BY W. MACLEAY, F.L.S. 249 



laries, is a little broader than long ; the lower projects conspicu- 

 ously before the upper. The diameter of the eye is considerably 

 less than the width of the interorbital space, and two-thirds of 

 the length of the postorbital part of the head. The whole of the 

 upper surface of the head, except the intermaxillaries, is scaly. 

 The insertion of the ventral fin is nearer to the extremity of the 

 snout than to the base of the caudal. Pectoral fin two-thirds as 

 long as the head ; the dorsal commences opposite the anal, both 

 fins scaly at the base. Caudal fin forked, its central rays much 

 longer than the eye. Seven longitudinal series of scales between 

 the origins of the dorsal and anal fins ; the one above the lowest 

 pierced by pores ; the others with a slight keel. Sides with a 

 well defined silvery streak, half as broad as a scale. 



Port Darwin. Brisbane. 



Genus Exoccetus, Artedi. 



Jaws short, intermaxillaries and maxillaries separate. Teeth 

 minute, rudimental, and apparently sometimes absent. Body 

 moderately oblong, covered with rather large scales. Pectoral 

 fins very long, formed for flying. All the dorsal and anal rays 

 connected by a membrane. Gill-openings very wide. Intestinal 

 tract simple without pyloric appendages. Air-bladder large. 



Tropical and temperate seas. 



875. Exocxetus micropterus, Cuv. and Val. 



Gunth., Cat. Fishes VI., p. 279.— Bleek., Atl. Ichth. Scombr., 



tab 3, fig. 1. 



D. 15. A. 14-16. 



Two short barbels at the symphysis of the lower jaw. Body 

 rounded, its height being rather more than one-sixth of the length 

 (without caudal) ; the length of the head two-ninths of the same. 

 Lower jaw prominent, but not produced. The length of the 

 pectoral fin is only two-sevenths of the total length (without 



Q 



