294 



of eye. Small teeth in jaws, vomer and base of tongue. Sub- 

 ocular part of cheeks with two rows of scales, posteriorly 3 

 rows. Large scales on operculum, excepting the superior ones, 

 which are smaller. First dorsal separated by 16 17 scales 

 from occiput. Spine of first dorsal slender, almost as long as 

 snout and eye together, longer than that of second dorsal, which 

 is more curved and much longer than that of anal, which is 

 about equal to eye. Length of base of anal about equal to 

 distance between beginning of first dorsal and end of second 

 dorsal. Origin of first dorsal somewhat in front of that of anal. 

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

 longer than high. Scales slightly crenulated behind. Colour of 

 alcohol specimens brownish above, light yellow below, the 

 two colours separated by a dark longitudinal band, having the 

 breadth of two scales, and running from operculum to base 

 of caudal. The longitudinal rows of scales below it are sepa- 

 rated by narrow dark stripes, which are more or less distinct. 

 Fins more or less dusky, with a darker marginal border. Some- 

 times a row of black spots at base of anal (males ?). Length 68 mm. 



Habitat: South New Guinea (marshes along Lorentz river !). 



Freshwater. 



Doubtful species. 

 6. Melanotaenia loriae (Perugia). 



Aristeus Loriae Perugia, Ann. Mus. Civ. Geneva (2) XIV. 1894, p. 549. 

 Rhombatractus loriae Douglas Ogilby, Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. Wales XXI. prt. 2, 

 1896, p. 134. 



DM.5; D 2 -I. 13; A.I. 22; L.I. 28. 



"Height 2 ! / 3 in total length. Head 4 in total length. Eye 

 little less than ! / 3 of head, which is strongly flattened. The 

 interorbital space is i ! / 3 diameter of eye. The arcuate profile 

 gives to the body an almost perfectly oval shape. The second 

 dorsal has the rays prolonged ; when bent backwards they 

 surpass the middle of the caudal. Colour of alcohol specimens 

 mahogony on the back, golden on the sides, with 7 straight 

 longitudinal bands. The fins are hyaline, with a narrow black 

 border. Length 1 10 mm." [After PERUGIA, not seen by us]. 



Habitat: South New Guinea (Inawi). 



Freshwater, * 



