214 DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF AUSTRALIAN FISHES, 



of moderate size, much, nearer to the snout than to the extremity 

 of the operculum, the length of the snout being nearly one-half 

 of that of the post-orbital portion of the head ; upper jaw some- 

 what longer than the lower. The teeth on the palate form a 

 broad arched band, the vomerine patches being slightly separated 

 from the palatine, and either perfectly continuous in the middle 

 or but slightly interrupted. The maxillary barbels extend to, 

 or sometimes not quite to, the root of the pectoral fin ; the outer 

 ones of the mandible, to the gill-opening. Dorsal spine strong, 

 half as long as the head, slightly serrated in front and behind. 

 Adipose fin as long as, or shorter, than the dorsal, its length 

 being less than one-third of the distance between the two fins. 

 Pectoral spine stronger and a little longer than that of the dorsal 

 fin ; ventral fins more or less shorter than the pectorals. Porus 

 axillaris minute. Sides of the body silvery, upper parts uniform 

 blackish. 



Hunter Paver. Bichmond Piver. 



821. Arius Curtisii, Casteln. 



Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., Vol. II., p. 236. 

 Moreton Bay. 



822. Arius venaticus, Eichards. 



Bagrus venations, Eich., Voy. Erebus and Terror, p. 33. — Gunth. 



Cat. Fishes V., p. 174. 



D. 1/9 or more. A. about 30. P. 1/13. V. about 8. 



Head strongly granulated above ; apex of the occipital process 

 where it meets the small crescentic buckler of the dorsal fin, 

 slightly rounded. Dorsal spine serrated anteriorly and a little 

 undulated posteriorly ; the pectoral spine is equal in length to 

 the dorsal one, and is strongly serrated on both sides. The teeth 

 are villif orm. The front of the vomer supports two small roundish 

 dental plates, which adhere to each other. The palatine plates 



