9.Mulloides flavolineatus, Lacépède.

Mulloides flavolineatus, Lacépède, sp., Poiss., iii., p. 406; Rüppell, N.W. Fische, p. 101, pl. xxvi., fig. 1.

This species is represented by a single example.

The Funafuti name is "Malili."

Mulloides samoensis, Günther.

Mulloides samoensis, Günther, Fische der Südsee, p. 57, pl. xliii., fig. b.

(Pl. viii., fig. 2a-b.)

I have referred to this species a small specimen which measures only 76 millim. in total length, or less than half the dimensions of the type specimen: "6½ Zoll" (=165 millim.). As the species was founded on a single example, and as it does not appear to have been met with since first described (1873), the following description will assist in verifying or disproving the determination:—

D. vii., 1 8. V. I 5. A. II 6. L lat. 40 L tr 2½, 6.

Length of head 3·4, of caudal fin 5·0, height of body 4·2 in the length of the body (exclusive of the caudal fin). Diameter of eye 3·6, length of snout 2.4 in length of head • interorbital space very lowly arched 4.0 in length of head. Upper jaw the longer. The maxilla reaches two-thirds the distance to below the anterior edge of the orbit.

The barbels extend to slightly beyond the posterior edge of the preopercle. Upper profile from above the eye to the snout markedly convex. Opercle with a weak spine and a slight denticulation, indicative of a second spine above. Teeth in villiform bands in both jaws. First and second dorsal spines of equal length, 1·7 in the length of the head. Second dorsal two-thirds the height of the first. The anal commences slightly behind the second dorsal. The ventrals do not reach the vent by fully a third of their length; caudal deeply forked, the least height of its pedicle equals the intradorsal space.

Scales ctenoid, in five series between the dorsal fins. Tubes of the lateral line not much branched, consisting of two main arms page 185bifurcated anteriorly, but simple from below the second dorsal to the caudal.

Colours.—In formol, silvery white with a greenish tinge on the dorsal surface: the top of the head is yellowish, and the same colour is to be traced on the cheeks—there is a distinct yellow spot immediately above the opercular spine. Fins immaculate, excepting the caudal which, towards the base, is of yellowish hue. The black and pearl-coloured blotches mentioned by Günther are not to be observed in our example. The type specimen was obtained at Apia in the Samoa Islands, one of the archipelagos nearest to the Ellice Group.