5. MONACANTHUS. 235 



Braclialuteres trossulus, Bleek. Ned. Tyds. Dierk. iii. 186G, p. 13 

 (name only). 



D. (25) 28. A. (23) 26. 



Skin densely covered with slender, flexible, acute bristles, which 

 are so delicate as to give a velvety feel to the finger. Body elevated ; 

 the height from the second dorsal fin (the commencement of which 

 is the most elevated part of the dorsal profile) to the point of the 

 pelvic bono is equal to the total length (without caudal). Snout 

 obtuse, with the upper profile nearly straight. The dorsal spine 

 stands over the middle of the orbit, and is roundish, much shorter 

 than the head, and densely covered with minute grains, which 

 lengthen into very fine acicular bristles. No ventral spine. Dorsal 

 and anal fins low. Blackish green, with some minute darker specks 

 and dots of a pale colour scattered over the body, and most crowded 

 on the face and flanks. Along the pelvic bono and near the ab- 

 domen the dots run into streaks. (Eichards.) 



"Western Australia. 



The typical specimen (2| inches long) does not appear to have 

 been transferred to the British-Museum Collection, and is probably 

 lost. 



8. Monacanthus oculatus. 

 D. 24. A. 22. 



Skin densely covered with minute bristles, producing a velvety 

 appearance. Outline of the body subcircular, its depth being con- 

 tained once and one-third in the total length (without caudal). No 

 pelvic protuberance. Snout very obtuse, not projecting. The 

 dorsal spine is rather stout but short, placed behind the eye, and 

 about as long as the orbit ; it has no barbs. Dorsal and anal fins 

 of moderate depth. OHve-coloured (in spirits), with about nine 

 rather irregular longitudinal rows of purplish ocelli edged vnth 

 white, and about as large as the pupil of the eye. 



South Australia. 

 a. One and a half inch long. Port Lincoln. From the collection 

 of the Zoological Society. 



Aleuterius (?) baueri, Richards. Voy. Ercb. & Terr. Fish. p. 68, is 

 very closely allied to the above species, but, unfortunately, knoAvn 

 from a drawing only. It is bright grass-green, ^vith seven inter- 

 rupted dark brown longitudinal stripes ; nine short bars radiate 

 from the orbit. The artist has represented a dentition similar to 

 that of Diodon, but \\'ith notches on the edges of the jaws. Also the 

 single teeth arc not so well diff'erentiatcd in 31. oculatus as in other 

 Monacanthes ; but then it remains uncertain whetlier this is not due 

 to the young age of tlic individual. I could distinguish four teeth 

 clearly in the upper jaw, but two only in the lower. 



