20 "ENDEAVOUE" SCIENTIFIC RESULTS. 



This species differs from the specimen I have identified as 

 M. breviceps, Giinther, in the position of the origin of the 

 dorsal which is behind instead of far in advance of the vent. 

 It has also a much longer and sharper snout, smaller eye, and 

 more rudimentary fins; the colour-marking is different, the 

 spots on the back being similar to those on the sides, and 

 they extend onto the sides of the head and the lower jaw. 



It is very closely allied to, and possibly identical with M. 

 australis, Macleay, but differs from the five specimens I have 

 examined of that species in having the origin of the dorsal far 

 instead of only slightly behind that of the anal. The snout is 

 also somewhat longer, being 4.8 in the head instead of 5.3. 



MuR.4^NiCHTHVs AUSTRALis, Macleay. 



(Fig. 6.) 



PMurcpnichtliys gyninotus?, Giinther, Chall. Rept., Zool., i., 



1880, p. 30 (nee Bleeker). 

 Murcpuichthys aiistralis, Macleay, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. 

 Wales, vi., 1881, p. 2'/2. 

 Body terete and vermiform, its depth behind the gill open- 

 irig 3-3' behind the vent 3.9 in the head. Head 13 in the total 

 length, and 4.5 in the trunk. Eye ver}- small, nearly 3 in the 

 snout, which is obtusely pointed and 5.3 in the head. Cleft of 

 mouth extending far behind the eye, its length from the tip 

 of the snout 2.7 in the head ; a longitudinal fold below the end 

 of the mouth. Tube of anterior nostril with a minute exterior 

 lobe ; flap covering the posterior nostril overhanging the lip 

 and placed below the anterior margin of the eye. Teeth in 

 single rows on the jaws and palate ; three or four larger ones 

 on either side of the vomer. Rows of widely-spaced pores 

 extend along each jaw, on the upper surface of the snout, 

 behind the eye and up towards the origin of the lateral line. 

 Gill opening as wide as the eye. Lateral line a little arched 

 over the branchial sac. Vent well in advance of the middle of 

 the length, its distance from the end of the snout 1.35 in the 

 tail. Dorsal and anal fins very low except near the end of the 

 tail where they are a little broadened out and extend around 

 the point. The origin of the dorsal is a little behind that of the 

 anal, not over the vent as stated by Macleay. 



FIG. 6. 



Colour. — After long preservation, uniform brown, with 

 minute darker specks above the lateral line and on the head, 

 where they extend onto the sides and lower jaw. 



