168 Transactions. — Zoology. 



either. The caeca situated where the duodenum usually occurs were 

 plainer, but not so decided in character as to be unmistakable. The 

 ovaries however were present and very full of nearly ripe ova, very 

 red and about the size of sago piles. The roes measured in inches 

 2*5 x 1-0 x 0-8, the cross section being in shape a sector of a circle 

 of which radius and arc in size are represented by 1*0 and 0-8 in dimensions 

 just given. A distinct strong ovary duct connected the ova sacs with the 

 vent, the external end forming that opening. The abdominal cavity was 

 full of excreta, similar in its dark colour and offensive odour to that found 

 in mouth of the first specimen I have described. The stomach, exactly 

 similar in form to that above-mentioned, contained fourteen egg-like or larval 

 bodies, almond shaped, white, and with hard cores a quarter to half inch 

 each in length enclosed in a stringy spiny mass, with a few remains of 

 shrimps. No air-bladder present. Liver large and heart lay right under- 

 neath the lower pharyngeals. 



This species is rather loathsome-looking and has not the appearance 

 of a good edible fish. 



References. — Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. viii., p. 214.' Study of Fishes 

 (Giinther), p. 469. A specimen in spirits is preserved in the Otago 

 Museum. 



Family Blenniid^e. 



Try pterygium com/pressum, Hutton. The Blenny. PI. xiv., fig. 6. 



D. 4/10/12 ; P. 10 ; V. 2 ; A. 22 ; C. 11 ; Br. 6. 



This specimen of a blenny was caught off Otago Heads, May 6th, 1884, 

 and I have made a life-size drawing of it for comparison, by which it may 

 be seen to differ in greater robustness from any I can find figured in the 

 Transactions of the Institute. In form the head is contained a little more 

 than four and a half times in the total length ; trunk compressed slightly 

 and deep, greatest depth goes three-and-a-half times in total length, 

 and is in vertical from third spine of second dorsal fin. The sub- 

 opercle is prolonged into a sharp spine at posterior margin, which lies 

 exactly on origin of lateral line. Mouth protractile, jaws equal and 

 cleft very oblique. Intermaxillary in front of and not articulated 

 with maxillary ; maxillary with triangular or club-shaped free end. 

 Teeth villiform and fine, present on maxillary, mandible, palatines, 

 and head of vomer. Eye large, lateral and close to interorbital space, 

 pupil and iris dark red with a small bright silvery spot on inferior margin of 

 iris. Membrane of branchiostegous rays confluent with opercles. First 

 dorsal fin detached and erect like a crest above the head, second and third 

 continuous ; spines mostly soft, but not branched in dorsal pectoral and 

 anal fins ; ventrals jugular, etc., consisting only of two bare rays. Caudal 



