56 FISHES OF AUSTRALIA. 



In addition to the localities given above, this fish occurs 

 in deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean ; being also occasion- 

 ally obtained off the coasts of Nova Scotia and Massachus- 

 etts. The name of "Lancet Fish" here used is applied 

 to this species in the United States of America. 



NOTACANTHOID FISHES. 



(Family : Notacanthidte.} 



THIS is a small family of deep-sea fishes embracing about 

 9 species, which are characterised by an elongate body, 

 covered with small cycloid scales, the tail tapering to a point 

 and being without a caudal fin. The mouth is small and is 

 placed beneath the snout in a somewhat similar position to 

 a Shark's. The dorsal fin is formed of a series of short, 

 disconnected spines ; while the anal fin is very long, extend- 

 ing to the end of the tail. 



These Notacanthoids are known to inhabit waters 

 at depths ranging from about 400 down to nearly 2,000 

 fathoms. 



One species Notacanthus sexspinis has been ob- 

 tained from the waters of Australia. But little is known of 

 its distribution. 



As in the other species of the genus Notacanthus, so in 

 this, the ventral fins are completely united to each other, 

 forming one fin. 



The Type specimen was obtained from King George's 

 Sound. 



THE FIERASFEROIDS. 



(Family: Fierasferida:.} 



THE tiny and highly-remarkable, eel-like fishes which con- 

 stitute this family, while not being true parasites, spend the 

 greater part of their existence within the body-cavities of 



