575 



Description of a new species of Hemeroccetes from 



Port Jackson. 



By E. P. Bauisay, F.L.S., &c, Curator of the Australian 



Museum Sydney. 



Pam. TBICHONOTIDiE. 



Hemeroccetes Haswelli, sp. nov. 



D. 14. A. 27-28. Pect. 13-14. V. h C. 16. Lat. 44. Vert. , ,-,' ; . 



Caudal truncate, the central ten rays branched, outer three on 

 either side simple, decreasing 1 in size ; the dorsal commences 

 nearly opposite the seventh anal ray ; rays simple ; mouth, very 

 wide, opens to opposite the anterior margins of the eye ; minute 

 teeth on both jaws, no canines ; scales large, in five to six rows 

 on the body, lateral line on forty-four scales ; in central portion 

 of body the scales along the lateral line are toothed from about 

 three scales before the anal papilla. Diameter of the eye about 

 six times in the length of the head to end of gill-cover ; gill-cover 

 extending over base of pectoral fin, 26-28 scales between the 

 head above and the first dorsal ray ; length of head (5) five times 

 in the total length without caudal fin, the height of body twice 

 in the head and nearly ten times in the total length, without 

 caudal fin ; eyes large, almost confluent. There are no teeth 

 visible on the vomer and the scales are very large for the size of 

 the fish. Colour light brown, semitransparent when alive ; the 

 tongue long narrow, stiliform (spirit specimen) slightly expanded 

 at the tip ; length of specimen 2*4 in. 



I have placed this fish provisionally in the genus Hemeroccetes 

 to which it comes nearest, it is not however identical with that 

 genus. Pour specimens were dredged in April last, under North 

 Head of Port Jackson in sixteen fathoms, sandy bottom. 



I have dedicated this species to my esteemed friend W. A. 

 Haswell, M.A., B.Sc. 



