REVISION OF THE BATRACTIOIDIDE OF 
QUEENSLAND. 
By J. Douglas Ogilby, 
♦ 
Family BATRACHOIDID^E. 
THE FROG-FISHES 
Body robust, depressed or cylindrical anteriorly, thence tapering 
gradually to the tail, which is more or less strongly compressed. 
Scales, when present, small and cycloid. One or more lateral lines, 
the pores with or without cutaneous appendages. Head large, 
broad and depressed, the muciferous system strongly developed and 
tentaculated, those of the jaws and supraciliary region usually the 
longest. Mouth large or moderate, protractile. Dentition varying 
from a single series of obtusely conical teeth to narrow bands of 
small cardiform teeth. Opercle always, subopercle often armed 
with one or two strong spines. Two dorsal fins, the first short, with 
2 to 4 spines, which are wholly concealed beneath the skin ; soft 
dorsal long, with numerous branched rays, enveloped in loose folds 
of skin ; anal fin similar but shorter : caudal fin usually free, rounded 
or cuneiform : pectoral short and broad, multiradiate, with muscular, 
vertical base ; all the rays attached to the pterygials : ventral rather 
long, jugular, with a short, concealed spine and 2 or 3 rays. Grill- 
openings rather narrow, mostly restricted to the sides immediately 
in front of the pectoral fins ; gill-membranes broadly united to the 
isthmus ; branchiostegals six ; no pseudobranchiaa ; gills three, a 
slit behind the last ; gill-rakers feeble, sometimes tubercular ; 
pharyngeal bones separate, armed with acute cardiform teeth ; air- 
bladder divided into two portions, which lie side by side, and are 
connected posteriorly by a slender tube. Stomach siphonal ; no 
pyloric caeca. Posterior processes of the premaxillaries well 
developed, in contact with the inner angle of the frontal ; suborbital 
