THE SCALES OF SOME QUEENSLAND FISHES.— COCKERELL. 
53 
a strongly lobulate or scalloped apical margin, which is a regular character of 
Kirtlandia laciniala and Chirostoma crystallinum . 
Aiherina scales differ from those of the other Atherinidai studied — 
namely, Atherinops, Kirtlandia , Chirostoma, and Menidia — in the absence of 
circuli in the apical field, and of basal radii. 
MUGILIDJE. 
Scales of Mugil are semicircular, or rather represent somewhat more than 
a half-circle, with a straight or nearly straight base. The genus Liza, which I 
had not before seen, differs at once by the quadrate scales, with straight sides, 
although the apical margin is rounded as in Mugil . The Liza scales before 
me are light green, perhaps owing to some peculiar condition of preservation. 
Comparing the scales of Mugil georgii Ogilby, from Queensland, with 
thos^ of the American M. curema C. & V., I find some marked differences, as 
follows : — 
Ctenoid area largely developed, interrupting the circuli apicad of the nucleus ; basal 
radii close together, subparallel or converging toward the marg'n . . . . M. curema » 
Ctenoid area poorly developed, at least in some scales, so that many circuli may 
cross the apical field; basal radii (seven or fewer) diverg'ng from the nuclear 
region, arranged in a fan -like manner , . .. .. .. .. .. M. georgii. 
The matter of the ctenoid area is not to be taken very seriously, as 
M. georgii scales differ greatly; but the difference in the radii appears to be 
important, and indicates that M. georgii has the more primitive type of scale. 
Mugil trichodon Poey, from Honduras (C. IT. Townsend, U.S.N.M.), has 
scales very like those of M. curema , but with distinct laterobasal angles (these 
are obtusely rounded in curema) and the basal radii (except the middle ones) 
more spreading, but very irregular and unlike those of M. georgii. The latero- 
basal angles of M. georgii are as in M. trichodon. The M. trichodon scales differ 
from both the others in having a straight median groove running from base to 
apex, though not entering the broad papery apical margin, which is in a sense 
distinct from the scale proper. 
The Liza scales are large, with extremely fine circuli, and radiating basal 
radii (5 or 6) like those of M. georgii . In the apical field the circuli are broken 
up into very fine irregular tubercles; in L. splendens de Yis (at least in the 
two scales before me) there is no ctenoid area at all; but in L. waigiensis Quoy 
and Gaimard the tubercles are seen to directly pass into dentiform ctenoid 
structures close to the margin, the teeth so formed being triangular, with a strong 
median ridge representing the original tubercle. 
In L. splendens there is a thin papery apical fringe, as in Mugil , but it 
is crenate-margined, and divided by radial lines, which slightly enter the 
