BY W. MACLEAY, F.L.S 3 



a spine and two rays. Cleft of month narrow ; a single series of 

 immovable teetli in the jaws, generally a curved tooth, behind 

 the series in both jaws or in the lower. Tentacle above the orbit 

 more or less developed, sometimes absent. Gill-opening wide. 

 Branehiostegals six ; pseudobranchioe present. No air-bladder 

 or pyloric appendages. 



Coasts and freshwaters of nearly all parts of the world. 



545. Blexxius tasmaxiaxus, Richards. 



Gunth., Cat. Fishes III., p. 214. 



D. 12/17. A. 2 x 19. 



Height of body four times and two-thirds in total length ; the 

 length of the head four times. Snout obtuse, with the anterior 

 profile abruptly descending. A curved tooth in each of the jaws. 

 Orbital tentacle well developed, posteriorly fringed; a small 

 tentacle at the nostril. The width of the interorbital space is less 

 than the vertical diameter of the eye ; a transverse groove behind 

 the tentacles. The dorsal fin commences in the vertical from the 

 prreopercular margin and has flexible spines ; a distinct notch 

 between the spinous and soft portions, the latter being separate 

 from the caudal. Brownish-grey, dotted with brown ; head and 

 vertical fins blackish. 



Tasmania. 



546. Blexxius viTTirixxis, Casteln.- 



Researches on the Fishes of Australia, p. 25. 



D. 12/19. A. 2/20. 



Height of body six times in the total length, length of head 

 five times ; snout truncate, anterior profile vertical and convex. 

 Teeth very small and similar. Orbital tentacles close together, 

 well developed and fringed externally ; the interorbital space 

 •concave ; the operculum strongly emarginate on its upper part. 

 The first dorsal fin commences over the origin of the pectorals, 



