PISCES 225 
the trawl, when a few examples were obtained off Oamaru in 
19-22 fathoms, on a sandy bottom. Richardson’s figures fairly 
represent the markings, the most characteristic of one form being 
the dark spot on the lateral line, whence the name ‘‘Spotty.’’ 
Being drawn, doubtless, from a spirit preserved example, it 
indicates a contracted appearance about the head, a feature far 
from the truth, and one common to many of Richardson’s 
illustrations. 
The specimens trawled include both forms, that is, examples 
represented by the names P. celidotus and P. botryocosmus. A 
careful examination has confirmed the opinion I held that the 
two are not specifically distinct but represent colour varieties, 
possibly of sexual import; the case may be analagous to the 
two forms of Diastodon occurring in the waters of New South 
Wales, D. unimaculatus, and D. bellis, and of which Ogilby?? 
wrote: ‘‘For some time we inclined to the opinion that the 
differences were merely sexual, but the examination of specimens 
of both sexes belonging to either form has induced us to recede 
from that position. It must be borne in mind that notwith- 
standing the fact that the differences in the coloration is not 
always concurrent with the differences in the sexes, yet we may 
have here two distinct varietal races living under similar condi- 
tions and inhabiting the same waters, but which, nevertheless 
preserve intact their colour variations. ”’ 
Respecting the Pseudolabri the differences are chiefly those 
of colour markings. In P. celidotus there are two marks behind 
the eye, a series of black spots above the lateral line, and below 
them, on the lateral line, just beyond the tips of the pectoral, a 
large black blotch; sometimes, also, other two marks, one 
beneath the middle of the soft rays and the other below the 
termination of the dorsal fin. Occasional specimens exhibit a 
longitudinal band on the dorsal fin. In the botryocosmus form 
the postocular marks are absent as is also the large blotch on the 
side, but the smaller spots above the lateral line are retained. 
In addition to the band on the dorsal fin, there is a similar one 
on the anal. 
Richardson states that the branchings of the tubules on the 
posterior scales of the lateral line are simpler than in 
P. celidotus, but this is a variable character, for in some 
specimens the tube is simply forked, whereas some examples of 
the botryocosmus form exhibit complex branchings on the 
posterior scales, equally with those on the more anterior portion. 
(83) Ogilby, Edible Fishes, N.S. Wales, 1893, p. 138. 
