DESCRIPTIONS OF TWO NEW SPECIES OF AUSTRALIAN 
LOP II OB RAN CHI ATE FISHES. 
By J. Douglas Ogilby. 
Syngnathus altirostris, sp . nov . 
D. 28. A. 2. P. 16. C. 10? Osseous rings 17/40. 
Length of head about one-seventh of the total length, and 
one-third of the distance between the tip of the snout and the 
vent, which distance is two and two-fifths in the total length. 
Snout of moderate length, strongly compressed, much deeper 
than broad, curved upwards at the tip, and from five-ninths to 
one-half of the length of the head : postorbital space from two- 
thirds to three-fifths of the length of the snout. Body much 
deeper than broad, with the abdominal profile not dilated. A 
low, but well defined, ridge along the middle of the upper surface 
of the snout, sometimes ceasing on the middle of the inter- 
orbital space, sometimes bifurcated, and joining the supraciliary 
ridges, which are moderately developed, and are continued 
backwards on to the nape : nuchal ridge present : a low 
straight ridge across the middle of the opercle, not reaching 
the posterior margin : all the body ridges well defined : lateral 
ridges ceasing on the middle of the ventral ring : lower caudal 
ridge continuous with the ventral ridge : abdominal ridge 
prominent and acute. No lateral rostral groove. Ovisac 
extending over eighteen rings, one-half of the length of the tail 
without the short caudal fin. Dorsal fin not elevated above 
the level of the back, standing upon the seven anterior caudal 
rings. Colors — Uniform brown, with a dark lateral stripe from 
the tip of the snout through the eye to the lower half of the 
opercle, where it is broken up into blotches : dorsal tin speckled 
with brown. 
Two specimens, a male and a female, measuring respectively 
five and three-quarters and five and one-third inches, are in 
the collection of the Australian Museum, the former having 
been received in exchange from the Queensland Museum, and 
obtained in Moreton Bay, while the latter was sent from the 
Clarence River, N.S.W., by Mr. T. Temperley. 
In many respects this species resembles S. spicifer , Riipp., 
but the slighter prominence of the opercular ridge, the inter- 
ruption of the lateral line, and the increased number of rings 
on which the dorsal fin stands, separate it from that 
species. 
