314 DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF AUSTRALIAN FISHES, 



997. MoNACANTnus Peronii, Hollard. 



Ann. des Sc. Nat. 1854, Vol. II., p. 356, pi. 13, fig. 4. 



D. 35. A. 34. P. 12. 



Rather elongate, profile straight or with an almost impercep- 

 tible concavity ; back slightly concave between the two dorsal 

 fins ; the dorsal spine is short, straight with short spines on all 

 the angles ; the ventral spine is prominent, covered with spinules, 

 and is immediately in front of a marked abdominal concavity. 

 The scales are spine-like with swollen tips. The colour is a pale 

 brown, with darker brown spots on the body, disposed in rather 

 irregular series ; two or more narrow brown bars across the 

 caudal fin. 



Australia (Hollard). 



The Fish described by Dr. Gunther (Cat. VIII., p. 240) as M. 

 Peronii, Hollard, cannot be that species. I believe that Count 

 Castelnau has also made a similar mistake in the Proceedings of 

 the Linnean Society of N. S. Wales, Vol. III., 398, and given 

 this name to a species distinct not only from Hollard's but also 

 from Dr. Gkmther's. 



998. MoNACANTIIUS GUNTIIERI, 



Monacanthus Peronii, Gunth,, Cat. Pishes VIII., p. 249. 



D. 33-35. A. 33. 



Body covered with papillrc, each with a round expansion at the 

 top, like a mushroom ; in examples exposed to the air for some 

 time they shrink, assuming the appearance of a spine. Adult 

 males with a band of long stiff slender spines on each side of the 

 tail between the dorsal and anal fins, like a tooth-brush. Body 

 oblong, its depth being contained twice and one-third in the total 

 length (without caudal fin). Snout produced with the upper 

 profile very slightly concave ; base of the pectoral fin below the 

 hinder part of the eye. Dorsal spine straight, four-edged, each 

 edge with a series of barbs, the anterior barbs being stronger 



