mm. Kohler Collection (Ibc University of Cbieaijo libraries JAMES HALL COLLECTION THIS BOOK IS NO LON THE PROPERTY OF TH IIMIWPSITV OF CHICAGO,! Trmw^ 37 &17S- 500/ the ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. BEAGLE, UNDER THE COMMAND OF CAPTAIN FITZROY, R.N. DURING THE YEARS 1832 to 1836. published with the approval of the lords commissioners of her majesty's treasury. i£t)itcfl antl ^upevintctrtfeB bj) CHARLES DARWIN, ESQ. M.A. F.R.S. F.G.S., Etc. NATURALIST TO THE EXPEDITION. PART IV. FISH, BY THE REV. LEONARD JENYNS, M.A., F.L.S., &c. LONDON: PUBLISHED BY SMITH, ELDER, AND CO. 65, CORNHILL. MDCCCXLII. James Hall Collection &&&&$&•{ < b '■: ^ ^ J } >■ LONDON: PRINTED BY STEWART AND MURRAY, OLD BAILEY. 552368 FISH, fflesrrtbrti by THE REV. LEONARD JENYNS, M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S., F.Z.S. FELLOW OF THE CAMBMDGE PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY; HONORARY MEMBER OF THE ROYAL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF IRELAND, AND OF THE BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY. ILLUSTRATED BY NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS. INTRODUCTION. The number of species of Fish described or noticed in the following Part of the Zoology of the Beagle, amount to 137. It is right to observe that, judging from Mr. Darwin's manuscript notes, relating to what he obtained in this department, this is probably not more than half the entire number which he collected. Unfortunately a large portion of the valuable collection sent home by him arrived in this country in too bad condition for examination, and was necessarily rejected. The localities visited by Mr. Darwin, and at every one of which more or fewer species of fish were obtained, were the Cape Verde Islands, — the coast of Brazil, including the mouth of the Plata, together with several inland rivers and streams in that district, — the coasts of Patagonia, and the Santa Cruz river, — Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands, — the Archipelago of Chiloe, — the coasts of Chile and Peru,— the Galapagos Archipelago, — Tahiti, — New Zealand, King George's Sound in Australia, — and, lastly, the Keeling Islands in the Indian Ocean. The great bulk of the species, however, are from the coasts, east and west, of South America. The particular locality assigned to each species respectively in the following work may be relied upon as correct ; pains having been taken by Mr. Darwin to affix a small ticket of tin, with a number stamped upon it, to each specimen, and to enter a note immediately in the manuscript catalogue, having the same number attached. In only three or four instances these tickets were found wanting, on the arrival of the collection in this country. A considerable portion of the species examined and described are new to science, especially of those collected in South America, and the adjoining Islands and Archipelagos. The new ones are supposed to amount to seventy-five at least, constituting more than half the entire number ; and amongst these are apparently seven new genera. a M INTRODUCTION. It may be interesting to state more particularly from what localities the new species principally come, and what proportion they bear to the entire number brought from each of those localities. Thus from Brazil about half are considered new ; — from Patagonia at least half; — fromTierra del Fuego, the Falkland Islands, and the Galapagos Archipelago, all are new, without exception ; and nearly all from Chiloe, and the coasts of Chile and Peru. Of the species brought from Tahiti, New Holland, and the Indian Ocean, not above one-fourth are new. This might have been anticipated from the better knowledge which we have of the Ichthyology of that quarter of the globe, than of South America. It is much to be regretted that the portion of the collection which has been lost to science, was obtained in localities most abounding in novelties, judging from that portion of it which has been saved. Thus, not above five or six species will be found noticed in the following work, from Tierra del Fuego, where Mr. Darwin took especial pains to collect all he could, and, judging from his manu- script catalogue, he must probably have obtained between thirty and forty. From the Falkland Islands again, there have been only saved two out of fifteen or sixteen, — from the coasts of Chile and Peru, not half the entire number obtained, and not above half from the coasts of Patagonia. There is also described not above half the species brought from King George's Sound, and the Keeling Islands ; but as the Indian and Australian species, or at least the former, have been more frequently brought to Europe than the South American, they are less to be regretted than these last. It is fortunate that the whole of the species obtained by Mr. Darwin in the Galapagos Archipelago, amounting to fifteen, have been preserved, and are described in the following pages. It may now be useful to mention, to what groups principally— first, the entire number of described species belong, and, secondly, that portion of them which are considered new. Both these points will be best judged of from the following table, in which the whole collection is parcelled out according to the families. ACANTHOPTERYGII. Percid*. Entire No. of species 18 whereof new 11 Mullid^e 3 Triglid^; 3 . .1 Cottid.*: 2 . . .2 ScORPiENIDa: . . . . 4 . . .2 Sci^Nma; 10 . .5 SPARIDffi 1 . . .1 M^NID^E 2 Clla:TODONTIDiE .... 2 45 22 Brought up scombrid^ Teuthydid^: Atherinid^: MueiLiDa; . Blennid^; . GoBiDa; Labrid.se lophidje Total . 45 . 7 . 2 . 3 . 3 . 11 . 3 . 7 . 1 22 3 . 82 Total, new 41 INTRODUCTION. MALACOPTERYGII. SiLURiDiE. Entire No. of species 3 whereof new 2 Brought up . 30 21 . 2 7 ... 6 Cyclopterid^: . . 2 1 EciIENEIDIDffi . 1 . 2 [perhaps more.] SALMONID.JE ..... 8 ... 7 Anguillid^: . 6 Pledeonectidb .... 6 ... 1 [probably more.] _ 30 21 Total . 39 Total, new 25 LOPHOBRANCHII. Syngnathidje. Entire No. of species . . 3 whereof new . PLECTOGNATHI. TETRODONTiDiE. Entire No. of species . . 7 whereof new Balistid« ° • Total 12 Total, new CYCLOSTOMI. Petromyzonid js. Entire No. of species . . 1 whereof new . TOTAL IN THE SEVERAL ORDERS. Acanthopterygii. Entire No. of species . . 82 whereof new Malacopterygii 39 . lophobranchii 3 ■ Plectognathi 12 . Cyclostomi 1 . . . Grand Total 41 25 3 5 1 137 Grand Total, new . 75 It appears from the above table that of the entire number of species, three- fifths belong to the Acanthopterygian fishes, — rather more than one-fourth to the Malacopterygian, — and about one-eighth to the remaining orders united. In the Acanthopterygians, the new species amount to one-half; in the Mala- copterygians, to about two-thirds ; in the remaining orders together, to rather more than one-half. Looking, therefore, to the entire number of species described, the Acanthop- terygians prevail ; and it is in the same order that there are most new ones : but looking to the proportion, which in each order the new ones bear to the entire number, it is among the Malacopterygians that this proportion will be found highest. Restricting our view, it will be also seen, in the Malacopterygians, that the new species are relatively most numerous in the fresh-water groups, such as the Silaridce, the Ci/prinidce, and Salmonidce, in which three families taken together, Vlll INTRODUCTION. they amount to five-sixths of the whole. The Clupeidte are an exception, in which all the species are apparently new. All the species described, belonging to the three families above mentioned, in which there are so many new, viz. the Siluridce, the Cyprinidce, and Salmonidce, are from South America, and the Falkland Islands, excepting one from New Zealand. Of the remaining fresh-water fishes in the collection, three out of five are presumed to be new. One of these is a species of Perca, from the Santa Cruz river, in South Patagonia ; the second is a species of Dules, from the river Matavai, in Tahiti ; the third a species of Atherina, from Valparaiso. Perhaps, however, this last is not strictly an inland species. The entire number of fresh-water species in the collection is twenty-three, and the entire number of new ones amongst these is eighteen. The large proportion of these latter is a circumstance in confirmation of a remark which Cuvier has somewhere made, that the fresh- water fishes of foreign countries are much less known and understood than those found on the coasts. It may serve also as a hint to future travellers. The seven new genera in the collection belong— one to the Scicenidce, from the Galapagos Archipelago ;— one to the Scombridce, from North Patagonia ;— three to the Blennidce, whereof one is from the Archipelago of Chiloe, the second from the Falkland Islands, and the third from New Zealand ;— one to the Cy- prinidce, embracing three species, from South Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, and New Zealand ; and, lastly, one to the Salmonidce, embracing two species from the Falkland Islands and Tierra del Fuego respectively. It has been already mentioned, that all the species obtained by Mr. Darwin in the Galapagos Archipelago have been preserved. As they are likewise all new, and those islands appear to have been scarcely visited by any naturalist previously, it may be interesting to enumerate the several genera to which they belong, and the number of species in each genus respectively. Sehranos 3 species. Fam. PERCID^l. Prionotus ScORP-SENA Prionodes N.G Pristipoma . . Latilus Chrysophrys Gobius .... COSSYPHUS . , GoBIESOX MllRiENA .... Tetrodon . . TRIGLID,E. scoitp^Nnm SCLENIDiE. SPARID*. GOBIDiE. LABRIM. CYCLOPTERID^. ANGUILLirm TETRODONTID^E. y ACANTHOPTERYGII. I MALACOPTERYGII. J PLECTOGNATHI. INTRODUCTION. 1X In making the foregoing estimates, as regards the number of new species brought home by Mr. Darwin, I have been guided almost entirely by my own judgment. The difficulty, however, of ascertaining, in a miscellaneous collection of this nature, brought from various localities, what are really new to science, is very great ; and this difficulty is much increased, where an author is situate apart from large public museums to which he might have recourse for comparison. Possibly, therefore, some of those described as new in the following work, may not be so in reality ; and, in one instance, as mentioned in the Appendix, this is known to be the case. My excuse, however, must rest upon what has been just stated. It is hoped that caution has been generally shown, at least in regard to specimens not in a good state of preservation ; and, in several such cases, in which an accurate description was hardly practicable, — though they could not be referred to any known species,— they are not positively declared new, nor any names imposed upon them whatever. I have, of course, consulted throughout the invaluable volumes of Cuvier and Valenciennes, so far as they have yet advanced in the subject ; and in them it will be found that a few species, brought by Mr. Darwin from South America, and still but little known, had nevertheless been previously obtained from the same country by M. Gay. The zoological atlasses of the three great French voyages by Freycinet, Duperrey and D'Urville have been also carefully looked through ; and, in regard particularly to the fish of South America, the works of Humboldt, Spix and Agassiz, and the more recent one, now in course of pub- lication, by M. D'Orbigny. There is an equal difficulty felt by every naturalist at the present day, in distinguishing species from varieties. And in the case of Fish, residing in a peculiar element, and so much removed from our observation, — we are almost at a loss to know, at present, to what extent their characters may be modified by local and accidental causes, or how far we may trust a different geographical position for giving permanence and value to a slight modification of form different from what occurs in the species of our own seas. Still less easy is it to determine the true importance of characters, in instances in which it is only permitted to see a single specimen of the kind, or, at most, very few individuals. Many mistakes, therefore, are liable to occur, in a work of this nature, arising from the above sources. The only way to prevent their creating any per- manent confusion in the science, is to describe all species of which the least doubt is entertained, in such detail, and with such accuracy, that they may not fail of being recognized by any observer, to whom they may occur a second time. They will not then continue to hold a false position in the system, as spurious 2 X INTRODUCTION. species. They may not be new, or they may not be species at all, — but they will be known; and any mistake which has been committed will be at once rectified, — any new name which has been wrongly imposed, immediately degraded to a synonym. Accordingly I have been careful in this respect; and I have in some in- stances, given full descriptions, even of species which are certainly not new, but which I did not find described by previous authors with all the detail that was requisite for completely identifying them ; or, leaving out what they have noticed, I have added such characters as they have omitted. My main object has been to render all the species, whether rightly named or not, easily recognizable ; and, however little the science may be advanced by what is brought forward, to make that advance, so far as it goes, sure. The method of description, and the mode of computing the fin-ray formula, will be found conformable to the plan adopted in the " Histoire des Poissons" of Cuvier and Valenciennes ; a work which, in so many respects, must always serve as a model to labourers in this department of zoology. The colours, in the great majority of instances, were, fortunately, noticed by Mr. Darwin in the recent state. The nomenclature employed by him for the purpose is that of Patrick Syme ; and he informs me, that a comparison was always made with the book in hand, previous to the exact colour in any case being noted. Where I have observed any markings left unnoticed by Mr. Darwin, I have added them myself; and, in most instances, I have given the general disposition of the colours as they appear in spirits, from the circumstance of their being often so much altered by the liquor, and liable to mislead those, who have only the opportunity of seeing them in preserved specimens. This is what Cuvier and Valenciennes have frequently done in their work ; and from them I have borrowed the practice. In a work of this nature, it has not been thought desirable to enter into any discussion of the principles of scientific arrangement, or to effect any change in systems already received ; its main object being the description of species. For this reason, I have taken the groups almost exactly as they stand in the " Histoire des Poissons" of Cuvier and Valenciennes, or in the " Regne Animal" of the former : yet there is reason to believe that many parts of their system will be found hereafter to require some modification, especially in regard to families and genera which have for their distinctive character the presence or absence of vomerine or palatine teeth. The small value which is to be attached to such character is pointed out in some instances in the following work, and much dwelt upon. INTRODUCTION. X1 In conclusion, it may be stated, that the whole of the species in the col- lection of fish brought home by Mr. Darwin, described in the following pages, have been deposited by him in the Museum of the Philosophical Society of Cambridge. They are mostly in spirit, and, generally speaking, in a good state of preservation ; some few, however, are in the state of skins only, and have been mounted. L. JENYNS. Swaffkam Bulbeck, Jem. 8, 1842. SYSTEMATIC TABLE OF SPECIES, WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE HABITATS. ACANTHOPTERYGII. PERCIDi Perca laevis, Jen Serranus albo-maculatus, Jen. , Goreensis, Val. ? aspersus, Jen. . labriformis, Jen. olfax, Jen. . . Plectropoma Patachonica, Jen Diacope marginata, Cuv. . Arripis Georgianus . . . Aplodactylus punctatus, Val. Dules Auriga, Cuv. et Val. Leuciscus, Jen. . ■ Helotes octolineatus, Jen. . Aphritis undulatus, Jen. porosus, Jen. . . Pinguipes fasciatus, Jen. Chilensis, Val. . Percophis Brasilianus, Cuv. South Patagonia. Galapagos Archipelago. Cape Verde Islands. Ditto. Galapagos. Ditto. North Patagonia. Keeling Islands. King George's Sound. Maldonado. Tahiti. King George's Sound. Archipelago of Chiloe. Central Patagonia. North Patagonia. Valparaiso. North Patagonia. MTJLLIDiE. Upeneus flavo-lineatus, Cuv. et Val. Keeling Islands. trifasciatus, Cuv. . . ■ Tahiti. . Prayensis, Cuv. et Val. ? Cape Verde Islands. TRIGLID.E. Trigla Kumu, Less, et Gam. . . New Zealand. Prionotus punctatus, Cuv. . . . Rio de Janeiro. Miles, Jen Galapagos. COTTID.E. Aspidophorus Chiloensis, Jen. . Chiloe. Platycephalus inops, Jen. . . . King George's Sound. SCORPiENID^. Scorpsena Histrio, Jen Galapagos. Sebastes oculata, Val. ? . . . ■ Valparaiso. Agri opus hispidus, Jen Archipelago of Chiloe. Apistus ? King George's Sound. SCIiENnLE. Otolithus Guatucupa, Cuv. et Val. Maldonado. analis, Jen Coast of Peru. Corvina adusta, Agass Maldonado. Umbrina arenata, Cuv. et Val. . North Patagonia. . ophicephala, Jen. . . Coquimbo. Prionodes fasciatus, Jen. . . . Galapagos. Pristipoma cantharinum, Jen. . Ditto. Latilus jugularis, Val. .... Valparaiso, princeps, Jen Galapagos. Heliases Crusma, Val Valparaiso. SPARID^E. Chrysophrys taurina, Jen. . . . Galapagos. MiENIDiE. Gerres Gula, Cuv. et Val. ? . . Rio de Janeiro. Oyena, Cuv. et Val. ? . . Keeling Islands. CH^ETODONTIDiE. Cheetodon setifer, Bl Keeling Islands. Stegastes imbricatus, Jen. . . . Cape Verde Islands. SCOMBRID.K. Paropsis signata, Jen North Patagonia. Caranx declivis, Jen King George's Sound. torvus, Jen, Tahiti. b XIV TABLE OF SPECIES. SCOMBRID.E— continued. Caranx Georgianus, Cuv. et Val. King George's Sound. Seriolabipinnulata, Quoy et Gaim. Keeling Islands. Psenes ? South Atlantic Ocean. Stromateus maculatus, Cuv. et Val. ? Chiloe. TEUTHYDID.E. Aeanthurus triostegus, Bl. Schn. Keeling Islands. — humeralis, Cuv. et Val. Tahiti. ATHERINIDiE. Atherina argentinensis, Cuv. et Val. ? Maldonado. microlepidota, Jen. . . Valparaiso. incisa, Jen North Patagonia. mugilid^e. Mugil Liza, Cuv. et Val. ? . . . North Patagonia. P Keeling Islands. Dajaus Diemensis, Richards. . . King George's Sound. blennim:. Blennius palmicornis, Cuv. et Val. Cape Verde Islands. Blennechis fasciatus, Jen. . . . Concepcion. ornatus, Jen. . . . Coquimbo. Salarias atlanticus, Cuv. et Val. . Cape Verde Islands. BLENN ID.E— continued. Salarias quadricornis, Cuv.et Val.? Keeling Islands vomerinus, Cuv. et Val. ? Cape Verde Islands. Coquimbo. New Zealand. New Zealand. Archipelago of Chiloe. Falkland Islands. Clinus crinitus, Jen. . . Acanthoclinus fuscus, Jen. Tripterygion Capito, Jen. Iluocoetes fimbriatus, Jen. Phucoceetes latitans, Jen. GOBID.E. Gobius lineatus, Jen Galapagos. Gobius ophicephalus, Jen. . . Archipelago of Chiloe. Eleotris Gobioides, Val. . . . New Zealand. LOPHID^. Batrachusporosissimus, Cuv. et Val.? Bahia Blanca. labium:. Cossyphus Darwini, Jen. . . . Galapagos. Cheilio ramosus, Jen Japan ? Chromis facetus, Jen Maldonado. Scarus chlorodon, Jen Keeling Islands. globiceps, Cuv. et Val. . . Tahiti. ■ lepidus, Jen Tahiti. ? Keeling Islands. MALACOPTERYGII. SILURHLE. Pimelodus gracilis, Val.'. ? . . . Rio de Janeiro. exsudans, Jen. . . . Ditto.? Callichthys paleatus, Jen. CYPRINID.E. Pcecilia unimaculata, Val. . ■ decem-maculata, Jen. Lebias lineata, Jen. . . multidentata, Jen Mesites maculatus, Jen. • alpinus, Jen. . . attenuatus, Jen. . Rio de Janeiro. Maldonado. Ditto. Monte Video. South Patagonia. Tierra del Fuego. New Zealand. ESOCHLE Exoccetus exsiliens, Bl ? . . . Pacific Ocean. SALMONID.E. Tetragonopterus Abramis, Jen. . Rio Parana, S.America. rutilus, Jen. . . Ditto. • scabripinnis, Jen. Rio de Janeiro. tamiatus, Jen. . Ditto. interruptus, Jen. Maldonado. SALMONIDiE- Hydrocyon Hepsetus, Cuv. Aplochiton Zebra, Jen. . . ta?niatus, Jen. . . -continued. . Maldonado. . Falkland Islands. . Tierra del Fuego. CLUPEttLE. Clupea Fuegensis, Jen Tierra del Fuego. arcuata, Jen Bahia Blanca. sagax, Jen Lima. Alosa pectinata, Jen North Patagonia. Engraulis ringens, Jen. . . . Coast of Peru. PLEURONECTID^E. Platessa Orbignyana, Vol.? . . Bahia Blanca. ? . . . , King George's Sound. Hippoglossus Kingii, Jen. , . Valparaiso. Rhombus ? Bahia Blanca. Achirus lineatus, D' Orb. . . . Coast of Brazil. Plagusia ? Coast of Patagonia. CYCLOPTERID.E. Gobiesox marmoratus, Jen. . . Archipelago of Chiloe. poscilophthalmos, Jen. Galapagos. TABLE OF SPECIES. XV ECHENEIDIDvE. Echeneis Remora, Linn. . . . Atlantic Ocean. ANGUILLUXE. Anguilla australis, Richards. . ' New Zealand. Conger punctus, Jen Tierra del Fuego. ANGUILLIDiE— continued. Muraena lentiginosa, Jen. . . ■ Galapagos ocellata, Asass. Rio de Janeiro. Cape Verde Islands. Tahiti. LOPHOBRANCHII. SYNGNATHIDiE. Syngnathus acicularis, Jen. . . Valparaiso. conspicillatus, Jen. . Tahiti. crinitus, Jen. . . . Bahia Blanca. PLECTOGNATHI. TETRODONTIDiE. Diodon nycthemerus, Cuv. ■ ■ rivulatus, Cuv Maldonado. . antennatus, Cuv.? . . . Bahia Blanca. Tetrodon aerostaticus, Jen. implutus, Jen. ■ . . Keeling Islands. annulatus, Jen. . . . Galapagos. angusticeps, Jen. . ■ Ditto. BALISTIDiE. Balistes Vetula, Bl South Atlantic Ocean. aculeatus, Bl Tahiti. Aleuteres maculosus, Richards. . King George's Sound. vclutinus, Jen. . ■ Ditto. Ostracion punctatus, Schn. . . Tahiti. CYCLOSTOMI. PETROMYZONID.E. Myxine australis, Jen Tierra del Fuego. LIST OF PLATES. Plate I. II. III. IV. V. VI. Perca lsevis. Serranus albo-maculatus. labriformis. fFig.l. VII. < — 1 a. — 16. — 2. — 2 a. — 2 6. VIII. t — 2. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XV. r Pig.l. | — la. 1 6. 2. — 2 a. I — 2 6. C Fig. 1. I — 1 a. XVII. < 9 1-3. jFig.l. \ -2. TFig. I- — 2. < — 2 a. — 3. — 3 a. XX. XXI. — olfax. XVI. \ Pinguipes fasciatus. Prionotus Miles. Aspidophorus Chiloensis. Twice Nat. size. Ditto. Nat. size. Dorsal view. Ditto. Ditto. Side view. Agriopus hispidus. Twice Nat. size. Ditto. Nat. size. Ditto. Portion of the hispid cuticle magnified. Scorpeena Histrio. Prionodes fasciatus. Stegastes imbricatus. Pristipoma cantharinum. Latilus princeps. Chrysophrys taurina. Paropsis signata. Caranx declivis. torvus. Atherina microlepidota. ■ Ditto. Magnified scales. Atherina incisa. Nat. size. Ditto. Magnified scale. Ditto. Twice Nat. size. Blennechis fasciatus. Ditto. Teeth magnified. Blennechis ornatus. Salarias vomerinus. Clinus crinitus. Acanthoclinus fuscus. Tripterygion Capito. Gobius lineatus. Ditto. Dorsal view. Gobius ophicephalus. Ditto. Dorsal view. Cossyphus Darwini. Scarus chlorodon. Plate rFig . 1. Poecilia decem-maculata. Twice not. size. 1 a. Ditto. Nat. size. 2. Lebias lineata. XXII. « 2a Ditto. Teeth magnified. 3. Lebias multidentata. 3 a. Ditto. Teeth magnified. 4. Mesites maculatus. . — 5. attenuatus. r 1. Tetragonopterus Abramis. ' la. Ditto. Mouth magnified, to show form of maxillary. — 2. Tetragonopterus rutilus. XXIII. < — 2 a. Ditto. Mouth magnified. — 3. Tetragonopterus scabripinnis. — 3 a. Ditto. Mouth magnified. — 4. Tetragonopterus interruptus. .. — 4 a. Ditto. Mouth magnified. r - 1. Aplochiton Zebra. xxiv. <; _ 1 1 a. Ditto. Magnified view of anal and generative orifices. I _ 2. Aplochiton taeniatus. XXV. a. Alosa pectinata. ivl (tgti/Jii <(. ■st.fiu' 1 1 o/u impf . XXVI. Hippoglossus Kingii. ' — 1. Gobiesox marmoratus. — la. Ditto. Dorsal view. — 6. Ditto. Under side. — 2. Gobiesox poecilophthalmos. XXVII. < — 2 a. Ditto. Lateral view. — 2 6. Ditto. Magnified view of teeth. — 3. Syngnathus acicularis. — 4. conspiciliatus. 5. crinitus. *XVIII. Tetrodon angusticeps. a. Dorsal view of head. 1. Aphritis undulatus. — 2. Iluoccetes fimbriatus. XXIX., Append. — 2 a. Ditto. Magnified view of teeth. — 3. Phucocoetes latitans. k — 3 a. Ditto. Teeth. «5 s 5 AMI V IS i : >v vfe ,4 i- . X,. • ■J »\.. ^.vA FISH. ACANTHOPTERYGII. Family— PERCID.E. Perca l^-vis. Jen. Plate I. P. nigricanti-fusco undique punctata ; vertice, fronte, rostro usque ad nares, et infra- orbit alium parte posteriori, squamatis ; squamis, in capite ciliatis scabris, in corpore sublcEvibus. B. 7; D. 9—1/11; A. 3/9; C. 17; P. 15; V. 1/5. Long, una 11 ; lin. 5. Form. — Much more elongated than the common Perch, with the back less elevated. Depth, beneath the commencement of the first dorsal, not quite equalling one-fifth of the entire length. Thickness, in the region of the pectorals, about two-thirds of the depth. Head not quite one-fourth of the entire length. Profile falling gently from the nape in nearly a straight line at an angle of about 45° : at the nape the dorsal line rises so as to interrupt its continuity with the slope of the profile, but it is nearly horizontal along the base of the dorsal fins. The jaws are nearly equal, but when the mouth is closed, the upper one appears somewhat the longer. A band of velutine teeth in each jaw, as well as on the vomer and palatines. Maxil- laries when at rest nearly concealed beneath the suborbital bones : these last with their lower margin distinctly denticulated ; their surface presenting several small hollows. Eyes rather above the middle of the cheeks, and about equi-distant from the extremity of the snout and the posterior margin of the preopercle ; their diameter is one-sixth of the length of the head ; the dis- tance from one to the other equals one diameter and a half. Nostrils double, a little in advance of the eyes ; the first orifice oval, the second round. Preopercle rectangular, with the angle rounded ; B 2 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. the ascending margin finely denticulated, the teeth almost disappearing at the top ; towards the angle the teeth become stronger and point downwards ; they are also stronger and more scattered along the basal margin, inclining here a little forwards. Opercle with two flat sharp points, one a little below the upper angle, the other about the middle and terminating the gill cover. Both the subopercle and interopercle have their margins obscurely denticulated : the margin of the former is rather sinuous, and passes obliquely forwards and downwards to form a continuous curve with that of the latter. Crown, forehead, upper part of the snout as far as the connecting line of the nostrils, posterior half of the suborbitals, cheeks, and all the pieces of the gill cover, excepting the lower limb of the preopercle, covered with small scales, which are in most instances ciliated with a varying number of denticles, and feel rough to the touch : the extremity of the snout, anterior portion of the suborbitals, maxillaries, and lower jaw are naked. Above each orbit is a small semi-circular granulated plate, with the granulations dis- posed in striee. The suprascapulars terminate in an obtuse projecting point. The humeral bone forms a large osseous triangular plate above the pectorals, the salient angle terminating in three small teeth. Course of the lateral line a little above one-third of the depth till it arrives beneath the second dorsal, where it bends down to half the depth. Scales on the body larger than those on the head, of an oblong form, rounded at their free edges, which are scarcely at all ciliated, and for the most part quite smooth to the touch ; their concealed por- tion not wider than the free, with a fan of fourteen striae ; the rest of their surface more finely striated. The first dorsal commences a little beyond a vertical line from the termination of the humeral plate, and is almost continuous with the second, being only separated by a deep notch; the space occupied by the two dorsals together is exactly one-third of the entire length : spines strong ; the first scarcely more than one- third the length of the second, which is very little shorter than the third ; this last longest, equalling rather more than half the depth ; rest of the spines gradually decreasing to the last, which is of the same length as the first. The second dorsal commences with a slender spine, not half the length of the first soft ray, which last is simple, the others being branched ; third and fourth soft rays longest ; the succeeding ones slowly decreasing to the last, which is rather more than half the longest. Anal preceded by three spines, the first of which is very short ; second much longer and very stout; third of about the same length as the second, but much slenderer; the first and second separated by a wide mem- brane from the third, which is closely united to the first soft ray ; these last longer than those of the second dorsal, but in other respects similar. The anal and second dorsal terminate in the same vertical line ; and the last ray is double in both fins. Between them and the caudal is a space equalling one-fifth of the entire length. The caudal is slightly notched. The pec- torals are rather pointed, their length equalling two-thirds that of the head. Ventrals imme- diately beneath them, and of about the same length ; the first soft ray longest, and more than twice the length of the spine which precedes it. Colour. — In spirits this fish appears yellowish brown, deepening on the back but becoming paler on the belly, and covered all over with small dusky spots, one occupying the base of each scale. Habitat, Santa Cruz River, Patagonia. t ^ o 3 i ■I FISH. No true perch had been obtained from South America until M. D'Orbigny discovered one in the Rio-Negro, in North Patagonia, which has been since de- scribed by Valenciennes, under the name of P. trueka* The present species was found dead by Mr. Darwin, high up the river of Santa Cruz, in South Patagonia. It is evidently very closely allied to the P. trucha, and is spotted in a similar manner ; but it appears to differ in the scales not advancing on the snout beyond the nostrils, or covering more than the posterior half of the subor- bitals. Those on the body are also particularly characterized by being so smooth, as hardly to communicate any sensation of roughness when the hand is passed from the tail towards the head, though the head itself is rough. This circum- stance has suggested the specific name. This species further disagrees with the one above alluded to in having the caudal slightly forked, not rounded ; and in having two soft rays less in the second dorsal, and one less in the anal. Valen- ciennes's description, however, of the P. trucha is very brief; on which account I have been the more minute in that of the P. Icevis. This perch, with P. trucha, would almost seem to form a subordinate division in the genus, distinguished from that embracing all the other described species, by the character of the scales covering a large portion of the head which gives it a remarkable scisenoid appearance. Both species may be known from all the North American perches, by their having the body spotted instead of banded, and by the smaller number of rays in the first dorsal. In this last character they agree with the P. ciliata, and P. marginata of Cuvier and Valenciennes. 1. Serranus albo-maculatus. Jen. Plate II. S. lateribus maculis albis serie longitudinali disposilis ; denlibus velutinis ; paucis, hie el iliic spar sis, for tioribus, aculeiformibus, vel sub-conicis ; preoperculo margine ad- scendenti convexiusculo, denticulato; denticulis ad et infra unguium pauld majoribus; operculo mucronibus duobus parvis, et spina intermedia for ti, armato ; rosiro et max- illis nudis ; squamis corporis leviter ciliatis ; pinna caudali asquali. B. 7; D. 10/13; A. 3/7; C. 17, &C.-P. 17; V. 1/5. Long. unc. 16; lin. 9. Form.— Of an oblong-oval form, with the greatest depth about one-fourth of the entire length. The dorsal and ventral lines are of nearly equal curvature. The profile is nearly rectilineal, * Hist, des Poiss. torn. ix. p. 317. I refer to the quarto edition throughout. ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. falling very gradually from the commencement of the dorsal to the end of the snout, without any elevation at the nape. The head is one-third of the entire length. The lower jaw projects beyond the upper. The maxillary, which is broad, and cut quite square at its extremity, reaches to beneath the middle of the orbit. The suborbital has the margin entire and nearly straight. The upper jaw has a band of velutine teeth, broadish in front, but narrowing (the teeth at the same time becoming smaller and finer) posteriorly ; with an outer row of not much longer, but considerably stronger, subconic teeth, placed at rather wide intervals ; besides these, there are three or four teeth on each side of the anterior portion of the jaw, equally strong as those last mentioned, but more curved, the points reclining backwards, and set within the velutine band. In the lower jaw, there is the same band as above, but narrower, and with the teeth more in fine card than velutine, with stronger ones anteriorly, and along the posterior half of each side, where there are six or eight, standing nearly in a single row, very stout and curved, though scarcely longer than the others; outside the band, and on each side of the symphysis, there are three or four moderately strong subconic teeth, at short distances from each other, which may be considered as small canines. On the vomer and palatines, the teeth are velutine. The eyes are rather large, and placed high in the cheeks ; their diameter is about one-sixth the length of the head : the distance between them equals one diameter and a quarter. The nostrils consist of two orifices, placed one before the other, a little in advance of the eyes, roundish-oval, the posterior one largest. The preopercle has the ascending margin not quite rectilineal, being slightly convex, and the angle at bottom rounded ; the denticulations on the former are fine, but very perceptible ; they become rather stronger and more distant at the angle, and a few of this character are continued along the posterior half of the basal margin. The opercle is armed with three points ; the upper one is triangular, small, and not very obvious ; the middle one is a moderately strong spine, about a quarter of an inch in length ; the third is a little below this last, and resembles it in form, but is much smaller. The membrane of the opercle terminates in a sharp angle, and is produced considerably beyond the middle spine. The line of separation between the opercle and subopercle is not visible. The gill-opening is large, and has seven rays. There are no scales on the snout or jaws, or between the eyes, or on the anterior portion of the suborbital; but they are present on the cranium behind the eyes, cheeks, (where they are numerous), and pieces of the gill-cover; the limb of the preopercle, and the lower margin of the interopercle, however, are nearly free from them. Those on the opercle are larger than those on the cheeks. All these scales, as well as those on the body, are finely ciliated, communicating a slight roughness to the touch. The supra-scapular is represented by a larger and harder scale than the rest, of a semi-elliptic form, striated on its surface, and obsoletely denticulated on the margin. The lateral line is parallel to the back, at between one - third and one-fourth of the depth. The pectorals are attached below the middle, of a rounded form, the middle rays being longest, and about half the length of the head. The dorsal commences exactly above them, and occupies a space equalling half the entire length, excluding the caudal. The spines are sharp, and moderately strong : the first is rather more than half the length of the second, but scarcely more than one-fifth of the length of the third, which is longest, equalling more than half the depth of the body : from the third they decrease very gradually to the ninth, which is of the same length as the second ; the tenth is again a little higher; this is followed by the soft rays, which are nearly even, and about one-third higher than the last spine; the last two or three, however, are a little shorter than the others. FISH. The anal commences in a line with the fifth soft ray of the dorsal, and ends a little before that fin : the second spine is strongest, and twice the length of the first : the soft rays are longer than those of the dorsal. There are a few minute scales between the soft rays of both dorsal and anal, to about one quarter of their height. The caudal is even, but may possibly have been worn so by use. The ventrals are directly under the pectorals, a little shorter than them, and pointed. Colour. — " Varies much. Above pale blackish-green ; belly white ; fins, gill-covers, and part of the sides, dirty reddish orange : on the side of the back, six or seven good-sized snow-white spots, with not a very regular outline. — In some specimens, the blackish-green above becomes dark, and is separated by a straight line from the paler under parts. — Again, other specimens are coloured dirty 'reddish-orange,' and ' gallstone yellow,'* the upper parts only rather darker. But in all, the white spots are clear ; five or six in one row, and one placed above. Sometimes the fins are banded longitudinally with orange and black-green." — D. Habitat, Galapagos Archipelago. This species, which is undoubtedly new, was obtained by Mr. Darwin at Charles Island, in the Galapagos Archipelago. As many specimens were seen, it is probably not uncommon there. It appears to be a Serranus, but its canines, if they can be so called, are very small and inconspicuous. Its naked jaws re- quire it to be placed in Cuvier's first section of that genus, though much larger than most of the species contained in it, and rather differing from them in general form. In some of its chai'acters, it would seem to make a near approach to Cen- tropristes, between which and Serranus, there is undoubtedly a very close affinity. 2. Serranus Goreensis. Val. ? Serranus Goreensis, Cuv. et Val. Hist. dcsPoiss. torn. vi. p. 384. Form. — The general form approaching very closely that of the 5. Gigas. Greatest depth one- fourth of the entire length. Head rather less than one-third of the same. The diameter of the eye is one-fifth of the length of the head ; and the distance from the eye to the extremity of the snout is about one diameter and a quarter. The lower jaw is covered with small scales, but not the maxillary. The nostrils consist of two round apertures, the anterior one rather larger than the posterior, and covered by a membranous flap. The teeth in the upper jaw form a velutine band, with the outer row in fine card, and two stronger and longer ones near the middle of the jaw on each side : below there is a narrow band of fine card, with stronger ones situated as above. The denticulations at the angle of the preopercle are well developed, espe- cially two teeth which are much stronger than any on the ascending margin. The opercle has three flat spines, the middle one longest and projecting further than the others ; but the termi- nating angle of the membrane projects beyond this spine to a distance equalling the length of t In this and in all other cases, Mr. Darwin has used Werner's Nomenclature of Colours, by Patrick Syme. 6 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. the spine itself. The dorsal has the fourth spine longest, and equalling just half the entire length of the spinous portion of the fin. Both the spinous and soft portions have minute scales between the rays, covering rather more than the basal half of the fin ; they rise highest just at the commencement of the soft portion. The caudal is square at the extremity, or with rather more tendency to notched than rounded ; the basal half scaly. The anal commences in a line with the third soft ray of the dorsal, and has the basal half of the soft portion finely scaled : the second spine is strongest, but the third somewhat the longest. The pectorals are rounded, with the seventh and eighth rays longest ; finely scaled on the upper side for one-fourth of their length from the base, but without any scales beneath. The ventrals are a little shorter than the pectorals, with a spine of about the same length and stoutness as the third anal spine, and rather more than equalling half the length of the soft rays : they are obsoletely scaled on the upper side between the rays. D. 11/16 ; A. 3/8 ; C. 15, &c— P. 17 ; V. l/o. Length 7 inches. Colour. — {In spirits.) Of a nearly uniform bister brown, stained and mottled here and there, par- ticularly on the sides below the lateral line, with patches of a much paler tint. Habitat, St. Jago, Cape Verde Islands. The Serran above described, was procured by Mr. Darwin at Porto Praya. I am not sure that I am right in referring it to the S. Goreensis of Valenciennes, as in so extensive a genus, and one in which the species are so extremely similar, it is very difficult to identify any one in particular, without the opportunity of comparing it with a large number. But it seems to agree with that species better than with any other I can find noticed by authors ; and the island of Goree is sufficiently near the Cape Verde Islands, to render it probable that the same species may occur in both localities. It has the same square tail, which, accord- ing to Valenciennes, so particularly characterizes the *S*. Goreensis ; but it has one soft ray more in the dorsal. I see no appearance of the deep violet said to border the dorsal and anal fins, but possibly it may have been effaced by the action of the spirit. 3. Serranus aspersus. Jen. S. supra viridi-niger, sublus pallidior ; lateribus smaragdino pallida aspersis ; pinnis anali, caudali, dorsalique postice, apicibus croceis ; dentibus velutinis, caninis in maxilla superiore utrinque versus apicem duobus sub-fortibus ; preopercido margine prope recto denticulato ; denticulis ad unguium paulb majoribus ; operculo mu- FISH. ' onibus tribus plants, intermedio maximo ; rostro toto, et maxilla inferiore, squa- matis. B. 7; D. 11/15; A. 3/8 ; C. 17, &c; P. 17; V. 1/5. Long. unc. 4£. Form.— Back very little elevated ; the greatest depth rather less than one-fourth of the entire length. Nape slightly depressed, with which exception, the dorsal line from the commencement of the dorsal fin to the crown of the head, is nearly horizontal : from between the eyes to the end of the snout, the profile is considerably convex. Head rather more than one-third of the entire length. Eyes large, their diameter about one-fourth the length of the head, high in the cheeks, and distant rather less than a diameter from the end of the snout. Lower jaw longer than the upper. The teeth above consist of a narrow velutine band, with a few, a little behind the anterior extremity, longer than the others, but slender and curving backwards; in front, and on each side of the extremity are two moderate canines : beneath there is a narrow band of velutine and fine card mixed, but no canines. The lower jaw, and the snout quite to the extremity, as well as the suborbitals, are covered with minute scales, but not the maxillary. The preopercle has the ascending margin nearly rectilineal, and finely denticulated ; the angle at bottom rather sharp, and the denticles at this part, as well as immediately above it, rather more developed than the others. Opercle with three flat points ; the upper and lower ones equal, the middle one larger, but not projecting so far as the membrane. Dorsal spines invested with membranous tags at their tips ; of nearly equal lengths, with the exception of the first two ; the third and fourth a little the longest : the soft portion of the fin higher than the spinous. Anal rounded, terminating sooner than the dorsal ; the second spine a trifle longer than the third, as well as stouter. The caudal is injured, but appears to have been square, or perhaps slightly rounded. Rows of minute scales between the rays of all the vertical fins. Colour.—" Dark greenish, black above, beneath lighter ; sides marked with light emerald green : tips of the anal, caudal, and hinder part of the dorsal, saffron yellow j tips of the pectorals orpiment orange."— D. These colours have been much altered by the action of the spirit. The general ground is now dusky lead, mottled and sprinkled on the sides with dirty white. There is an appearance of four oblong black spots on the upper part of the back beneath the base of the dorsal, not noticed by Mr. Darwin. The tips of the fins have entirely lost their bright colours. Habitat, Porto Praya, St. Jago, Cape Verde Islands. This species was also obtained at Porto Praya, off Quail Island. It belongs to that division of the genus which Cuvier has distinguished by the name of Meroii, and to his section of MSrous piqueth ; but it will not accord with any of those described in the " Histoire des Poissons." There is only one specimen of it in the collection, which is small, and probably not full-sized. ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. 4. Serranus labriformis. Jen. Plate III. *S'. fusco-fiavo, nigro, alboque variatus ; dorsali rvbro-marginatd ; spinis fortibus, sub- cequalibus, ad apices laciniis membranaceis invest itis; dentibus aculeiformibus* valde retroflexis, seriebus internis majoribus ; caninis, in maxilla superiore duobus, in in- feriore qua t nor, mediocribns ; preopercido margine arcuato, vix denticulate ; oper- culo mucrone imico piano, modico, armato ; squamis infra lineam lateralem ciliatis, supra et in ventre Icevibus. B. 7; D. 11/17; A. 3/8; C. 15, &c; P. 18; V. 1/5. Long. uric. 17. Form.' — Oblong-oval, with very much the aspect of a Labrus. The greatest depth, which is beneath the commencement of the dorsal, is rather less than one-fourth of the entire length. The head is large, and nearly one-third of the same. The profile, from the dorsal to the end of the snout, curves gradually downwards in one continuous bend. The lower jaw projects a little beyond the upper. The teeth form a broadish band of fine card in both jaws, with the inner rows longer and more curved than the outer ; in the upper jaw, a little behind the anterior ex- tremity, are three or four longer than the others, and curving so much backwards as almost to be laid flat; at the posterior part of this jaw on each side they pass into velutine. The canines are strong, but not very long ; in number two above and four below, not exactly in front, but a little on each side of the middle. The teeth on the vomer and palatines are velutine. The eyes are moderately large, high in the cheeks, equidistant from the upper angle of the pre- opercle and the end of the snout, with a diameter rather less than one sixth the length of the head : the distance between them about equals their diameter. The margin of the suborbital is entire, but a little sinuous. The maxillary is large, and cut nearly square at its posterior extremity : it is nearly all exposed, and reaches to beneath the posterior part of the orbit. The nostrils are a little in advance of the eyes, and consist of two round openings, one before the other, the posterior one being the largest. The whole head, including the lower jaw, is covered with small scales, which become more minute towards the extremity of the snout, but are very visible even there : there are none, however, apparent on the maxillary. The preopercle has the basal angle rounded, and the ascending margin a little convex outwards, and denticulated, but the denticles are minute and not very obvious. The opercle and subopercle together (the line of separation between which is scarcely apparent) form a triangle. The former terminates posteriorly in one flat spine, moderately developed, not reaching to the extremity of the mem- branous angle by twice its own length. The lateral line, which is rather indistinct, is nearly parallel to the back at a little below one-fourth of the depth. The scales on the body below * I have employed this term to designate the slender curved teeth, arranged in several rows, which Cuvier calls en caries, or, when less numerous and rather more developed, en crochets. They much resemble the prickles found on some plants. s I \ 4\ // s < o 3 $L *3 FISH. - ( > the lateral line are rough, but those above it, as well as those on the belly, nearly smooth : one taken from the middle of the side is of an oblong form, rounded at the free extremity, which is finely dotted and ciliated ; its whole surface finely striated, with nine or ten deeper atria? at the base. The pectorals are attached low down, rounded at the extremity, and about half the length of the head. The dorsal commences immediately above them, and is tolerably even throughout its course, extending nearly to the caudal. The membrane is rather deeply notched between the spines, which are very stout and invested at their tips with membrana- ceous tags, as in the Lahridae. The first spine is only half the length of the second and third ; the fourth is a little the longest, equalling two-fifths of the depth of the body; the fifth and succeeding ones decrease very gradually to the tenth, which is rather more than half the length of the fourth ; the eleventh is a little longer, and is followed by the soft rays, the longest of which is about equal to the longest of the spinous. The anal commences about in a line with the second soft ray in the dorsal, and terminates before that fin, leaving double the distance between it and the caudal ; first spine not half the length of the second and third, which are about equal, and much stouter ; soft portion of the fin of a rounded form, with the middle rays nearly double the length of the second and third spines. Caudal even, or very slightly rounded, without any rows of scales between the rays. Ventrals a little shorter than the pectorals, im- mediately beneath them, pointed. Colour.