202 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. 



deflected backwards to near the termination of the anal fin ajong 

 the base of which it passes to the first anal spine; this second band 

 is thus much wider below than above, and at its widest part equals 

 the distance of its anterior edge from the snout; it ^^ not bent 

 backwards along any part of the soft dorsal. The third band is 

 across the caudal pedicel, it is wider than the farst band and both 

 ed^es are concave posteriorly. All the bands are separated from 

 tlie around colour by a narrow white line. The membranes of the 

 spinous dorsal are coloured according to the tint of that part ot 

 the body whence they arise; the whole of the soft dorsal, with the 

 exception of the base of the first two rays, is blackish-brown edged 

 with yellow, the anal has no light margin; the pectorals are 

 coloured like the body bands, but their bases are dusky; the 

 ventrals are wholly dark. The caudal rays are very deep brown, 

 which colour extends along the upper and lower rays leaving a 

 broad lunate margin of yellow. Length of specimen 130 mm. 



Some of the species of Amphiprion have been shown to be very 

 variable it is therefore not easy to say what amount of variation 

 must be allowed. The example now under notice, enters section 

 6 of Giinther's synopsis* characterised by having " Three white 

 cross bands, the middle of which is not bent backwards above. 

 In colouration it differs from any previously described by having 

 the middle band extremely wide, and much wider ^eh^w than 

 above, also by the margin of the brown colour of the caudal being 

 posteriorly concave. 



Thalassoma aneitense, Gilnther. 

 Jrdis aneitensis, Glinther, Brit. Mus., Cat. Fish, iv., 1862, p. 183. 

 Included in a small collection made by Mr J^ B. Waterhoase 

 i. a nice example of this species, measuring 260 mm. in length. 

 Gthi ler has recorded it from Norfolk Island, and it has also been 

 recognised from North-east Australia, so that its occurrence off 

 Lord Howe Island is in no way remarkable. 



Platyglossus opercularis, Gilnther. 

 Of this species, which appears to be nearly allied to P. ^oeci^r^s, 

 Rich., we have four examples obtained by Mrs. T. Nicholls in 

 August last. There are also specimens in the Museum from the 

 New Hebrides. 



Novaculiciithys jacksoniensis, Eamsay. 

 The single example obtained by Mr. I^ely in January 1895 

 is somewhat larger than that taken by the "Ihetis' Expedition f 

 measuring 210 mm. in length. As in the type, the lower 



* Gunther— Brit. Mus. Cat. Fish., iv., 1S62, p. 3. 



t Wa^te-Aust. Mus., Mem., iv.,"Thetis" Exp.. 1. Fishes, 1899. p. 8., 



pi. XV. 



