UEPORT ON THE PELAGIC FISHES. 15 



found to be twenty-eight in the middle-sized specimens, whilst seventeen only could be 

 counted in the smallest. A similar diversity obtains in the number of anal rays which 

 is respectively fourteen and nine. 



Lepidothynnus, n. gen. 



For the knowledge of this fish I am indel)ted to Professor Ilutton of Canterbury 

 College, Christchurch. The specimen, 5^ feet long, was driven on shore in Lyttelton 

 Harbour on April 17, 1887. It had the appearance of a Tunny, Ijut was covered with 

 scales. Of these Professor Hutton fortunately preserved some, and he also made a sketch 

 of the fish which is reproduced on PL VI. fig. A. The .specimen is preserved in Christchurch 

 i\luseum as a skeleton, of which Professor Hutton kindly sent a photograph to 

 me (PI. VI. fig. A'.). These materials, as well as some notes taken by my correspondent 

 from the fresh fish, ofi"er sufficient evidence that this form represents an undescribed genus 

 of Scombroid fishes showing distinct affinities to Gastrochisma. It may be characterised 

 thus : — 



Body oblong, compressed, covered all over with large cycloid scales. Head with the 

 upper profile arched, parabolic, compressed above into a ridge. Cleft of the mouth of 

 moderate width, horizontal, armed with teeth of moderate size ; teeth on the palatines, 

 none on the vomer. Eye lateral, rather small. None of the opercles serrated. The 

 anterior dorsal fin is continuous, formed by numerous slender spines. The soft dorsal 

 and anal consists of an anterior lobe, followed by seven or eight finlets. Pectoral and 

 ventral fins rather short. Caudal bilobed ; tail with two keels at the base of the caudal. 

 Pyloric appendages dendritic. 



Lepidothijnnus huttonii, n. sp. (PI. VI. figs. A, A'.). 

 B. 7. D. 17 I = ! VII. A. § I VIII. L. lat. 78-80. L. tran.sv. G | 13 (below 2nd dorsal). 



The body is broadest in front of the pectoral fin, the depth of this portion being about 

 two-sevenths of the total length (without caudal). The head is nearly as deep as long, 

 compressed into a crest, the small eye .occupj-ing a position in the middle of the depth of 

 the head, but nearer to the end of the mouth than to the hind margin of the operculum. 

 The cleft of the mouth is subhorizontal, extending backwards to below the middle of the 

 eye. Gill-covers broad and firm as in Tunnies. 



The body is covered with large cycloid scales (fig. a.), somewhat broader than long, 

 1^ inches broad. The lateral line follows the line of the back, after ha^^Dg made a 

 curved ascent above the pectoral fin. 



