310 Tratisactions. — Zoology. 



and the upper jaw overlapping the lower. Teeth distinct in the jaws on 

 the vomer and the palatine hones. A silvery streak occupies the third 

 series of scales and the adjoining quarter of the fourth." (Giinth.) 



Colour: above dark brown, the extremity of each scale lined with black; 

 under parts and sides below the silver line light brown ; fins yellow, tinged 

 with black. 



Dr. Giinther does not mention the x^resence of a large triangular scale 

 covering the base of the ventrals. 



SphyrcEiia ohtusata. 

 Si)hijrcBna ohtusata, Cuv. and Val. VI., p. 350 ; Giinth. II., p. 339. 

 " The height of the body is contained seven or eight times in the total 



length, the length of 

 the head three and 

 a third times ; the 

 diameter of the eye 

 is more than one 

 fifth of the length 

 of the head. The first dorsal and the ventral fins commence in the vertical 

 from the extremity of the pectorals. Prseoperculum not rounded, with the 

 angle slightly produced." (Giinth.) 



Colour : above dark brown ; sides and under parts silvery ; fins yellow. 



Oclax vittatus, Sol. 



The colours of a specimen lately obtained in Wellington Harbour differ 

 considerably from those of the specimen described by Professor Hutton.* 



Upper surface dark brown, almost black, marbled with lighter. Lateral 

 streak bright silver, interrupted in places by blotches of salmon colour. 

 Dorsal fin red, with several irregular patches of dark green. Kemaining 

 fins green with red rays. 



Aet. XLIII. — On the Occurrence of Giant Cuttlefish on the Neiv Zealand Coast. 



By T. W. Kirk, Assistant in the Colonial Museum. 



[Read hefore the Wellington Philosophical Society, 10th October, 1879.] 



As far as I am aware, there is at present no record of the occurrence of 

 cuttlefish of unusual size on the New Zealand coast. That the Maoris 

 have traditions of the existence of such monsters is, however, beyond 

 doubt. I have therefore great pleasm'e in laying before the Society all 

 the particulars available relating to several specimens captured on various 



* Trans. N.Z. Inst., Vin,, p. 215. 



