Aleuteres maculosus, _Richards._ in Proceed. of Zool. Soc. 1840. p. 28.
FORM.—Oval, somewhat approaching to fusiform behind, very much
compressed. The greatest depth one-third of the entire length. Skin
covered with little granular points, terminating in very minute
bristles, and communicating a slight roughness to the touch, when
the finger is passed from tail to head. Snout rather prominent and
acute: jaws equal. Dorsal spine springing from above the middle of
the orbit of the eye; strong, with four rows of sharp prickles at
the four angles, pointing downwards, and very regularly set: second
dorsal spine very minute. The second dorsal and anal fins have been
lost in this specimen, and their form and number of rays cannot be
determined. The pectorals are small, each with twelve rays. Caudal
rounded, also with twelve rays.
Length 5 inc. 4 lines.
COLOUR.—“Mottled with pale blackish-green, leaving white spots.”—D.—In
its present state, the skin is nearly gone from long maceration in
impure spirit: such portions as are left accord well with Dr.
Richardson’s description, appearing of a mouse-grey, with darker
mottlings. There are three or four rather indistinct dark asciæ
across the caudal.
Habitat, King George’s Sound.
I have scarcely any doubt of this being the _A. maculosus_ described by
Dr. Richardson, in his recently published notes on a collection of
fishes from Van Diemen’s Land. Mr. Darwin’s specimen, which is in bad
condition, was obtained by him in King George’s Sound.