PROCEEDINGS D or IHE 00l0gifal aab ^frKmatisatx0n S0mt2T OF VICTORIA, AND REPORT OP THE AKKUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY, Held^Isi Maech, 1872. “ ©mnis ftrrt omnia ttUus.” VOLUME I. MELBOFENE: F. A. WASTEEMAN, GENEEAL PEINTEB, MELBOrESE. 1872 . . ^ ■ PROCEEDINGS K6> Zoo u 3 OF THE 00l00kal itixb §.ttlinmtkikx0ii cS0ci^t^ OF VICTORIA, AND REPORT OE THE ANNUAL MEETING OP THE SOCIETY, Held 1st Maech, 1872. “ ©mnts fertt omnia tellits.” VOLUME I. MELBOUENE: T, A, IIASTKEMAN, OENEEAE PEINTEB, MELBOEEJfE. 1873. LIST OF THE OFFICERS OF THE ZOOLOGMC^L AND ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY. piikoii : HIS EXCELLENCY VISCOUNT CANTERBURY, Governor of Victoria. Pr^sitrent : BR. BLACK. i)T(:c-||r.cstb'eRfs : BARON VON MUELLER, C.M.G. PROFESSOR McCOY. Moir. Cccasurcr ; DR. JOSEPH BLACK. llXcmkrs nf CnmicH ; CURZON ALLPORT, Esq. COUNT BE CASTELNAU. G. COPPIN, Esq. HON. Be. DOBSON, M.L.C. FRED. R, GODFREY, Esq. ROBERT HAMMOND, Esq. F. G. MOULE, Esq. HON. A. MICHIE, M.L.C. ALBERT PURCHAS, Esq. WM. ROBERTSON, Esq.,M.L.A. CHARLES RYAN, Esq. T. J. SUMNER, Esq. GEORGE SPRIGG, Esq. H. P. VENABLES, Esq., B.A. J. B. WERE, Esq. SAMUEL WILSON, Esq. S.eir.Tciaiir : ALBERT A. C. LE SOUEF, Esq. OFFICE OF THE SOCIETY— 30 SWANSTON-STREET. / REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. The Annual Meeting of the Zoological and Acclimatisation Society of Victoria, was held on Friday, the 1st day of March, at the olEce of the Society, 30 Swanston-street. The Members present being — • DE. THOMAS BLACK, President, in the Chair ME. LE SOOEP, Honorary Secretary MESSES. C. ALLPOET „ G. COPPIN „ E. E. GODEEEY „ E. K. HAMMOND DE. MOLLOT ME. A. PUECHAS DE. PUGH MESSES. C. EYAN „ G. SPEIGG „ H. T. VENABLES „ S. WILSON A letter was read from His Excellency the Goyernor, ex- pressing his regret that he was not able to be present. A letter was also read from Mr. J. B. Were, regretting his unavoidable absence ; and another from Mr. T. J. Sumner, in which that gentleman conveyed his resignation of the office of Hon. Trea- surer. The Hon- Secretary informed the Meeting that Baron Von Mueller had desired him to express to the Members present his great regret at not being able, from press of business, to be present. 6 Mr Albert Le Souef, tbe Hon. Secretary, read tlie Annual Report of the Council, which was as follows : — The Council of the Acclimatisation Society of Victoria have now the honor to lay the Eighth Annual Report of their pro- ceedings before the subscribers, and they also beg to submit a revision of the Rules of the Society for approval and confir- mation. The principal alterations in the rules are that the President, Vice-Presidents, and Honorary Treasurer, will hence- forth be elected by ballot at the annual general meeting, and that the yearly subscription of members will be reduced from two guineas to one. The Council are of opinion that the progress of the Society will be promoted by a change in the tenure of these offices, and that the yearly election of a President, Vice-Presidents, and Honorary Treasurer, from amongst the Members of the Council, will not only be the means of bringing fresh energy and new ideas to assist in the Society’s work, but also an additional ^ incentive to Members of Council to exertion in the cause of acclimatisation. At the same time the Council would express their warm appreciation of the manner in which the gentlemen who have filled these offices hitherto have performed their functions. The latter alteration it is hoped will tend to popularise the Society, by largely increasing the number of its subscribers. The Council think that Melbourne, from its size and importance, ought to number amongst its attractions a good zoological collection ; and, if supported in this view by the public, they propose, in the first instance, to form as complete a collection as possible of the Pauna of Australasia, and, hereafter, when in a position to do so, to add those of other countries ; but the Council are aware that it is only by the aid of a comparatively large body of subscribers that their wishes and intentions can be carried into effect, as zoological collections are expensive to maintain. The animals and birds already in the Society’s gardens are the source of considerable attraction and interest to large numbers of persons who visit the Royal Park. The Grovernment very liberally placed the sum of £1000 on the estimates for the present financial year for the use of the Society — which sum was voted by the Legislature ; and the Council take this opportunity of thanking the Grovernment and the Parliament for thus enabling them to carry on their useful labours, and trust that the result will prove commensurate with the money expended. The Council are gratified at being able to state that a consi- derable amount of success has attended the operations of the Society during the past year. A number of pheasants of the silver {j>lmsianus, nyctliemerus) and common {phasianus colcliicus) variety, have been reared, and will shortly be liberated in suitable places. Ducks and other birds have also increased at the Royal Park. Upwards of one hundred and fifty Gruinea-fowl have been placed in various secluded spots, in forests far removed from settlement, where it is confidently hoped they will increase, and in a few years afford both food and sport. The Council regret that they are in a measure obliged to carry on their operations in secrecy, on account of the unscrupulous and unsportsmanlike conduct of certain persons, who do not hesitate to shoot pheasants, and other valuable game, just liberated, without any regard to the great injury they are thus inflicting on the cause of acclimatisation. It