FLATFISHES. XORMAX. 277 



8. KHOMBOSOLEA. 

 Rhombosolea, Gunther, Cat. Fish., IV, p. 458 (1862). 



Bowenia, Haast, Trans. Proc. N. Zealand Inst., V, 1873, 

 p. 277. 



Apsetta, Kyle, Proc. Zool. Soc., 1900, p. 986. 



Eyes separated by a low ridge, the lower a little in 

 advance of upper; interorbital space naked. Snout 

 normal or produced into a short fleshy process projecting 

 freely above mouth. Nasal organ of blind side nearer 

 median line of head than that of ocular side and below 

 anterior rays of dorsal fin; olfactory laminae parallel to 

 one another and to the main axis of the body; no central 

 rachis. Mouth moderate, asymmetrical, jaws of the blind 

 side curved ; upper jaw notched to receive symphysis of 

 loAver jaws; teeth small, pointed, in bands in the jaws of 

 the blind side. Lower pharyngeals moderate or rather 

 broad, in contact anteriorly. Upper angle of gill- 

 opening level with base of pectoral fin; gill-rakers in 

 moderate number, slender, rather long. Dorsal fin com- 

 mencing near extremity of snout and well in front of 

 nasal organ of blind side; none of the rays scaly; no 

 basal sheath. Anal fin similar to dorsal; no spine. 

 Pectoral fin more developed on ocular side. The right 

 pelvic fin only normally developed, with 6 rays, joined to 

 the anal. Caudal fin convex, scales extending on to both 

 sides; caudal peduncle moderate or rather short. Scales 

 small or moderate, rather irregularly arranged, nearly 

 all cycloid on both sides of body. Lateral line rising 

 slightly or with a very low curve anteriorly; a short 

 accessory branch. Intestinal tract elongate; forming a 

 series of irregular loops and coils. 



Four species from southern Australia and New 

 Zealand. 



Synopsis of the Species. 



I. Gill-rakers 16 to 19; body more or less coloured on blind 

 side 1. retiaria 



II. Gill-rakers 9 to 14; blind side of body colourless. 



A. Shape of body rhomboidal; vertical fins elevated, longest 



dorsal rays 1| to 21 in head 2. plebeia 



B. Shape of body ovate; longest dorsal rays 2 to 2| in head. 



1. Snout normal; diameter of eye 6J to 71 in length of 



head 3. leporina 



2. Snout produced into a fleshy process; diameter of eye 



4f to 6 in length of head 4. tapirina 



