3G DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF AUSTRALIAN FISIIES, 



608. Lanioperca mordax, Guntli. 



Ann. and Mag., Nat. Hist. 1872, Yol. X. p. 183. 



Linolestes Mullen, Klunz., Arch. f. Nat., 1872, p. 29, tab. 3. 



JSfeosphijrcena multiradiata, Casteln., Proc. Zool. Soc, Yict. I., p. 90. 



J). 5. 1/19. A. 2/25. L. lat. 60. 



The height cf the body is contained five times in the length 

 (without caudal); the length of the head three times and one- 

 fourth. The eye is nearer to the end of the opercle than to that of 

 the snout, its diameter being two-elevenths of the length of the 

 head, and equal to the width of the interorbital space. Tho 

 maxillary does not quite reach the vertical from the front margin 

 of the eye, which is immediately below the upper profile. The 

 teeth of the outer series in the upper jaw are subequal in size, 

 and much smaller than those in the lower, the four or five 

 posterior of which are enlarged, distant, and canine like. Posterior 

 margin of the proooperculum deeply emarginate. Pectoral fin 

 not quite half as long as the head, the upper rays the longest ; 

 root of the ventrals at a very short distance behind that of tho 

 pectorals. Dorsal spines very feeble. Caudal forked. Coloration 

 silvery-grey, fins yellowish, sometimes a black spot on tho upper 

 lobe of the tail. Length twelve to eighteen inches. 



Tasmania. Port Phillip. Port Jackson. 



Family NXXI. ATHEEINIDvE. 



Body more or less elongate, sub cylindrical, covered with scales 

 of moderate size ; lateral line indistinct. Cleft of tho mouth of 

 moderate width, with, the dentition feeble. Eye lateral, well 

 developed. Gill-opening wide ; four gills ; pseudobranchia) ; 

 five or six branchiostegals. Two dorsal fins ; the spines of the 

 first feeble, the second of moderate length ; anal like the second 

 dorsal or rather longer. Ventral fins abdominal, with one spine 

 and five rays. Vertebra) very numerous in the caudal and 

 abdominal portions. 



