328 DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF AUSTRALIAN FISHES, 



D. 26. A. 24. 



Body covered with compressed, three-rooted spines, forming 

 irregular longitudinal series. Fringed fleshy filaments on the 

 dorsal and ventral spines, head and body. Body elevated, its 

 greatest depth being contained from once and one-sixth to once 

 and a half in the length without the caudal fin. The origin of 

 the soft dorsal fin is level with, or but little raised above, the 

 base of the dorsal spine. Snout with the upper profile straight 

 or but little concave. Dorsal spine of moderate strength and 

 length, with spinelets irregularly arranged ; it is inserted imme- 

 diately behind the orbit. Caudal fin more or less elongate, 

 especially in old examples. Ventral spine fixed, spiny, projecting 

 beyond the abdominal membrane. Dorsal and anal fins of 

 moderate height. Brownish, irregularly marbled with darker ; 

 a round black spot in the middle of the side ; some straight 

 black lines along the body and tail. Vertical fins with numerous 

 black dots. 



Cape York, Queensland, Freycinet's Harbour. 

 D. Dorsal spine without barbs. 



1025. Monacantiius trossulus, Bichards. 



Voy. Erebus and Terror, p. 68, pi. 40, f. 5-6.— Gunth., Cat. 



Fishes VIII., p. 234. 



D. (25) 28. A. (23) 26. 



Skin densely covered with slender, flexible, acute bristles, 

 which are so delicate as to give a velvety feel to the finger. Body 

 elevated ; the height from the second dorsal fin (the highest 

 point) to the point of the pelvic bone is equal to the length 

 without caudal fin. Snout obtuse with the upper profile nearly- 

 straight. The dorsal spine stands over the middle of the orbit, 

 and is roundish, much shorter than the head, and densely covered 

 with minute grains, which lengthen into very fine acicular 

 bristles. No ventral spine. Dorsal and anal fins low. Blackish 



