BY W. MACLEAY, F.L.S. 581 



single series of plate-like scales. The spinous dorsal fin less 

 developed than the soft or than the anal. 



Q-enus Platycephalus, B1. 



Head broad, very depressed, more or less armed with spines ; 

 body depressed anteriorly, sub-cylindrical posteriorly ; covered 

 with ctenoid scales. Lateral line present. Two dorsal fins, the 

 first spine isolated ; ventrals thoracic but rather remote from the 

 root of the pectorals, no pectoral appendages. Jaws, vomer, and 

 palatine bones with bands of villiform teeth. Air-bladder none ; 

 pyloric appendages in moderate number. 



Indian and Polynesian Seas. 



443. Platycephaltjs insidiator, Forsk. 



Gunth., Cat. Fishes IL, p. 177.— Bleek., Atl. Ichth. Platyc, 



pi. 1, fig. 3. 



D. 1. 6-7/13. A. 13. L,lat. 120. Ceec. pylor. 8. Vert. 12/15. 



The length of the head is three times and three-quarters in the 

 total length, and its width between the prseopercular sj^ines once 

 and a-half in its length ; the distance between the eyes is one-half 

 the length of the snout. The upper surface of the head is quite 

 flat, the ridges being scarcely prominent. Two moderate prse- 

 opercular spines, the upper rather shorter than the lower. The 

 length of the second dorsal spine is less than half that of the head. 

 Lateral line smooth. The upper half of the caudal fin with two 

 oblique black bands, the lower with one or two. 



Western Australia, North-west Australia, Cape York. 



444. Platycephaltjs bassensis, Cuv. & Val. 



P. tasmanius, Eichards., Voy. Erebus and Terror, p, 23, pi. 18, 



f. 1-2.— Gunth. Cat. Fishes IL, p. 179. 



The '' Red Flathead,'' Sydney Market. 



D. 1. 7/14. A. 14. L. lat. 115. 



