Zoology.'] NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. [Fishes. 



of dull reddish colour of body, edg-ed above and below with narrow peach-blossom 

 colour, breaking into some small spots at posterior end. Anterior part of dorsal dull 

 orang-e-yellow at margin, pinkish and purple below, with a narrow band of peach- 

 blossom colour edged with purple below the margin ; posterior portion greenish at 

 base, irregularly blotched with dark red; all the rays dull green. Iris dull orange. 



Measurements. . 



Length from tip of snout to base of caudal ... 



anterior edge of orbit ... 

 end of operculum 

 base of pectoral 

 first dorsal spine 

 base of ventral 

 first spine of anal 

 last ray of dorsal 

 Depth of body 

 Length of 1st dorsal spine 



„ filaments beyond ditto ... 

 „ last ray of dorsal 

 „ pectoral 

 „ ventral 

 „ first spine of anal 

 „ last ray of anal ... 

 Diameter of eye ... 

 Space between eyes 

 Three scales in a space of six lines at middle of body. 



The Heteroscari are among the rarest and most beautiful of the 

 Victorian " Wrasses," as somewhat similar fishes are popularly 

 called in England. The present species, like the H. filamentosus 

 (Cast.), has very long flexible filaments terminating the four first 

 dorsal spines, but it differs from it and the other known species, in 

 the number of the fin rays, number of the scales, and in the 

 colouring. The lower jaw group of anchylosed teeth is not so 

 distinctly divided as the upper, but still has a distinct suture near 

 the margin, although becoming a mere shallow groove towards the 

 base. 



The form of the posterior edge of tail is uncertain from having 

 been broken in the figured specimen, but was probably slightly 

 notched like the other species. 



I have only seen one specimen, the one figured, from Portland. 



Explanation op Figures. 



Plate 164. — Fig. I, side view, three-fourths natural size. Fig. In, outline of head, to show 

 pitting and grjinulation of anterior part, the strialion and serration of margin of preoporculum, 

 and the rows of large scales on posterior part of operculum, natural size. Fig. l/<. front view 

 of head, showing anchylosed teeth, ii.itural size (the lower suture sTioukl be a little longer). 

 Fig. \c, inside view of front edge of upper jaws, showing the ancliylosed teeth united into two 

 pieces, divided by the median suture, magnified two diameters. Fig. 1(/, scale from base of anal 

 fin, twice the natural size. Fig. \e, scale from above lateral line, twice the natural size. Fig. 

 1/, scale from lateral line, twice the natural size. 



Frederick McCoy. 



[ 240 ] 



