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ae Ee ACORDS OF THE CANTERBURY MUSEU?
24th June, 1911.

Scientific Results

Fei of the

New Zealand Government

Trawling Expedition,

£IOF.

PISC HS— Part It.

By EDGAR R. WAITE, F.L.S.

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1911

sib “RECORDS OF THE CANTERBURY MUSEU?
24th June, 1911.

Scientific Results

of the

New Zealand Government

Trawling Expedition,

1907.

PISCES—PanrtT It.

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By Epear R. Warts, F.L:S.
PART OTE
Plates XXIV.—LVII. and figs. 1-3.*

This, the second and concluding portion, is devoted to the

teleostean fishes, the new genera and species, with few exceptions,
and known forms not hitherto recognised from New Zealand,
having been briefly recorded elsewhere!.

They may be summarised thus :—

NEW GENERA.

Maccullochia for Histiopterus labiosus Ginther.
Rexea for R. furcifera sp. nov. and others.
Pelotretis for P. flavilatus, sp. nov.

NEW SPECIES, etc.

Centriscops humerosus Rich. var. obliquus.
Syngnathus norae.

Coelorhynchus aspercephalus.

Cepola aotea.

Pseudolabrus pittensis.

Rexea furcifera.

Rhombosolea millari.

Ammotretis nudipinnis.

Pelotretis flavilatus.

Hemerocoetes microps.

Other additions to the fauna are :—

Chlorophthalmus mgripinnis Ginther.
Macrorhamphosus scolopax Uinneus.
Zanclistius elevatus Ramsay and Ogilby.
Pterygotrigla picta Gunther.
Gnathagnus innotabilis Waite.

(1) Waite Proc. N.Z. Inst. 1910 pp. 25, 26, and 1911 pp. 49—51.
*For explanation of plates see p. 270:

a

158 WAITE

Though many of the species dealt with have previously been
illustrated by outline figures, these cannot be regarded as
satisfactory, and the opportunity has been embraced of
refiguring a number of them.

Further, an attempt has been made to supply an oft expressed
deficiency in the matter of descriptions, many of the earlier
ones in especial, being scarcely recognisable, and in order to
facilitate the identification of species, consultative keys have
in places been supplied at the request of persons more or less
interested in our fishes. Such aids are more properly regarded
as appertaining to a manual or hand-book but no such work is
yet available.

Finally, at the request of Mr. L. F. Ayson, Chief Inspector of
Fisheries for the Dominion, and officer in charge of the
trawling expedition, I have dealt somewhat fully with the
Pleuronectidae. The flat fishes have never been adequately
examined, and as a preliminary effort I have given some atten-
tion to the subject. I believe that as a result, their recognition
will be much simpler than heretofore.

ISOSPONDYLI.
Family CLUPEIDA.

a. Body feebly compressed, belly rounded, ventral

scutes weak, vertebrz 50 to 56 oe sn “Chupea:
aa. Body strongly compressed, belly acute, ventral
scutes strong, vertebre 40 to 44 .. Harengula.

CLUPEA Linneus, 1758.

CLUPEA NEOPILCHARDUS Steindachner.
PILCHARD.

Clupea neopilchardus Steindachner, Denk. K. Akad. Wiss. xli.,
RSIS), Oo) Jes.

Clupea sagax Arthur, T.N.Z.1. xv., 1883, p. 208, pl. xxxiv.
Stations 78, 81 (167).
B, -vu.: D, 20; A.-19; P. 16; V. 8. C12 20ers
Se: tr. 11; Vert. 19 + 31 = 50.
Length of head 3.6, height of body 4.9, length of caudal 8.9 in
the length; diameter of eye 4.4, interorbital space 6.2, and length
of snout 3.1 in the length of the head.

Head compressed, flat above; adipose eyelid well developed,
both before and behind; nostril on each side, single, placed a

PISCES 159

little nearer the end of the snout than to the eye. Lower jaw
slightly the longer, cleft of mouth oblique, the maxilla extends
to beneath the first third of the eye; gill openings wide, gill-
rakers thin, long and slender, ninety-four on the first arch, of
which sixty-seven are on the lower limb.

Body shghtly compressed, belly rounded, abdominal scutes not
much developed, nineteen in front and fourteen behind the
origin of the ventral fin.

Teeth.—None.

Fins.—The origin of the dorsal is nearer to the end of the
snout than to the base of the caudal, the longest rays are one-
half the length of the head; the distance between the origin of
the anal, and that of the dorsal is equal to the distance
between the latter and the front margin of the eye; pectoral
low, its length equal to the head less the snout; ventral placed
posterior to the middle of the dorsal, its length equal to the
distance between the end of the snout and the middle of the
eye or 2.7 in the length of the head; caudal deeply cleft. the
height of the peduncle one-half greater than the diameter of the
eye.

Colours.—Back dark-blue, sides silvery, details cannot be
ascertained owing to the poor condition of the specimen.

Length.—179 mm.

The Pilchard was not actually trawled during the period I
was on the vessel, but was obtained from the stomachs of
Macruronus novae-zelandiae. Mr. Anderton sent me _ three
examples taken at Station 167, in Golden Bay, at the northern
extremity of the South Island; the depth recorded is 16-17
fathoms but the fishes had evidently been ejected by some other
fish as they are partially digested.

If properly fished for, the pilchard should prove a most
valuable source of food, for it is evidently common on both
the Australian and New Zealand coasts. Hector? stated that
it visits the east coast of Otago every year in February and
March, and when the schools migrate they extend as far as the
eye can reach, followed by a multitude of gulls, mutton birds,
barracouta, and porpoises. So densely packed are they in
some years, that by dipping a pitcher in the sea, it would
contain half fish; so that if large boats and suitable nets were
employed, thousands of tons could be caught.

(2) Hector, Edible Fishes N.Z. 1872, p. 119.

160 WAITE

HARENGULA Cuvier and Valenciennes.
HARENGULA ANTIPODA Hector.

SPRAT.

Clupea sprattus, var. antipodum Hector, Cat. Fish. NZS AST2;
poise. Arthur, TIN:Z.1y xy., 1883; p. 203) pl) xxmiysneele

Clupea antipoda Hutton, Index Faun N.Z., 1904, p. 51.
Stations 6, 17, 33, 40, 41, 42, 45, 52, 53, 86, 87.

Bawa 167A. 16; Vi. 8; P. 15; C: 20 - 12 Se: 47, Ser tr: 3
Vert. 22 + 22 = 44.

Length of head 3.8, depth of body 3.27, length of caudal 7.5
in the length; diameter of eye 3.8, interorbital space 5.3, length
of snout 3.25, mandible 1.9, pectoral 1.44 in the head.

Head compressed, flattened above, eye a little deeper than
long, mouth sub-vertical, the lower jaw projecting, mandible
almost covered by the maxillary, which is strongly bowed, very
broad, and extends to beneath the first third of the eye; gill
openings large, the membranes not attached to the isthmus, gill-
rakers long and slender, fifty-nine on the first arch, of which
thirty-seven are on the lower limb.

The body is compressed but thick above, passing into the sharp

belly, the dorsal profile is slightly convex, the ventral profile
markedly so.

Teeth—Very weak, in the jaws, on the vomer, palatines and
tongue.

Fins.—The origin of the dorsal is situated a little nearer to
the base of the caudal rays than to the end of the snout, the
base of the fin is equal to the length of the pectoral; anal fin
short, the distance of its origin from the caudal much less than
the length of the head; pectorals low; ventrals small, nearly
twice the diameter of the eye, and placed below the third or
fourth dorsal ray, caudal deeply cleft, the depth of the
peduncle is one-half greater than the diameter of the eye.

Scales—Head naked, the body seales are thin and deciduous,
each of the abdominal scutes produced into a sharp spine,
twenty-two being in advance of the ventral fins, and twelve
thence to the anal.

Colours—Back dark green, sides silvery, the dividing line
being very marked and quite straight except near the caudal,
the dark tint occupying the whole base of the caudal; fins
colourless.

Length.—120 mm.

PISCES 161

This herring was taken along the whole of the coast line
explored, though it is improbable that it was trawled from the
bottom, the specimens being more likely entrapped as the net
was hauled to the surface: hundreds were washed through the
large meshes, all appearing to be dead, their delicate bodies
being unable to withstand the pressure to which they were
subjected ; most of the examples preserved were skimmed off the
surface with a hand net.

Mr. W. Arthur collected some very interesting information on
the habits of the sprat, publishing it in the paper above noted.

Captain J. Bollons of the Government steamer ‘‘Hinemoa”’
has sent me this species from Auckland Harbour.

Family ARGENTINIDA.

ARGENTINA Linneus, 1758.
ARGENTINA ELONGATA Hutton.
SILVERSIDE.

Plate XXIV.

Argentina elongata Hutton, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (5) iii., 1879
(Jan.), p. 53. Gitimther, Chall. Rep. xxii., 1887, p. 218, pl.

lv,. fig. B.
Argentina decagon Clarke, T.N.Z.I. xi., 1879 (May), p. 296,
pl xv.

Stations 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 38, 50, 67, 74,
75, 81, 83, 85, 88, 89, 90.

