SOME AntiTKAMAN lil.KNNIOlD FISUKS MLrrl.I.OCH AND McNEILI,. 17 



to about the liiiider fourtli of the fin, tlie last nuitecl t,o tlie caudal 

 peduncle, but tbe nieniljrane does not reach tlie rays. Anal comniencinj,'- 

 beneath or in advance of the incision of the dorsal ; its rays inciease in 

 len<^tli towards tlie hinder [)art of the tin, and the last is not joined to the 

 caudal peduncle by membrane. Pectoral obtusely pointed, sixth lowest 

 ray loiif^est, and i-eaching to below the ninth doisal spine. Ventral with 

 two thick and one slender inuer ray, the median the lougest, and extend- 

 ing backwards a little more than one thii'd oi its distance from the vent. 

 Caudal slightly rounded oi- subtruncate. 



Colour ))iurhi)i<j. — Brown in alcohol, with about seven more or less 

 distinct darker cross-bands; these are very angulai', and are defined 

 on the back by paired blackish spots. Sides with irregular rows of silveiy 

 ocelli, which are most distinct towards the tail. Head with small light 

 ocelli, and some darker markings on the throat, which may be indistinct ; 

 a bluish black spot behind the eye. First dorsal with about five bioad, 

 daik bars running uf) wards and backwards. Second dorsal with oblique 

 dark stiipes, separated by narrow light lines, which tend to break up 

 into spots towards the margin. Anal with two or more rows of light 

 spots tending to form horizontal stripes, or closely speckled with light 

 dots ; the margin may be dark or light-edged. Caudal nearly plain in 

 specimens, without ci^ests, closely dotted and streaked with light mark- 

 ings between the rays in those in which it is present. Pectorals plain, ur 

 with one or two broad cross-bands near the base. 



The above definition is based on eleven specimens, 46-124 mm. long, 

 which were taken together at Eagle Island, Northern Queensland. They 

 agree very well with the original description of the species and also with 

 Giinther's figure of a Cape York specimen in " Fische Siidsee," though 

 the latter illustrates the last dorsal ray as wholl}' free from the caudal 

 peduncle. A large number secured at the same time exhibit some little 

 variation in the intensity and exact form of their colour marking, which, 

 however, is essentially as described above. 



Variation. — A single example from Masthead Island is remai'kable 

 for its dark colouration, which almost hides its characteristic markings. 

 It is greyish brown in alcohol, with only obscure traces of the darker 

 cross-bands ; the whole body is flecked with blackish pencillings, thi'ongh 

 which the light ocelli aie but little apparent. First dorsal nearly uniform 

 brown, with oblique light lines posteriorly. Second dorsal brown, with 

 narrow, interrupted, oblique, light lines. Anal with several rows of light 

 spots, caudal with light lines and spots between the rays. 



Locs. — Eagle Island and Two Isles, Northern Queensland ; coll. 

 Hedley and Briggs. Rat Island, Port Curtis, and Masthead Island, 

 Queensland; coll. A. R. McCulloch. Caloundra, Southern Queensland. 

 Port Dai-win, Northern Territory ; cull. H. W. Christie. 



This species was said to have been originally obtained by Peron in 

 Tasmania, but no species of the genus occurs so far south. Johnston^ 

 noted that it was common in Tasmanian wateis, but his refeience doubt- 

 less applied to Blemiius tas)na)iiainis. 



1 Johnston— Proc. Roy. Soc. Tasm., 1882 (1883), p. 121. 



