72 
not scaly. The lower rays of the pectorals branched ; 
ventrals thoracic, with one spine and five soft rays. 
Stomach csecal ; pyloric appendages, in moderate 
number ; intestines generally with many convolu- 
tions. Air-bladder present, more or less simple. 
Pseudohranchise well developed. 
“Mostly carnivorous fishes, inhabiting the seas 
between the tropics, especially of the Indian region ; 
a few entering rivers or spreading beyond the 
tropics.” 
I have not found any sorts of this family in the Straits of Bass 
nor in Hoh son’s Bay, hut several are found on the coast of New 
South Wales and on the northern shores of Australia. 
CIEEHITIDA]. 
“ Body compressed and oblong, covered with 
cycloid scales ; lateral line continuous. Mouth in 
front of the snout, with lateral cleft. Eye lateral, 
of moderate size. Cheeks not cuirassed. Generally 
six, sometimes five, in one genus three hranchios- 
tegals. Dentition more or less complete, composed 
of small pointed teeth, sometimes with the addition 
of canines. One dorsal fin, formed by a spinous and 
soft portion of nearly equal development. Anal with 
three spines, generally less developed than the soft 
dorsal. The lower rays of the pectoral fins simple and 
stout ; ventrals thoracic, hut remote from the root 
of the pectorals, with one spine and five rays. 
“ Carnivorous fishes, inhabiting the seas of the 
tropical regions of the southern temperate parts of 
the Pacific.” 
