312 DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF AUSTRALIAN FISHES, 



anterior rows being 1 much closer together than the posterior. 

 Caudal fin rounded ; dorsal and anal fins low. Ventral spine 

 small, fixed, with spikes pointing forwards and backwards. 

 Dark brown, mottled with black. 



Tasmania. Length eleven inches. 



994. Monacanthus coNVEXiROSTRis, Gunth. 



Gkmth., Cat. Fishes VIII., p. 248. 



D. 34-37. A. 32-35. 



Body covered with small spiny but very distinct scales, without 

 cutaneous filaments. Body rather oblong, its depth being about 

 two-fifths of the length without the caudal fin. Snout rather 

 produced, with the upper profile convex. Gill-opening much 

 advanced, partly in front of the vertical from the anterior margin 

 of the eye ; pectoral fin below the middle of the orbit. Dorsal 

 spine situated above the hinder half of the eye, rather strong, 

 but much shorter than the head, armed in front with a double 

 series of barbs, which are closely set and smaller than those 

 behind. Caudal fin rounded, shorter- than the head ; dorsal and 

 anal fins low. Ventral spine small, fixed, prominent, with barbs. 

 Coloration uniform greyish, or clouded with darker. Length 

 nine inches. 



Tasmania, Port Jackson. (Castelnau.) 



995. MONACANTHUS MULTIRADIATUS, Guntll. 



Gunth., Cat. Fishes VIII. , p. 248. 



D. 38. A. 36. 



Body covered with minute rough scales, with short bristles on 

 the side of the tail, which in adult examples is armed with three 

 pairs of strong spines pointing forwards. Body oblong, its 

 depth being contained twice and three-fourths in the length 

 exclusive of the caudal fin. Snout produced, with the upper 

 profile convex. Gill-opening situated below the hind margin 



