Zoology.l 



NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. 



[Fishes. 



upper jaw, with 5 or 6 large conical ones at the outer edge on each side, within 

 which is a band becoming narrower behind of about 7 rows of very minute cardi- 

 form ones, about 62 in the length ; the patch of small cardilbrm ones on the palate- 

 bones about 7 rows across; the small quadrate patch of cardiform teeth on the 

 vomer slightly larger than those on the palate ; lower jaw, with about 9 strong 

 conical teeth on the outer edge, within which about 7 rows of minute cardiform 

 ones. About 5 large mucous pits on each side below lower jaw. 



The following are the dimensions of three specimens varying 

 from the largest : — 



The coloring of this fish is so exceedingly variable that it is 

 only those specimens in which the brown mottling is most abun- 

 dant that the term "Blackfish" seems appropriate, while in many 

 others where the brown spots are larger, much fewer, and more 

 distant, and not extending to the belly, the general tint of the 

 whole fish seems a light yellowish-olive, whitish below. The scales 

 vary in different parts of the body, some having the posterior 

 margin truly cycloid and the lines of growth only slightly waving, 

 while others have the margin so much indented and the lines of 

 growth so much undulated as to make a slight approach to the 

 ctenoid type of scale. 



[40] 



