus longissimis ensiformibus, retropositis multo ultra pinnae analis insertionemextensis; capite altiore quam longo.

Marcgr. p. 172.

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100 C A R A N X .

Caput altius quam longum, compressissimum, supra acutissime carinatum, antice valde de-clive, quartam totius longitudinis partem aequans; rostrum obtusissunum; mandibula lata, parumpromincns ; dcntcs mandibulae externi omnes ejusdem magnitudinis, parum retrorsum curvati; ma-xillae superioris antcriorcs posterioribus parum longiores, acutissimi, introrsum subincuryi. Buccaeplanae squumis minutis obteclae, ut et angulus anterior superior operculi et praeoperculi pars su-perior. Oculi magni supra maxillarum commissuram, inter eas et verticem intermedii. Nares utrin-que duae inter oculos et rostri canthum intermediae, posteriores majores pyriformes cuticulaclaudendae, anteriores rimaeformes patulae. Truncus compressissimus, ovatus, arcuatim in cau-dam angustam attenuatus ; longitude non ultro duplo latitudinem superat. Squamae omnes mi-nimae, per lineas cruciatas dispositae, tenuissimae, deciduae, circulares, simplices, lineis curvis

concentricis confertissimis tantum, nee ullis radiis notatae. Scuta lineae lateralis, ab operculo admedium truncum usque sursum arcuatae inde rectae , in parte arcuata parva , plana, canali mu-coso amplissimo j ampullaeformi, notata, circiter 5o; scuta caudae lateralia sensim majora, latiora,acute carinata, aculeataque, imbricata, 35. Radius recumbens ante pinnam dorsalem anterioremexsertus. Radius tertius pinnae dorsalis aculeatae longissimus , brevior tamen quam longissimus •pinnae mollis, cujus radii anteriores sequentibus multo longiores sunt. Pinna caudalis sat magna,radiis externis latioribus valioribusque. Pinnae analis mollis radii anteriores sequentibus multolongiores. Aculei duo antiei membrana inter se conjuncb". Pinnae ventrales paryae, radio primosimplici minimo. Pinnae pectorales longissimae, ensiformes, acuminatae, radiis anterioribus post-remisque brevioribus , illis latioribus simplicibus , his apice fissis.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 20 , ventrales G, analis 2, 20, caudalis 6, 16, 6, dorsalis posterior24, anterior 8.

In Museo Monacensi specimen in spiritu vini servatur, 6" loDgum.

Habitat in Oceano Atlaniico.

2. CARANX LEPTURUS AGASS. Tab. Lvi.b.Fig.2.

Corpore compressissimo, lato; linea lateral! antice sursum arcuata., angulata;pinna caudali parva, cauda angustissima; pinnis pectoralibus ad pinnae analis in-sertionem usque extensis; capite parum longiore quam alto.

Caput compressissimum supra carinatum, parum longius quam altum, quartam totius longi-tudinis partem superans, anfice declive; rostrum obtusissimum, mandibula angustior quam in Ca-range lato, parum prominens; denies mandibulae externi omnes ejusdem magnitudinis, retrorsumreclinati, parum minores quam illae maxillae superioris, quorum anteriores posterioribus duplo ma-jores, acutissimi. Buccae planae nee non operculi et praeoperculi pars superior squamis minutissimistectae. Oculi magni supra et ante maxillarum commissuram. Nares utrinque duae, rostri canthoproprvores quam oculis, posteriores majores, ovatae, patulae, anteriores minores rimaeformes, sub-tubulosae. Truncus compressissimus ovatus, postice rectis fere lineis in caudam tenuissimam an-gnstatus, non duplo latior quam longus. Squamae omnes adeo parvae sunt, ut oculi inermi vix

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conspici possint, simplicissimae oblongae, lineis curvis concentricis minus confertis quam in Ca-range lato, notatae; radiis nullis. Linea lateralis recta fere, ab operculi angulo superiore sursutn,arcuatim medium latus et iterum recta linea caudae apicem tendit; scuta partis curyatae minima,latiora quam. longa , canali mucoso insignia j 55; caudae lateris lata, imbricata, carinataaculeata-que, sensim majora, postremis tamen minimis, 4o. Radius recumbens ante pinnam dorsalem an-teriorem exsertus; pinnae dorsalis anterioris radii duo priores tenuissimi breviores, tertius longiorcrassior, sequentes sensim breviores; pinnae dorsalis posterioris radii anteriores etsi articulati ta-men simplices, tertius longissimus pinnae, tertio pinnae anterioris longior; sequentes apice fissi,sensim minores, postremi subdistincti. Pinna caudalis parya, tenuis. Pinnae analis mollis radiianteriores sequentibus multo longiores; aculei antici subdistincti, breviores quam in Carange lato;pinnae ventrales paryae, obtusae ; pectorales acuminatae, ensiformes, angustae.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 18, ventralis 6, analis 2, 20, caudalis 7, i5, 7, dorsalis 8, a4.

Supra caeruleus; latera et venter argentei.

In Museo Monacensi specimen in spiritu vini servatur 4" 9"' longum,

Habitat in Oceano Atlanlico,

3. CARANX MACROPHTHALMUS AGASS. Tab. LVI... K* x.

Corpore compresso, elongate; linea lateral! subrecla-, pinnis pectoralibus re-clinatis non ultra aculeos anales extensis; capite elongate, mandibula longiore 5oculis maximis.

Caput supra applanato - conyexum, carina media parum prominente, multo longius quam al-tum, acuminatum, quartam totius longitudinis partem parum superans. Rostrum productum sub-acutum ; mandibula magis prominens quam in caeteris speciebus, lata, serie externa dentiumaequalium minutissimorum ut ossa intermaxillftria armata. Buccae, praeoperculum et operculi parssuperior squamis pellucidis tenuissimis obtectae. Operculi angulus superior productus serratusque;margo posterior emarginatus. Ocult maximi totum fere capitis latus occupant. Nares utrinqueduae , utrinque inter se approximatae, sursum spectantes; posteriores multo majores circularespatulae, anteriores minimae tubulosae. Truncus compressus per totam longitudinem aeque ferelatus, postice sensim in caudam attenuatus, squamis tenuissimis, pellucidis obtectus. Squamae om-nes tenuissimae , pellucidae,. cordiformes lantum lineis concentricis confertis1 notatae. Scuta lineaeJateralis suirectae antrorsum majora quam in plerisque speciebus, altiora quam longa, imbricata,48; scuta caudae lateralis sensim majora, inde iterum minora, 45. Radius recumbens ante pin-nam dorsalem anteriorem sub cute reconditus ; radii pinnae aculeatae gracillimi parum longioresquam longissimi pinnae mollis, cujus radii posteriores semel tantum fissi, sensim minores evadunt.Pinnae caudalis radii externi planiores, validiores, simplices, sensim majores, extremus longissi-mus. Pinnae analis radii anteriores longiores, sequentes sensim minores summo apice tantumfissi; aculei duo ab anali remotiores quam in plerisque speciebus longiores, basi tantum cuticula

28

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conjunct!. Pinnae ventrales acuminatae, basi membrana tenuissima cum abdomine conjunct! jpectorales ensiformes, acuminatae basi angustae.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 20, ventrales 6, analis 2, 24, caudalis 6, i5, 6, dorsalis anterior8j posterior 28.

Supra caeruleus; latera et venter argentei.

In Museo Monacensi specimen exstat in spiritu vim 7" longum.

Habitat in Oceano Atlantico.

4. CARANX PUNCTATUS AGASS. Tab. LVL a. Kg. a.Corpore subcylindraceo, parum compresso, elongate; linea lateral! in medio

parum deflexa; pinnis pectoralibus brevibus; capite elongate, producto; rostro acu-

tiusculo, mdndibula vix longiore, oculis mediocribus.

Marcgr. Edit. 1648 p. i5o.

Caput supra, applanato - convexum, carina media parum prominente, multo longius quamaltum, acuminatum, quartam totius longitudinis partem aequans. Rostrum productum, acutum;mandibula vix longior quam maxiUa, angusta, acuminala, serie externa dentium aequalium minu-tissimorum ut ossa intermaxillaria armata. Os multo minus quam in plerisque speciebus. Buccae,praeoperculum et operculi pars superior squamis pellucidis majoribus obtectae. Operculi margoposticus emarginatus, angulus inferior productus subacutus. Oculi mediocres, in medio capitislatere. Wares utrinque duae, utrinque inter se approximatae 5 sursum spectantes; posterioresmulto majores oblongae, patxilae , anteriores minimae, rimaeformes, tubulosae. Truncus per to-tam longitudinem aeque fere latus, postice sensim in caudam crassam subterelem attenuatus, squa-mis tenuissimis, pellucidis obtectus. Squamae omnes tenuissimae, pellucidae, circulares, tantumlineis concentricis confertissimis notatae; scuta lineae lateralis antice parum majora quam caeteraesquamae, subcircularia, imbricata, 60; scuta caudae lateralis sensim majora, media latissima, an-gusta , inde iterum minora, 4o. Radius recumbens ante pinnam dorsalem anteriorem sub cutereconditus ; radii pinnae dorsalis aculeatae gracillimi, longiores quam longissimae pinnae mollis,cujus radii posteriores apice semel tantum fissi, graciles, sensim minores evadunt; radius ultimusmagis. distans, liber. Pinnae caudalis radii externi simplices, vix validiores. Pinnae analis radiianteriores longiores, sequentes sensim minores summo apice tantum semel fissi; radius xiltimussejunctus, parum distans, liber. Ante pinnam analem aculei duo breves, basi tantum cuticulaconjunct!. Pinnae ventrales parvae, radio primo aculeato minimo; pectorales parvae, brevioresquam in pluribus speciebus hujus generis, acuminatae.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 20, ventrales 6, analis 2 -j- 27, i, caudalis 6, 16, 6, dorsalis po-sterior 33, i , anterior 8.

Color dorsi ex virescente-caeruleus; latera ct venter argentei; in linea laterali puncti aterrimi.

In Museo Monacensi specimina duo in spiritu vini servanlur 5 % — 6" longa.

Habitat in Oceano Atlantico.

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XLIV. ARGYREIOSUS Guv.

Corpus compressissimum, brevissimum, latissimum, squamis minutissimis oculo inermi vixconspicuis deciduis obductum. Squamae lineae lateralis parum majores scutiformes. Capubmagnum compressissimum triple fere altius quam longum, antice acutissime carinatum valde de-clive fere perpendiculare. Operculum parvum, angustum. Membrana branchiostega angustissimasub interoperculo recondita, radiis 7. Apertura branchialis maxima. Os parvum, imum ; man-dibula parum prominens. Lingua angustissima, apice libera, dentibus minutissimis velutinis obsita.Ossa intermaxillaria lata protractilia, ut lata mandibularia dentium velutinorum minimorum fasciaangusta, armata. Ossa maxillaria superiora inferne in laminam spatulaeformem dilatata. Truncusbrevissimus-postice marginibus rectis in caudam tenuem contractus. Pinnae dorsales duae; anteriorradiis aculeatis grac'ilibus breyioribus paucioribus; posterior mollis longa, radio tertio sim-plici maxime producto. Pinna caudalis magna furcata. Pinna analis ejusdem indolis quampinna dorsalis posterior. Pinnae ventrales minimae, acutissimae ; pectorales maximae, ensiformes,acuminatae.

1. ARGYREIOSUS VOMER Guv. Tab. LVIH.

Dorso antice gibboso, pinna dorsali anterior! minima; pinnis pectoralibus fereusque ad finem pinnae dorsalis posterioris extensa; radio tertio pinnae analis etdorsalis mollis ultra caudam protenso; pinnis ventralibus minimis; linea laterali an-tice arcuata, inde rectissima.

Zeus Corner Linn. Mus. ad. Frid, XXXI. 9. — Bloch ig3.

Selene argentee Lacep. IV. ix. 2.

Marcgr. Edit. 1648 p. 161. et \l±b. fig* tantum.