is only lately that information was received, that a hen pheasant had been shot up the country at the time she had a brood of chicks too young and helpless to live without their mother : and this is by no means an isolated case. It is the same with hares, which are shot, hunted, and coursed, at all times and seasons, in defiance of the Game Act, to such an extent, that had the hare not have been more prolific in this climate than in England, it would long since have been exter- minated. The Council have lately been considering a plan 8 proposed by their Honorary Secretary, Mr. Albert Lesouef, to whose careful supervision and activity they ascribe much of the present jrrosperity of the Society, — to have a dep6t for pheasant breeding somewhere in the ranges, where the birds could go free as soon as they were fledged ; but the scheme has not yet been sufficiently matured as to justify their taking any action. If carried out, the risk which these birds run of being illegally destroyed would be considerably lessened. The vexed question of the sparrow and minah has been dealt with by the exclusion of both birds from the protection of the Game Act, The Council regret that they were unable, from circum- stances beyond their control, to have an amended Game Act introduced last session in Parliament ; but a measure has been prepared, and it is hoped that it may become law during the ensuing session. In September last 2250 brown trout ova were obtained from the Salmon Commissioners of Tasmania, and were hatched at the Society’s Establishment at the Eoyal Park ; some 600 trout fry were also procured by Dr. Thomas Black, the President of the Society, while on a visit to Tasmania ; so that on the whole about 2500 live trout have been placed in different streams during the past season, a large proportion of which were put into the Watts, a splendid tributary of the Tarra, admirably adapted for trout. Not many deer have been turned out during the past year but those hitherto liberated in many parts of the colony are spreading and increasing rapidly. The Society possess a fine collection of six varieties in their grounds at the Park. The valuable flock of Angora goats, and the ostriches belonging to the Society, are located at Mr. Samuel Wilson’s station, Longerenong on the Wimmera, where they are thriving and increasing. 9 Although most anxious to encourage and promote sericul- ture, the Council find it difficult to advance this industry in a really practical manner, so as to be of benefit to the colony. Baron Yon Mueller has however, as well as the Society, supplied many parts of the Colony with white mulberry plants, and when these come into bearing, silk growing will, they hope, afford profitable employment to the industry of the Colony. The Society will be happy at all times to furnish every information in their power connected with sericulture. The Council were of opinion that the services in the cause of pisciculture, rendered by Sir ilobert Officer and Mr Morton Allport, of Tasmania, deserved some recognition at their hands, and they therefore awarded to both these gentlemen the silver medal of the Society. Their bronze medal has also been pre- sented to Captain Babot, of the Hydaspes, for his enterprize in bringing out sea turtle. In conclusion, the Council are glad to state that the condi- tion of the Society is sound and prosperous, and that they only require more liberal co-operation from the public to enable them, with the assistance of the small but efficient staff at the Eoyal Park, to produce great results in the cause of acclimatisation ; and would again inform their friends throughout the country, that donations of native animals or birds are always extremely useful, not only for the zoological collection at the Eoyal Park but for purposes of exchange with other countries. Since the last report the following gentlemen have been elected as members of Council, and their ajjpointment requires to be confirmed at this meeting, viz., Charles Eyan, Esq., and Frederick Godfrey, Esq. In conformity with the rules, the fol- lowing members retire from the Council, being the three who have attended the fewest meetings ; but are eligible for re- election The Hon. Dr. Dobson, T. J. Sumner, Esq., and John Steavenson, Esq. The balance sheets for the past year, audited by Mr, Eucker, public accountant, are laid before the meeting, 10 by wbicb it will be found that tbe total expenditure for the past year has been £1091 19s. lid. Mr. Samuei WiLSOis- moved the adoption of the Eeport and Balance Sheet, and in so doing, said the Members would perhaps expect that he should give some account of the animals and birds belonging to the Society, of which he had charge at his station on the 'Wimmera. The Angora goats were now in the most thriving condition. "VYhen they arrived at his place they were in a delicate state, and had not, apparently, before been on pastures which suited them. One died on the first night of arrival, and many of them fell down from weakness when any one went near them. The ostriches during the past season had not done well : it seemed that heavy rains, such as had fallen this season, were not favorable to ostriches, although they were to stock generally ; and that they throve best in a dry climate, or desert place. Only one of the female birds had pro- duced seven young ones this season, but none of them had thriven. In the previous season one of the ostriches brought out twelve birds from thirteen eggs, and they all throve but one, which met with an accident. As regarded their management, it was most difficult to keep them in a state of domestication. When turned out of the paddock, they gradually got wilder, and as