126 " THETIS " SCIENTIFIC RESULTS. 



recorded from the open sea." This statement now no longer 

 applies, for we took two examples, one off Newcastle, and the 

 other in Shoalhaven Bight. After all, one may naturally expect 

 to find this fish inshore, as it occurs in all the estuaries of the 

 New South Wales coast. Had we trawled in shallower water 

 more specimens might have been taken, those secured having been 

 obtained in 15-19 fathoms. 



On the other hand, these isolated specimens are the exception 

 which prove the rule, for a net put down in the upper reaches of 

 the harbour, say the Parramatta River, entraps this Sole in large 

 numbei^s. It is most freely taken in the slimy grey mud, now 

 such a characteristic feature of the bed of the river, and with 

 which its peculiar colour harmonises so well. 



SYNAPTURA FASCIATA, Macleay. 



Many-banded Sole. 



(Plate xxxi.) 



SynapUhra fasciata,^BLQ\..,'Svoc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., vii., 1883, 

 p. 14. 



Station 10. 



D. 75. A. 67. V. 4. P. 6. C. 17. L. lat. (see below). 



Length of head 6-6, height of body 2-54 in the total length 

 (caudal excluded). Upper eye very slightly in advance of the 

 lower, its diameter 5-1 in the length of the head. Interorbital 

 space flat, less than the diameter of the eye, being contained 1-5 

 therein. Nostrils situated in cutaneous flaps, the anterior 

 appendage of the right side is large, longer than the interorbital 

 space, and situated midway between the lower eye and the snout ; 

 posterior flap small, immediately in advance of the eye. Nasal 

 tentacles of the blind side relatively similar, but smaller. 



Lower jaw the shorter. Cleft of mouth narrow, twisted to the 

 l)lind side, in each ramus of which is a patch of villiform teeth. 

 Lower margin of head and opercular flap, especially of the left 

 side, with short simple papillae. The dorsal fin commences over 

 the front margin of the eye, but is pi'eceded by a few papillae. 

 Two ventrals, similarly developed, separate from the anal, which 

 commences beneath the gill cover. Pectorals very small, each 

 with six rays ; on the right side the fin is easily overlooked, that 

 of the left is larger, about four-fifths the diameter of the eye. 

 Caudal moderate, its central rays produced. Entii'e head, body 

 and fin rays scaly. 