Caput magnum, compressissimum, triplo fere altius quam longum, antice acutissime carinatum,fere perpendiculare, a rostri apice ad operculi angulum superiorem tertiam totius longitudinispartem aequans. Oculi mediocres in medio capitis latere, altius siti quam insertio pinnarum pec-toralium. Nares utrinque duae minimae oblongae patulae, inter oculos et verticis marginem in-termediae, anteriores parum inferiores quam posteriores. Operculum minimum elongatum, sub-operculum, interoperculum et praeoperculum longissima, angustissima. Biiccae planissimae, lae-yj'ss/mae. Apertura irancliialis quam maxima. Os parvum in imo capite, sursum Tersum, arc\ia.-tum; mandibula lata, prominens, compressissima. Dentes maxillarum minutissimi velutini confer-tissimi et per fasciam angustissimam dispositi. Truncus rhombi truncati formam praebet, com-pressissimus, planus ; dorsum antice gibbosum, inde rectum usque ad insertionem pinnae dorsalisposterioris, unde valde declive in caudam angiistam tendit; venter rectus, marginis inferioris parsposterior ad pinnam caudalem ascendens. Squamae omnes adeo parvae ut oculo inermi neuqua-quam conspici possint, sitnplicissimae, tantum lineis curvis concentricis confertissimis notatae. Linea

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lateralis antice arcuata, subsemicircularis, inde rectissima; scuta ejus squamis majora, imbricatacanali mucoso simplici amplo maximo insignia. Pinnae dorsales duae: anterior minima aculeata,radio primo et posterioribus brevissimis ; posterior mollis radiis pluribus ejusdem fere longitu-dinis praeter tertium simplicem longissimum, qui reclinatus ultra pinnam caudalem extenditur,quartus et quintus sequentibus etiam longiores. Pinna caudalis furcata, lobis magnis longis. Pinnaanalis omnino eandem indolem habet quam dorsalis posterior. Pinnae ventrales radiis tenuissimis,acuminatae ; pectorales longissimae ad finem pinnae dorsalis fere protensae.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 20, ventrales 6, analis 21, caudalis 8, 16, 8, dorsalis posterior 24,anterior 8.

Supra caeruleus; latera et venter argentei.

In Museo Monacensi specimina plura variae magnitudinis in spiritu vini servantur.

Habitat in Oceano Atlantico.

XLV. VOMER Guv.

Corpus compressissimum j brevissimum, latissimum, squamis minutissimis oculo inermi vixconspicuis obductum. Squamae lineae lateralis majores. Caput magnum, compressissimum, duploaltius quam longum, antice perpendiculare acutissime carinatum. Operculum parvum, angusturn.Membrana branchiostega sub interoperculo recondite, radiis 7. Apertura branchialis maxima. Osparvum, imum. Lingua angustissima apice libera, dentibus minutissimis velutinis obsita. Ossa in-termaxillaria superiora lata, inferne spatulaeformia, edentula. Truncus brevissimus, postice incaudam tenuissimam contractus. Pinnae dorsales duae: anterior aculeis brevibus suffulta, quorumpostremi liberi; posterior'mollis radiis anterioribus longioribus. Pinna analis ejusdem indolis quampinna dorsalis posterior. Pinnae ventrales minimae; pectorales longissimae, ensiformes, acuminatae.

VOMER BROWNII Guv. Tab. LYII.

Dorso ad pinnam dorsalem posteriorem usque recto, inde arcuato, declivi;pinna dorsal! anteriore minima; pinnis pectoralibus fere usque ad finem pinnaeanalis extensis; fronte perpendiculari; linea lateral! antice arcuata inde rectissima.

Zeus setapinnis Brown. Jamaic. p. 455. — Mitch. Neva-Fork I. i. 9.Cuv. regn. anim. Edit. 2. vol. z.p. 210.

Caput magnum, compressissimum, duplo altius quam longum, antice acutissime carinatum,perpendiculare, a rostri apice ad operculi angulum superiorem ultra tertiam totius longitudinispartem aequans. Oculi mediocres in medio cnpilis latere, altius siti quam pinnarum pectoraliuminsertio. Wares utrinque duae, ovatac, parvae, patulae, anteriores minores parum inferiores quamposteriores. Operculum parvum postice rolundatum, inferne acuminatum. Suboperculum angu-

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stissimum minimum ; interoperculum et praeoperculum angusta, longissima. Apertura branchialisquam maxima. Os parvum, in imo capite, sursum versum, arcuatum; mandibula lata, compres-sissima, prominens. Denies maxillarum minutissimi, velutini, confertissimi et per fasciam angu-stam dispositi. Truncus formam fere rhombi dimidiati praebet, compressissimus , planus. Fronsperpendicularis inferne excavatus; dorsum antice rectum, usque ad pinnae dorsalis mollis insertio-nem, inde arcuatim declive; venter rectus, marginis inferioris pars posterior recta fere et parumarcuatim ascendens. Squamae omnes adeo parvae, ut oculo inermi nullo modo conspici possunt,simplicissimae, obcordatae, lineis curvis concentricis confertissimis subparallelis et in marginem de-currentibus notatae. Linea lateralis antice arcuata , subsemicircularis, inde rectissima; scuta ejussquamis majora, crassiora, imbricata, canali mucoso simplici amplo insignia. Pinnae dorsales duae:anterior minima aculeata, radiis brevissimis; posterior mollis, radiis anterioribus simplicibus parumlongioribus, sequentibus fissis sensim minoribus. Pinna caudalis furcata, lobo inferiore parum lon-giore. Pinnae pectorales ensiformes, longissimae; ventrales minutissimae, radiis tenuissimis.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 20, ventrales 6, analis 20, caudalis 6, 16, 6, dorsalis posterior 24,anterior 8.

Supra caerulescens, latera et pars inferior argentea.

In Museo Monacensi specimen in spiritu vini seryatur 6 %/' longum.

Habitat in Oceano Atlantico.

XLVI. CORYPHAENA LINN.Corpus compressum , elongatum, postice angustatum, acuminatum, squamis minutis tectum.

Caput parvum, compressum, supra angustum, carinatum , arcuatim declive. Operculum et sub-operculum parva, angusta; interoperculum longissimum. Membrana branchiostega lata, radiis 7.Apertura branchialis magna. Os amplum; margine superiori ab ossibus intermaxillaribus confor-mato. Lingua carnosa, apice libera, dentibus velutinis obsita. Denies acutissimi, parvi, inlrorsumsubincurvi, per plures series in ossibus inlermaxillaribus et in latis maxillaribus inferioribus dis-positi, praesertim antice conferti; denies velutini in vomere et in ossibus palatinis. Truncus cu-neiformis; cauda validissima. Pinna dorsalis totum dorsum ambit; caudalis furcata, longissima;analis a medio trunco oriunda, usque ad finem pinnae dorsalis extensa; pinnae ventrales acumi-natae, inter se membrana conjunctae; pectorales ensiformes, acuminatae.

Omnium piscium velocissimi, migratorii.

CORYPHAENA IMMACULATA SPIX. Tab. LVI.Pinna dorsali e caeruleo - nigricante; dorso caeruleo immaculato, lateribus et

ventre argenteis.

Truncus ad. insertionem pinnarum ventralium latissimus, inde ad caudae apicem usque sen-sim attenuatus, squamis minimis tenacissimis, cuti arete adhaerentibus, elongatis tectus. • Caput

29

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112 S Q U A M I P E N N E S .

parvum, aeque longum quarn altum, antioe rotundaturn, obtusissimum, sextam totius longitudinispartem aequans. Operculum. angnstum, argenteum, glaberrimum , laeve; membrana branchio-stega lata, postice angulata. Buccae planae, squamis minimi's obsitae. Oculi magni in medio ca-pitis latere siti , supra maxillarum commissuram, flavidi. Nares utrinque duae, inter oculos etrostri apicem intermediae, posteriores majores patulae, anteriores rimaeformes tubulosae. Maxillainferior lata, crassa, alta, superiore non longior. Squamae omnes ejusdem fere magnitudinis, adinsertionem pinnae dorsalis tantum parum majores, simplicissimae, ovato-elongatae, antice parumangustiores lincis curvis concentricis tantum non adeo confertis notatae. Linea lateral's ab oper-culi margine superiore postico oriunda sursum vertitur, angulumque conformans obtusissimum ite-rum descendit, inde reotissime ad caudae apioem tendit. Pinna dorsalis anali altior, per totamlongitudinem aeque fere alta, radiis flexilibus cuti immersis, summo apice tantum fissis ; radioultimo pluries fisso. Pinna caudalis profunde furcata, lobis acutissimis, praelongis. Pinnae analisradii anteriores minores, sequentes simplices parum longiores, posteriores apice fissi. Pinnae ven-trales acutissimae; pectorales ad insertionem latiores, acuminatae, radio "primo minimo, sequent!ma'ximo crassiori.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 20, yentrales 9, analis 28, caudalis 9 , 20, 9, dorsalis 58.

In Museo Monacensi specimen unicum exstat 21" longum, in spiritu vini servatum,

Habitat per Oceanum Atlanticum,

FAMILIA X. SQUAMIPENNES Guv.

Diagnosis. Corpus compressissimnm, plus miiinsve elonga-tum, ant latum latissimumqne^ imo mnlto latins qnam longum,semper squamis mediocribus} duris, asperis obdnctum. Capntplerumqne pro corporis mole parvum compressissimum, obtu-sunx, ant iiiacutum rostrum productnm^ ut truiicus squamis nii-dique obtectum. Operculum pa'rvnm, inerme ant acnleatum; prae-operculum majus aut inerme aut serratnm, interdum quoqueaculeis formidolosis armatumj inter op ercnlum rarius serratum.Apertura brancbialis non adeo magna,, Os parvum, dentibusloiigissimis, tennissimis, setiformibus, apice liamatis, per plu-rimas series dispositis, armatum. Pinnae verticales maximaeplerumqne adeo intense squamis obductae, ut vix a trunco

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EPHIPPUS. 113

discernere queas; dorsalis et analis antice aculeatae aut inplures pinnas discretae. Pinnae ventrales et pectorales me-diocres.

Intestina longa, caeca plurima. Vesica ae'rea magna', va-lida.

Edules, non adeo magni, plerumque colore superbiunt.

XLVIL EPHIPPUS Guv.

Corpus compressissimum, latissimum, breve, aeque fere altum quam longum, squamis parvisundique tectum. Caput pro corporis mole parvurn, compressum, crassius tamen quam truncus, valdedeclive, omnino squamatum ; operculum mediocre, postice acurninatum nee aculeatum; praeoperculuminerme. Apertxira branchialis parva; membrana branchiostega radii's quatuor cum cute jugular!conjuncta. Os minimum, dentibus tenuissimis , longioribus, per plurimas series in ossibus inter-maxillaribus et mandibularibus dispositis, armatum. Ossa maxillaria superiora minima edentula,pone intermaxillaria. Labra cutanea. Pinnae omnes praeter dorsalem anteriorem squamis minu-tis densissime obtectae ; pinna dorsalis anterior aculeis validis suffulta in vagina squamarum dorsimarginalium recondenda; posterior radiis anterioribus simplicioribus longissimis, sequentibus plu-ries fissis sensim minoribus. Pinna caudalis magna; analis eandem praebet indolem quam dorsa-lis posterior, antice nonmillis aculeis validissimis brevibus aucta. Pinnae ventrales acuminatae ;pectorales rotundatae aut acuminatae.

1. EPHIPPUS GIGAS Cuv. Tab. LXI.

Pinnis pectoralibus rotundatis parvis, pinna caudal! emarginata; linea lateral!sursum arcuata, squamis capitis illis trunci nrulto minoribus; dorso antice emar-ginato.

Ephippus Gigas, Cuv. regn. an. Edit. 2. vol. 2. p. 191.

Caput pro corporis mole parvunij obtusissimum, valde declive, quartam totius longitudinispartem aequans , squamis parvis, illis trunci multo minoribus, omnino obtectum. Operculum, sub-operculum, inter operculum et praeoperculum eodem modo squamata, ita ut Lasce diversas partesdiscernere non possis. Apertura branchialis parva, membrana branchiostega cum cute subjugu-lari arete conjuncta. Os minimum rotundatum, labris cutaneis angustis cinctum , dentibus apiceflavicantibus armatum. In mandibulae margine inferiore foramina mucosa plurima exstant. Oculipone et supra maxillarum commissuram, fere ad marginem verticis, magni. Buccae planiusculae.Nares utrinque duae inter se distantes: posteriores et simul superiores longissimae, rimaeformes

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114 M A E N I D E S .

ad marginem anticum orbitae, patulae; inferiores anteriores rohmdae, inter superiores et rostriapicem interrnediae, cute laxa cinctae, subtubulosae , patulae. Truncus compressissimus, squamissubaequalibus tectus, ad insertionem pinnarum vero minoribus, latior quam longus, demptis pinniscapiteque; dorso carinato, ventre praesertiin inter pinnas ventrales applanato. Squamae omnestenuissimae pellucidae, deciduae, lincis curvis concentrJcis antice confertissimis , poslice in parteextus visibili undatis , et scabrosis, notatae, unde margo posticus lacerus et facies externa posterioraspera fit; radiis antrorsum divergentibus , nonnullis in marginem lobatum decurrentibus. Linealateralis sursum arcuata, cum dorso parallels, cui duplo propior est quam ventri, in caudae apicemedia. Squamae lineae lateralis vicinis minores, canali mucoso simplici postice parum angustioreinsignes. Pinna dorsalis anterior laevis , alepidota, radiis validissimis brevibus, tertio longiore, po-stremis brevissimis; posterior squamis minutissimis, ut et analis adeo intense obducta, ut earumradii vix numerari possint, radiis anterioribus simplicibus longissimis, fere ad finem pinnae caudalisusque extensis; pinna caudalis emarginata lata; in margine anteriore pinnae analis radii 3 validissimi,breves, aculeati. Pinnae ventrales acuminatae, radio primo aculeato acutissimo, sequenti longis-simo ; ad earum insertionem squamae plures longissirnae , acuminatae; -pectorales rotundatae parvae.

