BY W. MACLEAY, P.L.S. 275 



Tail nearly twice as long as the body. Brownish ; lower parts 

 whitish. 



West Australia. 



926. Ophiciitiiys caxceivoetjs, Eichards. 



Yoy. Erebus and Terror, p. 97, pi. 50, figs. 6-9.— Gunth., Cat. 



Fishes VIII., p. 78. 



Coloration uniform. The length of the head is two-fifths or 

 nearly one-third of the distance of the gill-opening from the vent ; 

 the length of the body from three-fourths to nearly two-thirds of 

 that of the tail. Cleft of the mouth rather wide, about one-third 

 of the length of the head ; snout depressed, somewhat pointed 

 Eye of moderate size, nearly one-half of the length of the snout. 

 Teeth granular, forming broadish bands. Length of the pectoral 

 fin about two-sevenths or one-third of that of the head ; dorsal 

 commencing above the middle of the pectoral ; dorsal and anal 

 fins of moderate depth. A more or less distinct blackish spot 

 anteriorly on the dorsal fin. 



Port Essinglon 



©' 



927. Ophictitiiys elapsoides, Casteln. 

 Eesearches on the Fishes of Australia, p. 47. 

 The length of the head is equal to one-third of the distance of 

 the gill-opening from the vent, and is contained nine times in the 

 distance of the vent from the extremity of the tail. Snout long 

 and pointed ; upper jaw much longer than the lower ; cleft of 

 the mouth extending beyond the eye, which is very small. Teeth 

 tubercular, covering the palate. Pectoral fin very small; the 

 dorsal commences immediately behind the nape ; dorsal and anal 

 fins very low, not easily seen ; the anal terminating at some 

 distance from the extremity of the tail. Head yellow, with broad 

 black transverse bands : one on the snout, one over the eye, a 

 third on the back of the head, and one over the opercles, the 



