169 



brane ; the caudal is large, rather rounded, and formed of nine- 

 teen rays, of which thirteen only are long ones ; ventrals formed 

 of six rays, which are united to the anal by a membrane without 

 rays ; the anal is formed like the dorsal, and has forty-one or 

 forty-two rays ; the pectorals rather longer than the distance 

 from the end of the snout to the posterior margin of the eye, 

 and formed of eleven rays. 



This fish is common on the Melbourne Market, but rarely 

 attains a foot in length. It is of an olive green, with large mar- 

 bled blotches of a darker and brownish colour ; the lower side 

 is white, with its pectorals rather pink ; the eye is black, with an 

 orange circle. 



It is esteemed for the table. 



Nota. — Professor M'Coy considers this fish, "Intercolonial 

 Exhibition, 1866-67," as being the Hhombosolea Flesoides of 

 Dr. Grunther ; but the description of this specie, "Ann. and Mag. 

 of Natural History," 1863, p. 116, does not agree with it ; the 

 numbers of the rays are very different ; the bifurcation of the 

 lateral line is not mentioned ; the dorsal also seems to begin 

 too far behind to allow it to be placed with Rhomhosolea. 



Order IV.— PHYSOSTOMI. 



" All the fin-rays articulated ; only the first of 

 the dorsal and pectoral fins is sometimes more or 

 less ossified. The yentral fins, if present, are 

 abdominal, without spine. Air-bladder, if present, 

 with a pneumatic duct. 



SILUEID^. 



" Skin naked, or with osseous scutes, but without 

 scales. Barbels always present ; maxillary bone 

 rudimentary, almost always forming the base of a 

 maxillary barbel. Margin of the upper jaw formed 



