132 
An examination of the numb-fishes (Narcacion) results in the 
removal of a nominal species from the list, one only being now ad- 
mitted. 
The species are illustrated by reproductions from photographs 
kindly taken for me by Mr. Rudolf Hiilsen, and Mr. W. J. Sparkes, 
taxidermist of the Museum. 
Hitherto the illustrations of many of the species, where such have 
been figured, are in outline only, while the original descriptions are 
not generally accessible in New Zealand. 
CLYCLOSTOMATA. 
Eptatretus, Duméril, 1819. 
Eptatretus cirrhatus Forster. 
BLIND-EEL. 
Plate XIIT. 
Petromyzon cirrhatus Forster, in Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 
1801, p. 532. 
Bdellostoma cirrhatum Giinth., Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., vin, 1870, p. 511. 
Heptatrema cirrata Hutton, Index Faune N.Z., 1904, p. 55. 
Station 35. 
The gill-openings appear to be normally seven in number, but I 
have seen an example in which there were but six openings on one 
side, though seven were present on the other. They are situated at a 
great distance from the head, the first opening being one-fourth 
the length of the entire animal from the snout. The last aperture 
is frequently much larger than the others. They le rather low down 
on the body, the posterior ones being deflected still lower, so that 
the whole series forms a curve. 
The eyes are situated towards the upper part of the head, though 
a long way apart, and removed from the tip of the snout about one- 
third its distance to the first gill-opening. The position of the eyes 
is indicated by a clear area in the skin, though the eyes themselves 
cannot be seen. On removing the skin, however, they are very 
apparent, imbedded in the muscles of the head; they are elliptical 
in shape, and are placed obliquely, the axes being from above back- 
wards and downwards, and more vertical than horizontal; in adult 
specimens the diameter of the pupil is 2°5 mm. 
It is probable that sight is very imperfect, and, in common with 
many blind or partially blind animals, tactile adjuncts in the form 
of feelers or barbels are well developed. The single nostril is a wide 
tube opening forward, quite in front of the head, and forming its 
upper anterior border: two barbels are situated on each side of the 
nostril. The mouth is very large, but closes to a longitudinal slit 