Supra obscure cinereus, in lateribus sordide argenteus; pinnae cinereae apice nigricantes.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 17, ventrales 6, analis 3, 21, caudalis 7, 16, 7, dorsalis poste-rior 2 5 , anterior 9.

In Museo Monacensi specimina plura in spiritu vini servantur 7 — i3" longa-

Habitat per Oceanum ^4tlanticum.

FAMILIA XI. MAENIDES Guv.

Diagnosis. Corpus, plus minusve compressum, elongatum,tenae, subcyliiidraceum aut latum, altum. Caput mediocre,,latius quain truncus, squamatum. Operculum inerme; aper-tura Lraiichialis magna. Maxilla superior maxime protracti-lis et retractilis ob stipites longissimos ossium intermaxillarium,qui inter orbitas recipiuntur. Os parvum in summo rostriapice, ore protracto, inferne versum, dentibus minutissimisarmatum, per fasciam angustam in ossibus mandibularibuset iiitermaxillaribiis dispositis; in nonnullis speciebus dentesejusdem indolis in vomere. Truncus squamis magnis simpli-cibus, tenuibus tectus. Pinna dorsalis antice aculeis validis,

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GERRES. 115

postice radiis articulatis fissis suffulta; pinna analis brevis,antice radiis aculeatis paucis crassissimis. Pinnae ventralesthoracicae; ad earum insertionem squamae nonnullae lon-gissimae.

Pisciculi teneri, Loni saporis, qui in mari inter scopuloscapiuntur.

Haec familia paucas species paucioraque genera riumerat.

XLVIII. GERRES Cw.

Corpus ovato - oblongum, compressum, plus minusve latum, ad pmnam dorsalem anterioremaltius, squamis magnis tectum. Caput mediocre, compressum, acuminatum, omnino squamatum.Operculum latumj apertura branchialis magna, membrana branchiostega radiis 6. Os parvum, labriscarnosfs auctum, maxime protractile, deflexile. Ossa intermaxillaria marginem oris snperioremconformantia et ossa mandibularia dentibus minutissimis velutinis obsita. Ossa maxillaria superiorapone intermaxillaria in latam laminam sxib quadrangular em squamatam extensa. Os infraorbitaleanterius magnum , in margine inferiore serratum. Pinna dorsalis antice aculeis validis, posticeradiis tenuibus articulatis fissisque suffulta, in vagina squamarum dorsi marginalium recondenda;pinna analis antice aculeis validissimis. Pinnae ventrales inter se remotiores; pectorales acumi-natae longiores.

Plures species non adeo magnas hoc genus numerat edules in iitroque Oceano.

1. GERRES LINEATUS Guv. Tab. LXVII.

Vagina sqnamosa pinnae dorsalis et analis lata 5 corpora supra virescente ,vittis azureis interruptis ornato 5 squamis marg-ine aurato cinctis; pinnis ventralibus,caudali analique squamis minutissimis obsitis.

Smarts lineatas, Htonb. Obs. de Zool. pi. XLfl. f. 2.Gerres Kneatus, Cuu. regn. anim. Edit. 2. vol. 2. p. 188.Marcgr. Edit. i648. p. 148. .

Caput acuminatum, declive, compressum, squamis variae magnitudinis tectum, quartam totiuslongitudinis partem aequans, vertex laevis alepidotus. Operculum, suboperculum et bucc'ae squa-mis majoribus, praeoperculum, margo infraorbitalis et ossa maxillaria superiora squamis multo mi-

_noribus tecta. Oculi magni pone et supra rnaxillarum commissuram. Wares utrinque duaemagnae, approximatae, posteriores majores patulae, anteriores cuticula cinctae, subclaudendae.Membrana branchiostega sub interoperculo recondita. Truncus compressus, latus; cauda multo

7>o

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11(5 SPAROIDEJ.

angustior; dorsum sttbcarinatum, venter applanatus; pinnae ventrales distantiores. Squamaemagnae, subcirculares, tenues, tenaces, omnes ejusdem fere magnitudinis, versus caudae apicem etad insertionem pinnae dorsalis et analis minores, ad insertionem pinnarum ventralium longissimae,acutae, majoribus vero in imo ventre ; omnes lineis curvis concentricis confertissimis, in margi-ncm posticum dccurrentibus, notatae , nee non paucis radii's antrorsum divergentibus, Linea late-ralis ab operculi angulo superiore recta fere ascendens, cum dorso parallela, inde sursum ar-cuata descendcns, in medio caudae latere recta; squamae ejus vicinis minores, margine posticoemarginato, canali mucoso simplici a media fere squama oriundo, geniculato et in marginis po-stici emarginatione aperto. Pinnae dorsalis pars anterior aculeata radii's crassissimis, secundo lon-gissimo, sequentibus sensim minoribus; pars mollis radiis pluries fissis arliculatisque. Pinna cau-dalis furcata, radiis fere usque ad eorum apicem squamis minutissimis dense obtectis. Pinna ana-lis radiis tribus anterioribus aculeatis, primo minimo, secundo crassissimo longissimoque, tertiomulto graciliori; sequentibiis sensim minoribus articulatis pluriesque fissis, squamis minutissimis ob-ductis. Pinnae ventrales latae, radio primo crassissimo, breviore, sequentibus fissis squamatis;pectorales acuminatae, basi squamulis obtecta. Anus inter ventrales et analem intermedius.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 17 , ventrales 6, analis 11, caudalis 4, i5, 4j dorsalis 9, 11.

In Museo Monacensi specimen alterum in spiritu vini 9" longum, alterum siccum servatur.

Habitat in Oceano jlllantico.

FAMILIA XII. SPAROIDEI Guv.

Diagnosis. Corpus plus rainusve compressum, oyatum, plusminusyelatum., squamis teiiuibus pellacidis magnis tectum. Caputmediocre, compressum, aut omnino nudum., aut squamis ob-ductum. Ossa ca/pitis non cayernosa. Operculum et praeoper-culum inermia,, nee serraturis nee spinis armata. Aperturabrancliialis magna. Membranabrancbiosteganon ultra 6 radiosnumerat. Maxillae subaequales yix prolractiles., dentibus yariaeindolis armatae., nunc acutis aut velutinis, aut sejunctis^ nuiicbemispbaericis aut gibbis aut planiusculis aut multicuspidibuspayimentosis, nunc scalptatoriis longioribus latis planis; sae-pius plurae species dentium in eodem pisce occurrunt. Pala-tumdentibus orbatum. Osmajusmiiiusye insummo rostri apice.Pinnae omnes laeyes; dorsalis antice aculeis validis, postice

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radiis articulatis fissisque suffulta plerumque in vagina squa-marum dorsalium recondenda; radii antici pinnae analis acu-leati/validi- ad pinnarum Yentralium thoracicarum insertio-nem squamae nonnullae longissimae. Pinnae pectorales lon-gae, acuminatae.

Pylorus caecis appendicibus auctus.

XLIX. PAGRUS Guv.

Corpus ovatum, compressum, squamis tenuibus pellucidis sat magnis tectum. Caput mediocre,compressum, antice arcuatum, obtusissimum. Operculum angustum , suboperculum et interoper-culum squamis ita obducta ut eorum segmenta conspici non possint; praeoperculumlaeve. Buccaesquamis magnis obsitae; caput caeterum laeve glaberrimum, alepidotum. Os mediocre, labris cu-taneis cinctum, vix protractile. Ossa intermaxillaria marginem oris superiorem conformantia etossa mandibularia latissima, crassissima, lateraliter utrinque supra et subtus duabus seriebus den-tium molarium majorum minorumque hemisphaericorum, apice subapplanatorum ; antice in ma-xillarum apice denies velutini minimi confertissimi, extremis supra et subtus acutis majoribus ex-sertis. Pinna dorsalis antice aculeis , postice radiis fissis articulalisque su£fulta3 ita ut et analis invagina squamarum marginalium recondenda; pinna analis antice aculeis nonnullis aucta. Ad pin-narum Yentralium insertionem squamae longissimae, acuminatae. Pinnae pectorales acuminatae,longissimae.

1. PAGRUS ARGYROPS Cuv.

Capite compresso arcuatim declivi, non prorsus quartam totius longitudini'spartem aequante, antice et lateraliter laevissimo; dorso arcuato, alto; pinnis pecto-ralibus, ventralibus et caudali apice nigricantibus.

Sparus argyrops, Linn.

Pagras argyrops^ Cuv. regn. anim. Edit. 2. vol. 2. p. i83.

Corpus compressum, latum, ad initium pinnae dorsalis altissimum, squamis pellucidis tectum.Caput compressum, quartam partem totius piscis non aequans, laevissimum. Operculum, suboper-culum, interoperculum et praeoperculi pars anterior squamis illis trunci minoribus tecta. Buccaelaeves. Oculi mediocres in summo fere vertice. Wares utrinque duae , posteriores superiores adorbitae marginem anteriorem inferiorem majores, rimaeformes, longissimae, cuticula claudendae ,anteriores rotundae patulae, parrae. Os mediocre, mandibula parum brevior , crassa , lata, neealtaj dentes acuti antici, supra utrinque tres, infra quatuor. Truncus latus, cauda tenuis, squa-

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mis subaequalibus 6bductus, ad humerum vero et ad insertionem pinnarum pectoralium multominoribus. Squamae omnes subrugosae radiis curvis concentricis confertissimis in facie posteriorivmdatis, et radiis antrorsum divergentibus, notatae. Linea lateralis cum dorso parallela, aursumflexa , squamis parum minoribus, canali mucoso brevi amplo, ad mediam squamam tanturo pro-ducto, insignibus. Pinna dorsalis ad medium usque aculeis, postice radiis articulatis fissisque suf-fulta. Pinna caudalis furcata, basi squamulis obtecta; analis antice aculeis tribus crassis, posticeradiis fissis tenuibus. Pinnae ventrales acuminatae, ra<lio primo aculeato teuui; ad earum basinsquama longissima acutissima ; pectorales longissimae, usque ad initium pinnae analis productae,acuminatae radiis duobus anterioribus simplicibus, sequentibus semel aut bis tantum fissis, basisquamulis tectis.

Piscis supra caeruleus3 lateribus ventreque argenteis.

Pinnae pectorales radiis i5, ventrales 6, analis 3, 12, caudalis 5, i5, 5, dorsalis 12, i3.

In Museo Monacensi specimina duo in spiritu vini seryantur.

Habitat in Oceano jltlantico.

FAMILIA XIIL PERCOIDEI Guv.

Corpus plus minusve compressum, elongatum, plus mi-nusYe latum, squamis crassioribus asperis postice ciliatis ob-ductum. Caput mediocre, interdum pro trunci mole magnum,crassius et latius (juam truncus, oLtusissimum aut acumina-tum, nudum aut squamis tectum. Operculum et praeopercu-lum varie serrata aut dentata. Os sat magnum, dentibusvariae indolis armatum, in ossibus intermaxillariLus margi-nem oris superiorem conformantibus, in mandibularibus ,in palatmis, in vomere et in pbaryngeis dispositis. Aperturabrancnialis magnaj membrana branchiostega radiis 5 ad 7.Pinnae plerumque laeves, dorsalis antice aculeis, postice radiisfissis articulatis suffulta aut in pinnas distinctas divisa; pinnaeventrales plerumque thoracicae.

Ventriculus saccatus, pyloro laterali; appendices pyloricaeplerumque pauciores, minores; intestinum brevius; heparmediocre aut parvum. Vesica aerea adest.

Rapaces, boni saporis, plerumque coloribus eximiis insignes.

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M.ESOPRION. llg

C O - N S P E C T U S GE'NERUM.

L. MESOPRION Cuv./Corpus compressum, squamis minoribus obteotum. Caput acuminatum, laeve.

Operculum, suboperculum, et interoperculum. ut buccae, squamata. Operculum ap-

pendiculatum. Praeoperculum enaarginatum, serratum, in margine inferior! acu-

leatum. Apertura branchialis magna. Membrana branchiostega radiis 7. Pinnae

dorsalis -pars anterior longior aculeata.

