378 



Transactions. 



tubercles. Head 43 mm. in length, short and truncated ; mouth inclined 

 upwards; gape nearly vertical; ere situated in posterior third of head; 

 1-3 mm. in diameter. Six teeth in the upper jaw and -i in the lower. 



Fins. — Anterior portion of dorsal fin composed of 6 elevated, spiked, 

 and granulated rays, imit^d by membrane : remainder of dorsal composed 

 of 165 rays, attaining their greatest length opposite the vent, being there 

 3.5 mm. long ; all rays granular, and having a spiny tubercle at the base ; 

 membrane uniting the rays not attached to the body ; no signs of articula- 

 tions in the rays. The caudal fin is well developed, composed of 8 rays, 

 united by membrane, the longest being 99 mm. long ; the two outer rays 

 are strong and granulated : whole fin directed upwards and baclo^ards. 

 On the inferior portion of the caudal lobe there is a well-defined rudimentary 

 adipose caudal fin, as is illustrated in fig. 6. Besides having the hair-like 



Fig. 6. — Trackipterus trachypteru-s (Gmelin), in Canterbury Museum. 



About A naturai size. 



appendages foimd in many specimens, there are 3 distinct membrane- 

 connected spines, curved upwards and directed backwards, situated below 

 these appendages. The ventral fins are well preserved. Each fin com- 

 posed of 7 rays, apparently branched and fissile ; the anterior rays being 

 armed with 2 spines directed forwards ; all rays roughened and granular ; 

 longest ray equals the depth of the body at the pectoral. The pectoral 

 fin is small and delicate, composed of 11 rays, inserted horizontally just 

 below the apex of the outer gill-cavity ; the 1st ray strongest and curved ; 

 length of pectoral about equals diameter of the eye. The lateral line 

 armed as usual, but showing a spike, directed forwards at the confluence 

 of the lateral lines on the caudal lobe. 



Three black spots on the upper surface, the first opposite the 25th 

 dorsal, the second opposite the 60th, and the third opposite the 94th dorsal ; 

 a fourth spot on the abdominal siirface about opposite to the 46th dorsal. 

 All spots and markings on the head of brownish colour, due to the action 

 of preservatives. Rest of body bright silvery. 



CoMPABisoNS OF New Zealand Trachipterids. 



The descriptions of the last three specimens from the New Zealand 

 coast show that they are closely allied, if not identical. That from Pura- 

 kanui agrees almost exactly with the Chatham Island individual, not only 