Beware. Th Al 12 Vode Rabe C220 42 12). Wa late oT
L. tr. 4 + 5; Vert. 54.

Length of head 3.64, height of body 6.37, length of caudal
4.93 in the total: diameter of eye 3.0, interorbital space 6.0 in
the head.

Head long, slightly deeper than wide, nearly flat above; the
eye is very large, cutting the upper profile, and leaving less
than half its vertical diameter below: the snout is pointed, one-
sixth longer than the eye; the nostrils are close together, the
anterior one being a large round pore, situated midway between
the end of the snout and the eye: the mouth is small and sub-
horizontal, the upper jaw is a little the longer, and the maxilla
reaches slightly more than half way to the eye; gills four, a slit
behind the fourth; gill rakers moderate, very slender, thirteen

162 WAITE

on the first arch, ten being on the lower limb, pseudobranchie
feebly developed.

Body elongate, slightly compressed, with three longitudinal
ridges, especially well-marked posteriorly, one ridge above, and
two below the lateral line; the width of the body is three-fourths
its depth, it is flattened above and below anteriorly, less so
behind.

Teeth.—No teeth in the jaws, some minute teeth at the end of
the vomer, and seven larger curved teeth on the tongue, near its
tip.

Fins—The dorsal fin originates midway between the end of
the snout and the hinder insertion of the adipose fin; the first
ray is less than half the length of the second, which is the
longest, and equals the length of the snout plus the eye, the
length of the base equals the diameter of the eye, the extreme
length of the adipose fin being the same; the latter is situated
over the middle of the anal; the anal is lower than the rayed
dorsal; the pectoral is placed low, and is longer than the ventral,
the latter originates beneath the penultimate ray of the dorsal;
the caudal is forked, and has many short rays above and below,
extending forward more than one-third its distance to the
adipose fin; the peduncle is twice as long as deep, or one-third
greater than the diameter of the eye.

Scales.—Head naked, the scales on the body are large and
deciduous, those of the lateral line more adherent; these, as are
also those of the three longitudinal ridges, notched in the
centre. The lateral line dips shghtly in front thence runs
straight to the base of the caudal.

Colours——The body is yellowish or silvery, with very pale-
brown semi-cross bands, at least in the young, three before the
dorsal, one at its base, three between this and the adipose fin,
and one between the latter and the caudal: they do not extend
below the lateral line. There is also a polished silvery band
along the middle of the sides; eye blue with a silver patch above
the pupil.

Length.—184 mm., attains to 191 mm.

The Silverside was generally obtained in all waters from
Otago to the Bay of Plenty, also at the Chatham Islands and at
depths between the extremes of 16 and 105 fathoms. A single
example taken at Station 75 was voided by a Red Cod
(Physiculus bachus).

The respective descriptions of Hutton and Clarke apply to the
same fish, and were published within four months of each other,
the name A. elongata having priority.

PISCES 163

Giinther considered A. decagon as a synonym of A. sphyraena
Linneus, and regarded A. elongata as distinct. The type was a
young example, and an examination of my series shows that in
small specimens the head is relatively longer and the body less
deep than in larger ones. Giinther appears to have had the type
specimen, which is doubtless in the British Museum, but the
respective descriptions of Hutton and Giinther vary somewhat,
thus the former gives the depth of the body as 9 times in the
length, the latter 8. The eye is rendered as 314 and 4 times in
the length of the head respectively; I have specimens showing
the former proportion. In neither the depth of the body nor the
diameter of the eye, does Giinther’s figure quite agree with his
description. Under these circumstances, and seeing that I have
specimens from the type locality, I cannot but regard my
examples as identical with this species.

Clarke’s specimen was larger, and I have small hesitation
in regarding mine as of the same species; though the relative
position of the nostrils, as described, is different. As above
mentioned, Giinther has identified this, apparently from the
description only, with A. sphyraena. Our specimens have 54
vertebre, while the northern one is said to possess but 50.

Gunther writes :—‘‘The three Atlantic species known are very
similar to each other in their organisation, and, therefore, we
may infer that they agree very much in their habits. They live
at a considerable depth, but probably at some distance from the
bottom, as they have never been captured by the dredge or
trawl during any of the deep-sea expeditions.’’ Additional
species, made known since this was written have been taken in
the dredge, while all our numerous examples were captured in the
trawl. Specimens taken at the northern stations were ready for
spawning, the roe being small and colourless.

APODES.
Family ANGUILLIDA.

CONGERMURAENA Kaup, 1856.

CONGERMURAHNA HABENATA Richardson.
LItTtLE ConcER EEL.

Congrus habenata Richardson, Voy. Ereb. and Terr., 1848,
p. 209: pl 1.) fresevl-5;

Stations 7, 89.

The only examples of this species were obtained from other
fishes, and were either thrown up or removed from their

164 WAITE

stomachs. At Station 7 specimens were voided by lings
(Genypterus blacodes) and at Station 89 the Dories (Zeus
faber) furnished several examples, in addition to Cepola aotea
and Myctophum humboldti. All are too much digested to be
useful further than for identification and for ascertaining the
number of vertebre, which I find to be 44 + 78 = 122.

LEPTOCEPHALUS Scopohi, 1777.
LEPTOCEPHALUS CONGER Linneus.
Concer EEL.
Muraena conger Linneus, Syst. Nat. ed. x., 1758, p. 245..
Stations 40, 51, 52, 72, 76, 77, 78, 80.

The Conger Eel was taken at Stations between Timaru and
Porangahau Bay, south of Hawke Bay, and at depths from 914
to 28 fathoms. Some of the examples reached a length of
2060) mm: (= 6£t. 9m.)

The number of vertebrae has been variously rendered within

close limits, a count of one of the trawled specimens yields
54 + 102 = 156.

INIOMI.

Family SUDID.
CHLOROPHTHALMUS Bonaparte, 1840.

CHLOROPHTHALMUS NIGRIPINNIS Gtinther.
CucuMBER F'IsH.
Plates XOxeve

Chlorophthalmus nigripinnis Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (5)
m., 1878, p: 182, and Chall. Rep. xxi, 1887p. 1934 plea
fig. A. Waite, Mem. Aust. Mus. iv., 1899, p. 54, fig. 4.
Stations 88, 89.
By vio; Di 11s A. 10% VN. 9): ©. 19. Sea eS eo 5-leealateee
L. tr. 5 + 6; Vert. 47.

Length of head 3.44, height of body 5.21, length of caudal
4.91 in the total: diameter of eye 2.63, interorbital space 10.0
in the head, and one-fourth the diameter of the eye.

Head wider than deep, eye very large, cutting the upper
profile, its cavity occupying the greater part of the head; inter-

PISCES 165

orbital space concave, its edges forming low ridges; the snout is
flat but pointed in profile, its length little more than half that
of the eye; nostrils small, close together, slightly nearer the eye
than the snout, the anterior with a flap behind; the mouth is
moderate, slightly oblique and the lower jaw projects noticeably
beyond the upper, the maxilla reaches nearly to beneath the
middle of the eye, and its distal extremity is one-fifth greater
than the interorbital space; gills four, a slit behind the fourth,
pseudobranchiz present.

Body sub-circular in section, with a ridge from the occiput
to the beginning of the dorsal fin which stands on a slight
eminence, lower surface of body rather flat.

Teeth—A broad band of villiform teeth in the jaws; they
extend outward over the lips, a large patch of similar teeth on
the vomer, subcontinuous with a narrow band on the palatines ;
the tongue is spatulate and truncate, and bears teeth on the
front and sides.

Fins.—The dorsal commences a little nearer the snout than the
adipose fin, the first ray is half the length of the second, which
is the longest, and more than four-fifths the length of the head,
or one-third the height of the body, the remaining rays regularly
decrease in length, the adipose fin terminates evenly with the
anal, the rays of which are but three-fourths the diameter of the
eye in length; the pectoral is equal to the ventral in length 1.4
in the head and reaches below the hinder insertion of the dorsal ;
caudal deeply cleft, the upper lobe one-third longer than the
lower, peduncle long, and, except quite posteriorly, as wide as
deep.

Scales.—Cheeks and upper part of opercle with scales smaller
than those of the body, all eyeloid and nearly smooth; the lateral
line arises over the opercle and gradually attains the median line
passing along the middle of the peduncle, minute scales along
the ventral (which has an enlarged axillary), and caudal fins.

Colours.—Green above and silvery below; head green with
brilliant silvery opercles, edge of premaxillary blue, upper lp
black, dorsal fin and caudal lobes tipped with black, the
colouring on the lower lobe of the caudal broader than on the
upper; inner rays of ventrals clouded.

Length.—192 mm., attains to 210 mm.

When we first obtained the fish I recognised it as of the same
species taken so commonly off the coast of New South Wales in
1898, and it is an addition to our marine fauna. C. mgripinnis

166 WAITE

was but twice taken during the ‘‘Nora Niven’’ expedition,
though each haul was fairly rich in individuals.

Our first two hauls, after rounding Cape Runaway, in the
Bay of Plenty were practically continuous and produced this
fish in depths ranging from 66 to 105 fathoms.