LI. GORNIGER AGASS.

Corpus ovatum, latum, compressum, squamis magnis crassis asperrimia acu-

leatis tectum. Caput magnum compressum, supra insculptum. Operculum, sub-

operculum et interoperculum aculeata; operculum, praeoperculum et ossa infra-

orbitalia spinnis acutissimis armata. Apertura branchialis-magna5 membrana bran-

chialis radiis 8. . Os magnum, dentibus velutinis armatum. Pinnae dorsales duae,

anterior longior aculeata; ventrales radiis 8.

LII URANOSCOPUS LINN.

Corpus crassum, cylindraceum, squamis per series obliquas dispositis tectum.

Caput magnum, crassum, obtusissimum, scaberrimum, alepidotum, supra planum.

Oculi sursum spectantes. Suboperculum et praeoperculum aculeata. Ossa scapula-

ria et humerus spinosi. Os magnum verticale, labris fimbriatis cinctum. Pinna dor-salis unica, aut pinnae duae, quarum anterior aculeata; ventrales jugulares.

L, MESOPRION Cuv.

Corpus ovato - oblongum, compressum , squamis tenuibus subrugosis obtectum. Caput me-diocre, compressum, acuminatum, lateraliter squamaUun. Operculum sat latum, postice in an-gulum obtusum productum ; suboperculum appendiculatum; praeoperculum dentatum, marginepostico dentate inferne plus minusve emarginato. Buccae squamatae. Membrana brancliiostega.radiis 7. Apertura Jbranchialis magna. Os mediocre, labris cutaneis cinctum; ossa intermaxillariamarginem oris superiorem conformantia et mandibularia parum longiora serie dentium acutorum

3i

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120 M E S O P R I O N .

armata , quorum antici majores exserti sunt, pone quos denies velutini exstant. Pinna dorsalisantice aculeis, postice radiis fissis articulatisque suffulla; pinna caudalis emarginata , analis anticenonnullis aculeis aucta. Ad pinnarum ventralium thoracioarum insertionem squamae nonnullaelongissimae; pinnae pectorales acuminatae.

Species generis Diaoopes et Mesoprionis inter se similes, analogae, forsan tantum yariaeaetatis idem pisces sunt; quam ob rem haec genera aut conjungenda, aut aliter determinandasunt , ita ut species quarum pinna dorsalis et analis in vagina squamarurn dorsalium marginaliumrecipiuntur sub nomine Mesoprionis , caeterae pinnis squamatis non vaginatis sub nomine Diacopesconjungantur.

\ MESOPRION UNINOTATUS Cuv. Tab. LXV.

Pinna dorsali et anali vaginatis; spatiis interradialibus serie squamarurn mi-nutissimarum obsitis; pinna caudali aeque squamata; dorso caerulescente, Jateribusroseis, vittis aureis longitudinalibus 3 sub parte molli pinnae dorsalis macula nigrainagna.

Cuv., hist. nat. des poiss. TP^ol. 2. p. 44g-

Cnput acumina tum, ultra tertiam totius longitudinis partem aequans, compressum, supraalepidolum, laevissimum. Opercultim magnum, ut sub- et ioteroperculum squamis illis trunci vixminoribus obtectum ; praeoperculum in margine postico denlibus minimis serratum, inferne emar-ginatum, et in angulo inferiori dentibus majoribus armnlum. Membrana branchioslega sub inter-operculo et suboperculo prorsus recondita. Buccae squama[ae. Oculi pone et supra maxillarumcommissuram, fere ad marginem verlicis siti, sat magni. Ware's utrinque duae , inler oculos etrostri apicem. intermediae, superiores multo majores ovatae, patulae, inferiores circulares, cuti-,cula claudendae. Mandibula parum prominens, antice utrinque dentibus quinque majoribus ex-sertis, supra utrinque duobus illis mandibulae majoribus, distantibus, relrorsum subincurvis. Trun-cus compressus, squamis subaequalibus obleclus ; ad pinnam dorsalem tantum j versus caudaeapicem et in nucha parum minoribus. Squamae omncs lineis ourvis concentricis confertissimis.postice undosis notalae, el pluribus radiis antrorsum divergentibus; centrum squamae reticulatum.Linea lateralis sursum subinflexa, cum dorso parallela fere, recta, squamis parum minoribus, ca-nali mucoso brevi, amplissimo parum ultra mediam squamam produclo , insignibus. Aculei pin-nae dorsalis radiis mollibus parum longiores, inter se magis distantes, acutissimi, crassi, ad ba-sin nonnullis squamulis obtecti, radii articulali anlici simplices, sequentes semel aut ter 'fissi;squatia interradialia serie squamularum. obsita. Pinna caudalis fere ad apicem usque squamata ,emarginata. Pinna analis antice aculeis tribus crassis brevioribus aucta, caeterum ejusdem indo-lis quam pars mollis pinnae dorsalis. Pinnae ventrales acuminatae, radio primo aculeate, bre-viore quam sequente; pectorales acuminalae, usque ad inilium pinnae analis extensae, radiis an-terioribus duobus simplicibus.

Piscis pulcherrimus, supra caeruleus, laleribus roseus, vittis aureis longihidinalibus ornarus«t macula nigra inter pinnam dorsalem et analem ad lineam lateralem nolatus.

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Pinnae pectorales radiis 16, ventrales 6, analis 3 , g , caudalis 5, i5, 5, dorsalis 10, ia.

In Museo Monacensi specimina plura in spiritu vini servantur 7—9" longa.

Habitat in Oceano Allantico.

2. MESOPRION AUROVITTATUS AGASS. Tab. LXVI.

Pinna dorsali et anali ad medium usque squamulis mimitis obsitis, dorso cae-rulescente, lateribus et ventre argenteis auro longitudinaliter vittatis.

Caput acuminatutn, mediocre, quartam totius longihidinis partem superans, compressum,supra et antice alepidotum, laevissimum. Operculum postice acutum ; suboperculum appendicu-latum, interoperculum et buccae squamis illis trunci minoribus obtectae. Praeoperculum parumemarginatum, postice dentibus minutissimis, in angulo inferiore vero majoribus armatum. Mem-brana branchiostega sub interoperculo et suboperculo prorsus recondita. Oculi pone et supramaxillarum commissuram inter hanc et verticem intermedii, mediocres. Nares utrinque duae interoculos et rostri apicem inlermediae, superiores majores ovato-oblongae, patulae , inferiores sub-circulares cuticula claudendae.1 Mandibula parum prominens , dentibus externis subaequalibusarmata; in ossibus intermaxillaribus antice utrinque dentes duo majores exserti, Truncus ovato-oblonguSj compressus, cauda multo tcnuiore, squamis subaequalibus obtectus, dorsum et caudaeapicem versus minoribus. Squamae omnes pellucidae, lineis curvis concentricis confertissimispostice undosis notatae nee non radiis pluribus antrorsum divergentibus; punctum radiationis adtertiam posteriorem squamae partem. Linea lateralis parum sursum flexa, cum dorso parallela,fere recta, squamis parum minoribus, quam vicinae, Canali mucoso brevi, amplissimo ad punc-tum radiationis aperto, insignibus. Pinnae dorsalis et analis insertio altixis prominens ; radii earummolles semel aut ter tantum fissi; aculei pinnae dorsalis graciliores quam in Mesoprione unino-tat9, pinnae analis breviores tenuioresque. Pinna caudalis valde furcata; pinnae ventrales mino-res, pectorales breviores.

Supra caeruleus; latera et venter argentei, squamis omnibus auro limbatis ; vittae longitudi-nales aureae, media latiore; pinnae pectorales et lobi pinnae caudalis apice nigricantes.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 16, ventrales 6, analis 3, 10 , caudalis 6, 16, 6, dorsalis 10, i4.

In Museo Monacensi specimina duo in spiritu vini servantur 8" longa.

Habitat in Oceano AtlantiCo.

LI. CORNIGER AGASS.

Corpus ovatum, latum, compressum, squamis magnis, crassis, asperrimis, duris, postice acu-leatis tectum. Caput magnum, compressum, supra insculptum , lateraliter ut truncus squamis acu-leatis tectum, formidolose undique armatum. Operculum, suboperculum et interoperculum per

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totam superficiem aculeata, operculum postice spinis duabus armatum , praeoperculum seriebus dua-bus aculeorum acutissimorutn cinctum et in angulo pluribus spinis longioribus auctum; ossa in-fraorbitalia aculeata et spinis retrorsum curvis ralidissimis afmala, imo ossa nasalia aculeata. Aper-tura branchialis magna ; membrana branchiostega radiis 8, radio 3, 3 et 4 in margine inferioreaculealis. Humeri angulus aculeatus. Os magnum. Ossa maxillaria superior* magna, inferne inlatam. laminam apatulaeformem dilatata, sulcata , edentula, lamina, accessoria aucta. Ossa interma-xfllaria et mandibularia fascia dentium velutinorum minimorum antice latiore annata. Ossa pa-lab'na et vomer dentibus velutinis rninuh'ssimis per angustam fasciam dispositis obsita. Ossa pha-ryngea superiora et inferiora , nee non arcuum branchialium elasmia et laminulae internae den-tibus velutinis armatae. Pinnae dorsales duae cuticula conjunctae ; anterior longior aculeis crassisacutissimis suffulta , posterior multo brevior radiis articulatis fissisque. Pinna caudalis parra ; analisantice aculeis validissimis aucta. Pinnae ven,trales aculeo acutissimo et 7 radiis mollibus, thora-cicae ; pectorales elongatae.

Genus praestaub'ssimum , inter Myripristidem Cur. et Holocentrum, Cur. intermedium.

1. CORNIGER SPINOSUS AGASS. Tab.

Gorpore ovato , squamis magnis osseis , posdce aculeatis tecto; ossibus infra-orbitalibus spinis longis inferne et retrorsum curvis.

Caput magnum , tertiam tob'us longitudinis partem aequans , compressum , formidolose arma-tum; ossa cranii insculpta , longitudinaliter sulcata, sulcis radiantibus. Ossa lacrymalia apice acu-leata. IVares magnae utrinque duae patulae ad marginem orbitae anteriorern, inter ossa. lacry-malia et infraorbitale primum intermediae. Oculi raagni supra maxillarum commissuram , admargioem verticis, ossibus cincti infraorbitalibus aculeatis spinisque acutissimis armatis, retrorsum.curvis. Operculum aculeatissimum , in angulo postico spinis duabus armatum , antice squamatum ,suboperculum et interoperculum aculeis majoribus minoribusque cinctum 5 praeoperculum duabusseriebus aculeorum minorum limbatum, in angulo inferiori spinis duabus magnjs acutissimis rectisauctum, antice extus u't et baccae squamis ilh's trunci minoribus tectum. Os sat magnum, mandi-bula parum longiore, dentibus velutinis per fascias latiusculas dispositis, antice ubrinque supraet subtus in glomerulos confertis armatum. Apertura branchialis niagna; membrana brancbio-stega et ejus radii extus visibiles. Truncus compressus , latus , in caudam tenuem productus ,squamis crassissimis osseis tectus. Squamae omnes ejusdem fere magnitudinis, semicirculares, mar-gine postico rotundato aculeate, anteriore recto, lineis curvis concentricis confer tissimis subparal-lelis notatae; punctum radiationis reticulatum. Lines, lateralis surstun subinflexa cum dorso pa-rallela, cui duplo propior quam ventri. Squamae ejus canali mucoso brevissimo, amplissimo infacie ioterna squamae foramine ovali aperto , insignes; margine postico undato. Pinnae dorsalesduae, inter se conjunctae; anterior longior aculeis validissimis, crassis, acutissimis suffulta, po-sterior radiis gracilioribus , arftculatis simplicibus, semel aut ter fissis, postremis minoribus.Pinna caudalis parra , emarginata, radiis extremis brevibus aculeatis 4, sequentibus duobus arti-culatis simplicibus parum longioribus , internis in lobo superiori 9 , in inferiore 8 , apice fissil.

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Pinna analis antice aculeis validissimis tribus, quorum secundus longior , postice vaginatus est;radii sequentes eandem praebent indolem, quam illi pinnae dorsalis posterioris. Pinnae ventralesradio primo aculeate, acutissimo, sequentibus longioribus articulatis apice fissis , postremo semeltantum fisso. Pinnae pectorales basi squamulis tectae, radio primo breviore simplici, scquentibusarticulatis fissisque longioribus, a quarto inde sensim minoribus, pluries fissis.

Totus piscis aurantiacus.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 16, ventrales 6, analis 3, is, caudalis 4, 2, 17, 2, 4, dorsalisposterior a 5, anterior 12.

In Museo Monacensi specimen unicum in spiritu rim servatur 6" 3"' loiigum.

Habitat in Oceano Atlantico,

LIL URANOSCOPUS LINN.

