118 MEMOIliS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM. 



lateral line, and 51-58 above it ; 9-10 scales between the lateral line and the middle 

 of the spinous dorsal. Cheek-scales in about 8 or 9 rows, the lower ones very small. 



Proportions of two specimens 126 and 210 mm. long : — Depth 2-6 in the 

 iength to the hypural joint ; head 2-9-3-1 in the same. Eye 4-4-5 in the head, and 

 1 -3-1 -4 in the snout, which is 3-1 in the head. Sixth dorsal spine 2- 1-2 -4, median dorsal 

 rays 1-7-2, second anal spine 2-5-2-7, and third anal ray 1-8-1 -9 in the head. 



Body somewhat elevated, compressed. Snout obtusely pointed, the upper 

 profile of the head almost straight in the young, concave in adults ; it is distinctly 

 arched from the nape to the origin of the dorsal fin. Interorbital space almost flat, 

 mthout bony ridges. Jaws equal. Maxillary reaching almost to the anterior orbital 

 border or to Ix-low the first fourth of the eye ; its posterior portion exposed. Eye of 

 moderate size, shorter than the snout ; its length is a little greater than the inter- 

 orbital width in young specimens, anA less than it in adults. Nostrils separated by a 

 space which is a little wider than their own diameter, with free skinny margins, the 

 anterior with a distinct lobe. Preorbital bone obscurely denticulated in the young, 

 entire in adults. Preoperculum evenly denticulate, the denticles largest above the 

 rounded angle. Operculum with two flat spines, the lower the larger, but not reaching 

 beyond the opercular lobe. Suprascapular and coracoid bones exposed and more or 

 less denticulate. 



Each jaw with a band of teeth, the outer series of which is enlarged, cylindrical, 

 and acute. Palate toothless. Gill-rakers well developed and rather slender, about 

 sixteen on the lower limb of the first arch. Scales largest on the anterior portions of 

 the sides, very small on the breast. They form the usual sheaths at the bases of the 

 dorsal and anal spines, and extend up between the bases of the dorsal, anal, and 

 caudal rays. 



Dorsal spines moderately strong, the sixth the longest, almost as long as the 

 median rays in young specimens, but much shorter than them in adults ; the last 

 spine is not longer than the ptnnltimate one : soft dorsal rounded, its median rays 

 longest. Second anal spine stronger, and a little longer than the third, but much 

 shorter than the anterior rays : soft anal either rounded or a little angular. Pectoral 

 somewhat rounded, the fifth upper ray longest. Ventrals inserted below the third 

 or fourth dorsal spine, almost or quite reaching the vent. Caudal emarginate. 



Uniform dark purplish broAvn, each scale with a lighter margin. Soft dorsal 

 and anal with a wide gre^ash border ; pectorals grey Avith a more or less distinct dark 

 bar across the base ; tips of ventral rays translucent grey. 



Described from six specimens 126-327 mm. long, of which five are Macloay's 

 original specimens, from the Upper Burdekin River. The other is 210 mm. long, 

 and was taken in the upper waters of the Burdekin River ; it is figured on Plate XII, 

 Macleay's description is e\idently based on the larger examples, and his proportions 

 consequently differ slightly from those given above. In a specimen 327 mm. long 

 the depth is just one third of the total length or 2-5 in the length to the hypural 

 joint ; the eye is but little more than half as long as the snout, as he describes it. 



Remarks : — Macleay remarked that this species was " a thick heavy fish, 

 attaining a length of 15 inches, and seemingly abundant." We may assume that in 

 its habits and qualities as a food-fish it does not differ materially from its relatives. 



