118 DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF AUSTRALIAN FISHES, 



Genus Typhlonus, Gunther. 



"Head large, compressed, with most of the bones in a 

 cartilaginous condition ; the superficial bones with large mucif erous 

 cavities not armed. Snout a thick protuberance, projecting 

 beyond the mouth, which is rather small, inferior. Trunk very 

 short, the vent being below the pectoral ; tail thin, strongly 

 compressed, tapering, without separate caudal. Eye externally 

 not visible, reduced to a minute rudiment hidden below the skin. 

 Bands of villiform teeth in the jaws, on the vomer and palatine 

 bones. Barbel none. Ventrals reduced to simple filaments, 

 placed close together on the humeral symphysis. Gill-openings 

 very wide, the gill-membranes being but slightly united in front. 

 Gills four ; gill-laminse rather short ; gill rakers of moderate 

 length. Scales thin, deciduous, small. 



Pacific." 



772. Typhlonus nasus, Gunth. 

 Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 1878, Vol. II., p. 21. 



" The head of this most remarkable form is somewhat com- 

 pressed, deep, as thick in the rostral as in the opercular portion ; 

 its length is more than one-fourth of the total. Protuberances 

 formed by projecting portions of the cranium, occupy the upper 

 and lateral surfaces of the head ; and more especially, one in 

 front and another on each side of the snout, are very conspicuous. 



North-east of Australia in 2,440 fathoms, (Challenger)." 



Genus Aphyonus, Gunth. 



"Head, body, and tapering tail strongly compressed, enveloped 

 in a thin, scaleless, loose skin. Vent far behind the pectorals. 

 Snout swollen, projecting beyond the mouth, which is wide. No 

 teeth in the upper jaw ; small conical teeth in the lower, pluri- 

 serial in front, uniserial on the side. Vomer with af ew rudimentary 

 teeth; palatine teeth. Nostrils close together, small. No 