Corpus crassum, cylindraceum, postice parum attenuatum et compressum, squamis per seriesobliquas dispositis tectum. Caput mag-num, crassum, obtusissimum, subtetragonum, alepidotum,sculpturis ossium capitis tamen scaberrimum , supra planum. Oculi sursum spectantes. Operculumlarum, scaberrimum, postice rotundatum inerme , membrana lata marginal! cinctum ; subopercu-lum aculeatum; praeoperculum latissimum, lacunosum, margine inferiori aculeate, lit lata ossainfraorbitalia scaberrima. Membrana branchiostega radiis 6. Apertura branchialis maxima. Ossascapularia et humerus spinosi. Os magnum verticale labris fimbriatis cinctum. Ossa intermaxil-laria pediculis longis inter orbitas recipiendis, marginem superiorem sola conformantia, mandibu-laria lata dentibus acutis brevibus armata ; ad symphysin mandibulae frenulum mobile. Vomer etossa palatina dentibus velutinis obsita. Pinnae dorsalis radii antici aculeati tenues aut in pin-nulam propriam, aut cum radiis mollibus conjunct!. Pinna analis longa. Pinnae pectorales magnaerotundatae; ventrales jugulares radio primo minimo aculeato.

1. URANOSGOPUS OGCIDENTALIS AGASS. Tab. LXXIII.

Capitis ossibus grosse insculptis 5 pinnis pectoralibus radiis 16, anali i4-

Species Uranoscopo scabro proxima, forsan .tantum varietas climatica; tamenscabritie capitis grossiore, spinis humeralibus longioribus, radiis pinnae pectora-lis 16 3 analis 14 etc. differt et mihi species peculiaris videtur.

Caput conice subtetragonum, supra applanatum horizontale; buccae et operculi partes ver-ticales; gula applanata; os in summo capitis apice verticale, mandibula oro clause verticalis, oreaperto horizontalis et cum inaxilla superiore angulum rectum conformans. Ossa cranii extusgrosse rugosa , insculpta; os infraorbitale primum latissimum, buccas omnino obtegens, rugosum,antice in spinas duas obtusas productum ; operculum lituratum, radiatim insculptum, postice latamembrana fimbriata auctum ; praeoperculum latissimum lacunosum et rugosum , in margine in-

32

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124 S C I A E N O I D E I .

feriore quatuor spinis acutissimis armatum, suboperculum spina inferiore unica. Membrana etradii branchiostegi sub praeoperculo prorsus recondita. Oculi minimi, in summo vertice inter

se distantes, sursum spectantes. Os magnum, verticals, labris cutaneis subfimbriatis cinctum ;labrum superius ab ossibus intermaxillaribus angustissimis sustentatum, quorum stipites- praelongihorizontaliter inter orbitas recipiuntur. Ossa maxillaria superiora edentula latiora pone ossa in-termaxillaria, vertioalia. Mandibula maxilla superiore longior, ore aperto maxime prominens;ejus os articulare postice in spinam acutissimam productum. Lingua latissima, obtusissima. Ossoapulare postice in spinas duas productum; humerus spina longiore, recta fere, sursum versa etparum flexa armatus. Truncus fusiformis, subcylindraceus , antice crassissimus , postice sensim at-tenuatus, et magis ac magis compressior ; squamis minimi's cuti immersis et per series obliquas dispositisobtectus. Squamae omnes tenuissimae, membranaceafi, oblongae, lineis curvis concentricis confer-tissimis, et radiis antrorsum divergentibus subparallelis notatae. Linea lateralis ab operculi angulosuperiore ad dorsum adscendens, inferne flexa , inde in summo fere dorso , ad insertionem pinnaedorsalis , quacum parallela , usque ad initium pinnae caudalis ubi deflexa ad mediam pinnam de-flectitur. Pinnae dorsales duae, anterior radiis tenuibus simplicibus, cum sequenti molli cuteconjuncta, cujus radii longiores articulati simplices aut semel fissi sunt. Pinna caudalis truncata,radiis exterioribus simplicibus brevioribus. Pinnae analis radii apice cute crassiore cincti. Pin-nae ventrales thoracicae , cute crassa suffultae; aculeo primo breyissimo. Pinnae pectoralesrotundatae.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 16, ventrales 6, analis i4, caudalis 4, 10, 4, dorsalis posterior i4}

anterior 4-

In Museo Monacensi specimina pliira variae magnitudinis in spiritu vini servantur.

Habitat in Oceano Allantico.

FAMILIA XIV. SCIAENOIDEI Guv.

Diagnosis. Corpus plus minusye compressum, elongatunx,plus minusye laturn,, squamis asperis tectum. Caput non adeomagnum, inflatum, squamatum. Operculum et praeoperculumut in Percoideis varie serratum aut dentatum. Os non adeomagnum dentibus yariae indolis armatum, sed tantum in os-sibus intermaxillaribus marginem oris superiorem conforman-tibus, in mandibularibus et in pnaryngeis dispositis; in yo-mere et in ossibus palatinis dentes nulli. Apertura branchialismagna; membrana brancbiostega radiis 5—7. Pinnae aut la eves

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S C A E N O I D E I . 125

aut squamis rninoribus obductae, dorsalis antice aculeis, po-stice radiis nssis articulatis sufFulta aut in pinnas distinctasdivisa; pinnae ventrales tnoracicae.

Vesica aerea noil raro pluribus appendicibus furcatis etramosis insignis.

Pleraeque species edules, nonnullae optirni saporis, ubique magni pre-tii aestimantur.

C O N S P E C T U S GENERUM.

LIII. CORYINA Cw. . ' . "

Corpus elongatum, compressum. Caput squamis variae magnitudinis obtectum.Rostrum inflatum, obtusissimum, operculum postice aculeatum, praeoperculum den-tatum. Os mediocre, sub rostri apice, dentibus velutinis armatum. Pinnae dor-sales duae, anterior aculeis tenuibus, posterior longior mollis. Pinna analis anticeaculeis majoribus minoribusve.

LIV. PACHYURUS AG-ASS.

Corpus compressum, omnino squamatum. Caput parvum, acuminatum, aequesquamatum. Os arcuatum, sursum versum,' dentibus velutinis minutissimis arma-tum. Pinnae dorsales duae, anterior aculeata, posterior multo longior omninosquamata ut et caudalis, cujus radii extus non distinguntur. Pinna analis aculeosecundo validissimo, crassissimo , maximo. .

LY. LOBOTES Guv.

Corpus ovatum, squamis omnino tectum. Caput crassum. Operculum posticerotundatum; praeoperculum inerme. Membrana branchiostega radiis 5. Os labriscrassis cinctum, armatum serie dentium acutorum pone quos denies velutini. Ossapharyngea dentibus obtuse-conicis, subbamatis obsita. Linea lateralis interrupte.Pinnae dorsalis pars mollis pinnaque analis radiis sensim longiorihus squamatis.Pinna caudalis squamata.

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126 CORVINA.

LVI. HAEMULON Guv.

Corpus ovato - oblongum, compressum, squamis mediocribus obtectum. Osmagnum, laleraliter compressum, dentibus velutinis, extus majoribus, armatum.Mandibula ore aperto prominens, deflexilis. Ossa pharyngea dentibus obtuse-co-nicis armata. Pinna dorsalis mollis, caudalis et analis squamulis obsitae; pinnaeventrales aut laeves aut squamatae.

LIII CORVINA Cuv.Corpus elongatum plus minusve compressum squamis non adeo magnis undique tectum. Ca-

put minus compressum, squamis variae magnitudinis omnino obductum; rostrum inflatum obtu-sissimum, parum prominens, cavernosum. Operculum postice aculeatum, latum; suboperculumangustum, praeoperculum aculeis majoribus minoribusve armatum. Membrana branchiostega lata,radiis 7. Apertura branchialis sat mag-na. Os mediocre sub rostri apice, arcuatum, supra inossibus intermaxillaribus et infca in mandibularibus lata fascia denb'um velutinorum mhmlisslmo-rum armatum. Pinnae dorsales duae; anterior aculeis gracilibus longioribus, posterior longiorradiis fissis basi tantum squamatis suffulta. Pinna caudalis basi plus minusve squamata. Pinnaanalis parya antice aculeis majoribus minoribusve armata. Pinnae ventrales longae acuminatae,aculeo primo tenui; pectorales longiores acuminatae.

1. CORVINA ADUSTA AGASS. Tab. LXX.

C. oscure cinere'a; fasciis aurato-fuscis notata; buccis aurato-fuscis; pinnisnigricantibus; spinis anguli inferioris praeoperculi majoribus quam ilia marginis po^-sterioris 5 squamis superciliaribus, buccalibus posterioribus, marginis praeoperculiposterioris et anguli superioris operculi caeteris multo minoribus.

Sciaena adusta in Tab. nostra*

Caput obtuse - conicum, lateraliter subcompressum, obtusissimum , quartam partem totiuslongitudinis aequans , omnino squamatum. Operculum postice in processus duos obtusos pianosproductum, cute auctum; sutoperculum postice appendiculatum tenue, membranaceum. Memtranabranchiostega late prominens, tenuissima. Operculum, praeoperculum, buccae et vertex squamissubaequalibus sat magnis tecta ; angulus vero operculi superior, ejus margo posterior, fascia antepraeoperculum et in ejus margine postico, nee non margo orbitae superior squamis multo minoribus

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confertissimis obsita. Oculi parvi supra maxillarum commissuram. Nares utrinque duae magnae,approximatae, patulae, ante oculos sitae; poster-lores majores oyatae, anteriores circulares. Adrostri apicem foramina mucbsa majora minoraque aperiuntur. Os parvum , arcuatunij sub rostriapice. Mandibula ore clause intra ossa interrnaxillaria recipitur, quae ipsa. intra lata ossa infra-orbitalia recipiuntur. Truncus compressus omnino squamis subaequalibus obtectus, dorsum sub-carinatum, compressius quam venter rotundatus, qui inter pinnas ventrales planiusculus est. Squa-mae omnes subcirculares, radiis curvis concentricis confertissimis, in parte postica undatis, rugo-sis asperis, nee non pluribus radiis antrorsum divergentibus notatae. Margo posticus ciliatus ;punctum radiationis ad tertiam posteriorem squamae partem. Linea lateralis antice sursum ar-cuata, a medio trunco vero inde subrecta; squamae ejus vicinis minores, insignes canali mucososat amplo et ultra punctum radiationis producto, in squamis anterioribus simplici, in posterioribusfurcato. Pinnae dorsalis anteriores radii graciles, a tertio inde sensim minores; pinnae posteriorisradius primus aculeatus brevis, sequentes articulati fissi, omnes fere ejusdem longitudinis. Pinnacaudalis rotundata; analis angusta, antice aculeis duobus brevibus, quorum alter crassus. Pin-narum ventralium radius secundus longissimus; pectoralium primus minimus.

Totus piscis obscure cinereus , aurato - fuscoque variegatus-

Pinnae pectorales radiis 18, ventrales 7, analis 2, g , caudalis 45 i53 4 5 dorsalis ante-rior 10, posterior i, 28.

In Museo Monacensi specimen in spiritu vini servatur 10" longum,

Habitat in Oceano Atlantico.

LIV. PACHYURUS AGASS.

Corpus elongatumj compressum, squamis parvis omnino obtectum. Caput parvum, com-pressunij acuminatum, omnino squamatum. Os suprascapulare postice serratum. Operculum po-stice in angulum acutum productum, squamatum; suboperculum etinteroperculum angusta parva,squamata; praeoperculum postice serratum , in angulo inferiori aculeis brevibus , obtusioribus ar-matum, margo inferior dentatus. Apertura branchialis magna, membrana branchiostega lata ra-diis 7. Os non adeo magnum, sursum versum, labris cutaneis cinctum, armatum dentibus. ve-lutinis minutissimis per latam fasciam in mandibula squamata et ossibus intermaxillaribus , totummarginem oris superiorem conformantibus, dispositis. Truncus compressus, ovato - elongatus,postice in caudam crassam subcylindraceam attenuatus, squamis subaequalibus tectus, quarummargo posticus sursum versus est. Pinnae dorsales duae sejxinctae; anterior aculeis acutissimissensim minoribus suffulta j posterior multo longior, mollis, radiis omnino squamulis obductis.Pinna caudalis incrassata, adeo dense squamulis obsita, ut radii nullo modo extus perspicipossint. Pinna analis parva, antice aculeis validissimis aucta, secundo crassissima, longiore,antice carinato, postice sulcato. Pinnae ventrales basi latae, aculeo primp crasso, pectorales mi-nores , acuminatae.

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128 P A C H Y U R U S .

1. PACHYURUS SQUAMIPENNIS AGASS. Tab. LXXI.

Fronte excavata, vertice declivi; dorso cinereo, latcribus dilutioribus.

