DELPHINUS SUPERCILIOSUS. 249 



Though the markings of this species are beautiful, 

 yet we are free to confess that we consider it next 

 to impossible to convey, by any pictorial representa- 

 tion, an adequate idea of the brilliancy and variety 

 of the colouring of many of these dolphins, which 

 inhabit the southern and equatorial seas : they rival 

 the hues even of the feathered tribes of the tropics. 

 Thus, we believe, it will generally be allowed that 

 it would be difficult, with our most highly finished 

 colouring, to approach the appearance presented by 

 the original of the New Zealand species, thus minutely 

 described by Quoy and Gaimard. u Colour dark- 

 brown above, dull white on the lower part of beak 

 and body ; a large yellow stripe commences at the 

 eye and terminates, growing narrower on the flanks, 

 under the dorsal fin; the tail is of a slate-colour, 

 pale underneath ; the pectorals of the colour of 

 white lead, and also the dorsal, tipt round with 

 black : there is a black line over the snout, become- 

 ing larger towards the eye, which it surrounds : this 

 line is accompanied, on either side, with a white 

 margin ; the whole body shines brilliantly. 



But we must bid adieu to these numerous dol- 

 phins, with a short notice of 



