EY W. MACLEAY, F.L.S. 35 



fourth of the ventrals. A dark band runs from the snout to the 

 tail below the lateral line ; the fins are all of a deep yellow colour 

 with the outer rays black ; there is also a black blotch under and 

 at the root of the pectorals. L. lat. 85. 



607. Spkykjexa langsak, Bleek. 



Gunth., Cat. Fishes II., p. 340.— Macl., Linn. Soc. N. S. W., II., 



p. 359. 



D. 5. 1/9-10. A. 10-11. L. lat. 80. 



The height of the body is contained nine times in the total 

 length ; the length of the head three times and three-quarters ; 

 the diameter of the eye is one-fifth of the length of the head. 

 Operculum without spine ; prseoperculum obliquely emarginate, 

 with an acute membranaceous angle. The maxillary bone does 

 not reach to the level of the eye ; lower jaw with a conical point 

 but without appendage. The first dorsal fin commences just 

 above the extremity of the pectoral, but behind the root of the 

 ventrals. The distance between the dorsal fins is twice the length 

 of the second dorsal. Above uniform greenish, beneath silvery ; 

 fins scarcely coloured. 



Port Darwin, young specimens, (Macl. Mus.) 



Genus Laxioperca, Gunth. 



Body compressed, elongate, covered with deciduous scales of 

 moderate size. Head with the snout produced and pointed, 

 entirely covered with small scales. Cleft of the mouth wide, 

 with the lower jaw projecting. Jaws, vomer, and palatine bones 

 with narrow bands of villiform teeth, and with an outer series of 

 stronger teeth. A pair of very strong canine teeth in the upper 

 jaw. Tongue smooth. Eye of moderate size. Seven branchi- 

 ostegals ; pseudobrauchue. Two dorsal fins, the first short ; the 

 anal with two spines. No denticulations on the cranial bones, 

 the opercular margins being very thin and membranaceous. 



