198 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. 



pointed above, its length being 1 -5 in the length of the head : the 

 left fin is shorter, 1 '9 in the same, and is symmetrical, the central 

 rays being the longest. The caudal is truncate or very slightly 

 rounded, and the depth of the peduncle is 2-2 in the head. 



Scales. — The forepart of the head, the interorbital space, the 

 margins of the opercula and the bases of the pectorals are naked ; 

 the body is covered on both sides with cycloid scales, non-imbri- 

 cate on the anterior portion, but overlapping behind, and upon 

 the caudal peduncle. Fins scaleless. 



The lateral line runs almost straight, there being a slight curve 

 over the anterior half of the pectox'al, which is less marked on the 

 blind side ; anteriorh^ on both sides, the line is continued over 

 the head to the base of the seventh or eighth dorsal ray. 



Colours. — Uniform grey above and yellow beneath 



Length 242 mm. 



This species was commonly offered for sale in Melbourne, and 

 at Queenscliff examples were taken in the seine. At the latter 

 place a long series of pools extend between the railway and the 

 harbour, the home of shoals of Atherines. While wading in the 

 pools I commonly disturbed some fishes which zigzagged on the 

 bottom, and raised small clouds of mud. I discovered these to be 

 young flounders, from one inch to three inches in length When 

 disturbed they swam rapidh' away as described, for two or three 

 yards, and then usually doubled back along their tracks, so that 

 when the mud settled it was not possible to locate them. Nearly 

 <ill those caught were obtained under my feet, whence they had 

 evidently gone for the purpose of hiding, for an old boot, bucket 

 or other object, on being lifted, was found to harbour many young 

 flounders. 



Peltorhamphus, G anther, 1862. 



, Peltorhamphus bassensis, Castelnau, sp. 



(Plate xxxiv.). 



RhoDihosuIea bassensis, Castelnau, Proc. Zool. Soc. Vict., i., 1872, 

 p. 167. 



Sole. 



D. 79 ; A. 54 ; P. d-,x. 11, sin. 9 ; V. dex. 7, sin. 4 ; C. 12 + 4 ; 



Sc. 79. 



Length of head 4'0 ; depth of body 1-74 in total length 

 exclusive of the caudal which equals the head in length. Eyes, on 

 the right side, separated by a flat scaly space, less than half their 



