DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW FISHES FROM PORT 

 JACKSON. 



By J. Douglas-Ogilby, 



Assistant Zoologist, Australian Museum, 



Petraites hept.colus, sp. nov. 

 B. VI. D. 3/27/1-2. A. 2/18-2. V. 1/3. P. 12. 



Length of the head 5^, of caudal fin 65, height of body 4? in the 

 total lengtla. Diameter of eye 3| in the length of head. Snout 

 short, ^ of a diameter of eye. Interorbital space slightly convex, 

 I of the same. Upper facial profile convex. Maxillary reaches to 

 behind the middle of the orbit. A single small simple tentacle 

 above each eye, and another, which is fringed, and widened out at 

 the tip, on the anterior nostrils. Small teeth on both jaws, and on 

 the vomer ; the lower jaw with one or two small canines at the 

 outer angles. The first dorsal is joined by a membrane to the 

 second, it is ^ of the height of the body, and equal to the last 

 spine of the second, in which there are but three rays, the anterior 

 pair of which are separated by a broad membranous interspace, 

 while the third is similarly joined to the root of the caudal. There 

 is a corresponding interspace before the two last anal rays, but no 

 membrane connecting the last ray with the tail ; both these fins 

 are liighest posteriorly. The pectoral and ventral fins are equal in 

 length, and ^ of that of the head. Caudal short, rounded. Scales 

 exceedingly small. 



Colours briglit olive-green above, shading into the grey of the 

 under parts. There are seven black spots on each side along the 

 base of the dorsal fin, upon which they encroach a little when the 

 fish is newly caught ; the fii'st spot is below the short dorsal ; along 

 the middle of the sides is a less conspicuous row of seven spots, the 



