Salarias vomerinus? _Cuv. et Val._ Hist. des Poiss. tom. 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 vertical; 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. Ventrals
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: 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
fasciæ, twelve or fourteen in number: these fasciæ 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 fasciæ 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 must be considerable, 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.
textilis_ 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 I 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. textilis_, to both
which it is so nearly allied.