276 DESCRIPTIONS OF AUSTRALIAN PISHES, 



body and extends to the base of the tail. Anteriorly, it is well 

 developed, but the tubes become smaller and widely spaced pos- 

 teriorly. 



First dorsal spine situated a little behind the verticle of the 

 posterior orbital border; it is a little longer than the second, and 

 much longer than the third. The latter' is connected with the 

 nape or the extreme base of the first spine of the second dorsal. 

 Origin of the second dorsal above the posterior part of the oper- 

 culum; the spines increase gradually in length to the last, which 

 is much shorter than the rays. Dorsal rays widely separated 

 but uniformly spaced; the last is united to the end of the caudal 

 peduncle, or the base of the upper caudal ray. Anal similar in 

 form to the dorsal, but its membrane deeply excised between the 

 rays; the last ray is partially connected with the caudal peduncle 

 by membrane. Pectoral rounded, the seventh ray longest, 

 scarcely reaching the verticle of the vent. Ventrals with three 

 simple rays, of which the median is the longest. Caudal rounded. 



Colour. — Uniform yellowish in formalin, with very indefinite 

 traces of the usual darker cross-bars. 



Described from two specimens 205-216 mm. long; the larger 

 of the two is the specimen figured I propose a new name for 

 them with great hesitation, they being clearly closely related to 

 several of the many imperfectly known species already described . 

 They do not wholly agree with any of the descriptions, however, 

 so I give a detailed description and figure which will enable them 

 to be compared with the typical specimens of other species when 

 the latter are available. 



Loc. — Tamar River, Tasmania. 



Genus Lepidoblennius Steindachner. 

 Lepidoblennius haplodactylus Steindachner. 



Lepidoblennius haplodactylus Steindachner, Sitzb. Akad. Wiss. 

 Wien, Iv. i., 1867, p. 11, PI. i., figs.2-3. 



Lepidoblennius geminatus Macleay, Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. 

 Wales, vi., 1881, p.l3. 



A comparison of specimens of L. gemhiatus Macleay, from 

 near Sydney, with Steindachner's description and figure of L. 

 haplodactylus proves the two to be synonymous. The species is 