they ran faster than a horse, it was most difficult to get them in the yard again, to take their feathers from them. That oper- ation had to be done at a certain season of the year, when the feathers were ripe, or, if not, they became bare and compara- tively worthless. This year he had the greatest difficulty in trying to get the ostriches in the yard at. the proper season, and the consequence was the feathers were of little value. He had some men out riding for many days trying io drive the birds ; but they found it almost impossible to get them in at the right time. How he had adopted another plan, and fed them near the yards, so that it was a comparatively easy matter to secure them ; and when once in the yard it was not difficult to pluck the feathers off them. As their management was now under- stood, he thought they would increase rapidly, and that in future 11 the feathers would be obtained more easily, and at the right time. The axis deer had spread to a very great extent ; one herd of them had been seen at a distance of 30 miles to the south, and another herd about the same distance in a contrary direction ; so that it might be considered they were now spread over an area of at least sixty miles. The deer might, therefore, be considered a complete success. The Murray cod, which were introduced into the "VVimmera, had not yet increased to such an extent as to be of much service, and there had not been time to ascertain the state of the carp which were introduced into the same river. He might however say, that one of the carp was caught about two months after it was placed in the river, and it had grown considerably in that time. Me. T. E. GtOdfeex in seconding the adoption of the Eeport, said he wished to draw the attention of the Members of the Society to that portion of it which referred to the scheme proposed by the Hon. Secretary of the Society, Mr. Le Souef, for forming a depot somewhere in the secluded ranges of the colony, where pheasants could be reared and allowed to go free as soon as fledged. He believed that it was only in this way that the acclimatisation of pheasants, and other valuable game birds, in large numbers, could be carried out ; and he thought the Council had hitherto made a mistake by liberating birds near Melbourne, where they fell a prey to boys, hawks, and unsportsmanlike persons, who shot anything and everything they could. Mr. Godfrey said he had lately, with another Member of the Council and Mr. Le Souef, visited a place in the ranges, which, for reasons stated in the report, required to be kept secret, which was admirably adapted for pheasants and other game ; and though none of the former were seen on the occa- sion of this visit, he and the other gentlemen had the satisfaction of seeing several guinea-fowl, which had been liberated with a number of pheasants some months before in the locality, and they were delighted to find them looking healthy, and in splendid plumage, and inferred, from the fact of the guinea- 12 fowl being a more domesticated fowl than the pheasant, that the latter must also thrive, though it might be a year or two before they would be seen in numbers. Mr. G-onrEET also drew attention to the benefit which the Society had done, and might continue to do. in stocking reservoirs in various places with the English perch and other fish. The Eeport was adopted unanimously. A number of alterations in the rules, which had been made by the Council, were submitted and adopted. The meeting then proceeded to the election of office-bearers, and Dr. Thomas Black was re-elected President of the Society. De. Tiioiias Blace returned thanks for the honor which had been conferred upon him, he referred to the very satisfactory position which the Society had now achieved, and to the certainty of its increasing value in the future. In the course of his remarks, he said Mr. Edward Wilson had been a A^ery good friend to the Society, not only with his advice, but his hands had always been open Avhen assistance was required. The Society were under a deep debt of gratitude to him, and also to Sir Henry Barkly, and other gentlemen of the same stamp, for the great assistance they had rendered to it. Professor McCoy and Baron Von Mueller were re-elected Vice-presidents, and Dr. Joseph Black was appointed Hon. Treasurer in the place of Mr T. J. Sumner, to whom a vote of thanks wns returned for his past services. Messrs. F. E. Godfrey and Charles Eyan, who had been previously appointed Members of the Council, had their appoint- ments confirmed, and Messrs. Samuel Wilson, W. Eobertson, M.L.A., T. J. Sumner, and Dr. Dobson, M.L.C., were elected Members of the Council. A vote of thanks for passed service was then passed to Dr. Pugh, who is about leaving the Colony for England. 13 De. Pugh, in acknowledging the vote, assured the Members that when he arrived in Europe he would do all in his power to further the objects of the Society, and w'ould gladly try to carry out any of the wishes of the Members. He thought it was likely he would be able to be of more use to the Society in Europe than he could be here. The Meeting then closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman. 0f ^0itws anb paitr btr t^c ^rcltimttisatbw S0d£tir 0f ^Dkt0rb During the period Is# of January to ZQth June, 1871. 14 ^OOOOt^iC 0000 0-1 •O-O-lt^t^-xjlOOlOOO-^ «« iH ,-i 1 — ( rH ,-H ^ OI>l>Ot>TH ■'rtl JO 01 O o »V5 O O X o o CO O COOOOrHOOOOO rH f— I I— !( rH coco OiddOlOlrH d rH rn • I r3 • ^ CL, X : w ■ X : ^ " a, w ^ ^ U . o ^ : ^03 X « „ W o O. 2 .a c |» S « ■ Q; c 3 S w c c! r^i -.3 ^ -a 6£ S 12 E E o H A< P- .L 5E § S „ o fe X pH « CO W O rt r^ '^■' r« -go. ^ O gT CO o <-’ ^ "h ^ (2 cc a . Sc P ‘3 .