G. M. Thomson. — Natural History of Otago Harbour. 233 



44. Peltorhamphus novae-zeelandiae Giinther. 



The. so-called " English " or New Zealand sole is very abundant along 

 the east coast. 



During several seasons numbers of the eggs (over nine millions) have been 

 hatched at Portobello, and the young fry turned out when a few days old. 

 It is described and figured by Waite {I.e., p. 213, pi. 42). The egg is the 

 smallest of all of our flat fishes — only O-.o mm. in diameter — and contains 

 from 2 to 6 oil-globules. 



44a. Pelotretis flavilatus Waite. 



A common species, usually known as " lemon sole." Though not speci- 

 fically named, this fish was well known and readily recognized. Nearly 

 a million eggs have been hatched at Portobello, and the young fry liberated. 

 It is figured and described by Waite (I.e., p. 212, pi. 41). The egg is 

 0-8 mm. in diameter, and contains from 8 to 1 1 oil-globules. 



45. Physiculus bachus Forster. 



The red-cod in an immature condition is taken all the year round, often 

 in enormous numbers. The mature fish is very large, between 2 ft. and 

 3 ft. long, but it is seldom caught. Males with ripe milt are frequently 

 recorded, but the ripe ova have never been obtained. It is probable that, 

 as is the case with many other species, the mature fish cease to bite on the 

 approach of the spawning season. 



The red-cod is an omnivorous feeder, and in the hundreds of stomachs 

 examined and recorded by Anderton the following were found : Smaller 

 red-cod, barracouta, kingfish, soles, sea-perch, sprats, lampreys, Macrourus, 

 pipe-fish, sea-horse, pig-fish, squid, crabs {Cancer, Cyelograpsus, and Hali- 

 earcinus), Mimida (sometimes the stomachs were quite full of these), 

 Lironeca, and razor-shells. Specimens caught ofi Port Chalmers contained 

 potatoes, turnip and potato peelings, and mutton-bones ; while one caught 

 outside the Heads had swallowed the head of a rooster, probably thrown 

 overboard by a passing steamer. Figured and described bv Waite {I.e., 

 p. 183. pi. 31, fig. 1). 



48. Genypterus blacodes Bloch and Schneider. 



The following have been taken by Anderton from the stomachs of a large 

 number of ling, mostly taken off Taiaroa Head : Red-cod, kingfish, soles, 

 megrim, flathead {Kathetostoma), leather-jacket, pig-fish, small skate, 

 squid, crabs {Ommatocarcinus and Neetocarcinus), great quantities of shrimps 

 [Nycti'phanes), and (on one occasion) mutton-bones. 



48a. Coelorhynchus australis Richardson. 



This and the next two species must be added to the list of Otago fishes. 

 They were taken during the cruise of the " Nora Niven " at various stations 

 along the east coast. Described and figured bv Waite (^c, p. 177, pi. 29, 

 fig. 1). 



486. Coelorhynchus aspercephalus Waite. 



Described and figured by Waite {I.e., p. 178, pi. 29, fig. 2). 



