163 



one being prolongated in a filament ; taken from the extremity 

 of this latter, the fin is about one-half of the length of the head. 

 The space between the extremity of the lower jaw and the anus 

 is not quite as long as the anal fiu. 



The upper parts are of a light brown ; the head rather red ; 

 the lower parts of a whitish flesh colour, sometimes white ; the 

 fins are light brown, with a black terminal edge ; the pectorals 

 are sometimes almost white and transparent, and sometimes 

 rather dark. 



My longest specimens are about 15 inches, and I do not think 

 it grows much larger. It is esteemed for food, and is very 

 common on the Melbourne Market, particularly during the cold 

 months of the year. 



Dr. Gunther describes in the same work a Lotella Collarias 

 from Victoria, that I have not yet met with. 



OPHIDIIDiE. 



"Body more or less elongate, naked or scaly. 

 Vertical fins generally united into one ; no separate 

 anterior dorsal or anal ; dorsal occupying the greater 

 portion of the back. Ventral fins rudimentary (re- 

 duced to a filament) or absent, jugular (except in 

 Brotulophis). Gill-openings wide; the gill-mem- 

 branes not attached to the isthmus. Pyloric appen- 

 dages none, or in small number. 



" Inhabitants of the seas of nearly all regions." 



GENYPTEKUS. 



Genus established by Dr. Andrew Smith, in his " Illustra- 

 tions of the Zoology of South Africa, " under the name of 

 Xiphiurus, which, in my notice on the fishes of the Cape of 

 Good Hope, I adopted ; but Dr. Gunther, in the eleventh volume 

 of his Catalogue, finding it was pre-occupied, has very properly 

 changed the name to the appellation we now adopt. 