-*=^ o t. p -2 rt rC £ Oi r^ &JD c o rt O ■ ^ •g W o ^ 'h p g s w s 02 ^ S o o c> c E r - - g .g*| o» r" p a; C) 1 .2 § g otSaJs ■g “ S e a a . P- 'P •S p o P p p rt © rt s PQ 4^ ©1 o CO w CO o >o 01 02 W CO 1-3 : ^ 5 ^ h 3 g « ^ -S g br P 2 ^ 05 CO ■s 1 a © « S 03 O ^ O - 4-1 P 5 m o A. A. C. Le Souef, Incidental Expenses 5 10 Sundry small accounts, (say) 5 0 £264, 17 2 £63 5 Melbourne, 13^A July, 1871. Audited and found correct. E. F. A. RUCKER. Auditor. T. J. SUMNER, Honorary Treasurer. ALBERT A. C. Le SOUEF, Honorary Secretary. of ^ooixs rmibotr aob paib bj) tljo §.cdimatisatioit ^odd^j of Dictona, During the period 1st July to ^Qth December, 1871. 15 ^rH-^THXOC5'^t>-H ” I— I T— i rH r-( :jJO t^OOc.iaOOOOrHr>« rH CO CM 02 a a f-i L 24, fig, 3. Heiglit three and one-fourth times in total length ; breadth of body three and one-quarter times of the same ; head three and one-fifth in entire length. The dorsal has thirteen spines and ten soft rays, but the last of the spines might he counted with the soft part ; the third spine is the longest ; the anal has three spines and six rays ; the caudal has twelve rays ; the pectoral eleven. The colour is of a light olive on the upper and lateral parts, and white on the lower ; the body is covered with large marmo- rated purple blotches, between .which are numerous punetiform marks of the same colour ; the dorsal, caudal, and anal are of the colour of the back, with similar spots ; there is a broad purple band on the external part of the caudal and pectorals ; the ven- trals are white. This sort is scarce at Melbourne. I have only seen three speci- mens — one three inches long, and the largest about seven. The eyes of the two smallest were purple, with an external series of small spots ; the largest had its eyes yellow. The specimens described by Cuvier and Valenciennes had been brought from Timor by the learned naturalist Peron ; but this sort is found on all the western and southern shores of Australia. PLATTCEPHALUS. This is certainly a tropical form, though a few of the sorts extend to the coasts of Japan. Numerous species are found in Australia, and are known under the name of Flat Heads. They are more common in the cold than in the warm season. PLATTCEPHAUTrS EICHAEDSOKI. Height of body nine times in total length ; breadth six times ; head (to end of operculum) three and a-half times ; orbit five times in the length of the head on the middle line, or six times to the end of the operculum. Head very flat, very broad, rounded in front, the transverse line before the eyes being only one and a-half times in the length of head, talien in its S3 middle line ; the lower jaw longer than the upper one ; the upper surface is irregular, and presents longitudinal interrupted ridges; the prffioperculum is armed towards its external angle with two very strong spines, the lower of these being something longer than the upper one; the orbit is round, and has a rather strong spine towards its anterior inner portion; the prsBorbitai has a spine towards the angle of the mouth, and another one above this. The body is very inflated near the head, and goes tapering towards the tail ; the lateral line covers about sixty scales, and is formed on each of them by a short ridge, which divides itself in two or three arborescent tubes ; the total number of transverse lines of scales is about ninety. The first dorsal is formed of an isolated, short, but sharp spine, and of seven long slender spines, bearing membranes ; the second is the longest and the seventh is laying on the back, and difficult to perceive. The second dorsal has fourteen rays, the first being the longest ; the anal is similar ; the caudal has twelve long rays and several shorter ones on each side ; the pectorals have seventeen rays ; the ventrals are about one-third longer than the pectorals, and have a rather long and slender spine, and five branched rays. The general colour is of an olive brown, covered with nume- rous crimson spots ; the sides are grey, but also spotted with crimson ; the lower parts white ; fins transparent, with the spines and rays of the dorsal spotted with brown ; caudal, ventrals, and pectorals with transverse lines of orange, with crimson tinged spots ; the posterior part of the caudal is black. Eather scarce ; 18 inches long. PLATTCEPHALUS BASSEFSIS. Platycephalus bassensis. Guv. ^ Val., v. iv., p. 217. tasmanicus, BicJiard., Zool. Trans., v. iii., p. 23. 'Erelius and Ter ., Fishes, p. 23, pi. xviii., v. 1-2. {The Common or Bass Flathead.) Height about eleven times in total length ; head, to the centre of the posterior part, one and a-quarter times in total length, and from the extremity of the operculum one and a-half times in the same ; the orbit of the eye is seven times in the greatest 84 length of the head ; the praeorbital has only one point ; the orbit none ; the praiopercular spines are large, the lower much longer than the upper one. The lateral line is marked on seventy-three scales, and the number of transverse lines is about one hundred 'and eight. The first dorsal is formed of a very small, isolated spine, and of some long ones, bearing mem- branes ; the last is laying on the hack, and thus six only are plainly visible. The second dorsal is formed of fourteen rays, as is also the anal ; the first rays of the second dorsal are nearly as long as the first ; caudal truncated, of twelve long rays and four shorter ones on each side ; pectorals of seventeen rays ; yentrals not much longer than the pectorals, but extending much further backwards. The teeth are very numerous, villiform, and all similar on both jaws ; those of the palatines larger, and distant one from the other ; the vomer teeth villiform in