SCALES OF SOME AUSTRALIAN FISHES.— COCKE BELL. 41 



being longer than broad. There is an evident relationship between P. compressus 

 and Parapriacanthus elongatus, though they differ greatly in detail. Ogilby 

 (Mem. Queensl. Mus., 1913, p. 66) refers Pempheris multiradiatus to Liopem- 

 pheris, a genus differing from true Pempheris in having both cycloid and ctenoid 

 scales, the latter with large marginal teeth, but no ctenoid patch. Catalufa 

 Snyder includes P. compressus, and considering the character of the scales, 

 described above, the genus is perhaps valid. The species from the Red Sea, the 

 scales of which I described in the place cited, is presumably not P. otaitensis, 

 as provisionally determined, but rather P. macrolepidota. If it belongs to typical 

 Pempheris, the genus cannot be defined as Ogilby has it in his work just cited. 

 With reference to the remarks on p. 62 of Ogilby 's paper, it is worth while to 

 add that P. miilleri Poey is the type of Priacanthopsis Fowler. Fowler merely 

 says " Anal rays 25-32." There is apparently nothing to indicate a distinct 

 genus. 



It must be considered certain that Catalufa (compressa) is a genus distinct 

 from Liopempheris ; but it remains to be definitely determined whether typical 

 Pempheris is a third genus, distinct from both of these. 



ENOPLOSID.E. 



Enoplosus armatus Shaw. Queensland. Scales about 3i mm. long and 

 a little over 2 broad ; apex rounded, simple ; sides parallel ; basal margin straight 

 or nearly, feebly scalloped ; nucleus a little above the middle ; basal radii very 

 distinct, 6 to 11, arranged fanwise; circuli normal, but twice as numerous in 

 the region of the basal radii as at the sides ; apical field with irregular minute 

 round markings. There is no apical area free from circuli. 



Superficially, these scales are like those of the Labrida?, but the apical 

 field is entirely different. Except that they wholly lack the ctenoid patch, they 

 rather closely resemble some Serranidas, as Paralaorax. 



Ambassis interrupta (New Guinea; U. S.N. Mus.) has scales with broadly 

 rounded completely cycloid margins, the very fine circuli extending right across 

 the apical field, and completely covering it. There are about seven basal radii. 

 The Ambassis scale is, however, entirely different from that of Enoplosus in being 

 short, much broader than long ; and in having the apical circuli, which are much 

 finer than the basal ones, meeting the basal at very acute angles laterally. Thus, 

 in the circuli, there is an approach to the condition of certain Scombrids. We 

 must suppose that these scales are secondarily cycloid, derived from ctenoid 

 ancestors. 



SILLAGINIDvE. 



Sillago ciliata Cuv. & Val. Queensland. Scales quadrate, or broader 

 than long, about 1-1-| mm. diameter ; basal radii about 5 to 7 ; nucleus subapical ; 

 ■circuli not dense, but considerably denser between the radii than at sides ; ctenoid 



