256 RECORDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. 



Head snbcylindrical, entirely naked. A low cntaneons crest extends 

 from between the posterior portions of the eyes almost to the base of the 

 first dorsal spine. Rows of microscopic mucigerous papillae are present 

 on the snout, around the month, across the cheeks and opercles, and on 

 the shoulders. Open pores ai'e present on the interorbital space, above 

 the posterior nostril, around the eye and preoperculum, and above the 

 operculum ; these are arranged as shown in the accompanj-ing illustra- 

 tion. Eye of moderate size, superolateral, and broader than the interor- 

 bital space, which is flat. Snout obtuse, rounded, a little longer than the 

 eye. Anterior nostril in a short tube overhanging the lip, the posterior 

 a simple opening near the eye. Mouth very oblique, the maxilla extend- 

 ing backward to below the middle of the eye ; mandible projecting slightly 

 beyond the upper jaw, the chin rounded, without barbies. Premaxillaries 

 with an outer series of large conical teeth, which decrease in size 

 backwards, and an inner band of villiform teeth, which is broadest 

 anteriorly, and becomes narrower backwards ; mandible with a strong 

 curved canine at each angle, between which are some enlarged teeth ; an 

 inner band of villiform teeth as in the premaxillaries. Tongue free, 

 thick, and rounded anteriorly. Gill-openings lateral, much wider than 

 the isthmus. Exposed edge of the shonlder-girdle smooth, without papilla? ; 

 a pit at its lower angle. 



Body compressed, and covered with minute concentrically striated 

 cycloid scales, which are very irregularly arranged ; they become ctenoid 

 and increase slightly in size backwards ; they extend forward only as far 

 as the shoulder, and leave the breast and the base of the pectoral naked. 

 Vei'tical series of minute mucigerous pores along the middle of the body 

 represent the lateral line. Genital papilla well developed. 



First dorsal originating over the anterior third of the pectorals ; the 

 spines are filamentous, and increase in length to the third, which extends 

 backward to the base of the fourth ray when adpressed ; the sixth is 

 separated from the others by a wider interspace, and its membrane 

 reaches the base of the first ray. Rays of the second dorsal subequal in 

 height, the hinder ones overlapping the base of the caudal ; the margin 

 of the fin is sti'aight. Anal similar to the second dorsal, its raj's increasing 

 slightly in length backwards. Pectorals obtusely pointed, the median 

 rays longest, and reaching beyond the vertical of the sixth dorsal spine; 

 no free upper rays. Ventrals inserted before the pecloi-als, with a deep 

 basal membrane, and reaching nearly two-thirds of their distance from 

 the vent. Caudal obtusely pointed. 



Colour -marl- ill (J. — Brown in alcohol, the head and body closel}- spotted 

 with darker spots, which become linear on the lower portion of the 

 body. Anterioi" dorsal spines with blackish annuli, their produced portions 

 white; a large dark blotch on the membrane between the third and 

 fifth spines, and some ocelli on the basal half. Second dorsal dusky, with 

 about three irregular z'ows of dark light-edged ocelli. Anal with dusky 

 streaks between tlie rays, which are lightei-. Caudal and venti*al some- 

 what similar to the anal. Pectoral lighter, with about five ti-ansverse 

 lines of dots across the rays. 



Described and figui-ed from one of the cotv]>es, !•() nmi. h)iig. Nine 

 (ithei" cotypes, ().'>-I*2 mm. h)!!!?, cxliihit but littU' variiit ion. 