front, with the posterior ones larger and directed backwards. The body is of a light lilac colour on the upper parts, covered with very small, obscure, rounded spots, which are much larger on the sides ; fins transparent, with the rays of the dorsal, ven- trals, and pectorals spotted with brown ; the caudal has several transverse series of dark purple round spots, and a large blackish spot covers almosf one-half of its extreme inferior part. Very common on the Melbourne Market, particularly in the cold months. Length generally from 12 to 17 inches, but it is sometimes much larger. Dr. Eichardson, having received specimens of this fish from Tasmania, thought they were different from Cuvier’s sort, and in this he has been followed by Dr. Grunther, but I have seen thousands of specimens from all parts of South-eastern Australia, and there is not the least doubt that they all belong to one sort. PLATTCEPUALHS KETISATUS. Platycephalus loevigatus, Guv. ^ Val., v. iv., p. 243. ’ {The Boch Flathead.) Height about eight times in total length ; breadth about seven and a-half in same ; head, to the end of operculum, four times in total length ; orbit six and a-quarter times in head, to the extremity of the operculum. The body long, and almost cylindrical ; head elongate, smooth ; orbits without spines ; the 85 praeorbital with a very feeble and blunt one ; the upper spine of the praeoperculum longer than the second. The lateral line runs over about eighty- two scales, and the number of the transverse lines is about one hundred and twenty. The dorsal is formed of one small, isolated spine and of eight long ones, united by a large membrane ; the second dorsal and anal have fourteen rays ; the caudal thirteen long ones and several shorter ones on each side ; the pectorals are nearly as long as the ventrals, and are formed of eighteen rays. The teeth are very numerous, and all villiform on both jaws ; those of the vomer and palatines larger. The general colour of the upper parts is a dark olive brown ; the lower parts being white and silvery ; on the sides of the body are numerous, round, brown and yellow spots. The lower parts of the head are of a reddish orange. Tins translucid, of a rather olive colour, with the spines and rays marbled with brown and orange ; anal rather rosy, with a brown spot on each ray ; the pectorals and ventrals are yellow, with transverse lines of round crimson spots. The colours of this species seem subject to considerable variations ; the very large specimens are often covered with large, elongate, marmorated blotches. This sort is very common on the Melbourne Market, particu- larly in the cold months of the year. Its usual size is about 18 inches, hut it sometimes attains nearly twice that size. PLATTCEPHAIiUS PEOXIMtJS. This sort is so very nearly allied to Lwvigatus, in form and general aspect, as to have made me hesitate a considerable time before I separated it specifically. It differs from it by its head being considerably broader on its anterior part, and being, in front of the eyes, equal to a line drawn from the centre of the upper jaw to the posterior edge of the orbit, when in Lobvigatus such a line would only attain two-thirds of the orbit. The eye is much larger and more oval, being nearly round in Lcevigatus. The teeth are more numerous and finer ; those of the vomer all equal, and similar to a fine brush. The first dorsal is formed of one small free spine, and of only seven longer ones. The colour is also rather different, being of a light purplish blue, with the lips and the sides of the head rosy ; the lower parts of tlie body are white, with some irregularly formed 86 b'Uckisli spots on the sides ; these have a general transverse form ; the candal is grey, and the other fins are white and diaphanous, with the upper half of the pectorals and the inner one of the dorsal almost black. Scarce ; seen only once on the Melbourne Market, in the month of October. Length, 16 inches. PLATXCEPHALrS PUSCTIS, Platycephalua fuscus. Guv. ^ Val., Hist, des Poissons, v. iv,, p. 341. Quoy et Oaimard, Voyage de V Astro- labe, pi. 10, fig. 1. ( Grass Flathead^ Height of body nine and a- half times in its total length ; breadth five and two-thirds in same ; head three and two-thirds in length of body ; orbit five times and a-balf in head to the line of the centre, or seven and a-half to the extremity of the oper- culum. Head broad and flat behind, conical and rather narrow in front ; a transverse line drawn in front of the eyes, being contained twice in the length of the centre of the head, and once and three-fourths in its breadth at the operculum. The upper surface is rather smooth, and the elevated longitudinal lines interrupted ; the orbits are rather oval, and have a strong tooth at their anterior inner portion ; the prseorbital has two strong teeth ; the two spines of the prffioperculum almost equal, but the lower one a little longer ; the teeth are villiform, with the interior ones larger, and arched backwards on each side in front ; on the palatines and on the vomer a line of strong, pointed, and hooked teeth; at the lower jaw the villiform teeth are less numerous, but there is an internal line of rather large and conical ones, placed a little apart one from the other. Body broad, going tapering towards the tail ; the lateral line is formed as usual in this genus, and is marked on about sixty-four scales ; the number of the transverse series is about one hundred. The first dorsal is formed of one short, isolated spine, and of eight long ones, united by the membrane ; the last of these is partly hidden in the skin, so that only seven are plainly visible. The second dorsal is formed of fourteen rays, as is also