6. CREPIDOGASTER. 507 



vertical from the anterior margin of the eye. The lips are rather 

 thick, and the lateral portion of the lower lip hanging downwards. 

 The upper jaw has ton, the lower eight small incisors, the lateral 

 teeth being conical ; small cardiform teeth stand behind the incisors 

 in both jaws. Two nostrils, close together, are situated opposite the 

 angle of the orbit, in a straight line Avith its upper margin ; the 

 anterior is pro\'idcd with a short tentacle on its posterior edge. The 

 lower angle of the opercular apparatus terminates posteriorly in an 

 acute point, overlapped by a skinny appendage and directed back- 

 wards. The gill-openings, gUls, and pseudobranchias are as in 

 Gohiesox cephalus. 



The dorsal fin commences somewhat behind the vertical from the 

 vent, and the distance of its origin from the caudal is rather less 

 than one-half of its distance from the snout. Caudal rounded, of 

 moderate length. The anal is very short, and commences vertically 

 below the ninth dorsal ray. The pectoral fin is broad, of moderate 

 length, with the posterior margin rounded, and with a thick fold on 

 the lower part of its base ; the fold ascends only to the middle of the 

 base of the fin. The coracoid is so elevated as nearly to reach the 

 upper margin of the pectoral*. 



The structure of the adhesive apparatus is essentially the same as 

 in Sicyases sanguineus, with some peculiar modifications, however, 

 of the posterior portion. This portion forms a complete disk by 

 itself, having a free anterior margin. The striated part of the hinder 

 half of the periphery is composed of three lamellae ; the anterior is 

 the shortest, the middle is composed of small broad fringes, the pos- 

 terior is the longest and striated. The hardened epidermis forms a 

 beautiful mosaic-work of veiy small polygonal plates. 

 ■ The vent is situated immediately behind the margin of the ventral 

 disk, and at a great distance from the anal. 



The upper parts arc beautifully rose-coloured, with dark-red dots 

 on the sides. The largest of the specimens is four inches long. 



6. CREPIDOGASTER. 



Anterior part of the body depressed; snout produced, much 

 depressed. Dorsal fin situated on the tail. Posterior portion of 

 the adhesive disk with the anterior margin free. Villiform teeth in 

 both jaws, without incisors. Gills three ; pseudobranchia; none or 

 rudimentary ; gill-membranes united under the throat, and not 

 attached to the isthmus. 



Coasts of Australia and Van Diemen's Land. 



1. Crepidogaster tasmaniensis. 

 B. 5. D. 10. A. 9. 

 Caudal fin quite free from dorsal and anal. The coracoid extends 



* Sir J. Richardson erroneously takes the ventral fins for lower pectoral rays, 

 and the coracoid bones for the ventral fins. 



