Parker—On a Torpedo recently caught near Dunedin. 288 
Similarly in 7. fairchildi, the first dorsal is said by Hutton to be “ over 
the ventrals, with the posterior edges of both in a line,” and to be “ about 
one and a half times the size of the second." : 
Unfortunately it is not stated by either Günther or Hutton whether by 
« size” is meant area, or greatest length, or vertical height, or length of 
base; nor whether, in giving the position of the first dorsal with regard to 
the ventrals, its base or line of attachment should, as one would naturally 
think, be made the standard. A reference to fig. 3 (pl. xxii.) will show the 
necessity of a strict definition of terms, in a case where such apparently 
insignificant differences are considered as of specific importance. The 
figure shows the two dorsals of T. fusca of the natural size, and it will be 
seen that while the line of attachment (a b), and the vertical height (c d), of 
‘the first dorsal are almost exactly twice the corresponding dimensions (a' 0’, 
c' d") of the second, yet the greatest length (a c) of the first is considerably 
less than twice that of the second (a’ c’), the proportions of the two being, 
in fact, as 13 to 8. The figure also shows that the actual posterior boun- 
dary of the first dorsal (c) projects considerably beyond the posterior end of 
the base (5), and that it is therefore important to state which of the dis- 
tances a b and a dis to be taken in considering the position of the fin with 
regard to the ventrals. 
It is rather strange that the peculiarity of the caudal fin of Torpedo is 
not mentioned in the “Catalogue of Fishes”: it is certainly worthy of 
notice that, although belonging to an order in which heterocercality is the 
- general rule, Torpedo has a tail-fin which is diphycercal, at the same time 
simulating in a remarkable way the homocercal tail of a Teleost. . 
The characters of the specimen described are as follows :— 
Torpedo fusca, ? n. sp. 
PL xu, Be. 1. 
Spiracles not fringed, their distance from the eyes little more than their 
own diameter. The greatest length of the first dorsal fin (fig. 8) is to that of the 
second as 13 is to 8: the base and the vertical height of the first dorsal are 
almost exactly twice those of the second. The posterior end of the base of 
the pelvic fin is nearly opposite the middle of that of the first dorsal. No 
distinct longitudinal pit at the angle of the mouth, but several irregular 
folds (fig. 2). The length of the band of mandibular teeth has the same 
proportion to the gape as in T. narce. Dark brown above, mottled with 
irregular lighter patches: greyish-brown beneath. 
Total length . i i só 26-0 inch. 
Length of disc SE me Hi i, AU 
Breadth of disc sui gv Mn os AU 
Length of electric organ... sas sa TO 
Average breadth of organ... ... e 25 » 
