582 DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGrtJE OF AUSTRALIAN FISHES, 



The length of the head is three times and a-half in the total, 

 and its width between the prseopercular spines once and a-half 

 in its length. The space between the eyes is slightly concave and 

 one-third the length of the snout. The upper surface of the head 

 is flat, the ridges being scarcely prominent. Two praeopercular 

 spines, the lower much the longest ; the second dorsal spine is 

 rather less than half the length of the head. Lateral line smooth. 

 Colour reddish, with a number of obscure spots, larger on the 

 sides ; dorsal, ventral, and pectoral fins spotted with brown ; the 

 posterior portion of the caudal black. 



Tasmania, Melbourne, Sydney. 



445. Platycephalus ftjscus, Cuv. & Val. 

 Castelnau, Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. Wales, Vol. III., p. 379. 



The '' FlatheacV of the Sydney Market. 

 Port Jackson, Port Phillip. 



446. Platycephalus l^yigatus, Cuv. & Val. 



Gunth. Cat. Fishes n., p. 179. — Casteln., Proc. Zool. Soc. Victoria, 

 Vol. I., p. 84. 



The '' Rock Flathead " of the Melbourne Market. 



D. 1. 8/14. A. 14. 



Head with the ridges scarcely visible, and without any spines ; 

 the upper prsDopercular spine is twice as long as the lower. The 

 space between the eyes is one-half only of their vertical diameter. 

 Brown above, white below ; anal fin white, the others spotted 

 with brown. 



Western Port, Port Phillip, Western Australia. 



447. Platycephalus proximus, Casteln. 

 Proc. Zool. Soc. Victoria, Vol. I., p. 85. 

 In general aspect like P. Icevigatm, but differs in having the 

 head broader in front ; the eye larger and more oVal ; the teeth 