Some characters of this species were discussed in my report
of the Fishes of the ‘‘Thetis’?’ Expedition (vide supra) and
need not be repeated here, the number of caudal rays there
printed as 9 should have been 19. The word Chlorophthalmus,
also, is misspelled.

The only species ascribed to this genus previously taken in
New Zealand is C. gracilis Giinther,? which however differs
so greatly from typical forms as to be quite unmistakable, and
which indeed I would regard as a separate genus ........
differing from Chlorophthalmus by its elongate body, smaller
eye, long maxillary, and the forward position of the ventral
fins.*

Family MYCTOPHIDAh.
MYC'TOPHUM Rafinesque, 1810.

MyctroPpHUM HUMBOLDT! Risso.
LANTERN FISH.
Plate: XOaVay eS:

Gasteropelecus humboldti Risso, Ichth. Nice, 1810, p. 358.

Myctophum boops Richardson, Voy. Ereb. and Terr., 1845
a oon ple xexvailee es lial.

Myctophum californiense Eigenmann, West Amer. Scient., 1889,
p, 124,
Station 89 (ex Zeus).

Bs Vill. De 2 A 21a Seek al 2a Ca One a ela ie oo:
L. tr. 3 + 4; Vert. 38.

Length of. head 3.38, height of body 4.58, length of caudal 3.88
in the total; diameter of eye 2.62, and interorbital space 10.5 in
the length of the head.

The head is compressed and obtuse, snout blunt, almost
vertical in front, 2.7 in the eye, which is very large, and almost

(3) Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. ii. 1878, p. 182, pl. xlix. fig. A.

*Since the foregoing was written Mr C. Tate Regan has proposed the name
Bathysawropsis for a new genus of which Chlorophthalmus gracilis is the type
species [Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (8) vii. 1911, p. 127.]

PISCES 167

euts the upper profile; preopercle nearly vertical, mouth
slightly oblique, the jaws equal, the maxilla reaches to the angle
of the preopercle: gills four, a slit behind the fourth, gill-rakers
long and slender, twenty-three on the first arch, sixteen of which
are on the lower limb; pseudobranchiz present.

Teeth.—In villiform bands in jaws, on palatines, pterygoids
and vomer, also a double row on the tongue.

Fins—The dorsal commences midway between the anterior
margin of the eye and the adipose fin, the first two rays are short
but the third and fourth, which are subequal are as high as the
body; the length of the base is equal to the distance between
the end of the snout and the hinder edge of the eye; the anal
lies wholly behind the dorsal, and its margin is incised, the rays
falling from the first to the tenth, whence they are subequal,
the length of the first ray is equal to the base of the dorsal,
and the last is inserted beyond the adipose fin; the pectoral is
long, but little shorter than the dorsal, and it extends to the
middle of that fin; the ventral equals the base of the dorsal, and
its first ray lies somewhat in advance of that of the dorsal;
caudal deeply cleft, its peduncle strongly compressed and twice
as deep as its length behind the adipose fin.

Scales—Cycloid, those of the lateral line shghtly enlarged
vertically. The upper mediolateral and the posterolateral
photophores lie each in an auxillary scale in the lower part of
the seventeenth and twenty-sixth or twenty-seventh scales of the
lateral line, respectively.

The photophores are placed as follows :—

Anteorbital—tThe nostrils are situated in a small luminous
area.

Opercular—Two, close together, the lower one just behind
the extremity of the premaxilla.

Pectoral_—Three, two of which lie close behind the opercular
border, and are widely separated, the third is at the base of the
lower pectoral rays.

Anterolateral.—Two, the first above the anterior ventral ray,
the second slightly nearer to it than the lower mediolateral,
all three in the same horizontal line.

Mediolateral.—Two, forming a straight line with the fourth
ventral photophore.

Posterolateral—One, on the lateral line, and over the last
pore of the anterior series of the anal, behind middle of anal,
but in advance of the soft dorsal.

168 WAITE

Thoracic.—Four, the pore immediately in front of the ventral
fin, and raised above the line of the thoracic pores, has been
counted as an anterolateral.

Ventral.—F our, the first immediately behind the ventral fin.

Anal.—Fifteen, a break between the eighth and ninth; the
anterior series is slightly convex above, the posterior one is
straight.

Caudal.—Two, close together, the hinder one slightly raised
in position.

Supercaudal (in all examples).—Small, occupying three
seales.

Length.—81 mm., largest 92 mm.

The example obtained was ejected by a Dory, and was some-
what digested. The Dory was one of many taken in the Bay
of Plenty, at a depth of 66-94 fathoms. Several specimens of
M. humboldtt were thrown aboard the trawler during the night
of August 13th, when we rode out a storm off Cape Palliser.

I have associated the specimens obtained with M. humboldti
with the published descriptions of which it well agrees. In
suggesting the identity of M. boops with M. humboldti, Liitken*
added the Pacific to its habitat, but as I do not possess
authenticated examples of either I am unable to write with more
certainty than Liitken. My examples, however, agree much
more nearly with the descriptions of M. huwmboldti than with
that of Richardson, for in M. boops the pectoral is described and
figured as reaching to the anus, whereas in my examples, as with
M. humboldti it attains but to the middle of the dorsal.
According to Richardson his specimen possessed both occipital
and mandibular photophores, neither series occurring in the
examples before me. The usual break in the anal series is not
referred to and the dorsal fin is represented as very low; lower
than the anal, and not half the height of the body, while the
margin of the anal is illustrated as being straight. In these
particulars the description does not apply to the specimens
trawled. It has been suggested that M. californiense is identical
with M. humboldta.

The only other species of the genus Myctophwm, as restricted,
recorded from New Zealand, is M. hectoris Giinther®, but
the shortness of the pectoral fin, scarcely reaching the ventral,
coupled with the fact that the scales of the lateral line are
rather smaller than the others, places that species out of
consideration. A description of its photophores would be useful.

(4) Littken, Spolia Atlantica, ii, 1892, p. 255. _
(5) Gimther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4), xvii. 1876, p. 399.

PISCES 169

SOLENICHTHYES.

Family MACRORHAMPHOSIDAi.
CENTRISCOPS Gill, 1862.

CENTRISCOPS HUMEROSUS Richardson.
BELLOwS FsH.

Centriscus humerosus Richardson, Voy. Ereb. and Terr., 1846,
ps 50, ple sxocxiv., figs. 5, 6:

Centriscops humerosus Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sei. Phil., 1862,
p.

Stations 18, 22, 29, 37, 51.
Bevis De vais 1 An 19> Vie oP. ee Co 94-12.

Length of head 2.0, height of body, at ventral fin 2.4, length of
caudal 5.0 in the total; diameter of eye 5.5, length of snout 1.5,
interorbital space 7.3 in the length of the head.

Head strongly compressed, a slight keel runs along the upper
edge of the snout between the eyes and merges into the acute
edge of the body;.a strong horizontal ridge passes from the base
of the snout on each side over the eyes, and backwards to the
upper angle of the opercle, thence downwards towards the base
of the pectoral, a similar ridge passes below the nostrils to the
front edge of the eye thence forming its lower border; the snout
is directed slightly upwards, and is roughened along its entire
length; the nostrils are placed in a smooth area a little in
advance of the eye and between the ridges above mentioned.

The body is excessively compressed and elevated, the anterior
profile is very steep and there is a more or less prominent hump
above the operele, thence it runs straight to the first dorsal spine ;
the descent to the caudal peduncle is much steeper; the lower
profile forms the even segment of a circle, drawn from a point
on the dorsal edge, midway between the hinder edge of the eye
and the first ray of the soft dorsal; forward of the anal fin the
edge is acute and knife-like, and has five scutes in advance of
the ventral fin, the hinder ones terminating in a spine. A ridge
runs on each side of the median one and opposite to the ventral
fin becomes spine-bearing; there are two median plates between
-the ventral and anal, each with a cluster of jagged spines.

Fins.—The first spine of the dorsal is very short and claw-
like, the long second spine is equal to the length of the snout
less the diameter of the eye, it is triangular in section and
multi-grooved, each posterior angle being set with ten long

170 WAITE

upwardly directed spines, confined to the basal two-thirds of the
spine; the points of the five following spines form a vertical
line and the last is immediately followed by the soft dorsal, the
fourth and fifth rays are the longest, and one half more than
the eye; the base of the anal is longer, and it commences much,
and terminates slightly, in advance of the dorsal; the upper
rays of the pectoral are longest, measuring twice the diameter
of the eye; the ventral is very short two-thirds an eye diameter ;
the caudal is truncate, twice the length of the eye and the depth
of its peduncle is half the length of the fin.

Scales—Head and body covered with minute rough scales,
and, in addition to the ventral keels already mentioned, there
are the usual bony strips towards the upper part of the sides
anteriorly.

Colours—Base of snout and upper part of head and body
orange, the other portions silvery; white lines, directed upwards
and backwards lie in the neighbourhood of the upper bony
strips and a thicker one runs a wavy course from behind the
eye and joins the fifth line of the series referred to; a dark
oblique broad band passes across the lower half of the body
from under the pectoral rays to a space between the ventral
and the anal, and is followed by a similar white band directed
towards the anal rays; the fins are colourless.

Length.—153 mm.

