430 FLATFISHES (HETEROSOMATA) 



Depth of body about twice in the length, length of head 3^ to 35. Upper profile 

 of head straight or a little convex. Snout not produced, longer than eye, diameter 

 of which is 7 J to 8| in length of head and equal to or greater than interorbital width. 

 Maxillars' scarcely extending to below anterior edge of eye, length on ocular side 

 about 4J. on blind side 35 to 3§ in that of head ; lower jaw about 3J in head. 16 to 

 10 gill-rakers on lower part of anterior arch ; lower phar^mgeals 3^ times as long as 

 broad, triangular, approximated for anterior | of their length, each with several 

 irregular rows of teeth. Scales mostly cycloid on both sides of body, a few on head 

 and anterior part of body on ocular side with feeble denticulations ; 63 to 75 scales in 

 lateral line. Blind side of head largely naked, with a series of large muciferous 

 cavities. Lateral line rising slightly above pectoral fin. Dorsal (60) 65-67 ; anterior 

 rays deeply split distally and partly free, remainder forked : highest rays 2 to 2J in 

 length of head. Anal 43-43 (48). Pectoral of ocular side with 10 or 11 rays (g or 



10' branched), length i? to twice in that of head. Anterior ray of pelvic of ocular 

 side inserted below middle or posterior part of lower eye. Caudal with 18 rays (12 

 branched), a little rounded or double-truncate ; caudal peduncle 3i to 3i times as 

 deep as long. Blackish or brownish, marbled or spotted with darker : head, body 

 and fins often with numerous whitish (red in life) spots, the largest of which are smaller 

 than the eyes : blind side suffused with greyish or dusky brown. 



Type, — Not traced.^ 



Distribution. — New Zealand ; entering fresh water. 



Specimens Examined : 



Dominion Mus. 

 Otago Mus. 



(265 mm.). N.ipier. 



(21)0 ,, ). Duncdin. 



(120 ,, ), stuffed. ,, Harbour 



This species attains to a length of 15 to 18 inches. Specimens from North and 

 South Island present certain differences, mainly m coloration, hut I am unable to say 

 whether these are constant. 



See footnote on p. 427 



