ACHIRUS LINEATUS, _D’Orb._ Voy. dans L’Amer. Mérid. Atl. Ichth. Pl. 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 commences 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 uncertain. It approaches,
however, very closely the _Passer lineis transversis notatus_ of
Sloane.[43]