The specimens obtained agree generally with Richardson’s
figure, but the snout is not so thick and is longer, the eye is
much larger, and is nearer the profile, the back is straight and
not saddled, the caudal is longer and the belly is less convex;
the hinder profiles are not so steep, and the bony scutes have
not the stellate form shown, the last difference may be due to
the fact that the type was a dried specimen, and some of the
other differences may be due to age.

Centriscops was taken on five occasions, somewhat remarkably
only at southern stations, having been secured in the waters
between Otago and Lyttelton Harbours, and at depths between
18 and 53 fathoms.

CENTRISCOPS HUMEROSUS, OBLIQUUS var. Nov.
Plate XXVI.

There is an example in the Dominion Museum of
which the Director, Mr. A. Hamilton, has kindly given

PISCES Al

me a photograph: it is_ possibly an _ older specimen
than the type, has a shorter spine, and is much more gibbous;
with these exceptions and the larger eye and colouration,
it more nearly agrees with the figure. It is marked with
five oblique black bands on each side, the first passing between
the eye and the pectoral, and the fifth running nearly parallel
to the hinder profile and embracing the greater part of the
caudal peduncle, the stellate form of the scutes can also be seen.

MACRORHAMPHOSUS Lacépéde, 1803.

MAcRORHAMPHOSUS SCOLOPAX Linnus.

SnriPe FIsuH.
Balistes scolopax Linneus, Syst. Nat. ed. x., 1758, p. 329.
Station 89.
aves Dy ve Lae A. 19: Vira beoPob MOa 9 == 14,

Length of head 2.0, height of body 3.3, length of caudal
6.5 in the total: diameter of eye 5.1. length of snout 1.5, inter-
orbital space 7.6 in the length of the head.

Head compressed, but wider than the body, the supero-lateral
ridges of the snout divide in front of each eye, one branch
passing over the orbit and continued as a bony strip along the
body, the other branch goes to the eye at its mid height; the
nostrils are situated in the triangle thus formed but the area
is as rough as other parts.

The body is compressed and oblong, the upper profile forms
three low angles, the first over the opercle, the next at the origin
of the dorsal fin, and the third at the origin of the soft dorsal;
the lower profile forms a low arc; there are five ridged scutes on
the lower profile in advance of the ventral fin, two pairs
bordering the groove of the fin and two seutes behind it, all
except the thoracic ones are slightly produced as spines, a bony
strip formed of three parts lies on each side the thoracic scutes.

Fins.—The dorsal arises midway between the front margin of
the eye and the end of the caudal rays, the first spine is very short,
the second is extremely long, equalling the height of the body,
and nearly the length of the snout, it is acute in front and flat
behind, the hinder edges bear upwardly directed thorns which,

172 WAITE

however, leave the terminal two-fifths of the spine smooth, the
third spine is less than the diameter of the eye, the two following
ones are still shorter; the soft dorsal is separated from the
spinous portion by a sub-horizontal space equal to its base, the
fourth ray is the longest, one-sixth greater than the eye: the
base of the anal is twice that of the dorsal, but both fins
terminate in the same vertical: the ventral is small, and is
inserted midway between the front of the eye and the end of
the anal, it is receivable into a groove: the upper rays of the
pectoral are twice the diameter of the eye: the caudal is
emarginate, its length is one-half longer than the eye, and the
peduncle is very narrow, its depth being but one-half the eye.

Scales——Head and body covered with small elongated rough
scales which are spinous, and extend over the greater part of
the eye, the bony strip mentioned as passing over the eye extends
to midway between the pectoral and dorsal and is obliquely
crossed by three other strips, the two last of which join another
sub-horizontal strip, which passes to the base of the first dorsal
spine.

Colours—Upper parts red, lower parts silvery, all the fins
pink in life.

Length.—106 mm.

This species which was but once taken, constitutes an addition
to the known fauna of the Dominion, though examples were
taken by the Challenger Expedition between Sydney and
Wellington. It was obtained in the Bay of Plenty: of the
number netted, seventeen examples were secured, mainly by
means of a hand-net as they escaped through the large meshes
of the trawl, but scores were lost. The depth attained at Station
89 was 66-94 fathoms, the bottom being charted as sand, shell
and mud.

The New Zealand examples agree very closely with the
descriptions of the Mediterranean and Atlantic M. scolopaz,
Johnson® recorded the species from Tasmania, but the
New South Wales specimens differ considerably, and
have been distinguished under the name M. elevatus."

(6) Johnston, Proc. Roy. Soc. Tasm. 1884, p. 255.
(7) Waite, Mem. Aust. Mus. iy. 1899, p. 59, pl. vii. fig. 1.

PISCES 173

Family SYNGNATHIDA.
SYNGNATHUS Linneus, 1758.

SYNGNATHUS NORZ Waite.

LONG-SNOUTED PIPEFISH.
Plate: XX Vibe fic. a
Syngnathus norae Waite, Proc. N.Z. Inst., 1910, p. 25.
Stations 2. 3. 4. 12°22. 30; 50:
D394 P13: C. 8; Rings 16 -- 49" = 67.

Other specific characters and comparative details are shown
on the accompanying table, the specimen examined being a
female and marked ‘‘B’’.

The head is low, being but half the depth of the body, the
opercle is not crossed by a ridge, the snout is long, more than
twice the post-orbital length of the head, the dorsal begins on
the anterior of the two rings occupied by the vent, and its base
is not elevated, the anal is minute.

In the males the bodies are, as usual, not so high, nor is the
dorsal edge ridged as in the females.

Colours.—Green with brown cross bands, five semi-bands on
the body, namely, one behind the head, three in advance of the
dorsal, and one across the vent; the three middle bands, each of
which occupies three rings, separated by two rings, have above
the lateral ridge of the body a brown vertical mark on each of
the contributing rings; there are eight complete bands across the
tail; a brown line from the eye to the snout on each side.

Length.—224 mm.

Examples obtained at Station 3 were removed from the
stomach of Callorhynchus. Polyprion also yielded specimens.

This Pipefish appears to be a southern species, having been
taken only between Stewart Island and Port Lyttelton, and at
depths from 20 to 54 fathoms. It is, however, improbable that
Pipefishes would have been secured at all by a trawl whose
meshes measured several inches across, and I notice that the
only stations at which they were obtained were those where I in-
troduced either a small meshed net or a piece of sacking into the
trawl. As with many other species, therefore, their distribution
can be ascertained only when a properly-equipped expedition
is provided for the scientific investigation of our marine
resources.

I had provisionally associated the specimens with S. pelagicus,
Linneus, examples identified as such, from New Zealand, being

B

174 WAITE

in the British Museum. The markings on the body appear to
be very similar but the number of dorsal rays and body rings
is much greater in S. norae, the respective numbers being :—

S. pelagicus, Dorsal rays 29-32, Body rings 17 + 35 = 52
maximum.

S. norae, Dorsal rays 37-40, Body rings 18 + 48 = 66
minimum.

The nearest ally of the latter species appears to be
S. semistriatus Kaup®, but the colour markings are different
‘‘Under the interrupted lateral line 19 cross stripes; above that
line yellow spots with black borders.’’ In S. norae the body bands
are most pronounced on the upper half of the side. In Kaup’s
species the snout, when measured from the fore angle of the
eye, equals in length the distance thence to the base of the
pectoral fin. In the New Zealand species the same measure
extends to the end of the pectoral rays, or to the end of the
second body ring, which more nearly approximates Giinther’s?.
redescription of Kaup’s species under the name S. semifasciatus:
the dorsal rays number 38 and the body rings 21 + 49 = 70.
He supplies the habitat as South Australia and Tasmania.

T have associated with this pretty species the name of Miss Nora
Niven, after whom the trawler was named and from the owner
of which I received many kindnesses while in Napier.

SYNGNATHUS BLAINVILLIANUS Eydoux and Gervais.
SHORT-SNOUTED PIPEFISH.
Plate: CXexavel hes:

Syngnathus blainvillianus Eydoux and Gervais, in Guerin, Mag.
Zool. vii., 1837, pl. xvi.
Leptonotus blainvillii Kaup, Cat. Lophob, Brit. Mus.,1856, p. 46.

Station 2.
D. 38; P. 12; C. 6; Rings 18 + 42 — 60.

The snout is short, being equal to the post-orbital length of
the head; no ridge on the operculum; the dorsal begins on the
second ring in advance of the vent, and its base is not elevated.

Additional details are given in the table on page 175, and the
fuller account published in the report of the Sub-antarctic
Expedition need not be repeated?®.

The single specimen secured is a young female, obtained with
examples of S. norae off Stewart Island, in 37-41 fathoms.

(8) Kaup, Cat. Lophobranchiate Fish, Brit. Mus. 1856, p. 48.
(9) Giinther, Cat. Fish Brit. Mus., viii., 1870, p. 162.
(10) Waite, Vertebrata, Subantarctic Islands, N.Z., 1909, p. 588.

Total length in millimetres ...

Head in total length ...
Head in head and trunk
Head and trunk in total
Head and trunk in tail
Height in head

Snout in head

Eye in head ...
Egg-pouch in tail

Body rings

Caudal rings

Dorsal begins on ring ‘No.

