2/4 DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF AUSTRALIAN FISHES, 



924. Ophichtiiys cepiialozoxa, Bleek. 



Atl. Ichth. Mur., p. 49, pi. 12, fig. 2.— Gunth., Cat. Fishes VIII., 



p. 69. 



Body purplish-brown ; nape with a very broad, deep black 

 cross band broadly edged with white in front and behind. Dorsal 

 and anal fins tricoloured — brownish along the base, black along 

 the middle, aud white along the margin. The length of the head 

 is one-fourth of the distance of the gill-opening from the vent. 

 Cleft of the mouth of moderate width, slightly extending behind 

 the eye ; snout pointed, with the upper jaw much projecting 

 beyond the lower. Eye of moderate size, one-half the length of 

 the snout, situated in the anterior third of the head. Posterior 

 nostril in advance of the eye, anterior with a broad tube. The 

 intermaxillary teeth are stout, forming an irregular group ; these 

 and a pair in front of the lower jaw, are stouter than the others, 

 which are pointed, fixed and uni-serial. The length of the 

 pectoral fin is rather more than one-fourth of that of the head ; 

 the dorsal commences above the end of the pectoral. Tail some- 

 times longer sometimes shorter than the body. 



Cape York (Darnel.). 



925. Ophichthys calamus, Gunth. 



Gunth., Cat. Fishes VIII., p. 74. 



The length of the head is one-fifth of the distance of the gill- 

 opening from the vent. Snout convex, obtusely conical ; cleft of 

 the mouth of moderate width, one-fourth of the length of the 

 head ; eye rather small, one-half of the length of the snout, 

 situated above the middle of the mouth Teeth small, uni-serial, 

 apparently in two series on the vomer. Lips fringed. Gill- 

 openings narrow, and close together. Fins moderately developed. 

 The dorsal fin commences at a short distance behind the angle of 

 the mouth ; pectoral fin one-fourth of the length of the head. 



