Page:Travels in West Africa, Congo Français, Corisco and Cameroons (IA travelsinwestafr00kingrich).pdf/756



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Ctenopoma multispine, var., Günth Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 1867, xx p. 110.

Body almost as oblong as in Ct. multispine, to which this species is closely allied. The height of the body is two sevenths, or less than one third, of the total length (without caudal), the length of the head two sevenths or rather more than two sevenths. The snout equals the diameter of the eye, which is one fifth of the length of the head; interorbital space nearly flat, much wider than the orbit. Mouth moderately wide, the maxillary not extending beyond the vertical from the centre of the eye. The entire margin of the suboperculum is armed with prominent spines; also part of the interopercular margin is spiny. The space between anal and caudal fins is equal to, or even longer than, the diameter of the eye. Ventral fin not reaching the vent. Pores on the head rather small, inconspicuous. Coloration uniform.

Of this species there are two specimens in the British Museum, 140 and 153 millim. long, both from the Gaboon. One was obtained by Mr. R. B. N. Walker, and therefore most probably came from the Ogowé River. Both have twenty dorsal spines, which number does not seem to have been ever observed in Ct. multispine; from the latter