194 WAITE 
with the exception of the cheeks; the scales which form the 
sheaths of the vertical fins are enlarged, and bear each about six 
spines, of which the first is the largest. There are twenty-six 
spinous seales at the base of the dorsal, the first commencing 
with the fourth spine, and seventeen at the base of the anal. 
The lateral line rises from the upper angle of the opercle, thence 
follows the line of the back. 
Colours.—The general colour is silvery, and the body is 
strikingly marked as follows:—A broad purplish band arises 
behind the eye, follows near to the curve of the back, and 
deepening to black passes in advance of the caudal peduncle, 
thence half way towards the ventral; this band is sometimes 
broken at its hindermost point. A black crescent, widening 
below, passes from above the base of the pectoral, behind the fin, 
to a position in advance of the ventral; there is also a black spot 
above the insertion of the last ventral ray and a brown band 
at the base of the caudal; all the fins are colourless. 
Length.—84 mm. 
This pretty little fish was first made known from a specimen 
obtained by the Challenger Expedition in 400 fathoms off Cape 
Farewell. It is surprising that we secured it at all, seeing that 
the greatest depth reached was, with a single unanticipated 
exception, 105 fathoms; it was however taken at this depth, 
recorded in the Bay of Plenty: it was likewise secured at both 
hauls made in Hawke Bay, the depth ranging from 68 to 82 
fathoms. 
Under the name Antigonia mulleri, Klunzinger describes the 
species from New Zealand, but without indication of locality or 
depth. 
HETEROSOMATA. 
Family PLEURONECTIDAi. 
In his official report on the Expedition Mr. L. F. Ayson 
writes :— 
‘‘One of the reasons why the cruise was: undertaken in the 
winter season was for the purpose of ascertaining the winter 
habitat of the flat-fish, as they generally disappear from the in- 
shore trawling-grounds during that season. The general opinion 
of fishermen is that they either go out to deep water or migrate 
to off-shore banks which were supposed to exist. The result of 
the work done during this cruise would seem to negative both 
theories, as no flat-fish of any value were obtained beyond the 
