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Show 1871.J IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 673 the fishes sent by Mr. M. Allport; but it is very probable that the Pacific Pilchard (Cl. sagax) occurs in Tasmanian waters. Attempts ought to be made to utilize the Tasmanian Anchovy and Sprat in the same way as it is done in Europe. The occurrence of many European marine fishes in Tasmania is a fact of great interest in geographical distribution. I have now examined Tasmanian specimens of the European Maigre (Scicena aquila), John Doree (Zeus faber), Horse- Mackarel (Trachurus trachurus), Sprat (Clupea sprattus), Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicholus), Conger (Conger vulgaris), Sunfish (Orthagoriscus mola), Angelfish (Rhino, squatina), Blue Dog (Galeus canis), Spiny Dog (Acanthias blainvillei), &c. To account for this singular fact it is not necessary to assume that a change of the geographical distribution of these fishes at a former period has taken place, in consequence of physical changes on the globe's surface. It is quite possible that there still exists a continuity of the species at the present period, but that these fishes, which are more or less surface fishes in temperate latitudes, live at much greater depths in the tropical zones, and, therefore, have hitherto escaped observation. ANGUILLA OBSCURA. Allied to A. latirostris. The length of the head is two thirds of the distance of the gill-opening from the origin of the dorsal fin, and one half of its distance from the vent. Lips rather broad; lower jaw scarcely prominent. Teeth equally small, in bands of moderate width. Angle of the mouth below the hind margin of the eye, which is rather small. Tail rather longer than the body. Upper parts uniform dark coloured. One specimen, 14^ inches long (no. 448) from the Godeffroy Museum; it was obtained in fresh water of Kanalhia, Feejee Islands. PCECILOCONGER (g. 11. ANGUILLIN.). Scaleless. Head pointed, without muciferous cavities. Cleft of the mouth of moderate width, extending to below the eye. All the teeth villiform, forming bands. Pectoral and vertical fins well developed, the dorsal commencing in advance of the gill-opening. Nostrils small, the anterior without tube. Eyes large, without orbital fold. PfECILOGONGER FASCIATUS. (Plate LXVIII.) Tail longer than the body, which is compressed ; the length of the head is contained once and two thirds in that of the trunk. Head narrow; snout pointed, one half longer than the eye. Lips thin ; angle of the mouth below the middle of the eye. Teeth in narrow bands, the vomerine band only half as long as the maxillary. Gill-openings as wide as the orbit, rather close together, not extending upwards above the pectoral. The dorsa. rays are not quite so high as the body, but much higher than the anal rays ; the length of the pectoral two sevenths of that of the head. Purplish brown ; head |