_C. lateribus fasciis transversis fuscescenti-rubris, interstitiis
angustis griseis: rostro brevi, obtuso; maxillis subæqualibus: pinnâ
dorsali initium supra pectoralem capienti: cute corporis puncturis
parvis creberrimè aggregatis impressâ._
FORM.—Body much compressed, except at the anterior extremity. Depth
less than one-eleventh of the entire length. Head contained about
seven and a half times in the same. Snout short and rounded. Jaws
nearly equal, the upper scarcely longer than the lower. Gape
scarcely reaching beyond a vertical from the anterior part of the
eye. Teeth velutine. A row of very conspicuous pores round the edges
of both jaws. The whole body, but not the head, thickly studded all
over with small pores, much crowded, and appearing like pin-holes.
The pectorals are rather more than half the length of the head. The
dorsal commences immediately above them, and has a moderate
elevation of about one-third of the depth. The vent is a little
posterior to the termination of the first third of the length, and
the anal is immediately behind it. The dorsal and anal unite to form
a moderately pointed caudal.
Length 3 inc. 3 lines.
COLOUR—(_In spirits._) Sides very regularly banded with fourteen or
fifteen transverse reddish brown fasciæ: the fasciæ extend on to the
dorsal fin, and are much broader than the intervening spaces. All
the under part of the head, belly as far as the vent, an irregular
patch on the cheeks, and the spaces between the bands on the sides,
yellowish.
Habitat, Tierra del Fuego.
This appears to be a new species. The individual described above is
quite small, and stated in Mr. Darwin’s notes to be the young of another
and larger specimen which he also captured, but of which he does not
mention the exact size, and which unfortunately does not appear in his
collection. He has, however, mentioned the colours, which appear similar
to those given above, and are as follows:—“Sides with transverse bars of
chocolate and brownish red, separated by narrow grey spaces.” Whether
the form and proportions of the adult agree exactly with those of the
young as above detailed must be left for future observers to determine.
The colours, however, appear well to characterize the species, aided by
the minute punctures with which the whole body is covered.
This species was taken by Mr. Darwin at the roots of fucus, at the east
entrance of Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego. The larger specimen is
said to have been very active.