—" Mottled with brown-yellow, black and white : upper and lower edges of the caudal, edges of the dorsal and anal, ' arterial' and purplish red."— D. Habitat, Galapagos Archipelago. Obtained off Chatham Island in the Galapagos Archipelago. There can be little doubt of its being an undescribed species, well characterized by its labriform appearance, as regards the fins, rounded and nearly entire margin of the pre- opercle, and scales smooth above, but rough beneath the lateral line. 5. Serranus olfax. Jen. Plate IV. S. fusco-variatus ; spinis dorsalibus ad apices laciniis investitis ; naribus orbicularis, aperturd unica magna, duas minores includenti ; dentibus acideiformibus, retroflexis, seriebus paucis ; caninis, in maxilla superiore duobus, in inferiore qualuor, ceteris vix fortioribus ; preopercido margine adscendenti prope recto, versum unguium pau- lum sinuato, vix denticulato ; operculo mucronibus duobus, parvis, subcequalibus, armato ; squamis ubique Icevibus. B. 7 ; D. 1 1/18 ; A. 3/1 1 ; C. 17, &c. ; P. 17 ; V. 1/5. Long. unc. 23$. Form.— Rather elongated, with the dorsal and ventral lines equally curved, and neither departing much from a straight line. Depth, in the region of the pectorals, equalling rather more than one- c 10 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. fifth of the entire length. Head contained three and a half times in the same. Profile sloping gradually from the commencement of the dorsal to the end of the snout in one continuous very gentle curve. The lower jaw a little the longest. The teeth are in strong card in both jaws, their points curving inwards and backwards : those above longest anteriorly, where they form about three rows ; posteriorly they become velutine, as in the last species, and consist of not more than two rows : in the lower jaw the teeth are equally large at the sides as in front, and, excepting quite at the anterior extremity, in only two rows, the inner of which is stronger than the outer. The canines are small, and scarcely stronger than the other teeth ; in number* and situation, the same as in the S. lahriformis. The vomerine and palatine teeth are very fine velutine. Eyes rather large, and high in the cheeks, equidistant from the upper angle of the preopercle and the intermaxillary, with a diameter about one-seventh the length of the head • the distance between them equals one diameter and one-third. The margin of the suborbital is entire, and nearly straight. The maxillary, when the mouth is closed, reaches to beneath the middle of the orbit. The nostrils are a little in advance of the eyes, and consist of one large, nearly circular, aperture, enclosing two smaller ones, which are also circular and placed equally in advance. The crown, and space between the eyes, and entire cheeks, are covered with small scales ; there are also some minute ones on the lower jaw, and on the extremity of the snout before the eyes ; but they are scarcely obvious, if present, on the first suborbital, and not at all perceptible on the maxillary. The preopercle is rather more than rectangular; the basal margin nearly straight and horizontal ; the angle rather sharp 5 the ascending margin with a slight sinuosity just above the angle, afterwards straight and nearly vertical, very obso- letely denticulated throughout its course. The osseous portion of the opercle terminates poste- riorly in two flat points, nearly equal, but the lower one rather the more developed, between which it is emarginate. The angle of the membrane is considerably produced beyond the lower point. The line of separation between the opercle and subopercle is tolerably obvious. Gill- opening large. All the pieces of the gill-cover are covered with scales scarcely smaller than those on the body. The scales on the body are not large, of an oblong form, with their free edges scarcely at all ciliated, not enough to feel rough to the touch ; their whole surface very finely striated, with twelve deeper striae on the basal half, and the basal margin crenated. Lateral line not very conspicuous, parallel to the back at about one-fourth of the depth. The dorsal commences in a line with the posterior angle of the opercle, and occupies a space equal- ling half the entire length, caudal excluded : spines strong, and tagged at their extremities ; the second longest, equalling not quite half the depth ; third and succeeding ones gradually decreasing to the tenth, which is about half the length of the second ; the eleventh again longer ; then follow the soft rays, which are nearly even, but all higher than the last spinous. The anal commences in a line with the third soft ray in the dorsal, and terminates a little before that fin : first spine very short ; the third longest, but the second stoutest : of the soft rays the third and fourth are longest, and nearly twice the length of the third spine, being longer than the soft rays in the dorsal ; from the fourth they gradually decrease, giving this portion of the fin a rounded form. The caudal is nearly even, but the central rays are a little shorter than the outer ones. There are no rows of scales between the soft rays of the dorsal and anal, and * There are actually only three below in this specimen, but there is little doubt of four being the normal n amber, one appearing to have been lost. FISH. j ' scarcely any trace of them between those of the caudal. The pectorals are rounded, attached low down, and about half the length of the head. Ventrals directly beneath them, shorter, and more pointed. Colour.—" Mottled brown."— D. The dried skin appears nearly of a uniform brown, simply a little paler beneath. There is some indication of a whitish band along the base of the anal and soft dorsal, which may be the remains of a brighter colour. The base of the pectorals and ventrals is also paler than the extremity of those fins. Habitat, Galapagos Archipelago. This species was also obtained at Chatham Island, in the Galapagos, where Mr. Darwin states that it is common. In some of its characters it approaches the S. labriformis, but in others it is essentially different. It rather departs from most of the Serrani in the teeth, and in the small development of the canines. The nostrils also are rather peculiar. Perhaps it may one day be found to constitute the type of a distinct genus. Plectuopoma Patachonica. Jen. P. operculo spinis tribus, intermedia maxima ; preoperculo margine adscendenti den- ticulato ; ad angulum dente unico, et ad marginem basalem dentibus duobus, forti- bus ; pinna dorsali spinis quarto, et quintet longissimis ; pectoralibns radiorum api- cibus e membrana paulo exeuntibus ; caudali leviter rotundatd. B. 7 ; D. 13/15 vel 16 ; A. 3/8 vel 9 ; C. 17* ; P. 17 ; V. 1/5. Long. unc. 15. Form.— Greatest depth about one-third of the entire length, excluding caudal. Head rather exceeding one-third. Profile descending obliquely in nearly a straight line from the com- mencement of the dorsal to the end of the snout. Eyes large, high in the cheeks ; their diameter nearly one-fourth of the length of the head. The lower jaw a little the longest : both it and the maxillary without scales. A band of velutine teeth in each jaw ; the outer row in card, with some, stronger than the others, which may be considered canines : above, the prin- cipal canines are about six in number on each side near the extremity ; below, there are three or four larger than the others similarly situated. The preopercle has the ascending margin dis- tinctly denticulated ; on the basal margin are two strong teeth directed forwards, and a third at the angle. The opercle has three strong flattened spines; the middle one most developed. At the lower angle of the subopercle is a small flat moderately sharp point. Fourth and fifth dorsal spines longest ; the succeeding ones gradually diminishing to half the height of the soft portion of the fin which follows. Second anal spine very stout. Pectorals with the tips of the rays slightly projecting beyond the membrane, giving it a festooned appearance. Caudal slightly rounded. 12 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. Colour. — The specimen above described appears, in its present state, greyish brown, with zig-zag lines in different directions of a darker tint. A second individual is stated by Mr. Darwin to have been, when alive, " above salmon-coloured." A third is described as " above aureous- coppery, with wave-like lines of dark brown, which often collect into four or five transverse bands ; fins lead-colour ; beneath obscure ; pupil dark blue." Both these last specimens appear now, like the first, greyish-brown. The wave-like lines extend over a portion of the dorsal and anal fins. Habitat, coast of Northern Patagonia, and the mouth of the Plata. This species is evidently very closely allied to the P. Brasilianum of Cuvier and Valenciennes, and possibly may not be distinct. It differs, however, in having only two, instead of three, teeth on the basal margin of the preopercle, which character prevails in all the specimens. It has also one or two more soft rays in the anal. It likewise approaches the P. aculeatum of the same authors, but this last species is said to be particularly characterized by three very sharp points on the subopercle towards the lower angle, in the room of which, in the species here described, there is only one small triangular flattened point, rather sharp in two individuals, but in the third blunt, with the margin slightly crenated. The colours too appear to be different. Mr. Darwin's collection contains three specimens, which do not materially differ from each other. The largest, measuring fifteen inches in length, was taken in forty fathoms water off the mouth of the Rio Plata. The two others, smaller, and not exceeding nine, and seven and a half inches respectively, were got on the coast of Patagonia in lat. 38° 20' : where it is stated that great numbers were obtained, many exceeding a foot in length. In these smaller specimens the canines are not so numerous or well developed as in the larger one. " One specimen when caught, vomited up small fish and a Pilummis. Was tough for eating, but good." — D. DlACOPE MARGINATA. CuV. Diacope marginata, Cm. et Vol. Hist, des Poiss. torn. ii. p. 320. Form. — Greatest depth of the body and length of the head equal, each being not quite one-third of the entire length. Nape somewhat elevated, whence the profile falls very regularly in a slightly convex line. The jaws appear equal when open, but when closed the upper one is a little the longest. Teeth velutine, with four well-marked canines in the upper jaw, two on each side of the anterior extremity, the outer one of which is longer than the inner. Opercle with two fiat blunt points. Denticulations of the preopercle, particularly those at the angle below the notch, moderately well developed. Tubercle of the interopercle prominent. There are scales on the cheeks and pieces of the gill-cover, but none on the crown, snout, jaws, or suborbitals. The scales on the FISH. 13 body are moderately large. There are rows of small scales between the rays of the vertical fins, but they are more developed between the soft rays than between the spinous. The dorsal has the first spine half the length of the second, which itself is a little shorter than the third ; fourth, fifth, and sixth equal and longest ; there is very little difference in the lengths of the remaining rays, nor is there much between the spinous and soft portions of the fin, which, taken as a whole, appears nearly even throughout. Anal short, commencing in a line with the fourth soft ray of the dorsal, and terminating at the same distance from the caudal as that fin : second and third spines very stout. Pectorals narrow and pointed, a little shorter than the head. Ventrals a little shorter than the pectorals. B. 7 ; D. 10/14, the last double; A. 3/8, the last double; C. 17, and some short ones; P. 16 ; V. J/5. Length 6 inches. Colour. — " Upper part pale lead colour : pectorals yellow ; ventrals and anal orange: sides very pale yellow." — D. In spirits, the colour appears almost uniform greyish-white. The dorsal and anal fins have an edging of black, which is not noticed by Mr. Darwin, and which is characteristic of the species. The caudal is entirely dusky. There are no traces of spots on any part of the body. Habitat, Keeling Island, Indian Ocean. All the known species of Diacope are stated by Cuvier and Valenciennes, as coming from the Indian seas. The D. marginata was first brought from thence by Commerson. It was afterwards received by the authors above mentioned from Pondicherry. The expedition under Captain Duperrey, met with it at the Island of Oualan. Mr. Darwin's specimen was obtained at the Keeling or Cocos Islands : I believe it to be referrible to this species, as it possesses the charac- teristic black edging on the dorsal and anal fins ; but as the description in the "Histoire des Poissons" is very brief, containing a mere notice of the colours, I have thought it advisable to annex that of the present individual. Genus— ARRIPIS. Jen. Membrana branchialis septem-radiata ; apertura ampld. Pinna dor salts unica; spirits gracilibus. Dentes aculeiformes, tenues ; serie maxillari externa cceteris fortiori. Operculum mucronibus duobus parvis postice armatum. Preoperculum marginibus basali et adscendenti denticulatis ; spinis nullis. Ossa infraorbilalia leviter denti- culata. Os maxillare squamosum. Squamce corporis levissime ciliatis, postice striis levissimis, transversis, parallelis, flabelli locum occupantibus. I propose to establish this new genus for the reception of the Centropristes Georgianus of Valenciennes, which appears to offer sufficient peculiarities to 14 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE warrant such a step. Its herring-like form, denticulated suborbital, scaly maxil- lary, small pectorals, backward position of the ventrals, and deeply forked caudal, sufficiently distinguish it from Centropristes, with which it hardly agrees in any of its characters, beyond that of wanting canines, and having the preopercle denti- culated, and the opercle armed with small sharp points. Its teeth, however, are not exactly velutine, as in the typical species of that genus, but rather in fine card, with the outer row in both jaws stronger than the others. But, perhaps, one of the most marked peculiarities in this proposed genus resides in the scales, which have, instead of the usual fan of diverging striae on their basal portions, a triangu- lar space filled up by a number of extremely fine, closely-approximating striae, parallel to each other, and also parallel to the basal margin, which is cut quite square and entire.* Although this genus is thus separated from Centropristes, there is no doubt of its having a near affinity with it ; and also with Grystes, from which last, how- ever, it is at once known by its denticulated preopercle. It is still more closely allied to Apsilus, which it very much resembles in its general form, as well as in some of its particular characters. Amongst other points of resemblance with this last genus, may be noticed the similarity of the teeth ; the very large gill- opening ; the small and inconspicuous points on the opercle ; the weak spines of the dorsal and anal, both which fins also terminate in a point behind; the small pectorals, and the deeply forked caudal. It is probable that the Centropristes truttaceus of Cuvier and Valenciennes also belongs to this new genus, which, as well as the C. Georgianus, comes from New Holland, and which those authors seem, not without much hesitation, to have placed provisionally in the group in which it now stands. It is not stated, however, whether the peculiar character of the scales in the C. Georgianus, above pointed out, exists also in this species. Arripis Georgianus. Centropristes Georgianus, Cuv. et Val. Hist, des Poiss. torn. vii. p. 338. Form. — As M. Valenciennes has given an accurate and detailed description of this fish; and as I have already stated above some of its leading characters, it is not necessary to say much further on this head in reference to the specimen in Mr. Darwin's collection. I need only point out wherein it differs from the description in the " Histoire des Poissons," the greater part of which applies exactly. M. Valenciennes states that the ventral profile is more curved than the dorsal, but there is not much difference in their respective degrees of curvature in this * The absence of the usual fan has suggested the name of Arrijns, from a priv. et pnns, flabellum. FISIL 15 specimen. The thickness of the body, which he fixes at one-third of the depth, is here nearly half the depth. The following characters may be also given, in addition .to his. Above each orbit are two short crests or ridges which meet at an angle anteriorly, and the interocular space between these pairs of ridges is rather depressed ; beyond, or immediately above the upper lip, the snout is a little protuberant. The band of teeth in each jaw is narrow, with the outer row longer than the others ; and at the sides of the jaw, this outer row is all that is obvious- The intermaxillary is slightly protractile. The eye is hardly removed so much as one diameter from the end of the snout. The limb of the preopercle is striated ; the angle at bottom rounded, and much dilated, so that the ascending margin falls in advance of a vertical. The contour of the membrane of the opercle is rounded. The cheeks, and all the pieces of the gill-cover, with the exception of the broad limb of the preopercle, are scaly : there are also a few scales on the maxillary, but none on the crown between the eyes, or on the snout, or lower jaw. The dorsal and anal terminate nearly in the same vertical line, but the latter reaches a trifle the farthest. Both fins are invested at their base with a scaly membrane, the scales of which are of a long lanceolate form. The length of the caudal equals the depth of the body. That of the pectorals equals half the depth : these fins are attached a little behind the opercle, and a little below the middle. The point of attachment of the ventrals is in a vertical line which passes through the middle of the pectorals, and coincides with the commencement of the dorsal. They are longer than the pectorals ; and in their axillae is a lanceolate membranaceous scale half their own length. There is a similar, but shorter scale in the axilla of the pectorals also. B. 7 ; D. 9/16 ; A. 3/10 ; C. 17f ; P. 15 ; V. 1/5 Length 9 inches 10 lines. Colour. — Not noticed in the recent state. In spirits, the whole fish appears of a nearly uniform dull metallic yellowish-white, tinged with olive on the back and upper part of the sides. Mr. Darwin obtained this species in King George's Sound, in New Holland, the same place in which it was discovered by MM. Quoy and Gaimard. Aplodactylus punctatus. Vol. Aplodactylus punctatus, Cud. et Val. Hist, des Poiss. torn. viii. p. 352. pi. 242. This very remarkable fish was first sent from Valparaiso, by M. D'Orbigny, where it was also observed by M. Gay. Mr. Darwin's collection contains a spe- cimen, which has unfortunately lost the number attached to it ; but as he made a collection on that coast, it was probably obtained in the same locality. The descrip- tion given of it in the " Histoire des Poissons," is so detailed as well as accurate, and the figure so exact, that it is quite unnecessary to annex that of the present individual. I may merely observe that the number of simple rays at the bottom 16 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. of the pectorals, which appears to be a character of some importance, and which has led to the generic name of Aplodactylus, amounts in this specimen to six, being two more than was observed by M. Valenciennes in his, though the total number of rays in this fin is the same. I may also allude to the circumstance of the dorsal being invested at the base with a thickened membrane on each side, closely covered with small scales, which extends over nearly its whole length, but is most conspicuous along the spinous portion. This character is not men- tioned by M. Valenciennes. Neither does he mention the rows of minute scales, which occur between the rays of all the fins, except the ventrals. Mr. Darwin's specimen of this fish is eleven inches in length. The following is the fin-ray formula : B. 6; D. 15— J/21 ; A. 3/8; C. 17. &c. ; P. 9— vi ; V. 1/5. 1. Dules Auriga. Cuv. et Vol. Dules Auriga, Cuv. et Vol. Hist, des Poiss. torn. iii. p. 83. pi. 51. Form. — This species is remarkable for the prolongation of the third dorsal spine, which, in the present specimen, is not quite equal to half the entire length of the head and body ; a small portion, however, appears to have been broken off. The greatest depth is contained three and a half times in the entire length. The head, measured to the extremity of the opercular membrane, exactly equals the depth. The line of the profile is not quite straight, there being a slight depression at the nape, above which is a convexity in immediate advance of the dorsal fin. The lower jaw is a very little the longest. The eyes are large ; and the distance between them barely equals their diameter. The other characters are exactly as stated in the " Histoire des Poissons." B. 6 ; D. 10/13; A. 3/7 ; C. 17 ; P. 17 ; V. 1/5. Length 5 inches 3 lines. Colour. — The recent colours are given by Mr. Darwin in his notes as follows : " Sides with numerous waving longitudinal lines of brownish red ; the intermediate spaces greenish-silvery, so figured as to look mottled. Head marked with lines of dull red and green. Ventral and anal fins dark greenish blue." — He does not notice the vertical bands alluded to by Cuvier and Valenciennes, which are sufficiently obvious, and which accord with the figure and description of the authors just mentioned. Habitat, Maldonado Bay, Rio Plata. FISH. 1 7 2. Dules Leuciscus. Jen. Dales malo, Vol. ? Hist, des Poiss. torn. vii. p. 360. D. pinnis caudali, anali, dorsalique molli, nigro-marginatis ; dorsali profundi emar- oinatd, spina idtimd radiis articidatis breviore ; operculo mucronibus duobus, inj'e- riore maxima, armato ; preoperculo margine adscendenli levissime denticulato, basalt denticulis fortioribus. B. 6; D. 10/11 ; A. 3/12; C. 16, &c. ; P. 13; V. 1/5. Long. unc. 4. lin. 5. Form. — General form resembling that of a small Dace. Greatest depth about one-third of the entire length, caudal excluded. Length of the head rather less. Dorsal line falling with the profile in one continuous gentle curve. Eyes large; their diameter contained two and a half times in the length of the head : the distance between them less than one diameter. Suborbitals finely but very conspicuously denticulated. Jaws nearly equal; the lower one a little the longest. In each, a band of velutine teeth, with the outer row rather longer than the others. Opercle with two points, the lower one most developed. Preopercle with the limb striated : the ascending- margin with the denticulations so fine as to be hardly sensible to the naked eye ; those on the basal margin larger and more obvious. Scales of a moderate size; about forty-three in a longitudinal row ; their free portions finely striated. Cheeks and opercle scaly ; crown naked, with a shallow groove above each eye. Lateral line at first slightly descending, but afterwards straight ; its course, until past the dorsal and anal fins, a little above the middle of the depth. Dorsal deeply notched : the anterior portion consisting of nine spines ; the first very short, and scarcely more than half the length of the second; third and fourth longer, increasing gradually; fifth and sixth equal and longest, equalling half the depth of the body ; seventh, eighth, and ninth, shorter, and gradually decreasing ; the tenth spine, with which the second portion of the fin commences, is of the same length as the fifth, but not quite so long as the soft rays which follow; these soft rays, however, gradually become shorter, the last two not more than equalling the second spinous. The whole space occupied by the dorsal is more than one-third of the entire length. Anal commencing in a line with the ninth dorsal spine ; its own three spines gradually increasing in length, but the second the strongest ; soft portion of this fin longer than the corresponding portion of the dorsal, and terminating a little nearer the caudal. Vent in a line with the seventh dorsal spine. Pectorals small, reaching to the vent. Ventrals attached a little further back, and reaching a very little beyond it. Caudal forked. Colour. — (In spirits.) Silvery, tinged on the back, and above the lateral line, with bluish grey, and somewhat mottled in places with darker spots. Fins yellowish-grey, tinged with dusky. The caudal, anal, and soft portion of the dorsal, are a little mottled with dusky, besides having a black edging ; there is also a conspicuous black spot at the anterior angle of this last fin. 18 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. A second specimen is only three inches and a quarter in length ; but differs in no respect from the above, except in having one soft ray less in the anal fin. Habitat, River Matavai, Tahiti. Several of the species in this genus are extremely similar as well in form as in colours. Possibly that which I have here characterized as new may not be distinct from the D. malo of Valenciennes, which comes from the same country ; but the description in the " Histoire des Poissons" is so brief, that it is hardly possible to determine this point with certainty. It has, however, two, and one specimen three, soft rays less in the anal fin. It is also closely allied to the D. marginatus, from which it hardly differs, excepting in having the denticula- tions of the preopercle rather stronger, and the tenth dorsal spine shorter in re- lation to the soft rays which follow. The D. marginatus, however, comes from Java. The species here described was found by Mr. Darwin in Tahiti, in the river of Matavai. Helotes octolineatus. Jen. H. corpore lineis longitudinalibus nigricantibus octo ; pinnis dorsali, anali, caudcdi- que, maculis fuscis ; vertice striis elevatis duobus subparallelis ; preoperculo distinct e denticulato, et ad marginem limbi internum subcristato ; operculo mucronibus duo- bus, superiore minimo; squamis ubique Icevissimis. B.6; D. 12/9; A. 3/7; C. 17, &c; P. 15; V. 1/5. Long. unc. 9. lin. 9. Form. — Body oblong. Greatest depth exactly four and a half times in the entire length. Length of the head rather less than the depth of the body. Snout short and obtuse. Jaws exactly equal : each with a broadish band of velutine teeth, which are all, apparently even the most minute, three-pointed, although this character is not very obvious except in the outer row, which are longer than the others. No vomerine teeth appear externally, but they may be felt through the skin of the palate, and on dissecting this off", there is brought to view a small hard disk rough with minute asperities. Mouth very little cleft, the commissure not extending more than half way between the end of the snout and the anterior margin of the orbit. Eyes rather large ; their diameter one-fourth the length of the head. Maxillary, when the mouth is closed, concealed in part beneath the suborbital, the lower margin of which is somewhat sinuous and obscurely denticulated, the denticulations being concealed by the membrane and more easily felt than seen. The denticulations on the preopercle very manifest. The principal spine on the opercle slender and very sharp, not exactly straight, but slightly curved, the convexity of the bend being downwards; above is a second spine, but very small and easily overlooked. FISH. 10 The crown of the head has two nearly parallel elevated lines, which take their origin between the nostrils, and terminate at the occiput, but do not meet as in the H. sexlineatus ; * a third line commences there exactly between them, and runs singly in a backward direction down the middle of the nape ; this last is scarcely more than half the length of the two former. The cheeks and pieces of the gill-cover are scaly; but not the cranium, snout, jaws, or limb of the preopercle, which last is margined internally by a slightly elevated ridge. The scales on the body are thin and small, and without any trace of denticulations on their free edges, even under a magnifier, and the body of the fish is quite smooth to the touch rubbed either way. Lateral line as in H. sexlineatus. Dorsal also nearly similar, but more deeply notched, the membrane beyond the eleventh spine falling nearly to the base of the twelfth, which precedes the soft portion : sixth spine longest, equalling very nearly, but not quite, half the depth; the eleventh equals the second ; the twelfth is about one-third longer than the eleventh, but is itself scarcely half the first soft ray. The anal has three soft rays less than the H. sexlineatus, and there are apparently but two spines, the first being (at least in this specimen, where, however, there may have been a portion broken off) quite short and rudimentary ; the second and third spines are both slender, the former being rather more than half the length of the latter, and this last rather more than half the first soft ray. All the fins take their origin as in H. sexlineatus. The pectorals are about two-thirds the length of the head. The ventrals, which are very near together, are longer than the pectorals, but do not equal the head : they have no elongated scale between them, or in their axillae. Colour.— For the most part similar to that of the H. sexlineatus ; but the longitudinal dark lines are more numerous, amounting to eight, with faint traces of a ninth: the additional ones are on the upper half of the sides, or above the lateral line, there being four (instead of two) above that one which passes through the eyes ; the sixth extends the whole length of the fish from the end of the maxillary to the base of the caudal ; the seventh passes immediately below the pectoral, and terminates in advance of it, without quite reaching to the edge of the gill-cover ; the eighth is exactly equi-distant from the pectoral and ventral ; this last is a very narrow pale line, but the others, with the exception of the first two, are broader and well marked. The soft portion of the dorsal, as well as the anal and caudal are spotted ; the spots on this last unite to form transverse fascise ; those on the anal are not very well-defined. The pectorals and ventrals are without spots, and pale. Habitat, S. W. coast of Australia. This species was procured in King George's Sound, New Holland. It closely approaches the H. sexlineatus of Cuvier and Valenciennes, the only species of the genus hitherto described, and obtained in the same seas by MM. Quoy and Gai- mard. I have little hesitation, however, in pronouncing it to be distinct. In- dependently of the additional longitudinal lines on the body, and the spots on the fins, which, it is expressly stated by the above authors, are not present in the H. sexlineatus, it is distinguished by the stria? on the crown not meeting behind, the dorsal being rather more deeply notched, and the fin-ray formula different. * Or at least as represented in the figure in the Histoire des Poissons, torn. iii. pi. 56. 20 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. There is one soft ray less in the dorsal, and three less in the anal ; also the first spine in this last fin, if it be not broken ofTin this specimen, is quite rudimentary. The scales present no trace of cilia on their free edges. 1. Pinguipes fasciatus. Jen. Plate V. P. corpore fasciis transversis duodecim castaneo-fuscis, altemis latioribus ; dentibus palatinis panels, conicis, subaggregatis, vix seriem formantibus ; pharyngalibus aculeiformibus ; membrand branchiali mediocriter emarginatd; operculo spina unicd forti, altera snperiore obsoleld ; pinnis ventralibus accurate thoracicis. B. 6; D. 7/27; A. 1/24 ; C. 15, &c; P. 18; V. 1/5. Long, una 12. lin. 9. Form.— Body thickest, as well as deepest, in the region of the pectorals, compressed behind, and becoming more so as it approaches the tail; depth also gradually diminishing from that point. The greatest depth is rather less than five and a half times in the entire length : head contained four times and a quarter in the same. The thickness at the pectorals is at least three-fourths of the depth : and the thickness of the head is quite equal to it. Dorsal line nearly straight from be- hind the eyes, in front of which the profile descends obliquely. Eyes high, nearly reaching to the line of the profile ; a little behind the middle point of the length of the head ; their diameter rather less than one-fifth of this last ; the distance between them one diameter and a half. The commissure of the lips does not reach to the eyes by a space equalling half the diameter of the eye. Jaws equal. Lips very thick and fleshy, and partially reflexed, like those of a Lubrus. Teeth very similar to those of that genus. In the upper jaw, an outer row (extending all round) of strong, sharp, slightly curved teeth, regularly set, and nearly even, but with the anterior ones a little the longest ; in all about forty, twenty on each side ; behind these a velutine band, broadest in front, but also extending the whole way round. In the lower jaw, a row of curved strong teeth, similar to those above, but extending only half way along the sides of the jaws (about nine on each side), and followed by about seven or eight short blunt conical ones ■ a broad velutine band behind the longer curved teeth, but not behind the others. On the front of the vomer are four or five large blunt conical teeth, mixed with smaller ones of the same form: there is also a small group of these little conical teeth at the commencement of each palatine, but they are not carried on further in a single row * Tongue small and inconspicuous, fastened down except just at the tip, smooth. Pharyngeal teeth in strong card; but no conical ones behind that are visible. Branchial membrane united to its fellow, and free all round at the margin, with a moderately deep notch underneath. Preopercle rounded at the angle- the ascending margin oblique. Opercle with a strong sharp spine at its upper anole, but not ex- * As described by Cuvier and Valenciennes to be the case in the P. Brasilianus. ^ i } ? h imiwm$fflm FISH. 21 tending beyond the membrane ; a second rudimentary one above it obtusely rounded. Small scales on the cheeks, preopercle, and opercle, but not on the snout, or between the eyes, or on the suborbital, or jaws, or branchial membrane, or interopercle. The scales on the body are rather small, finely ciliated on their edges, thin, and of an oblong form, cut square at the basal margin, with a fan of twelve or fifteen strise. Lateral line not very strongly marked, taking nearly a straight course from the upper part of the scapular to the caudal. No particular lines, markings, or pores, about the head, jaws, or between the eyes. Pectorals rounded; two- thirds the length of the head. Ventrals exactly beneath them, a very little shorter, thick and fleshy, so that the rays can hardly be distinguished. Dorsal and anal similar to those of the P. Brasilianus ; the former has the spinous rays at first low, but the rest of the fin is of one uniform height, equalling a little less than half the depth : the latter commences under the sixth soft ray of the dorsal, and terminates in the same line. Caudal square, with rows of small scales between the rays for half their length : also a few minute scales at the base of the pectoral rays, but none on the other fins. Colour. — " Above pale ' chestnut brown,' so arranged as to form transverse bands on the sides ; sides, head, fins, with a black tinge; beneath irregularly white: under lip pink: eyes with pupil black, and iris yellow." — D. In spirits ; the back and upper half of the sides are brown, the lower half of the sides and belly pale, with twelve transverse dark fasciae, the alternate ones broader than the others. The dorsal and anal appear to have been bluish, the tint increasing in intensity from the base upwards ; but the former is edged above with a narrow white line just beneath the tips of the rays, which extends the whole length of the soft portion of the fin. The inside of the ventrals appears also to have been bluish ; but the pectorals are pale, or yellowish. Caudal brown like the back. Habitat, coast of Northern Patagonia. From the east coast of Patagonia, in Lat. 37° 26'. There can be no doubt of its belonging to the genus Pinguipes, with which it agrees in its very strong re- semblance to the Labricke, as regards the head, lips, and teeth, and in its fleshy ventrals ; but there are very few teeth on the palatines, seeming to show that there is not much ground for separating this genus from Percis. In many of its characters, it resembles the P. Brasilianus of Cuvier, but it is decidedly distinct in others. It differs slightly in its proportions ; in the palatine and pharyngeal teeth ; in the position of the ventrals, which are not at all jugular, but imme- diately beneath the pectorals ; in the branchial membrane being more notched ; and in having two soft rays less in the anal. The colours also are different. This fish is so like a Labrus, that at first sight it might easily deceive a student. Nevertheless its vomerine teeth, spines on the opercle, and ciliated scales, point out its right family. At the same time no system can be considered natural, which does not admit Pinguipes as one of the connecting links between the Per- cidce and Labridce. 22 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. 2. Pinguipes Chilensis. Vol. Pinguipes Chilensis, Cuv, et Vol. Hist, des Poiss. torn. ix. p. 338. F 0R m. — More slender and elongated than the last species. Depth nearly six and a half times in the entire length. Head four times and a quarter in the same. Eyes high, a little hefore the middle, or with the distance in front to the end of the snout not equalling that behind measured to the posterior part of the opercle ; their diameter nearly six times in the length of the head ; the interval between them nearly two diameters. When the mouth is closed, a vertical from the posterior part of the maxillary forms a tangent to the anterior part of the orbit. Lips not so thick and fleshy as in the P.fasciatus ; but the teeth almost exactly similar. Tongue much larger, occupying nearly the entire platform of the mouth. Branchial membrane much more deeply notched, the notch reaching as far as the anterior extremity of the interoper- cle. Preopercle with the ascending margin nearly vertical. Opercle with two small flat spines, the lower one rather more developed then the upper. Scales and lateral line as in the P. fasciatus. Pectorals similar. Ventrals attached entirely in front of the pectorals, though not much in advance ; fleshy, but perhaps rather less so than in the P.fasciatus : in neither species do they pass beyond the pectorals, or indeed reach quite so far. The other fins exactly similar. The dorsal, however, has one spine less, and one soft ray more. The anal, also, has one soft ray more. B. 6; D. 6/28; A. 1/25; C. 17, &c. ; P. 19; V. 1/5. Length 11 inches. Colour. — (In spirits.) Back and sides deep brown, with the exception of two rows of pale spots along the sides, very faint and ill-defined. Underneath altogether paler. The dorsal and anal appear to have been bluish, with the basal portion of each fin pale, but without any edging of white above. Inside of the ventrals blue ; pectorals the same, but paler. The caudal shows some trace of a dark round spot on the base of the upper lobe. Mr. Darwin's notes, with re- spect to the colour in the living fish, only state " fins dark." Habitat, Valparaiso, Chile. This species, which was procured by Mr. Darwin at Valparaiso, is probably the same as the P. Chilensis of Valenciennes, obtained by M. Gay on the same coast. But the description in the " Histoire des Poissons" is brief, and notices very little besides the colours, which accord tolerably well. Mention, however, is made of a second spine in the anal fin, which certainly does not exist in the above specimen, though a very careful examination was made in search of it. There is also one soft ray more in this fin, as well as in the dorsal, in the fin-ray formula in that work. This species is very distinct from the P.fasciatus last described, and does FISH. 23 not show so strong a resemblance to the Labridce; but it approaches very closely the P. Brasilianus. Percophis Brasilianus. Cuv. Percophis Brasilianus, Cuv. ct Vol. Hist, des Poiss. torn. iii. p. 209. pi. 64. Brasiliensis, Freycinet, (Voyage) Zoologie, p. 351, pi. 53. fig. I . Form. — Depth and breadth in the region of the pectorals about equal, each being contained ten and a half, or nearly eleven times in the entire length. Head not quite four and a half times in the same. In the upper jaw, three strong, curved, sharp-pointed canine teeth on each side; besides a velutine band extending the whole way, with the outer row longer and more developed than the others : in the lower jaw a velutine band, with long sharp canines, similar to those above, arising amongst them at nearly regular intervals, to the number of ten or eleven on each side ; none exactly in front, and not all of the same size, but passing here and there into card. Membranous margin of the preopercle very finely, almost obsoletely denticulated. Branchial membrane with seven rays, the seventh being not much smaller than the sixth.* The whole head covered with scales, including the lower jaw, and the upper half of the maxillary. Lateral line nearly straight, a little above the middle. First dorsal commencing at about one-third of the entire length, excluding caudal ; of a triangular form, with its length a little exceeding its height; second spine longest, about equalling the depth of the body. Distance between the two dorsals equalling half the length of the first. Second dorsal with the first ray longest, equalling the longest of the spines in the first dorsal ; second and succeeding rays slightly decreasing to the sixth, beyond which they are nearly even, with the exception of the last three or four, which are shorter ; all these rays very much branched, with the intervening membrane deeply notched. Anal commencing a little before the end of the first dorsal, and terminating nearly in a line with, but in strictness a very little beyond, the second dorsal ; rays and membrane much as in that fin, to which it answers in general height. Distance between the second dorsal and caudal, only one-twenty-eighth of the entire length. Caudal appears obliquely square, the upper rays being slightly longer than the lower, but perhaps worn so. Pectorals one-eighth of the entire length. Ventrals about three-fourths of their length, attached in front of them, as described by Cuvier. In the axillae of the pectorals is a falcated membranaceous appendage covered with scales (not noticed by Cuvier), a very little less than one-fourth the length of the fins themselves. B. 7; D. 10—32; A. 41 ; C. 15. &C. ; P. IB; V. 1/5. Length 21 inches. Colour. — " Above pale, regularly and symmetrically marked with brownish red, the tip of each scale being so coloured. Beneath silvery white. Sides with a faint coppery tinge. Ventral fins yellowish. Pupil of the eye intense black." — D. • Cuvier in his description, says, of the seventh ray, " fort petit," but it is very obvious in this specimen, and scarcely smaller than the sixth, as above stated. 24 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. Second Specimen.— Breadth or thickness at the pectorals about ten and a half times in the entire length. Depth at that point less than the breadth. Canine teeth in the lower jaw smaller than those above, and not set at such regular intervals as in the first specimen* Scarcely any appearance of denticulations on the membranous border of the preopercle. Distance between the two dorsals a little less than the length of the first. Pectorals contained eight and a half times in the entire length. Fin-ray formula as follows : — D. 9-32; A. 42; C. 15, &c. ; P. 17; V. 1/5. Length 14 inches. In all other respects exactly similar to the specimen first described. Habitat, coast of Northern Patagonia, and Maldonado. Mr. Darwin's collection contains two specimens of this fish, which was first discovered by MM. Quoy and Gaimard at Rio Janeiro. The larger one was caught by hook and line in fourteen fathoms water on the coast of Patagonia, in lat. 38° 20'. The second was taken at Maldonado, where he states it to be com- mon. They differ in- several respects from the description and figure in the "Histoire des Poissons," of Cuvier and Valenciennes ; but as they also differ a little from each other, the species is perhaps subject to variation. Amongst other points, I may mention the scales on the jaws, which are expressly stated by Cuvier to be without scales ; and also the emargination of the membrane between the rays of the second dorsal and anal, which is not represented in his figure, nor alluded to in his description, though very striking. This last character appears, however, in the figure given in the Zoological Atlas of Freycinet's voyage, which is on the whole a more correct representation. " When cooked, was good eating." — D. Family. -MULLIDiE. 1. UPENEUS FLAVOL1NEATUS. CllV. et Vol. TJpeneus flavolineatus, Ouv. et Vol. Hist, des Poiss. torn. iii. p. 33 G. Form. — Considerably elongated. Greatest depth contained five times in the entire length, caudal excluded. Head three and a half times in the same. Dorsal line nearly straight. Profile very convex. Crown between the eyes broad and somewhat depressed, forming a slight hollow. * Probably these teeth are liable to be lost or broken off, so as seldom to occur in exactly the same number and mode of arrangement in two individuals. FISH. 25 Eves large ; their diameter more than one-fourth that of the head. Suborbital* marked on their surface near the lower margin with six or eight diverging salient lines, each terminating at bottom in a mucous pore. Teeth forming a narrow velutine band, hardly visible to the naked eye, but sensible to the touch : none on the vomer or palatines. Opercle with one short flat spine projecting beyond the posterior margin rather more than half a line. Barbules reaching to a little beyond the angle of the preopercle. Mucous tubes of the lateral line with five or six branches ; the branches not always simple,* but consisting sometimes of two or three main ones which are subdivided. First dorsal of a triangular form, with the spines rather slender; the first two equalling more than three-fourths of the depth of the body. Space between the dorsals about equalling the length of the first. Second dorsal with the first ray (or spine) scarcely more than half the length of the second, which is longest; the third and succeeding rays gra- dually decreasing to the last, which is shortest. Length of the second dorsal just equalling its greatest height. Anal answering to this last fin. Caudal deeply forked ; the central rays not being one-fourth the length of the outermost ones. Ventrals and pectorals exactly of the same length ; both reaching to a vertical line from the extremity of the first dorsal. Vent in a line with the commencement of the second dorsal. D. 7— 1/8; A. H6\ C. 15, &c. ; P. 16; V. 1/5. Length 6 inches 9 lines. Colour. — " Dull silvery, with a yellow stripe on the side." — D. There can be but little doubt of this species being the U. Jlavoliueatus, which appears to have a wide range over the Indian Ocean, and also to occur in the South Pacific. Mr. Darwin's specimen was taken at the Keeling Islands. 2. Upeneus trifasciatus. Cuv. et Vol. TJpeneus trifasciatus, Cuv. et Val. Hist, (les Poiss. torn. iii. p. 344. Form. — General form resembling that of the Mullus Surmuletus, but the snout more elongated. Greatest depth contained about four times and a half in the entire length. Head exactly one- fourth of the same. Eyes small, distant three diameters from the end of the snout. Suborbitals with a moderate number of pores on their disk, but without any salient lines. Posterior extre- mity of the maxillary broad. A single row of conical teeth in each jaw, very uniform in size, not very large or very close ; about twenty-two above and twenty below. Spine of the opercle about a line in length. Barbules reaching to, or a little beyond, the posterior margin of the opercle. Lateral line not much ramified. Height of the first dorsal equalling more than half the depth. Space between the two dorsals equalling one-third the length of the second dorsal. * As stated by Cuvier and Valenciennes. E 26 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. Both this last fin and the anal terminating in a considerable point behind. Ventrals laro-e, reaching very nearly to the anal. D. 8—9 ; A. 7 ; C. 15, &c. ; P. J 6 ; V. 1/5. Length 7 inches 9 lines. Colour.