52 
MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM. 
(U.S. Bureau of Fisheries), and Balboa, Panama Canal Zone (Meek and Hilde- 
brand, U.S.N.M.), has scales which differ very little from those of E emir aw pints 
quoyi, though occasionally nearly as well lobed basally as II. far. Young scales 
of II. unifasciatus (and doubtless also of the species of II emirh amphus ) show the 
apical area without circuli, and the dense transverse circuli begin to form close 
to the line where the lower ones end. 
It remains to be noted that, in addition to the features described, there is a 
minute sculpture which seems to be due to the cracking of the surface of the 
scale. In 11. unifasciatus it takes the form of series of very fine lines which are 
usually more or less curved, and form semi^piral systems which often cross, 
giving rise to a minute reticulation. In II e mi rh amph us quoyi these lines are less 
frequent, and cross the fine circuli at right angles. In E. rcgularis there is 
produced a fine irregular reticulation between the circuli. In E. far there is 
ofteti a much coarser and extremely irregular reticulation extending across the 
middle of the scale. 
Cypsilurus scales (six species examined) are of the same general type as 
those of the Hemirhamphidse, but less extreme, with the circuli usually vertical 
at the sides, and those of the upper and lower halves of the scale not widely 
different. 
ATHERINIDiE. 
Scales of Atherina are longer than broad, with very prominent laterobasal 
angles and more or less straight sides. The apical margin is thin and without 
teeth; the basal margin is more or less prominently lobulate. There are no 
basal radii, but ray-like grooves or channels often extend upwards, gradually 
fading, from between the basal lobules. The basal half of the scale has fine 
transverse circuli, much as in Hemirhamphidse, but the apical half is wholly 
without circuli, thus recalling the young of Eyporhamphus unifasciatus . There 
are very fine irregular lines due to cracking, as in the Hemirhamphidse. 
I have not seen enough material to be sure of the specific characters of the 
Queensland species, but they are apparently separable thus : — 
Scales comparatively large, much broader than long, with about three 
very abrupt and prominent lobes close together at the middle 
of the straight basal side » . . . . . . . . . , . Atherina pinguis Lacep. 
Scales smaller, not so broad, not trilobed in middle of base . . . . 1. 
1. Median basal lobe very prominent . . . . . . . . . . Atherina lacunosa Forster. 
Median basal lobo low and broad, not prominent . . . . . . Atherina honorice Ogilby. 
Atherina stipes Muller and Troschel, from Toro Point, Panama Canal 
Zone (Meek and Hildebrand, U.S.N.M.), has entirely the same generic characters 
in the scale. It is practically as in A. pinguis , the base trilobed, varying to two 
or one lobed. Occasional scales of both species are more or less clearly multi - 
lobed; this is especially to be noted in A. pinguis. One scale of A. honorice shows 
