Chapter III: Part 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. 1_a_. Dorsal view nat. size.
FIG. 1_b_. 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:[11] 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,[12] “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,[13] 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,[14] and from the general resemblance of the _A. Chiloensis_ in all its principal characters to the other species of this genus,[15] 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._

_Scorpæna Histrio. Nat. Size._
]

This species very closely approaches the _P. lævigatus_ of Cuvier and Valenciennes, with which it particularly agrees in the smoothness of its head, and large approximating eyes. The two spines, however, at the angle of the preopercle appear to be still smaller than in that species;[16] the fin-ray formula is a little different; and so also are the colours; the first dorsal being particularly 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. lævigatus_. Possibly it may be a mere variety. Mr. Darwin’s specimen was obtained at King George’s Sound.

FAMILY—SCORPÆNIDÆ.

SCORPÆNA HISTRIO. _Jen._

PLATE VIII.

_S. toto corpore coccineo, pinnis pallidioribus, maculis parvis
irregularibus nigricantibus: capite magnâ ex parte alepidoto, lineis
spinosis solitis armato: pinnâ dorsali spinis inæqualibus, tertiâ
paulo longissimâ: capite et lateribus cirris cutaneis parvis ubique
adornatis; quatuor palpebralibus, præsertim duobus posterioribus,
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 broadish 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 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
commencement of the nape, are two other strong spines: there are
likewise two spines at the suprascapulars, and between these and the
posterior margin of the orbit of the eye, on what may be called the
temples, are two more; of these last, the first, which is small and
close to the orbit, is double; the second, which is larger and
situate a little above the upper angle of the preopercle, is, in
this specimen, double on the right side and single on the left. The
first suborbital has two spines on its anterior margin, the first
directed forwards, and the second downwards; on its disk are two
salient ridges, which are unarmed, and not very 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 as the two
lowermost, small and inconspicuous. Opercle with two osseous
diverging ridges terminating in spines: the scapular and clavicular
bones likewise terminate each in a flattened spine. Lateral line and
scales much as in _S. Scrofa_; the latter with their free edges
perfectly smooth.

The cutaneous filaments and appendages on this species are as follows:
three small ones at the extremity of the snout; one small but broad
one at the upper margin of the anterior orifice of the nostril; two
very conspicuous palmated ones on each orbit, especially the
posterior one, which is largest, and very broad; two on the margin
of the first suborbital; some small ones on the cheeks and
maxillaries; six beneath the lower jaw, two being near the
symphysis, and two on each ramus; a row on the margin of the
preopercle, and very numerous small ones scattered about the nape
and sides of the body, of which a row along the lateral line are
rather more conspicuous than the others.

The spines of the dorsal fin are moderately strong, and unequal; the
first is rather more than half the length of the second, which
itself is two-thirds of the third; this last is less than half, but
more than two-fifths, of the depth 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.

This species differs more or less in the details of form, as well as colours, from all those which I can find described by authors. Most of the foreign species of this genus noticed by Cuvier and Valenciennes, come either from the eastern coast of America or the East Indies; and they do not appear to have received any from that part of the Pacific, whence the present one was obtained.

SEBASTES OCULATA. _Val.?_

Sebastes oculata, _Cuv. et Val._ Hist. des Poiss. tom. 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 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 _b_. Portion of the hispid cuticle magnified.[17]

_A. pallidè rubro-aurantius, dorso nigricante, pinnis nigro-maculatis:
corpore hispido, altitudine tertiam partem longitudinis æquante;
spirits nasalibus duâbus parvis recurvis; vomere dentibus velutinis
minutissimis instructo: pinnâ dorsali inæquali, anticè allevatâ,
spinis quartâ et quintâ paulo longissimis, succedentibus gradatim
diminutis, ultimâ radiis articulatis multò 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 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 suprascapulars, are in like manner
granulated, or rather obscurely crenated. The opercle and preopercle
are marked with a few striæ, 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 network. 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; 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.[18] 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 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. Peruvianus_. 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. Peruvianus_), 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. Peruvianus_ 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.[19]

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 _Aspidophorus Chiloensis_ already mentioned, of the slight value of the character which their presence or absence affords. 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.

FAMILY.-SCIÆNIDÆ.

OTOLITHUS GUATUCUPA. _Cuv. et Val._

Otolithus guatucupa, _Cuv. et Val._ Hist. des Poiss. tom. v. p. 56. pl.
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 striæ 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—1/20; 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 represented 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 _Guatucupa_ 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 ADUSTA. _Agassiz._

Corvina adusta, _Spix et Agass._ Pisces Brazil. p. 126. 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. Length 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 backwards 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, much
crowded, curved lines, somewhat undulating behind, with a fan of
about twelve deeper striæ 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.

1. UMBRINA ARENATA. _Cuv. et Val._

Umbrina arenata, _Cuv. et Val._ Hist. des Poiss. tom. 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; 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 striæ behind.

B. 7; D. 10—1/25; A. 1/8; C. 17; P. 21; V. 1/5.
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 fasciæ. 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.

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, haud ultrà fauces producto,
margine inferiore quadrilobato, lobis intermediis rotundatis;
fossulá longitudinali inter nares, profundè exaratâ; poris quatuor
infrà symphysin; dentibus velutinis, serie externâ in maxillâ
superiore aculeiformi; preoperculo obsoletè denticulato; operculo
mucronibus duobus parvis instructo; spinis dorsalibus tertiâ et
quartâ longissimis, corporis altitudinem æquantibus; spinâ 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 projecting 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 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 striæ 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.[20] _Jen._

_Serrani formam quam maximè gerens. Pinna dorsalis unica, per totam
longitudinem subæqualis. Membrana branchialis septem-radiata. Nec
fovea, nec pori, infrà symphysin. Dentes maxillares velutini, serie
externâ cæteris fortiori, paucis, hic illic sparsis, subcaninis;
palatini nulli. Preoperculum denticulatum. Operculum mucronibus
tribus posticè armatum. Spina analis secunda fortis. Squamæ corporis
ciliatæ; minutissimæ inter radios pinnarum verticalium, in seriebus
dispositæ._

_Fish. Pl. 9._

_W. Hawkins del^t._
]

_Fig. 1._ _Prionodes fasciatus._
_2._ _Stegastes imbricatus._ _Nat. Size._