— (ira spirits.) Dark brownish yellow, with faint indications of three dusky patches or abbreviated transverse fascia?, one beneath each dorsal, and the third on each side of the upper part of the tail. Second dorsal and anal crossed by several whitish longitudinal lines ; the posterior point of each fin nearly black. This species was obtained by Mr. Darwin at Tahiti. It is probably the U. trifasciatus of Cuvier and Valenciennes, who received their specimens from the Carolinas and Sandwich Islands. But it does not so well accord with the Mulle multibande of Quoy and Gaimard, which is supposed by the authors of the " His- toire des Poissons," to be the same as their species. If the figure in the Zoology of " Freycinet's Voyage" be correct, the Mulle multibande has the nostrils much smaller, and the spines of the first dorsal much stronger ; the ventrals also are relatively much shorter, so as to reach very little more than half way to the anal. Future observation must determine whether the two fish are distinct or not. 3. Upeneus Prayensis. Cuv.et Vol.? Upcneus Prayensis, Cuv. et Val. Hist, des Poiss. torn. hi. p. 357. Form. — Very much resembling that of the U. trifasciatus, but with the following differences. The eyes rather larger, distant from the end of the snout rather more than two diameters and a half. Suborbitals traversed towards their lower margins by a number of lines, each terminating in a pore, and with their whole disks studded besides with pores without lines : the lower margin itself presents four distinct deeply-cut notches, the first of which receives the end of the maxil- lary when the mouth is closed. A single row of small conical teeth in each jaw ; in addition to which, in the upper, there are some stronger ones in front, exterior to the others, amounting to eight in number, the central pair of which bends inwards or towards each other, and the three on each side, which are the strongest of all, backwards and outwards. No teeth on the vomer or palatines. The posterior extremity of the maxillary is much narrower than in the last species. Spine of the opercle sharp and well developed, about two lines and a quarter in length. Barbules reaching very nearly to the posterior margin of the opercle. Ramifications of the mucous tubes on the lateral line very numerous. Height of the first dorsal equalling rather more than half the depth. Space between the two dorsals equalling half the length of the second dorsal. This last fin pointed behind, as well as the anal, but not so much so as in the U. trifasciatus. Pectorals when laid back reaching to a vertical line from the extremity of fish. 27 the first dorsal. Ventrals reaching a little beyond the pectorals, but falling short of the anal by a space equalling half their own length. D. 8—9; A. 7; C. 15, &c. ; P. 10; V. 1/5. Length 8 inches. Colour. — "Vermilion, with streaks of iridescent blue."— D. Inspirits, the colour appears of a uniform dull reddish yellow, without any indication of spots or other markings on the fins or body. Habitat, Porto Praya, Cape Verde Islands. I suppose this to he the U. Prayensis of Cuvier and Valenciennes, the descrip- tion of which, so far as given in the " Histoire des Poissons," is tolerably applica- ble. Those authors, however, mention a spot in the middle of each scale of a deeper red than the ground colour, which is not alluded to by Mr. Darwin in his notes, and of which I see no trace on the fish in its present state. On the other hand they are silent with regard to the blue streaks. In some of its characters, especially as regards the teeth, this species seems to approach the U. maculatus ; but the colours are different in this last also, which is moreover found on the op- posite side of the Atlantic. Family.— TRIGLID^E. Trigla kumu. Less, et Gam. Trigla kumu, Less, et Gam. Zoologic de la Coquillc, (Poissons) PI. 19. C'uv. et Val. Hist, des Poiss. torn. iv. p. 3G. Form. — In general appearance very much resembling the T. Hirundo, but more elongated. Depth contained about five times and a half in the entire length. Head rather more than four times and a quarter in the same. The obliquity of the profile about the same as that of the T. Hirundo, but the concavity of the interocular space less. The granulations on the head not so coarse, or so strongly marked, the lines in which they are arranged being closer and more numerous : those on the suborbitals radiate from a point nearer the extremity of the snout : no crest or ridge at the bottom of the suborbital, and only a very indistinct one at the bottom of the pre- opercle : as Cuvier has well noted, the grains on the border of the preopercle are divided into little isles, or collected in clusters, by irregular lines which undulate amongst them ; and in this specimen, the same character presents itself on the posterior and upper portion of the suborbital: some of the first lines on the opercle are plain, or without granulations. Snout emarginated, with three or four denticulations on each side rather sharper and more developed 28 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. than in the T. Hirundo. Two spines at the anterior angle of the eye ; but none at the posterior angle, or on the temples. Suprascapular, opercular, and clavicular spines much as in the T. Hirundo. Lateral line and whole body smooth, excepting the dorsal ridges, which are strongly serrated. Dorsal spines as in the T. Hirundo ; second longest ; the first with a series of obsolete granulations on its anterior edge. Pectorals not quite one-third of the entire length : free rays incrassated in the middle, tapering towards the ends, but with the extreme tips slightly dilated. D. 10—16; A. 16; C. 11, &c; P. 11, and 3 free ; V. 1/5. Length 16 inches 6 lines. Colour.—" Whole body bright red."— D. The pectorals, of which no note was taken in the recent state, appear, in the dried skin, externally, of a dusky colour, approaching to black, with white rays ; the lower margin, however, is paler, and was probably originally red like the body : inside, the colour is much the same, but variegated with a few white spots ; there are also portions of a paler tint, probably the remains of a fine blue. 1 see no distinct trace of the large deep black spot, said by Cuvier to occupy the seventh and eighth rays on the posterior face of the fin. Taken in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. The only respect in which it differs from the description of the T. Jcumu by Cuvier and Valenciennes, is its having one more spine in the first dorsal. 1. Prionotus punctatus. Cuv. et Vol. Prionotus punctatus, Cuv. et Vol. Hist, des Poiss. torn. iv. p. 68. F 0RM . — Well characterized by the form of the snout, which is very obtuse, and as it were truncated, with scarcely any notch in the middle ; the margins of the lobes are crenated with minute den- ticles, immediately beyond which is a small sharp spine directed backwards ; further on, almost immediately above the corners of the mouth, is a second similar, but somewhat larger spine. There are also some minute spines on the temples, as well as on the ridge of the preopercle, besides the ordinary spines, common to other species, which in this are all well developed and vejy sharp. Dorsal spines smooth, or only the first with a faintly marked line of granulations ; third longest. Pectorals long, contained exactly two and a half times in the entire length ; when laid back, they reach to within two rays of the extremity of the second dorsal. Free rays rather slender and tapering, with the extreme tips pointed ; not above half the length of the pectorals. Ventrals rather longer than the free rays. D. 10-12; A. 11; C. 11, &c. ; P. 13 and 3; V. 1/5. Length 8 inches 9 lines. Colour. — " Above and sides olive brown, with red spots and marks ; beneath silvery white ; edges of the pectoral fins Prussian blue." — D. JQ o 3 'I / > ,£ l FISH. 29 This species is said by Cuvier and Valenciennes to be common all along the Brazilian coast as far as the mouth of the Plata. Mr. Darwin's specimen was taken swimming on the surface in the Bay of Rio de Janeiro, and agrees well with the description by those authors. " When first taken made a croaking noise." — D. 2. Prionotus Miles. Jen. Plate VI. P. splendide rubro varialus ; rostro emarginato, utrinque distincte denticulato ; buccis levissimb granulosis ; fossula dorsali lateribus inermibus ; squamis corporis parvis, ubique ciliatis ; pinnis pectoralibus modicis, corpore certe tripld brevioribus ; radiis liberis subincrassatis, apicibiis dilatatis. B. 7 ; D. 10—12 ; A. 11 ; C. 12, &c. ; P. 13 et 3; V. 1/5. Long. unc. 10. lin. 3. Form. — In general form, that of the head especially, very similar to the Trigla Hirundo of the British seas. Compared with the P. punctatus last described, it is rather more elongated, the depth and thickness being less. Profile falling less obliquely. Space between the eyes broader, but equally concave. Snout not so obtuse, and more deeply notched ; with six short but well developed teeth on each side, followed by some minuter denticles. The lines of granulations on the snout and cheeks are very fine, and not so strongly marked, or spread over so large a portion of the face. One principal spine, preceded by two or three small denticles, at the anterior angle of each orbit ; at the posterior angle, a well marked notch with a small denticle, (in this specimen the denticle on the left side of the head only,) but no regular spine : these notches are connected by a transverse line on the cranium, but not by a groove (as in P. Carolinns, Cuv. et Val.). No spines on the temples, or on the crest at the bottom of the preopercle ; but the ordinary spine of the preopercle, as well as the opercular, suprascapular, and clavicular spines, appear as usual, though not quite so long as in the P. punctatus ; the clavicular spine has one line of points along its ridge, but the granulations are not very obvious. Band of palatine teeth much as in P. punctatus. First dorsal spine with a row of granulated points in front ; the second spine with a row on the left side of the fin ; the third spine with a very rudimentary row on the right side; but none of these granulations very obvious: third spine longest, equalling about three- fourths of the depth of the body ; the fourth and succeeding spines gradually decreasing to the tenth, which is barely visible, and so reclined as to be easily overlooked. Dorsal groove shallow, with the sides unarmed. Scales on the body small, broader than long ; their free edges finely ciliated, communicating a decided roughness to the touch ; their concealed portions crenated at the hinder margin, and marked with a fan of five or six striae. Lateral line not distinguished by any particular scales, but forming a whitish streak from the upper part of the gill-opening to the caudal. Pectorals relatively shorter than in P. punctatus, contained a little more than three times in the entire length ; when laid back they reach to a vertical line from the fourth 30 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. ray of the second dorsal. Free rays rather stout, with their tips somewhat dilated and ap- proaching to spatuliform ; in length about two-thirds that of the pectorals. Ventrals a trifle longer than the first or longest of the free rays. Colour. — " Above mottled brilliant tile red ; beneath silvery white. " — D. Mr. Darwin is rather doubtful whether by the above description, he meant that the entire fish was brilliant red, or only mottled with red upon some obscure ground. Habitat, Galapagos Archipelago. Taken at Chatham Island, in the Galapagos Archipelago, and decidedly dis- tinct from all the species described by Cuvier and Valenciennes. From P. strigatus it differs in the finer granulations of the cheeks, less obtuse and more deeply notched snout, smooth scales, and absence of a second lateral line ; from P. Carolinus in the want of a transverse groove on the cranium, and in the fin-ray formula, but it resembles this species in the dilated tips of the free rays ; from P. punctatus as pointed out in the description ; from P. tribulus in the want of the spine on the suborbital, and in its much shorter pectorals. These fins indeed are shorter than in any of the above-mentioned. As all the species described in the " Histoire des Poissons," are found on the Atlantic side of America, the geographical range of this genus is extended to the Pacific by the discovery of the present one. Family— COTTIDiE. Aspidophorus Chiloensis. Jen. Plate VII. Fig. 1 . Lateral view twice nat. size. Fig. ]«. Dorsal view nat. size. Fig. lb. Lateral view nat. size. A. corpore elongato, anlice oclagono, postice hexagono; vomere el ossibus palatini* dentibus distinct is instructis ; maxillis subcequalibus ; rostro idtra fauces haud pro- duct o ; mento et membrand branchiali cirratis: pinnis dorsalibus discretis ; prima radiis gracilibus. B. 6; D. 8—7; A. 8 ; C. 1 If ; P. 14; V. 1/2. Long. unc. 2. lin. 7. Form. — More elongated than the A. cataphr actus, which it somewhat resembles in general appear- ance. Anterior portion of the body octagonal, and the posterior, or all beyond the second dorsal and anal, hexagonal. Head equally depressed as in that species ; but its breadth less, being only one-fifth of the entire length, caudal excluded. Length of the head rather less than Fwk M: 7, ' '. :• '.'■ ' ' • ' JGsfe °f^i£Z§g&m&®* PtCMowrkim* -■ . : \ *'/" % s --. - 5 .?»: „i*' ...» i ~" ». est .- j / od&JfidopftxtnUS f'A///V /!■'■/-': Twn J/at: Jiic. fOL. ID Jfk&Ji*!*. ' - /ill'/ <■/>/'/'((/( I-*. Tmot/Mu ■(-.. 'a Vot ■'Y'-.l ' i.'tufiti/i, ,{■•'(', ilea. fhe Unive :ries FISH. 31 one-fourth of the entire length. Depth at the nape rather less than one-seventh of the same. Eyes relatively a little larger than in A. cat ap fir actus ; their diameter one-fourth the length of the head ; placed high in the cheeks, and distant one diameter from the end of the snout. Upper part of the orbit elevated into an osseous ridge on each side of the crown of the head, with a spine at its anterior angle, and the ridge itself terminating in a sharp, rather stronger, spine at the posterior angle ; both spines directed backwards. Space between the eyes concave, equal- ling in breadth not quite one diameter of the eye, with two longitudinal sharp ridges running respectively parallel to the ridges of the orbits, but not nearly so much elevated as these last ; these ridges terminate posteriorly at a groove, which runs transversely behind the eyes, sepa- rating the vertex from the occiput. The snout presents the same four spines, which are to be seen in the A. catapfir actus, but it does not project beyond the mouth. The lower margin of the suborbital presents a somewhat irregular ridge formed by a series of bluntish tubercles, the last of which terminates in a very minute spine directed backwards. Limb of the preopercle with three diverging smooth ridges, dilating at their extremities into three flattened blunt points, which project a little beyond the membrane, but can scarcely be called spines. Opercle with one ridge not so strongly marked as those of the preopercle, and not terminating in any distinct point, nor even reaching quite to the edge of the membrane. Jaws nearly equal ; but the upper one a very little the longest ; each with a narrow band of minute velutine teeth : a distinct chevron of similar teeth on the front of the vomer, and a short imperfect row on each palatine. Tongue smooth. Gill opening large : the branchial membrane not notched, but passing trans- versely over the isthmus, to the edge of which it is nevertheless attached on each side. Chin clothed with short fleshy cirri ; also a few on the lower jaw and branchial membrane ; but they are much shorter, and less conspicuous than in the A. catapfir actus, especially on the branchial membrane, where they are very sparingly scattered. The occiput presents the four usual ridges formed of granulated tubercles ; and between the innermost pair there is also a much less conspicuous, but slightly raised line running longitudinally down the middle : the two innermost of the above ridges are nearly in a line respectively with the two ridges of the orbit, behind which they commence, and they would pass on to unite with the two dorsal carinas were they not separated from the latter by a deep transverse depression at the nape : the two outermost of the occipital ridges commence behind the eyes themselves, and terminate at the suprascapulars, each in a sharp point directed backwards, but not prolonged into a spine. The carinated scales which arm the body of this species, are more sharply serrated than those of the A. catapfir actus, the keels terminating behind in hooked points ; and the elevated lines which form the stria? on each side of the keel are fewer in number and more raised. The ridges which they form are also more marked, and the second ridge on each side commences immediately behind the angle of the opercle, instead of opposite the vent as in that species ; so that the whole body is perfectly octagonal from the gills to the termination of the dorsal and anal fins :* at that point, the two dorsal ridges and the two ventral unite respectively to form one, or rather approximate so closely as to form but one in appearance ; for, if closely examined, there will still be found two parallel rows of serratures. In each of the two uppermost or dorsal ridges, there are twenty-seven scales, reckoning from the hollow at the nape to the point where the ridges unite. In the second ridge (which extends, as before observed, from the gills to the caudal) there are thirty- •■ In the A . cataphractus, the body is hexagonal from the gills to a little beyond the vent ; octagonal from this last point to the termination of the dorsal and anal fins ; then hexagonal again to the end of the tail. 32 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. eight. In the third, which commences behind the pectoral, and extends in like manner to the caudal, there are thirty-five. In the fourth, which commences on the breast, immediately behind the point of attachment of the branchial membrane to the isthmus, there are thirty, reckoning to behind the anal, where it unites with its fellow to form one ; between this point and the caudal there are ten, the serratures of which are rather obsolete. The fourth pair of ridges are throughout their course less sharply serrated than the second and third pairs, and these last again rather less so than the first or dorsal pair. Between the two ventral ridges, near their commencement in front of the ventral fins, are six slightly serrated scales (similar to those in the ridges) forming on the breast a somewhat triangular patch, two single ones standing first, then four others in pairs. The lateral line, which is catenulated as in A. cataphractus, com- mences at the upper angle of the opercle, then bends downwards to take a middle course between the second and third ridges, which it preserves to the caudal. The first dorsal commences behind the seventh scale in the dorsal ridges, or at about one-third of the entire length ; it is of the same form as in the A. cataphractus, but contains more rays ; its membrane terminates at the fifteenth scale, and there are rather more than two scales between it and the second dorsal, which last is rather shorter and higher than the first. The rays of the first dorsal are not stouter than those of the second, nor relatively stouter than those of the A. cataphractus. The rays of the second dorsal are simple, with the second and third rather longer than the first. The anal answers to the second dorsal. The pectorals are rounded, and one-fifth of the entire length. Ventrals very narrow, and scarcely more than half the length of the pectorals. Position of the vent a little anterior to a line connecting the extremities of the ventrals. Colour. — {In spirits.) Dusky grey above and on the sides, paler beneath ; with four broad trans- verse blackish fasciae passing across the back and down the sides as far as the third longitudinal ridge of scales. The first fascia is in the region of the first half of the first dorsal ; the second at the commencement of the second dorsal; the third near the end of the second dorsal ; the fourth half way between the end of the second dorsal and the caudal ; and a little beyond this there is a faint trace of a fifth fascia. The body is a little mottled in places with spots of the same dark colour as the fasciae, and the fins, with the exception of the ventrals, are of the same hue. Habitat, Chiloe, (West coast of S. America). The absence of vomerine teeth has been considered by Cuvier as one of the characters serving to distinguish Aspidophorus from Coitus; but as these teeth are very distinctly developed in the present species, we must rather dwell upon the large keeled sharp-pointed scales, which envelope the body in a kind of mail, and, as Dr. Richardson observes,* " give the Aspidopliori a totally different aspect from the Cotti." Indeed on equally strong grounds as those on which Cuvier has separated Pinguipes from Percis and Prionotus from Trigla, the present species, which possesses both vomerine and palatine teeth, f might be made a distinct * Faun. Bor. Amer. Part Third, p. 49. t Is it riot possible that this may be found to be also the case with several of the foreign species described by Cuvier, in which the absence of these teeth has been rather i>resumed than ascertained from actual examination ? FISH. 33 genus from Aspidophorus, or at least considered as one of its subgenera. But in the present uncertain state of our knowledge with respect to the exact value of this character,* and from the general resemblance of the A. Chiloensis in all its principal characters to the other species of this genus, | I have not thought this step necessary. This species was taken by Mr. Darwin at Chiloe. There are two specimens in the collection. The second differs from the one above described, only in having one ray less in the first dorsal, and two more carinated scales in each of the dorsal ridges. Independently of its having vomerine and palatine teeth as above noticed, this species will not enter into any of Cuvier's sections of the genus Aspidophorus, but combines in itself the characters of his first and third ; the dorsals being separated by nearly three scales, the jaws being very nearly equal, the rays of the first dorsal not stouter than those of the second, and the throat being bearded. Platycephalus inops. Jen. P. capite longo, Icevi, ubique inermi, spinis duabus ad unguium preoperculi brevissimis cequalibus exceptis ; oculis magnis, arete propinquantibus : dorso et lateribus fuscis ; abdomine albido ; pinna dorsali prima liturd magna irregulari nigro-fuscd postice maculald ; dorsali secundd, caudali, et pectoralibus, maculis fuscis parvis ; anali et vent ralibus fere omnino nigricantibus. B. 7 ; D. 8—12 ; A. 12 ; C. 13, &c. ; P. 19 ; V. 1/5. Long. unc. 16. Form. — Head very much depressed, and rather longer than in most of the species of this genus ; its length being nearly twice its own breadth, and nearly one-third of the entire length. Breadth of the body at the pectorals one-seventh of the entire length : depth at that point half the breadth. Snout rounded horizontally. Lower jaw longest. Gape reaching to beneath the * Cuvicr seems to have attached much value to the character of teeth on the palate ; but I agree with Dr. Richardson, {Faun. Bor. Am. Part iii. p. 19.) in considering it " of little importance as a generic character in some families of fish." And the author last mentioned notices an instance (exactly analogous to that of the Aspidophorus Chiloensis) in the Thymallus signifer, which, he says, " resembles the common grayling very closely in its general form, but differs from it in having palatine teeth." f In its general characters it does not depart from the A . cataphractus of the British seas, anything like so much as the^l. quadricornis, and A. monopterygius do. F 34 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. anterior margin of the orbit. A band of sharp velutine teeth in each jaw broadest above | a double semicircular patch of similar teeth on the front of the vomer, and a band all alono- each palatine as broad as that in the lower jaw. Branchial arches and pharyngeans rough with similar teeth. Tongue free, thin, flat, truncated at the apex with a double emargination in the middle, of equal breadth throughout, without teeth, the central portion cartilaginous with a broad membranous border all round. Eyes large, their diameter one-sixth the length of the head, approximating, with not half a diameter between, distant two diameters from the extremity of the lower jaw. The spines of the preopercle (which in some species are long and very unequal) very short and inconspicuous, of equal length, the lower one rounded off almost to nothing. Head smooth all over ; presenting the usual ridges, which however are not very salient, but with hardly anything deserving the name of spines, excepting only a small flat spine terminating the opercle, and a minute but sharp one on the upper ridge of the scapula : none at the anterior angle of the first suborbital, or on the ridge of the orbit. Gill opening very large ; the branchial membrane notched underneath for its whole length. Pectorals broad and oval but short, contained nearly eight times in the entire length ; the first two rays simple, the next ten branched, the last seven, which are rather stout, again simple. Ventrals separate by nearly the whole breadth of the body, attached beneath the middle of the pectorals, longer than these last fins by nearly one-third, and reaching very nearly but not quite to the vent, which is a little posterior to the middle of the entire length : the spine of the ventrals is one-third of the longest of the articulated rays which are the last or innermost. The first dorsal commences above the middle of the pectorals, and occupies between one-sixth and one- seventh of the entire length ; its greatest height is about two-thirds of its own length ; the first spine is very short, and detached, as in the other species ; the second a little shorter than the third which is longest ; the rest gradually decrease to the last, which is one-third the length of the second ; this fin therefore is not so triangular as in many of this genus. A small space between the first and second dorsals. This last longer and rather lower than the former, con- tained four and a half times in the entire length ; all the rays nearly even, with the exception of the first only, which is a little shorter than the second. Caudal square. The anal answers to the second dorsal, but begins, as well as terminates, a little backwarder. The lateral line commences at the suprascapular, and gradually bends down till it reaches the middle of the depth which it keeps for the remainder of its course ; it is perfectly smooth throughout. The scales cover all the body and a part of the head, but are not present between the eyes, or on the front of the snout, or on the jaws. They are small, oblong-oval, finely striated, with a fan of eleven or twelve deeper strise posteriorly, their free edges cut square, not ciliated. Colour. — (In spirits.) — Back and sides nearly uniform deep brown; beneath white; the two colours separated by a well-defined line. First dorsal transparent, with a deep brown stain or blotch on the membrane, of an irregular form, and occupying more than the posterior half of the fin. Second dorsal uniformly, but rather obscurely, spotted throughout. Caudal with transverse rows of similar spots. Anal nearly uniform pale dusky, the spots hardly distin- guishable from the ground. Ventrals the same. Pectorals with spots on the rays, but with the intervening membrane nearly transparent. Habitat, King George's Sound, New Holland. V*h *m>-W sS ^ I 1 > m / n ] FISH. 35 This species very closely approaches the P. Icevigatus of Cuvier and Valen- ciennes, with which it particularly agrees in the smoothness of its head, and large approximating eyes. The two spines, however, at the angle of the preo- percle appear to be still smaller than in that species;* the fin-ray formula is a little different ; and so also are the colours ; the first dorsal being parti- cularly characterized by a large irregular dark-coloured stain on its posterior portion, and the anal and ventrals being almost wholly dusky, instead of pale with spots on the rays only, as in the P. Icevigatus. Possibly it may be a mere variety. Mr. Darwin's specimen was obtained at King George's Sound. Family— SCORPiENID^E. Scorp^ena histrio. Jen. Plate VIII. S. toto corpore coccineo, pinnis pallidioribus, maculis parvis irregularibus nigricanti- bus : capite magna ex parte alepidoto, lineis spinosis solitis armato : pinna dorsali spinis incequalibus, iertia paulo longissimd : capite et lateribus cirris cutaneis parvis ubique adornatis ; quatuor palpebralibus, prcesertim duobus poster ioribus, majoribus, palmatis. B. 7 ; D. 12/9 ; A. 3/5 ; C. 13, &c. ; P. 20 ; V. 1/5. Long. unc. 9. Form. — General form resembling that of the S. Scrofa. Depth at the pectorals just one-fourth of the entire length. Thickness a trifle more than two-thirds of the depth. Head more than one- third of the entire length. Eyes large and elevated, distant from the end of the snout rather more than one diameter ; the space between very concave, twice as long as broad, with two whitish lines in the central furrow, diverging as they recede backwards towards the nape, but scarcely elevated into salient ridges. Mouth oblique, with the gape large and the lower jaw a little the longest ; when closed, the end of the maxillary, which is broad and much dilated, reaches to a vertical line from the posterior part of the orbit. A broad ish band of velutine teeth in each jaw as well as on the vomer and palatines. Tongue smooth. A small sharp triangular spine on each of the nasal bones, (in this specimen that on the left side is double or forked) : upper margin of the orbit, which is much elevated, with three spines, one strong one at the anterior angle, and two, nearly as large, further back ; beyond which, on the left orbit only, is a fourth smaller one. Space between the eyes bounded posteriorly by a raised arc * Judging from the figure in the " Voyage de l'Astrolobe (Zoologie)," pi. 10. f. 4. 36 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. having the curvature inwards, with a spine on each side ; this is followed by the depressed occiput, which forms a hollow; and on each side of this, at its posterior margin, or at the commence- ment of the nape, are two other strong spines : there are likewise two spines at the supra- scapulars, and between these and the posterior margin of the orbit of the eye, on what may be called the temples, are two more ; of these last, the first, which is small and close to the orbit is double ; the second, which is larger and situate a little above the upper angle of the pre- opercle, is, in this specimen, double on the right side and single on the left. The first suborbital has two spines on its anterior margin, the first directed forwards, and the second downwards ; on its disk are two salient ridges, which are unarmed, and not very conspicuous. The second suborbital is entirely without spines, but elevated in the middle into a double smooth ridge or crest. Margin of the preopercle with six spines ; the second longest; the first, as well a & s the two lowermost, small and inconspicuous. Opercle with two osseous diverging ridges terminating in spines : the scapular and clavicular bones likewise terminate each in a flattened spine! Lateral line and scales much as in S. Scrofa ; the latter with their free edges perfectly smooth. The cutaneous filaments and appendages on this species are as follows : three small ones at the extremity of the snout; one small but broad one at the upper margin of the anterior orifice of the nostril ; two very conspicuous palmated ones on each orbit, especially the posterior one, which is largest, and very broad ; two on the margin of the first suborbital ; some small ones on the cheeks and maxillaries ; six beneath the lower jaw, two being near the symphysis, and two on each ramus ; a row on the margin of the preopercle, and very numerous small ones scattered about the nape and sides of the body, of which a row along the lateral line are rather more conspicuous than the others. The spines of the dorsal fin are moderately strong, and unequal ; the first is rather more than half the length of the second, which itself is two-thirds of the third; this last is less than half, but more than two-fifths, of the depth of the body ; from the third, the spines decrease very gradually to the eleventh, which is a little longer than the first; the twelfth is higher than the eleventh by one-third : soft portion of the fin rounded, and where most elevated just equalling in height the third or longest spine. Anal spines very unequal ; the first not very stout, and less than half the length of the second, which is very strong indeed, as well as the longest of the three ; the third is stouter than the first, but not nearly so stout as the second, though nearly equalling that spine in length : soft portion of this fin with its greatest elevation rather exceeding the second spine. Caudal slightly rounded. Pectorals rather more than one-fifth of the entire length ; the ten lowermost rays simple ; the nine immediately above these branched ; the uppermost of all simple like the bottom ones, but slenderer as well as shorter than the others. Ventrals not above two-thirds the length of the pectorals; in other respects as in S. Scrofa. A second specimen.— -Smaller than the one above described, measuring seven inches and a half in length. The two diverging lines on the cranium between the eyes are rather more salient, and the left orbit is without the fourth spine; but in all other respects, including the fin-ray formula, the two specimens are exactly similar. Colour.— « Whole body scarlet red, fins rather paler; with small irregularly-shaped light black spots." — D. Habitat, Chatham Island, Galapagos Archipelago. FISH. 37 This species differs more or less in the details of form, as well as colours, from all those which I can find described by authors. Most of the foreign species of this genus noticed by Cuvier and Valenciennes, come either from the eastern coast of America or the East Indies ; and they do not appear to have received any from that part of the Pacific, whence the present one was obtained. Sebastes oculata. Vol.? Sebastes oculata, Cuv. et Val. Hist, des Poiss. torn. ix. p. 344. Form. — Greatest depth contained about three times and three quarters in the entire length. Head about one-third of the same. Eyes large ; the interocular space, equalling rather more than half their diameter, concave, with two longitudinal ridges running respectively parallel to the two superciliary ridges. Two spines on the upper part of the snout, in a line with the nostrils ; one at the anterior part of the orbit ; three at the posterior, passing off in a line towards the occiput, where there are two other moderately strong ones terminating the lateral occipital ridges ; five very strong spines or teeth edging the rounded angle of the preopercle ; two sharp ones at the posterior angle of the opercle, the upper one most developed ; one at the scapula, and two at the suprascapular. There are either three orifices to each nostril, or else, adjoining the two usual openings, a large pore so manifest (at least in this specimen in its dried state) as easily to be mistaken for a third : this additional one is close to the nasal spine. Dorsal spines of only moderate strength : anal stronger, especially the second, which is very stout, as well as the longest of the three ; the third, however, is more than half the length of the soft rays. Pectorals broad and rounded ; their length contained about four times and a half in the entire length ; first ray simple, the next eight branched, the nine lowermost simple again, and rather stouter than the others. The caudal appears to have been square. Scales small and ciliated, covering nearly the entire head, as well as body, but very thinly scattered on the extremity of the snout in advance of the nostrils. D. 13/14; A. 3/6; C. 14, and 3 shorter ones; P. 18; V. 1/5. Length 10 inches. Colour. — " Under surface, sides, branchial covering, and part of the fins, ' tile and carmine red ;' dorsal scales pale yellowish dirty brown." — D. In its present dried state, the colour is of a uniform brown. Habitat, Valparaiso. This species is probably the S. oculata of Valenciennes ; but the depth rather exceeds, and in its recent state it must have still more exceeded, one-fourth 38 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. of the entire length, the proportion given in the " Histoire des Poissons." The spines on the opercle and suprascapular also can hardly be called " smaller " as there stated, than those on the orbit and occiput, at least the upper one on the opercle. There are also two soft rays less in the anal. It may be added further, that Mr. Darwin's notes make no mention of the four brilliant rose-coloured spots along the base of the dorsal fin, spoken of by Valenciennes. The S. oculata was discovered by M. Gay at Valparaiso, where Mr. Darwin's specimen also was obtained. It is the only species of this genus on record brought hitherto from South America. It may be stated, however, that Mr. Darwin has a drawing of another species, made by Mr. P. King, found also at Valparaiso, differing from the above in having the spines on the head less developed, and apparently, in some of its characters, approaching the S. variabilis. This last is a species inhabiting the sea which separates N. America from Kamtschatka. Agriopus hispidus. Jen. Plate VII. Fig. 2. Twice nat. size. Fig. 2 a. Nat. size. Fig. 2 h. Portion of the hispid cuticle magnified.* A. pallide rubro-aurantius, dor so nigricante, pinnis nigro-maculatis : corpore hispido, altitudine tertiam partem longitudinis cequante ; spinis nasalibus dudbus parvis recurvis ; vomere dentibus velutinis minutissimis instructo : pinna dorsali incequali, antice allevatd, spinis quartd et quintd paulo longissimis, succedentibus gradatim diminutis, ultima radiis articulatis multd breviori. D. 17/13; A. 1/8; C. 13, &c. ; P. 9; V. 1/5. Long. unc. 1. lin. 9. Form. — General form resembling that of the A. torvus, but the depth much greater, equalling one- third of the entire length, or very nearly. Length of the head somewhat less than the depth of the body. The line of greatest depth passes through the insertion of the pectorals. The profile viewed apart from the superciliary ridges, which are sharp and prominent, falls in a straight but very oblique line from the commencement of the dorsal to the mouth. On each side of the median line of the snout, in advance of the eyes, is a small but sharp spine, directed upwards and backwards. There are also two minute spines on the first suborbital immediately above and behind the end of the maxillary ; these are placed one over the other, the uppermost, which is the sharpest and most conspicuous, taking an upward direction like the * Called by mistake in the plate " magnified scales." FISH. 39 nasal spines, the lowermost, which is blunt and not so obvious, a downward one. Mouth small, without any teeth that can be discerned even with a lens ; but a decided roughness can be felt on the vomer, seeming to indicate the presence of minute teeth on that part. The superciliary ridges, already alluded to, are slightly granulated, and terminate behind in two sharp triangular points. The occipital ridges, a ridge on the posterior suborbital immediately beneath the eye, and an interrupted ridge on the temples and suprascapular, are in like manner granulated, or rather obscurely crenated. The opercle and preopercle are marked with a few striae, but show neither granulations nor spines. Gill-opening very small. No scales on any part of the head and body ; but the whole surface of the latter is hispid with minute bristly appendages to the cuticle, each springing from a minute papilla. There are also a number of fine lines traversing the cuticle in two directions, and forming a kind of net-work. The lateral line commences at the suprascapular, and terminates a little beyond the end of the dorsal, not reaching quite to the caudal ; its course is nearly, but not exactly, parallel to the dorsal line, the distance between them being at first one-third, but towards the caudal between one-third and one-fourth of the depth. Dorsal very much elevated anteriorly, but its height by no means uniform throughout ; the first spine one-fourth shorter than the second; this again a little shorter than the third; and this last a very little shorter than the fourth and fifth, which are longest, and which equal three-fourths of the depth of the body j sixth and succeeding ones gradually decreasing, the ninth being about equal to the first, the twelfth about one-third shorter ; the next four are scarcely shorter than the twelfth, and the seventeenth or last is a little higher than the sixteenth ; then follows the soft portion of the fin, which is here again elevated, the soft rays being nearly double the length of the last spinous.* The anal answers in position to the first two-thirds of the soft dorsal, terminating before that fin, as in A. torvus : the fourth, fifth, and sixth soft rays are longest, and much longer than the soft rays of the dorsal ; the spine is short and slender, and not much more than half the length of the first soft ray. The last ray of both dorsal and anal is divided quite to the root so as to appear as two. The caudal appears to have been rounded, but the ends of the rays are worn and broken. Pectorals long, equalling one-third of the entire length : they consist of nine rays, the three middle ones of which are longest ; the three upper and the three lower ones are respectively equal ; all the rays simple. Ventrals much shorter than the pectorals, and, though attached rather more behind, not reaching so far ; their spine is rather stout, much more so than that of the anal, and about three-fourths the length of the first two soft rays, which are the longest in the fin. Colour. — " Pale reddish orange, with black spots on the fins, and a dusky shade on the back."— D. A second specimen only differs from the above in having the teeth in the jaws more sensible to the touch, though still scarcely to be seen ; and in the superciliary and occipital ridges being- less granulated or crenated at the edges. The colours also are a little darker. The fin-ray formula is exactly the same in both specimens. Habitat, Peninsula of Tres Montes, Archipelago of Chiloe. This species approaches most nearly the A. Peruvianus of Cuvier and Valenciennes, with which it agrees in the great depth of the body, and in the * This portion of the fin is not quite correctly represented in the plate, being made too low, in conse- quence of the rays having been broken at their extremities in the specimen figured. 40 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. presence of two nasal spines ; but it differs in the roughness of the skin (that species being described as smooth), and in the greater inequality of the dorsal fin. Perhaps it may be the same as the species brought from the coast of Chili by Mr. Cuming, and briefly noticed by Mr. Bennett in the " Proceedings of the Zoological Society" (1832, p. 5.), but which this last gentleman did not venture to describe as new, from the circumstance of its general agreement with the A. Peruvianas. The principal deviation in Mr. Cuming's fish from the species just mentioned is stated to have occurred in the number of the fin-rays; those of the spinous portion of the dorsal fin being seventeen (one less than in the A. Peruvianas), while of the soft rays of the anal there were ten (three more than in the species referred to). Mr. Darwin's fish agrees with Mr. Cuming's in the number of the dorsal spines, but not in that of the soft rays of the anal, which is eight, being one more than in the A. Peruvianas and two less than in Mr. Cuming's ; and it is observable that both the specimens obtained by Mr. Darwin agree in this particular. Mr. Bennett has not noticed any of the other characters of Mr. Cuming's fish.* One of the most distinguishing peculiarities in the species here described is the existence of vomerine teeth, which though extremely minute are quite sensible to the touch. As these teeth are denied by Cuvier to the whole genus we have here another instance, similar to that of the Aspidophorm Chiloemis already mentioned, of the slight value of the character which their presence or absence aftbrds. Possibly, however, they may disappear in the adult state. Both Mr. Darwin's specimens are small, neither equalling two inches ; and if they are immature, which is probably the case, some of the other characters mentioned in the description, perhaps even the hispidity of the skin, may result from this circumstance. They must therefore be received with caution until larger specimens shall have been obtained. * Since the above was printed, Mr. Waterhouse has been kind enough to show me in the museum of the Zoologwal Society the specimen which he believes to be the one procured by Mr. Cuming Unless the characters are very much altered by age, it is decidedly distinct from the A. hispidus above described The general form indeed is the same; but the skin is perfectly smooth, marked with vertical striae; the granulated ridges on the head are less prominent, and the superciliary ridges without spines. The fin-ray formula is not quite as stated by Mr. Bennett, who appears, in his computation, to have mistaken the last dorsal spine for one of the soft rays of that fin, and also to have over-estimated the number of soft rays in the anal. The formula is really 18/12 !; A. 1/9, &c. I have no doubt of Mr. Cuming's fish being the true A. Peruvians; whilst the one here characterized as new is probably the young of a nearly allied species. Mr. Cuming's specimen is six and a half inches long. ° F . It may be advantageous to science to mention here, though not immediately connected with the present inquiry that another species of Agriopus in the museum of the Zoological Society, which was seen by M. Valen- ciennes during Ins visit to this country, and referred by him in the « Histoire des Poissons" to the A verrucosus. . . i . - ' -- -j - ..™uin, ma i umjuib iu me ^..verrucosus, proves not to be that species but the A. spinier of Dr. Smith, recently described by him for the first time in his Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa." FISH. 4 ' Family.-SCI^NID^. Otolithus guatucupa. Cuv. et Vol. Otolitlms guatucupa, Cuv. et Vol. Hist. des'Poiss. torn. v. p. 56. pi. 104. Form.— Elongated, with the back only very slightly elevated beneath the first dorsal: in advance of that fin the dorsal line is nearly straight, and continuous with the profile. Greatest depth contained exactly four times and a half in the entire length. Head long, contained three and a half times in the same. Lower jaw projecting considerably beyond the upper, and ascending to meet it. Two strongly developed curved canines at the extremity of the upper jaw ; the rest of the teeth in this jaw consist of a single row of fine card, nearly equal throughout : in the lower jaw there are no canines, but one similar row of card, rather stronger than those above, and not equal, the smallest being in front, and those at the sides becoming gradually larger as they extend backwards. No vestige of scales on the lower jaw, lips or maxillary ; but the suborbital is covered with bright silvery scales. Eye full, and moderately sized ; its diameter one-fifth the length of the head ; its distance from the end of the upper jaw equalling the diameter. Margin of the preopercle with a few indistinct striae and obsolete denticulations. Opercle with two flat points not much developed. Lateral line very distinct, commencing at rather less than one-third of the depth, but curving gradually downwards to one-half; continued to nearly the extremity of the caudal ; each scale marked with an elevated line, from which there proceed one or two small ramifications on each side. First dorsal triangular, with the first spine very short, the fourth longest, the fifth and succeeding ones gradually decreasing, the last or tenth being shorter than the first. Second dorsal almost contiguous, its spine or first ray about equalling the first ray of the first dorsal : this fin is more than half as long again as the first, and the rays are nearly even. The anal commences further back than a point opposite the middle of the second dorsal ; there are in reality two spines in this fin, but the first is so extremely minute as to be almost microscopic, and not seen, unless very carefully sought for ; the second or principal spine is weak, and rather more than one-third the length of the soft rays. Caudal apparently square, but the rays being worn at the tips, its exact form cannot be determined. The second dorsal, as well as the anal and caudal, are partially covered with small scales, which, however, are not very obvious. Pectorals narrow and rather small, being scarcely more than half the length of the head. Ventrals placed a little further back, and rather shorter than the pectorals. B. 7 ; D. 10-J/20 ; A. 1/8 ; C. 17 ; P. 16 ; V. 1/5. Length 9 inc. 9 lines. Colour.