BY W. MACLEAY, F.L.S. 335 



the posterior margin of the orbit. Every portion of the head is 

 closely covered with hard, adherent, small ctenoid scales, excepting 

 the truncate space on the snout ; the dorsal, caudal and anal fins 

 are also clothed on their basal portions with small scales ; the 

 scales on the body are rather large. The prseorbital bone has a 

 smooth, straight edge and its height is little more than half the 

 diameter of the orbit ; the praeoperculum has a well defined 

 central ridge and is broadly rounded and serrated towards the 

 angle ; the operculum is without visible point ; the coracoid is 

 large, free, and scaly on its lower half ; the scapular bone is free, 

 scaleless, covered with a black skin, rounded and crenulated 

 towards the extremity, and very large. The spinous portion of 

 the dorsal fin is low, the eighth spine the longest, but less than 

 half the length of the first rays ; the caudal fin is slightly 

 emarginate ; the first and second anal spines short, the third 

 more than three times the length of the first spine, and one-half the 

 length of the second ray. Pectoral fins rather short, but extending 

 slightly beyond the ventrals. Colour uniform silvery, each scale 

 on the body seemingly with a black spot, caused by the black 

 skin showing through the base of the scales. Fins immaculate ; 

 axil black. Length twenty inches. 



Port Jackson. 



One specimen of this curious fish was brought to Mr. Ramsay 

 of the Australian Museum a few weeks ago. As far as is known 

 it is unique. 



Genus Bostockia, Oasteln. 



Teeth numerous, small, and villiform on the jaws, vomer and 

 palatine bones, tongue smooth. One dorsal with eight spines, 

 anal with three. Operculum with a bifid spine, prseoperculum 

 with spines at its lower edge. Scales small. Head cavernous, 

 •without scales. 



2Q 



