136 



" Carniyorous fishes, inhabiting the seas of the 

 temperate and tropical regions ; several species 

 entering or living in fresh water." 



The species of AtJierina, and particularly of Atherinicktliys, 

 seem to be rather numerous on the Australian coasts. I propose 

 here a new genus, Atherinosoma, which, if it does really belong 

 to the family, would, on account of its dentition, oblige me to 

 modify its characters. 



ATHEEINICHTHYS. 



Separated by Dr. Bleeker from Atherinus on account of the 

 snout produced, and the cleft of the mouth not extending to the 

 orbit. The general aspect is the same. 



ATHERINICHTHYS MODESTA. 



Height of body contained five and a-half times in the total 

 length, or five times to the base of the caudal ; head four and 

 a-quarter times in the same ; eye three times in the length of the 

 head. Muzzle considerably shorter than the diamater of the 

 eye ; mouth extensible ; scales large — about forty on the lateral 

 line. The first dorsal of six spines ; second of one spine and nine 

 rays ; anal of four spines and ten rays ; caudal of nineteen 

 rays. 



The distance from the anterior root of the first caudal to the 

 extremity of the snout is equal to that from its posterior edge to 

 the beginning of the caudal ; from the same anterior edge of the 

 first dorsal to the anterior edge of the second the distance 

 equal to that between the anterior edge of the second and the 

 base of the caudal ; the height of the first dorsal is equal to the 

 distance from the extremity of the snout to the centre of the 

 eye ; the caudal is strongly bilobed ; the anal is inserted below 

 the second dorsal, or a trifle in front of it, and the ventrals a 

 little in advance of the first dorsal ; the pectorals are considerably 

 longer than the height of the dorsal ; they have twelve rays. A 

 rather broad, longitudinal, silvery band on the sides. 



The general colour is of a light greyish green, with the edges 

 of the scales rather brown or even black on the upper parts of 



