Hamilton. — Occurrence of Gemis Trachipterus in New Zealand. 377 



B. 6 ; D. VI-168 ; C. 9 ; P. — ; V. 4. (Fig. 5.) 



Body long and tapering, constricted behind the vent ; greatest depth 

 at position of pelvic fin is equal to one-fifth of length, excluding the caudal ; 

 depth at vent is greater than lengtli of head ; abdominal profile is tuber- 

 culate ; vent situated about the middle of the body. Mouth inclined 

 upwards; gape nearly vertical ; jaws very protractile; teeth, 6 in upper 

 jaw and 4 in the lower. Tlie first dorsal spine nearly equal to the length 

 of the profile ; it is serrated, granular, and elevated. The insertion of 

 5 spines can be counted, and indications point to there being a sixth. 

 Apparently the spines are connected by membrane with the remaining dorsal. 

 Continuous dorsal composed of 168 rays, the longest being opposite the 

 vent and 1| in. in height ; all rays connected by membrane, not attached 

 to the body. The ventral and pectoral fins are not represented, as the 

 abdominal cavity has been ruptured. The caudal fin is well preserved, 

 and shows two distinct lobes ; the upper lobe carries 9 rays, directed 

 upwards and backwards. The outer rays are longest and strongest ; all 

 rays are granulated, and connected by membrane ; anterior ray, .5 in. long ; 

 posterior ray, 6 J in. long ; intervening rays less in height. Below the 

 caudal fin is a well-defined lobe with 2 rudimentray rays, J in. long, directed 



..^^f^" 



-"^A 



1!9Mmm^^^ 



'^'^W^^^n^'^'^^^^^^^^^.i^ 



Fig. 5. — Trachipterus trachypterus (Gmelin), from Port Chalmers, New Zealand. 



About ^\^ natural size. 



backwards and downwards ; the posterior surface of this lobe terminates 

 in a strong spine directed forwards. Lateral line armed with bony scutes, 

 directed forwards, and stronger towards the posterior end. Both generally 

 bright silver ; 4 black spots above the lateral line, 2 on the body and 2 

 on the tail ; a fifth spot on the side of the abdomen, below the lateral line 

 and a little behind the 1st dorsal ray. Top of head and crest, deep black ; 

 fins, red. 



The fifth specimen I have the opportunity of describing was kindly 

 lent by Mr. R. Speight, Curator of the Canterbury Museum. Ic is labelled, 

 " T. altivelis, New Zealand," and bears the registered number P. 441-0. 

 The fish was in a remarkably good state of preservation, the only damage 

 being the loss of the anterior dorsal fin rays (see fig. 6). 



B. 6 ; D. VI-165 ; C. | P. ] 1 ; V. 7. 



Body long and tapering, constricted behind the vent ; greatest depth 

 of body at the insertion of the ventral fin, contained about 4^ times in 

 length, excluding the caudal ; depth at vent equal to the length of head ; 

 vent situated 158 mm. from tip of snout ; abdominal profile studded with 



