PLATE XXVII. Fig. 1.
_G. dorso et lateribus pallidè fuscis, nigro reticulatis et fasciatis:
dentibus anterioribus majoribus, in maxillâ superiore subconicis, in
inferiore incisivis: operculo posticè mucrone obtuso armato:
membranâ branchiali spinâ gracili, subduplici, (præter radios
solitos,) instructâ, magnâ ex parte celatâ, apice exserto: pinnâ
dorsali tredecim-radiatâ._
B. 6; D. 13; A. 11; C. 14 vel 15; P. 20 vel 21.
LONG. unc. 2. lin. 7.
FORM.—Head very large, broad and much depressed, with the snout
rounded nearly in an exact semicircle. Body compressed behind, and
suddenly tapering behind the pectorals. The length and breadth of the
head are equal, each being one-third of the entire length, excluding
caudal. Gape wide, reaching nearly to beneath the anterior angle of
the eye. Teeth strong, and somewhat crowded in front; in the upper jaw
bluntly conical, or slightly curved, but of irregular size, with
minuter ones behind; very small at the sides of the jaw, and
apparently here but in a single row: below, the six middle teeth are
incisor-like, and project forwards; on each side of these are two or
three similar to those in front above, then follow some minuter ones
at the sides. Eyes rather more than a diameter apart. Gill-opening
wide, the membrane free all round, with six rays. Opercle terminating
behind in a blunt point: there is also a kind of double spine
concealed in the thickness of the branchial membrane, in front of the
ordinary branchial rays, the extreme end of one portion of which
projects a little beyond the margin.
[Illustration:
_Fish. Pl. 27._
_From Nature on Stone by W. Hawkins._
]
_1. Gobiesox marmoratus._
_1a. „ „ Dorsal View._
_1b. „ „ Under Side._
_2. Gobiesox pœcilophthalmos._
_2a. „ „ Lateral View._
_2b. „ „ Magnified View of Teeth._
_3. Syngnathus acicularis._
_4. „ conspicillatus_
_5. „ crinitus._
_All Nat. Size_
The dorsal commences a little beyond the middle of the entire length,
and leaves a space between it and the caudal; the rays nearly equal,
except the first, which is short. The anal begins under the fourth or
fifth dorsal ray, and extends a trifle further than that fin. Caudal
slightly rounded.
COLOUR.—(_In spirits._) Back and sides light brown, reticulated with
black: the reticulations have a tendency to form three or four broad
fasciæ across the back. Under parts yellowish.
Habitat, Archipelago of Chiloe.
This and the following species appear to belong to the genus _Gobiesox_
of Cuvier’s “Regne Animal,” and are probably new. Two specimens of the
one above described were found by Mr. Darwin under stones off the island
of Lemuy, in the Archipelago of Chiloe.
2. GOBIESOX PŒCILOPHTHALMOS. _Jen._
PLATE XXVII. Fig. 2.
_G. fuscescenti-albidas, immaculatus: dentibus anterioribus majoribus,
supra et subtus incisivis: operculo posticè spinâ acutâ armato;
membranâ, operculari margine, supra spinam, cirris paucis
filamentosis fimbriato; membranâ branchiali spinâ nullâ,: pinnis
dorsali et anali septem-radiatis._
B. 6; D. 7; A. 7; C. 12; P. 23;
LONG. unc. 1. lin. 10.
FORM.—General form the same as that of the last species, including the
proportion of head to body. Snout equally rounded. Teeth on the
whole similar, but the upper ones in front, as well as the lower,
incisor-like. Eyes rather larger, closer together, less than a
diameter apart. Differs essentially from the _G. marmoratus_ in the
form of the opercular spine, which is much sharper, as well as
somewhat longer and slenderer; also in having no spine concealed in
the branchial membrane: the lower part of the opercular membrane,
just above the spine, is fringed with a few thread-like filaments.
The number of branchial rays is the same.
The dorsal and anal are both shorter, and appear to have only seven
rays each: the anal reaches a little nearer the caudal. The
pectorals on the contrary have rather more rays.
COLOUR.—(_In spirits._) Every where of a uniform very pale brown, or
brownish white, without any markings whatever. The eyes were
probably very brilliant in the living fish, the irides still showing
traces of what seems to have been blue and golden pink.
Habitat, Galapagos Archipelago.
A single individual of this species was obtained by Mr. Darwin in tidal
pools at Chatham Island, in the Galapagos Archipelago.