the anal ; 87 the caudal of twelve long rays and of several small ones on each side ; pectorals rather large, formed of seventeen rays ; ventrals very large, being a good third longer than the pectorals, formed of five rays and of a rather short spine. The general colour is of a dark brownish blue, with the sides yellow, and the lower parts of a dirty white ; the upper part of the head is green, as are also the fins ; they are all marked with purple rounded spots ; the caudal is black in its posterior por- tion, and more particularly on the lower part of it. In some specimens, the back is beautifully marbled with brown blotches. This sort is found on seaweed bottoms. I have very little doubt that it is the FlatycepJialus Fuscus, but Cuvier and Valenciennes count one ray less to the second dorsal and to the anal. NEOPLATYCEPHALUS. Eorm of Platycephalus, but distinguished by the dentition ; teeth very numerous, villiform, with other large canine and very sharp ones, widely separated, and placed between them at the lower jaw ; at the upper one, these large teeth form a line on the palatines, and extend in a rather numerous bunch in front ; those of the latter part are curved. NEOPLATTCEPHALUS eEANJDIS. Height of the body about nine and a-half times in its total length ; its breadth a little less than six times ; head three and two-third times in total length ; orbit seven and a-half times in length of head ; this is broad posteriorly, almost conical ; in front of the eyes, its breadth is one-half of its length, taken at its middle ; the snout is rather angular in front ; the upper surface of the head is smooth, and presents faint longi- tudinal uninterrupted lines ; the prseoperculum is armed towards its external angle with two strong spines, the lower being much longer than the upper one ; in some specimens it is over twice its length. The orbit of the eye is oval, and has a nearly imper- ceptible point in front, at its upper part ; the prseorbital has two angles over the sides of the mouth ; the lower jaw is considerably longer than the upper one. The body is inflated near the head, and goes tapering towards the tail ; the lateral line runs over about sixty-two scales to the root of the caudal, on which it S8 extends ; it is formed on each scale of a short edge, which expands in several arborescent tubes ; these are not visible on all the scales, and the number of transverse lines is about ninety- five. The dorsal is formed of one isolated and rather short spine, and of eight long, slender ones, supporting the membrane ; the last is adherent to the skin, and seven only are plainly visible, the longest being the second. The second dorsal is formed of fourteen rays, as is also the anal ; the caudal has eleven long ones, and several shorter on each side ; the pectorals seventeen ; the ventrals are twice as long as the pectorals, and have one slender spine and five rays. The general colour is of a pink lilac, covered with numerous irregular orange spots ; the sides yellow ; the fins are trans- parent and rather grey ; their spines and rays are marbled with orange ; the caudal has four transverse lines of rather large, rounded, orange spots, and its end is black. This sort is not common on the Melbourne Market. It attains large dimensions, my specimens measuring from 20 to 23 inches in length. TEIQLA. I have only observed one species of this genus on the Victorian coast ; but it is said that Kimu of New Zealand is also found here, but I have not seen it. TEIGLA POIiTOMMATA. Trigla polyommata, Michard., Proceed. Zool. Soc., 1839, page 96. Sichard., Trans., v. iii., fiage 87, pi. 5, fig. 2. {The Flying Gurnet.) This beautiful fish is of a most magnificent crimson pink, with orange tints ; the lower parts are of a starry white with blue spots. The fins are of the colour of the back, with the rays more brilliant and of orange colour ; the pectorals very large, and ex- tending to the sixth ray of the anal, of a fine green with a purple external edge, and four or five transverse bands of dark blue. A large oblong double black spot, bordered with white, extends on the first half, near the external edge ; the rays are purple ; the anal is white : the eye silver colour. 89 One specimen had its pectorals of a light blue colour, spotted with yellow. "Without being common in the Melbourne Market, this fish appears in all seasons ; but often for months there are none to to be seen, and then several will be caught together, and always attract attention by their beautiful appearance. It is said to be very good for eating. Eichardson’s figure conveys a very poor idea of the extraor- dinary beauty of this fish, and Dr. Gunther’s description a still worse one of its colors. LEPIDOTEIGLA. Separated by Dr. Gunther from Trigla, on account of the large size of its scales. lEPinOTEIGlA VANESSA. Trigla vanessa, Biehard., Proceed. Zool. Boc., 1839, page 96. Biehard., Trans. Zool. Soc., v. iii., page 83. plate 5. {Small Gurnet^ D. 11. A. 17. C. 11 (long rays). P. 10, and 3 free ones. Height of body five and one-fifth in total length ; head three and one fifth in same ; the lateral line formed of sixty-nine spiny scales ; caudal forcated, of a reddish pink colour, with belly white ; the first dorsal has a broad black spot rounded with white ; the pectorals are of a dark green, with a large bilobed black spot, edged with blue and white, placed at the end of its internal side. The body is sometimes covered with small marmorated dark spots, but these are often missing. Eye yellow. Seen several specimens in the months of July and August. LEPIDOTEIGUA SPHTNX. Trigla sphynx. Guv. ^ Val., v. iv., page 83. 1st D. 9.