Sciaena squamipennis CUD. in litt.

Coput ad operculum altissimum , valde declive, inde attcnuatum, productum , quartam totiuslongitudinis -partem aequans, omnino squamis subaequalibus obtectum. Operculum postice inlong-urn aculeum productum; subQperculum propter squamas non distingui potest. Praeoperculi an-gulus inferior obtusissimus, parum rctrorsum productus. Oculi non adeo magni, pone et supramaxillarum commissuram ad verticis marginem. Squamae orbitam circumdantes illis buccarumparum tninores. Nares ad orbitae marginem anleriorem. Os, in summo rostri apice, sat magnum,sursum arcuatum , labris cutnneis cinclum ; niandibula ore aperto parum prominens , ore clauseinter ossa intermaxillaria recipitur. Truncus ovato-oblongus , latiusculus, compressus, in caudamcrassam subcylindraceam productus, squamis subaequalibus, minoribus tectus, quarum marginespostici ciliati sursum spectant ; caudae apicem versus et ad dorsi et ventris marginem squamaesensim minores evadunt. Squamae trunci omnes fere ejusdem magnitudinis, margine posticosursum spectantes, subsemicirculares, lineis curvis concentricis confertissimis, in parte postica ru-gosis, unda t i s , asperis, nee non radiis pluribus subparallelis antrorsum tendentibus notalae. Margoposticus squamae ciliatus, punctum raditionis in mediis fere squamis. Linea lateralis anlice tan-lum parum sursum flexn, cum dorso parallela, squamis minoribus, canali mucoso simplici , an-gustiore, notata. Squamae pinnarum eandem praebent indolem, sed multo minores eL irregularessunt. Pinnae dorsalis anterioris anticus aculeus brevis, secundus longissimus, sequentes sensim,minores; p inna posterior mollis, omnino squamis minimis oblecta, basi fascia squamarum majorumcincla; radio primo aculeato brevi. Pinna caudalis rotundata adeo dense squamis obsita, ut ra-dios nee numerare , nee perspicere queas. Pinna analis basi squamata, aculeo secundo validis-simo, crassissimoque.

Totus piscis obscure cinereus , pinnis apice nigricantibus.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 16, ventrales 7, analis 2, 9, dorsalis anterior 10, posterior i, 36.

In Museo Monacensi specimen pessimum siccvun 17" longum seryatur.

Habitat in Oceano Atlantico.

LV. LOBOTES Guv.

Corpus ovatum, latum, compressum, squamis mediocribus omnino obtectum. Caput mediocre,erassum. Operculum squamatum, poslice ro tunda tum; suboperculum parvum et interoperculumlatum longumque, squamatum; praeoperculum laeve, prorsus inerme. Membrana branchiostegalata, tenuis, radiis 5. Ad rostri apicem supra plurima gregatim foramina mucosa disposita. Ossat magnum, labris crassis ciiictum supra et subtus, in ossibus intermaxillaribus et in mandibu-

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L O B O T E S . 12Q

laribus serie dentium acutorum exsertorum armatum , pone quos fascia lata dentium velutinorumininimorum exstat. Ossa pharyng-ea superiora et inferiora latis fasciis dentium mag-norum obtuse-conicorum apiceque subhamatorum artnata. Linea lateralis interrupts. Pinna dorsalis longissima,antice aculeis acutissimis, apice cuticula appendiculatis, postice radii's articulatis sensim longiori-bus, et omnino squamalis suffulta. Pinna caudalis omnino squamata. Pinna analis antice acu-leis validissimis aucta, caeterum eandem praebet indolem, quam pars mollis pinnae dorsalis. Pinnaeventrales acuminatae, aculeo primo breviore; pectorales subrotundatae.

1. LOBOTES OCELLATUS Guv. m utt. Tab. LXVUL

Aculeis pinnae dorsalis omnibus ejusdem longitudinis_, excepto primo breviore;ocellis nigris alis marginatis ad basin pinnarum pectoralium pinnae dorsalis et inlobo superiore pinnae caudalis.

Caput crassissimum, obtusissimum, quartam partetn totius longitudinis aequans. Operculumlatum rotundatum, squamis illis trunci parum minoribus obtectum; praeoperculum laeve, alepido-tum, magnis foveis mucosis notatum. Membrana branchiostega tenuis, lata, pone operculumprominens. Apertura branchialis sat magna. Buccae intumidae, squamis parvis obsitae. Oculimagni pone et supra maxillarum- commissuram siti. Nares utrinque simplices, pyriformes, me-diocres, inter oculos et rostri apicem intermediae. Plurima foramina mucosa , gregatim in sum-mo vertice, ad nares, et in ossibus infraorbitalibus aperiuntur. Os labris crassis cinctum; man-dibula crassa, latiuscula, prominens. Truncus latus, crassus, squamis' subaequalibus , deciduisad dorsi marginem et versus caudae apicem minoribus., tectus. Squamae omnes circulares, ma-xime regulares , lineis curvis concentricis confertissimis et rad'iis pluribus antrorsum divergentibus,et in marginem lobulatum decurrentibus notalae. Punctum radiationis in mediis squamis. Linealateralis sursum flexa, cum dorso parallela , usque ad mediam pinnae dorsalis posterioris partem,inde interupta, in medio caudae lafere recta. Squamae ejus vix minores canali mucoso simplici,a media squama oriundo et in margine postico emarginato, aperto, insignes. Pinna dorsalisultra medium aculeis validisj acutissimis, apice ut in Labris appendiculatis , postice radiis articu-latis , gracilibus, apice pluries fissis caudae apicem. versus sensim majoribus et per totam longi-tudinem squamulis minimis obductis. Pinna caudalis rotundata, omnino squamulata ; extus radiisminimis cuti immersis vix conspicuis, caeteris radiis pluries fissis suffulta. Pinna analis anticeaculeis tribus brevioribus , validissimis, crassis, acutissimis, radiis sequentibus ejusdem indolis etformae quam illi partis mollis pinnae dorsalis. Aculeus primus pinnarum ventralium, radio se-quent! duplo brevior. Pinnae pectoralis radius primus brevis tenuis. parvus; sequentes radiiplures et profunde fissi.

Dorsum virescens , venter et latera flavicantia.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 16 , ventrales G, analis 3, 16, caudalis intus 16, dorsalis i3, 20.

In Museo Monacensi specimen in spiritu vini servatur 10" longum.

Habitat in Oceano Atlantico.

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130 H A E M U L O N .

LVL HAEMULON Guv.

Corpus ovato - oblongum, compressum, squamis mediocribus omnino obtectum. Caput me-diocre, compressum, crassius tamen , quam truncus, acuminatum, declive, squamatum. Opercu-lum postice rotundatum; suboperculum latum ; interoperculum parvum; praeoperculum serratumdentatumque, omnia squamata. Membrana branchiostega angusta, sub operculo recondita, radii's7. Os magnum lateraliter compressum, labris cutaneis cinctum, dentibus velutinis acutissimisarmatum, quorum extern!, praecipue ad maxillarum apicem majores exserti sunt. Mandibula ore'aperto prominens , deflexilis et angulum rectum cum gula conformans ; ad ejus symphysin fovesemucosae, majusculae. Ossa pharyngea superiora et inferiora dentibus parvis obtuse-conicis obsita.Pinna dorsalis emarginata, pars anterior aculeata, posterior mollis squamulis omnino ob'ducta.Pinna caudalis aeque squamulata. Pinna analis antice aculeis validis jarmata, radii's mollibussquamulis minutissimis obtectis. Pinnae ventrales acuminatae aut laeyes aut squamulis obsitae.Pectorales longiores acuminatae.

Rubedine labrorum insignes; boni saporis.

1. HAEMULON CANNA Guv. » i.u Tab. LXIX.

Squamis nuchae et buccarum illis trunci multo minoribus ; pinna dorsali po-steriore, caudali anali nee non pinnis pectoralibus et ventralibus omnino squamisdensissimis 3 minutissimis undique obductis,

Piscis ovato-elongratus, dorso gibbo, ventre recto compressus, omnino squamis pellucidis,lenuibus rariae magnitudinis coopertus. Caput acuminatum, compressum, decliye, partem quar-.tarn totius longitudinis superans. Operculum postice membrana laxa auctum , ut et subopercu-lum squamis mediocribus obtectum; praeoperculum omnino squamatum postice acute serratum;i-nteroperculum squamis minimi's obsitum. Buccae planae, squamis variae magnitudinis tectae.Margo orbitae superior, posterior et inferior squamis minutissimis obsitus. Membrana branchio-stega sub suboperculo cooperta. Os sat amplum labris crassis cinctum; in maxilla superiore etinferiore series dentium externa majorum acutissimorum introrsum curvatorum, per totum mar-ginem ossium intermaxillarium et mandibularium; pone hos supra et subtus series -utrinque fasciadentium velutinorum, multo minorum confertissimorum. Wares utrinque duae, ante marginemorbitae- anteriorem, cui multo propiores, quam rostri apici, inter se approximatae, ejusdem feremagnitudinis, posteriores patulae, anteriores tubulosae. Oculi sat magni, altius siti. Ad commis-suram- mandibulae foveae mucosae majores. Os supra scapulare postice serratum. Dorsum antepinnam dorsalem acutum, renter subplanus. Squamae trunci omnes ejusdem fere magnitudinis,ad pinnarum insertionem et versus caudae apicem minores. Omnes lineis curvis concentricis,confertissimis, postice rugosis, nee non radii's compluribus , antrorsum divergentibus notatae;punctum radiationis reticulatum, mnrgo posticus ciliatus, hemisphaericus, anticus rectus. Linearadialis sursum flexa, cum dorso subparallela, cui multo propior , quam ventrL Squamae ejus

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canali mucoso sat ample, a margine antico ultra punctum radiationis producto, inde bifurco , al-tera furcatione sursum tendenle insignes. Squamae pinnarum eandem praebent indolem, quamsquamae trunci, sed multo minores sunt et irregulariter dispositae , atnbituque irregulari. Pinnadorsalis antice ultra medium aculeis validis, acutissimis suffulta , in vagina recondendis, posticeradiis mollibus, minoribus apice pluries fissis; pinna caudalis furcata 5 lobo inferior! breviore;pinnae analis radii anteriores aculeati, secundus validissimus, crassissimus, sulcatus; sequentibusut radii pinnae dorsalis mollibus. Ad insertionem pinnarum ventralium squama longissima, acumi-nata; pinnarum radius primus aculeatus , sequent! dimidio fere brevior; pinnae pectorales acumi-natae, radiis anterioribus duobus simplicibus, brevioribus.

Supra ex caeruleo-virescens, ad latera flavicans, pinnae aurantiacae aut flavidae..

Pinnae pectorales radiis 18, ventrales 7, analis 3, 9, caudalis 5, 16, 5, dorsalis i2-}-iBo.

In Museo Monacensi specimen in spiritu vini seryatur 11" longum.

Habitat in Oceano jitlantico.

2. HAEMULON SGHRANKII AGASS. Tab. LXIX. a,

Squamis capitis et nuchae omnibus ejusdem fere magnitudinis , illis trunci ta-men minoribus; pinna dorsali poster-lore, anali 3 oaudalis basi squamis minutissi-mis obtectis; pinnis pectoralibus et ventralibus laevibus , alepidolis.

Caput acuminatum, compressum-, declive, quartam totius longitudinis par'tem superans. Sub-operculum postice acuminatum, operculum membrana. laxa auctum ; orbita supra, postice et infrasquamis minoribus cincta. Nares utrinque duae, ante oeulos, quibus approximatae , posterioresminores, cuticula claudente, circulares; anteriores majores tubulosae. Os amplum, supra etsubtus denlibus externis majoribus armatum, pone quos fascia dentium velutinorum exstat, an-gustior, quam in Haemulone Canna. Membrana branchiostega sub suboperculo et interoperculorecondita. Ocul! minores, quam in altera specie. Squamae trunci omnes ejusdem magnitti-dinis, excepta regione ad insertionem pinnarum et versus caudae apicem, tenues , lineiscurvis, concentricis, quam maxime confertis, postice rugosisj nee non radiis pluribus antrorsumdivergentibus, notataft. Margo squamae posticus ciliatus, anticus lobatus. Linea lateralis sursumflexa, cum dorso parallela, squamis multo minoribus, quam vicinae, notata. Squamae ejus ca-nali mucoso sat amplo insignes, postice bifurco, furcationibus multo angustioribus. Pinna dorsa-lis ultra medium aculeis crassis, validis, inque vagina recondendis suffulta, postice radiis gracili-bus, brevioribus, aCuleatis fissisque. Pinna caudalis furcata, radiis non ultra medium squamulisobsitis; pinnae analis aculeus secundus crassissimus, validissimus, sulcatus; pinnae ventrales laevea,aculeo primo crassiore, radiis sequentibus multo breviori, spatia interradialia in superficie ante-riore tantum pinnae nonnullis squamis minutissimis obsita ; pinnae pectorales acuminatae. Ad in-sertionem pinnarum ventralium squamae nonnullae longiores.

