Sir J. Richardson on Australian Fish. 283 



brane, and the membrane is less deeply notched between the other 

 simple rays than in niyripes. The scales differ from those of the last- 

 named species, being finely granulated on the disk, as in nigricans. 



The rays are somewhat differently enumerated in the * Histoire 

 des Poissons,' from a Japanese specimen. Radii. — Br. 6; D. 17|29; 

 A. 318; P. 9 et v.; V. 1|5, Cuv. et Valenc. 



The Cheilodactylus hrachydactylus (Hist, des Poiss. p. 361) of 

 the Cape approaches more nearly to our examples of zonatus in the 

 numbers of the rays, but it does not appear to possess the prefrontal 

 prominence, and has no other markings than a triangular black mark 

 behind the eye. Uadii.—^x.b; D. I7|31; A. 3|9; C. 17; P. 8 et V.; 

 V. 1 15, Cuv. et Valenc. 



Cheilodactylus ciliaris, Richardson, Zool. of the Voy. of the Ere- 

 bus and Terror, p. 37. pi. 26. fig. 6, 7 (Latris ; Scicena ciliaris, 

 Forster, &c.), is a species which is allied to the following ones, in the 

 shortness of its simple pectoral rays. 



Cheilodactylus hecateius, Richardson. 



Latris hecateia, Richardson, Zool. Trans, p. 106. tab. 6, f. 1. 



Radii.— Br. 6; D. 18136; A. 3|27; C. 16f; P.9etIX.; V. 1|5, 

 spec. 



In the account of this species quoted above, I expressed doubts of 

 the rank of Latris as a subdivision of the Cheilodactyli ; but now that 

 I have had an opportunity of examining a more complete gradation 

 of specific forms, I am not disposed to think that it merits to be con- 

 sidered even a subgenus, though the non-prolongation of one of the 

 pectoral rays (usually the tenth) makes it a convenient division of the 

 Cheilodactyli, now known to be numerous. 



This species inhabits the seas of Van Diemen's Land. 



Cheilodactylus lineatus, Forster (Scicena). 



Cichla liueata, Schneider. 



Scisena lineata, T. R. Forsteri Descr. Anim. p. 134. An. 1844 ; 

 Fig. pict. Georg. Forsteri in Bihl. Banks, servata. 



Radii.— Br.6; D. 18|36; A. Il26; C.30; P. 17; V. 1|5, Forst.l.c. 



This species agrees nearly with the preceding in the numbers of its 

 fin rays, except that Forster says expressly that it has only one anal 

 spine. It has also four dark dorsal stripes, with three intervening 

 silvery ones ; but it differs from hecateius in the yellowish colour of 

 its fins, and particularly of its caudal, which obtained for it the appel- 

 lation of " Yellow-tail " from the sailors. It frequents, like the other 

 Cheilodactyli, rocky places, w^as captured by Cook's sailors wdth the 

 hook, and was much approved as an article of food. It is a native of 

 the seas washing the southern island of New Zealand. Length of 

 specimen described by Forster, 24 inches. 



Having seen no specimens we cannot institute a correct comparison 

 with hecateius. 



