228 i:Kcni!i>s av tiik austkaman musedm. 



Uixly subcylincli-ical anteriorly, compressed posteriorly. It is covered 

 with large, finely ctenoid scales, which extend forward to behind the eyes, 

 and onto the thorax and the base of the pectoral. Most of the scales of 

 the median lateral row each bear a vertical series of mucigerous pores. 

 Genital papilla well developed. 



First dt)rsal rounded, ori^jinating well buhiml the pectorals ; the 

 second i-ay is longest, about as long as the head without the operculum. 

 The niys of the second dorsal increase slightly in length backward to the 

 penultimate. Anal originating behind the second dorsal and terminating 

 a little in advance of it; the two fins are of similar form, but the posterior 

 anal r.iys are a little longer than those of the doisal, and slightly longer 

 than the second dorsal spine. Pectoral rounded, reaching to below the 

 first dorsal ray; the four upper rays are silk-like, bifurcate, and free 

 from the membrane. Ventrals inserted behind the pectorals but before 

 the dorsal, and reaching to the anal. Caudal rounded. 



Colour. — Light brown in alcohol, with rows of large black spots on the 

 sides ; on the nape and back, these spots are smaller and linear, and foi-m 

 about five rows anteriorly ; a series of large blotches along the middle of 

 the sides, and another of smaller blotches below it. Obscure darker 

 saddles cross the back, and pearly spots are present on most of the scales. 

 Cheeks and opercles with dark blotches, and two more cross the pectoi-al 

 base. Dorsal tins with rows of dark brown spots and intei-raediate light 

 pearly lines, their margins yellowish. Caudal dark spotted, with pearly 

 lines and spots between the rays ; pectoral similar, but with the dark 

 spots less evident. Anal with about four rows of dark lines basally 

 between the i-ays ; these are followed by large transpai'ent spots, after 

 which the fin is again dark with a lightei- margin. Ventrals blackish. 



Described and figured from a specimen 84 mm. long, collected at 

 Muiray Island, Torres Sti-ait. A fine series of over one hundred speci- 

 mens 25-95 mm. Kmg, and mostly from the same locality, shows that this 

 species varies but little in the genenil arrangement of its colour marking. 

 Younger examples are lighter, and have fewer and larger spots than the 

 ailults. and the pectorals are usually without darker spots. 



Loch. — Specimens are in the Austi'alian Museum fi-om the following 

 localities: — Murray Island, Torres Strait; Two Isles, near Cape Bedfoid, 

 North Queensland ; Cairns Reef, off Cooktowii, Queensland ; Port Darwin, 

 North Australia ; New Hebrides. • 



Disln'huti'oii. — This species ranges from the Red Sea through the 

 East Indies, to the Pkstern Pacific. It is recorded from North-western 

 Australia southwards to the King River (Regan), Port Darwin, and 

 North-eastern Queensland southward to Cooktown. 



The affinities of the following sixteen species are unknown to us. 



(GOIIIUS) I'AUl'KK, iJe I7.S-. 

 (iohliiif jninjivi; De Vis, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.Wales, ix., Ibb-i, p. (J.s?. 

 Loc. — Moreton Bay, Queensland (De Vis). 