Dorsal stands on (number of

rings)

Pouch stands | on (number of

rings)
Dorsal rays
Pectoral rays ..
Caudal rays

PISCES Ei5
C D EK F *
Male |Female| Male |Female| Male |Female|Female

209 224 185 192 173 i184 108
7.4 6.5 7.4 fos! 1(e3) 6.8 8.3
2.6 2.6 2.8 PACT 1.9 3.0 3.2
gen D5) 2.6 Oeil 2.7 20 2.5
Wey 5 1.6 UAH 1.6 1.5 ais,
2.8 6.8 3.9 2.6 3.8 3.4 2.6
yi 1.6 16 1.6 iley/ | 1.6 Asi
7.0 8.5 8.3 8.6 7.6 9.0 6.5
5.1 see 5.0 — 5.0 —_— _
18 18 20 19 19 20 18
49 49 51 48 50 51 42
iL 17 17 iy 16 17 14
10 10 ial 11 11 ill 10
12 — 12 — 12 —_— —
39 37 40 Sif 38 38 38
13 12 13 12 ats} ils! 12
8 8 tf 8 8 8 6

*The first six columns refer to S. norae ;

the last one to S. blainvillianus.

HIPPOCAMPUS Rafinesque, 1810.

HIPPOCAMPUS ABDOMINALIS Lesson.

pl. iii.,

MD: 39: P18

SEAHORSE.
Plate: XO DEE

Hippocampus abdominalis Lesson, in Ferussae. Bull. Sci. Nat.
xi., 1827, p. 127, Bleeker, Verh. Akad. Wet. Amsterd. ii.,
1854, p. 28, fig. 4. Kaup. Cat. Lophb. Brit. Mus., 1856, p. 17,

fig. 3 (head).
Stations 25, 28,

Rings 11 + 49 — 60.

30, 65.

Snout long, equal to the post-orbital portion of the head, the
supraorbital ridges rise together abruptly at the base of the
snout, and diverging form a simple spine over each eye, pointed
outwards and backwards and terminating in a short filament;
coronet low compressed, with a median filament in front and

two behind placed on low knobs.

Body very deep, the depth at

the tenth ring being two and a third times the length of the
snout; the spines are represented by low knobs slightly enlarged
below the dorsal, a filament on the dorsal knob of the third body

ring.

176 WAITE

Colours—Brown, with darker rings across the tail, snout,
pouch, and under edge of tail yellow; dark brown markings at
the base of the snout, below the eye, and opercle; circular spots
on most of the body rings; dorsal fin spotted and with a narrow
black intramarginal band.

Length.—238 mm., male.

In the females the body is much deeper, being three times the
length of snout, and there are no filaments on head or body at
any age. Young examples have the body spines much more
pronounced, and in the males those of the first and third rings
earry filaments.

The Seahorse was taken near the mainland only at three
stations, namely, off Oamaru in depths of 18 to 35 fathoms.
A very large female was obtained at Station 65 off Port Hutt,
Chatham Islands, from 24-33 fathoms; it measures 312 mm. in
leneth.

ANACANTHINI.
Family MACROURIDA.

a. A fold of membrane limiting the aperture

of the first branchial arch; mouth

beneath the head .. oo .. Coelorhynchus.
aa. First branchial arch free,mouth normal Macruronus.

CC@SLORHYNCHUS Giorna, 1803.

Though the fact was not recognised on board the trawler,
subsequent examination shows that two species of the genus
were obtained. It is not therefore possible to supply the
individual stations, excepting in certain cases as specified. The
following is the complete list :—

Stations 5, 22, 26, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 44, 45, 46,
47, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 57, 58, 59, 61, 63, 71, 76, 77, 81, 85, 88.

a. Snout pointed, longer than the eye, scales °
large, scales on the head well defined,
extremely spinous .. .. australis.

aa. Snout obtuse, shorter than the eye scales
smaller, less spiny, no distinct scales on
the head .. oie ae ie aspercephalus.

ba
-

PISCES

Ca@LORHYNCHUS AUSTRALIS Richardson.
Plate, XXXEX. ies te

Lepidoleprus australis Richardson, Proc. Zool. Soc., 1839, p. 100.

Macrurus australis Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus. lv., 1862,
p. 391, and Study of Fishes figs. 256, 257. Hector, Edible
Bish. NZ; 1872, pl. viii. fie: 78.

Stations (in part), 54, 59, 61, 71.

Brevis De On 86: Ay BO Ve ie oP Grn hi. lat. 996):
i. tr. 5 + 18; Vert. 15 + 52 = 67.

Length of head 4.4, height of body 6.4 in the length: diameter
of eye 3.4, length of snout 2.7 and interorbital width 4.2 in the
head.

Snout long and very acute, whether viewed from above or in
profile; longer than the eye; the latter is placed in the middle
of the length of the head; the mouth lies below the space between
the posterior nostril and (nearly) the hinder edge of the orbit,
the gape is somewhat less than its length: the barbel is short,
less than half the diameter of the eve: the nostrils lie near
together close in front of the eye, the anterior one is an oval pore,
the posterior one a long sub-vertical slit, rostro-infraorbital ridge
nearly straight and strongly marked, the nasal ridge, which
terminates between the eyes, is but slightly marked, the inter- .
orbital ridges, at first parallel, diverge, and joining the origin
of the lateral line distinctly mark off the head scales from those
of the body; the supraorbital ridges are continued to the upper
angle of the opercle and a temporal ridge arising above the
posterior angle of the eye is continued to and in the same direc-
tion with the lateral line.

The body is compressed throughout its length and tapers
evenly to the end of the tail.

Fins —The dorsal commences at a point one and a half
diameters behind the orbit, its first spine is minute, the second
is slightly shorter than the succeeding and longest ray, and is
not serrated; the space between the two fins is equal to the
diameter of the eye and to the length of the base of the first
fin; the rays of the second fin are short and le in a groove:
the anal commences below the middle of the space between the
two dorsals and is comparatively deep, its rays being equal to
the eye; the pectoral extends to nearly below the origin of the
second dorsal; the ventral arises beneath the hinder insertion
of the pectoral and the outer lengthened ray reaches the base of
the second anal ray.

178 WAITE

Scales.—The seales on the head are fairly defined, but those on
the sides of the snout and below the eye are more irregular
with rough vertical spines; on the
under side of the head the scales
run together and form an_ even
roughened area; the scales on the top
of the head and on the temporal
region though well defined have a
scabrous appearance which marks
them sharply from those of the body,
the opercular scales are marked with
smoother divergent striz; each scale
of the body bears about twelve

fig 1. shehtly radiating ridges formed of
Scale of Coelorhynchus australis. imbricating spines and those of the
ae lateral line are split down the middle.

Colours—The general colour is a delicate grey, the body
bears darker bands directed backwards, one in front of the first
dorsal and another beneath the anterior rays of the second
dorsal being best defined and persistent. A dark blue mark on
the opercles is due to the presence of the black membrane
beneath; the inner base of the pectoral is also black, the first
dorsal and ventrals are grey, and a blue black line runs along
the basal portions of the hinder half of the dorsal and anal fins,
including the caudal.

Length—416 mm, The largest specimen preserved measures
530 mm.

Hitherto this species has been considered as rare, but the
trawling expeditions of 1900 and 1907 show that, on the con-
trary, it is quite common. It was probably taken along the
greater part of the eastern seaboard, but, as above mentioned,
it was not recognised as distinct from the next species, the lst
of stations being obtained from those preserved for future study.

Another species of Coelorhynchus was recorded from New
Zealand seas by Giinther under the name C. parellelus, but
Jordan and Starks!! consider that this may be distinct from
the Japanese species, and propose to identify it as C. kerma-
decus.

Ca@LORHYNCHUS ASPERCEPHALUS sp. nov.
Plate, XOGUXe she 2:
Stations (in part) 5, 22, 26, 35, 51, 58,859 Gs:
D122; 962-4087; V.. 72P. 16s Tn late 136s ee ee)
Length of head 5.2, height of body 6.8 in the length; diameter

of eye 2.5, length of snout 3.5, and interorbital width 4.1 in the
head.

(11) Jordan and Starks, Bull. U.S. Fish. Comm. xxii. 1904, p. 619.

PISCES 179

Snout short and blunt, its margin obtuse from above, acute
in profile, shorter than the eye, which latter equals the post
orbital length: the front edge of the mouth les beneath the
posterior nostril, but the maxilla reaches to beneath the second
third of the orbit: the gape is greater than its length; the barbel
is short, less than half the diameter of the eye; the nostrils are
as in C. australis, the rostro-infraorbital ridge is well marked
and slightly sinuous, the nasal ridge is pronounced, terminating
between the anterior borders of the orbits, the interorbital
ridges are very faint, and are scarcely traceable beyond the
hinder margin of the orbits.

Fins.—The dorsal commences at a point one and a third
diameters behind the orbit, the first spine is short and the
second is not quite so long as the second and third rays, which
are longest and equal to the length of the head less the snout,
the space between the two fins is small, equal to a third
that of the base of the first fin; the rays of the second fin are
very low, and the anterior ones le in a groove: the anal arises
below the narrow space between the two dorsals, and its middle
and longest rays are shghtly shorter than the eye: the pectoral
extends to beneath the fourth ray of the second dorsal, the
second ray of the ventral reaches the anal, but its first ray is
a little longer, its hinder insertion is below the first dorsal spine.

