146 EDIBLE EISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



the pectoral ; the spiues are very flexible ; the outer margin of the spinous 

 portion is deeply concave, that of the rayed beinff convex ; the first four spines 

 are subequal in length. 2'40 in the length of the head ; from thence they 

 decrease to the eleventh or twelfth, which are 1'60 in the longest, the last spine 

 being I'lOin thesame, and l'30in the anterior ray; the fifth, sixth, and seventh 

 rays are the longest ; the anal commences beneath the second dorsal ray; 

 the second spine is the longest, equal to the sixth and the last dorsal spines: 

 the outer margin is truncated, the height gradually decreasing from the first 

 to the penultimate ray: ventral short and rounded, its length about one-half 

 of that of the head : pectorals rounded, 1'50 in the same length : caudal 

 emarginatc, with the lobes produced considerably in male, less so in 

 female examples ; the pedicle long, its least weight 2'25 in its length behind 

 the dorsal fin, and in the height of the body. A small patch of scales in 

 two series on the upper margin of the opercle, and from one to three scales 

 on the temporal region. Lateral line with a gentle curve to a little behind 

 the pectoral fin, thence straight. 



Colors. — cf Uniform bluish-black above, lighter below : a bright blue band 

 near the outer margin of each caudal lobe ; a similar one near the upper 

 margin of the pectoral, and a few spots of the same color sometimes present 

 above the lateral line (O. cyanomclas, Eicliards.) 9 Eieh brown, lighter 

 below ; all the body scales with a narrow orange margm, and generally 

 with a dull blue central spot : head above blackish, the opercles and sides 

 with orange and bluish vermiculated bands ; below gray, with large orange 

 spots : dorsal and anal fins reddish-brown, the former with faint olive 

 green spots, the latter with zig-zag orange bands ; ventrals and pectorals- 

 orange, with the rays blue, the latter with three blue cross bands ; caudal 

 reddish-brown with irregular blue cross bands (O. hrunneus, Mel.). 



In habitS; food, and all other characteristics this species differs in no wise 

 from the preceding, but from examination of female specimens we are able 

 to fix the date of the deposition of the ova approximately in August. 



The type specimen was sent to Tiichardson from King George's Sound, 

 where it is known to the natives by the name of " Toobitoet,"or " Toobitooet," 

 and is said to frequent rocky places and to be rarely captured. It is common 

 on the New South Wales coast at least as far north as Broken Bay, beyond 

 which we have no record of its occurrence, though it is doubtless found in 

 suitable localities. Casteluau states that it is common in Victorian waters, 

 but Johnston omits it from the Tasmanian list. 



This sjDecies grows to a length of eighteen inches. 



Family XX.— GBRRID^. 



Branchiostegals six : pseudobranchije present. Body ovate or elevated, 

 compressed. Eyes rather large, lateral. Opercle without spine : preopercle 

 finely serrated or entire. Mouth in front of the snout, very protractile, 

 directed downwards when extended. Villiform teeth in the jaws: vomer, 

 palatines, and tongue edentulous: lower |.haryngeal bones firmly united by 

 a suture. Dorsal fin continuous : ventrals thoracic. Scales moderate, 

 eyelid or minutely serrated, deciduous. Lateral line continuous. Airbladder 

 present. Pyloric appendages in small numbers. 



Oeorjraphical distribution. — Tropical ;ind temperate seas of both hemis- 

 pheres. 



