10 STUDIES IN THE ICHTHYOLOGY OF QUEENSLAND 



anal spines. Insufficient though the description of this fine 

 species is, two characters nevertheless are noteworthy as serving 

 to separate it from the genus to which it has been referred, 

 namely, the remarkable sculpture of the scales, each of which 

 is said to be traversed by three strife, which converge from the 

 base towards the margin, thus directly reversing the ordinary 

 procedure ; and, secondly, the small size of the eye, which is at 

 variance with the normal character of these fishes. 



In addition to the eight species enumerated above as having 

 been referred by various authors to Centroporfon, Giinther in- 

 cludes as doubtful (Catal. Fish., ii. p. 128, note) Apistm hi/psel- 

 opterus, Bleeker (Banda, i. 1851, p. 238). No species is figured 

 under this specific name in the Atlas Ichthyologique. 



With these general remarks I will now proceed to give 

 detailed generic and specific descriptions of three of our Queens- 

 land dagger-cheeked scorpaenids, together with such data as to 

 their habits, food, etc., as I have been able to gather. I have 

 failed to obtain any information respecting their breeding 

 habits. 



Centropogon. 

 Centropogon, Giinther, Catal. Fish, ii. p. 128, 1860 (amtralis) . 



Body elliptical, compressed. Scales small, adherent, ctenoid, 

 smooth, arranged in regular series. Lateral line complete, not 

 extending on the caudal fin ; the tubes simple, slightly bent 

 upwards posteriorly, separated from one another by a single 

 scale ; each tube corresponding in length to about two body 

 scales and raised conspicuously above them. Head rather large, 

 entirely naked, without dermal appendages, its upper profile 

 paiabolic ; snout short and broad, with slightly convex profile ; 

 preorbital pore inconspicuous ; a series of large open pores along 

 each side of the lower jaw inside the dentary bone, thence 

 bending upwards along the border of the preopercle. Nape not 

 continuous with the upper profile of the head, rising abruptly 

 above the posterior border of the orbit, naked, as al^o is a 

 cuneiform band, widest anteriorly, on each side of the spinous 

 dorsal fin, a narrow band behind the head, and the pectoral, 

 thoracic, and ventral areas. Mouth with rather small, slightly 

 oblique cleft ; jaws equal ; premaxillaries protractile, pro- 

 duced in a skinny lobe which conceals the lower border of the 

 maxillary, the upper and hinder borders of which are exposed. 

 Upper jaw with a continuous band of villiform teeth and an 



