NOTOTHHNIOID FISHES. STAR-GAZERS. 205 



one long, low dorsal fin : with a still longer anal fin and a 

 broad fan-like pectoral. 



The gill-cover is unarmed there being none of those 

 nasty dangerous spines which are to be seen in the Star- 

 gazers of the family Uranoscopidcc. 



In colour, the upper half of the head and body are olive, 

 mottled with brown ; the lateral line being also brownish. 



This species has been obtained in Port Jackson where 

 it is rare and also in New Zealand ; on the coasts of which 

 it is more common. 



NOTOTHENIOID FISHES. 



(Family: Nototheniidtc.} 



THIS rather unimportant family is composed of fishes 

 obtained chiefly from the Southern Hemisphere, some being 

 from the Antarctic regions. Of the Australian species, the 

 most important is the little Whiting-like fish known in 

 South Australia and Tasmania as Sandy* (Pseudaphritis 

 un'illi'") . Tt is common in the lower parts of the Murray 

 River ( in South Australia) and in Tasmania; occurring also 

 in Victoria and New South Wales. The curious-looking 

 fish known as Bovichthys varicgatns, which is found on the 

 coasts of both New South Wales and New Zealand, is also 

 a member of this familv. 



THE STAR GAZERS. 



(Family: Urauoscopida;.) 



ABOUT 15 species of these curious and grotesque-looking 

 creatures are known from various parts of the world. They 

 are remarkable for the large, broad and thick head, which 

 is partly covered with bony plates, the cleft of the mouth 

 pointing upwards almost vertically. The eyes are very 



* Known commonly on the Lower Murray by the uativi- name of 

 "Congolly." 



