FISHES. MCCULLOCH. 175 



The backward process of the premaxillaries forms a 

 tubercle on the snout from which a median ridge pro- 

 jects backward to the interorbital space; the latter is 

 almost flat. A broad septate canal, covered with mem- 

 brane, extends backward from above the eyes to the 

 shoulder; another extends around the preopercular 

 border, and one along the suborbital region. The whole 

 head appears to have been scaly, though only a few 

 cycloid scales now remain on its under surface. Oper- 

 cular margins thin and rounded. Maxilla extending 

 backward to behind the vertical of the posterior orbital 

 margin and forming an obtuse angle posteriorly. The 

 teeth form a narrow band in each jaw, separated by an 

 interspace at the symphysis. 



The scales of the body appear to have been of 

 moderate size but none now remain. There seem to have 

 been about six" between the lateral line and the inter- 

 space between the two dorsals, but the position of the 

 lateral line itself is indefinite. The vent is situated 

 immediately in advance of the anal fin. 



The first dorsal originates a little behind the vertical 

 of the base of the pectoral; it is preceded by a minute 

 spine, but the following spine is elongate, with a fila- 

 mentous tip ; the succeeding rays decrease in length back- 

 ward. The second dorsal commences immediately behind 

 the termination of the first; its anterior ray is highest 

 but the others decrease only slightly in length backward, 

 and its posterior portion is rounded. The anal com- 

 mences beneath about the tenth ray of the second dorsal, 

 and is preceded by two short spines. The first four 

 rays of the anterior portion are long, but the others 

 decrease in length backward. Immediately following and 

 connected with the first portion of the anal is a long 

 series of short slender rays which increase in length 

 backwards as they approach the posterior elevated 

 portion of that fin, which is rounded. The ventrals are 

 inserted in advance of the preoperculum and are com- 

 posed of separate filiform rays; the two anterior are 

 united at their basal portion and the first, which is 

 divided, reaches backward to the base of the first anal 

 ray. Pectoral pointed ; the sixth upper ray longest, but 

 not nearly reaching the vertical of the vent. The caudal 

 extends around the end of the tail with many short rays 

 above and below. The lower rays are longer than the 

 upper and form an angular lobe. 