Scales.—The head is everywhere rough-
ened without distinct scales, the scales on
the body are comparatively small, and
those below the dorsal fin bear about 19
strix, each formed of minute imbricate
spines, the scales of the lateral line are Scale ot Dean unehas

aspercephalus.

split along the middle. x 4,

Colours—The general colour is greyish-yellow with many
darker grey cross bands, which incline forward below; the
edges of the opercles and branchiostegals and many of the scales
bear minute black dots: the distal half of the first dorsal fin and
all the ventral rays, the tip of the first excepted, are clouded,
the tint in the ventrals being deepened by the presence of black
dots: a black band runs along the whole length of the anal fin
midway between the tips and bases of the rays.

Length.—264 mm.

This species may be distinguished from C. australis by its
short, obtuse snout, the absence of definite scales on the head,
the short intradorsal space, the smaller and smoother scales,
the different direction of the dark bands crossing the body,
and the character of the anal band: the scaleless head also

180 WAITE

removes any suspected association with C. fasciatus Gimther’”
the seales of the body also are much smaller with more
numerous keels, and the distance between the dorsal fins is less.
C. fasciatus was originally taken by the Challenger Expedition
in from 40 to 245 fathoms off the east coast of the southern
extremity of South America. It was next obtained in Cape
Seas by Dr. Gilchrist, and Mr. McCullocht® has recently
identified it from 800 fathoms off the coast of New South Wales.
He refers to the mutilation of the tail of the type specimen:
this condition is quite common among the Macruroids, and in
some of our specimens the snout also exhibits similar
mutilations.

MACRURONUS Ginther, 1873.

MACRURONUS NOV4-ZELANDIZ Hector.
Plate Xoo ie 1e

Coryphaenoides novae-zelandiae Hector, T.N.Z.1. i., 1871, p.
136; soll xovaiee et eae

Macruronus novae-zealandiae Giinther, Rep. Voy. Chall. 1., 1880,
Dower any xxdle SST pelo:

Stations 20, 76, 77, 78, 81, 86, 87.

Bo waite: 125 96%) AC 89 Vig (Sie siege eee eae.
Se. tr. 8-16.

Length of head 5.6, height of body 7.5, in the length; diameter

of eye 3.5, interorbital space 5.1, length of snout 3.4 in the
head.

Head compressed, interorbital space flat, mouth large, lower
jaw projecting, the maxilla reaches to below the middle of the
eye; no barbel.

The body is strongly compressed, and tapers evenly to the
end of the tail.

Teeth—The teeth in the upper jaw are in two series, the
inner one with small regular teeth, the outer teeth large and
somewhat uneven, a single series of large teeth in the lower
jaw, a band of small teeth on the vomer.

Fins.—The dorsal fin begins wholly behind the base of the
pectoral, its first ray is the longest, one-half greater than the
diameter of the eye: the ventral is placed slightly in advance
of the point midway between the end of the snout and the

(12) Giinther Chall. Rep. xxii. 1887, p. 129, pl. xxviii. fig. A.
(13) Mc. Culloch, Rec. Aust. Mus. vi. 1907, p. 348.

PISCES 181

origin of the anal, and a little in advance of the vertical of the
insertion of the dorsal, its length is half that of the head: the
pectoral, which is rather longer than the ventral, extends to
below the origin of the dorsal: the anterior rays of the anal form
a lobe nearly as high as the first dorsal, but generally the rays
are lower than those of the second dorsal fin.

Scales—Sub-cireular and eycloid, no trace of spines as men-
tioned by Hutton. The lateral line arises high, above the opercle,
and dips to the mid line above the origin of the anal fin.

Length.—513 mm.

A specimen taken in the Bay of Plenty, shows that it attains
to at least 935 mm.: this large specimen was secured by Mr. T.
Anderton, after I left the trawler.

Colours—General colour deep iridescent purple, the fins
smoky; the lower part of the body silvery.

Examples of Clupea neopilchardus were taken from the
stomachs of some of the specimens.

A single specimen was obtained north of Port Chalmers in
20-22 fathoms; the species was several times trawled between
Castle Point and Gisborne, in the North Island. As suggested
by Giinther, it does not appear to live in the deeper water, none
of our records being more than 28 fathoms, the minimum being
16 fathoms, while it is recorded to have been cast up in numbers
in Cook Strait after heavy gales.

In their synopsis of the family Macrouridae Goode and
Bean!4 use as one of the distinguishing characters between
Macruronus and Steindachneria the absence or _ presence
respectively, of vomerine teeth. As above described vomerine
teeth exist in the specimens of Macrwronus examined by me: the
forward position of the vertical fins, the anal especially, easily
characterises Steindachneria argentea, at last specifically.

Giinther draws attention to a mistake in the original illustra-
tion, writing:—‘‘Some misunderstanding by the artist must
have occurred, as, at any rate, the bifid barbel could not be at
the place where he has drawn it.’’ This figure was copied in
outline in the ‘‘Cat. Fish. N.Z.,’’ 1° and an enlarged copy
of the latter was published by Goode and Bean.1® The
tail of the original specimen was evidently incomplete.

(14) Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichth. 1895 p. 390.
(15) Hector, Cat. Fish N.Z., 1872, pl. viii., fig 79.
(16) Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichth. 1895, pl. ci, fig. 150.

182 WAITE

Family GADIDA.

MERLUCCIUS Rafinesque, 1810.

Meruucctus GAyI Guichenot.
HAKE, WHITING.
Plate XEXCXe fe 2:

Merlus gayi Guichenot, in Gay, Hist. Nat. Chili, Zool. ii., 1847,
p: 028, pl. vi., fig. 2.
Gadus australis Hutton, Cat. Fish, N.Z., 1872, p. 46, <t Vii.,
fig. 72.
Station 11.

Dw SOe Ae 865° Ve ts PR. Ade Ce 24s aa siesta or
Se. tr. 20 + 38.

Length of head 3.3, height of body and length of caudal 5.0
in the total. Diameter of eye 7.4, length of snout 2.9, and inter-
orbital space 3.6 in the length of the head.

Head very large and pike-like, the posterior border of the
eye is exactly in the middle of its length: the interorbital space
is lowly convex, with three parallel ridges; the nostrils are less
widely separated than the orbits, the anterior one is very small,
and is separated from the much larger posterior one by a thin
septum; mouth very large, the maxilla reaching to the hinder
border of the eye.

Teeth—tLarge depressible teeth in two rows in the jaws,
strong teeth also on the palatines, none on the vomer or the
tongue.

Fins—The first dorsal fin begins an eye-diameter in arrear
of the opercular margin, and its third or longest ray is 2.5 in
the head, the second fin is notched, but not very deeply, its
median rays being one-half longer than the eye; the anal
commences beneath the third ray of the second dorsal, and its
notch is much deeper, being less than the diameter of the eye, and
occurring posterior to the notch of the dorsal; the two fins end on
nearly the same vertical: the pectoral is inserted beneath the
angle of the opercle and extends to the vent; its length is 1.5
in the head: the ventral arises wholly in advance of the pectoral,
and is nearly half the length of the head; the caudal is small, and
its rays terminate evenly.

Scales.—The scales on the top of the snout and head and on
the cheeks and opercles are very small, those of the body larger ;

PISCES 183

the lateral line is extremely pronounced and is gently bowed over
the pectoral.

Colours——General colour purplish-brown above, _ silvery
beneath, inside of mouth and the caudal rays dark grey.

Length.—650 mm.

The only example taken during the whole cruise of the
trawler, was obtained at Station 11, at the mouth of the Clutha
River in 10 fathoms. Hector mentions that he obtained a
specimen in Bruce Bay, on the West Coast, in 1866. Since that
time, according to Hutton, it has been thrown up from Cook
Strait.

Large specimens are very rarely seen in the Christchurch
market, and though examples over three feet in length have
been reported to me, the largest I have measured totalled two
feet nine inches (840 mm.). Small specimens, twelve inches or so
in length, are common, and are sold under the name of whiting.

In the official report of the trawling expedition, the above
record is entered under ‘‘Hake (Lotella rhacinus’’). In the
report of the operations under the extended charter a similar
entry occurs under Stations 125, 129 (in Karamea Bight, on the
West Coast of the South Island), 155 (between Golden Bay and
Tasman Bay, South Island), and 210 (near the Kaipara
Entrance, West Coast, North Island), but whether these records,
made by a different observer, refer to Merluccius or Physiculus,
I am unable to say.

PHYSICULUS Kaup, 1858.
PHYSICULUS BACHUS Forster.
Rep Cop.

Plate XXX. fies le

Gadus bachus Forster, in Bloch and Schneider, Syst, Ichth.,
1801, p. 53.

Stations 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29,

31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 50, 51,

52, 53, 57, 61, 63, 72, 75, 76, 77, 78, 80, 81, 83, 85, 86, 87, 95.

