Pisces.] SUBANTARCTIC ISLANDS OF NEW ZEALAND. 597 



and a bar across the four posterior anal rays. Two broad bars across the caudal. 

 The ventral has two and the pectoral four bars; both these fins have, in addition, 

 large spots at their bases. 



Length, 55 mm. 



Hob. — Australia, New Zealand, Auckland and Campbell Islands. 



Fam. BLENNIIDAE. 



Tripterygion, Risso, 1826. 



Tripterygion varium, Forster. 



Blennius varius, Forster in Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, p. 178. 

 Tripterigium robustum, Clarke, Trans. N.Z. Inst., xi, 1879, p. 292, 

 pL XV. T. jenningsi, Hutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst., xi, 1879, p. 339. 



This species has been previously identified from the Auckland Islands, and I 

 found it to be extremely common in the rock-pools. It was also encountered under 

 stones between tide-marks, and was freely taken by means of the seine and dredge. 

 A single example was taken at the Snares. 



The following is a description of a large specimen obtained in Musgrave Harbour, 

 Auckland Islands : — 



B. VI ; D. VI-XX, 15 ; A., 27 ; V. II ; P., 17 ; C, 12-f-4. 



Length of head slightly more than height of body, equal to length of caudal 

 and 3*1 in the total. The diameter of the eye is equal to the length of the snout, 

 and nearly twice the interorbital width, being 4-4 in the length of the head. A 

 trifid tentacle over the eye, and a divided one at the anterior nostril. The jaws are 

 equal, and the maxilla extends to within the anterior margin of the eye. Cleft of 

 mouth slightly oblique. Teeth small, those in front scarcely enlarged. 



Fins. — The spines of the first dorsal increase in length backwards, the last being 

 1-8 in that of the head. The second fin is highest medially, its longest spine being 

 2-2 in the length of the head. The third fin is higher, and its last rays reach the base 

 of the caudal. The anal rays are thickened at their tips, as are the lower ones of 

 the pectoral. The latter fin is large, extends backwards to the third anal ray, and 

 is one-third longer than the head. The ventral is slightly shorter than the caudal, 

 which is rounded. The peduncle is narrow, its depth being one-third the length 

 of the head. 



Scales. — The head and anterior part of the chest naked. The scales are moderate 

 in size, and finely ctenoid. The lateral line runs high and parallel to the back ; it 

 terminates beneath the fifteenth spine of the second dorsal. A depression, com- 

 mencing on the fourth row of scales below, with occasional pores, runs along the 

 middle of the side towards the caudal. 



Colour. — The colour varies greatly in different individuals ; an olive tint is com- 

 mon, with traces of dark blotches on the dorsal surface. The first dorsal fin is sooty, 

 with a black margin ; the second and third are grey or red, the former with black 

 margin ; the anal is grey or pink, with lighter-coloured tips to the rays. Pectorals 

 and ventrals sooty, the tips of the rays white or pink. 



Length of example described, 99 mm. 



