920 Transactions.—Z ology. 
the following measurements while the animal was still entire :— 
Feet. Ins. 
Total length from tip of snout to end of caudal fin 11 3 
Length of snout from tip to centre of eye 8 1k 
iy i » 9) %0 gape 4 1 
is <9 » 9 to free edge ig operculum 4 6 
wi » 9, +0 nostrils 3 7 
ai OE ae jaw from point to gape Qe-44 
Projection of upper jaw over lower 3 2 
Height of dorsal fin . wie as 1 3 
From dorsal to caudal ... side ah wed 4 0 
Length of pectoral fins ... 1 5 
Length of anal ... Sg 0 8 
Height of second Sse 0 24 
From anal to caudal 1 8 
Width across the tail... 2 8 
Girth just behind the eyes 2.0) 
» behind dorsal 4 8 
» caudal ask wig eis @ SE 
Dissaka of eye ... ibe 0 3 
The extreme point of the snout (or so-called sword) was broken off, 
about three inches being wanting. This, of course, will require to be taken 
into account in considering the above measurements. 
About two months ago a paragraph appeared in the Southern Cross 
newspaper stating that a Sword Fish was then being exhibited in Auckland. 
This proved to be a second specimen of the Ziphias. On enquiry, I found 
that it had been washed by a heavy gale into shallow water inside the 
mouth of the Waikato River, and, being noticed by some sailors struggling 
among the breakers, was killed, and brought to Auckland for exhibition. 
Its length was slightly under that of the first example, being less than ten 
feet, but the proportions were about the same. 
A second species of Sword Fish has occasionally been observed on our 
coasts, belonging to the genus Histiophorus, distinguished from Ziphias by 
e round snout and the presence of ventral fins. A good skull is in the 
Museum, obtained by Captain Mair near Opotiki; and I recently observed 
two nearly perfect skeletons not far from the mouth of the Waikato River, 
but unfortunately had no means of removing them. 
