138 RECORDS OP THE AOSTRALIAX MUSEUM. 



Hlstiophoru.s ghuh'iis, Giiuther, Brit. Mus. Cat. Fish., ii., 1860, p. 513. Id., 

 Day, Fish, India, pt. 2, 1876, p. 198. Id., Castelnau, Proc. Linn., 

 Soc, N.S.Wales, iii , 1879, p. 352. Id., Macleay, Proc. Linn. Soc.', 

 N.S.Wales, v., 1881, p. 522. Id., Goode, Kept. U.S. Fish Comm., 

 1880 (1883), p. 309, pL riii. Id., O^ilby, Cat. Fish. N.S.Wales, 

 1886, p. 25. 



Dfinphnnis yhidiii.^, Stead, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.Wales, xxxvi., 1911, p. 4-i. 



D. 46/7 ; A. 12/6 ; P. 18 : V. i/2. Branchiostegals 7. 



Depth at tlie base of the anterior doi^sal raj'S and excluding the 

 doi'sal sheath 1'7 in the length of the liead from the tip of the mandible 

 to the opercnlar margin, and about 7'7 in tlie length from the end of the 

 mandible to tluit of the middle caudal rays; depth before the anterior 

 anal fin 2'4!, and of the caudal peduncle 64 in the head measured as 

 above. Eye 9*7 in the liead and 1'7 in the interorbital width, which is 

 5"5 in the head. Rostrum (incomplete) 2"1 as long as tlie rest of the 

 head. Pectoral 1"3 in the head. Highest dorsal rays subequal in length 

 to the head from the end of the rostrum to the opercular margin. 



Rostrum straight, subcylindrical distally, though a little broader than 

 deep ; its upper surface is smooth, but the sides and lower surface are 

 covei'ed anterioi'ly with spinules which extend backward on each side in 

 a gradually narrowing row to below the middle of tlie eye. Maxilla a 

 thin and rather narrow plate which is obtusely pointed posteriorly, and 

 reaches backward beyond the posterior margin of the eye. Mandible 

 pointed, the symphysis forming a subcylindrical bone like the rostrum ; 

 its u[)per surface is covered with similar spinules which extend backward 

 on the sides to below the anterior portion of the eye. No teeth on the 

 palate, but minute spinules are present on the soft membrane between 

 the sympliysis of each jaw. Nostrils small aiid close together, situated a 

 little before the upper portion of the eye, and separated by a small 

 rounded lobe. Preopercular edge thin and almost entire, the angle 

 somewhat rounded. Operculum, unarmed, with a rounded membranous 

 edge. Gill-membranes free and broadly united across the istlimu*. 

 Gill-arches smooth, without gill-rakers. Four gills, a slit behind the 

 foui'th ; pseudobrancliiae well developed. 



Body slender and compressed, broadest antei'iorly and becoming 

 gradually narrower backwards. A broad flesliy fold on each side of the 

 back forms a sheath to accommodate the antei'ior dorsal fin, and similar 

 folds along the ventral edge as far as the vent form a sheatli for the 

 ventral rays ; the anterior anal fin is also provided with a sheath, but the 

 bases of the second dorsal and anal aie uncovered. The entire surface of 

 the bod}'- is beset with elongated pointed scales which ai-e shortest and 

 broadest on the dorsal surface but become very long and slender on the 

 abdominal region. Lateral line elevated into a low peak above the base 

 of the pectoral fin, after which it quickl}' descends to the middle of the 

 bodj' and extends backward in a straight line to the tail. Caudal peduncle 

 deeper than broad ; two small keels on each side of the base of the tail 

 which convej'ge slightly backwards. 