Bevis 10 490A 40. Vin Geeitoe Con 19, Vert:
fer 93 = a

Length of head 3.7, height of body 4.3, length of caudal 4.7
in the length. Diameter of eve 4.6, interorbital space 3.0, and
length of snout 3.6 in the head.

184 WAITE

Head rounded, snout depressed, mouth sub-horizontal, the
maxilla extending to beneath the hinder edge of the orbit, upper
jaw slightly the longer, eye large near to the upper profile, inter-
orbital space broad and flat; gills four, a slit behind the fourth,
gill-rakers moderate fourteen on the first arch, eleven being on
the lower limb. A barbel below the chin.

Teeth_—Villiform teeth in bands in the jaws, none on the
tongue vomer or palatines.

Scales—Head and body entirely covered with small scales;
lateral line well marked; it forms a long arch to below the
middle of the second dorsal fin, thence straight to the caudal.

Colours.—In life the general hue is grey with a reddish tinge.
with iridescent bluish lines above and pinkish beneath: the
dorsal fins are reddish-grey tipped with black, a blood-red mark
towards the edge of the first fin: a large black blotch on the
body behind the operculum, including the upper base of the
pectoral, more extensive on its inner side; pectoral and anal red,
without markings; caudal red edged with black. On
removal from the water the grey colour speedily gives place to
a uniform red, hence the vernacular name.

Length.—372 mm.

The stomachs of specimens examined yielded remains of
crustaceans, also of the fishes Argentina elongata and Caranx
trachurus. This species commonly harbours the crustacean
Chondracanthus lotellae Thomson, of which it is the type host,
and, as previously mentioned (p. 134) it is frequently attacked
by the Blind Eel (Eptatretus cirrhatus) exhibiting large
wounds in its sides as a result.

The red cod was taken very generally throughout the cruise,
but much more plentifully and uniformly so at the southern
stations; the largest number of individuals netted at single
Stations is as follows :—

Stations 9: 010) Sy lb) 20 a2 Aine OMe
Specimens 141 750 484 175 204 217 270 115 300

Two hundred examples were also taken at each of Stations
77 and 81, both south of Hawke Bay. The vertical range was
from 9 to 102 fathoms.

This is one of the commonest of the New Zealand food fishes,
but, unfortunately, it does not find much favour as a market
species, and I am told that the trawlers return large quantities
to the water, these, having been subjected to the pressure of the
net, if not actually dead, never recover, even if, for the time
being, they escape their natural enemies.

PISCES 185

AUCHENOCEROS Giinther, 1889.
AUCHENOCEROS PUNCTATUS Hutton.
Plate XXXI., fig. 2.

Calloptilum punctatum Hutton T.N.Z.I. v., 1873, p. 267, pl. xi.,
fig. 76.
Auchenoceros punctatus Giinther, Rep. Chall. xxxi., 1889, p. 26,
Di, ails, fo) C.
Stations 40, 41, 46, 86, 87.

eames 1 ok teem ee eS Are GS. Pi 10s Von
C. 18 + 14; Vert. 10 + 37 — 47.

Length of head 5.1, height of body 4.7, length of caudal 5.6
in the length; diameter of eye 3.7, interorbital space 5.5, and
length of snout 3.7 in the head.

Head and body strongly compressed, mouth oblique, jaws
equal, gills four, a slit behind the fourth, pseudobranchiz
present, gill membranes free from the isthmus, which is narrow.

Teeth.—Villiform teeth in the jaws, none on vomer, palatines
or tongue.

Fins.—First dorsal rav hairlike, placed over the root of the
pectoral and a little shorter than the head; the second dorsal
begins above the extreme tip of the pectoral or nearly twice the
leneth of the head from the snout, the intermediate rays are
very short to the seventeenth, whence they rise to form the
third portion of the fin, the hinder part of which is elevated:
the anal fin commences below the point midway between the
first and second dorsal fins and terminates evenly with the dorsal,
near to the caudal rays: the ventrals are equal to the head in
leneth, the pectorals being somewhat shorter: the caudal
peduncle is very slender, its depth being less than the diameter
of the eye.

Scales—Cheeks and opercles scaly, the scales are extremely
deciduous, the number on the body, as indicated by the pits.
being nineteen in the transverse, and ninety in the longitudinal
series.

Colours.—Pink, a black spot within the upper angle of the
opercle and a broad yellow band along the whole course of the
lateral line.

Length.—157 mm.

As above indicated, two illustrations of the species have been
published, the outline figure by Hutton does not show the inter-
mediary dorsal rays, while the pectoral is represented as

186 WAITE

emerging from beneath the gill cover, whereas it has a very
pronounced fleshy base: the ventral is too short, and is repre-
sented as originating on the mid-line, while a non-existent ray
is shown in front of the vent. Giinther’s figure is more nearly
accurate, but the pectoral is represented as rather too high, and
as overlapping the second dorsal. The middle rays of the dorsal
are indicated as without membrane, and the elevation of the
hinder portion of the fin is not shown, though included in
Hutton’s figure. When the mouth is closed the lower jaw does
not project as stated. In his generic diagnosis he writes
‘‘Pseudobranchiew none’’; this is incorrect, for, though small,
they are distinctly present.

This species was taken between Timaru and Lyttelton and
again off Gisborne, at depths between 9144 and 35 fathoms.
Many specimens were obtained, the largest of which is
described.

ALLOTRIOGNATHI.
Family LAMPRIDAL.

LAMPRIS Retzius, 1799.

LAMPRIS PELAGICUS Gunnerus.
OPAH.

Scomber pelagicus Gunnerus, Dronth. Selsk. Skr. iv., 1768, p.
SOS ola ton le

In the introduction (p. 53), I have given evidence that several
examples of this fish were cast up on to the beach at Topenga
Bay, on the northern coast of the Chatham Islands. I have
there used the name Lampris retsius, but from a paper by
Lonnberg!’, which has just come to my hand, I find that this
author claims priority for Gunnerus, writing as follows:—
‘Although Lampris is a benthopelagie fish which has its home
in the warmer parts of the Atlantic, it is not unknown along the
Scandinavian coasts, being, in fact, for the first time after the
introduction of the binomenclature named Scomber pelagicus by
the Norwegian bishop Gunnerus (1768).’’

(17) Lénnberg, Annuaire Mus. St. Petersb. 1900, p. 242.

PISCES 187

BERYCOMORPHI.
Family BERYCIDA.

PARATRACHICHTHYS Waite, 1899.
PARATRACHICHTHYS TRAILLI Hutton.

Trachichthys trailli Hutton, T.N.Z.I. viii. 1876, p. 212. Giinther
Chall. Rep. xxu., 1887, p. 23, pl. Iv., fig. a.

Paratrachichthys trail. Waite, Mem. Aust. Mus. iv., 1899, p. 65.
Station 77.
BeoviidsenDiovo tae A. tii 10. Vii be Palse iC. 1G i.

Five examples of this species were taken at Station 77, this
being the only occasion on which the fish was secured. The
position was about five miles off the mouth of the Aohanga
River, between Castle Point and Cape Turnagain, south of
Hawke Bay. The depth was 20 to 23 fathoms and the bottom
sand and mud. The largest specimen secured measures 212 mm.
in length, and the life colours are very striking, the body being
purple and all the fins red.

Reporting on the only specimen taken by the ‘‘Thetis’’
expedition, I mentioned that it differed from the description of
the type by having thirteen in place of eleven abdominal scutes.
Giinther, who also found the scutes to number eleven, had three
examples, but strangely only notes the anal peculiarity in one
specimen, writing:—‘‘The specimen from Otago shows a very
extraordinary and probably abnormal position of the vent, which
is placed between the ventral fins.’’ The series to hand enables
me to ascertain that the number of abdominal scutes is variable ;
of six specimens examined, including one taken off Wellington.
I find the following characters:—One has ten scutes only, one
has twelve and four have thirteen, also three specimens only
possess the two anterior spines mentioned in my notice of the
New South Wales specimen.

A second species of the genus (P. prosthemius) Jordan and
Fowler!§ has been described from Japan.

(18) Jordan and Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. xxvi. 1902, p. 9, fig. 1.

188 WAITE

ZEOMORPHI.

Family ZEIDA.

The New Zealand representatives of the family may be thus
distinguished :—

a. Bony plates at base of vertical fins. . ZRINA.
Zeus faber.
aa. No bony plates at base of vertical fins CYTTINA.

b. Body longer than deep.
e. Two dorsal fins.
d. Ventrals receivable into a sheath Cyttus.

e. First dorsal filamentous .. australis.
ee. First dorsal not filamentous novae-
zealandvae.
dd. Ventrals not receivable into a
Sheath .. ae .. Capromimus.
ee. One dorsal fin cade ay Diretmus.
bb. Body deeper than long. . .. Rhombocyttus.

ZEUS Linneus, 1758.
ZEUS FABER Linneus.
JOHN Dory.

Zeus faber Linnzus, Syst. Nat. ed. x., 1758, p. 137.
Zeus australis Richardson, Voy. Ereb. and Theme 1845, p. 36,
Po letexexcyes ot oe sal:

Stations 89.0905 Ol O27 Oe OOM aoe

By vile Dix. 24 <A iv: 22: Via. Toe, 14 Oot Senos
L. lat. 114; L. tr. 15 + 108.