— 2nd D. 14. A. 14. Of a fine castaneous grey, with the sides of each scale rather dark ; a series of rather large rounded black spots on the back aud on the lateral line ; the belly is white ; the first dorsal is 00 pink, with a rather large rounded black spot on the external edge ; it has a white ring round it ; the second dorsal is white, with its edge rather yellow ; its spines are marbled with yellow and brown ; the caudal is rounded, of a grey colour, with five or six transverse lines of red spots ; the anal has its first half white, and its external one of a bright yellow ; the ventrals also yellow, with the rays orange ; the pectorals are grey, with the rays pink and spotted with brown, their lower surface is black ; the free rays are also spotted ; eye yellow, spotted with brown, with an inner circle of a fine orange colour. This sort seems to be very scarce, as I have only seen one spe- cimen. It was in the month of J uly. This fish was found many years ago, by the celebrated naturalist Peron, and was described by Cuvier and Valenciennes in their great work, but its locality was not known. TEACHINID^. “ Body elongate, low, naked, or covered with scales. Teeth in villiform hands, with pointed and conical canines in some of the genera ; no molars or trenchant teeth. The infraorhital ring does not articulate with the prseoperculum. One or two dorsal fins, the spinous portion being always much less developed and shorter than the soft ; the anal s imila rly developed as the soft dorsal ; ventrals with one spine and five rays. Gill-opening more or less wide; five, six, or seven branchiostegals ; pseudo- branchiae. No prominent papilla near the anus. Air-bladder generally absent; pyloric appendages moderate in number or wanting. '• Carnivorous fishes, living at the bottom of the shores of nearly all the seas.” 91 KATHETOSTOMA. This genus was formed by Dr. Grunther on a sort of TJrano- scopus of Bloch, remarkable by the total absence of scales. KATHETOSTOMA liETE. Uranoscopus Isevis, Bloch., Sehneid. system, page 47, pi. 8. — Guv. ^ Val., Y. iii., page 319. Gunther, Catalogue, v. ii., page 231. {Stone Lifter d) Breadth of head two and a-half times in the length, to the base of the caudal ; length of head, from the extremity of the upper jaw to the centre of the posterior part, four times in the same ; the long spines of the shoulder straight or directed rather externally. The general colour is of an uniform brown on the upper parts and white below. On the sides of the head, and on the line of separation between the brown and the white there is a reddish pink tinge ; the fins are brown, with the end of the caudal and the edge of the pectorals pink ; the anal is of this last colour. The eyes are red, spotted on their limb with black in very old speci- mens, and yellow in others ; the lips are red. It is rather common on the Melbourne Market, but is not generally eaten. I have a large specimen, which is nearly 18 inches in length, but this sort does not usually measure more than half that size. I have seen several times small specimens not more than six to seven inches long, which may, perhaps, belong to a different species ; they are not quite so broad, the breadth of their head being three times in the total length to the base of the caudal, and the long spines of the shoulder being longer in proportion, and directed rather inv^ards. The general colour of this variety is a greyish yellow, with two broad black transverse bands on the body ; caudal black, bordered with pink, as are also the pec- torals and the dorsal. Eye yellow. Cuvier’s specimen, which had been brought from Austi'alia by Peron, belongs to this latter variety ; Bloch’s, which he describes from a drawing communicated to him by Latham, was, on the contrary, entirely brown. The fins have D. 16. C. 10. A. 13. P. 17. V. 1/5. 92 PSKUDAPHEITTS. Tbe neAV specie I propose here is formed on a fish manifestly belonging to the TracMnida of Gnnther, and to his group of Tracliinina, but forming, on account of its eyes, placed obliquely at the upper part of the head, a passage to his TTranoscopina. The cleft of the mouth is rather oblique ; there are two dorsals ; ventrals jugular, with nine spines and five soft rays ; no canines. Almost all this would agree with Aphritis, but the scales are rather large ; the first dorsal has seven rays, and just in front of the anal there is a short fin composed of two spines. PSETjnAPHKITIS BASSU. General form of the body oblong, rather cylindrical, and elon- gate ; cleft of the mouth rather oblique, with the lower jaw longer than the upper one ; eye placed obliquely on the supe- rior part of the sides of the head. Height of the body seven and one-third times in the total length ; head conical, four times in the same ; eye six and three-quarters in the length of head. The lateral line runs straight all along the body, over fifty- nine scales ; the transverse line is formed of twenty scales, rather large and ciliated, of which six are over the lateral line. A longi- tudinal sulcate extends on the centre of the back from the posterior part of the head to the base of the dorsal ; the head is entirely covered with scales ; the prseoperculum is entire ; the operculum is terminated by a broad flat point. The first dorsal with one spine and seven rays ; it is rather high ; second dorsal inserted near the first ; it is formed of twenty rays ; the caudal is rather large, subtruncated, with the angles rather prolonged, and formed of twelve long rays ; anal similar to the second dorsal, formed of twenty-tAVO rays, and in front are two small spines, rather curved, each supporting a small membrane, and adjoining the soft rays ; the first spine being longer than the other ; ventrals placed in