OF AUSTRALIA. 141 
the principal difference between them consists in the length of 
the nostril barbels, which are shorter in my species ; if I had 
not seen two specimens absolutely alike, I should have con- 
sidered this as accidental ; the Plotosus Macrocephalus of Cuv. 
and Val., xv., p. 428, pi. 449, seems also to be very nearly 
allied to these species, but differs by its colouring if the plate 
^correct ; it is said to have been probably found at Timor by 
Peron, but it is possible that it comes from the Australian 
coast, which was also visited by the same naturalist. 
The Freemantle name of this sort is Gobbler • it is said to 
be dangerous to catch, as it inflicts with its dorsal spine 
wounds which have sometimes caused death, and always great 
agony, which lasts, the natives say, " till sun sets." 
PLOTOSUS UNICOLOR. 
Eight barbs about as long as half the space from the 
anterior margin of the snout to the base of the first dorsal, 
and those of the nostrils extending considerably behind the 
eye ; head contained a little over four times and two-thirds 
in the total length of the fish; it is rather pointed in 
front ; the height of the body a little over six times in the 
same ; eye considerably less than twice in the snout. 
The body entirely naked ; the lateral line well-marked; the 
spine of the first dorsal straight and acute ; it is equal in 
length to the space from the anterior end of the snout to two 
thirds the length of the orbit ; the soft part is much longer 
than the space, and formed of four rays ; the second dorsal 
begins at a distance from the first, nearly equal to the one 
which extends from this last to the snout ; this fin is united 
with the anal and caudal ; the latter rather rounded at its 
extremity. 
Ventrals rather long, of twelve rays; pectorals also rather 
long, and formed of a long spine and of nine rays. 
Colour of a uniform dark brown, almost black. My largest 
specimen is seven and a-half inches long. 
Found by Mr. Bostock in the small water holes of the 
interior of Western Australia. 
