2.30 



which, on the sides bears on other teeth, so as to be bifid in this 

 part ; those placed at the lower part of the mouth are even bifid. 

 Lingual teeth formed of two large ones ; canines very strongly- 

 serrated, even denticulated, at their under side, which is arched. 

 The head has a rather pointed appearance, which is caused by 

 the lips not falling, as in Oeotria ; the eye is small ; the 

 branchial openings are much less distinct, being placed under a 

 fold of the skin ; they number seven. The first dorsal is rather 

 triangular, and situated at a considerable distance from the 

 second, which is high at its beginning, and lowers considerably 

 before it joins the caudal ; this last is rather pointed. 



The colour is of a blueish grey, darker on the back ; the head 

 is yellowish ; the eye silvery ; the first dorsal is grey ; the second 

 is bordered with pink, and has its posterior part black ; the caudal 

 is of that last colour, but has a pink margin. 



These fish are commonly found in the Tarra at its lower part ; 

 they are considered good food. Their motions are very rapid ; 

 they are very voracious, and pursue any object in the water, and 

 they adhere to it with an extraordinary and ferocious tenacity. 



Dr. Gray's figure (Chondropt.) is copied from Richardson's, 

 which, as Dr. Grunther has already observed, is not correct in 

 showing the dentition. I thought at first that the bifid, and 

 sometimes trifid, teeth of the Victorian specimens would consti- 

 tute them into a separate species, but the coverings of the teeth 

 fall off so frequently in the specimens preserved in spirits, and 

 change so much the appearance of these organs, that, after 

 examining many specimens, I believe they all belong to the same 

 sort. 



The average length is from fifteen to seventeen inches. I have 



taken on one the following measurements : — 



Inches. 



Total length 15i 



From the end of snout to anterior edge of eye 1 



Diameter of eye 1-7 



Circumference , 2y 



From end of snout to first dorsal 6| 



Length of first dorsal Q\ 



From end of first dorsal to base of second If 



From base of second to extremity of caudal 3|- 



Height of second dorsal at its base -f 



