250 TransactioTis. — Zoology. 



Diffei-s from P. scapJius, Forst., to wliich it is closely related in the 

 number of fin rays, and in the greater relative size of the head and the 

 strikingly large orbits. 



Dredged by H.M.S. Challenger Expedition in 400 fathoms off Cape 

 Farewell. 



90d, MAUROLICUS AUSTRALIS. sp. nov. 



Plate XI. 



The Southern Pearlside. 



D. 10 ; A. 9 or 20. 



In 1863 I found a specimen of this brilliant little fish cast up on the shore 

 at the head of Milford Sound, and referred it to Scoj^elus humholdtii, of Yarrell, 

 which is synonymous with Maurolicus horealis, according to Giinther's 

 catalogue. The specimen was unfortunately lost, but a drawing I made shows 

 that it was the same fish as that which I have now to describe. 



After comparing the New Zealand fish with the numerous descriptions 

 and drawings, quoted in Yarrell's work on British Fishes, of various fishes 

 now included under M. borealis, I admit its separation from that species 

 is chiefly to avoid asserting so extensive a geographical range without actual 

 comparison of the specimens. 



The second specimen was found by Captain Fergusson, A.D.C. to His 

 Excellency Sir James Fergusson, entangled in seaweed in Cuttle Cove, 

 Preservation Inlet. 



Its length is 1'5 inch. 



Colour, a bright steel blue with silvery sides, and four rows of intensely 

 blue phosphorescent spots along the ventral surface. 



The height is contained four tiipies in the length, and is less than the length 

 of the head. The dorsal fin is set over the space between the ventrals and 

 anal, and the adipose dorsal lobe is close to the caudal. The number of 

 luminous dots on the difierent ventral lines is as follows : — On the isthmus, 

 4 j row above the pectoral fin, 9 ; between the isthmus and ventral fin, 9 • 

 between ventral and anal, 5 ; between the vent and the caudal, 23. 



The specimen formerly got in Milford Sound measured two and three 

 quarter inches in length, and difiered only in the smaller j)roportionate size of 

 head and a longer anal fin of twenty rays, and this maximum length of the 

 anal fin, which terminates below the adipose lobe, is more likely to be normal, 

 the rays being very delicate and easily destroyed. 



The habitat of this interesting little fish is the surface of the ocean, and I 

 was informed that several specimens similar to, if not identical with it, had 

 been taken by the Challenger Expedition with the tow net. 



