PREFACE. 



Palinurus Lalandi, figured in our fifteenth Decade, which, I have 

 no doubt, is identical with the species of the Cape of Good Hope 

 and New Zealand, but not recorded from New South Wales or 

 any place much north of Victoria. By comparison with South 

 African specimens, I have confirmed my previously published 

 opinion of the identity of the South African and Victorian sptecies. 



The last plate illustrates, what I believe to be, a local variety 

 of the " Murray Spiny Lobster " or large Murray Cray-fish, 

 Astacopsis serratus^ found abundantly in the Yarra and the 

 streams flowing into it. I have given the name Yarraensis to 

 this variety, which, from its small size and bright blue color, is 

 very unlike the large northern Murray form, the illustration being 

 desirable, as the majority of the fishes and otlier inhabitants of the 

 Murray are different from those found in the rivers running south- 

 wards, as the Yarra does. 



The succeeding Decades will illustrate as many different genera 

 as possible, and will deal first, usually, with species of some special 

 interest, and of which good figures do not exist, or are not easily 

 accessible. 



Frederick McCoy. 

 22nd June, 1888.* 



* Pressure of other business at the Government Printing- Office, and the removal to new building, have 

 delayed the publication of this Decade. • 



