Stromateus maculatus, _Cuv. et Val._ Hist. des Poiss. tom. ix. p. 296.
FORM.—General form so extremely similar to that of the _S. Fiatola_ of
the Mediterranean as to preclude the necessity of a detailed
description. Greatest depth one-third of the length: head one-fifth
of the same. Number of rays in the dorsal and anal fins somewhat
greater than in the _S. Fiatola_. The height of the dorsal also a
little greater, being contained about three times and a half in the
depth: the fifth and sixth soft rays longest. Fleshy part of the
tail more slender. Pectorals about the length of the head.
B. 6; D. 7/41; A. 5/40; C. 17, besides several short; P.23; V. 0.
Length 8 inches 6 lines.
COLOUR.—“Silvery blue above, with regular circular leaden spots.”—D.
The spots are small, and of nearly equal size: they prevail from the
back downwards to about the middle of the depth, and advance a
little on the base of the dorsal fin. The arrangement of them is
much as described in the “Histoire des Poissons.”
Habitat, Chiloe, West Coast of S. America.
It is just possible that this may not be specifically the same as the
_S. maculatus_ of Cuvier and Valenciennes, but it comes so extremely
near that species that I do not feel authorised in describing it as
distinct without seeing more specimens. It is stated by the authors
above mentioned, that the fin-ray formula of the _S. maculatus_ is the
same as that of the _S. Fiatola_: in the specimen here described, the
number of rays in the dorsal and anal fins appear to me somewhat
greater; but as the spines of these fins are very minute at their
commencement, and not readily counted, nor very distinguishable from the
soft rays, perhaps the discrepancy may arise from a difference in the
mode of computation. What is more to be noted is, that the spots,
although they agree in form and mode of arrangement, are said by Mr.
Darwin, in his notes taken from the recent fish, to have been “leaden;”
whereas it is stated in the “Histoire des Poissons” that they are
“yellow.” Perhaps they may vary in colour according to the period of the
year. There is likewise a difference in locality as regards latitude.
The _S. maculatus_ is said to be common in the market at Lima, and to
have been brought also, both by M. D’Orbigny and M. Gay, from
Valparaiso. Mr. Darwin’s specimen, however, was taken as far south on
the western coast of S. America as Chiloe.
Mr. Darwin’s collection contains another specimen, either of the same
species as that described above, or one so extremely similar to it as
not to be distinguishable in the case of this specimen, which is in too
bad preservation to admit of an accurate description of it being given.
The following, however, are Mr. Darwin’s notes taken from the recent
fish:—
COLOUR.—“Whole body silvery; upper part of the back iridescent blue,
lower greenish; spotted with coppery-lead circular patches.”—D.
This specimen measures ten inches and a half in length. It will be
observed that the colour of the spots is still said to have been “lead,”
though inclining to coppery. It was not taken at the same place as the
other, but at Port St. Julian, in central Patagonia; if therefore they
are both referable to the _S. maculatus_, this species will have been
proved to have a wide range in point of latitude, and also to occur on
both sides of the S. American Continent, which is remarkable,
considering that it is found so high up the western side as Lima.