Zoofogy.] 



NATURAL BISTORT OF VICTORIA. 



{^Fishes. 



anterior cusp of each of which is much the largest, with a variable number of much smaller 

 cusps on the posterior edge ; all the teeth of lower jaw broad, flattened, triangular, divided into 

 n\imeri)us cusps, decreasing from the front to the hinder cusp, with the anterior edge usually 

 serrated.] 



Description. — Snout semi-elliptical, length rather less than half the distance 

 between the anterior edj^-e of oi'bits. Shape, elongate fusiform ; the hinder edge of 

 the dorsal fin extends slightly farther back than the vertical of the anterior edge of 

 the anal fin. Caudal fin triangular at the tip, with a small notch at posterior end of 

 narrow lower margin ; anterior lobe moderate, triangular. Color: all the upper surface 

 and fins of a grevish-ash color, the sides with a few small, whitish, round spots ; belly 

 whitish. Teeth: upper jaw, one small, narrow, pointed tooth in middle, and one 

 larger, narrow, simple, slightly oblique on each side, behind which are 6 large, flat, 

 obliquely-triangular teeth, the anterior cusp of each of which is very much larger than 

 the others ; the 1st tooth has 1 small, lateral, posterior cusp, the 2nd and 3rd have 

 2, the 4th and 5th have 3 or 4, gradually diminishing, small cusps on the posterior 

 edge, the two hindmost teeth having 3 or 4 serratures on the base of the anterior 

 margin, the anterior ones only 1 or 2. Lower jaw, with all the teeth large, flat, 

 obliquely-subtrigonal, except the middle one, which, although broad and flat, is 

 bifid, having 2 oblique, divaricating, principal cusps in the middle, with 3 or 4 

 gradual!}- decreasing cusps on each side ; the other teeth have the 1st cusp largest, 

 with 3 or 4 gradually-decreasing to the posterior end, the anterior margin of 

 each tooth serrated, with 3 or 4 small spines on the base. 



Reference. — Notidanus Indicus (Cuv.), Reg. Anim. ; ^ Heptanchus Indi- 

 ces, Miill. and Henle, System. Besch. Plagiostom., p. 82, t. 32. 



The following are the dimensions of the specimen figured : — 



Measurements. 

 Length from tip of snout to distal end of caudal ... 



„ „ „ anterior edge of orbit 



„ „ „ anterior edge of pectoral 



„ „ „ origin of dorsal 



„ „ „ origin of ventral 



„ „ ,, origin of anal 



„ from anterior edge of lower lobe of caudal fin 

 tremity of same lobe 



„ from anterior edge of lower lobe of caudal fin 

 of tail 

 Girth in front of pectoral 

 Length from tip of snout to nostril 

 Vertical length of anterior gill-opening ... 



„ length of posterior gill-opening... 

 Antero-posterior length of the 7 gUl-openings 

 Length from tip of snout to central tooth 



„ of base of pectoral 



„ of anterior edge of pectoral 



„ of base of dorsal 



„ of anterior edge of dorsal 



„ of base of anal... 



„ anterior edge of anal 



„ middle tooth of upper jaw 

 Width at base 



Length of 2nd sublunate tooth ... 

 Width at base... 



Antero-posterior length of base of 3rd tooth 

 Height of principal cusp 

 Width of middle lower tooth 

 Height of middle lower tooth 

 Antero-posterior length of base of 2nd tooth 

 Height of principal cusp 

 Width between the orbits 



Dec. V. 



[ 17] 