—" Silvery white, above iridescent with violet purple and blue."— D. Mr. Darwin has not noticed the dark transverse lines, which descend from the back obliquely forwards, as repre- G 42 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. sented in the ' Histoire des Poissons/ and of which there are evident traces, though apparently much effaced by the action of the spirit. Habitat, Maldonado Bay, Rio Plata. This species, which Cuvier and Valenciennes consider as the Guatucnpa of Margrave, was obtained by Mr. Darwin at Maldonado. M. D'Orbigny had previously taken it at Monte Video. The only respects in which Mr. Darwin's specimen differs from D'Orbigny's, is in its having two more rays in the soft dorsal, and a slightly longer anal spine, judging from the figure in the ' Histoire des Poissons;' but I cannot imagine that they are distinct on these grounds only, so exactly do they agree in all their other characters. CORVINA ADTJSTA. Agassiz. Corvina adusta, Spix et Ac/ass. Pisces Brazil, p. 12G. tab. 70. Form. — Greatest depth beneath the commencement of the first dorsal fin, and equalling one- fourth of the entire length. Back somewhat carinated, and moderately arched, forming one continuous curve with the profile, which falls with considerable obliquity. Ventral line nearly straight, and the abdomen much flattened in front of, and between the ventrals. Len° th of the head just equalling the depth of the body. Snout obtuse, with two small lobes at bottom, one on each side of the extremity, as in several other species of this genus. Mouth horizontal, at the bottom of the snout ; when closed, the maxillary reaching a little beyond a vertical from the anterior margin of the orbit. Four pores beneath the symphysis ; and seven, in two rows, round the extremity of the snout; those in the lower row large. Jaws nearly equal ; the upper one perhaps a little the longest. Teeth forming a velutine band above and below ; those above with an outer row of somewhat longer and stronger ones. Eyes rather small ; their diameter about one-fifth the length of the head. Nostrils consisting of two round apertures in advance of the eye, the posterior one largest ; the anterior with a raised margin. Preopercle a little less than rectangular, with the angle at bottom somewhat rounded : the ascending margin rectilineal, sloping rather in advance of a vertical, and distinctly toothed, the teeth becoming smaller upwards : at the angle are two stronger teeth or spines, the uppermost directed back- wards and a little downwards, the lowermost downwards and a little backwards ; between these two teeth there is an interval; the basal margin of the preopercle is quite smooth. Opercle terminating in two flat inconspicuous points. Snout, cheeks, and gill covers, covered with scales of very unequal sizes: those serving as a boundary between the cheek and the preopercle, also a row above each orbit, a few at the upper angle of the opercle, some on the suprascapular lamina, and a row extending thence upwards and forwards to the occiput, much smaller than the others. Scales on the body of moderate size, arranged in oblique rows; about fifty-five in a longitudinal line, and nineteen or twenty in a vertical. One taken from above the lateral line, and nearly in the middle of the length, is oblong, approaching to circular, its surface marked with a number of concentric, FISH. 43 much crowded, curved lines, somewhat undulating behind, with a fan of about twelve deeper strise converging to a point considerably in advance of the centre of the scale ; the free portion is also marked with several well-marked nearly parallel lines which terminate in denticles at the anterior margin. Those on the lateral line have the mucous tubes somewhat ramified, and are accompanied throughout its course by some minuter scales, similar to those on the head above pointed out. The lateral line is at one-third of the depth, till it arrives beneath the middle of the soft dorsal, where it falls to one-half. First dorsal of a triangular form, separated from the soft portion by a deep notch ; the first spine very small and inconspicuous ; the second somewhat shorter than the third ; fourth longest, nearly equalling half the depth ; all the spines in this fin rather slender. The second dorsal commences with a spine somewhat longer than the last spine in the first dorsal, and not quite half the length of the first soft ray ; soft rays nearly even throughout, and not equalling the highest point of the first dorsal. Anal short and somewhat rounded, commencing beneath the middle of the second dorsal, and double the height of that fin ; its first spine very short and inconspicuous ; second long and moderately stout, but shorter than the first soft ray by one- third ; second soft ray the longest ; third and succeeding ones gradually decreasing. Pectorals narrow and pointed, shorter than the head ; first ray simple, the rest branched; third, fourth and fifth longest. Ventrals attached a trifle backwarder than the pectorals, which they do not equal in length ; the spine much slenderer than that of the anal, and rather more than half the length of the first soft ray. Caudal squarish, but with the margin a little sinuous. B. 7; D. 10—1/28; A. 2/8; C. 17; P. 17; V. 1/5. Length 8 inches 6 lines. Colour.—" Above inclining to coppery, with irregular transverse bars of brown ; beautifully iridescent with violet."— D. The bars alluded to by Mr. Darwin are some dark lines which, commencing at the upper part of the back, pass forwards and downwards in an oblique direction ; they bend more and more downwards as they advance, and disappear a little below the middle. The whole fish has a metallic gloss, particularly about the cheeks and gill-covers, and very visible even in its present state. A second specimen, exactly similar to the above, is nearly twelve inches in length. Habitat, Maldonado and Monte Video. I entertain no doubt of this species being the C. adusta of Agassiz, figured in Spix's Fishes of Brazil. It is not described by Cuvier and Valenciennes, but belongs to their second section of the genus, characterized by the small spines on the ascending margin, and especially at the angle, of the preopercle. It seems to be particularly distinguished by the small scales on some parts of the head, and along the lateral line where they accompany the larger ones. These characters have not been overlooked by Agassiz. There are two specimens in the collection, the larger one taken at Monte Video, the smaller at Maldonado. 44 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. 1. Umbrina arenata. Ciw. et Val. Umbrina arenata, Cuv.et Val. Hist, des Poiss. torn. v. p. 141. Form.— Rather elongated, with the back very little arched ; the greatest depth contained about five times and a quarter in the entire length. Length of the head about equal to the depth of the body. Profile falling very gradually, and nearly in a straight line, in front of the dorsal. Snout very much projecting j the margin at bottom, above the upper jaw, divided into four lobes which are cut square at their extremities. Round the end of the snout, and immediately above the lobes, is a double row of pores, the lower ones large. Also four pores beneath the symphysis of the lower jaw. Barbule at the chin scarcely exceeding a line or a line and a half in length. A band of velutine teeth in each jaw, with an outer row in card ; these last moderately strong, sharp, and rather wide apart, not above fourteen or sixteen in the row. Preopercle very obsoletely denticulated. Opercle with two flat points not much developed. First dorsal triangular ; the first spine very small ; the second, third and fourth elevated rather in a point, the third equalling two-thirds of the depth of the body or more. Second dorsal nearly twice the length of the first. Anal commencing opposite the sixth soft ray of that fin, short, and terminating considerably before it; the anal spine weak, and very little more than half the length of the soft rays. Caudal with the posterior margin sinuous, the upper part being slightly crescent-shaped, the lower portion rounded, and broader than the upper. Pectorals a very little shorter than the head. Ventrals attached a little behind the pectorals, and not passing beyond them. In the axilla of the pectorals is a small triangular membranous lamina : there is also a narrow pointed one in the axilla of the ventrals covered with scales. The scales on the body are thin, rather small, somewhat rhomboidal, with their free margins ciliated, and with a fan of twelve stria? behind. B. 7 ; D. 10—1/25 ; A. 1/8 ; C. 17 ; P. 21 ; V. J/5. Length 9 inches 6 lines. Colour. — " Body mottled with silver and green: dorsal and caudal fins lead-colour." — D. In spirits, the colour appears dusky brown, with darker mottlings and silvery reflections ; paler beneath. The fins are dusky, but the basal half of the dorsal is darker than the upper. The pectorals are darker than the other fins, especially the inside; on the left pectoral, the dark colour is restricted to three broad transverse fascia?. There are also on the pectorals and anal, and on most of the scales on the body, small blackish dots, as mentioned in the ' Histoire des Poissons.' A second specimen, smaller than the above, has the back rather more arched, the greatest depth being only five times in the length. The outer row of teeth in the upper jaw is not quite so conspicuous, the teeth being smaller and closer-set, and consequently more numerous. The soft dorsal and anal have fewer rays. D. 10—1/22; A. 1/7; &c. Length 7 inches 3 lines. In all other respects similar to the specimen first described. Habitat, Bahia Blanca, and Maldonado. FISH. 45 As Cuvier and Valenciennes have mentioned individuals of this species, which varied in the number of rays in the soft dorsal from twenty-two to twenty- four, I cannot but consider the two above described as specifically the same, though in the first these rays amount to as many as twenty-five. This, which is the larger specimen, was taken by Mr. Darwin at Bahia Blanca, where it is said to have been common. The other was obtained at Maldonado. 2. Umbrina ophicephala. Jen, U. elongata ; rostro obtusissimo, tumido, hand ultra fauces producto, margine infe- riore quadrilobato, lobis intermediis rotundatis ; fossuld longitudinali inter nares, profundi exarata ; ports quatuor infra symphysin ; dentibus velutinis, serie externa in maxilla superiore aculeiformi; preoperculo obsolete denticulato ; operculo mucro- nibus duobus parvis instructo ; spinis dorsalibus tertia et quartd longissimis, corporis altitudinem cequantibus ; spina, anali gracili, radiis articulatis dimidio breviori, D. 12—1/22; A. 1/9; C. 17; P. 20; V. 1/5. Long. unc. 6. lin. 5. Form. — Very much elongated; the greatest depth just one-sixth of the entire length; the head one-fifth. Dorsal line nearly straight. Profile falling very slightly till it reaches the nostrils, when it suddenly becomes vertical. Snout in consequence short, and very blunt, and not pro- jecting beyond the jaws ; with a deep broad channel down the middle, extending from between the nostrils to near the mouth : on each side of this channel, the snout is very protuberant. The lower margin of the snout is divided into four lobes, the central pair of which are rounded : above each of the exterior lobes is one large pore, and an odd one in the middle. There are also four pores beneath the symphysis, and a short barbule, as in the last species. The eye has a diameter about one-fifth the length of the head, and is distant one diameter from the end of the snout. The nostrils, which are immediately in advance of the eye, consist of two round apertures, one before the other, the posterior one double the size of the anterior. Upper jaw a very little longer than the lower. A band of velutine teeth in each jaw; with an outer row above of moderately strong card, rather curving inwards and backwards, and closer-set than those of the U. arenata, amounting to twenty-eight or thirty in number : there are also some smaller card teeth behind this outer row passing insensibly into the velutine. Preopercle very obsoletely denticulated. Opercle with two flat points not very obvious. First dorsal triangular, and moderately high in the point ; third and fourth spines longest, about equalling the depth of the body; first spine very small: all the spines rather slender. Second dorsal about half as long again as the first, but the rays are too much broken to judge 46 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. of their relative lengths. Anal spine very slender, and about half the length of the soft rays. The caudal is injured, but appears to have been of nearly the same form as in the U. arenata. The pectorals are about three-fourths the length of the head, but the ends of the rays are worn. The ventrals are of the same length as the pectorals in their present state : they are placed rather backwarder than in the U. arenata, being attached beneath the first third of the pectorals : there is a pointed scale in their axilla, of about the same relative size as in that species. The scales on the body are rather smaller, ciliated on their free edges, with a fan of eleven or twelve striaj behind. There are rows of small scales on the caudal, but none apparent on the other fins. Colour. — Mr. Darwin did not notice the colours of this species in its recent state. In spirits, it appears of a nearly uniform dusky brown, but paler on the abdomen, with traces of silvery reflections about the head. The fins are dark, but the anal paler at the base than at the tips of the rays. Habitat, Coquimbo, Chile. This species may be at once distinguished from all those described in the ' Histoire des Poissons,' by its very elongated form. The head also has a peculiar character about it, and is not unlike that of some serpents. It appears to be the first species of this genus brought from the Pacific, the other foreign ones being all found either in the Indian seas, or on the Atlantic side of America. There are two specimens in the collection, exactly similar, and both obtained by Mr. Darwin at Coquimbo. They are, however, both in very bad condition ; so much so, indeed, that I should have hesitated about describing them as new, had they not presented several obvious peculiarities. Genus— PRIONODES.* Jen. Serrani formam quam maxime gerens. Pinna dorsalis vmica, per tolam longitudinem subcequalis. Membrana branchialis septem-radiala. Nee fovea, nee port, infra symphysin. Dentes maxillares velutini, serie externa ceteris fortiori, paucis, hie illic sparsis, subcaninis; palatini nulli. Preoperculum denticulatum. Operculum mucronibus tribus postice armatum. Spina analis secunda forlis . Squama corporis ciliattB ; minutissimce inter radios pinnarum verticalium, in seriebus dispositce. I am called upon either to establish this new genus among the Scicenidce, or to break down one of the essential distinctions set by Cuvier between this family * Sense figuram habens. A irpiwv. IwJu JV d. 2 ?r£a,Yifa,ru, cWf 2 Sb&qO/SfreAS vyrvbroocrfutf. .JfoU' Jvhe/. TheUn i^roityofChicaso.Librar fas FISH. 47 and the Pcrcidce. The form is so completely that of a Serranus— which it resembles especially in its dorsal fin, head, maxillary teeth, form and armature of the pieces of the gill cover, and in the arrangement of the scales on the body, — that at first sight no one would hesitate to refer it to that group ; but the vomer and palatines are without teeth* In this respect, indeed, I consider it an important discovery ; as it affords another striking instance of the uncertainty of this character, in cases in which others, which have been generally made sub- ordinate to it, remain constant. It is probable that the time will come, when it will be found necessary to revise some portion of the Percidce and Sciaenidce with reference to a more correct valuation of this character. For the present, however, I refrain from interfering with the Cuvierian arrangement ; and the only alternative is to consider this as a new form among the Scicenidce, where it must be placed along with those genera possessing one dorsal fin, and having seven rays in the branchiostegous membrane. Such are Hcemulon, Pristipoma, and Diagramma ; from all which, however, it is at once distinguished by the absence of pores at the symphysis and on the lower jaw, and by the much more developed spines on the opercle, and from Pristipoma by its having, further, scales on the vertical fins. On the whole, it seems to approach nearest to Hcemulon ; but the crown and snout are more free from scales than in that genus, and the scales on the body are not set in oblique rows, as is the case in so many of the true Sciccyiidce. The head also has no cavernous appearance about it. This new form is from the Galapagos Archipelago. Prionodes fasciatus. Jen. Plate IX. Fig. 1. P. pallide Jiavescenti-fuscus, fasciis transversis plurimis supra rubescenti-nigris infra miniatis; pinnis verticalibus maculis parvis ocellatis : vertice, rostro, et maxillis, nudis ; pr coper culo margine adscendenti denticulato, basali Icevi ; operculo mucrone inter medio forti ; spinis dorsalibus ad apices laciniis investitis ; pinna caudali sub- aquali. B. 7 ; D. 10/12 ; A. 3/7 ; C. 1 7 ; P. 18 ; V. 1/5. Long. unc. 7. lin. 3. Form. — Oval, compressed ; the back not much arched, forming one continuous curve with the profile, which falls gently from the nape ; ventral line less convex than the dorsal. Greatest * With the exception of a small rough oblong spot, near the posterior extremity of the left palatine. 48 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. depth equalling one-fourth of the entire length ; head about one-third ; thickness rather less than two-thirds of the depth. Mouth rather wide, with the lower jaw longest. The maxillary dilates at its posterior extremity ; it reaches to nearly beneath the middle of the orbit, and does not retire beneath the suborbital. In each jaw a band of velutine teeth ; above there is an outer row of longer ones in card, and one or two in front on each side still longer resembling small canines ; in the lower jaw there are also a few longer ones, of the same character as these last, interspersed at intervals. Tongue free at its extremity, and, as well as the vomer and palatines, without teeth. Eyes rather high in the cheek ; their diameter about one-sixth that of the head. The nostrils consist of two small round orifices a little in advance of the eyes, the anterior one covered by a membranous flap. Margin of the suborbital entire. Preopercle finely denticulated on its ascending margin, which is vertical and slightly convex; but the denticulations almost disappear at the angle, and are not visible at all on the basal margin. Opercle triangular, with three flat spines, the middle one longest, beyond which the membrane projects in the form of an angular process to the distance of three lines. Small scales on the cheeks and preopercle; but none on the crown, snout, first suborbital, maxillary, or lower jaw; scales on the opercle larger, equalling those of the body in size. Gill-opening large, with the branchial membrane deeply notched in the middle. Lateral line following the curvature of the back at one-fourth of the depth. Scales on the body moderately large : one taken from the middle of the side above the lateral line is of a somewhat oblong form, with the free edge rounded and finely ciliated ; the basal portion with fourteen slightly converging strise, which form at the hinder margin as many, but not very distinct, crenations. The dorsal commences above the terminating lobe of the opercle, and reaches to within a short space of the caudal : height of the spinous portion, which, with the exception of the first two spines, is nearly even throughout, about one-third of the depth ; soft portion rather higher, with the last two rays but one longest, and forming a point backwards ; all the soft rays branched. Anal commencing in a line with the soft portion of the dorsal, and terminating a little befoi'e that fin ; three spines, the second one-third longer than the first, and a little lono-er than the third, and much the strongest of all ; the soft portion of the anal is similar to that of the dorsal, and terminates in like manner in a point behind. Space between the anal and caudal a little less than one-sixth of the entire length. The caudal appears to have been nearly even, or perhaps slightly rounded, but the rays are worn. Rows of very minute scales, not very obvious, between the rays of all the vertical fins. Pectorals slightly rounded ; more than half the length of the head ; all the rays with the exception of the first two and the last, branched. Ventrals attached beneath, or perhaps a very little in advance of the pectorals ; pointed, with the second soft ray longest. No lengthened scale or process of any kind in the axilla of either ventrals or pectorals ; neither are the former fastened to the abdomen by a membrane half their own length, as is the case in many of the Serrani. Colour. — " Pale yellowish brown, with numerous transverse bars, of which the upper part is reddish black, the lower vermilion red ; gill-covers, head, and fins, tinted with the same." — D. Mr. Darwin has not noticed some small round black spots surrounded by a white border, and having an ocellated appearance, which are very evident on the upper half of the soft portion of the dorsal : there is a faint indication of similar spots on the anal and caudal. Habitat, Chatham Island, Galapagos Archipelago. 4 *~- 3 , I W'i>* FISH. 57 regularly and closely set : behind the incisors above and below is a patch of fine card : then follow the molars, which are in three very regular rows above and two below ; of the three rows above the inner and outer ones are much the strongest, containing each about eight teeth ; those in the outer row are slightly pointed, and not very unequal in size, but the inner series enlarge very rapidly as they extend backwards, the last two or three being of considerable size ; all round or nearly so, there being no large oval one at the back, as in the C. Aurata and some other species ; the middle series above consists of teeth much smaller than the others, and more numerous : the two rows below are not very dissimilar to the inner and outer rows above. Suborbital broad, and naked, covering a large portion of the cheek. Scales on the body of a moderate size ; too much injured and displaced in this specimen to admit of the exact number being counted in a longitudinal row; those on the lateral line, however, are all perfect and present to within five rays of the end of the dorsal, and up to that point they amount to thirty-one. The fins, so far as can be judged from their present state, are on the whole very similar to those of the other species ; but the dorsal and anal spines, especially the second anal spine, appear rather stronger than those of the C. Aurata. Pectorals long and narrow, contained about three times and three quarters in the entire length. Colour.—" White, with four dark brown much interrupted bands, giving a mottled appearance ; head coloured with the same ; top of the head, ridge of the back, edges of the dorsal, caudal and ventral fins, tinted with fine azure blue."— D. Habitat, Chatham Island, Galapagos Archipelago. Mr. Darwin's collection contains a single specimen of a species of Chrtjso- phrys from the Galapagos Archipelago, not in a sufficiently good state of preservation to admit of a very detailed description being given of it, but, nevertheless, evidently distinct from any that I can find recorded by authors. It appears to belong to Cuvier's second section of this genus characterized by the absence of any large oval molar behind the others, though the last two or three in the inner series above are of considerable size. It differs, however, from all those described in the " Histoire des Poissons," in having the conical incisors more numerous, and but three rows of molars in the upper jaw. The specimen also is of sufficient size to lead to the belief, that it would not have acquired any additional ones by further growth. The C. aculeata resembles it, indeed, in this last character, but independently of other differences, this species is said to have a reclined spine before the dorsal fin which is not present in the one here described. Out of twenty-two species of this genus described in the " Histoire des Poissons," only one is from the Pacific Ocean, whence the present species was brought The greater number are from the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. 58 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. Family— MJENID^. 1. Gerres Gula. Cuv.et Vol.? Gerres Gula, Cuv. et Vol. Hist, des Poiss. torn. vi. p. 349. Form.— Greatest depth one-fourth of the entire length. Back but little elevated. Space between the eyes flat, with a fovea in the middle, which is prolonged in a channel nearly to the extremity of the snout. Length of the head exceeding its depth by one-fourth, and contained about three times and three quarters in the entire length. So much of the maxillary as is visible is of an oval form, its length being twice its breadth at its posterior extremity. Suborbital with the lower margin very indistinctly notched, and not denticulated. Eyes very large, their diameter contained twice and three quarters in the length of the head. The two orifices of the nostrils of nearly equal size. No denticulations on any of the pieces of the gill-cover. A narrow band of very minute velutine teeth in each jaw, those above hardly visible to the eye, but sensible to the touch : none on the vomer, palatines, or tongue. Dorsal with the first spine extremely short ; the second has a small piece broken off at the tip, but appears to have been about the same length as the third, which last equals two-thirds of the depth of the body; the fourth and fifth are a little shorter than the third; the succeeding ones gradually decreasing, as in the other species of this genus: all the spines are moderately slender, the anterior ones slightly arcuate, with scarcely any appreciable difference in the degree of stoutness in the first four. Anal with the first spine extremely short ; the second obviously stouter than any of the dorsal spines, but much shorter, being only half the length of the second dorsal spine, or one-third the depth of the body ; the third spine is a trifle longer than the second, but much slenderer. Caudal deeply forked ; the lobes worn at the tips in this specimen, but their length, when perfect, probably about one-fourth, or somewhat less, of the entire length of the fish. Pectorals narrow and pointed, a little shorter than the head, and contained four and a half times in the entire length ; fifth ray longest. Ventrals a little behind the pectorals, and not more than two-thirds their length, or scarcely so much ; the spine a little shorter than the soft rays, and of about the same degree of stoutness as the dorsal spines. Elongated scale in the axillae of the ventrals about three-fourths the length of the spine, of a narrow lanceolate form, ending in a very fine point. D. 9/10; A. 3/7; C. 17, &c. ; P. 14; V. 1/5. Length 3 inc. (i lines. Colour.— Not noticed in the recent state. In spirits, it appears of a uniform silvery, with the back and upper part of the sides inclining to dusky olive: no bands or any particular markings: fins pale. Habitat, Rio de Janeiro. FISH. 59 The species of this genus are numerous, and extremely similar to each other. Many of them appear to rest on characters taken simply from the relative lengths and degrees of stoutness of the dorsal and anal spines. This renders it extremely difficult to identify single specimens. Perhaps I am wrong in referring the one described above to the G. Gula of Cuvier and Valenciennes; but it makes so near an approach to that species, that I hardly dare characterize it as distinct. It cannot be the G. Aprion of those authors, which is closely allied to the G. Gula, and is found on the same coasts, since its teeth are so very much finer : the caudal also is not scaled. It is small, but Cuvier and Valenciennes state that none of their specimens of the G. Gula exceed five inches. Mr. Darwin took it in a salt-water lake, Lagroa de Boacica, at Rio de Janeiro. 2. Gerres Oyena. Cuv. et Val.? Gerres Oyena, Owe. et Val. Hist, des Poiss. torn. vi. p. 355. Smaris Oyena, Biippell, Atlas zu der Reise im Nb'rd. Afr. Zoologie; p. 11. tab. 3. fig. 2. Form. — Greatest depth contained rather more than three and a half times in the entire length: the dorsal curve very regular. Profile above the eyes a little concave. Length of the head exceeding its depth. Maxillary as in the species last described. Suborbital with its lower margin distinctly but not very deeply notched ; not denticulated. Diameter of the eye less than one-third the length of the head. Posterior orifice of the nostrils twice the size of the anterior one. No denticula- tions on any part of the head or gill-cover. A narrow band of velutine teeth in each jaw, of about the same length and degree of fineness above and below ; but none on the palate or tongue. The dorsal commences in an exact vertical line with the insertion of the ventrals : the anterior spines are a little arcuate; the first, as in the other species of this genus, is extremely short ; the second and third in this specimen are broken at their extremities so that their exact length cannot be ascertained, but the portion of the second remaining (and of this spine apparently only a very small piece is gone) nearly equals half the depth of the body; length of the fourth spine which is perfect not quite equalling two-fifths of the depth; fifth, sixth, and seventh spines gradually decreasing ; eighth and ninth scarcely shorter than the seventh : the second spine is much compressed, and though obviously stronger than any of those which follow, not nearly so stout as in many other species ; its breadth is not more than one-twelfth of its length. Anal commencing in a line with the fourth soft ray of the dorsal ; the second spine compressed similarly to the second dorsal spine, and of about the same degree of stoutness, but its length one-third less, being just equal to one-third the depth of the body ; the third spine scarcely shorter than the second, but much slenderer; the soft rays gradually decreasing from the first, which is a little shorter than the third spine, to the last but one, the last itself slightly prolonged 60 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. to form a point backwards. Caudal forked nearly to its base ; the lobes much elongated ; the upper one, which is a trifle longer than the lower, contained rather more than three times and a half in the entire length. Pectorals narrow and pointed, a little shorter than the head, and contained not quite four times and a half in the entire length ; fifth and sixth rays longest. Ventrals attached a little behind the pectorals, and not much more than half their length ; the spine about three-fourths the length of the soft rays, and scarcely stouter than the third spine in the anal : the axillary elongated scale three-fourths the length of the spine. The scales on the body of this species are not materially different from those of the G. Plumieri described in the " Histoire des Poissons." B. 6; D. 9/10; A. 3/7; C. 17, &c. ; P. 16; V. 1/5. Length 7 inches. Colour. — "White, silvery." — D. The fins are yellowish ; the membranes here and there dotted with black : the lobes of the caudal are bordered internally with dusky. I see no trace of the interrupted longitudinal bands spoken of by Cuvier and Valenciennes, neither is there any allusion to them in Mr. Darwin's notes taken from the recent fish. Habitat, Keeling Island, Indian Ocean. I do not feel confident as to this species being, any more than the last, identical with that to which I have referred it. It requires an inspection of a large number of specimens in order to ascertain the true value of characters. The present one agrees with what is stated of the G. Oyena by Cuvier and Valenciennes, excepting that the second anal spine, which they represent as shorter than the second dorsal spine by one-half, is here shorter by one-third only : also, as mentioned above, there is no appearance of any longitudinal bands. There is no other species in the " Histoire des Poissons," to which it approaches more closely. But comparing it with Ruppell's figure, if this last be scrupulously exact, there are a few other differences besides those already alluded to. Thus the first anal spine in Mr. Darwin's specimen appears shorter in relation to the second, and this last stouter as well as longer. Also the soft rays of this fin gradually decrease, giving a sloping direction to the margin, whereas in Ruppell's figure, all the rays are nearly of the same length, and made equal to the second and third spines. The caudal lobes, likewise, appear longer in Mr. Darwin's specimen. It must be left for others to determine whether these discrepancies are indicative of a specific difference or not. As regards the geographic range of the G. Oyena, I know not that there is any thing in this respect to render its identity with the species here described improbable. It inhabits the Red Sea ; and is also said to be common at the Mauritius ; — whence it may very possibly FISH. 6l extend as far eastward as the Keeling Islands, where Mr. Darwin's specimen was obtained. The Spams enjthrurus of Bloch (pi. 261) is so extremely unlike the present species both in form and colours, that, except on the authority of MM. Cuvier and Valenciennes, who state that they had seen Bloch's original specimen, no one could have suspected that the figure had been intended for it. Family— CILETODONTIM. Ch^itodon setifer. Bloch. Chffitodon setifer, Bloch, Ichth. pi. 425. fig. 1. Cm. et Val. Hist, des Poiss. torn. vii. p. 58. F RM.-This species is one of those characterized by a prolongation of a portion of the soft dorsal fin. In the present specimen it is the sixth soft ray which is thus prolonged. The total length of this ray, measured from the root, is half the entire length of the fish; and that portion of it which exceeds the adjoining rays is rather more than half. Although the pieopeicle can hardly be called denticulated, yet there are some faint traces of rudimentary denticulations at the lower angle. The general form, in all other respects, agrees with the descriptions of Cuvier and other authors. D. 13/24 ; A. 3/21 ; C. 17, and 6 short; P. 16, the first short ; V. 1/5. Length 6 inc. 3 lines. Colour.—" Body pale, with narrow dark straight lines which form network : across the eye a black band : posterior half of the body bright orange : upper part of the prolongation of the dorsal fin edged with black, and a round patch of the same."— D. The black ocellus extends from the fifth to the thirteenth ray of the soft dorsal. There is no trace of the four red or yellow streaks said by Cuvier and Valenciennes to cross the forehead from eye to eye; but probably they are effaced by the action of the spirit. A second specimen only differs from the above in being smaller, measuring in length not quite five inches ; in having the fifth (instead of sixth) ray in the soft dorsal prolonged ; and in the ocellus extending from the fifth to the tenth ray only. In the last two respects it agrees better with the description in the < Histoire des Poissons.' The filamentous ray terminates in an extremely fine hair, which leads me to think that the extreme portion of this ray in the first specimen has been broken off. Habitat, Keeling Island, Indian Ocean. 62 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. Mr. Darwin's collection contains two individuals of this species procured on coral reefs at the Keeling Islands. As according to his notes made from the recent fish, the posterior half of the body is bright orange, Bloch's figure may not be so much overcoloured as is supposed by Cuvier and Valenciennes, who state that he has represented of a bright red, what ought to be silvery grey and yellow ochre. Perhaps the colours may depend in some measure on the season. Mr. Darwin's specimens were obtained in the month of April. Genus— STEGASTES.* Jen. Corpus oblongo-ovale, compression. Caput obtusum. Os parvum, haud protractile. Denies maxillares omnes incisores, parvi, cequales, contigui, uniseriati ; palatini velutini, minuti. Ossa suborbitalia denticulata. Preoperculum margine adscen- denti levissime denticulato. Operculum inerme. Membrana branchialis quatuor- radiata. Pinnce verticales squamis covfertis fere omnino obtectce : dorsalis unica, subcsqualis, membrana ad apices spinarum parum laciniata : ventrales radio primo molli elongato. Lima lateralis sub terminationem dorsalis interrupts, Squamce rostri et verticis parvce ; operculi et corporis magna, oblique dispositce ; omnes levissime ciliatce. This apparently new form will enter into none of the genera established by Cuvier and Valenciennes. The palatine teeth serve to detach it from the Scicenidce, while this character, taken in connexion with the compressed body, and the extreme scaliness of the vertical fins, require that it should be arranged with the Chcetodontidce, or at least have a place in that large group to which Cuvier has given the name of Squammipennes. It belongs to the second tribe in that family characterized by cutting teeth ; and it would seem most nearly allied to Pime- lepterus, but it does not approach that genus very closely, and may at once be distinguished from it, by the teeth being without spurs behind, and the dorsal and anal fins being more scaly. From Dipterodon, the only other genus in that tribe, it may be known by its undivided dorsal, independently of other marked dif- ferences. But though this genus requires to be arranged with the Chcetodontidce on the grounds above mentioned, in all its other characters it comes much nearer that portion of the Scicenidce which have the lateral line terminating beneath the end of the dorsal fin ; especially Pomacentrus, which it resembles in the general form * Srtyaurj/s, tector. FISH. 63 of the head and body, denticulated suborbital and preopercle, unarmed opercle, four-rayed branchiostegous membrane, and in the size and mode of arrangement of the scales on the body. I am not aware that any species of Pomacentrus have the dorsal and anal fins so completely covered with scales : but, according to Cuvier and Valenciennes, there is a species of Glyphisodon* to which genus Pomacentrus is closely allied, which has these fins almost as entirely scaled, as in the true Squamipinnati ; and if so, there is nothing but the palatine teeth which of necessity demands the separation of this new genus from the Sciaznidaz. These teeth can be distinctly felt upon the vomer, but I am not quite sure from the small size of the fish, and its mouth also being small, whether they exist on the palatines as well. It may be added that this genus shews further itself an affinity to Glyphisodon, in the filamentous prolongation of the first soft ray in the ventrals. This character is not, I believe, found in Pomacentrus. In which ever family it is placed, it forms a beautiful connecting link between the two. It is from the Cape Verde Islands. Stegastes imbricatus. Jen. Plate IX. fig. 2. Form. — Oblong-oval ; the body much compressed. Greatest depth rather more than one-third of the entire length : head one-fourth of the same. Snout short and obtuse ; the profile rising very obliquely, and forming with the dorsal line one continuous curve. The back is sharp, and appears more elevated than it ceally is, in consequence of the dorsal fin being thickly coated with scales, and scarcely distinguishable from the body. Ventral line less convex than the dorsal ; the edge of the abdomen somewhat carinated between the ventral and anal fins, but in advance of the former rounded. The upper and under profile meet at the mouth at a right angle. Mouth small, and scarcely at all protractile. Jaws equal ; each with a single row of cutting teeth, which are small, though rather larger below than above, even and closely set, forming a compact series : no secondary teeth behind : vomer rough with minute velutine teeth. When the mouth is closed, no portion of the maxillary is concealed by the suborbital. Eyes round, moderately large, their diameter rather less than one-third the length of the head, placed high in the cheeks, and nearer the end of the snout than the posterior angle of the opercle, the distance from the former being rather less than one diameter. The nostrils consist of a single minute round aperture, about half-way between the eye and the anterior margin of the suborbital. The suborbital has its margin entire as far as the end of the maxillary, at which point it curves backwards and upwards to form a narrow band beneath the eye, and the lower margin of this band is denticulated. The preopercle is likewise denticulated ; but the denticu- lations, which are principally confined to the ascending margin, are not very obvious, and more * G. chrysurus, Cuv. et Val. 64 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. readily felt than seen : the angle at bottom is rounded, and rather exceeds a right ano-le • a vertical from the angle would form a tangent to the posterior edge of the orbit : the ascending margin is not quite straight, bending slightly inwards a little below the middle. The opercle terminates posteriorly in a very obtuse angle, and shows some indication of two very minute flattened points, which, however, do not project beyond the membrane : from the lowermost of these points the margin of the subopercle passes obliquely forwards to form a continuous curve with that of the interopercle, which is tolerably well developed. Gill-opening of moderate size: the branchial membrane, which apparently has only four rays, has a shallow notch in front, and passes continuously from one side to the other, without being attached to the isthmus. The lateral line commences at the upper angle of the opercle, and, inclining upwards, runs parallel, not to the dorsal line which can hardly be distinguished, but to the upper edge of the dorsal fin, its distance from which is contained about three times and a half in the entire depth; it terminates a little before the termination of that fin. Cranium, snout, cheeks, pieces of the opercle, the body, and all the vertical fins, covered with finely ciliated scales ; those on the crown and snout small, but those on the opercle and body large ; the latter arranged in oblique rows ; about twenty-seven in a longitudinal line from the gill to the caudal, and about fourteen in a vertical one from the dorsal to the ventral line : a scale taken from the row beneath the lateral line, and about the middle of the body, is of an oblong form, its breadth exceeding its length, with the free edge dotted and finely ciliated, the basal margin rather deeply crenated, the crenations separated by seven striae, which are carried on for only a short way, and do not converge to a fan. The scales on the dorsal and anal fins are small and closely compacted ; those on the former arranged obliquely, but the line of obliquity is in the opposite direction to what it is on the body. The dorsal fin commences in a line with the posterior angle of the opercle, and occupies a space equalling half the entire length : the height of the spinous portion is nearly uniform, but slightly increases backwards; between the tips of the spines, the membrane is a little jagged : the soft portion is scarcely more than one-third the spinous in length, but is somewhat higher, terminating upwards in an acute angle ; the longest of the soft rays is about half the depth of the body, the dorsal fin itself not included. The anal answers to the soft portion of the dorsal, which it exactly resembles; it has two spines in front, the first of which is very short, and scarcely more than one-third the length of the second, which itself is shorter than the soft rays ; the second spine is stouter than any of the dorsal spines. These two fins terminate in the same vertical line. The caudal appears to have been square, but the rays are worn at the tips, so that its exact form cannot be ascertained; it is coated with scales for four-fifths of its length from the base. Between the dorsal and the caudal fins is a space equalling not quite one-third the depth of the body. Pectorals attached a little behind the opercle, and a little below the middle; slightly pointed ; about the length of the head or rather shorter ; the first ray only half the length of the second ; fourth and fifth longest ; all the rays, with the exception of the first two and the last two or three, branched. Ventrals attached a little further back than the pectorals ; the first soft ray prolonged into a filament reaching to the commencement of the anal ; the spine is about half the length of the filamentous ray, and about two-thirds that of the second soft ray. Between these fins is an oval lanceolate scale about one-third their length ; and in their axillae another elongated one, narrower and more pointed than the former, and rather exceeding it in length. FISH. 65 B. 4 ; D. 12/16 ; A. 2/12 ; C. 15, and 4 short ; P. 21 ; V. 1/5. Length 3 inches. Colour. — Not noticed in the recent state. In spirits, the whole fish, fins included, appears of a uniform dark brown. Habitat, Porto Praya, Cape Verde Islands. The only specimen of this new genus which exists in the collection was taken by Mr. Darwin off Quail Island, in the bay of Porto Praya. It is small, but probably full-sized, or nearly so ; since the greater part of the species of Pomacentrus, to which genus it is so strongly allied, average about the same dimensions. Possibly some of the generic characters, which I have given above, may prove hereafter to be merely specific ; but till other species shall have been discovered, their exact value cannot be ascertained. Family.