OF AUSTRALIA. ()[) 
orbit other ridges are apparent, they form an angle a little in 
front of the centre of the eye, and then are directed obliquely 
to the anterior end of the above-mentioned quadrilater. 
NEOMYRIPRISTIS AMiENUS. 
Height three times in total length ; head three and two- 
thirds in same ; eye twice and one-third in the length of the 
head ■ the general profile is oval, but the one of the anterior 
part of the head is very convex and the snout protrudes 
considerably over the mouth ; the lower jaw is rather longer 
than the upper one ; the maxillary is striated and extends to 
the perpendicular from the centre of the orbit ; the infraorbital 
is serrated ■ the praoperculum is very strongly serrated, as is 
also the operculum, which has a rather long spine, below 
which are two shorter ones, and over the long spine is a rather 
deep indentiture or deep cut, surmounted by a spine of 
moderate length ; the lateral line extends all along the back, 
at a little less than one-fourth the height of the body ; it runs 
over thirty-five series of scales, which are all very strongly 
serrated ; on the transverse line the scales number nine, on 
the middle of the fourth runs the lateral, forming a ridge 
on each. 
The dorsal fin is formed of ten spines ; the first is about 
one-third shorter than the second, which is the longest ; the 
others go gradually in, decreasing ; the second dorsal is almost 
united with the first ; it has a rather long spine and fifteen 
rays ; this fin is about as long as the highest spines. Caudal 
with nineteen rays ; anal formed of four spines and fourteen 
rays ; the first spine is very short, the second more than twice 
as long, the third very broad, straight, nearly three times as 
long as the precedent ; the fourth not quite so long and much 
more slender • the ventrals have a rather long, slender, and 
arched spine and seven rays ; they are placed a little behind 
the pectorals, and are longer than them. Pectorals of fourteen 
rays. 
This little fish must have been very brilliant ; after preser- 
vation in liquor, it is of a golden shiny colour, with the back 
grey ■ the head and fins of a bright yellow ; the spines of 
