240 



Transactions. — Zoology. 



1st to 2nd dorsal, subcontinuous 

 Base of 2nd dorsal 

 Snout to mouth 

 Snout to pectoral 

 Base of pectoral 

 Branchial collar to vent 

 Snout to ventral fins 

 Pectoral fin, length 

 „ width 



width at base of rays 



Ventral fin, 



length 

 width at base 



Caudal fin 

 Filiform appendage 



Inches. 



3 



16 



2-5 



5 



2 



5-5 

 16 



8 



4 



2-5 



6 



2 



5 



7 



There are two genital orifices, one on each side and 

 anterior to the vent, each with a distinct ovarian sac con- 

 taining twelve to fifteen eggs in various stages of develop- 

 ment, varying in size from a small pea to a nut. Each egg 

 is enclosed in an elongated ovid membrane, the largest beinc 

 on the right side 1-5 in. long. 



Colour. — Olive-black above, silvery- white beneath the head, 

 and dark-grey elsewhere. Head with small ocellated spots, 

 and round the base of the dorsal five distinct white spots. As 

 far back as the vent three rows of nine spots in each, and one 

 broad but interrupted line of white. A pseudo-lateral line of 

 forty-three pores marked by golden scales, which latter are 

 also found on other parts. On the tail are thirteen bold white 

 blotches, in continuation of the white lateral line on the body. 



2. Auchenopterus aysoni, n. sp. 



This elegant little fish is one of the blennies, a family fairlv 

 well represented in New Zealand waters, Grysticeps australis 

 and Try pterygium nigripenne being close allies. Only one 

 species of the genus is previously known, from the west 

 coast of South America, but it differs in important respects 

 from the specimen under consideration, which was presented 

 to the Museum by Mr. Ayson, Inspector of Fisheries. Unfor- 

 tunately, the spirit in which it was sent was too strong, so 

 that the scales and many of the lateral pores were destroyed. 



The following is a minute description of the fish : — 



Total length, 5 in. 

 Height 



Length of head 

 Base of 1st dorsal 

 Snout to 1st dorsal 



Mm. 



143 

 30 

 35 

 12 

 10 



