Part 11

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. Carolinus, 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 striæ. 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 ray of the second dorsal. Free rays rather stout, with their tips somewhat dilated and approaching 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 distinct 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—COTTIDÆ.

ASPIDOPHORUS CHILOENSIS. Jen.

PLATE VII. FIG. 1. Lateral view twice nat. size. FIG. 1a. Dorsal view nat. size. FIG. 1b. Lateral view nat. size.

A. corpore elongato, anticè octagono, posticè hexagono; vomere et ossibus palatinis dentibus distinctis instructis; maxillis subæqualibus; rostro ultrà fauces haud producto; mento et membranâ branchiali cirratis: pinnis dorsalibus discretis; primâ radiis gracilibus.

B. 6; D. 8–7; A. 8; C. 112/2; P. 14; V. ½. Long. unc. 2. lin. 7.

Fish Pl. 7.

W. Hawkins del^t. ]

1. Aspidophorus Chiloensis. Twice Nat. Size. 1a. 1b. „ Nat. Size. 2. Agriopus hispidus. Twice Nat. Size. 2a. „ „ Nat. Size. 2b. „ „ Magnified Scales.

FORM.—More elongated than the A. cataphractus, which it somewhat resembles in general appearance. 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 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. cataphractus; 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, equalling 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, separating the vertex from the occiput. The snout presents the same four spines, which are to be seen in the A. cataphractus, 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 transversely 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. cataphractus, 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 carinæ 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. cataphractus, the keels terminating behind in hooked points; and the elevated lines which form the striæ 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-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, commences 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 transverse blackish fasciæ 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 fasciæ, 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 Cottus; 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 Aspidophori 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, might be made a distinct 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, lævi, ubique inermi, spinis duâbus ad angulum preoperculi brevissimis æqualibus exceptis; oculis magnis, arctè propinquantibus: dorso et lateribus fuscis; abdomine albido; pinnâ dorsali primâ liturâ magnâ irregulari nigro-fuscâ posticè maculatâ; dorsali secundâ, caudali, et pectoralibus, maculis fuscis parvis; anali et ventralibus ferè 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 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 along 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, contained 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 striæ 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 distinguishable 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.

Fish. Pl. 8.