522 DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF AUSTRALIAN FISHES, 



I was not aware wlieii I described this Fisli under the specific 

 name which it bears among fishermen, that Gunther had previously 

 named it. 



Division VI. ACANTH. XIPHIIFOEMES. 

 The upper jaw produced into a long cuneiform weapon. 



Fai^iily XIV. XIPHIID^. 



Body elongate, compressed, naked or covered with rudimentary 

 dermal jDroductions. Teeth none or rudimentary. Upper jaw 

 sword shaped. One or two dorsal fins without a distinctly spinous 

 portion. Ventrals absent or rudimentary and thoracic. Seven 

 branchiostegals ; pseudobranchi?e and air-bladder present; pyloric 

 appendages in great number. Vertebrae 12-14/12. 



G-enus Histiophorus, Cuv. & Val. 

 Two dorsal and anal fins, the anterior one longest, and formed 

 of spinous and soft rays. Ventrals reduced to a single or two or 

 three spines. Scales none, sometimes rudimentary dermal 

 productions. Small teeth in the jaw and on the palatine bones, 

 none on the vomer. 



Ocean Fishes. 



332. Histiophorus gladius, Brouss. 



Gunth. Cat. Fishes II., p. 513. — Eamsay, Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. 

 AVales, Vol. V., p. 295, pi. 8. 



Coast of New South Wales. 



Division VIL ACANTH. TEICHIURIFOEMES. 



Body elongate, compressed or band-like ; cleft of mouth wide, 

 with several strong teeth in the jaws or on the palate ; the spinous 

 and soft portions of the dorsal and anal fins are of nearly equal 

 extent, long, many rayed, sometimes terminating in finlets ; caudal 

 fin forked, if present. One family only. 



