Arthur. — On New Zealand Fishes. 



171 



it has light green vertebrae, differs from the described specimens (Cat. N.Z. 

 Fishes) in that the posterior end of the dorsal and anal fins is abruptly 

 lengthened outwards, making it either a different variety or it may be even 

 species. This is correct only, however, for some specimens. 



References. — Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. v., p. 266 ; vol. vi., p. 104 ; vol. 

 viii. , p. 214 ; and Cat. N.Z. Fishes, p. 43. 



Specimens stuffed and in spirits are in Otago Museum. 

 PHYSOSTOMI. 

 Family SALMONiDiE. 

 Prototroctes oxyrhynchus, Giinther. Upokororo — The Grayling. 



D. 12 ; P. 15 ; V. 6 ; A. 15 ; C. 17 ; Br. 5 ; Vert. 70 ; Lat. 1. 100. 



The occurrence of this fish in the Mataura Eiver is of considerable 

 interest, as it is by no means common in Otago waters. This specimen 

 was found dead on the Mataura river-bank at Gore, and was sent up to the 

 editor of the Otago Witnsss for identification, and subsequently came into my 

 hands on the 29th April, 1884. Gore is about thirty-five miles from the sea. 



The body was long and cylindrical, total length seven times that 

 of the head, or six times greatest depth, and covered with large cycloid 

 scales, adherent. Lateral line barely visible, straight. Eye in diameter 

 equal to one-sixth the length of head, and placed one-third from the snout, 

 pupil black, iris yellow. Maxillary terminates in narrow rounded point 

 posterior to centre of orbit ; mandible shorter than maxillary and toothless. 

 Teeth fine and comb -like even row (cardiform) along maxillary, a few on 

 vomer and some on palatines and tongue. Operculum and sub-operculum 

 fine transparent bones with rounded margins and much larger than pre- and 

 inter-opercles. Fins fine, ventrals in advance of dorsal, anal in advance of 

 adipose ; caudal deeply forked. In colour slaty-brown along back passing 

 into slate-blue on sides and silvery-white on belly, which had patches of 

 azure, no spots. Fins orange colour tipped with dark slate and white ; 

 cheeks with slight golden tinge, also the belly. When fresh, it had a 

 herring-like smell on boiling, and ate nearly as well as a herring ; flesh 



white and delicate. 



Dimensions. 





Inches. 



Total length 



.. 10-40 



Depth .. 



1-80 



Least depth of tail 



.. 0-65 



Girth .. 



.. 4-50 



Head 



.. 1-50 



Diameter of eye 



.. 0-25 



Eye from snout 



.. 0-50 



Dorsal ,, 



.. 5-10 



Adipose ,, 



.. 7-80 



Ventral „ „ . . . , 



.. 4-75 



Anal „ . . . . t 



„. 7-25 



