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Show 1889.] ON FISHES NEW TO THE AUSTRALIAN FAUNA. 151 except that no actual fusion of the renal portions of the two cardinals takes place. On the other hand, the state of things in Protopterus more nearly resembles that seen in Howes's figure1 of the venous system of a Frog in which the left azygos was retained, as already mentioned. A more complete description and detailed figures of the venous system of Protopterus I reserve until later ; I have brought forward the above points in the present connection in order to make clear m y former indefinite statement on the subject, and because they seem to m e to be important with regard to the question of the homology of the veins throughout the Vertebrata, which is now engaging much attention. The facts I have mentioned are only some out of a great number which go to prove that a near connection must have existed between the ancestors of the Dipnoi and those of the A m phibia after they had diverged from a common piscine type, for the resemblances between the existing forms of both groups are in many respects exceedingly close. Nevertheless, certain points in the structure of the Dipnoi, more especially that of their fins, show that no direct relationship can exist between them and the Amphibia at the present day. 4. Notes on some Fishes new to the Australian Fauna. By J. D O U G L A S O G I L B Y , F.L.S. (Communicated by Dr. F. D A Y , F.Z.S.) [Received February 22, 1889.] The present paper contains detailed descriptions of three species of fishes new to the Australian subregion, inclusive of Lord Howe Island ; these are Anthias cichlops, A. pleurotcenia, and Scorpeena cookii, not one of which appears to be well known to naturalists. I also give notes on a species of Platystethus from the above-mentioned island, pointing out differences which may prove to be of specific value; but owing to m y limited knowledge of the genus I am loath to describe it as new ; however, I append a synopsis of the known species for comparison. Finally I give a description, taken from four specimens, of the life-colours of a species of Gheerops, which I take to be G. ommopterus. ANTHIAS CICHLOPS, Blk. B. vii. D. 10/16 A. 3/7. V. 1/5. P. 18. C. 15. L. 1. 50. L. tr. 6/142. The length of the head equals the height of the body, and is two ninths of the total length. The diameter of the eye is contained thrice and two fifths in the length of the head; the snout, which is very obtuse, is three fourths of the diameter of the eye, while the interorbital space, which is almost flat, is equal to the same. The 1 Loc. supr. cit. 2 Counting obliquely backwards from the first dorsal spine. 11* |