2 FISHES OF NEW ZEALAND, 



the snout ; spinous part of the dorsal lower than the soft part, but two 

 and a half times its length ; ventrals under the pectorals, which ai'e 

 short ; prasojierculum obtusely seiTated ; scales cycloid. 



Dark greyish browai above, paler below. 



This species is represented in the Museu.m by two skulls, one of 

 which was prejiared by Dr. Knox, and by ckawings. I have never seen 

 a complete specimen. 



Not uncommon among rocks all round the coast. 



Sometimes nearly six feet in length, and 1201bs. in weight. 



Arripis. 



Seven branchiostegals ; dorsal with nine spines, anal Avith three ; 

 operculum -svith one or two points ; scales moderate. 

 Seas of the Australian regions. 



2. ARRIPIS SALAR. Rich. CM. 



Kahawai. 



Centro2}ristes salar, Rich., Voy. Ereb. and Ter., p. 29, pi. 20. A. scdar, 

 Giinth., I., 253. Arripis salar et mulloides, Cat. Col. Mus. 



J).^;A.~; S. Lat., 48-52 ; L. trans., 6/12. 



Length about four and a half times the height, or nearly four times the 

 length of the head, which is five to seven times the length of the hori- 

 zontal diameter of the eye ; prajoperculum serrated on the inferior, and 

 lower part of the posterior margins ; suli and iiiter-operculum with scales ; 

 fourth dorsal spine the longest ; last soft ray of dorsal and anal consider- 

 ably elongated ; a long soft double spinoxis process in the upper part of 

 the axil of the pectorals ; caiidal forked. 



Above gi'eenish grey, spotted with lead-blue on the back ; belly 

 white ; a pale lead-colored streak from the pectorals to the caudal, and a 

 black spot in the axil of the pectorals ; fins dusky ; lower margin of 

 caudal wliite ; iris bright yellow. 



Specimen in spu-its, and skeleton prejiared by Dr. Knox. 



Abundant all i-ound the coasts, and in the mouths of rivei'S ; it some- 

 times ascends the Waikato for about thii-ty or foity mUes. Grows to 

 about 2 or 2|^ feet in total length. 



Tasmania, Australia, Raoul Island, Norfolk Island. 



Two other species, Centroj)ristes mulloides, Banks, and Centropristes 

 sapidissimics, Solander, are mentioned by Sir J. Richardson (Dieffenbach's 



