186 RECORDS OP THE ADSTRALIAN MUSEUM. 



First dorsal fin rounded, tlie third spine longest, but much 

 shorter than tlie highest ray ; the sixth is widel}' separated 

 from the others. Soft dorsal rather angular, most of its rays 

 bifid, the third the longest. The anal commences slightly 

 farther back than the second dorsal, and though less angular, 

 is similar in form. Pectoral rounded, all its I'ays simple, and 

 none of them free ; the medium rays reacli back to below the 

 origin of the soft dorsal. Caudal truncate, its outer i-ays 

 simple, the others bifid. Ventrals large and wholly united, 

 with a broad basal membrane ; its ra3'S are branched, and 

 the longest leach back to the first anal ray. 



OoJoiir. — Translucent green, with darker cross-bars and 

 blackish spots. There are about seven bars across the back, 

 with others corresponding to them on the ventral surface ; 

 both these are connected with inter)uediate lateral spots. 

 Head with numerous spots and bars ; a broad band from 

 below the eye across the cheek. Anterior portion of the first 

 dorsal black, the remainder transparent (orange in life). 

 Soft dorsal, anal, pectoral, and caudal fins each with a large 

 basal spot. 



Described and figured from a specimen 15| mm. or 19/32 

 of an inch long. It is one of the largest of many specimens 

 which do not appear to differ from each other in their general 

 characters. Though so small, they are apparently adult, 

 since the dissection and microscopical examination of their 

 rej)roductive organs indicates the presence of ova. Further, 

 the black and orange colour-marking of the dorsal fin in life 

 is moi'e striking than the imperfect colouration common to 

 young fish. 



This minute goby, which, if adult, bears the distinction of 

 being one of the smallest vertebrates^, occurs in shoals along 

 the oyster-covered I'ocks in the salt-watei' reaches of Cowan 

 Creek, near Sydney. It remaiTis within a few feet of the 

 shoi'e, and may be obtained in quantity with a small scoop- 

 net. It is evidently carnivoi'ous, since a small crustacean 

 was obsei'ved in the stomach of one dissected. My attention 

 was first di'awn to this species by Di-. Mark C. Lidwill, who 

 observed it while in the quest of somewhat larger game, and 

 it is therefore associated with his name. 



I 



" Jordan— Guide Study of Fishes, ii., 1905. p. 467. 



