Zoology.] 



NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. 



[Fishes. 



lateral line to ventral edge, all finely striated, with thin, entire waved edges; exposed 

 portion about middle of body below the lateral line semielliptical, nearly three times 

 higher than long; anterior covered part forming a vertically elongate, thick, slender 

 ridge acutely pointed above and below, greatest thickness in middle rather less than 

 the length of the exposed part, but the vertical extent of the anterior ridge more 

 than double the vertical measurement of the exposed portion ; scales of lateral line 

 much smaller and with the length and height of the exposed portion more nearly 

 equal, and the anterior ridge only extending in short angular points above and below 

 the exposed portion, which is otherwise like the others. The anterior ridges of the 

 scales produce distinct vertical ridges on the body. Color : Whole body, head, and 

 vertical fins lead-grey with lustre of lead, darker or blacker with brownish tinge on 

 back and fins ; hind portions of pectoral and ventral fins nearly colorless, with a 

 slight yellowish tinge ; iris brownish or yellowish above and in front, blackish 

 below and behind. 



Measurements. 



Length from tip of lower jaw to end of lobe of caudal 



Depth of body 



Thickness of body 



Length of head from chin to edge of gill-cover 



„ of posterior edge of orbit to edge of gill-coyer 

 Diameter of eye ... 

 Length from bottom of orbit to lower edge of suboperculum 



„ „ upper edge of orbit to back line of top of head 



„ of pectoral 



,, of ventral 



„ of highest ray of dorsal 

 Height of middle of dorsal 

 Length of dorsal 



„ of lobes of caudal 



„ of middle of caudal 



„ of anal ... 



„ of longest ray of anal 



„ of middle rays of anal 



„ of exposed portion of largest scales about middle of 

 body below lateral line 

 Vertical extent of ditto ... 



„ „ of anterior ridge ... 



Longitudinal greatest measure of ditto 

 Length of exposed part of scales of lateral line 

 Vertical extent of ditto ... 



„ „ of anterior ridge ... 



Four scales in a length of J in. at middle of body ; about two of 

 the rounded radiated portion of scales in the same vertical 

 distance, but spinous ends of the thick vertical ridges extend 

 farther. 



Reference. — Bloch and Schn., p. 99 ; Cuv. and VaL, Hist. Poiss.,v. 7, p. 281, 

 t. 190. 



This remarkable fish appeared at Portland in considerable 

 number in April 1884, being previously unknown to the fishermen, 

 and has not been, as yet, seen on any other part of the Victorian 

 coast, although noted by Count Castlenau at Sydney. I see no 

 difference between our specimens and the European ones. This is 

 considered one of the most delicious fishes for the table, of the 



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