268 DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF AUSTRALIAN FISHES, 



than the maxillary hand. The vomerine hand does not extend 

 so far backwards as the maxillary band. Tail rather longer than 

 the body. 



Tasmania, Victorian and N.S. Wales coasts and rivers. 



Genus Conger, Cuv. 



Scaleless. Cleft of the mouth wide, extending at least to below 

 the middle of the eye. Maxillary and mandibulary teeth arranged 

 in series, one of which contains teeth of equal size, and so closely 

 set as to form a cutting edge ; no canines ; vomerine band short. 

 Pectoral and vertical fins well developed ; the dorsal commencing 

 behind the root of the pectoral. Gill-opening large, approximate 

 to the abdomen. The posterior nostril opposite to the upper or 

 middle part of the orbit ; the anterior in a tube. Eyes well 

 developed. 



Temperate and Tropical Seas. 



912. Conger margin atus, Val. 



Gunth., Cat. Fishes VIIL, p. 38.— Bleek., Atl. Ichth. Mur., pi. 



23, fig. 2. 



The dorsal fin commences conspicuously in advance of the 

 extremity of the pectoral. Posterior nostril slightly below the 

 level of the antero-posterior angle of the orbit. Upper jaw 

 scarcely longer than the lover. The vomerine teeth reach back- 

 wards to or somewhat beyond the tip of the tongue. Greyish or 

 blackish ; vertical fins with a black edge ; pectorals frequently 

 with a black spot. 



Torres Straits. 



913. Conger vulgaris, Cuv. 



Gunth., Cat. Pishes VIIL, p. 38.— Bleek., Atl. Ichth. Mur., 



pi. 5, fig. 2. 



The dorsal fin begins opposite, or nearly opposite, to the 

 extremity of the pectoral. Posterior nostril on a level with the 



