SOMK Al'STKAMAN li[,KN\IOin IMSIIKS McCULLOCK ANIi McN'RILL. 25 



in the head, and 1.5 in tlic snout, wliicli is 2.() in the head. Interorbital 

 width '^ in the oi bit. Second dorsal spine 1.6 in the head, and subequal 

 to most of the spines of the second dorsal and the antaiior rajs. Fourth 

 last anal ray 2, median ventral ray 1..S, and caudal 1.1 in the head. 

 Pectoral O.'I longer than the head. 



Head naked, nuich longer than high, with an obtusely pointed snout; 

 anterior profile oblique. Eyes lai'ge, cutting the profile, and separated by 

 a narrow concave interorbital space. A minute na.sal tentacle. Mouth 

 nearly horizontal, maxilla reachirrg to below the posterior portion of the 

 eye; mandible shorter than the upper jaw. A band of villiform teeth 

 in the front portion of the premaxillaiies, the outer ones enlarged and 

 subulate anteriorly, and extending backward well bshind the villiform 

 patch; a group of laiger teeth on each side of the mandibular symphysis, 

 the anterior ones large and sirbulate, and some spaced curved canines on 

 the sides; about two rows of small teeth form a curved series across the 

 vomer, palatines toothless. Torrgue thick, obtusely pointed anteriorly, 

 only the tip free. Gill-opening very wide, the exposed edge of the shoulder- 

 girdle smooth. 



Body elongate, covered with scales of moderato size which are 

 ctenoid on the back and sides and cycloid towaids the verrtral surface; 

 they extend forward to the nape before the dorsal tin, but leave the breast 

 and abdomeir naked. The lateral line curves downward from the shoulder 

 to the middle of the body, and extends to the tail ; it is formed of simple 

 tubes placed oir enlarged scales. 



First dorsal spine inserted just behind the vertical of the preopercular 

 margin ; the first three spines are separated by an interspace from the 

 succeeding ones, but are connected to them by membrane ; the third is the 

 longest. Spines of the secorrd portion of the fin subequal in height to the 

 thiid, decreasing a little posteriorly; the last is separated from the soft 

 dorsal. Dorsal rays simple, highest anteriorly, the last not united with 

 the pedurrcle by membrane. Anal commencing below the middle of the 

 s3Cond dorsal, its rays simple and increasing in height to about the fourth 

 last; their tips are curved and free. Pectorals large and pointed, reach- 

 ing to above the sixth anal ray ; the lower rays are thick and simple, the 

 upper ones bifurcate. Ventrals with two thick rays and one thin orre, the 

 median ones reaching about two-thirds of their distance from the vent. 

 Caudal srrbtruncate, with rounded angles, the raj'S bifurcate. 



Colour viayhiiKj. — Brown above, white below, with dark saddle-like 

 markings on the back, from which blackish bars descend obliquely back- 

 wards. A broad dark-edged bar descends from the eye orr each side of the 

 snout, another covers most of the cheek, and a less distinct one crosses the 

 operculum. Dorsal fins with rows of dark spots, which are most distinct 

 on the rays. Caudal with irregular rows of brown spots. Anal obscurely 

 spotted, with a dark submarginal band. Pectoral spotted, and with large 

 dark markings on the basal portion. 



Described from three cotypes, 101-118 mm. long, preserved in the 

 Macleay Museum, which are in very bad condition. The proportions are 

 those of the laigest specimen. 



Loc. — King George Sound, South-western Australia. 



