278 Transactions. — Zoology. 



since then having read Dr. Traquair's important paper " On the Assymetry of 

 the PleuTonectidce^^ (" Trans. Linn. Soc," XXY., pt. ii., 1865), I have become 

 convinced that they are both monstrosities, which, as I understood since from 

 the fishermen, are far from uncommon, 



Galaxias grandis. sp. nov. 

 Bull-trout. 



B. 9 ; D. 13 ; A. 13-15 ; Y. 7 ; P. U. 



Head one-fifth of the total length, and one and one-third the height of the 

 body ; dorsal a little in advance of the anal ; both jaws of equal length ; eye 

 rather small, one-seventh of the length of the head and one-half of the length 

 of the snout ; the length of the pectoral fin is two and a half the distance from 

 the ventral ; the anal extends beyond the base of the caudal if laid backwards ; 

 the least depth of the tail is one and one-fourth the distance between dorsal 

 and caudal fins ; teeth on tongue very large. 



Brownish black above, yellowish brown beneath, with yellowish spots and 

 short streaks, which are most numerous and best defined on the sides, whilst 

 on the back and the head they are small and of rare occurrence; fins brownish 

 black with lighter coloured rays. It will be seen that this species, although 

 similarly coloured to G. alejndotus, is distinguished from it by its great size 

 and some other specific difierences. 



Total length 19 in. 3 lines. 



I have been informed that even larger specimens have repeatedly been 

 taken. I have not seen any specimens of G. alepidotus, so that I am unable 

 to point out more fully all the specific differences, which I have no doubt 

 exist. 



This giant bull-trout was obtained by Mr. E. Jollie in one of the small 

 creeks near Lake Ellesmere, which rise as fine copious springs on the plains 

 in its neighbourhood, and fall either into that lake or form branches of the 

 Little Bakaia. These deep creeks, possessing generally vertical or overhanging 

 banks, and having the bottom mostly covered by aquatic vegetation, to which 

 the water-cress (Nasturtium officinale) forms in many instances a successful 

 rival, are also inhabited by the New Zealand eel [Anguilla aucMandii)^ and it 

 is rather astounding that they should offer shelter to two such voracious 

 species — considering that very often the water-way is so narrow that a large 

 fish like the bull-trout can scarcely turn round. 



This bull-trout is easily caught with the hook baited with the grass-hopper 

 during the summer time — and at any time of day. 



This species occurs also at the West Coast, where I obtained it in Lake 

 Hall, the outlet of which falls into the Paringa river. 



