632 ON A NEW SPECIES OF REGAL^CXTS, 



height of the body at the vent is four and a-half times in the 

 distance from the snout ; length of the head four and a-quarter 

 to the vent ; the height of the head from the first dorsal ray is 

 less than the length ; the diameter of the eye three and a-half in 

 the length of the head. Greatest width of body half way 

 between snout and vent ; about seventy plates on the lateral line 

 to opposite the vent, an oblique line from between the seventy- 

 seventh and seventy- eighth ray, reaches to the seventieth plate ; 

 the plates form rounded tubercles over the angle of the operculum, 

 and lengthen as they approach the tail, where they become 

 oblong-linear in shape, all plates on the lateral line have a small 

 recurved spine directed backwards and situated on the centre 

 of each plate, these spines are largest on the caudal plates. 

 Above the lateral line osseous scutse form oblique bands from the 

 interspaces of the rays, and reach half way down to the lateral 

 line, the remainder of the scutes are roundish or somewhat 

 hexagonal, those on the abdominal line are conical pointed and 

 directed forwards. The length of the head, when the snout is not 

 produced is less than the height of the body. The membrane 

 between the dorsal rays is not attached to the back, but only at 

 the base of each ray. There are four teeth on either side of the 

 lower jaw, conical, not strong ; and five teeth on either side of the 

 upper jaw. General colour of burnished silver, a blackish line 

 along the base of the dorsal spines, down the snout and extending 

 on to the chin ; eye large, resembling a flattened disc of quick- 

 silver. Total length of the specimen (the end of the tail wanting) 

 is four feet eight inches, greatest height seven inches, the head six 

 and a-half, pectoral fin three and a-half. 



This specimen was speared by Mr. Frederick Johnston, at 

 Manly Beach, in November last, and presented to the Museum 

 by that gentleman. I believe it is the first specimen of this rare 

 genus that has been obtained on the New South Wales coast. 



It differs from all described species in having the dorsal rays 

 on the forehead reduced into weak, short, hair-like spines — there 



