Zoology.-] NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. [Fishes. 



authors have suggested, for a " Sea Serpent," but the Regalecus, 

 from its great rarity, would be quite unfamiliar, and its form would 

 suggest a serpent to an untrained observer. The mode of pro- 

 gression described and roughly sketched by mariners, vertical 

 undulations seen on the surface of the sea in the Sea Serpent, 

 although so unusual in fishes, has actually been observed in this 

 fish. The specimen caught by three Cullercoats fishermen, 6 miles 

 from shore, in 20 to 30 fathoms water, was first seen lying on its 

 side on the top of the water, obviously dying. As they approached 

 it righted itself and came towards them with a gentle, lateral, 

 undulating motion, showing its crest and part of the head above 

 water. On being struck it made oft" with a vigorous vertical 

 undulating motion, disappearing rapidly below the surface. It was 

 brought to Newcastle next morning, and is the one described by 

 Mr. Hancock and Dr. Embleton in the Annals of Natural History 

 for July, 1849. Being destitute of teeth the creature is, of course, 

 perfectly harmless, and probably feeds on minute Crustacea and 

 medusae. 



Explanation of Figures. 



Plate 145. — Fig. 1, side view of specimen, J the natural size. Fig. la, head, £ natural 

 size. Fig. 16, posterior termination of specimen, natural size, showing the dorsal fin reduced to 

 less than a line in height. Fig. \c, granules of skin, magnified, to show crenulated circular base 

 and central point. Fig. Id, granules of skin, natural size. Fig. le, tubular scales of lateral line, 

 natural size. 



Frederick McCoy. 



[172] 



