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Transactions. 



allowing me to use his notes and ofier descriptions of Ms specimens. These 

 specimens are distinctly similar to the one described from Chatham 

 Islands. The first was taken by Mr. Ewart at Purakanui. near Dunedin, 

 on the 11th November, 1903, and was in good condition, except for 

 having the caudal fin and part of the tail missing. 



The following description is based on notes by Professor Benham and 

 myself (fig. 4) : — // 



B. 6; D. VI-168; C — ; P.^; V.—. 



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

 at a point just posterior to the pectoral fin, contained 5 times in total 

 length, excluding the caudal ; abdominal profile studded with tubercles ; 

 vent situated 228 mm. from tip of snout ; height of body at vent, 73 mm. ; 

 width of tail, 7 mm. Head short and truncated. Eye a little behind the 

 middle of the head ; diameter of the eye, 17 mm. I was unwilling to 

 examine the dentition for fear of damaging the specimen. First 5 rays 

 of dorsal elevated and detached ; spinous and granulated , in length about 

 I height of body. Remainder of dorsal composed of about 166 rays, all 

 granulated and having a spin}^ tubercle at the base ; longest rays oppo- 

 site the vent, being about \ height at vent ; membrane connecting 





Fig. 4. — Trachipterus tracliypterus (Gmelin), from Purakanui, New Zealand, 



About S natural size. 



rays apparently connected to the body. The ventral is worn off. The 

 pectoral is composed of 11 short, granulated rays, connected by mem- 

 brane, inserted horizontally. Tail absent. The lateral line rather above 

 the middle of the body — viz., 40 mm. below base of dorsal fin and 45 mm. 

 above ventral margin of body at level of fij'st black spot ; armed with 

 spiny tubercles directed forwards, but comparatively small and weak as 

 compared with other specimens ; more strongly developed towards posterior 

 portion of tail. Colour silvery, with 3 black spots on dorsal surface 

 and 1 near ventral margin. Spot A : Its middle is 65 mm. from anterior 

 end of base of predorsal fin ; spot B is 100 mm. from centre of A ; spot C 

 is 100 mm. from centre of B — it is less well defined than A or B. Top 

 of head and crest, black ; dorsal fin, red. Eye. silver with a pink 

 iridescence. 



The second specimen was caught at Port Chalmers in November, 1911, 

 and presented to the Otago University Museum. It much resembles that 

 described from Purakanui, biit differs in having a fourth black spot on 

 the tail in addition to three on the sides of the bod v. 