Supra cinereus, ad latera argenteus; pinnae dorsales et analis flavae, caeterae rubrae.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 18, ventrales 7, analis 3, 10, caudalis 6, 16, G, dorsalis 12, r8.In Museo Monacensi specimina duo in spiritu vini servantur ultra 6" longa^

Habitat in Oceano Atlantico.

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132 B A T P v A C H U S .

FAMILIA XV. LOPHIOIDEI Guy.

Diagnosis. Caput maximum, latum,, depressum. Truncusmulto tenuior, postice attenuatus, plus minusye compressusaut depresses. Operculumparvum; membrana branchiostegamagna; apertura branchialis variae magnitudinis,, aut minimaaut maxima. Os magnum; ossa intermaxillaria margin emsuperiorem oris conformantia; ossa mandibularia, palatina,vomer dentibus minoribus, subyelutinis armata. Truncuslaeyis aut omnino nudus, alepidotus, aut squamis minutissi-rnis obtectus. Pinnae ventrales jugulares; pectorales magnae,carpo elongato producto extus sublibero, pirominente, in-signes.

Haec familia pauca genera paucasque species numerat.

LY1L BATRACHUS Guv.

Caput depressissimum , latissimum, maximum , multo latius, quam truncus. Operculum mi-

nimum , in spinas validissimas productum ; suboperculum aeque aculeatum; caetenun hae partes

laminae opercularis cute adeo crassa obductae sunt, ut extus discernere nequeas. Membrana

branchiostega latissima, radiis longissimis, crassis 6 sufFulta insertionem pinnarum pectoraliumambit; apertura branchialis magna. Os quam maximum, in summo capitis apice, labris crassis.

cutaneis, fimbriatis cinctum. Ossa intermaxillaria subprotactilia, dentibus parvis antice per plurei

series, postice per seriem simpKcem dispositis armata. Ossa maxillaria superiora edentula, an-

gusta, longiora, quam intermaxillaria; mandibula, ossa palatina et vomer, nee non ossa pharyn-

gea superiora et inferiora dentibus parvis per plures series disposib's armata. Truncus cylindra-ceus3 subcompressus, postice sensim attenuatus, squamis minutissimis obtectus. Pinnae pectorales2, anterior minima, aculeis crassis, validis sxiffulta, posterior ut etanalis, longa, radiis tenuibus,

mollibtis, cud crassae immersis constans. Pinnae ventrales compressae, antice carnosae, crassae ;

pectorales carpo intumido.

Genus Uranoscopo valde affine, seriusque forsan cum ipso conjungendum, plures species sibi

affines numerat

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B A T R A C H U S . 133

BATRACHUS PUNCTATUS Guv. in utt. M,. LXXIV.

Capite, trunco pinnisque omnibus ocellis nigris, minorlbus majorihusve no-tatis.

Caput tertiam longitudinis partem aequans, omnino cute crassa laevi, alepidota tectum.Operculum spinis duaLus, suboperculum vero spina unica, acutissimis armata. Membranabranchiostega extus patens. Oculi parvi inter se valde distantes, oris rictui proximi, sursumspectantes. Os ingens, labris cutaneis laxis cinctum. Cutis maxillae inferioris appendiculata,fimbriata. Gula plane, latissima, laevissima, alepidota. Squamae trunci tenuissimae, papyraceae, cutiprofundae immersae, simplices, radiis curvis, concentricis 3 non adeo confertis notatae. Linealateralis foreas mucosas tantum per seriem duplicem utrinque dispositas et cum dorso, cui pro-pior, quam ventri, parallelam praebet. Venter planus , squamis minoribus obsitus. Pinna dorsa-lis anterior aculeis tantum 3 armata; posterior radiis parum longioribus mollibus articulatis plu-riesque fissis et cute crassa coadunatis constat, et longissima per totum dorsum extenditur. Pinnacaudalis rotundata; analis brevior, quam dorsalis posterior, eandem praebet indolem. Pinnae ven-trales jugulares, pedicellatae, radio primo crasso, cute crassissima, rugosa, longissima cinctopinnae pectorales latae rotundatae.

Supra obscure trunneus, lateritus cinereus ; pinnae virescentes; totus piscis nigro maculatus.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 22, ventrales 5, analis 17, caudalis 4, 10, 4, dorsalis posterior ai,anterior 3.

In Museo Monacensi specimina duo eximia in spiritu vini servantur 10" longa.

Habitat in Oceano Atlantico.

FAMILIA XVI. MUGILOIDEI Guv.

Diagnosis. Corpus elongatum, per totarn longitudinem.aeque fere latum, subcylindraceum., squamis magnis tectum.Gaput treye, depressum, crassum, squamatum. Operculummagnum; sub op erculum maximum; membrana LrancHostegaradiis (); apertura brancHalis maxima; rostrum brevissi-mum,, in cujus apice os parvum, angulosum^ protractile. Inossibus intermaxillaribus, marginem vix superiorem omninoconformantibus, et in ossibus mandibularibus series simplexdentiumminutissimorum,, tenuissimorum. Pinnae dorsales duae,

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134 MUGIL.

inter se valde distantes, anterior aculeis 4 constans, ad cujusinsertionem squama longissima exstat; dorsalis posterior bre-vis, tit et analis mollis. Ventrales pone pectorales inseruntur,ad quarum insertionem squama longissima. Paucae appendi-ces piloricae.

Familia genus unicum numerat, Mugilem.

LVIII. MUGIL LINN.

Characteres familiae. Hoc genus paucas et inter se multo affines species numerat.

1. MUGIL BRASILIENSIS SPEC. Tab, LXXII.

Pinna dorsali posteriore, caudali et anali squamulis minutissimis obtectis; truncosupra violaceo, lateraliter aurantiaco flavo.

Gaput breve, quintam totius 1'ongitudinis partem aequanSj squamis magnis, praecipue supraobtectum. Membrana branchiostega sub interoperculo et suboperculo recondita. Os parvum, sub-inferura, maxime protractile, clausum, anguli recti formam praebens. Nares utrinque duae, interse valde distantes, posteriores majores, cuticula claudente, anteriores multo minores, circulares, patulae.Buccae intumidaej squamis magnis obductae. Truncus cylindraceus, prorsus squamis subaequalibushemisphaericis, ad inserlionem pinnarum tantum et versus caudae apicem obtectus. Squamae om-nes pellucidae lineis concentricis, quam maxime confertis, postice rugosis, et radiis paucioribusantrorsum divergentibus notatae. Margo squamae posticus ciliatus, anlicus lobatus. Lineam la-teralem extus distinguere non vales; squamae ejus tamen oanali mucoso brevl, angustissimo notataesunt. Pinnae dorsalis posterioris et analis margo exterior emarginatus, utriusque pinnae radii an-teriores simplices, sequentes sensim minores. Pinnae ventrales latiusculae, radio antico aculeatebreviore. Pinnae pectorales acuminatae, latiusculae.

Supra violaceus, lateribus aurantiaco - flavus ; pinnae apice caerulescentes.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 16, ventrales 6, analis i4 5 caudalis 4, i5j 4, dorsalis posterior10, anterior 4.

In Museo Monacensi specimina duo in spiritu vini servantur; aliud ibidem exstat majussiccum.

Habitat in Oceano Ailantico.

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A T H E R I N A . 135

FAMILIA XVII. ATHERINOIDEI Cuv.

Diagnosis. Corpus elongatum, per totam longitudiiieniaeque fere latum, plus niinusve compressunx, squamis mag-nis undique tectuni. Caput squamatum., supra depressum,lateraliter conipressuni. Operculum regulare sat magnum.Membrana branchiostega radiis 6. Os in summo rostri apicenoil adeo amplum; in ossibus intermaxillaribus protractilibusmarginem superiorem oris omnino conformantibus et in os-sibus mandibularibus series dentium acutorum, minorum.Pinnae dorsales duae, inter se remotae, valde retrorsumpositae, anterior aculeata, posterior mollis. Pinna analissat longa; pinnae ventrales in medio abdomine. Canalis in-testinalis sine coecis. Yesica aerea sat magna.

Haec familia unicum genus numerat.

LIX. ATHERINA LINN.

Characteres familiae. Pisciculi boni saporis 5 gregatim victitantes.

1. ATHERINA TAENIATA SPIX. Tat. xxxm. KJ. a.

Corpore fusco, lateraliter fascia arg-entea, lata, ornato; mandibula longiore,

quam maxilla.

Caput paryum, sextain totius longitudinis partem aequans , squamis magnis obtectum, supradepressum. Oculi moiximi, totuna fere capitis latus occupantes. Nares inter oculos et rostri apicetn.intermediae , magnae , patulae. Rostrum obtusissimurrij truncatum , maxilla superiore breviore.Truncus supra latior, imum ventrum versus sensim compressior, squamis latissimis pellucidis,tenuissimis obtectus. Pinaa dorsalis anterior inter analem et yentrales intermedia, radiis gracil-limis, tenuissimis constat; posterior anali opposila, radiis breyioribus , sed crassioribus , quamanterior, constat. Pinnae caudalis radii externi longiores, simplices, ad eorum basin compluresradii minimi exstant. Pinnae analis radii anteriores longiores, sequentes sensim minores. Pinnae

35

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136 A T H E R I N A .

ventrales gracrles, radio primo simplici; pinnae pectorales altissimae, latae, rotundatae, poneoperculi angulum superiorem, inseruntur.

Supra fuscus , taenia argentea lateral! notatus.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 16, ventrales 6 , analis 16, caudalis 8, 17, 8, dorsalis posterior 12,anterior 5.

In Museo Monacensi specimen unicum mancum exstat z", 4"' longum.

Habitat in Oceano Atlantico.

2. ATHERINA MACROPHTHALMA SPIX. Tab. LXII. Kg. a.

Rostro acuminate, oculis quam maximis ; trunco squamis rotundatis obtecto 5mandibula breviore, quam maxilla.

An Atherina brasiliensis? Cuv. ((~>uoy et Gaym. Voyage de Freycin. Zool.p. 332.)

Caput angustius quam truncus , quintam totius longitudinis partem aequans , squamis quammaximis obtectum. Os sat magnum, maxilla longiore, insigne. Wares magnae supra maxillarumcommissuram. Oculi maximi ad verticis marginem. Truncus compressus, squamis magnis hemi-sphaericis, simplTcibus obtectum. Omnes squamae lineis concentricis tantum notatae, margineantico lobatae; centrum radiationis reticulatum. Linea lateralis canalibus mucosis, brevibus, an-gustissimis notatur. Pinna dorsalis minima, margine antico pinnae analis opposita, radiis brevi-bus constans ; dorsalis posterior brevis, fini pinnae analis opposita, radiis longioribus articulalisconstat, radius primus tantum simplex caeteris brevior. Pinna analis longa, radio primo et se-cundo simplici, sequentibus fissis, sensim brevioribus. Pinnae ventrales latae, radio primo simplici;pectorales basi latissirnae , breves, radiis sensim brevioribus. Pinna caudalis furcata.

Supra olivaceus ; in medio latere fascia longitudinalis flavido - argentea; venter afgenteus.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 16, ventrales 6, analis 18, caudalis 4, 17, 4, dorsalis posterior 8,anterior 5.

In Museo Monacensi specimen unicum in spiritu vini servatur k" longum.

Habitat in Oceano Atlantico.

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A L U T E P V A . 137

FAMILIA XVIII. SCLERODERMATOIDEI Guv.

Diagnosis. Corpus variae formae, cute aspera, rugosa,granulosa, obtectum. Caput acuminatum, in rostrum plusminusYe productum. Os maxillare superius later! ossis inter-maxillaris affixum. Os parvum., dentibus distinctis, magnis,acutis, armatum. Ossa palatina sutura cum cranio connexa;operculum et membrana branchiostega sub cute crassa prorsusrecondita. Apertura branchialis parva angusta. Sceleton sub-cartilagineam; costae yix conspicuae. Pinnae ventrales iiullae.Canalis intestinalis amplus, sine coecis. Vesica ae'rea magna.

