246 Transactions. 
Order HOLOCEPHA LI (GHOST-SHARKS). 
Family CHIMAERIDAE. 
Genus CHIMAERA Linné. 
Chimaera novae-zelandiae Fowler. (Plate 20, fig. 2.) 
Chimaera monstrosa var. australis Hector, Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. 34, 
р. , pl. xiv, australis Garman, Mem. Mus. Comp. 
Zool., vol. 40, p. 88, 1911 (not C. australis Shaw). C. novae- 
zelandiae Fowler, Proc. Acad. N. Sci. Philad., vol. 62, p. 603, 1911. 
Although this species has been described, and figured by an outline 
rawing, in our literature, neither description nor figure can be considered 
as altogether satisfactory, many important details having been omitted. 
The possession of fresh specimens in wi condition gives me the oppor- 
tunity of redescribing and refiguring 
Body elongate, compressed, the sonal axis prolonged into a long 
filament. Head compressed, its length 5 in that between the tip of the 
snout and the posterior margin of the supracaudal fin. e upper profile 
of the male with a prominence before the eye on which is a small clasper 
10mm. long, distal end of which is formed into a flattened knob covered 
with small curved spines directed backwards, and when depressed fits into 
a small fleshy cavity on top of the head. Eye large, 31 in the head. 
Interorbital space convex, 1} as wide as the eye. Gills 31; 9 gill-rakers 
on the lower half of the anterior limb. Snout conical, nostrils situated 
above the margin of the upper jaw. Between the upper surface of the 
snout and the mouth are three rows of large open pores extending round 
the sides of the head; the lowest, which is situated above the mouth, is 
the longest. Pores also occur on other parts of the head and bordering the 
postorbital branches of the oe line. Mouth inferior; tritors on the 
dental laminae in the form of ro 
First dorsal fin with its origi a little behind the vertical of that of the 
pectoral; it is furnished with a strong spine, the length of which is not 
quite so great as the depth of the head at the centre of the eye. It is 
keeled on its anterior edge, striated on sides, and serrated behind. When 
laid back it reaches beyond the middle of the interdorsal space. First 
dorsal ray longest, slightly longer than the spine; those following decrease 
somewhat rapidly in length backward. Interdorsal space as wide as the 
base of the first dorsal fin, and traversed by a low membrane which is highest 
anteriorly. Second dorsal fin low, its margin slightly concave, the median 
rays being shortest while those of the anterior portion are longest ; its 
length is rather more than half that from the tip of snout to the distal end 
of the supracaudal. No anal fin, 
Pectoral very broad, its breadth subequal to the space between the tip 
of the snout and the origin of the first dorsal fin; its length is somewhat 
greater. When laid back it reaches the vertical of the posterior angle 
of the base of the ventral. Ventral originating a little behind the origin of 
the second dorsal; the length of its anterior margin is rather more than 
half that of the upper margin of the pectoral. In front of the pelvic fins 
are the anterior claspers, which are retractile into shallow crescentic glandular 
pouches. Behind the fins the large bifid claspers are situated; they are 
n ns. three times the length of the anterior claspers and about equal 
the length of the ventral fin; the inner one is split along about м” its 
