84 



length of the head ; the praeorbital has only one point ; the orbit 

 none ; the prseopercular spines are large, the lower much 

 longer than the upper one. The lateral line is marked on 

 seventy-three scales, and the number of transverse lines is 

 about one hundred and eight. The first dorsal is formed of a 

 very small, isolated spine, and of some long ones, bearing mem- 

 branes ; the last is laying on the back, and thus six only are plainly 

 visible. The second dorsal is formed of fourteen rays, as is also 

 the anal ; the first rays of the second dorsal are nearly as long as 

 the first ; caudal truncated, of twelve long rays and four shorter 

 ones on each side ; pectorals of seventeen rays ; ventrals not 

 much longer than the pectorals, but extending much further 

 backwards. The teeth are very numerous, villiform, and all 

 similar on both jaws ; those of the palatines larger, and distant 

 one from the other ; the vomer teeth villiform in front, with the 

 posterior ones larger and directed backwards, 



The body is of a light lilac colour on the upper parts, covered 

 with very small, obscure, rounded spots, which are much larger 

 on the sides ; fins transparent, with the rays of the dorsal, ven- 

 trals, and pectorals spotted with brown ; the caudal has several 

 transverse series of dark purple round spots, and a large blackish 

 spot covers almost one-half of its extreme inferior part. 



Yery common on the Melbourne Market, particularly in the 

 cold months. Length generally from 12 to 17 inches, but it is 

 sometimes much larger. 



Dr. Richardson, having received specimens of this fish from 

 Tasmania, thought they were different from Cuvier's sort, and in 

 this he has been followed by Dr. Grunther, but I have seen 

 thousands of specimens from all parts of South-eastern Australia, 

 and there is not the least doubt that they all belong to one sort. 



PLATTCEPHALTJS LffiVIGATUS. 



Platycephalus loevigatus, Guv. Sf Vol., v. iv., p. 243. 

 {The Bock Flathead.) 

 Height about eight times in total length ; breadth about seven 

 and a-half in same ; head, to the end of operculum, four times 

 in total length ; orbit six and a-quarter times in head, to 

 the extremity of the operculum. The body long, and almost 

 cylindrical ; head elongate, smooth ; orbits without spines ; the 