LX. ALUTERA Guv.

Corpus compressum, plus minusve elongatum. Caput compressum, maxime productum , inrostrum plus minusve prominens. Operculum angustissimum sub cute tectum. Os minimum, inrostri apice supra et subtus serie simplici. dentium magnorum, compressorum, acutissimorumarmatum. Totus piscis cute scaberrima , rugosa, tectus. Ad nucham aculeus validissimus, ad ani-malis libitum stabiliendus. In medio dorso pinna radii's simplicibus constans, sat longa; pinnacaudalis magna, radiis semel tantum fissis ; pinna analis longissima eandem praebet indolem , acdorsalis; pinnae ventrales prorsus nullae; pelvis omnino sub cute recondita netjuidem prominet,tit in caeteris Balistibus. Pinnae pectorales parvae, radiis simplicibus .constantes.

ALUTERA PUNCTATA Guv. in mt. Tab. LXXIL

Corpore toto obscure cinereo , niaculis nigris notato.

Corpus compressissimum , ut et caput, 'quod a trunco vix distinguitur, valde declive. Labiacutanea, os parvum cingentia, nigra. Apertura branchialis parva, ante et supra pinnarum in-sertionem; oculi parvi inter aperturae branchialis angulum superiorem et aculeum nuchalem in-termedii. Wares utrinque duae minimae, ante oculos in membranula laevissima perforatae, patu-lae. Buccae planae. Totum caput, ut truncus, cute aspera obtectum. Longitude capitis a rostro

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138 A L U T E R A ,

apice usque ad orbitae marginem posteriorem ultra qnartam partem totius longitudinis refert.Tnmcus compressissimus, latissimus, ultra tertiam partem longitudinis aequans. Ossicula granu-losa, confertissima cutique arctissime eonjuncta asperitatem ejus efficiunt. Aculeus nuchalis yvlidissimus, crassus. Pinnae dorsalis radii sat longi, simplices , articulati; pinnae caudab's radii ex-terni, basi multo crassiores, simplices sunt, interni praelongi, semel tantum fissi. Pinnae analisradii parum breyiores sunt, ejuam pinn&e dorsalis. Pinnae pectorales subrotundatae, pro corporismole minimae.

Totus piscis obscure cinereus nigro punctatas.

Pinnae pectorales radiis 2, analis 4o, caudalis 12, dorsalis a5.

In Museo Monacensi specimen unicum in spiritu vini seryatur i5y2" longum.

Habitat in Oceano ^4tlantico.

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TaT)U.

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bd

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5H s '•'*•'• "• ' - • • • •' - - • / • f j'?, ;'-vK1-^?' ps>ifr<s3

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Tab. A.

Anatomes.

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'M/fl.

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•m.

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t

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o •Vi

^

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R =

1I1

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am c-fa.6%/

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Index

Note—Plate numbers are in Roman numerals.Pagination is that of the original text)

Acanthicus hystrix, 3,1Acanthicus, 2adusta, Corvina, 126albidus, Pimelodus, VIIAlutera punctata, 137Alutera, 137amazonicus, Chalceus, 68, XXXVAnarrhichas Zeopardus, 92Anarrhichas, 92Anguillaeformes, 90angulatus,.Chalceus, 67Anodus elongatus, 61, XLAnodus latior, 62, XLIAnodus, 60argenteus, Pacu, XXXVIIIargenteus, Prochilodus, 63Argyreiosus vomer, 109Argyreiosus, 102,109Argyrops, 117aspera, Khinelepis, 4, nAtherina macrophthalma, 136Atherina taeniata, 135, XXXIIIAtherina, 135Atherinoidei, 135aureus, Clupanodon, 52, XXIaureus, Myletes, 74aureus, Serrasalmo, 72, XXIXaureus, Tetragonopteus, XXXIaurovittatus, Mesoprion, 121Batrachus punctatus, 133Bflfrac/iws/132bicirrhosum, Ischnosoma, XXVbicirrhosum, Osteoglossum, 47bicolor, Phractocephalus, 23bicolor, Pirarara, VI

fczdens, Myletes, 75, XXXIIbrasiliensis, Erythrinus, 45, XXbrasiliensis, Mugil, 134brasiliensis, Plagusia, 89brasiliensis, Solea, 87broionii, Vomer, 110ca.nd.ini, Cetopsis, 13candiru, Silurus, Xcanna, Haemulon, 130caparary, Sorubim, X1HCaranx latus, 105Caranx lepturus, 106Caranx macrophthalmus, 107Caranx punctatus, 108Goranx, 102,105Cetopsis candiru, 13Cetopsis coecutiens, 12Cetopsis, 8,11Chalceus amazonicus, 68, XXXVChalceus angulatus, 67, XXXIVChalceus, 58, 67chalceus, Tetragonopterus, 70, XXXIIIClupanodon aureus, 52, XXIClupanodon thrissoides, XXIICZttpea, 31, 52Clupeoidei, 29coecutiens, Cetopsis, 12coecutiens, Silurus, XCorniger spinosus, 122Corniger, 121corruscans, Platystoma, 26Corvina adusta, 126Corvina, 125,126Corydora edentatus, VCoryphaena immaculata, 111

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CORYPHAENA INDEX MACUUPENNIS

Coryphaena, 102cosmopolita, Micropteryx, 104crassus, Labrus, 95ctenodus, Pimdodus, 21, VIIIa

Curimata fasciatus, XXXVIcuvieri, Xiphostoma, 79Cybium maculatum, 103Cybium, 101,103Cychila monoculus, 100Cychla labrina, 99CycWfl, 94, 99Cynodon gibbus, XXVHCynodon vulpinus, XXVIdimidiatus, Julis, 96Doras humboldti, 14Doras, 9,13edentatus, Hypophthalamus, 16, IXelongatus, Anodus, 61, XLEngraidis grossidens, 50Engraidis Janeiro, XXIVEngraidis piquitinga, XXIIIEngraidis serious, XXDIEngraidis, 30, 50Engraidtis tricolor, 51etentaculatum, Hypostoma, 6, WEphippus gigas, 113Ephippus, 113Erythrinus brasiliensis, 45, XXErythrinus macrodon, 43Erythrinus microcephalus, 44Erythrinus salvus, 41Erythrinus trahira, XVIIIErythrinus unitaeniatus, 42, XIXErythrinus, 30,41etentaculatum, Hypostoma, 6, Wfasciatus, Curimata, XXXVIfasciatus, Schizodon, 66forskalii, Glossodus, 49frondosus, Scarus, 98Genes lineatus, 115Gerres, 115£*bus, Cynodon, XXVHgibbus, Raphiodon, 77gigas, Ephippus, 113^grzs, Surfz's, 31Glossodus forskalii, 49 "Glossodus, 30, 48

Gobioidei, 92grossidens, Engraidis, 50Gymnothorax ocellatus, 91Gymnothorax restrains, 91Gymnothorax, 90Haemulon canna, 130Haemulon schrankii, 131Haemulon, 126,130Heterobranchus sextentaculatus, 28, XIHeterobranchus, 10humboldti, Doras, 14Hypophthalamus edentatus, 16, IXHypophthalamus nuchalis, 17, XVHHypophthalmus, 9,15Hypostoma etentaculatum, 6, IVHypostoma, 2, 6immaculata, Coryphaena, 111infraocularis, Sorubim, XVintermedius, Saurus, 81Ischnosoma bicirrhosum, XXVIschnosoma, 46jandia, Sorubim, XIVJaneiro, Engraidis, XXIVJiiZz's dimidiatus, 96JuZz's, 94, 95labrina, Cychla, 99Labroidei, 93Labrus crassus, 95Lflbrus, 93, 94Zflh'or, Anodus, 62, XLIZfl£z£s, Caranx, 105leopardus, Anarrhichas, 92Leporinus novemfasciatus, 65, XXXVIILeporinus, 58, 65lepturus, Caranx, 106ZZ'TTM, Platystoma, 24lineatus, Gerres, 115Lobotes ocellatus, 129Loktfes, 125,128longirostris, Saurus, 80Lophioidei, 132Loricaria rostrata, 5, IHLoricaria, 2,5macrodon, Erythrinus, 43macrophthalma, Atherina, 136macrophthalmus, Caranx, 107maculatum, Cybium, 103

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MAENIDES INDEX SCIAENOIDEI

maculipennis, Monochir, 88Maenides, 114martii, Pristigaster, 55, XXIVa

Megalops thrissoides, 54Megalops, 53Mesopnon aurovittatus, 121Mesoprion uninotatus, 120Mesopnon, 119microcephalus, Erythrinus, 44Micropteryx cosmopolita, 104Micropteryx, 102,104Monochir maculipennis, 88Monochir, 88monoculus, Cychila, 100Mugil brasiliensis, 134Mw#7,134Mugiloidei, 133Myeletes, 73Myletes aureus, 74My/etes fcufens, 75, XXXHMyletes, 59nigricans, Pacu, XXXIXnigricans, Prochilodus, 64nigricans, Serrasalmo, 72, XXXnovemfasdatus, Leporinus, 65, XXXVIInuchalis, Hypophthalamus, 17, XVIIoccidentalis, Uranoscopus, 123ocellatus, Gymnothorax, 91ocellatus, Lobotes, 129ocellatus, Rhombus, 85Osteoglossum bicirrhosum, 47Osteoglossum, 46Osteoglossuni, 30Pachyurus scjuamipennis, 128Pachyurus, 125,127Pact* argenteus, XXXVIIIPncu nigricans, XXXIXPagniSf 117Percoidei, 118Phractocephalus bicolor, 23Phractocephalus, 10, 22Pimelodus albidus, VIIPimelodus ctenodus, 21, VDPPimelodus pirinampu, 20, VHIPimelodus rigidus, 19, VIIPimelodus spixii, 19Pimelodus, 9,18

piquitinga, Engraulis, XXIIIpiminha., Serrasalmo, XXVIIIpiranha, Serrasalmo, 71Pirarara bicolor, VIpiramcu, Sudis, XVIpirauaca, Sorubim, XHpirinampu, Pimelodus, 20, VDIPlagusia brasiliensis, 89Plagusia, 85, 89planiceps, Platystoma, 25'Platystoma corruscans, 26Platystoma lima, 24Platystoma planiceps, 25Platystoma spatula, 26Platystoma truncatum, 27, XIHa

Platystoma, 10, 23Pleuronectoidei, 83Pristigaster martii, 55, XXIVa

Pristigaster, 31, 55Prochilodus argenteus, 63Prochilodus nigricans, 64Prochilodus, 57, 62punctata, Alutera, 137punctatus, Batrachus, 133punctatus, Caranx, 108Raphiodon gibbus, 77Raphiodon vulpinus, 76Rhaphiodon, 59, 76Rhinelepis aspera, 4, IIRhinelepis, 4Rhombus ocellatus, 85PJiombus soleaeformis, 86Rhombus, 84, 85rigidus, Pimelodus, 19, VIIrostrata, Loricaria, 5, IIIrestrains, Gymnothorax, 91Sahnones, 56salvus, Erythrinus, 41Saunis intermedius, 81Saurus longirostris, 80Saurus truncatus, 82Saurus, 60, 80Scams frondosus, 98Scaras, 94, 98Schizodon fasciatus, 66Schizodon, 58, 66schrankii, Haemulon, 131

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SCLERODERMATOIDEI INDEX XYRICHTHYS

Sdaenoidei, 124Sclerodermatoidei, 137Scomberoidei, 101serious, EngmuUs, XXIIISerrasalmo aureus, 72, XXIXSermsalmo nigricans, 72, XXXSerrasalmo pirainha, XXVIIISeirasalmo piranha, 71Serrasalmo, 59, 70sextentaculatus, Heterobranchus, 28, XISiluroidd, 8Silurus candiru, XSilurus coecutiens, XSolea brasiliensis, 87Solea, 84, 87soleaeformis, Rhombus, 86Sorubim caparary, XIIISorubim infraocularis, XVSorubim jandia, XIVSorubim pirauaca, XIISparoidei, 116spatula, Platystoma, 26spinosus, Corniger, 122spraz, Pimelodus, 19Scjiiamipennes, 112scjuamipennis, Pachyurus, 128

Swrfz's g-fg-fls, 31Si/rfz's pirarucu, XVISwrfz's, 29taeniata, Atherina, 135, XXXIHTetragonopterus chalceus, 70, XXXIIITetragonopterus, 58, 69Tetragonopteus aureus, XXXIthrissoides, Chipanodon, XXIIthrissoides, Megalops, 54trahira, Erythrinus, XVIIItricolor, Engraultis, 51truncatum, Platystoma, 27, XDIn

truncatus, Saurus, 82uninotat, Mesoprion us, 120uniocellatus, Xyrichthys, 97unitaeniatus, Erythrinus, 42, XIXUranoscopus occidentalis, 123Uranoscopus, 119,123Vomer brozonii, 110

r, 102,110r, Argyreiosus, 109

vulpinus, Cynodon, XXVIvulpinus, Raphiodon, 76Xiphostoma cuvieri, 79Xiphostoma, 60, 78Xyrichthys uniocellatus, 97Xyrichthys, 94. 97

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