front of the pectorals, and formed of one spine and five rays ; pectorals rather large, and formed of eighteen rays ; teeth very numerous on each jaAv, cardiform, sharp ; others similar on the vomer and palatines. The upper parts are broAAm, Avitli a feAV very faint transverse broad green bands on the back ; sides of the head purple ; the colour is red in front of the eyes ; lower parts Avhite ; dorsal fins of the same colour and hyaline, with the rays marbled with yellow and brown ; caudal yellow, with four or five transverse crimson bands ; anal pink ; ventrals yellowish ; pectorals yellow, with several narrow crimson lines of spots ; eye yellow. Seen only once ; taken in the Straits of Bass, and dedicated to the celebrated discoverer of that region. SILLAGO. Genus formed by Cuvier in the “Eegne Animal,” on a fish that Bloch had placed with Scimna and Eussel with Sparus. Porskal had made an Atherina of a sort he had found in the Red Sea. Cuvier placed this genus with his Fercidce, on account of the denticulations of its praeopercule, and of the point that terminates its opercle, as also on account of the presence of teeth on the vomer ; but Dr. Gunther has included it in the rather hetrogeneous family he calls TraoTiinidx. It has certainly very little natural affinities with the group in which Cuvier had included it. Most of the sorts inhabit the Indian Sea ; others are said by Cuvier and Valenciennes to be found in Australia ; but I have only observed two of them. Bassensis, which was found at Western Port by d’Urville’s Expedition, has not yet come under my notice, and Giliata was originally found at Cape York, but Dr. Gunther also records it from Tasmania and Sydney. I cannot agree with this last anthor in considering Bassensis as a synonyme of Macnlata; and as I have seen many thousand specimens of Sillago from Western Port, which all belonged to Punctata, I should be inclined to think it may be a variety of that sort, perhaps rather similar to the white one I describe below. SHLAGO POTCTATA. Sillago punctata, Cm. ^ Val., v. iii., p. 413. {The Whiting.') Form very elongate ; height of body eight times in total length ; head five times in the same ; orbit four and a-half times in the length of head. The dorsal has twelve spines at its first fin, and one with twenty-six rays at its second ; the anal has one spine and twenty-two rays ; the caudal is strongly bifurcated. 94 and has seventeen long rays and four shorter ones on each side ; the pectorals have fourteen rays. The upper parts are of a brownish grey ; the sides and lower parts are white; these latter are covered with numerous very small, irregularly placed, but rounded spots of an obscure brownish colour ; fins rather olive colour ; the caudal yellow ; the anal and ventrals white ; eyes silvery. Very common on the Melbourne Market almost all the year round ; it is esteemed for the table. Average length, from 8 to 14 inches. I have one specimen 9 inches long, of a white silvery colour, the back having only a greyish tinge ; the spots very minute, and in reduced number ; they were very little visible on the fresh specimen ; the muzzle is a little shorter, and more regularly convex ; the eye is a little larger than in the typical specimens. SILLAGO MACTTLATA. Sillago maculata, Q,uoy et Gaimard, Exped. Frei/cinet Zool., pi. 53, fig. 2. Cm. ^ Val., Poissons, v. iii., p. 411. The body is oval, much shorter than in Punctata. The first dorsal has eleven spines, and the second one spine and eighteen rays ; the caudal has seventeen long rays ; the anal two spines and nineteen rays ; the pectorals have sixteen. The height is five times and a-half in the total length, and the head less than three times in the same. The upper parts are of a light olive colour, marbled with rather large brown spots ; the lower parts are white ; on each side of the body is a rather broad longitudinal band ; the fins are diaphanous, with the rays spotted with orange ; the exterior portions of the dorsal and the caudal rather obscure ; the eye is silvery. Length, 6 inches. Only seen once in September. POLYNEMID^. “ Body compressed and oblong, corered with scales, feebly ciliated or without serrature. Lateral line continuous, continued on the tail. Mouth at 9.5 the lower side of the snout, with lateral cleft. Eye lateral, large. Seven hranchiostegals ; pseudo- branchiae. Villiform teeth on the jaws and on the palate. Two separate dorsals, the second, the caudal, and the anal fin more or less covered with minute scales. Several filliform appendages below the pec- toral tin, entirely free, and articulated. Ventrals thoracic, with one spine and five rays. The bones of the head with the muciferous system well de- veloped. Air-bladder varying in form and structure, and sometimes w'^anting. “ Tropical regions of the Atlantic ; East Indian seas to the Pacific. Entering rivers.” This family is represented by two sorts on the eastern coast of Australia, but none have yet been observed in the Yictorian waters. SPHYEiENIDA]. “ Body elongate, subcylindrical, covered with small cycloid scales ; lateral line continuous. Cleft of the mouth wide, armed with strong teeth. Eye lateral, of moderate size. Seven hranchiostegals ; pseudohranchise and air-bladder present. Two dorsal fins, remote from each other ; anal similar to the second dorsal ; ventrals abdominal, composed of one spine and five rays. “ Carnivorous fishes, inhabiting the seas of the temperate and tropical regions.” 96 SPHYE^NA. Though one sort of these fishes is found in the Mediterranean they may be considered as belonging more to the Avarm than to the temperate climates, the great majority of their sorts inhabit- ing below the tropics. SPHTE.®]