— SCOMBRID^. Gekus— PAROPSIS. Jen. Corpus altum, rhomboideum, valde compressum, squamis minulissimis obtectum. Linea lateralis anlice sursum pauld arcuata, per totam longitudinem inermis. Cauda later ibus haud carinatis. Denies in utrdque maxilla uniseriati, tenuissimi, acuti ; in lingua, vomere, et palatinis, velutini brevissimi. Apertura branchialis amplissima, membrand decem-radiatd. Spina quinque liberce loco pinnce dor salts prima ; spina mitiuld prceeunte reclinatd antrorsum Jlexd. Dorsalis secunda, aqub ac analis, continua, sine pinnulis falsis: ante analem spina duce liberce. Pectorales parvce. Ventrales nulla:. Caudalisprqfundbfurcala, lobis acuminatis, subelongatis. This new genus belongs to that section of the Scombrida characterized by having a number of short free spines, instead of a first dorsal fin. It is most nearly allied to Lichia, especially to the L. glaucus, which it resembles in general form, as well as in many of its particular characters. It has the same reclined spine in front of those which represent the first dorsal, and the same two free spines in front of the anal ; also the same form of opercle ; the same deeply- forked caudal, and small pectorals. But it may be at once distinguished from that genus by the absence of ventrals, of which there is not the least trace : the body is also deeper, rhomboidal rather than oval, and more compressed. In all these respects it agrees better with Stromateus, which would seem particularly to meet it in those species, such as the S. candidus and S. securifer, which are represented by Cuvier and Valenciennes as having a number of minute truncated K 00 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. spines before the dorsal and anal fins, and which, by virtue of this character, though in the case of the former the spines are not apparent externally, serve manifestly to re-conduct to the section to which Lichia belongs. The discovery of the present genus, therefore, furnishes a more completely connecting link between these two groups. Rhynckobdella and Mastacemblus agree with Paropsis, both in wanting ventrals and in having the first dorsal represented by free spines ; but the form of these two genera is so totally different in all other respects, that it is impossible they can be confounded with it. This new genus is from the east coast of South America. Paropsis signata. Jen. Plate XIII. P. argenlea, nitens, summo dorso ccerulescente ; operculo ad angulum superiorem macula nigra signato ; pinnis pectoralibus maculis duabus in axillis et ad radices radiorum, minor ibus. B. 10 ; D. 5—1/33 ; A. 2—1/35 ; C. 17, et circa £ accessar. ; P. 21 ; V. 0. Long. unc. 9. Form. — Body very much compressed, of a rhomboidal form, the dorsal and ventral lines rising to an angle at the commencement of the dorsal and anal fins respectively. Head a laterally com- pressed cone : tail becoming suddenly attenuated before the setting on of the caudal fin, with- out any keel at the sides. Back sharp and elevated ; the greatest depth contained not more than two and a half times in the entire length : thickness only one-fifth of the depth. The length and depth of the head are equal, each being half the depth of the body. The upper and under profile meet at the extremity of the snout at nearly a right angle, the former falling in a very regular curve from the commencement of the dorsal fin. Mouth moderately large, the commissure reaching to beneath the eye, with the lower jaw projecting and of considerable strength and thickness. In each jaw a single row of very fine sharp teeth. The tongue, which is of a triangular form, free at the tip, and pointed, is rough, with some extremely fine closely shorn velutine teeth : a small triangular patch of these last teeth on the front of the vomer, and a narrow row on each palatine : pharyngeans with rather stronger teeth. The intermaxillary is very slightly protractile. The maxillary reaches, when the mouth is closed, to a vertical from the posterior part of the orbit : it is very visible from without, having only its anterior portion concealed by the suborbital, and being much dilated at its posterior extremity, which is in shape somewhat securiform. Eyes above the middle of the cheek, and nearer the end of the snout than the posterior margin of the opercle; their diameter rather more than one-fifth the length of the head: the suborbital forms a narrow band beneath each. Nostrils half-way between the eyes and the end of the snout ; the anterior orifice round ; the posterior, which is the larger one, oval. Preopercle with the ascending margin nearly vertical ; the angle at bot- tom rounded. The opercle and subopercle together present a rounded margin posteriorly, ;':>'' ±, FISH. 67 though at the upper portion there are two small blunt points distinguishable by the finger, between which there is a very shallow notch : the line of separation between these two bones descends obliquely forwards to a little above the rounded angle of the preopercle, where it meets the line of the interopercle, which descends obliquely backwards:* all the margins of the oper- cular pieces entire. Gill opening very large, the aperture reaching to beneath the anterior mar- gin of the eye : the membranes, each of which has as many as ten rays,f cross a little over each other, and are not united to the isthmus. Snout, jaws, and cheeks, as well as the several pieces of the gill-cover, without scales : % body covered with extremely minute ones, of an oval form, longer than broad, marked with con- centric circles, and entire on the margin. The lateral line is slightly arched above the pectoral, and its course a little undulating, but it descends gradually to near the middle of the body, whence it runs straight to the caudal. The first dorsal is represented by five short free spines, each capable of separate motion, and each furnished with its own membrane ; in advance of them is a somewhat smaller reclined spine with its point directed forwards : the first erect spine is above the middle of the pectoral, and distant from the end of the snout nearly one-third of the entire length. Beyond the five free spines, and immediately before the commencement of the second dorsal is another small spine closely pressed down, and almost concealed beneath the skin, pointing backwards. The second dorsal, which has also at its anterior edge a small spine one-third the length of the first soft ray, commences at the middle point of the entire length, caudal excluded. The general form of this fin is similar to that of the genus Lichia, long, with the anterior portion elevated; the greatest height about one-fourth of the depth, or hardly so much. The anal answers exactly to the second dorsal in form and extent, and is preceded by two free spines, separated from it by a small space, besides a longer one at its anterior edge. Caudal forked nearly to the base, where there are a number of minute scales ; the lobes equal, pointed, and moderately elongated, each contained about four times and one-third in the entire length. Pectorals attached at about the middle of the depth, a little behind the opercle ; of a somewhat triangular form, small, their length not much exceeding half that of the head. No trace of ventrals whatever. Colour. — " Uniform bright silvery, the ridge of the back bluish : a black patch on the gill-cover, and another under the pectoral fin." — D. — The first of the patches alluded to by Mr. Darwin is very conspicuous, and is situate at the upper angle of the opercle, immediately in advance of the commencement of the lateral line. The second may be described as consisting of two dis- tinct spots ; one at the root of the upper rays, and completely in the axilla ; the other, a small one of an elongated form, immediately beneath the lowest ray, and partly visible without raising the fin. The elevated portion of the second dorsal is also dusky, and a faint edging of this colour runs for a short way along the margin of this fin. The anal is pale. Habitat, Northern coast of Patagonia. * This part is exactly as described by Cuvier and Valenciennes in the Lichia Amia, to which genus the present one is so nearly allied. + Ltekia Amia is represented as having nine; and this forms another mark of affinity between the two genera. % There are scales on the cheeks in Lichia, according to Cuvier and Valenciennes, but I see no appearance of them in this genus. 68 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. I have termed this species signata, in reference to the black patch on the opercle, which is a conspicuous character. The only specimen in the collection was obtained by Mr. Darwin at Bahia Blanca, on the coast of North Patagonia. 1. Caranx declivis. Jen. Plate XIV. C. corpore elongato, altitudine quintam, capite quartam partem longitudinis cequante; maxilla inferiore longiore ; lined laterali infra quintum radium dorsalis sectmdce subito declivi, per totam longitudinem armatd, laminis 82 altioribus quam longis, ubique cequalibus ; spind reclinatd ante pinnam dorsalem parvd, mucrone tamen nudato ; pectoralibus ultra pinnulam analem, et prope ad analem ipsam, pertin- gentibus. B. 7 ; D. 8—1/35 ; A. 2—1/30 ; C. 17, &c. ; P. 21 ; V. 1/5. Long. unc. 7. lin. 10. Fohm.— Rather more elongated than the C. trachurus of the British seas. Greatest depth one-fifth of the entire length: head one-fourth of the same : thickness about half the depth. Diameter of the eyes a little less than one-third the length of the head. Lateral line bending downwards more suddenly, and at a more backward point than in that species. The bend commences in a line with the fifth ray of the second dorsal, and is entirely comprised within a space equal to that occupied by four fin rays,* so that opposite the ninth ray it again advances in a horizontal line. The posterior portion about equals in length the anterior, the bend being included in this last. The laminae which protect the lateral line, and which extend throughout its whole length, are well developed, and everywhere of the same breadth ; this breadth equalling nearly, but not quite, one-third the depth of the body. In number they are eighty-one or eighty-two ; of which the last thirty-eight or forty, forming the posterior portion of the line, have keels terminating backwards in sharp spines : these spines are at first small and inconspicuous, but gradually increase in size as they advance towards the thinnest part of the tail, where they are sharpest and most developed. In most of its other characters this species so closely resembles the C. trachurus, as to render a detailed description unnecessary. The reclined spine before the first dorsal, however is smaller, though the point is sharp and exposed : also the number of rays in the second dorsal and anal is greater by five in each fin. The length of the second dorsal is two-and-a- half times that of the first. The pectorals are long, narrow, and pointed ; a little shorter than the head, or rather less than one-fourth of the entire length ; when laid back, they reach beyond the anal finlet, and very nearly to the commencement of the true anal itself. Colour. — Not noticed in the recent state. So far as can be judged from a specimen in spirits, the colours appear to have been similar to those of the C. trachurus ; and there is the same black spot on the upper part of the opercle. * In the C. trachurus, the bend begins in a line with the commencement of the second dorsal, and from its more gradual obliquity, extends over a space equal to that occupied by nine fin-rays. ^ 3 o ID *3 ■3 ..e £ 5k Zcv - - .-* *"^ W * , '^ nvatfrw/i*& Sealer. 9 /, y'trrtr c Va/.tt'cie. The University of Chicago Libraries FISH. 79 to each other, and also to the space just alluded to. From the end of the second dorsal to the commencement of the caudal is exactly one-sixth of the entire length. The posterior half of the anal nearly answers to the second dorsal, but the two fins do not terminate exactly in the same line, the dorsal extending a little the furthest. Caudal forked for about half its length. Pectorals about two-thirds the length of the head. Ventrals attached at a point beyond the extremity of the pectorals. Breadth of the silver band about one-fifth the depth of the body. Colour. — Not noticed in the recent state. In spirits, the back and sides above the silver band are brownish, with the contour of each scale marked out by black dots. All below the band appears to have been silvery. The band itself is not very brilliant. Both the dorsals, as well as the caudal, are dusky : anal and ventrals pale. A second specimen does not differ from the above, excepting slightly in the fin-ray for- mula, which is as follows : D. 5 — 1/10; A. 1/15; &c. Habitat, Valparaiso. This species was found by Mr. Darwin at Valparaiso in fresh water, in the month of August. It would seem to be nearly allied to the A. laticlavia of Cuvier and Valenciennes, brought from the same locality by M. D'Orbigny ; but, judging from the short description in the "Histoire des Poissons," it is more elongated, and has the head longer in relation to the depth of the body ; also has the silver band narrower. In the A. laticlavia, the head is said to be equal to the depth, and to be contained six times in the entire length ; the breadth of the silver band to be greater than in any other species. In the A. microlepidota, the depth is one-eighth and the head one-sixth of the length : the silver band not broader than in the A. argentinensis and some others. The colouring also of the fins appears different in the two species. 3. Atherina incisa. Jen. Plate XVI. Fig. 2. Nat. size. Fig. 2. b. Twice nat. size. Fig. 2. a. Magnified scale. A. gracillima; corporis altitudine partem vix nonam, capite sextant, longitudinis cequante : oculis mediocribus : maxillis cequalibus, valde prolractilibus ; commissurd primum horizontal*, posterius deflexd : dentibus velutinis, in maxilla inferior e minutissimis : dorsali prima omnino pone ventrales reclinatas locata : squamis mediocribus, seriebus longitudinalibus duodecim ad maximum dispositis, marginibus liberis inciso-crenatis : vittd laterali nitide argented. D. 5—1/8 ; A. 1/17 ; C. 17 ; P. 12 ; V. 1/5. D. 5—1/9; A. 1/19; &c— D. 6—1/10; A. 1/19; &c— Long. unc. 2. lin. 6. 80 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. Form. — Still more slender and elongated than the last species. Greatest depth scarcely one-ninth of the entire length : head one-sixth. Dorsal and ventral lines very little curved. General characters of the head, snout and mouth, as in the A. microlepidota, but the jaws more pro- tractile. A row of minute velutine teeth in each jaw most developed above. Eyes moderately large ; their diameter nearly one-third the length of the head; the space between them just equal to their diameter. Opercle with the posterior margin nearly vertical. Scales larger than in the A. microlepidota; the number of longitudinal rows not exceeding twelve: their form different, and rather peculiar, the anterior or free edge of each scale in some instances pre- senting two or three processes, separated by deep incisions ; in others being irregularly notched or jagged, according to the spot whence taken : the surface is marked with con- centric lines, but there is no fan of strise on the basal half: the breadth of the scale a little exceeds its length, and the basal margin is irregularly sinuous. First dorsal answering to the space between the tips of the reclined ventrals and the anal. Length of the second dorsal exceeding the intermediate space between it and the first. From the end of the second dorsal to the caudal is rather more than one-fifth of the entire length. Depth of the caudal fork not exceeding one-third the length of the fin. The anal commences in an exact line with the termination of the first dorsal : rather less than its posterior half answers to the second dorsal. Pectorals rather long, measuring nearly one-sixth of the entire length. Breadth of the silver band one-fourth the depth of the body. Colour. — " Body semitransparent, colourless ; with a bright silver band on each side ; also marked with silvery about the head."' — D. The band is remarkably bright, and well defined, much more so than in the last species. I have ventured to consider this as a new species, though none of the specimens in the collection, amounting to three in number, exceed two inches and a half in length, and are probably not full-sized. The form of the scales is so peculiar, that if it were only the young of some described species, it could hardly fail to be identified by such a character, which is not likely to be affected by age, nor to have escaped the notice of an observer. Yet I can find none answering to it in the " Histoire des Poissons." The silvery band also is remarkably bright ; though the slenderness of the body, another of its peculiarities, is perhaps due to immaturity. The fin-ray formula is somewhat different in the three specimens, as shown above, but in other respects they are similar. Mr. Darwin's notes state that this species was taken in the month of September, in 39° S. Lat., 61° W. Long., several miles from the land. This last circumstance, indeed, would seem to indicate that the specimens were not so very young, as the fry of most fish keep close in shore. Family.— MUGILID^. 1. Mugil liza. Cuv. et Val.1 Mugil liza, Cuv. et Vol. Hist, des Poiss. torn. xi. p. 61. Form. — Elongated : the depth contained about five and a half times in the entire length : the head FISH. 81 exactly five times : height of the head at the nape two-thirds its own length. Mouth chevron- formed, with a tubercle at the extremity of the lower jaw : lips thin. Some extremely minute teeth in the jaws, but none on the palate or tongue. Suborbital obliquely truncated at the posterior angle, but not dilated towards the extremity; the lower or anterior margin straight, and scarcely if at all denticulated : the maxillary slender, not longer than the suborbital, and concealed beneath it when the mouth is closed. The eye has an adipose veil covering a large portion of the iris : diameter of the orbit one-fourth the length of the head : distance from the eye to the end of the snout, equalling only three-fourths of the diameter. Orifices of the nostrils widely separate. Number of scales in a longitudinal row about thirty-five; perhaps one or two more: in the depth about twelve. Fourth dorsal spine very weak. A large triangular scale above the pec- torals 5 the same also above the ventrals ; this last, which is the longer of the two, equalling one- fourth the length of the fin. D. 4—1/8; A. 3/8 ; C. 14, &c. P. 16; V. 1/5. Length 11 inches 3 lines. Colour.—" Back coloured like Labrador felspar : iris coppery." — D. The dried specimen shows traces of about twelve longitudinal lines similar to those of many other species. A second specimen exactly resembles the above, except in being smaller, measuring barely eight inches, and in shewing rather more trace of denticulations on the suborbital. Habitat, Bahia Blanca and Monte Video. Tins species, which has the general characters of the 31. Cephalus of the European seas, is probably the M. liza of Cuvier and Valenciennes ; but the specimens are in a bad state of preservation, and some of the characters cannot be accurately ascertained. The depth of the body appears to have been rather greater than what is mentioned in the " Histoire des Poissons:" there is also some appearance of small scales on the second dorsal and anal, which, according to Cuvier and Valenciennes, is the distinguishing characteristic of their next species, the M. curema; but it will not agree with this last in its other details. The larger of the above specimens was taken at Bahia Blanca, where Mr. Darwin's notes state that it is plentiful ; the smaller one at Monte Video. 2. Mugil ? Mr. Darwin's collection contains a second species of this genus from the Keeling Islands, which does not appear to be identical with any of those described by Cuvier and Valenciennes ; but as there is but one specimen, in a very bad state of preservation, and the species inhabiting the Indian Ocean are very numerous, as well as extremely similar to each other, I refrain from describing and naming it as certainly new. I shall therefore merely point out some of its leading characters, so far as they can be ascertained ; in the hope that they may prove of use in leading others to identify it who may visit the above Islands hereafter. 82 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. Form and appearance of the mouth similar to that of the M. labeo of the Mediterranean. Lips fleshy, and very much developed, with the borders fringed ; the lower one partially reflexed. Apparently no trace of teeth anywhere. Suborbital with a shallow notch on its anterior mar- gin, obliquely truncated at its posterior angle, and obsoletely denticulated. Maxillary slender and slightly bent, nearly concealed beneath the suborbital, but showing a little beneath it, from its being a trifle longer. The head is a little less than one-fifth of the entire length : the snout short, and rather obtuse. Longitudinal diameter of the eye contained three and a-half times in the length of the head : no appearance of any adipose veil. Orifices of the nostril approximat- ing. The depth of the body cannot be accurately ascertained, but it appears to have been about one-fifth of the entire length. The commencement of the anal is but very little in advance of that of the second dorsal ; both fins appear to have been covered with small scales. Pectorals not quite so long as the head : apparently no elongated scale above them : one, however, above the ventrals, half the length of those fins. The fin-ray formula is as follows : — D. 4—1/8; A. 3/9; C, 14; P. 16; V. 1/5. The length of this fish is eight inches. Dajaus Diemensis. Richards. Dajaus Diemensis, Richards, in Proceed, of Zool. Soc. 1840, p. 25. This genus, which was established by Cuvier and Valenciennes, differs from Mugil principally in having vomerine and palatine teeth : the snout also is rather more produced, and the mouth less chevron-formed. There is but one species described in the " Histoire des Poisssons," which is found in fresh water in the Caribbee Islands. Dr. Richardson has briefly noticed a second from Van Diemen's Land, in his recent description of a collection of fishes from that country, in the " Proceedings of the Zoological Society." Mr. Darwin's collection contains a specimen of this genus from King George's Sound, which, having reason to think it might be the same as that described by Dr. Richardson, I sent to this latter gentleman, requesting him to compare them. This he obligingly did, and informed me in his answer that he could detect no differences between them, beyond what might be the result of the different manner in which they were preserved, his own specimens being in spirits, and Mr. Darwin's dried. I forbear giving a detailed description of this species, as one by Dr. Richard- son will appear shortly in the Transactions of the Zoological Society ; and Mr. Darwin's specimen is in such a bad state of preservation, as hardly to admit of an accurate description of it being taken. I may just allude, however, to some of its more striking peculiarities. It appears to differ from the D. monticola of Cuvier and Valenciennes in having the teeth in the lower jaw, if they really exist, so minute and thinly scattered as to be scarcely perceptible those in the upper jaw, however, are very distinct; so likewise are the vomerine and palatine bands. There are also some very obvious teeth on the tip, and at the sides of the tongue, though few in FISH. 83 the middle : this part is said to be without any asperities in the D. monticola. The suborbital is more rounded off at the lower angle anteriorly, and the denticulations thereon rather more numerous and better developed. The scales on the body, those especially above the lateral line, have a few minute teeth on their free edges, communicating a roughness to the touch ; a character not alluded to in the description of the D. monticola, and which therefore may be presumed absent. There are also three more rays in the anal, and one in the second dorsal. The depth of the body in this specimen, from its bad state of preservation, cannot be ascer- tained ; but the head is contained about four and a-half times in the entire length. The diameter of the orbit is one-fourth the length of the head ; and there is nearly one diameter between it and the end of the snout. The jaws are nearly equal, but when the mouth is closed, the upper one projects a trifle ; this last is also moderately protractile. The maxillary retires beneath the suborbital. The fin-ray formula is as follows : — D.4— 1/9; A. 3/12; C. 14, &c. ; P. 15; V. 1/5. There is but one individual of this species in the collection, which measures seven inches in length. The colours do not appear to have been noticed. Family.— BLENNID.E. Blennius palmicornis. Cuv. et Val. Blennius palmicornis, Cuv. et Val. Hist, des Poiss. torn. xi. p. 159. The Blenny, which I have referred above to the B. palmicornis of Cuvier and Valenciennes, seems somewhat intermediate in its characters between that species and the B. parvicornis of the same authors. This inclines me to suspect that the two species are not really distinct, as those authors themselves seem to have thought possible, though they state that they never received the JB. palmicornis, except from the Mediterranean.* In this specimen the head is one-fifth of the entire length, and the ventrals one-eighth, which is worth noticing, because it is stated that in the B. palmicornis the head is contained nearly five and a-half times, and sometimes nearly six times in the total length ; and the ventrals neaiiy ten times in the same. The filaments above the eyes, however, are similar to those of the species just mentioned ; quite as much developed, and each divided nearly to the base into five or six flattened bristles. There are about forty teeth in the upper jaw, and twenty-eight or thirty in the lower : the canine below is very distinct, but above it is almost, if not quite wanting. The fin-ray formula is as follows : — D. 11/21; A. 21; C. 11, &c. ; P. 13; V. 2. The length of the specimen is nearly five inches. The anal is marked and coloured exactly as described to be the case in the B. palmicornis. This species was obtained by Mr. Darwin at the Cape Verde Islands. • According to Mr. Lowe, however, the B. palmicornis is common at Madeira, (see Proc. of Zool. Soc. 1829, p. 83), and a specimen received from him, undoubtedly belonging to that species, is in the Museum of the Cambridge Philosophical Society. 84 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. 1. Blennechis fasciatus. Jen. Plate XVII. Fig. 1. B. Jlavescens, fusco-variatus ; maculis tribus infra pinnam dorsalem, et una in pinna ipsins anlicam partem, nigris, subocellatis : dentibus maxillaribus supra circiter viginti quatuor, subtus triginta ; caninis nnllis : tenlaculis palpebralibas duobus, parvis, subpalmatis : pinna anali hand ultra dorsalem externa. D. 13/16; A. 20; C. 13, &c. ; P. 14; V. 2. Long, unc. 2. lin. 4. Form. — Body much compressed behind : the depth one-fifth of the entire length : head rather less than one-fourth of the same. Snout blunt and truncated ; the profile nearly vertical ; the eye placed just within the angle formed by this last with the line of the crown. Diameter of the eye one-fourth the length of the head ; distance between the eyes half a diameter ; the inter- ocular space very slightly concave, with a double row of mucous pores rather widely separate, but without any lines or sculpture. Similar mucous pores are thinly scattered over the occiput and the front of the snout, as well as beneath each eye. Above each eye is a short slightly palmated filament not exceeding in length the diameter of the eye : also an extremely minute one at each nostril. Mouth reaching to beneath the eyes. Teeth not extending the whole length of the jaws ; fine and close-set, with the points of those at the sides, more especially in the lower jaw, reclining backwards ; the number above twenty-four, below thirty : no canines. Gill membrane fastened at bottom, the slit at the sides not descending below the pectorals. The dorsal commences at the nape, and extends nearly to the caudal, with which, however, it is not connected : it is slightly depressed or notched above the twelfth and thirteenth rays, beyond which it is again elevated to the height of the anterior portion. The anal does not approach quite so near the caudal as the dorsal, but the difference is trifling : the last ray in both fins is united by the membrane to the fleshy part of the tail. Caudal rounded, with the greater p rt of the principal rays slightly divided at the tips. Pectorals broad, and not quite equal to the head in length. Ventrals short, not more than half the length of the head, or a little less than one-eighth of the entire length : they appear to consist of only two rays, but on dissection there will be found three soft rays with a short spine closely adhering to the first of them ; the third soft ray is slender, and also adheres to the second. The anterior portion of the lateral line takes a sweep over the pectoral, and is very dis- tinctly marked by a close series of short elevated mucous tubes between two rows of pores ; but the rest of the line is only faintly traced out by nine or ten slender depressed tubes at long inter- vals, without any accompanying pores. Colour. — {In spirits.) Yellowish ground ; the upper half of the sides very much mottled, and clouded with fuscous ; three spots darker than the rest, arranged longitudinally beneath the posterior half of the dorsal, and having a subocellated appearance, the last the largest, and also the most distinct of the three : from the median line there are eight or nine descending fasciae, alternating with the same number of oblong lanceolate spots : the throat is marked with three angulated transverse dark fascia?: cheeks and gill-covers with small spots. A large black spot on the first three rays of the dorsal fin, which is covered all over with smaller spots, as are also RiA ?M7. u „ ^V*«T K -' <: v i hA ■> - .- ■ ■ . .'., / The Univeroity of Chicago Libraries FISH. 85 the pectorals and caudal : anal with a dusky edging. In the living state there were probably some bright colours, as in the B. Hocellatus of Cuvier and Valenciennes. A second specimen has the fin-ray formula as follows : — D. 13/18; A. 21, &c. This specimen also differs from the one above in having the teeth in the lower jaw not quite so numerous, and the ventrals longer, equalling one-seventh of the entire length. The colours are on the whole similar, but more of the yellow ground is visible above the median line, and the descending fasciae beneath it are not so distinctly traced out. Habitat, Concepcion, Chile. This species is very closely allied to the B. biocellatus of Cuvier and Valenciennes, from the same coasts. It agrees with it in all its essential characters, and in the general disposition of the markings. It appears to differ, however, in having fewer teeth ; in the anal reaching hardly so far as, certainly not beyond, the dorsal, as described to be the case in that species ; in the fin-ray formula ; and slightly in the colours. The B. biocellatus derives its name from two ocellated spots, one beneath the last rays of the dorsal, the other upon the first three rays of that fin. In the B. fasciatus here described, there appear to be three subocellated spots beneath the dorsal, though the last is the most distinct, besides the one upon the fin itself. The B. biocellatus was observed by M. Gay at Valparaiso. The present species was taken by Mr. Darwin at Concepcion. Possibly it may be a mere variety. 2. Blennechis ornatus. Jen. Plate XVII. Fig. 2. B. cinereo-griseus ; maculis, vel lituris paucis, infra pinnam dorsalem obsoletis, pallide nigricantibus : dentibus caninis nullis : tentacidis palpebralibus duobus, par vis, subfurcatis : pinna anali hand ultra dorsalem externa. D. 12/17; A. 20; &c— Long. unc. 2. lin. 2. Form. — Closely resembling the last species, but rather deeper in proportion to its length, less com- pressed in front, with the head more inflated about the throat and gills. Snout, profile, and position of the eye, similar. Superciliary filaments scarcely longer, but rather broader and more conspicuous, and cleft at the extremity. Filaments at the nostrils a little longer, but very slender and delicate. Teeth similar, both in number and form. Fins and lateral line exactly similar. Behind the vent a papilla not present in the last species. Colour. — Different from that of the _B. fasciatus, but with traces of the same markings. The ground colour is cinereous grey, which almost every where prevails : there are faint traces of the angulated fasciae beneath the chin, as well as of three dark stains beneath the dorsal, but these last no longer deserve the name of ocellated spots. Fins, cheeks, and gill-covers, 86 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. dotted in like manner : also some indication of the larger spot on the first three rays of the dorsal : anal with the same dusky edging. Obs. Of this species there are five specimens in the collection. The next in size to the one described above, measures one inch seven lines in length, and resembles it in every respect, excepting that the superciliary filaments are broader and longer, equalling at least one diameter and a half of the eye. The colours and markings are exactly the same, only the fascise on the throat can hardly be discerned. No. 3 is exactly similar in size, as well as in all its other characters, to No. 2. Has the superciliary filaments equally developed. No. 4 resembles Nos. 2 and 3, but is smaller, measuring one inch five lines in length. No. 5, the smallest of all the specimens, and measuring only one inch three lines, has the dark markings more developed, especially the angulated fascias on the throat, which are almost as distinct as in the B.fasciatus : the spots beneath the dorsal assume the appearance of abbreviated transverse fasciae reaching from the base of the fin to the median line ; and besides the three faintly indicated in the other specimens, there are two others nearer the head, forming altogether a series of five. In this specimen the superciliary filaments are shorter, not exceeding the diameter of the eye. Habitat, Coquimbo, Chile. This species differs but slightly from the last, and both may hereafter prove to be mere varieties of the JB. biocellatus ; but it is desirable for the present to keep them distinct, as, though all found on the same coast, they are from distinct localities on that coast. Also the above five specimens, though varying in the intensity of the markings, have all a ground colour quite different from that of the B.fasciatus, and a peculiarity of aspect immediately noticeable to the eye. Had they been found mixed with that species, the presence of the anal papilla might lead to the suspicion of their being the other sex ; but, under the circumstances, this seems hardly probable. They were all taken at Coquimbo. 7. Salarias atlanticus. Cuv. et Vol. Salarias atlanticus, Cuv. et Vol. Hist, des Poiss. tom.xi. p. 238. Two individuals of this species were obtained by Mr. Darwin at Porto Praya. They accord in all respects with the descriptions in the " Histoire des Poissons," excepting as regards the fin-ray formula, in which there is a slight difference observable ; and in this respect they are also different from each other. The larger specimen, measuring three inches seven and a half lines in length, has the fin-ray formula as follows : D. 13/21 ; A. 24; C. 13; P. 15; V. 2. The other, two inches eleven lines in length, has one ray less in the spinous portion of the dorsal, and two more in the soft : D. 12/23; A. 24; &c— FISH. 87 It may be mentioned that in this species, as in some others, the last spinous ray in the dorsal is entirely invested by the membrane, and does not attain to the margin, so that in counting, it may be very easily overlooked. In Mr. Darwin's notes, it is stated that this species bites very severely, having driven its teeth through the finger of one of the officers in the ship's company. Its two very long sharp canine teeth at the back of the lower jaw are well calculated to inflict such a wound. 2. Salarias quadricornis. Cuv. et Vol.? Salarias quadricornis, Cm. et Vol. Hist, des Poiss. torn. xi. p. 243. pi. 329. Mr. Darwin's collection contains a species of Salarias so closely resembling the S. quadricornis of Cuvier and Valenciennes, that I dare not describe it as distinct. Yet it offers some slight differences as follows : The profile, instead of being merely vertical, presents a rounded and projecting front between the eyes, advancing further than the mouth (as in the S. gibbifrons, Cuv. et Val.) The filamentous appendages are similar, but the superciliary ones are shorter than the dia- meter of the eye : the palmated ones at the nostrils consist of six or seven bristles. The occipital crest is hardly so much elevated ; its height being not more than one-sixth or one- seventh the height of the head, and only one-third its own length. The height of the dorsal equals at least half the depth of the body ; the depth of the notch above the thirteenth spinous ray is rather more than half its height. The fin-ray formula is— D. 13/21 ; A. 25 ; C. 13, &c. ; P. 14 ; V. 2. The colour, as it appears in spirits, is nearly of a uniform olivaceous brown, with scarce any indication of vertical bands ; paler on the abdomen. There are four or five oblique narrow whitish lines on the dorsal, but not very distinct ; also two on the anal, more decided : these lines appear to have been bluish, and there are traces of the same colour about the head and gill-covers. In all other respects it accords exactly with the description in the " Histoire des Poissons," where it is added, in reference to colour, that this species is subject to much variation. Mr. Darwin's specimen measures five inches two lines in length. The number attached to it has been lost, so that there is nothing to shew where it was taken. It is probably, however, from the Keeling Islands, as there is in the collection, from that locality, another specimen, which I have little doubt of being the female of the one above noticed. This second specimen wants the nuchal crest, as is stated to be the case in the female of S. quadricornis. It is not full sized, measuring only three inches four lines in length, which may account for the proportions being a little different from those of the adult. The depth is one-sixth of the entire length, or rather less. The filamentous appendages resemble those of the first specimen, but the nasal ones have rather fewer bristles. In the form of the head, 88 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. fins, and all its other characters, it is exactly similar. The fin-ray formula is a little different ; D. 13/20; A. 23; &c— The colours, also, as they appear in spirits, are rather different. The general ground of the body is olivaceous grey, but paler than in the male specimen, and inclining to yellowish, with faint indications of vertical bands, and also a few dark spots towards the tail end. Dorsal and anal spotted, the former more so than the latter. Mr. Darwin's notes, taken from the recent fish, merely state,—" with dull red transverse lines." The S. quadricornis is stated by Cuvier and Valenciennes to be very common at the Mauritius, whence it may not improbably range as far eastward as the Keeling Islands. 3. MALARIAS VOMERINUS. ClW. et Val. ? Salarias vomerinus 1 Guv. et Val. Hist, des Poiss. torn. xi. p. 258. Plate XVII. Fig. 3. Form.— Elongated and compressed, the thickest part being in the region of the gills. Greatest depth contained about six and a-half times in the entire length : thickness at the pectorals about two-thirds of the depth, or rather more. Length of the head rather exceeding the depth of the body, and exceeding its own depth by about one-fourth. Snout obtuse; broad and rounded when viewed from above. Lips crenated at the sides of the mouth, but not in the middle. Teeth in the jaws moveable, extremely fine and numerous : two long canines at the bottom of the lower jaw, curving backwards, and fitting into two corresponding holes in the palate : also a transverse row of minute teeth on the front of the vomer. Profile nearly ver- tical; the eyes placed just within the angle formed by it with the line of the crown. Two broad palmated superciliary filaments, not equal in length to the diameter of the eyes : two similar ones at the nostrils, each consisting of six or eight bristles : also two short simple filaments, one on each side of the nape. The dorsal, which commences a little behind the nuchal filaments, is so deeply notched behind the twelfth ray as almost to appear like two fins. The height of the anterior or spinous portion is about two-fifths of the depth : the posterior is more elevated, equalling three-fourths of the depth : this portion is connected by its membrane with the upper part of the tail, but does not reach to the caudal, leaving an interval just equal to half the depth of the tail at this point. The anal commences opposite the eleventh ray of the dorsal, and does not reach so far as that fin, leaving three times the space between it and the caudal : the first two rays short and soft, the first scarcely connected by membrane with those that follow ; the membrane deeply notched between all the rays, excepting the last three, where it is continuous. Caudal slightly rounded at the extremity. Pectorals broad, but a little pointed when the rays are not spread out; longer than the head, the fifth and sixth rays from the bottom being longest. Ven- trals short, only half the length of the pectorals, or one-tenth of the entire length, consisting (which is unusual in this genus) of four distinct rays, two shorter and slender ones, besides the two ordinary thick ones. The lateral line is faintly indicated by a fine line which sweeps over the pectorals, and then passes off straight along the middle. As far as the pectorals reach, the line is continuous : FISH. 89 beyond, it is interrupted, or only marked out by slightly elevated tubal pores at intervals; and it disappears altogether considerably before reaching the caudal. D. 12/15; A. 18; C. 13, &c. ; P. 14; V. 4. Length 3 inches 2 lines. Colour.— (In spirits.) The ground appears to have been pale yellowish-brown : sides marked with numerous approximating dark transverse fascia;, twelve or fourteen in number : these fascise are continued on to the caudal, where there are five, narrower than those on the body. Head marked with black dots and undulating lines ; especially two undulating lines commencing on the cheeks behind the eyes, and passing upwards to the nape : upper lip and sides of the throat marked with several fine lines. A row of black dots a little below the base of the anterior part of the dorsal. The fascia? on the sides extend on to the dorsal, where they take an oblique direction backwards. Anal pale at the base, but with the tips of the rays dusky. Pectorals and ventrals uniformly plain dusky. Habitat, Porto Praya, Cape Verde Islands. Cuvier and Valenciennes state that they have received but one species of Salarias from the Atlantic Ocean north of the line, the S. Atlanticus already noticed. The present is a second found within that range, obtained by Mr. Darwin at Porto Praya. Perhaps it may be a new one ; but it is so very nearly allied to the S. vomerinus of the above authors, that I consider it hazardous to describe it as distinct. It agrees especially with that species in having vomerine teeth, and four rays in the ventrals, as well as in the general disposition of the markings ; but no mention is made in the " Histoire des Poissons" of the nuchal filaments, which, however, may have been overlooked, as they are small and simple, and not very obvious. If it be identical with that species, its range in the Atlantic mustbeconsiderable, as the S. vomerinus is found on the coast of S. America, near Bahia. Generally speaking the same species are not observed on both sides of that ocean ; and perhaps this is an argument for its being distinct : but if so, it is difficult, without the opportunity of a more close comparison, to point out any essential differences by which it may be characterized. This species appears also to have many points of agreement with the S. iextilis brought by MM. Quoy and Gaimard from the Island of Ascension ; but the colours do not exactly correspond, neither is there any mention made in the description of this last, of the vomerine teeth and four ventral rays, which so peculiarly characterize the one above noticed. As 1 feel some doubts with respect to this species being new or not, I have thought it advisable to have it figured, more especially as there is no figure, either of the S. vomerinus or S. iextilis, to both which it is so nearly allied. 90 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. Clinus crinitus. Jen. Plate XVIII. Fig. 1. C.fuscus, nigro-maculatus : tentacnlis palpebralibus e crinibus octo a radicibus sepa- ratis formatis, nasalibus et nuchalibus pahnatis, omnibus parvis subccqnalibus : pinna anali radiis mollibus viginti quatuor. B. 6 ; D. 26/1 1 ; A. 2/24 ; C. 13 ; P. 13 ; V. 3. Long. uric. 6. lin. 6. Form. — Depth one-fifth of the entire length. Head about one-fourth of the same, rather large, with the cheeks and gills a little inflated. Profile falling gently from the nape : the crown scarcely at all convex. Gape reaching to beneath the anterior part of the eye. Lips thick and fleshy, and partly reflexed, much resembling those of a Labrus. Lower jaw projecting a little beyond the upper, and inclining upwards to meet it. An outer row of strong conical teeth in each jaw, with a velutine band behind ; the band broad above, but very narrow below. A largish triangular patch of velutine teeth on the vomer, and a smaller one on each palatine. Tongue free and fleshy, smooth. Eyes moderately large, their diameter one-fifth the length of the head ; high in the cheeks, reaching to, but not interrupting, the line of the profile. The super- ciliary tentacles consist each of eight short bristles, all separate to the root, but forming toge- ther a closely compacted series : two on the nape, of the same length as them, are broad and palmated, the upper half only being divided into eight or ten slender filaments : two on the nos- trils are similar to those on the nape, only somewhat smaller. The dorsal commences at the nape, a little behind the nuchal appendages, and has the spinous portion long, and of nearly uniform height, but no where very high. The spines increase very gradually in length as they advance, the first being the shortest : in the middle of the fin, they equal about one- third the depth of the body, or hardly so much : above each is a short filamentous tag, as in the Labridce. The soft portion is nearly twice the height of the spinous. A small interval between the termination of this fin and the caudal. The anal com- mences under the twelfth spine of the dorsal : its own two spines are very short, and not half the length of the soft rays, which last are not quite so long as those of the dorsal : the mem- brane between each of the rays is deeply notched. This fin terminates a very little before the dorsal. The caudal, when expanded, appears slightly rounded. Pectorals broad and rounded, about one-fifth of the entire length. Insertion of the ventrals directly underneath the commence- ment of the dorsal, and both in a vertical line with the posterior margin of the preopercle. These last fins are contained nearly nine times in the entire length. Body covered with moderately small scales ; the length and breadth of each scale nearly equal, with the basal portion nearly covered by an irregular fan of strise, eighteen or twenty in number. Head naked, but the crown and upper part of the snout studded with papillae, termi- nating upwards in pores. There are rows of minute scales between the rays of the dorsal for about one-third of their height ; also at the base of the caudal and pectorals, but none on the anal. The lateral line commences behind the upper angle of the opercle at one-fourth of the depth ; when opposite the eleventh ray of the dorsal, it begins to bend downwards, and con- tinues falling till opposite the seventeenth ray, when it gets to the middle of the depth ; from that point it passes straight to the caudal. , i | //> -j o O o >1 |5 Ml* / ff ■•■I i FISH. 91 Colour. — (In spirits.) Nearly uniform dark brown ground, but with some indications of round black spots, which were probably more conspicuous in the living fish. Eight or nine of these spots appear on the posterior half of the dorsal, forming a longitudinal row ; and there is a row more faintly marked out along the base of the anal ; these last are smaller than those on the dorsal. Chin, throat, and gill-membrane, thickly covered with small spots: also a black patch extend- ing over a large portion of the eye from above and behind. Habitat, Coquimbo, Chile. This species, obtained by Mr. Darwin at Coquimbo, is nearly allied to several other Chilian species, described by Cuvier and Valenciennes, but differs from all of them in having more rays in the anal fin, independently of other respects. It seems to approach most closely the C. variolosus ; but this latter is represented as having the superciliary tentacles palmated, composed of from twelve to fifteen bristles, and the nuchal ones papilliform and so small as to be hardly visible. In the present species, the superciliary tentacles consist, as above stated, of eight bristles separate quite to the root, while those on the nape are equally as large and as much developed, and strictly, as well as very distinctly, palmated. The crown also is scarcely convex, as represented to be the case in that species : to which it may be added, that the spots on the dorsal fin are more numerous, and their relative size compared with those on the anal different. The C. microcirrhis is said to want superciliary tentacles altogether, other- wise there are several points of resemblance between that species and the one here described. Genus.