Body rather* elongate, compressed posteriorly, predorsal broad and 
flat, body rounded behind. Head very large, strongly depressed, much wider 
than deep. Snout short, very obtuse. Eyes sublateral. Maxillary narrow, 
posterior end exposed and linear. Mouth large, little oblique, lower Jaw 
much longer. Lips thin. Premaxillaries little protractile. Jaws with 
broad band of cardiform teeth, all fixed. Lower pharyngeals forming to¬ 
gether subtriangular patch, armed with small, stout, hooked teeth, few at 
apex and along symphysis somewhat enlarged. Nostrils moderately separated, 
* 
anterior valvular. None of head bones armed. Gill openings extend forward 
below or before mouth angle. Isthmus about half wide as interorbital space. 
Gill rakers short, rather slender, mostly serrulate. Psemdobranchiae 
present, small. Branchiostegals 6. Vertebrae 30? of which 17 caudal. 
Scales moderate, adherent, much larger on tail than on trunk. Head, except 
portion of occiput, naked. Scales deeply embedded, cycloid and smooth in 
front, imbricate and feebly ciliated behind. Nuciferous system of head 
well develoDed. ^ 
■*> / 
First dorsal with 7 spines, second dorsal with spine and 9 or 10 
rays, spines flexible. Anal with spine and 9 or 10 rays, below second 
dorsal. Caudal rounded. Pectoral large, pointed, rays l8 or 19- Ventral 
small, with spine and 5 rays. 
Shores of south-east Australia. 
