293 



more or less than 3, about equal to snout and almost 1.5 in 

 interorbital space. Mouth with a gentle downward curve when 

 seen in front, the upper jaw fitting into a sinuation of the 

 lower jaw. Lower jaw slightly prominent. Mouthopening reaching 

 to about middle of length of snout. Small teeth in jaws, only 

 near symphysis in more than one series. Small teeth on vomer, 

 a few on palatines and on base of tongue. Subocular part of 

 cheeks with one row of scales anteriorly, two rows posteriorly. 

 Large scales on operculum, excepting the superior ones, which 

 are smaller. First dorsal separated by 16 19 scales from oc- 

 ciput. Spine of first dorsal about equal to postorbital part of 

 head, longer than anal spine and about as long as that of 

 second dorsal, which is thicker. Origin of anal opposite to that 

 of first dorsal. Length of base of anal about equal to distance 

 between origin of first dorsal and end of second dorsal. Pectorals 

 curved, as long as head without snout. Caudal peduncle as 

 high as long or higher than long. Scales slightly crenulated 

 behind. Colour of alcohol specimens brownish yellow above, 

 lighter below. Scales lighter in the middle, by which a reticu- 

 lated aspect is produced, especially distinct on the caudal 

 peduncle, where the longitudinal rows of scales are separated 

 by black stripes. Fins dusky. Second dorsal, anal and caudal 

 chequered with dusky and white. Length 100 mm. 



Habitat: South New Guinea (Merauke !). 



In freshwater-marshes and ditches. 



5. Melanotaenia ogilbyi M. Web. [Fig. 78, p. 288]. 



Melanotaenia Ogilbyi Max Weber, Notes Leyden Mus. XXXII. 1911, p. 230. 



Nova Guinea IX. Livr. 4, 1913, p. 560. 

 Melanotaenia nigrans Tate Regan, Trans. Zool. Soc. London XX. Part 6, 1914, 



p. 279 (pro parte). 



D ! .1.4 6; D 2 .I. II (12); A.I. 1718(19); P.I. II; V. 1.5; 

 L.I. 3436; L.tr. ioV 2 . 



Rather elongate, upper and lower profile not much convex. 

 (Only small specimens are known). Height 2.7 3, 3.4 3.8 

 in length with caudal. Head 3.6 3.9, 4.5 4.8 in length with 

 caudal. Eye more or less than 3, equal to or somewhat longer 

 than snout and about 1.3 in interorbital space. Mouthopening 

 with a gentle downward curve when seen in front, the upper 

 jaw fitting into a sinuation of the lower jaw. Jaws equal. 

 Mouthopening reaching almost to vertical through frontborder 