— ACANTHOCLINUS. Jen. Corpus elongatum, compressum, squamis minutissimis obtectum. Caput nudum, tentaculis nullis. Denies maxillares seriebus plurimis dispositi, velutini ; multis, hie illic sparsis, fortioribus, subconicis vel aculeiformibus : vomerini et palatini velutini omnes. Lingua linea longitudinalis media dentibus minutissimis aspera. Mem- brana branchialis undique libera, subter gulam continua et profundi emarginata, sex-radiata. Pinnce dorsalis et analis spinis plurimis, ad apices laciniis mem- branaceis investitis. Linece laterales tres distinctce. Mr. Darwin has brought home several specimens of a small fish from New Zealand, which appears to me to form the type of a new genus in the family of the Blennies. It is most nearly allied to Clinus, to which group it may perhaps be subordinate in point of value ; but it offers several differences which I shall proceed to point out. In the first place the number of anal spines is much greater, a character of considerable importance in this family, in which they hardly ever amount to more than two, whilst in some instances all the rays of this fin appear to be articulated. Secondly, in addition to the bands of vomerine and palatine 92 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. teeth, which are found in Clinus, this genus has a narrow line of very minute teeth running longitudinally down the middle of the tongue, communicating a sensible roughness to the touch. Thirdly, the ventrals are more backward, their point of insertion being only a very little in advance of that of the pectorals. Lastly, it is remarkably characterized by having three, or one might almost say four, distinct lateral lines. The uppermost of these lines commences at the posterior angle of the opercle, whence it turns abruptly upwards and runs immediately beneath the base of the dorsal : the second runs along the median line of the body, but does not commence till a little beyond the base of the pectoral: the third commences a little above the insertion of the ventrals, and answers to the upper one, taking its course a little above the anal : there is also part of a fourth, which originates between the ventrals, and joins the third at the commencement of the anal. All these lines are marked by larger and differently formed scales from those on the body, (which last are very minute,) with an elevated tube on each, the tubal pore, however, being most distinct on the middle or second line. In its general form, and in the large number of dorsal spines, this genus resembles Clinus: the form of the head and mouth are for the most part similar; also all the parts of the gill-cover; as well as the branchial membrane, which is six-rayed and free all round. The tags at the tips of the dorsal and anal spines are very conspicuous, and give those fins some- what of a labriform appearance. It is not improbable that the Clinus littoreus of Cuvier and Valenciennes, which they have characterized from a drawing and description in the Banksian Library, and which is said to possess twenty-five spines in the anal fin, may belong to this new genus. It is observed by those authors, in reference to its peculiarity in this respect, that such a circumstance, if correct, would be unexampled, and would tend to separate it from the genus in which they have placed it. It is also worth remarking that the C. littoreus comes from New Zealand, the same country as that whence Mr. Darwin obtained the above. In the circumstance of having three lateral lines, this new genus seems to have some affinity with Chirus of Steller ; but the scales are not ciliated as they are said to be in this last, neither are the ventrals five-rayed. Acanthoclinus fuscus. Jen. Plate XYIII. Fig. 2. Form. — Body elongated and compressed ; the depth, which varies but little, one-sixth of the entire length ; thickness in the region of the pectorals rather more than half the depth. Head con- tained very little more than four times in the length. Profile sloping but very little. Snout rather short : mouth protractile, and rather wide : lips somewhat fleshy and reflexed. Gape reaching to beneath the anterior part of the orbit, but the maxillary, which is dilated at its fish. 93 posterior extremity, and cut nearly square, reaching to beyond the middle. Lower jaw a little the longest, and ascending to meet the upper. Several rows of sharp velutine teeth in each jaw, with some here and there stronger and more hooked than the others, those below almost fine card : a band on the vomer and on each palatine. Tongue of a triangular form, free and pointed at the tip, with a ridge of asperities down the median line. Eyes high, but hardly inter- rupting the line of the profile ; their diameter one-fifth the length of the head ; distant one diameter from the end of the snout. No filamentous appendages of any kind on any part of the head ; but an irregular circle of pores nearly surrounding the orbit ; also a few very distinct pores beneath the lower jaw. Preopercle rounded, with distant pores along the margin. Opercle terminating posteriorly in a sharp salient angle with the basal margin ascending ; beneath which the subopercle and interopercle are both very distinct. Branchial membrane free and open all round, not adhering to the isthmus underneath, but deeply notched in the middle. The dorsal commences in a line with the posterior point of the gill-cover, and is very similar to that of Clinus. Spinous portion long, and, excepting the first two rays, of nearly uniform height, equalling nearly half the depth ; the membrane deeply notched between the spines, the tips of which are invested with filamentous tags. Soft portion of the dorsal more elevated than the spinous, and with only four rays. Between the end of this fin and the caudal is a small space equalling nearly two-thirds of the depth beneath. The anal commences under the twelfth dorsal spine, and exactly corresponds to the posterior half of that fin, reaching also to the same point. The spines in both fins are sharp and moderately strong ; the soft rays articulated and branched, and terminating rather in a point behind. Caudal rounded, with four- teen branched rays, and a few shorter simpler ones. Pectorals one-seventh of the entire length, rounded when spread open, with all the rays except the last branched. Ventrals narrow and pointed, about the same length as the pectorals, and inserted but very little in advance of those fins: the spine well developed, and half the length of the soft rays : first soft ray long, and deeply divided so as to appear like two ; the second ray slender and shorter. Body covered with very minute scales; but none on the head or on any of the fins. Three very distinct lateral lines, with a portion of a fourth, as already stated above. B. 6 ; D. 20/4 ; A. 9/4 ; C. 10, &c. ; P. 17 ; V. 1/2. Length 3 inc. 8 lin. Colour.— Not noticed in the recent state. In spirits it appears of a nearly uniform bister brown, with the fins and some portion of the head darker than the rest, especially a blackish spot on the opercle. Habitat, Bay of Islands, New Zealand. There are four specimens of this new fish in the collection, all similar except in size. The above is the largest. The others measure in length from one inch and three quarters, to not quite three inches. The two largest are from the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. The other two have lost their labels : I only presume therefore that they are from the same locality. 94 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. Tripterygion Capito. Jen. Plate XIX. fig. 1. T. fusco-griseum, pinnis concoloribus : tentaculis palpebralibus duobus parvis gracilibus e crinibus duobus vel tribus formatis ; nasalibus minutis simplicibus : dorsali prima humili sex-radiatd, radiis subcequalibus ; secundd duplo altiore ; tertid parum altis- simd : lined laterali abbreviatd, vix ultrh pectorales extensd. B. 6 : D. 6—20—14 ; A. 25 ; C. 14, &c. ; P. 16 ; V. 2. Long. unc. 2. lin. 5. Form. — Depth at the pectorals one-sixth of the length : thickness at the same part about two-thirds of the depth. Head rather large, thicker than the body, contained four and a half times in the entire length. Snout short, the profile falling very abruptly from between the eyes. These last large, one-third the length of the head, high in the cheeks, reaching to, but hardly interrupting, the line of the profile. Above each a short slender compound tentacle : that on the right side consists of two filaments, one simple, the other forked, so as to appear like three ; that on the left appears undivided. Also a minute filament at each nostril. The maxillary reaches to beneath the middle of the orbit. Jaws equal : in each a row of small conical sharp-pointed teeth, with a broad velutine band behind, the band, however, only in front. A transverse band of velutine teeth on the vomer, extending a little on to the palatines. Opercle and preopercle rounded. Branchial membrane free all round, with a shallow notch in the middle underneath. The first dorsal commences in a vertical line with the insertions of the ventrals ; the rays are six in number, and so nearly equal in length as to cause the fin to appear quite even ; its height is scarcely more than one-third of the depth. The second dorsal begins a little behind the origin of the pectorals : it is also nearly even, but twice the height of the first. The third closely follows the second : this fin is uneven, but its most elevated point is somewhat higher still than the second. The rays of the first and second of these fins are spinous : those of the third soft and articulated, but all simple. The anal, which has also simple rays, commences beneath the middle of the second dorsal, and terminates in the same vertical line with the end of the third, between which last and the caudal is a small space. Caudal square, with twelve of the principal rays branched. Pectorals a little less than one-fourth of the entire length ; the ninth and tenth rays longest ; the six lowermost rather stouter than the others, and, as well as the three uppermost, which are very slender, simple ; the fourth to the tenth, both inclusive, branched. Ventrals contained about six and a half times in the entire length ; consisting of only two slender filamentous rays. Scales minute, their free edges finely ciliated ; the concealed portion of each scale marked with twelve or fourteen strise. The lateral line rises at the upper angle of the Opercle, and is well marked by a row of tubular scales till it reaches a little beyond the extremity of the reclined pectoral, where it abruptly terminates, and all further trace of it is lost. Colour. — {In spirits.) Of a nearly uniform dark brown, inclining to griseous, with some appear- ance of darker clouds or spots between the second dorsal and the lateral line; this last also is indicated by a darker streak than the ground colour. Fins dark brown : there is, however, some trace of a white edging to the anterior half of the anal, which may have been more con- spicuous in the living state. Mak.R-& ■**■ Trb&rkmw MinrUw dd: 2^ olawal View. 3. Golm# opl'axefJoaU'-' OCV. , t The Univercity of Chicago Libraries FISH. 95 A second specimen slightly differs from the above, but is evidently referable to the same species. It is smaller ; and the profile falls more gradually. The caudal has only eight branched rays, with two lateral simple ones. The pectorals have the tenth and eleventh rays longest, with the seven lowermost (instead of six) stouter than the others and simple. The fin- ray formula is also different. D. 6—19—13; A. 25; C. 10, &c; P. 17; V. 2. Length 2 inc. 1 line. The colours are paler, and more decidedly grey, with the darker motlings more distinct. The dorsals and caudal are pale, minutely dotted with brown. Tips of all the anal rays white. Habitat, Bay of Islands, New Zealand. This species approaches very closely the T. nigripenne of Cuvier and Valen- ciennes, of which it may possibly be a variety; but the description in the " Histoire des Poissons," as regards the form, is limited to a very few words. If the figure given by those authors be correct, the T. nigripenne differs decidedly in the first dorsal being more elevated, Math the rays more unequal, and in the lateral line extending the whole length of the fish. In the present species the first dorsal is low and even, with the rays all equal, and the lateral line cannot be traced much beyond the pectoral ; and these characters are found in both specimens. There are also six rays in the first dorsal. According to the description, the T. nigripenne has but five, though six are represented in the figure. From the T. varium, this species differs not only in its fin-ray formula, but in its markings : and the same characters serve to separate it still more widely from T. Forsteri and T. fenestration. This species was obtained by Mr. Darwin on tidal rocks in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. Three out of the only four extra-european species described by Cuvier and Valenciennes come from the same locality. Family.— GOBIDiE. 1. Gobius lineatus. Jen. Plate XIX. fig. 2. G. nigro-griseus, lineis circiter decern longitudinalibus nigris: capitelato, subdepresso; genis injiatis: maxillis cequalibus: deutibus velutinis, externis fortioribus aculeifor- mibus ; caninis nullis: oculis amplis, mtervallo vix plus quant semidiametrum aquante : pinnis dorsalibus contiguis, altitudine subcequalibus ; pectoralibus radiis stipends setaceis, liberis ; caudali rotundata : squamis mediocribus, levissime ciliatis. B. 5; D. 6-1/9; A. 1/8; C. 13, &c. ; P. 7 et 16; V. 1/5. Long. unc. 4. lin. 8. 96 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. Form. — Head large, sub-depressed, and much inflated about the gills : body compressed towards the tail. Depth at the pectorals contained about five and a half times in the length : thickness at the same point about three-fourths of the depth. Head about four and a half times in the length ; its breadth nearly equal to its own length. Profile nearly horizontal. Eyes moderately large, with a diameter nearly one-fourth that of the head : the intermediate space a little hollowed out, and scarcely more than half a diameter in breadth. Some appearance of a shallow groove on the nape reaching to the first dorsal. Gape reaching to beneath the anterior angle of the eye. Jaws equal : each with a broad band of velutine teeth, the outer row stronger than the others, and slightly hooked ; of these stronger ones there are twenty six in the upper jaw; below they are fewer, smaller, and more irregular: no canines: no vomerine or palatine teeth. Pectorals about one-fifth of the entire length, oval ; the first six or seven rays nearly free to their base, and setaceous, like those of G. niger ; the sixteen that follow connected by mem- brane as usual, and much branched. Ventrals united in the usual manner, and a little shorter than the pectorals. The first dorsal commencing a very little behind the point of attachment of the pectorals, and reaching to the extremity of those fins when laid back : the anterior spines rather exceeding in length half the depth of the body ; the last three gradually decreasing, with the membrane terminating at the foot of the second dorsal. This last fin with the first ray simple, and of the same height with the anterior rays of the first dorsal ; those which follow, to the number of nine, nearly of the same height, and branched; from the root of the ninth springs a simple ray which might be reckoned as distinct, and if so, the entire number would be ten. Anal commencing a little more backward, and terminating a little sooner than the second dorsal, to which in other respects it answers; the last ray double as before: both these fins terminate in a point behind. Space between the anal and the caudal rather more than one-fifth of the entire length, and equalling twice the depth immediately beneath. Caudal rounded, about one-sixlh of the entire length ; the division between the principal and accessory rays (which last are numerous, especially above), not well marked ; the former much branched. The usual papilla behind the vent. No visible lateral line. Scales rather large; about thirty-seven in a longitudinal line, and eleven in a vertical ; ciliated, the concealed portion of each scale with an irregular fan of very numerous striae, amounting to twenty-five or more. Skin of the suborbital marked with four longitudinal lines of salient dots, the third from the top forking posteriorly into two: a similar line at the upper part of the opercle at the boundary of the scales, whence another passes vertically across the branchial membrane ; behind this is a third shorter one, taking an oblique direction backwards. Colour — (In spirits.) Dusky grey, with about ten, rather indistinct longitudinal dark lines on the body, extending from the pectorals to the caudal. Fins dusky, with some indication of small irregular whitish spots scattered here and there. A dark spot on the upper half of the eye. Habitat, Galapagos Archipelago. This is undoubtedly a new species. It belongs to the same section as the G. niger of the European seas, which in form it very much resembles, especially in its large inflated head, and in having the uppermost rays of the pectorals free and setaceous. It differs, however, in having fewer rays in the dorsal and anal FISH. 97 fins, and consequently a larger interval between the anal and the caudal ; also, in the number and arrangement of the dotted lines on the cheeks. The colours are likewise different ; and, in the living fish, in which they were not noticed, probably the dark longitudinal lines, alluded to in the description above, are much more conspicuous than they are at present. This species was taken by Mr. Darwin off Chatham Island, in the Galapagos Archipelago. 2. Gobius ophicephalus. Jen. Plate XIX. Fig. 3 G . pallenti-plumbeus,fiisco-reticulatus : corpore elongato, gracili, undique alepidoto : capita lato, depresso, gents tumidis ; his et rostro punctis valde salientibus, creberri- mis, lineis undantibus dispositis: maxillis cequalibus : dentibus velutinis ; externis, prcesertim lateralibus, fortioribus, aculeiformibus ; caninis nullis : oculis parvis, prominulis, intervallo plus quam diametrum aquante : pinnis dorsalibus subcontiguis, altitudine subcequalibus ; pectoralibus radiis omnibus membrand inclusis ; caudali rotundatd, radiis clausis, subacuta. D. 8 — 1/16 ; A. 1/13 ; C. 17, &c. ; P. 21 ; V. 1/5. Long, una 2. lin. 11. Form. — Body considerably elongated, and compressed posteriorly : the greatest depth beneath the first dorsal, equalling rather less than one-eighth of the entire length : thickness at that point rather less than the depth. Head broader than the body, very much flattened in the crown behind the eyes, with the cheeks tumid, and, on the whole, snake-like in appearance : its length one-fifth of the entire length ; its breadth two-thirds of its own length. Eyes small, but rather prominent, high in the cheeks, with a diameter scarcely exceeding a line in length, or about one-sixth that of the head ; the space between a little hollowed out, and nearly a diameter and a half across. Snout short and obtuse: jaws equal; the gape not quite reaching to beneath the middle of the orbit. The teeth form a broad velutine band in each jaw, with those in the outer row strong and slightly hooked : of these last there are about twenty in the upper, the lateral ones being stronger than those in front ; in the lower they are not so numerous, and more irregular : none that can be strictly called canines : likewise no vomerine or palatine teeth. Pectorals one-sixth of the entire length, oval, with the middle rays longest; all the rays included in the membrane. Ventrals united; about two-thirds the length of the pectorals. First dorsal extending beyond the extremities of the pectorals ; the rays very gradually decreasing in length, the membrane beyond the last also sloping very gradually down till it nearly reaches the second dorsal, which it does not quite touch. Rays of the second dorsal of nearly uniform height, about equalling the longest of those in the first, also equalling the depth of the body beneath. The last ray in both these fins is double, as in the last species. The anal com- mences beneath the fourth ray of the second dorsal, and terminates a little sooner than that fin. The caudal, when the rays are spread, appears rounded ; but when closed, somewhat pointed : o •98 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. it is contained not quite six and-a-half times in the entire length. The space between the anal and the caudal is one-eighth of the same, and one and a half times the depth of the tail at that part. The usual papilla appears behind the vent. Skin apparently quite naked everywhere, and without any scales that are visible, even in the dried state, under a lens. The lateral line runs straight along the middle, and is marked by a series of glandular dots placed in threes or fours together vertically at moderate intervals. Several lines of dots about the head, but the dots are here closer together, and in some places so salient as to appear like short filamentous processes : on the cheeks, about the eyes, and on the front of the snout, these lines undulate in an irregular manner : there arc also two or three short lines of dots on the gill-cover, and a double row on each side of the lower jaw, passing obliquely upwards posteriorly, as a boundary to the cheek. Colour.- — " Pale lead-colour, coarsely reticulated with brown." — D. — This is nearly as it appears also in spirits. The reticulations are finer on the head, where they are also most distinct : they are likewise very visible at the base of the pectorals. Habitat, Chonos Archipelago, South of Chiloe. Cuvier and Valenciennes seem to have doubted * whether there were really any species in this genus absolutely without scales, though they have established a section, in which the scales are very minute, and as it were lost in the skin. The present one, however, appears to be thus characterized : at least there are no scales which can be detected, even with the assistance of a lens, and when the skin is suffered to become dry, in which state they are generally visible, if really present. In fact, the skin is as smooth and naked as in any of the true Blennies. This character, combined with others, clearly indicates it to be a new species ; neither will it assimilate with any of the sections in the " Histoire des Poissons ;" but requires to be placed in one by itself, in which the absence of scales is coupled with an elongated body, and a caudal, not strictly pointed, but approaching to that form, when the rays are close. This species was obtained by Mr. Darwin in the Chonos Archipelago, in Lowe's Harbour, S. of Chiloe. It appears to be the first of this genus brought from the West Coast of America ; at least, there are none, amongst the very numerous species described by Cuvier and Valenciennes, which are mentioned as belonging to those shores. Eleotris gobioides. Guv. et Vol. Eleotris gobioides, Cuv. et Vol. Hist, des Poiss. torn. xii. p. 186. This species was taken by Mr. Darwin in fresh- water, in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. It so well accords with the description of the E. gobioides in the " Histoire des Poissons," that I conceive there can be no doubt of their identity. * See " Hist, des Poiss." torn. xii. p. 72, under the species Golius Boscii. FISH. " The profile slopes very gently. The lower jaw is longest, ascending to meet the upper. There are three or four longitudinal lines on the sides of the head, especially a very well marked one (not particularly noticed by Valenciennes) extending backwards from the posterior angle of the eye to the upper angle of the gill- opening. No appearance of any lateral line. This specimen has a ray more in the anal than Valenciennes gives. The fin-ray formula is as follows : — B. 6; D. 6—1/10, the last double ; A. 1/10, the last double ; C. 16, &c. ; P. 18; V. 1/5. Length 4 inches 1 line. This species, except in respect of its separate ventrals, has very much the habit and general appearance of the Gobius niger of the European seas. Family.— LOPHID^. Bateachus porosissimus. Cuv. et Vol. ? Batrachus porosissimus, Cuv. et Vol. Hist, des Poiss. torn. xii. p. 373. Form. — Head very large, broad and depressed, exactly one-fourth of the entire length; its breadth two-thirds of its own length. Body compressed posteriorly, with its greatest depth about one-sixth of the entire length. Snout blunt and rounded, the lower jaw projecting; gape wide. The teeth above form but a single row along the intermaxillary, mostly small, but sharp, and the posterior ones much curved : along each palatine there is a row of much stronger ones, and at each angle of the vomer are two very long hooked ones, resembling true canines. In the lower jaw the teeth are in a single row at the sides, but in two or three rows in front, and are unequally sized, some of the lateral ones being as strong as those on each side of the vomer, and much hooked, as well as partially reclining backwards. Tongue smooth, and free at the tip, which is bluntish. Pharynx armed with two patches of velutine teeth above and below. No regular barbule at the chin, but a row of minute cutaneous cirri running all round the edge of the lower jaw ; a similar row along the anterior edge of the upper jaw, behind the intermaxillary, with two thicker and more conspicuous appendages of the skin in the middle. Eyes far apart, and not very large. Opercle armed with one very strong spine, but only just the point ap- pearing through the skin. Two small spines in front of the dorsal, a little more backward than the insertion of the pectorals, the first very minute, and hardly appearing through the skin. Second or true dorsal very long, reaching to the base of the caudal, and of nearly uniform height throughout, equalling about one-third of the greatest depth of the body ; the rays branched, and the mem- brane notched between their tips. Anal commencing under the fifth dorsal ray, similar to that fin, but with the membrane more notched between the rays : both fins are fastened down at their extremities to the fleshy part of the tail by a membrane. Caudal slightly rounded, when spread. Pectorals broad and large, but, from the middle rays being longest, appearing somewhat w T edge-shaped, not quite equalling the length of the head. Ventrals much smaller, only half their length, and cut nearly square. 100 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. Skin perfectly naked. The lines of pores, which are very numerous ahout the head and body, run in the exact directions laid down by Cuvier and Valenciennes, in their description of the B. porosissimus ; but in addition to those which have been pointed out by them, there is one commencing at the nostrils, and passing underneath each eye, thence ascending a little behind the eye to descend again by the margin of the preopercle ; another directed transversely across the cheek, connecting the former with the row that passes along the edge of the lower jaw: this transverse row, if continued upwards, would form a tangent to the posterior part of the orbit. All the lines of pores are furnished with very minute cutaneous appendages, similar to those already spoken of above, as fringing the edges of the jaws. D. 2—30 ; A. 33 ; C. 12, &c. ; P. 20 : V. 1/2. Length 9 inches. Colour. — "Above purple-coppery; sides pearly ; beneath yellowish, with silver dots in regular figures ; iris coppery." — D. The silver dots alluded to by Mr. Darwin, are the lines of pores. There are two longitudinal dark lines on the dorsal, the uppermost serving as an edging : the anal also is edged in the same manner, especially posteriorly. Habitat, Bahia Blanca. This species was found by Mr. Darwin cast up on the beach at Bahia Blanca, where he states that it is not uncommon. It approaches so closely the B. porosissimus of Cuvier and Valenciennes, that I dare not consider it as distinct without comparison. Yet it differs from their description of that species, in having four vomerine teeth, instead of two ; in having six more rays in the anal fin ; and in having the additional lines of pores above indicated ; though these last may have been accidentally left unnoticed. It requires the examination of more specimens to determine whether these differences result from a difference in species or not. Family.— LABRID^. Cossyphus Darwini. Jen. Plate XX. C. corpore elongato-ovali ; capite grandi, fronte elevato, rostro ex hoc declivi : caninis quatuor fortibus ad apicem utriusque maxillce, ad angulos om nullis ; dentibus late- ralibus conicis; interiiis, adlaterapalati, grants plurimis minutis obtusis: preoperculo, limbo excepto, operculo, et inter operculo, squamatis ; preoperculo margine integro : rostro, maxillis, et suborbitalibus ante oculos, nudis: lined laterali subrectd : pinna dorsali parte spinosd humili, spinis ad apices laciniatis ; molli, heic respondente anali, dupld alliore, sub-acuminatd : caudali cequali, solum radiis exterioribus aliis paulo longioribus. D. 12/10; A. 3/12; C. 14, &c. ; P. 17; V. 1/5. Long. unc. 19. 8! l 1 £ : . w. 2 JQ & o o o |5 I ^4' '■*. I V V !>• /.••' FISH. 101 Fokm. — Head large : body of a suboval form, but much elongated : greatest depth at the nape con- tained about four times and three quarters in the entire length : head not quite three times and three quarters in the same. Nape and forehead high, whence the profile descends obliquely in a straight line to the end of the snout. Jaws equal, and rather acute : lips fleshy : the end of the maxillary not quite reaching to a vertical line from the anterior margin of the orbit. Four very conspicuous, strong, curved, canine teeth at the anterior extremity of each jaw ; those above of nearly equal length, but the two middle ones rather longer and stouter than the other two; of those below, on the contrary, the outer ones are the longest, as well as strongest, being nearly twice as much developed as the middle ones, which last are of about the same length as, but rather slenderer than, the outer ones above. The teeth at the sides of the jaw are short and conical, and not very sharp pointed, forming a regular series ; below they amount to nine or ten on each side ; above, the series may have been originally of the same number, but in this specimen several appear wanting. Besides these conical teeth at the sides of the jaws, there is an inner band of small rounded grains about the size of pins' heads : the band is broader, and the grains larger and more distinct above than below : many of them appear much flattened, and as if ground down by use. Eyes of moderate size ; their diameter about one-seventh the length of the head ; rather high in the cheeks, and nearly equidistant from the end of the snout and the posterior angle of the opercle. Snout and sub- orbital in advance of the eyes, as well as the jaws, naked. Preopercle large ;- occupying the posterior half of the cheek, rectangular, but the angle at bottom much rounded, the ascend- ing margin vertical, both margins entire ; covered with small scales ; the limb rather broad, bounded internally by a slightly raised ridge, and without scales, but with a few scattered small pores. The opercle and subopercle form together an irregular oblong, of which the height is double the length ; both are covered with scales larger than those on the preopercle : the membrane terminates behind in a blunt angle. The interopercle, which is very distinct, has three rows of scales on its surface, but none on the margin. The lateral line is nearly straight throughout its course, the bend downwards beneath the termination of the dorsal fin being scarcely perceptible. The tubes of which it is com- posed are unbranched ; many of them, however, incline upwards at their posterior extremity towards the back. The scales on the body are rather larger than those on the opercle: there appear to be upwards of fifty in a longitudinal line. The free portion of each scale has its sur- face finely granulated in the middle, and striated at the sides. The dorsal commences rather before one-third of the entire length, excluding caudal, and occupies a space equalling nearly half the same ; the spinous portion is low, and the spines of nearly the same length, the first and second only being rather shorter than the suc- ceeding ones ; the membrane between the spines notched : the soft portion rather pointed, and twice as much elevated as the spinous. The anal commences beneath the eleventh or twelfth dorsal spine, and terminates in the same vertical line with that fin ; the soft portion, which answers to the soft portion of the dorsal, is preceded by three spines, increasing in length to the third, which is double the first, though itself not above half the length of the soft rays ; these spines are not particularly stout. The space between the anal and caudal equals one-sixth of the whole length. Caudal rays nearly even, with the exception of the two outermost above and below, which being rather longer than the others, give the fin a slightly crescent-shaped form : the base of the caudal is scaly, but the scales advance only a very little way between 1Q 2 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. the rays. Pectorals very little in advance of the ventrals, in length more than half that of the head, with the second, third, and fourth rays longest. Ventrals in an exact vertical line with the commencement of the dorsal, nearly equal to the pectorals, with the first and second soft rays longest ; the spine rather more than half the length of the first soft ray -. the last soft ray united to the body by a membrane. Colours.—" Centre of each scale pale vermilion red: lower jaw quite white: a large irregular patch above the pectoral bright yellow : iris red, pupil blue-black."— D. The dried skin in its present state is of a nearly uniform brown. Habitat, Chatham Island, Galapagos Archipelago. I have named this species in honour of Mr. Darwin, whose researches in the Galapagos Archipelago, where he obtained it, have been so productive in bringing to light new forms. I have referred it to the genus Cossyphus of Valenciennes, on account of the small rounded grains behind the principal teeth ; but it rather de- parts from that group in not having the preopercle denticulated, and in having no scales on any of the vertical fins, with the exception of a few at the base of the caudal. In some respects it seems intermediate between that genus and Labrus. It does not appear to be described, though it seems to approach the C. reticulatus of Valenciennes in many of its characters. That species however is from Japan. The canines at the anterior extremity of each jaw are very conspicuous in this fish, and give it at first sight much the appearance of a Dentex. Cheilio ramosus. Jen. C. nigro-fuscus, infra lineam lateralem et in ventre obscure argenteus ; pinnis pallide fuscis immaculatis : corpore valde elongato : dentibus in maxilla superiore duobus anticis caninis fortibus, lateralibus conicis parvis subcequalibus ; in inferiore, caninis parvis, lateralibus variis inaqualibus : lined laterali ramosd. B. 0; D.9/13; A. 3/12; C. 12, et 4 breviores ; P. 11 ; V. 1/5. Long. unc. 9. lin. 6. Form. — Very much elongated, with the dorsal and ventral lines nearly straight. Depth varying but little, and contained nine and a half times in the entire length ; thickness not quite three- fourths of the depth. Head elongated, contained not more than three and a half times in the entire length, compressed, with the cheeks vertical. Snout very much produced, slightly rounded at the extremity : gape reaching half way to beneath the middle of the eye. Jaws scarcely protractile ; the upper one a little the longest : lips reflexed in the form of membra- naceous flaps, especially the lower one, the margin of which is sinuous. Teeth ranged in a single row in each jaw. Those above form a numerous, close-set, nearly even series at the sides of the jaw, with two long hooked canines in front ; the lateral teeth amount to about thirty-five on each side, and are small, but strong, somewhat conical, and not very sharp-pointed. In the lower jaw there are two front canines, similar to those in the upper, but much smaller ; then FISH. 103 follow four short conical teeth ; then six large triangular, compressed, sharp-pointed ones, but not all of equal size ; then five more small conical ones, which complete the series on each side. No teeth on the vomer or palatines. Eyes of moderate size, situate in the middle of the length of the head, high, but not touching the line of the profile ; their diameter one- eighth the length of the head. Preopercle rectangular. Opercle triangular, the membrane produced posteriorly at the upper part in the form of a rounded angle : a short row of scales observable along its upper margin, and another along its lower. Subopercle and interopercle without scales. Also a short row of scales, similar to those on the opercle, behind and par- tially beneath each eye, and, with these exceptions, no other scales on the head. Above each eye is an irregular row of minute pores: there are also pores beneath the eye, and on the sides of the snout, mixed with short raised lines having somewhat the appearance of written characters. Gill-opening widely cleft ; the branchial membrane free all round. Scales on the body moderately large, and similar in form to those of the C. auratus, as described by Cuvier and Valenciennes. The number, in a longitudinal line from the gill to the caudal, is forty-six, in a vertical about seventeen. Lateral line also as in that species, but with the mucous tubes branched, and giving off eight or nine twigs on each side. The dorsal commences a littLe behind the terminating angle of the opercle, and the anal immediately beneath the first branched ray of the dorsal : these fins terminate in the same ver- tical line, and the last ray in each is double : the simple rays are soft and flexible. Caudal slightly rounded. Pectorals short, and obliquely truncated, contained eleven and a half times in the entire length. Ventrals very small, about two-thirds the length of the pectorals, rounded, close together, with an elongated scale between them; their point of insertion slightly backwarder than that of the pectorals. Colour. — Not noticed in the recent state. In spirits, it appears of an almost uniform dark brown, at least above the lateral line. There is some trace of a pale longitudinal band on each side of the head beneath the eye, which is continued, but rather indistinctly, along the whole length of the body, the tips of the scales remaining dark. Possibly during life all the lower part of the sides and belly may have exhibited numerous dark spots upon a pale or silvery ground. Under part of the head pale brown, with some faintly-defined ocellated spots : also a faint trace of red on the opercle, All the fins pale brown, without spots. Habitat, Japan ? This species was given to Mr. Darwin, when at Chiloe, by the surgeon of a whaling-ship, who said that he believed that it was caught in the Japan seas. From the great similarity which prevails amongst the species of this genus, I am not sure that it is really new, as I have ventured to consider it. The specific character also, so far as the colours are concerned, must be received with some caution, in consequence of these last not having been observed in the recent state. It seems to approach very closely the C. hemichrysos of Cuvier and Valenciennes, brought by MM. Quoy and Gaimard from the Sandwich Islands ; but it differs in its colours, especially in the fins being all uniformly pale brown, and in having fewer scales on the opercle, and beneath the eye. It is impossible ]04 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. to say, however, to what extent the colours may have been altered by the spirit : some of the scales also may have been rubbed oft'. Chromis facetus. Jen. C. supra virescenti-niger, lateribus pallidioribus : dorso modice arcuato ;fronteelevato, rostro summo ante oculos paululum excavato : Umbo preoperculi ports quatnor con- spicuis impresso : squamis latis, marginibus Uberis levissime ciliatis : spinis dor- salibus quindecim, analibus sex: pinnis ventralibus longe acuminatis, ad ana/em pertingentibus : pinna caudali subaquali. D. 15/10; A. 6/8; C. 16, &c. ; P. 14; V. J/5. Long. une. 5. lin. 9. Form. — Oblong-oval, very much compressed ; the back moderately elevated, and more curved than the abdomen. Greatest depth a little behind the insertion of the pectorals, and contained twice and three-quarters in the entire length: thickness about two-fifths of the depth. Fore- head high : profile falling very obliquely, and slightly hollowed out in front of the eyes ; the upper and under profile meeting at the mouth at nearly a right angle. Head contained not quite four times in the entire length ; its own length and height nearly equal. Mouth small, protractile : jaws about equal, the lower one, if anything, a little the longest : lips not very fleshy. Maxillary rather slender, retiring almost entirely, when the mouth is closed, beneath the sub-orbital, the anterior margin of which is slightly hollowed out, and somewhat sinuous. Teeth in card in both jaws, forming a narrow band; the outermost row longer and stronger than the others, especially the four or six middle ones in front, which are somewhat conical and slightly hooked. Pharjmgean teeth present, but none on the vomeror palatines. Eyes rather small, their diameter about one-fifth the length of the head ; high in the cheeks, and a little nearer to the snout than to the posterior margin of the opercle : the space between broad, equalling nearly two diameters and-a-half. Nostrils consisting of a single round orifice half-way between the eye and the end of the snout. Preopercle with the basal margin short, and forming a slightly obtuse angle with the ascending one, the margin of which is entire. Opercle of a triangular form, broad at top, but narrowing off towards the bottom. Subopercle and interopercle much developed ; their outer margins, taken together, rounded off nearly in a semicircle. Branchial membrane quite free all round, unattached to the isthmus, and but slightly emarginate. Snout, suborbital, jaws, and limb of the preopercle, naked ; but the cheeks and rest of the opercular pieces scaly : the scales on the subopercle large. Four large pores on the limb of the preopercle, preceded by three others beneath the lower jaw : similar pores beneath the eye, and extending partially round it ; one on the crown of the head, and a few smaller ones scattered about the snout; a large one just above the opercle, and another higher up on each side of the nape. Scales on the body large ; about twenty-five or twenty-six in a longitudinal row, and eleven or twelve in the depth ; broader than long, with the free edges very minutely ciliated, the concealed portions with a fan of thirteen striae, and the basal margins with twelve distinct N ■"';;' v .2 gi o t. f L Iront,M&vre enJtoH* ty Wffovwfo™- 2. Zedwus Un/OoZa,. •*&* «*** "/,* MaxpwfitJj Vo&w of Tee>Ph- 4. Mesifas riwoa. 9 ■ A. 9 ; C. 26, brevibus inclusis ; P. 13 ; V. 6. Long. unc. 3, lin. 2. Form. — The general form and proportions of this species are extremely similar to those of the last ; but it differs very remarkably in having behind the anterior row of tricuspid teeth, a band of minuter teeth above and below, all of which are also tricuspid, and similarly formed to those in front. Head one-fifth of the entire length ; flattened on the crown. Jaws nearly equal ; upper one very protractile. Scales large ; about thirty-two in a longitudinal line, and eight in the depth ; covering all the pieces of the opercle ; similar in form to those of the last species, but with the striae on the free portion finer and more numerous, the deep-cut basal striae also rather more numerous, amounting to about fourteen, and of unequal lengths, gra- dually increasing from the outermost to the middle ones. Lateral line similar ; also the same pores on the lower jaw. Fins and fmray-formula similar: in both species the first and last rays of the dorsal and anal are simple, and shorter than the others. The anal perhaps terminates a little nearer the caudal than the dorsal does. Colour..— (In spirits.) Greenish-brown, with very little appearance of markings in its present state. There is, however, some indication of an irregular scattered row of small black spots on each side, a little below the ridge of the back ; also of two or three pale longitudinal narrow bands along the middle of the sides, which were probably more conspicuous in the living fish. The belly is yellow, and very tumid ; but these are evidently characters merely indicative of the female sex. Habitat, Monte Video. This is another new species of Lebias taken by Mr. Darwin in fresh-water at Monte Video, if indeed it strictly belong to the genus ; but the circumstance of the teeth being in several rows, and in fact forming a complete band, is at variance with the generic characters as given by Cuvier. The teeth however being exactly of the same form as in the other species, and the general charac- ters on the whole similar, I have not thought it expedient to erect it into a new genus. There is but one specimen in the collection, which appears to be a large female big with young. 118 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. Genus— MESITES. Jen. Corpus elongatum, gracile, antice subcylindricum, postice compressum, nudum, squamis nullis. Caput depression. Rostrum breve, obtusum : os terminate, rictu modico. Maxilla debiles ; superior margins ex ossibus inter max illaribus omnino formato, maxillaribus retroductis et a labia partim celatis. Denies minuti, acuti, in maxilla utrdque uniseriati ; in lingua et vomere biseriati ; in ossibus palatinis et pharijn- gahbus nulli. Apertura branchialis amplissima, membrand sex-radiatd, subter gulam prqfunde emarginatd, hand ist/imo annexd. Pinna dorsalis U analis valde retropositce, opposite. Pinna pectorales et ventrales parvce. Pinna caudalis leviter emarginata. There can be no doubt, I imagine, as to this being an entirely new form, and a very interesting one, from the circumstance of its being at the extreme end of the family to which it belongs, and its very much departing from the usual characters of that family. I have referred it to the Cyprinidce, taking that group in the enlarged view in which Cuvier accepts it ; though by those who divide it into subfamilies it would probably be associated with the Cobitidce, or made to constitute a distinct one by itself. It agrees with the Cyprinida in general in the form of its mouth, in the upper jaw having its margin entirely formed by the intermaxillary, the maxillary being present, but placed behind and partly concealed in the thickness of the lip, and in the want of an adipose ; but it altogether departs from that family in the entire want of scales, of which there is not even a vestige in the dried skin, and in which respect it would seem to shew an affinity to the Siluridce. Yet it has none of the other characters of the family just mentioned. On the other hand, in the backward position of the dorsal and anal fins, which are opposite to each other, it agrees with the Esocidce. The pharyngeal bones are unarmed, but this deficiency is made up for by the strong curved teeth on the tongue, independently of the minuter ones in the jaws. The intestine is extremely short and quite straight, measuring only fourteen lines in length from the pylorus to the anus, in a specimen two inches and a half long. The stomach is of an oval form, of considerable capacity, very mem- branaceous, with the cardiac and pyloric openings near together at the upper extremity, from the latter of which the intestine is immediately reflexed to pass off to the anus. In the specimen dissected, the stomach was much distended by a nearly perfect individual of the genus Colymbetes, which appeared to have been recently swallowed, and was scarcely at all altered. There are no ccecal append- ages. The air-bladder is of an elongated oval form, and of considerable de- velopment. FISH. 119 Mr. Darwin's collection contains no less than three species of this new genus, differing but slightly from each other. Two are from the most southern parts of South America, the third from New Zealand. J. Mesites maculatus. Jen. Plate XXII. Fig. 4. M. viridescenti-fuscus ; dorso et lateribus maculis crebris, hie et illic confluentibus, nigris ; ventre niveo ; pinnarum radiis nigro-punctatis. B. 6 ; D. 10 ; A. 16; C. 16, &c. ; P. 12 ; V. 7. Long. unc. 2. lin. 8. Form. — Slender and very much elongated. Body anteriorly subcylindrical, compressed behind. Greatest depth not more than one-eighth of the entire length : thickness about three-fourths of the depth. Head rather depressed, about one-sixth of the entire length. Snout short and rounded ; mouth at the extremity ; the gape moderate, not quite reaching to beneath the an- terior angle of the eye. Lower jaw ascending a little to meet the upper, and, when the mouth is open, appearing rather the longest. Intermaxillary fixed, forming the entire margin of the upper jaw, the maxillary being behind it, and, though of nearly equal development, not very distinct: both bones slender. Teeth small, but sharp-pointed, rather widely apart, arranged in a single row along the edge of the intermaxillary, and in the lower jaw; the series above consists of about eighteen, that below of about twenty-one : also a double longi- tudinal row on the tongue, each row containing five or six teeth, the anterior ones curved, and larger than any of those in the jaws : a similar double row, but of minuter ones, down the middle of the vomer ; none, however, on the palatines or pharyngeans. Eyes rather large, their diameter contained about three and a half times in the length of the head, distant scarcely one diameter from the end of the snout. The nostrils appear to consist of only a single aperture in front of the eye, in the neighbourhood of which, and also above the eye, are several large pores. The opercle and subopercle taken together approach to an oblong form, the posterior margin being straight and nearly vertical : the subopercle is not much developed, nor very distinct. Gill-opening very large, the membrane thick, with six rays, deeply notched beneath, and not fastened down. The whole skin is perfectly smooth and naked, invested with mucosity. No appearance of any lateral line, unless a fine dark streak be so called, passing along the middle of the sides, and dividing them into two equal parts. The dorsal and anal are opposite to each other, and both placed very far back, almost at the extremity of the body. They commence in nearly the same vertical line, a very little anterior to the commencement of the last third of the entire length ; but the anal being longer than the dorsal, it extends nearer the caudal. The form of these fins is much as in the genus Cobitis. The dorsal has the first three rays simple, the rest branched : the anal also has the first three simple, the first very short. Caudal about one-eighth of the entire length, with a shallow notch, the principal rays branched. The vent is just before the anal. The ventrals arise from about the middle of the entire length, the distance from their insertion to the com- mencement of the anal being twice their own length. The pectorals are small, and rather narrow, equalling about two-thirds the length of the head or hardly so much : they are attached low down, but not quite so low as in the genus Cobitis. 