105 



of larger ones, that extends downwards over the pectorals at 

 about one-fifth the length of the body, and then stretches itself 

 backwards to the full length of the above mentioned. This 

 lateral line, from the posterior part of the space occupied by 

 these large scales to the base of a ridge, which exists on each 

 side at the posterior part of the body is margined by a succes- 

 sion of round scales, numbering about one hundred and eighty, 

 and having each a longitudinal ridge or keel ; the prseoperculum is 

 covered with irregular transverse lines, that are barely visible on 

 the fresh specimens ; the teeth are conical, rather curved back- 

 wards, sharp, and number from twenty-five to thirty on each side 

 of both jaws. The first dorsal has thirteen or fourteen spines ; 

 it is high in front, and strongly emarginated, all the spines be- 

 coming smaller as they are inserted backwards ; the second 

 dorsal, which is separated by a short distance from the first, is 

 composed of one spine and thirteen rays ; the upper and 

 lower pinnulce number nine ; the caudal is formed of eighteen 

 long rays, and of a large number of shorter ones on each side ; 

 some of these are nearly as long as the full sized ones ; the anal 

 has the same form as the second dorsal, and has thirteen rays ; 

 the pectorals equal in length two-thirds of the head ; they are 

 received in a sort of a groove ; they have thirty-two rays. 



This fish is entirely of a blueish black, with brown tinges on 

 the sides of the head. The first dorsal is of a general obscure 

 colour, with the spines reddish ; the other fins are brown, with a 

 part blue ; the pinnulce of the last colour ; eye silvery. 



The flesh of this fish is not eaten, or at least is not esteemed 

 as food. It is very scarce at Melbourne ; those I saw appeared 

 towards the end of November. 



On the dried specimens there are two small ridges on the pos- 

 terior part of the larger one we have mentioned, but they do 

 not appear on the fresh ones. 



My largest specimen is about twenty-three inches long. 



SCOMBEE. 



The type of this genus is the common Mackerel ; it used to 

 contain a very considerable number of fishes, but it is to-day 

 restricted to a very small number of species, all very nearly allied 

 to the sort just mentioned. One species has been described by 



