266 . KECOTtDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. 



tube overhanging the lip, the posterior a large opening near the upper 

 margin of the eye with skinny edges. Mouth oblique, the maxilla reaching 

 backward to below the posterior fourth of the eye. A broad band of 

 villiform teeth in the premaxillaries, some of which are a little larger 

 than the others near the symphysis, and an outer row of strong conical, 

 but small teeth ; mandible with a band of villiform teeth, the inner row 

 of which is a little larger than the others, and an outer row of conical 

 teeth ; posteriorly these give place to an inner row of similar teeth which 

 increases in size backwards. Tongue broadly spatulate and free anteriorly, 

 its margin rounded. Gill-openings extending far forward below, the 

 space separating them being narrower than the eye ; exposed edge of the 

 shoulder girdle quite smooth. 



Body broader than deep anteriorlj^, becoming compressed posteriorly. 

 It is completely covered with rather small ctenoid scales which are 

 subequal in size on the sides and tail, but are smaller on the nape, breast, 

 and pectoral base ; they extend onto the bases of the pectoral and caudal 

 fins between the rays. Genital papilla large. 



First dorsal commencing before the middle of the pectoi-al, its margin 

 rounded ; the second and third spines are longest, and the sixth is more 

 widely separated than the others. The second dorsal rays increase slightly 

 in length to the penultimate, which is a little longer than the highest 

 spine ; the last is double, and reaches somewhat more than half its distance 

 from the caudal base. Anal almost opposite the second dorsal, and of 

 similar form ; the rays increase in height to the seventh. Pectoral 

 rounded, the tenth ray longest but not reaching the vertical of the vent. 

 Ventrals inserted a little before the pectorals, the fouith rays longest, 

 and reaching about two-thirds of their distance from the vent. Caudal 

 rounded. 



Colour Dark brown after long preservation, without definite 



markings. 



Described from the holotype of Eleotris immacnJatns, 480 mm. long. 

 It proves its original description to be inaccurate in its proportional 

 details, particularly as regards the measurements of the eye and the 

 interorbital space. 



Variation. — An example 335 mm. long, whi(;h is a cotype of E. 

 crescens, De Vis, is quite similar in all its structural details to the 

 specimen described, differing only iii some slight proportional measure- 

 ments which are coincident with its smaller size. Another specimen 

 which is only 181 mm. long, is much lighter in colour, being sandy 

 yellow with grey lines along each row of scales on the back and sides, 

 while the dorsal and caudal fins are mottled with grey spots ; it has the 

 following proportions: — Head 27 in the length to the hypural joint; 

 depth before the venti-als 5*6 in the same ; bieadth befoie tlie pectoial 

 bases 01 greater than the depth ; depth of the caudal peduncle 3"3 in 

 the head ; eye 8 in the head, and 18 in its distance from the premaxillary 

 symphysis; it is 1"9 in the interorbital space, which is 4"1 in the head. 



Syvonymy. — Steindachner's description of E. liiirahifui^ from Rock- 

 hampton agrees very well with a cotype of E. crescens, De Vis, from the 



