174 MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM. 



First dorsal spine inserted over the middle of tlie eye ; the first five spines 

 are widely separated though connected by membrane; the third is longest, is 

 but little longer than the last, and is as long as the anterior dorsal and anal 

 rays. §oft dorsal rounded, formed of branched rays, of which the last is broadly 

 imited with the caudal peduncle by membrane. Anal originating below the 

 twelfth dorsal spine, its third spine as long as that of the dorsal; soft portion 

 rounded, the last ray united with the caudal peduncle. Pectoral formed of 

 branched rays, the median of which are longest and almost reach tha vertical 

 of the anal origin. Ventrals inserted behind the bases of the pectorals, each 

 Avith a strong spine and four branched rays, the longest of which reach the vent. 

 Caudal rounded, with ten branched rays. 



Colour-marking. — Light brown after preservation, variegated with darker 

 brown marblings; these are not well defined in the specimen described so they 

 have been copied from another taken with it and of the same size in the 

 accompanying figure. A darker patch is present on the dorsal fin between the 

 fifth and eighth spines, and the whole of the fin is marked with oblique wavy 

 cross-bands. A light spot is situated above the lateral line over the posterior 

 half of the pectorals. Pectorals and caudal with darker cross-bars, the basal 

 portion of the latter whitish. Ventrals blackish with a light patch near the 

 middle of the spine and anterior ray. 



Desci'ibed and figured from a specimen in the ''Endeavour" collection, 

 87 mm. long, of Avhich both the length and data differ from those given ])y 

 Ogilby. No specimen in the collection agrees exactly with his description, which 

 was prepared under unfavourable conditions on board the "Endeavour," and 

 it is not improbable that thi.s specimen is the actual type of the species. 



Affinities. — This species is very similar to P. longispinis, with a small 

 and bleached example of which I have been able to compare it, though its third 

 dorsal spine is proportionately .shorter. In all other structural details the two 

 appear to be similar, but colour differences may be found which will maintain 

 them as .separate species. 



P. vespa differs from P. nthripinnis in having much finer teeth, lower 

 anterior dorsal spines, better developed scales, and in colouration. The black 

 dorsal spot is largely restricted to the dorsal fin instead of descending onto the 

 back, and the ventrals are dark instead of liglit in colour. 



Localities. — Platypus Bay, Queen.sland ; 7-9 fathoms. "Endeavour" 

 collection, two specimens. 



Rat Island, Port Curtis. Queensland ; coll. A. R. McCulloch. One specimen 

 with abnormal dorsal spines, but exhibiting all the other characters shown in the 

 fitrure. 



