322 



to head. Base of adipose fin somewhat shorter than dorsal, it 

 goes in small specimens more than twice, in larger nearly thrice 

 in its distance from dorsal. Height of concave anal equal to 

 head without snout or somewhat less. Ventrals reaching the 

 anal, equalling in length the height of lastnamed. Pectorals 

 as long as head without snout or longer, osseous part of their 

 spine slightly shorter but much longer than dorsal spine, 

 flattened and serrated at its hindborder only. Caudal deeply 

 incised, the pointed lobes nearly 3 times longer than median 

 rays. Least part of caudal peduncle about twice in its length. 

 The very minute teeth form in the jaws a narrow, slightly 

 curved band of one or two rows. Lower part of first branchial 

 arch with 23 cylindrical, stiff gillrakers, broadened at their 

 base, the longest equalling the branchial filaments; mesially 

 on the same arch is a parallel row of more than 30 low, 

 triangular processes with a swollen top. Colour silvery, above 

 dark blue, crown yellowish brown, fins hyaline, more or less 

 darkish at their margin. Length about 240 mm. 



Habitat: South New Guinea (Strickland river, Lorentz 

 river!). 



5. Hemipimelodus Bleeker. 



(BLEEKER, Ichth. Arch. Ind. Prodr. I. Siluri, 1858, p. 236). 



Head more or less depressed. Mouth transverse, moderate 

 or small, snout prominent or even projecting and gibbous. 

 Nostrils close together, no nasal barbel. Maxillary, mandibulary 

 and mental barbels slender, rather long. Headshields visible 

 or more or less covered by skin. Occipital process touching 

 the basal bone of the dorsal spine. Eyes with or without a 

 free orbital margin. Dorsal with 7 rays and a pungent spine, 

 originating midway between ventrals and pectorals or nearer 

 to lastnamed. Adipose fin of moderate length or short, origin- 

 ating above or slightly before the anal. Pectorals with a pungent 

 spine. Ventrals with 6 rays. Caudal deeply forked. Axillary 

 pore present. Jaws with a band of villiform teeth. Palate 

 edentulous. Gillmembranes united, attached to the isthmus 

 along the median line, leaving a narrow margin free. On the 

 lower branch of the first branchial arch a moderate number 

 of short, more or less conical gillrakers. 5 6 branchiostegals. 