120 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. Colour.— {In spirits.) Greenish-brown, with numerous conspicuous spots and small irreo-ular transverse bars of black. Under a lens the spots appear to be made up of thickly crowded black specks upon a dark brown ground : the bars result from some of the spots being con- fluent. The belly appears to have been white. The rays of all the fins are dotted with dusky, but the membranes transparent and colourless. The individual described above was taken by Mr. Darwin in a fresh-water brook, in Hardy Peninsula, Tierra del Fuego. His collection, however, contains four other specimens found in streamlets and creeks high up the river of Santa Cruz in Patagonia, where they are said to have been numerous. Though these last are slightly different, they are evidently referable to the same species : they also vary a little from each other. Their peculiarities are as under : The largest measures 2 inches 8 lines in length, and has the following fin- ray formula : D. 12; A. 16 ; C. 16, &c. ; P. 14 ; V. 7. The next in size is 2 inches 6 lines, with the fin- ray formula thus : D. 11; A. 16; C. 16, &c. ; P. 13; V. 7. These specimens agree in being both slenderer than the one from Tierra del Fuego. The depth is eight and a half, if not nine times in the entire length : the head rather more than one-sixth of the same. The colours are similar, except that the spots are not quite so numerous, and of a more regular form, seldom running together to form bars. It is to these specimens that Mr. Darwin's notes refer, respecting the colours of this species in the recent state. As follows : " Pale greenish brown, with small irregular transverse bars of black ; belly snow white." — D. The third of the Patagonian specimens is 2 in. 2 lin. long. Fin-ray formula— D. 10 ; A. 15 ; C. 16, &c. ; P. 14 ; V. 7. The fourth is of the same length. D. 1 1 ; A. 15 ; C. 16, &c ; P. 13 ; V. 7. These last two specimens are exactly similar to each other in colours, but differ from the former two in being almost immaculate, having only a few spots on the upper part of the back. This brings them very close to the following species, from which they are scarcely to be distinguished, except by their smaller eyes. It should be observed further, that the fleshy part of the tail in these specimens has the upper and under edges fringed with the short accessory rays of the caudal, a character which is not so obvious in any of the others. ■■ FISH. 121 2. Mesites alpinus. Jen. M. viridescenti-fuscus, dorso saturatiore ; hoc, et lateribus, et pinnis, nigro levissime irroratis, immaculatis ; ventre niveo ; oculis majusculis. D. 10 ; A. 16 ; C. 16, &c. ; P. 13 ; V. 7. Long. unc. 2. lin. 5. Form. — Very little difference in form between this and the last species. The eyes, however, are decidedly larger, measuring in diameter one-third the length of the head. The head itself also appears somewhat longer, being nearly one-fifth of the entire length. The anterior teeth on the tongue do not seem much larger than the others. Fins similar. Colour. — {In spirits). Greenish brown, deepening in tint at the top of the back. Back, sides, and fins, immaculate, but thickly powdered with minute dark specks, scarcely visible except under a lens. These specks give the fins a more dusky appearance than they possess in the last species. The belly appears to have been white. A second specimen does not differ from the above in any respect, except in being rather smaller, and scarcely more than two inches in length. Habitat, Tierra del Fuego. This species was taken by Mr. Darwin in alpine fresh-water lakes in Hardy Peninsula, Tierra del Fuego. I have no hesitation in considering it distinct from the last, as there are two specimens exactly similar, both shewing a larger eye, and an entire absence of all approach to spots ; while the whole surface of the back and sides is thickly irrorated with dark specks, a character which does not appear in the plain varieties of the M. maculatus. 3. Mesites attenuatus. Jen. Plate XXII. fig. 5. M. viridescenti-fuscus, venire vix pallidiore ; dorso, et lateribus, pinnarumque radiis, sparsim nigro levissimd irroratis, immaculatis : corpore prcegracili, antice attenuato ; capite et oculis minor ibus. D. 11; A. 17; C. 16, &c. ; P. 12; V. 7. Long. unc. 2. lin. 6. Forbi. — Rather more slender than either of the last two species, the body more attenuated ante- riorly ; the head also smaller, though scarcely shorter. Mouth and eyes both smaller ; the diameter of the latter not more than one-fourth of the length of the head. Teeth also rather more minute as well as more numerous. The fins are similar, except that the ventrals appear to stand rather more forward, being attached exactly in the middle of the entire length, ex- cluding caudal : the distance from their insertion to the commencement of the anal is more than twice their own length. The outer rays of the caudal are worn, but there was probably a shallow notch when entire : the short accessory rays are very numerous, and form a very distinct fringe along the upper and lower edges of the fleshy part of the tail. R 12 2 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. Colour. — (In spirits.) Greenish-brown, much more uniform than in either of the last two species, not deepening on the back, and scarcely becoming paler underneath. The back sides, and rays of the fins, are finely irrorated with dusky specks, as in the M. alpinus, but not to the same extent, the specks being more thinly scattered, and here and there scarcely visible. From the same cause the fins appear paler. Habitat, Bay of Islands, New Zealand. This, which is a very distinct species of this new genus, was taken by Mr. Darwin in fresh-water in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. It is well charac- terized by its more attenuated head and smaller eye, than those of either of the two others. Family.— ESOCID2E. ExOCCETUS EXSILIENS. HI. ? Exocoetus exsiliens, Bl. Ichth. pi. 397. Form. — Head about one-sixth of the entire length, and approaching to the form of a paralle- lopiped ; very much flattened on the crown and between the eyes quite to the end of the snout, broader above than beneath, so that the cheeks are beyond the vertical inclining inwards at bottom. Snout short : mouth not much cleft; when shut, the jaws are equal, and the commissure of the lips appears to extend to beneath the anterior margin of the eye, but the maxillary, which retires completely beneath the suborbital, does not reach so far : when the mouth is open, the maxillary becomes vertical, and the intermaxillary being scarcely at all protractile, the lower jaw is a little the longest. Teeth very minute : a row, scarcely visible, along the forepart of the intermaxillary, but not extending to the sides of the jaw : none that can even be felt in the lower jaw, or in any other part of the mouth. Tongue rounded, and free at the tip. A loose veil of skin hangs down in front of the palate, from immediately behind the teeth in the upper jaw. Eyes round, and very large ; the upper part of the orbit reaching to the line of the profile, and forming a slightly salient ridge : their diameter very nearly one-third the length of the head; between them and the end of the snout is two- thirds of a diameter ; the distance from one to the other across the crown is one diameter and a quarter. The nostrils consist of one large round orifice a little in advance of the eyes. The membrane of the opercle forms a slightly salient angle backwards, near the upper part of the gill-opening. Scales large, of a somewhat irregular form, approaching to oblong, nearly twice as broad as long, the posterior margin with three or four incisions near the middle, and a few rather indistinct nearly parallel striae on the surface of the basal portion ; in others these striae converge to form a small but very regular fan ; and the scales appear to vary a good deal on different parts of the body. The pectorals reach exactly to the base of the lateral caudal rays ; the first two rays are simple, and all the others branched ; first ray of all not half the length of the fin. Dorsal so situate as to leave a space between it and the end of the fleshy part of the tail about equal to its own length ; the first ray simple, the others branched ; the last prolonged beyond those which immediately precede it so as to form rather a point backwards. Anal similar to the J&AJZM J3. Watvrhou,se. 2cwrfcin<9 cftl* 9*®%?^' 2. rufckus. 3. s- 4-. m2&rrupfcus. JO, 2cU. 3 CO. 4-CV. Mcufruficib Kevr of Teeth/. Ml MOr SvZe/. I he University of Chicago Libraries FISH. 123 dorsal, and answering to it exactly. The ventrals are attached at a point, in this specimen, about half an inch posterior to the middle of the entire length, reckoning this to the end of the fleshy part of the tail ; but are not much out of the middle, if the length be reckoned to the end of the upper lobe of the caudal : their length is contained not quite three and a half times in the entire length, excluding caudal ; and they reach exactly to the end of the dorsal and anal : first ray very much branched, and only one-third the length of the fin ; second ray appearing like two or even three rays at its upper extremity, from the circumstance of the several branches of it being of unequal length ; all the other rays branched likewise. Vent a very little in advance of the anal. Upper lobe of the caudal one-third shorter than the lower ; this last being exactly the same length as the ventrals. D. 11 ; A. 12 ; C. 16, &c. ; P. 18 ; V. 6. Length 12 inches 8 lines. Colour. — The colours were not noticed in the recent state ; and the specimen is in such bad con- dition, and so much altered by the spirit, that they are now no longer distinguishable. The flying-fish above described was taken by Mr. Darwin in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Peru, in Lat. 18° S. It appears to be the E. exsiliens of Bloch, but as I am not aware that the species of Exoccetus have been ever rigour- ously worked out, and closely compared from different parts of the globe, I have thought it expedient to annex a description, by which it may be identified, if it prove hereafter distinct.* Family.— SALMONID^. 1. Tetragonopterus Abramis. Jen. Plate XXIII. fig. l. T. corpore subrhomboideo, compressissimo, altitudine fere dimidium longitudinis, pin- na caudali exclusd, tequante : osse maxillari angusto, retrorsum arcuato : pinna dorsali triangulari, supra ventrales accurate exorienti ; anali Icevi, longd, altitudine retrd cito decrescente ; utrdque plicis membranaceis, radiis longitudinaliter adhceren- tibus, ins true td : squamis in lined laterali 46, in lined inter pinnas ventrales et dor- salem transversa 17. B. 4 ; D. 1/10 ; A. 2/30 ; C. 19, &c. ; P. 13 ; V. 8. Long. unc. 4. lin. 7. Fokm.— Of a subrhomboidal form, the nape and back being much elevated, whence the profile falls very obliquely and in nearly a straight line. Greatest depth nearly half the entire length, ex- cluding caudal. Body very much compressed, the thickness being nearly three and a half times in the depth. Head approaching to a laterally flattened cone, with the length and height nearly equal. Snout very short; mouth but little cleft; when open, the lower jaw projecting • Swainson is of opinion that " more than double the number of species of Exoccetus really exist above those that have been described." — Nat. Hist, of Fishes, vol. i. p. 299. 124 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. considerably. Maxillary narrow, and of nearly equal breadth throughout, curving backwards. Teeth with their cutting edges dentated, the middle point much the most developed, with one or two smaller ones on each side : two rows of such teeth on the intermaxillary, and one in the lower jaw, this last row with scarcely more than eight or ten teeth in it. No teeth on the maxillary, vomer, palatines, or tongue. Eyes round, rather large, their diameter three and a half times in the length of the head, distant not so much as one diameter from the end of the snout. Nostrils with two orifices, the posterior one a narrow curved slit, the anterior one a round hole. The suborbital forms a somewhat triangular naked disk beneath the eyes, with radiating veins. Posterior margin of the opercle very little curved : subopercle narrow, and small, forming but a small portion of the gill-flap. About seventeen scales in the depth, and forty-six in the lateral line, which last bends downwards rather below the middle, and is continued quite to the caudal. A scale taken from the middle of the side below the lateral line is somewhat rounded anteriorly, the basal margin being straight ; the surface marked with very fine numerous concentric striae, and with two coloured deeper stria? on the free portion diverging from the centre in a V-like form : some scales have three or four of these coloured stria?, drawn more or less regularly. The dorsal commences in about the middle of the entire length, excluding the caudal and narrow part of the tail ; of a triangular form, its greatest height equalling the depth to the lateral line. Pectorals narrow, shorter than the head, attached below the bottom of the gill- opening, and reaching rather beyond the insertion of the ventrals, which last are in a vertical line with the commencement of the dorsal and shorter than the pectorals. Anal long, com- mencing a very little beyond the tips of the reclined ventrals ; the anterior portion rather more than half the height of the dorsal, but the posterior much lower, sloping rapidly off; two spines, the first very minute, the second about one-third the length of the first soft ray; the last soft ray double. The anal terminates nearly in a line with the adipose, which is small. Caudal forked for half its length : the lobes equal. Many of the rays in the vertical fins, more especially the dorsal and anal, are accompanied through nearly half their length from the bottom by mem- branous folds of skin. There are also some small scales along the base of the anal, but none apparent on the dorsal. In the axillae of the ventrals is an elongated scale, not half their length. Colour.—" Back bluish silvery, with a silver band on the side : a bluish black spot behind the gills. Fins pale orange ; tail with a black central band."— D— There is now not much trace of the silver band, or the black band on the tail. The humeral spot is, however, still very distinct. Habitat, the Rio Parana, South America. This species was taken by Mr. Darwin in October in the Rio Parana, as high up as Rozario. I cannot ascertain that it is described, though there is much re- semblance between it and the species figured in Seba.* It differs from the T. chalceus of Spix, in its much smaller scales, not to mention other points of dissi- milarity. * Thesaurus, vol. iii. pi. 34. f. 3. FISH. 125 2. Tetragonopterus rutilus. Jen. Plate XXIII. fig. 2. T. corpore ovali, compressissimo, altitudine tertiam partem longiludinis, hdc ad basin furcce caudalis mensd, cequante : osse maxillari angusto, retrorsum arcuato : pinna dorsali suUriangulari, paululumpone ventrales exorienti; anali lesvi, longd, altitudine retro cito decrescente ; utrdque plicis membranaceis, radiis longitudinaliter adhceren- tibus, instructd : squamis in lined laterali 40, in lined inter pinnas ventrales et dorsalem transversa 14. D. 1/9 ; A. 2/27 ; C. 19, &c. ; P. 14 ; V. 8. Long. unc. 4. lin. 3. Form.— More oval than rhomboidal: the back and nape not so much elevated as in the last species; the profile falling less obliquely. Depth one-third of the entire length, measured to the base of the caudal fork: head one-fifth of the same. Not above fourteen scales in the depth, and forty in the lateral line, which occupies the eighth row from the top. The scales on the whole similar, but with the basal margin not so straight and regular, and somewhat projecting in the middle in the form of a blunt salient angle. The dorsal commences a trifle nearer the caudal, and at the middle of the entire length, the caudal alone excluded. The pectorals reach just to the insertion of the ventrals, which last are a trifle in advance of the dorsal. The second anal spine is longer, and nearly half the length of the soft rays which follow. Colour.— "Back iridescent greenish brown: a silver band on the side. Fins dirty orange: tail with a central black band; above and below the band bright red and orange."— D.— The colours appear very similar to those of the last species. The humeral spot, however, is less obvious, while, on the other hand, the silver band on the side can still be distinguished. Habitat, Rio Parana, South America. Taken with the last species, to which it is very closely allied. Mr. Darwin observes in his notes, that both are among the commonest of the river fry in the Rio Parana. Both this and the T Abramis are distinguished by having narrow longi- tudinal folds of skin attached to the basal half of the rays of the dorsal and anal fins, a character which does not shew itself in any of the three species next to be described. 3. Tetragonopterus scabripinnis. Jen. Plate XXIII. fig. 3. T. corpore ovali, subelongato, valde compresso ; altitudine tertiam partem longitudinis, caudali exclusd, cequante : osse maxillari paulo dilatato, recto : pinna dorsali sub- oblongd, altd, pone ventrales exorienti; anali scabrd, altitudine retrd gradatim decrescente ; radiis plicis membranaceis nullis : squamis in lined laterali circiter 38, in lined inter pinnas ventra'es et dorsalem transversa 12. D. 1/9 ; A. 3/22 ; C. 19, &c. ; P. 13 ; V. 8. Long. unc. 3. lin. 7. 12 6 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. Form. — Still more oval and elongated than the last species, the profile falling in a gentle curve from the dorsal to the end of the snout. Depth exactly one-third of the length, excluding caudal : head one-fifth of the entire length, caudal included. Maxillary rather dilated towards the bot- tom, and quite straight, not curving backwards as in both the last species. Teeth rather larger, and more conspicuous. Nostrils larger. Only twelve scales in the depth, the lateral line occupying the seventh row from the top : thirty-seven or thirty-eight in the lateral line. Scales of a rather different form ; the basal margin more sinuous, the free margin not so regularly curved, the coloured striae hardly obvious. Dorsal more oblong than triangular, higher in rela- tion to the depth, of which it equals two-thirds, commencing at a point anterior to the middle of the length, excluding caudal. The pectorals reach a little beyond the ventrals, which are attached a little in advance of the dorsal. The anal has all the rays longer, and more nearly equal, the posterior part of the fin not being so much sloped off: there are three spines at the commencement, the first two minute, the third not quite half the length of the soft rays : this fin is furthermore distinguished from that of the two former species by the rays being set with asperities, which communicate a scabrous harsh feel to the touch, when the finger is passed along them from the base upwards. Colour. — Not noticed in the recent state. In spirits it appears more silvery than either of the two last species : the back and upper part of the sides being brownish. A humeral dusky spot, and the remains of what was probably a bright silver band along the middle of the side from the gill to the caudal. At the base of the caudal is a dusky spot, which is prolonged in a line along the central rays to the commencement of the fork. The other fins faintly edged with dusky, but otherwise pale. Habitat, Rio de Janeiro. The more oval and elongated form, straight maxillary, and scabrous anal fin, at once distinguish this species from either of the two last. It was taken by Mr. Darwin in fresh water, at Rio de Janeiro, in June. 4. Tetragonopterus tteniatus. Jen. T. corpore ovali, valde compresso, altitudine tertiam partem longitudinis, hue ad basin furcce caudalis mensd, cequante : osse maxillari margine posteriore recto : pinna dorsali supra ventrales accurate exorienti ; anali Icevi, altitudine retro cito decrescente ; radiis plicis membranaceis nullis : squamis in lined laterali 40, in lined inter pinnas ventrales el dorsalem transversa 14. D. 1/10; A. 3/22, &c. Long. unc. 2. lin. 2. Form. — Depth and general form similar to those of the T. rutilus ; also the same number of rows of scales, the lateral line occupying the eighth from the top. Anal smooth, and similar to that of the T. rutilus in form, but in the number of the spines and soft rays agreeing with the T. scabripinnis. The maxillary straight, but hardly so much dilated as in the last-named species, being of nearly equal breadth throughout. The teeth are more numerous than in either, amounting in the lower jaw to fourteen or more. The ventrals are in an exact line with the commencement of the dorsal. FISH. 127 Colour.— Much as in the T. scabripinnis. The same silver band, only more brilliant ; also the same humeral spot, and the spot at the base of the caudal extending along the middle rays. Habitat, Rio de Janeiro. The above description is that of two small specimens, similar to each other, obtained by Mr. Darwin in a running brook at Socego, in the province of Rio de Janeiro. They are probably not full grown ; but so evidently distinct from either of the last two species, the characters of which are in some measure combined in them, that I have not hesitated to give them a separate place. The silver band is more or less obvious in all the species of this genus brought home by Mr. Darwin, but it is much brighter in this than in any of the others. 5. Tetragonopterus interruptus. Jen. Plate XXIII. fig. 4. T. corpore ovali, valde compresso: altitudine terliam partem longitudinis totius (Equante : ore parvo ; osse maxillari brevissimo, dilatato, margine poster iore recto : dentibus minutis, multicuspidatis : dorsali subtriangulari, pone ventrales exorienti ; anali (in uno sexu ?) scabrd, altitudine retro subito decrescente ; his pinnis plicis membranaceis nullis : squamis in lined longitudinali 35, in lined inter pinnas ventrales et dorsalem transversa 10 : lined later ali interruptd, hand Jinem pinnce pectoralis attingente. D. 1/10 ; A. 2/18 ; C. 18, &c ; P. 1 1 ; V. 7 Long. unc. 2. lin. 8. Form.— Oval, and not very dissimilar in general form to the T. rutilus, but rather more elevated above the shoulder. Depth exactly one-third of the entire length : head one-fourth of the same, caudal excluded. Profile not exactly straight, but very slightly hollowed out at the crown, then as slightly protuberant above the eyes, whence it falls more rapidly in front, giving the snout a short and blunt appearance. Mouth much smaller than in any of the preceding species, owing to the extreme shortness of the maxillary, which is broad, with the anterior mar- gin curving outwards, but the posterior one straight. Teeth very small ; the points on the cutting edges numerous (five or six on each tooth) and nearly equal; apparently only one row on the intermaxillary, and the same in the lower jaw; none on the maxillary. Eyes and nos- trils as in the other species, but the anterior orifice of the latter larger. Subopercle much larger, forming a greater portion of the gill-flap. Scales relatively larger; only ten in the depth, and thirty-five in the length. They have no deep stria on the basal portion, and conse- quently no fan ; but they are very regularly marked with the usual finer stria? concentrically arranged, except on the free portion where they become indistinct. The lateral line occupies the sixth row of scales from the top, but is very soon interrupted, coming to an end before it has reached the length of the pectoral, and not carried over more than eight or nine scales in the length. Dorsal subtriangular, commencing exactly at the middle of the length, caudal excluded. Anal shorter than in the other species, and not reach- ing so near the caudal ; two spines, but the first extremely minute. Caudal forked for half its 128 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. length, the lobes equal. Ventrals more forward than in the other species, decidedly in advance of the dorsal, and attached at one-third of the entire length ; their axillary scale very small. Pectorals narrow, reaching beyond them. No long folds of skin accompanying the rays of the vertical fins. Colour.— Not noticed in the recent state, in which, judging from its appearance in spirit, it was probably silvery, or perhaps golden, with somewhat of an olivaceous hue becoming deeper on the back. There are evident remains of a bright longitudinal lateral band : also of a black spot at the base of the caudal. The dorsal and the anterior portion of the anal incline to dusky : the pectorals and ventrals are slightly dusky at their extremities ; there is also a large irregular dusky stain on the back and shoulders anterior to the dorsal fin. A second specimen differs from the above in being a trifle smaller, and not quite so deep in the body. The anal is also decidedly scabrous, as in the T. scabripinnis, and has one ray less in it. The colours are similar, excepting that the fins are rather less dusky, and the large dusky stain on the back and shoulders is wanting, Habitat, Maldonado. This species is one of several that were taken by Mr. Darwin at Maldonado, in the lake that had been suddenly drained, before alluded to. It is immediately distinguished from all the others in this genus above described, by its small mouth and abbreviated lateral line. The circumstance of the anal fin being scabrous in only one of the specimens leads to the suspicion that this may be a sexual charac- ter, perhaps common to this and several species ; and, judging from its somewhat less depth, I conceive the specimen so distinguished in this instance to be a male. Hydrocyon hepsetus. Cuv. Hydrocyon hepsetus, Cuv. Reg. An. (ed. 2) torn. ii. p. 312. falcatus, Freycinet, (Voyage) Zoologie, p. 221, pi. 48. fig. 2. f orm.— -Back rising slightly from the nape, whence the profile in front falls obliquely in nearly a straight line to the mouth. Depth contained about three and a half times in the length, caudal excluded. Both head and body much compressed, the greatest thickness being only two-fifths of the depth. The length of the head equals the depth of the body. Snout appears rather pointed when the jaws are shut ; when open, the lower jaw is a little the longest. Gape con- siderable. Maxillary long, commencing before the eyes, and reaching to a vertical from the posterior part of the orbit ; inclining downwards, lapping obliquely in part over the lower jaw, gradually widening towards the posterior extremity, which is rather obliquely rounded. Inter- maxillary with two sharp canines in front, then on each side four or five very small hooked teeth, then another large canine, though not so large as those in front ; behind this commences the maxillary, which is armed all along its margin with a regular row of small equal hooked teeth, resembling sharp serratures ; a similar row on each palatine, but none on the vomer or tongue ; this last pointed, and free at the tip. Lower jaw with two strong canines in front, larger than those in the upper, and fitting into two holes above, when the mouth is shut ; on each side of these are three only half their size, but increasing backwards, placed at rather wide FISH. 129 intervals ; then follow a row of close, minute, sharp teeth, similar to those on the edge of the maxillary. Eyes rather large, their diameter not quite one-fourth the length of the head, dis- tant one diameter and a quarter from the end of the snout. Suborbital large, consisting of three pieces. Preopercle rectangular. A row of pores, not very distinct, along the under part of the lower jaw, thence continued along the limb of the preopercle. Opercle and sub- opercle taken together with the posterior margin forming a slight but regular curve, with scarcely any salient angle. Head naked ; scales on the body of moderate size, arranged in somewhat oblique rows, especially below the lateral line ; one from the middle of the side below the lateral line of an irregularly rounded form, the posterior margin rather sinuous, the disk with numerous fine concentric striae, but no deeper- cut striae on the basal portion. About sixteen scales in a ver- tical row, and fifty-seven or fifty-eight in the lateral line : this last bending downwards in a curve which falls below the middle of the depth. Scales on the lateral line not larger than the others. The dorsal answers to the space between the ventrals and anal ; its height equals the depth to the lateral line. Anal long, commencing exactly under the last ray of the dorsal ; the first part of this fin as high as the dorsal, but the rays, beyond the fifth, gradually decreasing ; three spines, the first two very minute ; the last soft ray double. Caudal in this specimen injured. Adipose and last ray of the anal in the same vertical line. Pectorals two-thirds the length of the head, attached very low down beneath the terminating portion of the gill-flap, narrow and slightly falcate, reaching to the ventrals, which last are one-fourth shorter. A long narrow scale in the axilla of each ventral one-third the length of the fin itself. B. 4; D. 11 ; A. 3/26; C. 22, &c. ; P. 12; V. 8. Length 4 inches 3 lines. Colour. — " Bluish silvery." — D. — Some appearance of a dusky spot at the base of the caudal pro- longed in a line along the middle rays, but scarcely any trace of a humeral one. The dorsal and anal incline a little to dusky. Taken at Maldonado, in a fresh-water lake, in June. I have scarcely any doubt of its being the H.falcatus of the Zoology of Freycinet's voyage, the figure of which it exactly resembles, excepting that the humeral dark spot, if it ever existed, and which is not mentioned in Mr. Darwin's notes, is now almost entirely effaced. It is probable, however, that there are two or three species nearly allied, for which reason I have been the more particular in my description. The H. Ilepsetus of D'Orbigny* appears to differ from the H. falcatus of Freycinet (with which lastCuvier associates his name of Hepsetus,) in having the lateral line curv- ing upwards rather than downwards, and the caudal fascia as well as the humeral spot more marked. The Sabno falcatus of Bloch is probably distinct from both * Voi/. dans L'Amer. Merid. Atl. Ichth. pi. 9. fig. 2. S 130 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. Genus.— APLOCHITON. Jen. Corpus elongatum, compression, subfusiforme, undique nudum alepidolum. Caput par- vum. Rostrum breviusculum, subacutum. Os terminate, rictu modico. Maxilla superior margine ex ossibus intermaxillaribus oinnino formato, maxillaribus, hcec sub(Equantibus, retroductis. Denies minuti, acuti, in maxilla utrdque uniseriati, in lingua et vomere longitudinaliter biseriati, in ossibus palatinis nulli. Apertura branchialis amplissima, membrand triradiatd, subtus profundi emarginatd. Pinnce, dorsalis paululum pone ventrales, analis paululum pone dorsalem reclinatam, exori- entes. Ventrales appendicibus axillaribus nullis. Pinna caudalis bifurca. I have already noticed a remarkable new form among the Cyprinidce brought home by Mr. Darwin, and differing from all the known genera in that family by the entire absence of scales. The one now to be described is not less remarkable among the Salmonidce, and, what is particularly interesting, would seem to occupy an exactly analogous place in this family, departing from it in the same important character of having the skin perfectly naked and free from scales. There are, however, many other points of similarity between Mesites and the genus which I have here termed Aplochiton.* In both there is the same form of mouth, the margin of the upper jaw being entirely formed by the intermaxillary, behind which is the maxillary of nearly equal development. The teeth in the jaws are similar, both in regard to form and arrangement ; there is also the same double longitudinal row on the tongue, and along the vomer. The pieces of the opercle are similar, and the gill opening equally large in both genera, though the branchial membrane has twice the number of rays in Mesites that it has in Aplochiton. Furthermore, the fins are on the whole very similar, with the exception of the dorsal not being so far back in Aplochiton, and there being also an adipose in this genus. It is also deserving of notice that both these new forms, so resembling each other in many of their characters, come from the same quarter of the globe, being found either in the most southern parts of S. America, or in the neighbouring islands. From the circumstance of the naked skin, Aplochiton might by some be referred to the Siluridce, but what was said of the genus Mesites may be repeated here, that it has none of the other external characters of that family. The maxillary, instead of being reduced to a mere vestige, or lengthened into a barbule, is as much de- veloped as in any of the Cyprinidce, and of the usual form ; the subopercle also is very distinct ;t while there is no strong spine at the commencement of either the dorsal or pectoral fins. At the same time it must be mentioned that Aplochiton * Ab cnr\oos simplex, et yj.rwv tunica. t Valenciennes says, in his preface to the fifteenth volume of the " Histoire des Poissons," that none of the Siluridw have the subopercle ; and that the absence of this bone serves to distinguish them from Colitis. ^ - 111 s O V C >- ^ "J O s Is o c FISH. 139 than to Rhombus, though possibly it may be found hereafter to serve as the type of a distinct subgenus in this family. The form of the dorsal fin, if correctly delineated, is remarkable. The size of the fish is not stated. Rhombus ? Form. — Oval, approaching to rhomboidal. Breadth a little exceeding half the length. Eyes on the right side, near together, equally in advance, or the lower one perhaps rather more forward than the upper ; between them a double osseous ridge. On the under side of the head, and nearly answering in position to the upper eye, is a deepish cavity, from whence proceeds a tentaculiform appendage four or five lines in length. Teeth very small, sharp, in scarcely more than two rows, and apparently confined to the under side. Lateral line sweeping over the pectoral. Dorsal commencing above the upper lip, and reaching nearly to the caudal, but leaving a minute space. Both sides of the body are smooth, but the upper one appears to have lost its scales. Pectoral on the eye side about three-fourths the length of the head. Length 5 inches. Colour. — " Above pale purplish brown, with rounded darker markings." — D. Habitat, Bahia Blanca, Coast of Patagonia. Achirus lineatus. D'Orbig. Achirus lineatus, D'Orb. Yoy. dans L'Amer. Merid. Atl. Ichth. PI. 16. fig. 2. Form. — Body oval, but with the dorsal and anal fins included, approaching orbicular ; the greatest breadth rather more than half the length. Eyes on the right side, moderately near together, the upper one a very little in advance. Lower jaw longest, projecting beyond the snout. Teeth forming a velutine band, very minute, and scarcely sensible except to the touch, confined to the side opposed to the eyes. Preopercle distinct from the opercle. A few short thread-like cirri on the under side of the head ; two at the extremity of the snout being rather longer and more conspicuous than the others. Lateral line nearly straight throughout its course, somewhat higher at its commencement than afterwards, but taking no sweep. Both sides of the body rough, with ciliated scales, but the upper one most so. The dorsal com- mences above the upper lip, and reaches, as also the anal, almost quite to the caudal : this last rounded. Pectorals entirely wanting. Length 9 inches. Colour. — Not noticed. Habitat, Rio Plata. This species was obtained by Mr. Darwin in the market at Buenos Ayres, where it is said to be eaten. It so exactly accords in form with the figure of the A. lineatus in D'Orbigny's Voyage, that I have little hesitation in considering it the same, though, from the specimen being dried, there are no vestiges left of the transverse lines. Whether it be the A. lineatus of any other author I am uncer- 140 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. tain. It approaches, however, very closely the Passer lineis transversa notatus of Sloane.* Plagusia ? Form. — Oval, but narrow, and much elongated for a Sole, the breadth in the middle being three and a half times in the length. Eyes on the left side, very small, and closely ap- proximating, equally in advance, or if any difference, the lower one a little first. Mouth small, with velutine teeth on the supine side, but apparently none on the upper: snout a little produced in a point beyond it. The dorsal and anal unite with the caudal, which ter- minates in rather a fine point. No trace of any pectorals above or below. Scales strongly ciliated, especially above, and both sides of the body rough. Length 7 inches. Colour. — Not noticed. Habitat, San Bias, Coast of Patagonia. This species is very nearly allied to the Plagusia Braziliensis of Spix's work,t but it appears to differ in having the eyes one over the other, or the lower one perhaps a little in advance, instead of the upper one a little before the lower. Family.— CYCLOPTERID^. 1. GOBIESOX MARMORATUS. Jen. Plate XXVII. Fig. 1. G. dorso et lateribus pallide fuscis , nigro reticulatis et fasciatis : dentibus anterioribus majoribus, in maxilla superiore subconicis, in inferiore incisivis : operculo postice mucrone obtuso armato : membrand branchiali spina gracili, subduplici, (prater radios solitos,) instructd, magna ex parte celatd, apice exserto : pinna dorsali tredecim-radiatd . B. 6 ; D. 13 ; A. 11 ; C. 14 vel 15 ; P. 20 vel 21. Long. unc. 2. lin. 7. Form. — Head very large, broad and much depressed, with the snout rounded nearly in an exact semicircle. Body compressed behind, and suddenly tapering behind the pectorals. The length and breadth of the head are equal, each being one-third of the entire length, ex- cluding caudal. Gape wide, reaching nearly to beneath the anterior angle of the eye. Teeth strong, and somewhat crowded in front; in the upper jaw bluntly conical, or slightly curved, but of irregular size, with minuter ones behind ; very small at the sides of the jaw, and apparently here but in a single row : below, the six middle teeth are incisor-like, and project forwards ; on each side of these are two or three similar to those in front above, then follow some minuter ones at the sides. Eyes rather more than a diameter apart. Gill-open- * Nat. Hist, of Jamaica, PL 246, fig. 2. t Pisces Brazil, p. 89, tab. L. Ikktf.t7. 26 Li, ( i " - . •' mss^^rism^ SS SS^M-MES^^^ ^Z 3vm Jfaurgim, Sterw ty WManvkvrus ■ /# , Den** n^. 2(ts. „ . zaaeraz mm 4*. , corusj?willa2M/a. jfi ZfooUrSiiiU' 2&. , , M«up>aJU 4 & '2. iMdupvMtd- Items of Mead*. The University of Chicago Libraries REPTILES. 7 small interrupted fascia of the same colour extends from the shoulder to the thigh. The belly is of au uniform dirty white. This species approaches considerably to Pr. cyanogaster in general form and habit, and in many of its characters ; but it may be at once distinguished from it not only by its colouring, but by the absence of even the slightest appearance of a carina on any of the scales of the temples or of the sides of the neck. DIMENSIONS. Inches. Lines. Length of the head 6 of the body 1 6 of the tail 3 4 Total length 5 6 Length of anterior extremity 7 of posterior extremity 1 1 Found by Mr. Darwin at Port Desire, in Patagonia. Proctotretus tenuis. Plate III.— Fig. 2. Capite squamis lesvibus, non imbricatis ; auribus magnis, margiue anteriore sub- tuberculato; serie unica squamarum supralabialium ; temporibus squamis rotun- datis, imbricatis ; collo granuloso ; squamis dorsi parvis, obtusis, carinis minimis ; squamis lateralibus exiguis, non imbricatis; facie posteriore femorum omnino granulosa. Proctotretus tenuis, Bibr. 1. c. p. 279. Description.- General form slender: head rather short and obtuse, covered with flattened smooth scales; anterior margin of the ears with one or more slight tubercles ; temples covered with rounded imbricated scales, some of which are slightly carinated; sides of the neck, and above the shoulders granular; scales of the back small, slightly carinated, obtuse; those of the sides very small, very little imbricated ; those of the belly small and smooth. The posterior surface of the thighs has no patch of imbricated scales, but is wholly granular. The colour of the two specimens brought home by Mr. Darwin is so much obliterated, that I am obliged to have recourse to the account given by Bibron of the colour and markings of this species: — "Les deux sexes du Proctotrete svelte n'ont pas le meme mode de coloration. Ni l'un ni 1'autre ne portent, de chaque cote du dos, une bande longitudinale verte ou jaunatre comme cela s'observe dans Pespece precedente, (Pr. pictus.) " Le male a le dessus de la tete nuance de brun et de fauve, ou bien ponctue de jaune et de noiratre. La region cervicale est, ainsi que le dos, vermiculee de noir sur un fond brun, ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. qui est lui-meme seme de taches, soit bleuatres, soit verdatres, on ardoisees ; quelquefois meme on en remarque de jaunatres. Presque tous les individus ont les cotes du cou marques chaqun d'une raie noire qui s'etend depuis le haut de l'oreille jusqu'a l'epaule. Les membres et la queue sont coupes en travers par des bandes onduleuses noiratres, dont les intervalles se trouvent remplis par de taches, les unes bleuatres, les autres de la couleur du cuivre rouge, la gorge tantot est jaune, tantot d'un beau vert metallique. Souvent elle est, de meme que les autres regions inferieures de l'animal, vermiculee de gris-brun pale sur un fond blanchatres, glace de violet. " La femelle a toutes ses parties superieures peintes d'un gris-brun fauve. Son cou et son dos portent deux series parallele de demi-cercles noirs, ayant leur bord convexe tourne de cote de la tete, et leur bord concave lisere de blanchatre, ou bien d'une teinte plus claire que celle du fond de la couleur du dos. La region moyenne de celuici est quelquefois ponctuee de noir, ou tachetee de blanchatre. Des lignes noires onduleuses traversent le dessus de la queue dont le dessous est souvent cuivreux. Les regions inferieures sont blanchatres on bien colorees de la meme maniere que celles des individus males." Mr. Darwin's only observation on the colour of this species is, that it is " brownish black with transverse black bands." DIMENSIONS. Inches. Lines. Length of the head 5 of the body 1 6 ofthetail 2 1 Total length 4 2 Length of anterior extremity 8 of posterior extremity 1 3 Found at Valparaiso, and at Concepcion, in Chile. Proctotretus signifer. Plate IV.— Fig. I. Capite brevi, obtuso, depresso, squamis leevibus plants; aurium margine anteriore bi-tuberculato ; squamis temporum imbricatis; colli granulatis ; serieunicd squamarum supralabialium ; squamis dorsi laxis imbricatis, vix carinatis ; facie posteriore femorum omnind granulosa. Dorso Jlavescenti-griseo, signis nigris, in seriebus quatuor longitudinalibus dispositis. Proctotretus signifer, Bibr. 1. c. p. 288. Head short, depressed, somewhat abruptly deflexed from the vertex— the scales flat, those of the supra-orbital arch being numerous, and less regular than in most other species. Between ./&*&"# .' ' rk if //MWilUI UltWif JPnniecC by <- J/iut 2. 7UtyitymacvUs Detynft^UC. *Vke.:, .(,', ■.!■■:■-,■:: ' ,'.;■.! y The University of Chicago Libraries REPTILES. 15 Description. — The general form of this new species is similar to that of Pr. Weigmannii, but less elongate and somewhat more depressed, resembling in general appearance some of the forms of the genus Sceloporus. Head covered with rather small and consequently numerous scales, slightly elevated, and separated from each other by distinct and deep lines. A single series of small scales between the labial scales and the orbit. The exterior margin of the ear is entire and even. Scales of the temple and at the sides of the neck wholly granular, the latter very small. The scales of the back are small, flat, with a very low carina, and not pointed at the posterior extremity. There are about twenty rows of dorsal scales. The posterior surface of the thighs is granulated, excepting a small patch near the tail of imbricated scales, similar to those of the inferior surface, as in Pr. Weigmannii. The tail is of moderate length, and the scales which cover it are short, depressed, and obtuse in comparison with those of several other species. The pre-anal pores, which are peculiar to the male, are about ten in number. The general colour is gray, with two light longitudinal lines on each side, and a row of black spots along the inner margin of the dorsal ones. The under surface is nearly white, with black dots under the throat. The anterior legs, when stretched backwards against the side, reach about two- thirds towards the thigh ; and the posterior when stretched forwards, extend to the shoulder. DIMENSIONS. Inches. Lines. Length of the head 5 of the body 1 6 of the tail 3 4 Total length .... 5 5 Length of anterior extremities 8 of posterior extremities 1 2 It is at first sight extremely difficult to distinguish this species from younger individuals of Pr. Fitzingerii, from which, however, it differs in the more linear form of the supralahial scales, in the absence of imbricated scales on the lateral fold of the neck, the more entire margin of the ear. In the existence of a patch of larger imbricated scales on the posterior surface of the thighs, it resembles /V. Weigmannii; from which, however, it may be at once distinguished by the single row of supralabial scales, the later species having a double row. Proctotretus Weigmannii. I Plate VIII.— Fig. 1, 2. Capite squamis hevibus turn imbricatis tecto ; auribus rotundis margine anteriore 16 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. minuih granulalo. Seriebus cluabas squamarum supralabialium. Femorum facie posteriore partim granulosa, partim squamis minutis imbricatis tectd. Proctotretus Weigmannii, Bibr. 1. c. p. 284. Habitat, Northern Patagonia and La Plata. Description. — Head rather short, covered with numerous slightly raised scales, not carinated nor imbricated ; snout rather obtuse and slightly rounded, nostrils semicircular. Two series of very small scales between the labial scales and the orbit. Ear of moderate size, the anterior margin furnished merely with minute granular scales. Scales of the temples flat and smooth. Fold on the sides of the neck distinctly marked, anteriorly bifurcated; the remainder some- what waved. Sides of the neck granulated scales of the whole of the upper and back parts of the body and tail of moderate size, the carina little elevated and the point but slightly prominent. The scales of the inferior parts of the neck and body are smooth, polished, and imbricated, those towards the sides of the neck minutely emarginated. The scales of the limbs resemble those of the body; those of the upper surface being carinated and those beneath smooth. The posterior face of the thighs is generally covered with granular scales, but there is on this part near the tail, a distinct patch of imbricated scales resembling those of the inferior surface of the thighs, a character by which this species may at once be distinguished from all others. The anterior extremity placed against the side reaches about two-thirds of the distance towards the groin ; the posterior extremity reaches forward to the shoulder. Colour. — The back and sides are brownish gray, with a yellow longitudinal band on each side of the back, separating transverse black or dark brown bands of various size and form ; and there is in most on each side a smaller interrupted yellow band. The under parts generally of a yellowish white, in some individuals sparsely dotted with black. Mr. Darwin says of some individuals of this species that they have " an orange-coloured gorge, and faint stripes of blue," also " ash-grey with dark brown marks and specks of orange and blue." DIMENSIONS. Inches. Lines. Length of the head 5 of the body l 5 of the tail 2 2 Total length 4 2 Length of anterior extremity 1 1 of posterior extremity 8 This species was found by Mr. Darwin at Bahia Blanca and at Rio Negro, on the northern confines of Patagonia, and at Maldonado, near the mouth of the Rio Plata. /fate 3. /« n '^l^"' < * try B.WkttrkoiwetfmfMtw, Z. _peoti?ieo&ze\ y,if .