FISHES. MCCULLOCH. 159 



Scorpcena (Helicolenus) percoides, McCulloch, Rec. Austr. 

 Mus., vi., 1907, p. 350. 



A series of forty specimens, 110-320 mm. long, is preserved 

 which exhibits great variation in the colour-marking. Some 

 examples, particularly those of larger size, have large dark 

 blotches and smaller dots on the back, which are arranged 

 as shown in Richardson's figure. In others the markings are 

 less distinct, while in the smaller specimens the whole head 

 and body is almost uniformly light coloured, only a few dots 

 and lines being present to indicate the position of the dark 

 blotches of the adult. 



I have already noted (loc. cit.) variation in the length of the 

 dorsal spines, they being either shorter or much longer than 

 the dorsal rays ; they are generally longest in young speci- 

 mens, but they may be either short or long in examples of 

 the same size from the same locality. 



Locs. This species is abundant in moderately deep water 

 off the Victorian and Tasmanian coasts. 



Shoalhaven Bight, New South Wales, 15-45 fathoms. 



East of Babel Island, Bass Strait, 65-75 fathoms. 



North coast of Tasmania, 25 fathoms. 



Oyster Bay, Tasmania, 40-60 fathoms. 



North-west of Greenly Island, South Australia, 44 fathoms. 



Great Australian Bight, Long. 12645i'E., 130-320 fathoms. 



Great Australian Bight, Long. 129 28' E.. 35C-450 fathoms. 



Sub-family APISTIN.E. 



The closely allied genera Apistus, Cuvier, and Apistops, 

 Ogilby, may be distinguished as follows : 



Scales with three or more pointed marginal lobes. Antero- 

 supraorbital bone coarsely carinate. Three mandibular 

 barbies. Pectoral longer, reaching beyond the anal 

 rays Apistus. 



Scales cycloid, with rounded margins. Aiitero-supraorbital 

 bone nearly smooth. Five mandibular barbies. Pectoral 

 shorter, not reaching the anal rays Apistops. 



Genus APISTOPS, Ogilby. 



Apistops, Ogilby, Ann. Qld. Mus., 10, 1911, p. 54 (Apistus 

 caloundra, de Vis). 



Ogilby has described the lateral line as incomplete in 

 Apistops, but it is continued onto the base of the caudal fin 

 in the typical specimen of A. caloundra, though its tubules 

 are weaker and more widely spaced posteriorly than anteriorly. 



