632 



SOUTHERN TRACHICHTHYS. 



projects into a shortish spine, pointing backwards* 

 and forming a sharp keel beneath, while the sides 

 are continued upwards near a quarter of an inch on 

 each side the abdomen. The scales of the abdo- 

 men, as before observed, are also somewhat broader 

 in this part, and gradually lessen towards the middle 

 of the body. On each side the tail is a slightly 

 prominent line, or an approach to a carinated ap- 

 pearance, owing to the middle of each scale on that 

 part rising up a little above the level of the rest : 

 the scales also along this part are rather larger 

 than elsewhere; otherwise the appearance of a 

 lateral line is scarce distinct. The dorsal fin has 

 fourteen rays, of which the seven hindermost sub- 

 divide towards their tips into softer ramifications. 

 The pectoral fins have thirteen rays : the ventral 

 fins seven ; and the anal fin twelve rays, most of 

 which subdivide into softer ramifications at the tip. 

 The tail is strongly furcated, and consists of about 

 twenty-four rays, of which the external or shorter 

 ones are strong or spiny ; the rest of a similar ap- 

 pearance to those of the anal fin. The three first 

 rays of all the fins, except the pectoral ones, are 

 very strong, rough, and finely serrated outwards, 

 but more particularly those of the ventral fins. 



The Trachichthys Australis is a native of the 

 coasts of New Holland, Its colour is a bright 

 pink-ferruginous, or fair reddish-brown; the middle 

 part of all the fins of a deeper colour than the rest 

 of the animal, and the edges lighter, or of a yellowish 

 tinge. 



END OF VOLUME IV. 



London: printed hj Thomas Davison, White-frian. 