•'/ ., The University of Chicago Libraries REPTILES. 1 7 Proctotretus multimaculatus. Plate IX. — Fig. 1. Corpore subclepresso ; capite squamis numerosis parvis tecto ; auribus parvis, margine IcBvi ; seriebus quatuor squamarum supralabialium ; squamis temporum imbricatis ; collo granuloso ; femorum facie posteriore partim granulosa, partim squamis imbri- catis tectd. Proctotretus multimaculatus, Bibr. 1. c. p. 291. Habitat, Bahia Blanca, Northern Patagonia. Description. — The body depressed and wide — the head triangular, the muzzle rather acute. Nostrils prominent and nearly round. Scales of the head very small and numerous ; those of the temple rhomboidal and imbricated. There are four series of small irregular scales between the labial and sub-orbitar. The sides of the neck are wholly granular ; the scales of the body very small ; those of the upper parts rhomboidal, flat with very low carina, and obtuse at the apex — beneath they are also small and rhomboidal ; the posterior surface of the thighs is granular, but, as in some other species, there is, near the groin, a distinct patch of imbricated scales like those of the inferior surface. The tail is broad to some distance from the origin, and then tapers to the extremity. The scales of the tail are rather small, short and obtuse. The anterior extremity placed against the sides reaches about two-thirds the distance towards the posterior, and the latter reaches forwards to the shoulder. The ground colour of this species is gray, with numerous small black spots, some of which are bordered with white. The under parts are white, and in one specimen in Mr. Darwin's collection there are on the belly numerous distinct small black spots. His description of the colours is as follows : — " Colours above singularly mottled. The small scales are coloured brown, white, yellowish red and blue, all dirty, and the brown forming symmetrical clouds. Beneath white, with regular spots of brown on the belly." DIMENSIONS. Inches. Lines. Length of the head 8 ofthebody 1 8 of the tail 3 Total length ... 5 6 Length of anterior extremity 1 of posterior extremity 1 6 Found at Bahia Blanca, on the northern confines of Patagonia. The follow- ing remarks of Mr. Darwin on the habits of this species are very interesting. " In its depressed form and general appearance it partakes of some of the characters D ] 8 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. of the Geckos. Its habits are singular. It lives on the dry sand of the beach, at some distance from the vegetation, and the colour of the body much resembles that of the sand. When frightened it depresses its body, stretches out its legs, and closing its eyes tries to escape detection. If pursued it buries itself with great quickness in the sand ; but as its legs are short, it cannot run very swiftly." ♦ Proctotretus pectinatus. Plate IX.— Fig. 2. Capite squamis subcsqualibus, rhomboideis, imbricatis, carinatis tecto. Proctotretus pectinatus, Bibr. Hist. Rept. IV. p. 292. Habitat, Patagonia. Description. — The scales of the head are narrow, closely imbricated, strongly but not acutely carinated, and the anterior ones arranged in somewhat of a radiating direction from the muzzle. There is but a single series of scales between those of the upper lip and the orbit, and these, together with all the scales about the head, partake of the carinated and elongated character already described. A single strong triangular scale and two smaller ones are placed on the anterior margin of the ear, which is narrow, oval and reniform. The scales of the temples and sides of the neck are rhomboidal, acute, carinated and imbricated. There is a longitudinal fold on each side of the neck and a transverse one anterior to the shoulder, behind which is a deep depression. The scales of the back and side are prominently and acutely carinated, those of the central line being rather more prominent than the others ; and above this there is on each side a marked longitudinal lateral crest extending from beneath the eyes to the base of the tail. The scales constituting these crests are very prominent, narrow and acutely carinated. The scales of the belly are also imbricated and rhomboidal, but flat; those of the under surface of the hands and feet are carinated ; and those of the toes have three carinse. The body is somewhat depressed as is the tail at its commencement, becoming more rounded and rather abruptly smaller at some distance from its origin. The fore-foot reaches to about two-thirds of the distance from the shoulder to the side, and the hinder extremity thus placed extends to the shoulder. The colours of this most elegant of all the species of the genus are very beautiful. " This is the most beautiful lizard," says Mr. Darwin, " I have ever seen ; the back has three rows of regular oblong marks of a rich brown, the other scales symmetrically coloured either ash or light brown; many of them of a bright emerald green; beneath pearly, with semilunar spots of brilliant orange on the throat." I find in the specimens I have examined that the pectinated lateral crests are white, and the brown oblong marks of the back are bordered with a similar colour. There are always three white transverse lines across the head. REPTILES. 19 DIMENSIONS. Inches. Lines. Length of the head ? of the body 1 7 ofthetail 3 1 Total length 5 5 Length of anterior extremity 1 of posterior extremity 1 5 This species, as has been observed by M. Bibron, who first described it, may be at once distinguished from every other by the character of the scales of the head, which, instead of lying fiat, with the edges in contact, are all of them imbricated and carinated. Another obvious distinguishing character, is the narrow line of prominent scales running the whole length of the body on each side, forming a sort of pectinated lateral crest, from which circumstance it has derived its name. Found by Mr. Darwin, at Bahia Blanca, and Port Desire in Patagonia. Genus— DIPLOL^MUS. Bell. Caput breve, latum, subtriangulare. Aures parvcs, ovatce, margine Icevi. Nares magna, rotundce. Collum infra transverse, ad latera longitudinaliter plicatitm. Corpus subdepressum, non cristatum. Cauda teres, breviuscula, Icevis. Pedes breves, robusti. Squamae capitis numerosce, parvce, rotundatce, non imbricates — corporis atque caudae supra minimce, Iceves, convexce, paulb imbricatce, infra laves, planes. Pori femorales et pra>anales in utroque sexu nulli. Dentes palatini nulli. The new genus which I have thus defined, resembles very closely, in most of its characters, the genus Leiosaurus of Bibron ; from which, indeed, it scarcely differs, excepting in the absence of palatine teeth, and in the form of the suborbitar plates, which in Leiosaurus are all distinct, and of nearly equal size : whereas, in the present genus, three of these are united to form one plate, resembling that in Proctotretus, and some other Agamidce. In other respects the genera are very closely allied ; but the existence or non-existence of palatine teeth, is a character of so much importance, that it appeared to me, — and in this opinion I am supported by M. Bibron, who examined the specimens with me, — that they should be con- sidered as distinct. Both the genera are natives of South America. Of Leiosau- rus Bellii (Bibr.) the only known specimens were presented to me by Capt. King, who obtained them during his survey, from whom also I obtained specimens of one of the species of the present genus, D. Bibronii. 20 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. DiploljEmus Darwinii. Mihi. Plate X. Squamis capitis convexis ; cauda, corpore cum capite longiore. Habitat, Port Desire, Patagonia. Description.— Head short, almost equilaterally triangular, rising obliquely from the muzzle to the vertex, then flattened. Nostrils large, round, each placed in front of the supra- orbital crest, and in a line between it and the centre of the muzzle. The ears are small, oval, the margin simple, and the membrana tympani superficial. The neck is considerably contracted ; it has a longitudinal fold on each side formed by the confluence of two others, one of which arises from behind the angle of the mouth, and the other from above the ear, which is, as it were, enclosed between them ; they coalesce a little behind the ear. There is also a distinct transverse fold on the throat, very similar to that in Leiosaurus Bellii. The body is moderately thick, some- what depressed, and without the slightest appearance of a longitudinal crest, or any elevation along the median line. The tail is somewhat longer than the head and body, nearly round and tapering almost evenly from its origin to the apex. The fore legs are short and moderately robust, the toes short, nearly equal ; the hinder legs moderately long. The former when placed against the sides, do not reach the thighs by nearly a third of the distance between the two limbs ; the latter when directed forwards, just reach the axillae. The cloacal covering is semi- lunar, turgid, and the margin quite simple. Scales covering the upper surface of the head numerous, rounded, and considerably ele- vated ; those between the two supra-orbital semicircles are in a double series. The occipital plate is oval, raised from the margin, hollowed immediately around the centre which is again raised like a minute tubercle. Above the labial scales, is a series of equal, rounded, oblong scales, and between these and the principal suborbital is a single series of smaller ones. Scales of the whole of the upper and lateral parts of the neck and body extremely small, slightly elevated, passing at the sides into a flatter and more expanded form. Those of the whole of the under parts are quite flat and imbricated. Beneath the anterior parts of the lower jaw, and behind the broad mental scales, are a series of flat, hexagonal scales on each side, passing back- wards and outwards, the front pair large and oblong and the others diminishing by degrees. The scales of the throat are very small, those on the fold larger and acutely rhomboidal. The scales of the anterior part of the belly are also rhomboidal and those of the posterior portion hexagonal or nearly quadrate. The tail is covered by scales disposed in whorls, those on the median line beneath being larger than the others. Beneath each toe is a series of transverse hexagonal imbricated scales. The colours and markings of this species are very difficult to be described, on account of the great irregularity of their disposition. The ground colour of the head is yellow, passing into grey on the back part. The anterior part has several small spots of a dark brown colour, and there is a larger one on each orbit, another between the eye and the ear, and others on the back part of the head extending to the neck. The middle of the back is reddish yellow, on ffs; Mit/, S3. ~"-^fe ■ The Univeroity of REPTILES. 25 It constitutes one of the numerous interesting novelties obtained by Mr. Darwin in the Galapagos. The specimens, which are of various ages, were taken in Chatham Island and in Charles Island. Genus— CENTRURA. Bell. Caput breve, triangulare. Aures magnce, antice cutis plica, haud dentatd, partim celatce. Nares magnce, rotundcs. Gula transverse subplicata. Collum atque corpus haud cristata ; hoc depressum, latum, cute longitudinaliter plicatd. Cauda teres, basin versus subdepressa, squamis fortibus spinosis verticillatis. Squamae capitis numerosce, parvce, rotundatce, non imbricates — corporis minimce, rotunda, subconvexce, Iceves. Pori femorales et prae-anales nulli. Dentes palatini. The propinquity of this genus both to Oplura and to Doryphorus is very obvious. It differs, however, from both in several structural characters. From the former in the absence of denticulations on the anterior margin of the ear, and of a nuchal crest ; from the latter in the presence of palatine teeth. Its place is probably between these two genera. Centrura Flagellifer. Mihi. Plate XIIL— Fig. 2. Description.— Head almost equilaterally triangular, the muzzle rounded; scales of the head small, nearly equal, rounded, not imbricated, those of the temples subconical ; nostrils round, large, confined to the nasal scales. Ears rather large, the tympanum lying beneath the surface, and partly concealed by an anterior fold of skin, which is not denticulated, as in Oplura. Skin of the neck folded at the sides, that of the body flaccid, and with strongly marked lateral folds, extending from the shoulder to the thigh. Scales of the neck and back very small, round, slightly convex, very smooth. Skin of the throat rugose, with a transverse pectoral fold not very strongly marked. Scales of the throat similar to those of the back; those of the belly broader and less convex ; all perfectly smooth. Tail about the length of the head and body flattened at the base, then round, surrounded with strong spinous verticillated scales, of which there are about fifty circles ; beneath smooth. Legs of moderate length, strong, covered with small conical, imbricated scales. The toes compressed towards the extremity, and terminated with a strong, short, compressed nail. Colour.— The colour can only be partially described, as the specimen has been long in spirits. It e 26 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. is of a dark brown colour above, witb darker, obscure markings on the body. About the head are traces of green. The tail and limbs are rich brown, and the under parts dull, pale fuscous. DIMENSIONS. Inches. Lines. Length of the head 8 of the neck 4 of the body 2 5 of the tail 3 7 Total length .... 7 4 Length of anterior extremity 1 4 of posterior extremity 2 Familia— GECKOTIDtE. Gray. Geckotiens ou Ascalabotes. Bibr. Genus — Gymnodactylus. Spix. Gymnodactylus Gaudichaudii. Bibr. Plate XIV.— Fig. 1. Squama mentali impart pentagond, scutiformi ; squamarum labialium inferiorum paribus quinque, superiorum paribus sex ; cauda, medio crassiore. Gymnodactylus Gaudichaudii. Bibr. Kept. III. p. 413. This species was first brought from Coquimbo by Gaudichaud, after whom it was named by Moris. Bibron, who described it in his work ; but as one specimen alone exists in the French National Collection, and as the species has never been figured, it is thought desirable that a figure should be given in the present work. The characters above given sufficiently distinguish it from all other species ; but for a detailed description, the reader is referred to the " His- toire des Reptiles" above quoted. DIMENSIONS. Inches. Lines. Length of the head 5 ofthebody l 4 of the tail 2 3 Total length 4 //j>/t/w.Tlafc/ IS. Drawn- fhm- JVcOcm- oTVJkmt In/ Jj. WaJa'koiMe,JTa»v7ujui 3. G/doda*s {faitoxrmat. ) The University of Chicago Libraries REPTILES. '-29 Found at Bahia Blanca by Mr. Darwin. The specimens are probably all of them very young ; hence the longitudinal lines can scarcely be considered as per- manent, as most species of the genus are beautifully lineated in the young state. The length of the tail, with its carinated scales, the general elegance of the form, the gracile form of the head, and the neat and distinct arrangement of the colours, render this one of the most beautiful species of this elegant genus. The description of the colours given above, being from specimens which have been long in spirits, it is necessary to state that Mr. Darwin has the following notice respecting one of them — " On the sides two dark red streaks ; tail red." Familia— ZONURIDJ1 Genus — Gerrhosaueus. Weigmann. Gerrhosaurus sepiformis. Bibr. Plate XV.— Fig. 2. Scincus sepiformis, Schneid. Hist. Ampb. II. p. 191. Men. Syst. Amph. p. 70. n. 1. Gerrhosaurus sepiformis, Bibr. Hist, des Rept. V. p. 384. Corpore cum caudd longo, serpentiformi ; pedibus parvis; squamarum submaxillarum pari secundo contiguis ; squamis dorsalibus magnis, subreciangularibus, striatis, in seriebus tredecem, et ventralibus in seriebus octo dispositis. Habitat, Cape of Good Hope. After a careful examination of the data from which the different synonyms of this species, and of Gerrhosaurus Jlavigularis, Bibr., have been derived, I am in- clined to agree with this author, that the present is the true Scincus sepiformis of Schneider, and of Merrem, and not Scincus Jlavigularis as supposed by Wagler, Weigmann, and Gray. It is very fully described by Bibron in the " Histoire Naturelle des Reptiles," but it has not hitherto been figured. There is no notice of it in Mr. Darwin's notes, further than its having been obtained at the Cape of Good Hope. 30 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. Familia-SCINCIDtE. Genus — Cyclodus. Wagler. Cyclodus CasuariNjE. Bibr. Plate XV.— Fig, 3. Aurium margine anteriore simplici ; squamis corporis Icevibus, in seriebus xxiv dispositis. " Keneux de la casuarina, Cocteau, Tab. Syuopt." (v. Bibr. Hist. Nat. des Rept. V. p. 749.) Cyclodus casuari?iw, Bibr. 1. c. As I have not the work of the lamented Dr. Cocteau by me, I quote the above reference from M. Bibron's work, in which this species is fully described. It differs from the other species of this curious genus in many minute characters of the scaling of the head, but the most tangible and obvious distinctive character consists in the number of series of scales, which does not exceed twenty-four, all around the body, whilst in the others, they amount to thirty-four or thirty-eight. It would appear that it is liable to some considerable diversity in colour and markings. That which M. Bibron describes, has " the head of a yellowish grey, the whole of the upper part of the body olive grey, and the inferior part whitish grey." The specimen in the collection of the Zoological Society has the whole upper part of a brownish grey, with twelve black lines extending from the neck along the back and tail, corresponding with the sutures of the longitudinal series of scales. The under surface of the tail is marked by about thirty transverse, in- terrupted, black bands. The following is the description given by Mr. Darwin from his specimen when taken,—" Scales on the centre of the back light greenish brown, edged on their sides with black ; scales on the sides of the body above greyer and with less black, below reddish : belly yellow, with numerous narrow, irregular, waving, transverse lines of black, which are formed by the lower margin of some of the scales being black; head above grey, beneath whitish." Mr. Darwin adds, that the motion of the body, when crawling, resembles that of a snake. It is not very active. Coleoptera and larvae were found in its stomach. " It is common in the open woods near Hobart Town in Van Diemen's Land." RepbZ&f. Plate' 48. ■ mK , | :,-,, . . . ■/, ., , ■..',,..., ;r.,r SaiwlU, ■3. 3ets. Zimnochaww Jmsaw. 4. G/sliaiiaJkuj frevrgicmuj. ,Yat:^A^. C-IfaZbllAlin'f ../ The University of Chicago Libraries REPTILES. 31 Classis— AMPHIBIA. Ordo— ANOURA. Familia— RANID^l. Genus Rana. Rana Delalandii. Bibr. Plate XVI.— Fig. 1. Dentibus palatinis in serie transversd, medio interrupts, dispositis ; membris posterior- ibuscorpore cum capitedupld longioribus ; pedibus posticis gracillimis, semipalmatis . Rana Delalandii, Bibr. Hist. Kept. VIII. p. 388. Description. — Head elongate, depressed. Eyes large, not prominent. Tympanum nearly round. Palatine teeth in two simple series, commencing at the inner side of the anterior margin of the posterior nares, and extending towards each other in a transverse direction, leaving between them a space of about half the length of each. Tongue not quite as long as it is broad. Body somewhat depressed, and with the head forming an almost uninterrupted ellipse. Skin of the back, with several small longitudinal folds. Anterior legs, when placed against the sides, reaching to the thigh. Fingers very slender, and of nearly equal length. Posterior limbs fully twice as long as the head and body. Toes extremely long and slender, and connected by a membrane by about half their length. Colour. — The general colour of the upper parts is a rich brown, with darker brown and white markings. A white median fascia extends the whole length of the head and body ; another fascia of the same colour and of very irregular figure on each side, passes backwards and downwards from above the shoulders, and loses itself in the pale colour of the abdomen. There are several smaller white lines and spots, and others of a dark rich brown, particularly a large mark of the latter colour behind the eye, including the tympanum. The thighs and legs arc elegantly banded with similar colours. The under side is whitish. DIMENSIONS. In. Lines. Length of the head and body 1 8 of anterior extremities 1 1 of posterior ditto 3 7 This species was first discovered at the Cape of Good Hope by M. Delalande, and named after him by Mons. Bibron. Mr. Darwin found it in the same locality. It is now figured for the first time. 32 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. Rana Mascariensis. Plate XVI.— Fig. 2. Dentibus palatinis in fasciculis binis obliquis distantibus, ad marginem interiorem narium posteriorum aMingentibus; tympano circulari, mediocri ; digitis posticis usque ad phalanges penultimas connexis : plantis tuberculo unico ; cute dorsi Icevi, longiiudinaliter plicatd ; supra fusco-rufescens, fascia longitudinali pallida. Rana Mascariensis, Bibr. Hist. Rept. VIII. p. 315. Habitat, the Mauritius. This pretty species of the typical genus of the family was described by Bibron, but has not hitherto been figured. It was found in Mauritius, on swamps near the sea, by Mr. Darwin, who remarks on the extraordinary height of its leaps. It has also been found in the Seychelles, Madagascar, and' the Island of Bourbon. Genus— LIMNOCHARIS. Bell. Lingua ovalis, integra, margine posteriore libero. Dentes palatini utrinque in fasci- culis duobus dispositis, quorum alter ad marginem anteriorem narium interiorum, alter pone nares interiores, prope arcum maxillarem Nasus terminalis, truncatus, ultra labium productus. Tympanum conspicuum, circulate. Cutis omnind Itsvis. Digiti anteriores liberi, posteriores ad basin tantum palmali. The genus Limnocharis is remarkable for the existence of palatine teeth in a part of the mouth in which they have never been observed in any other amphibian. Not only is there a small group or line of these contiguous with the anterior margin of the posterior nares, — a situation in which they are found in some other genera of Ranida;, but there is also a group of them placed at some distance behind the posterior margin of these openings, and close within the rise of the maxillary arch. This genus, of which one species only is at present known, will probably be most naturally placed between the true Ranee and certain of the Cystignathi. REPTILES. 33 LlMNOCHARIS FUSCUS. Mild. Plate XVI.— Fig. 3. Habitat, Rio Janeiro. Description. — Head semi-oval, depressed, as broad as it is long. The muzzle truncated, extending beyond the lips, which it overhangs. Tongue oval, entire, free at the posterior margin. Pala- tine teeth in two parcels on each side ; one consisting of very few at the anterior and inner margin of the posterior nares, the other behind those openings, in the angle formed by the maxillary arch and the orbits. Posterior nares large and oval. Tympanum conspicuous, nearly circular. Skin every where perfectly smooth, without glands or pores. Anterior legs of moderate length and size. The fore-arm rather longer than the upper arm. Fingers of moderate length, wholly detached. Hinder legs little more than one-third longer than body. The toes separate, excepting a slight rudiment of a connecting membrane at their base, which extends, though very narrow, along their sides, the extremity very slightly notched. Colour of the upper part rich dark brown. The thighs lighter, obscurely banded with dark brown. Under parts pale blueish grey. The throat dotted with brown. DIMENSIONS. In. Lin. Length of the head and body 1 4 of the anterior extremities 7 of the posterior extremities 1 8 Found in brooks at Rio Janeiro by Mr. Darwin, who states that it is infested with acari ; and I observe, in the specimen under examination, several marks in the skin, from whence these have been taken. Genus— CYSTIGNATHUS. Wagler. Cystignathus Georgianus. Bibr. Plate XVI.— Fig. 4. Dentibus palatinis perpaucis, in fasciculis binis approximatis, pone nares posteriores ; lingua integrd, oblongd ; tympano celato ; pedibus posterioribus non pal- niatis. Crinia Georgiana, Tschudi Class. Batrach. Cystignathus Georgianus, Bibr. Bept. VIII. p. 416. This species, which formed the type of Tschudi's genus Crinia, was sepa- rated by him from Cystignathus on account of the form of the tongue, the non- F 34 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. appearance of the tympanum, the paucity of palatine teeth, and the total absence of an interdigital membrane on the hinder feet. These characters being either merely comparative or unimportant, were not considered by Bibron as sufficient to warrant a generic separation, and I have followed him in retaining the species amongst the Cystignathi. It was first discovered by Messrs. Quoy and Gaimard at King George's Sound, in Australia, where it was also obtained by Mr. Darwin. It is a beautiful species ; the back being of a rich brown colour, with a pale orange fascia extending along the sides from the eye to the thigh, becoming bright orange on the flanks. Thighs and legs banded with rich deep brown and bright orange. Genus— BORBOROCCETES. Bell. Lingua ovate, postice libera, rotundata; antice subacuminala. Dentes palatini in fasciculis binis pliis miniisve obliquis, pone nares posteriores positi. Tympanum celatum. Digiti anteriores hand palmati ; posteriores ad basin tantiim cute con- nexi. Glandulae cutanea; nullce. Sacculi vocales (maris) utrinque sub lingua nascent es. The two species on which I have founded this genus approach so nearly to some species of Cystignalhus, that it is not without hesitation that I determine on considering them as typical of a new generic form. The principal characters on which I have founded the distinction are the position of the palatine teeth, the form of the tongue, the concealment of the tympanum, the absence of glands and pores on the skin, and the connexion of the base of the hinder toes by a rudi- mentary palmar membrane. It is true that some of the species of Cystignathus, as that genus is at present constituted, agree with the present form in some or other of these particulars ; but upon the whole they are sufficiently distinct ; and in fact the genus Cystignathus, as left by M. Bibron, appears to me to stand in need of revision and dismemberment. The species constituting the genus now proposed, are however both new. The genus Borboroccetes will probably stand, in its natural affinities, between Cystignathus and Cycloramphus, from the latter of which it differs in the situation of the palatine teeth, in the degree to which the hinder feet are webbed, and the comparative length of the hinder legs. The two latter characters are of importance as indicating a difference of habit ; and we find that Cycloramphus has proportionally short hinder limbs, with the toes JfeplHe*5. Plate 47. '■><;.-. .'..','. ,, . ■ . ,-;, ■ ty _S. PVaJeriunwe JftrnJajw rn/U.,a i».> i. .-tiin'or. .-<;-<•»*■<. /. Boriorvcoefas 3ihvnju. Z. Creu/U: ■5. fatfonuutm/. ) 4a, J€ccq Jiiw i>fTongnte>& £uMel7. The University of Chicago Libraries REPTILES. 35 extensively palmate, whilst in Borboroccetes the hinder legs are much longer, and the toes scarcely at all webbed. The former structure indicates a greater power of swimming, and the latter of leaping. BoRBOROCOZTES BlBRONII. MiJli. Plate XVII. Fig. 1. JDentibus palatinis in fasciculis distantibus obliquis pone nares posteriores positis ; palmis bituberculatis . Habitat, Chiloe and Valdivia. Description. — Head depressed, the vertex slightly concave between the orbits ; front (space in- cluded between two lines drawn from the anterior corner of the orbits to the point of the nose) triangular and distinct. Nostrils lateral. Eyes rather prominent. Tongue broad, ovate, acuminated in front, behind entire and rounded, the posterior half and the sides de- tached. Palatine teeth in two oval parcels, direct obliquely backwards and inwards, and situated at some distance behind the line of the posterior margin of the nares. Tympanum concealed. Body rather depressed and short. Skin smooth and without pores or glands, excepting on the posterior and inferior surface of the thighs, where there are some small granular elevations. Fore legs two-thirds the length of the head and body. The fore-arm rather larger than the upper arm. The fingers entirely separated, the third considerably the longest. A small tubercle under each joint, and two on the palm near the wrist. Length of the hinder legs to that of the head and body as 5 to 3, or rather more. Toes connected only at their base. A small tubercle under each joint, and a very depressed one at the base of the inner toe. Colour of the upper parts fuscous, with a lateral fascia extending from the orbit nearly to the thigh, of a dark-brown colour, bordered with whitish ; and another of an elongated triangular form on each ilium. Legs with transverse incomplete facise of the same colour. Under parts grey, with numerous brown dots. DIMENSIONS. In. Lines. Length of the body and head 1 5 of the anterior extremities 1 of the posterior extremities 2 6 Taken at Valdivia and at Chiloe, in a thick forest, by Mr. Darwin. 36 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. BORBOROCOETES GrAYII. MiM. Plate XVII.— Fig. 2. Dentibus palatinis in fasciculis subcontiguis pauld obliquis, pone nares posteriores positis ; palmis non tuberculatis. Habitat, Yaldivia. This species considerably resembles the former in most of its characters. The palatine teeth, however, form at once a certain and tangible distinction, and there are some minor points in which they differ, sufficient at a glance to deter- mine them. The head in the present animal is broader than it is long; in the former the breadth is only equal to its length. The palms are in this species without conspicuous tubercles ; in the other there are two, although very small. In colour it differs much from the former. The general colour is a rich fuscous brown, rather paler beneath ; the flanks, the throat and belly, and the whole of the thighs and legs, with various white markings, those of the throat and belly being the smallest. This species was found in the forest, in Valdivia. Genus— PLEURODEMA. Tschudi. I have thought it right to follow Tschudi in separating from the genus Cystignatfms of Wagler, such species as have large and conspicuous lumbar glands, particularly as they all agree in possessing a much more bufonine aspect than the others. The discovery of three new species, all agreeing in these characters with Pleurodema Bibronii of Tschudi, increases the importance of the grounds upon which this separation is made. Pleurodema. Darwinii. MiM. Plate XVII.— Fig. 3. Dentibus palatinis paucis, minimis ; lingua subcordatd, vix emarginatd ; glandulis lumborum magnis, rotundis, convexis ; digitis posticis ad basin tantiim membrand connexis ; dorso sparsim tuber culato-glanduloso ; supra pallidb virescens, maculis fusco-olivaceis. Habitat, Maldonado. jftepZile*. Flafo/tf. :.,... . , . : . ma, ., M : : '':(A-*Hiir<<<.<* /«y ■/. 4 ov Zeuip&ru,? . Jfylas agriu&us. 3. 3cv. . . w^w : . The University of Chicago Libraries REPTILES. 45 The following is the description of the colouring, as given by Mr. Darwin from the living specimen. " Above fine grass green, mottled all over with copper colour, which nearly forms two longitudinal bands ; beneath entirely of a lurid reddish lead colour. Iris brown." DIMENSIONS. In. Lin. Length of the head 1 ofthebody 1 8 of the anterior extremities 2 1 of the posterior extremities 4 4 Found by Mr. Darwin in the Archipelago of Chonos (S. of Chiloe) in thick forests. Genus— HYLA. Hyla Vauterii. Sibr. Plate XIX. Fig. 2. Lingua mbcordiformi, posticb emarginata. Dentibus palatinis infasciculis binis ovali- libus, subcontiguis. Oculis prominentibus. Capite tarn lato quam longo. Guld bi-plicata ; supra leviter — infra multum granulosa. Dorso fusco-griseo, punctis, maculis etfasciis lateralibus nigris. Hyla Vauterii. Bibr. MS. Description. — Head short, thick, the sides anteriorly converging towards a nearly right angle, the muzzle rounded. Tongue nearly cordate, posteriorly emarginate, free for about one-fourth of its length. Palatine teeth in two oval fasciculi, placed nearly transversely between the poste- rior nares, and almost contiguous. Eyes prominent. Tympanum circular, rather large. Body plump, the sides nearly parallel for two-thirds of its length. The skin nearly smooth, but covered with very small inconspicuous granulations over the whole upper surface, which are rather more obvious on the head. The throat, the belly, and the inferior surface of the thighs covered with large prominent granulations. Beneath the lower jaw the granulations are smaller, and the under surface of the limbs excepting the thighs is quite smooth. A small fold of skin over the tympanum passes backwards to the arm ; and beneath the throat there are two considerable transverse folds, one of which is before and the other immediately behind the arms. Fore feet, with the palms covered with small granular tubercles, and a tubercle under the joints of the fingers, which are connected to about one-third of their length. Hinder legs longer than the head and body by the whole foot and tarsus. The soles tuberculated. Toes rather short, palmate to half their length. Colour. — The whole of the upper parts are greyish brown, with a tinge of red, and minutely punctured with black. There are scattered spots of the latter colour on the back and sides, assuming somewhat of a longitudinal arrangement, and a broad blackish grey fascia extends 46 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. from the eye backwards to the arm, including the tympanum, and this fascia is bordered beneath by a white line. The thighs and legs are barred and spotted with black. The under parts are yellowish white, excepting under the lower jaw, where it is finely mottled with black and white. I received the name of this species from Mons. Bibron, who had, I believe, applied it to specimens in the Paris Museum. It was taken by Mr. Darwin at Maldonado, lurking under a stone, and at Rio Janeiro on palm-trees. DIMENSIONS. In. Lin. Length of the head and body 1 6 of anterior extremities 9 of posterior extremities 2 5 Hyla agrestis. Mihi. Plate XIX.— Fig. 3. Capite brevi. Oculis subprominentibus . Tympano mediocri circulari. Lingua sub- rotunda, poslice libera, antice angustatd. Dentibus palatinis in fasciculis binis, pauld separatis, ad marginem postico-interiorem narium posteriorum. Dorso granu- loso. Guld plicald. Digitis anticis ad basin tantum, posticis usque ad phalanges penultimas palmatis. Supra viridis, linea alba laterali, femoribus poslice atque lateribus abdominis, albis, nigro-maculatis . Habitat, Maldonado, in grassy fields. Description. — Head short, thick, the two sides of the muzzle approaching each other at a rather acute angle, rounded at the extremity. Eyes rather large and prominent. Tympanum circular, of moderate size, and very distinct. Tongue entire, rounded, and free behind, narrowed, and almost angular in front. Palatine teeth in two oval parcels separated by a very small interval, and placed on a line with the hinder margin of the posterior nares ; the whole of the back covered with extremely small granules ; a slight fold or elevation of the skin commencing above the posterior margin of the tympanum, and extending backwards just above the arm, in front of which it is met by a more considerable one which crosses the throat from side to side ; the under parts covered with large granules ; fore feet with the toes palmated only at the base ; hinder ones palmated to four-fifths of the length. The colour of this beautiful species is thus given by Mr. Darwin : — " Above emerald green, beneath white; a silvery white stripe bordered beneath with a very narrow black line, extends from the corner of the eye, along the side, to the REPTILES. 47 thigh : a smaller one at the corner of the mouth ; the posterior surface of the hinder legs and the flanks marked with black spots. Iris gold coloured ; tym- panum brown." DIMENSIONS. In. Lin. Length of the head and body 1 8 of the anterior extremities 1 of the posterior extremities 2 8 The young of this species, instead of the bright green colour of the upper parts, is of a delicate grey with small brown markings ; and a lateral fascia of brown, bordered above and beneath with a white line, extends from the fore part of the head backwards, the upper white line nearly to the thigh, the inferior one to the shoulder. The black spots on the flanks and thighs are but just visible. This species so nearly resembles the Hyla pulchella of Mons. Bibron, at least as far as his description enables me to ascertain its characters, that it was with some hesitation that I came to the conclusion that they are distinct. Exclusive, however, of the difference of colour, the back of the present species is granulated, and the throat still more distinctly so, whereas the other animal has the skin on the upper parts, as well as on the anterior part of the throat, quite smooth. The palatine teeth also appear to be somewhat differently arranged. Mr. Darwin observes, that this species was found in numbers in the open grass plains, and likewise in swamps, about Maldonado, and that they can never ascend trees, as these are entirely wanting at the places frequented by the Hylae. Fam.— BUFONIDtE. Genus— RHINODERMA. Bibr. Lingua cordato-ovata, postice libera et subemarginata. Dentes palatini nulli. Tym- panum celatum. Glandae parotides nullcE. Digiti breves, depressi; anteriores ad basin tantum, posteriores fere dimidio palmati. Rostrum cutis appendiculo jiliformi instructum. 48 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. Rhinoderma Darwinii. Bibr. Plate XX.— Fig. 1, 2. Supra pallide rufo-cinereum, fasciis iransversis viridescentibus ; subtus castaneo- nigrum, maculis albis. Rhinoderma Darwinii. Bibr. Hist. Nat. Rept. VIII. p. 659. Var. Dorso fuscescenti-nigro. Description. — The head and body are flattened, the head triangular, slightly truncated in front, but appearing angular from the skin being produced into a small filiform appendage, standing forwards from the extremity of the snout. The eyes are lateral, slightly prominent. Body very slender. Skin perfectly smooth, and without apparent glands, excepting on the thighs. Fore legs rather short, reaching quite to the thighs when placed by the side ; the toes almost wholly separate, there being but the rudiment of a connecting membrane at their base. Hinder legs long, extending forwards beyond the head by the whole length of the foot ; the hinder toes are connected nearly half their length, and the connecting membrane is thick and coloured like the rest of the skin. Colour. — The colour varies greatly in different individuals. The following are the principal variations in the specimens collected by Mr. Darwin. Above pale iron rust-colour, with a transverse fascia across the head, a triangular one over the shoulders, a large broad mark on the loins, and the upper part of the thighs all of a bright beautiful green. The under side ante- riorly rich chestnut-brown, passing into black posteriorly, with several irregular snow-white spots, particularly a broad one across the belly, and white bands across the legs. Another specimen was cream colour above, the markings darker, and with small spots of green. In one the chestnut colour beneath was replaced by bright yellow. There is one, constituting a very distinct variety, in which the upper part is wholly and almost uniformly dark brown. The female is greenish grey above, without conspicuous markings. This is the only known species of the genus, which was founded by Mons. Bibron upon the specimens collected by Mr. Darwin. The general slightness and elegance of its form, and its slender proportions, would lead us to consider it at first sight as rather belonging to the Ranidce than the Bufonidcp ; but the total absence of teeth in the upper maxillary arch, shews that its proper place is in the latter group. Its form and the length of the posterior extremities would also pre- pare us to expect that it can leap freely, which Mr. Darwin states to be the fact. It inhabits thick and gloomy forests, and is excessively common in the forest of Valdivia. DIMENSIONS. In. Lin. Length of the head and body 1 of the anterior extremities 5 of the posterior extremities 1 4 Heplile&.JFtaSe' %$. :. [, . ■ . . . . ,■ ><£- / ■ r ::.z<7-rm*sl*t*J'- ■ >/■'■> ,'/u;///t /-■,■/ /■-■ nujticana. The University of Chicago Libraries REPTILES. 49 Bufo Chilensis. Bibr. Of this species, which has been described under different names by many naturalists, and the synonymy of which has only lately been cleared up by Mons. Bibron, there exist numerous specimens in the collection of Mr. Darwin, who found it at Buenos Ayres, and also in the Archipelago of Chonos, on the west coast of South America. It is certainly remarkable that the same species should be found on the opposite sides of the Continent ; but on a careful examination I do not find any specific distinctions between the specimens from the different localities. The Prince de Wied has described it as found at Brazil, under the name of Bufo cinctus, and it is also well known as having been re- peatedly procured in Peru and in Chile ; but Mons. Bibron has in his work con- sidered them all as belonging to but one species. The following account of its habits as given by Mr. Darwin is very curious and interesting :— " These Toads are exceedingly abundant all over the treeless damp mountains of granite, crawling about, and eating during the daytime, and making a noise similar to that which is commonly used in England to quicken horses. Many of them on being touched close their eyes, arch their back, and draw up their legs (as if the spinal marrow was divided), probably as an artifice. They are remarkable from their curious manner of running like the Natter Jack of England ; they scarcely ever jump, neither do they crawl like a toad, but run very quickly. Their bright colours give them a very strange appearance. They abound at an elevation of 500 to 2500 feet." Genus— PHRYNISCUS. Phryniscus nigricans. Weigm. Plate XX.— Fig. 3, 4, 5. Dorso granuloso, scabriusculo. Pedibus posticis subpalmatis. Corpore membrisque nigris, abdomine macula magna transversa ad partem posterior em et macula rotunda utrinque medium versus, palmis atque plantis, omnibus coccineis. Phryniscus nigricans. Weigm. Nov. Act. Leop. XVII. p. 264. Bibr. Hist. Rept. VIII. p. 723. Chaunus formosus. Tschudi Classif. Batrach. Habitat, Maldonado and Bahia Blanca. 50 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. This curious little species has been described by Weigman under the present name,— by Tschudi under the generic name of Chaunus, and fully by Bibron, who retained the name originally given to it by Weigman. It now remains only to correct, from Mr. Darwin's notes, some points respecting the colours, which had been mis-stated in consequence of the action of the spirit in which the specimen had been preserved. The colour of this curious miniature representation of a Toad, is "ink black," excepting the palms and soles of the feet, a large transverse spot across the posterior part of the abdomen, two smaller ones near the middle, and in some specimens a few scattered little spots, all ot the most intense vermilion red. There is one specimen from Bahia Blanca which has also some small "buff-orange" spots on the upper part.* Mr. Darwin ob- serves that "the appearance of the vermilion colour is as if the animal had crawled over a newly painted board ;" and he adds—" This Toad inhabits the most dry and sandy plains of Bahia Blanca, where there is no appearance of water ever lodging." The other specimens were taken at Maldonado, where it inhabits the sand-dunes near the coast. Mr. Darwin threw one into a pool of fresh-water, but he found it could hardly swim, and he thinks, if unassisted, it would have been soon drowned. This species is diurnal in its habits, and may be daily seen under a scorching sun, crawling over the parched and loose sand. M. D'Orbigny brought specimens from Monte Video. DIMENSIONS. In. Lin. Length of the head and body 1 of the anterior extremities 5 of the posterior extremities 8 Genus— UPERODON. Bibr. Uperodon ornatum. Mihi. Plate XX.— Fig. 6. Capite multo latiore quam longiore. Dorso olivaceo, maculisfuscis, alio marginatis. Habitat Buenos Ayres. Description.— Head more than half as broad again as it is long, and equal in breadth to half the entire length of the head and body. Muzzle rounded. Nostrils oval, opening upwards and a * This specimen from Bahia Blanca has a much smoother skin than the others; but from its similarity m all other characters there can be no doubt of its specific identity with them. REPTILES. 51 little outwards. Eyes rather large, the upper eyelids forming perfect flaps, which entirely cover the eyes. Body rounded, very broad. The shoulders and thighs wholly concealed by the skin of the body. Limbs very short. The anterior feet very broad. The toes somewhat depressed, very short, bordered with a fold of skin. Hinder feet with the toes more depressed and more distinctly bordered. Back covered with small glands. Colour. — The colour of the upper surface is dark olive, becoming lighter at the sides, and having numerous dark brown spots, which are round, oval, elliptical, or irregular, of very various sizes, placed somewhat symmetrically, and each bordered with a whitish or yellow line. Beneath pale, excepting the throat, which is black. I have ventured to consider this remarkable amphibian as specifically distinct from U. marmoratum of Bibron ; a conclusion to which I have been almost impera- tively led, by the fact of its inhabiting a different hemisphere from all known spe- cimens of that species. The other was found by M. Leschenault in the interior of the peninsula of India : the specimen from which the present description is taken was obtained by Mr. Darwin at Buenos Ayres. Notwithstanding the similarity of the two species, which is so great as to have led Mons. Bibron to consider them as identical, I could not assent to such an anomaly as the existence of an animal, at once so rare and possessed of such limited powers of locomotion, in two regions so widely remote. I have not the opportunity of comparing the specimens of the former species with the present, but, even from Mons. Bibron's description, I believe that I can discover sufficient discrepancies between the animals, to bear me out in the view I have taken. These discrepancies I venture to place in the following tabular view, and leave zoologists to form their own conclusions. UPERODON MARMORATUM. " La tete offre en arriere une largeur a peu pres egale a, son longueur totale, laquelle entre pour le quart environ dans l'etendue de l'ani- mal." " On pourrait considerer la peau comme etant parfaitement lisse, si l'on ne voyait eparses sur le dessus du tronc un certain nombre de vermes glanduleuses d'un assez grand diametre relativemcnt a la grosseur de l'animal, mais fort peu saillantes ou a peine convexes." " Les parties superieures de ce Batracien presentent sur un fond olivatre, d'enormes taches brunes, toutes conjiueides, ou s'anastomoscmt diversement."* UPERODON ORNATUM. Head fully half as broad again as it is long, and equal in breadth to half the total length of the animal. Back covered with numerous small glandular tubercles, notably elevated. All the spots on the back are quite distinct, not in any way passing into each other or con- nected, and each encircled bv a white line. Bibr. Ropt. VIII. p. 749. London : Printed by Stewart and Murray, Old Bailey. i 5 )M ! ' : AND