Length of head 2.45, height of body 1.78, length of caudal
4.0 in the total; diameter of eye 3.84, interorbital space 6.61 in
the head.

Body oval, strongly compressed, head deeper than long, the
profiles meeting at the snout form a right angle: the eye is
moderate, longer than deep, and placed high in the head, the
space below it being three times its vertical diameter; the snout
is nearly twice the length of the eye; the mouth is large and
oblique, and can be considerably protracted; the maxilla is twice
and the dentary twice and a half the diameter of the eye, the
latter is produced at the angle, and has a spine above it; the
lower jaw projects well beyond the upper.

PISCES 189

The nostrils are placed immediately in front of and on a level
with the axis of the eye, the anterior one is directed forward, the
hinder one, which is much larger, being placed laterally; gill
openings extremely large, gills four, no opening behind the last;
gill-rakers short and stout, twelve on the first arch, eight of
which are on the lower limb: pseudobranchie present: edge of
preopercle long, oblique, and feebly curved.

Teeth.—A band of small teeth in each jaw and on the vomer,
all directed backwards.

Fins——The dorsal commences above the angle of the
preopercle, which lies about one-third of the distance between
the snout and the end of the caudal rays; the spines are long
and slender and markedly heteracanth; in all but the last the
membrane is filamentous; the first spine is a little shorter than
the second, which is the longest and slightly less than twice the
leneth of the head; the rays are shortest anteriorly, and the
longest ones are equal to the diameter of the eye; the anal
commences beneath the fifth or sixth dorsal spine, the rays of
both fins being similar; the pectoral is short, the third or longest
ray being one-fifth longer than the head: the ventral is inserted
in advance of the pectoral; the spine is as long as the longest
pectoral ray, and its second, or longest, ray is twice the length
of the spine, and extends to beyond the vent: the caudal is
truncate, and the depth of the peduncle equals its length.

Scales.—There are some deeply imbedded scales on the cheeks,
otherwise the head is naked: the scales on the body are smooth
and small, becoming a little larger towards the hinder vertical
fins. There are eight bony plates at the base of the soft dorsal
each bears a strong backwardly directed spine and also, the first
excepted, a smaller one below the principal one; there are seven
bony plates at the base of the soft anal, each bearing two spines,
there are no plates at the base of the spinous portion of the fins,
but the bases of the spines themselves have a laterally directed
spine, the first of each fin respectively excepted; there are seven
plates on the mid-line in advance of the ventral fins, each with
a pair of spines, and eleven similar spinous plates between the
ventral and the anal; the first two plates have each a single
spine medially situated. The lateral line arises above the
opercle, thence descends in an irregular curve to the mid-line of
the body, whence it runs to the base of the caudal rays.

Colours—Dark brown above, lighter beneath. A_ large
ocellated spot in the middle of the side, an eye diameter behind
the opercle, it consists of a light coloured ring, enclosing a black
area which contains an irregular and varying lght-coloured
figure; the filamentous rays of the dorsal black; the distal

Cc

190 WAITE

portions of the ventral and spinous anal dark brown, otherwise
the fins are colourless.

Length.—864 mm.

The dory was trawled at the final eight consecutive Stations,
all charted in the Bay of Plenty, and it was taken nowhere
else during the first cruise: the depths ranged from 16 to 94
fathoms. In New Zealand it proves to be a northern species,
and is not uncommon in the Auckland district. One hundred
and sixty examples were taken at one haul in 30 fathoms in the
Hauraki Gulf during the extended cruise of the trawler. I
have no record of the Dory having been seen south of Cook
Strait; the trawler ‘‘Doto’’ obtained examples in 1900, in
Tasman Bay, which, though in the South Island, is northward
of Wellington.

CYTTUS Giinther, 1860.
CYTTUS NOVAH-ZEALANDIZ Arthur.
Stuver Dory.

Plate XXXII.

Zeus novae-zealandiae Arthur, T.N.Z.I. xvi., 1885, p. 163, pl.
KV MO os

Cyttus novae-zelandiae Gill, Mem. Nat. Acad. Sei. Phil. vi.,
1893S toate:

Stations 22, 26, 67, 70, 83, 84, 85, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93.

Bi-vil.; D: vit, 292 Ao dis 3I8V. 106. Re ie eet
L. lat. 76; L. tr. 10 -- 52; Vert. 12 + 19 = 31.

Length of head 2.73, height of body 1.62, length of caudal 4.4
in the total; diameter of eye 2.77, interorbital space 3.81 in the
head.

The head is deep; its upper and lower profiles are straight
and meet in a slightly obtuse angle: the interorbital area is
raised, due to the posterior process of the premaxilla whose
tip lies in a V-shaped groove formed by the divergence of the
supraoccipital above the middle of the eye: the eye is large.
high in the head, the space below it being equal to twice its
vertical diameter; the snout equals the length of the eye; the
mouth is moderate and sub-vertical, it can be protracted to
thrice the length of the snout: the nostrils lie close together
in front of the eye, the anterior one is small, the other larger
and vertically oval: the maxilla is one-fourth longer than the
diameter of the eye, and is narrowed distally: the lower jaw

PISCES 191

projects, the mandible is twice as long as the eye, and is produced
at its lower angle; gill openings very large, gills three and a half,
no opening behind the last: gill-rakers moderate, fifteen
on the first arch, pseudobranchiw small, edge of preopercle
long and oblique, opercular bones thin.

Body short, deep, elevated and compressed, forming, with
the head, a rhomboid; the anterior profile, from the snout to the
dorsal spines straight, the posterior one, from the anal spines
to the caudal peduncle nearly so; the upper posterior and the
lower anterior profiles curved, especially the latter, the edge of
which, though narrow is flat, and almost uniformly so.

Teeth.—The teeth are minute, in a single row in each Jaw, a
small patch on the vomer.

Fins.—The dorsal commences slightly in advance of a point
midway between the end of the snout and the root of the caudal
peduncle: the spines are short and slender, the first being minute,
the second is the highest, being shghtly longer than the eye: the
others regularly decrease in height; they do not terminate in
filaments: the rays are short anteriorly, and increase to behind
the middle of the fin, where they are highest: the two anal spines
are very short and curved, and are situated beneath the last
dorsal spine; the soft rays are similar to those of the dorsal, but
the base of the fin extends a little further posteriorly: the
pectoral is short, its third or longest ray being one-seventh longer
than the eye, its margin is rounded and its base narrow: the
ventrals are inserted behind the pectorals, and can be received
into a deep groove which extends from their base to that of
the first anal spine: the ventral spine is straight and weak,
its length slightly more than the diameter of the eye, its rays
are longer: caudal slightly emarginate, its peduncle narrow, and
half the length of the fin.

Scales—AIl the seales are cycloid. those above being slightly
roughened, they are strongly adherent, and the exposed portion
is four times as deep as broad, the scales on the head are con-
fined to the cheeks, which are deep and triangular; the bases
of the vertical fins are sheathed in two rows of enlarged scales,
but there are no bony plates. The lateral line arises abruptly
above the opercle thence curves backwards, but does not run
quite concurrently with the back, its hinder half being slightly
concave above.

Colours.—Silvery, upper portion from eye to caudal brown,
membrane of dorsal spines, distal half of ventral rays and end
of caudal black: all other fins colourless.

Length.—202 mm.

192 WAITE

Evidently an inhabitant of moderately deep water, this species
was taken between the extremes of 30 or 40 and 94 fathoms,
and probably occurs at greater depths. It was taken on two
occasions off the South Island, namely, between Otago Harbour
and Oamaru. It is to be remarked that it was not again
encountered until Hawke Bay, in the North Island, was
reached, when it was taken at both hauls made in the Bay. It
was again taken at the deepest of the three Stations charted
south of Gisborne, and at nearly every essay in the Bay of
Plenty. It was also secured at the Chatham Islands, being
taken at both sides of the island.

The known distribution of this species is now considerably
extended, the original examples having been taken off Otago,
and I have not met with reference to the fish since it was first
recorded.

It is somewhat surprising that Cyttus australs Richardson,!9
was not once netted, both Hutton and Hector?° mention it
as having occurred on the shore of Cook Strait after heavy gales,
in November, 1871.

CAPROMIMUS Gill, 1893.
CAPROMIMUS ABREVIATUS Hector.
Plate XX XIII.

Platystethus abbreviatus Hector, T.N.Z.I. vii., 1875, p. 247, pl.
Nas de. oille:

Cyttus abbreviatus Hector, loc. cit. ix., 1877, p. 465. Giinther,
Chall. Rep: sexi., 1887, p. 42, plisc some!

Antigoma mullert Klunzinger, Sitz. Akad. Wiss. Wien, lxxx.,
ISSO py oS0s ple ven tie:

Capromimus abbreviatus Gill, Mem. Nat. Sci. Phil. vi., 1893,
p: alls:

Stations 83, 84. 88.

3, vil, D. vil. 27; A. i. 28. Vi Gave, lig. @ olen emma
Sc. 63; L. lat. 69; L. tr. 7 + 22; Vert. 11 + 20— 31.

Length of head 2.48, height of body 1.63, length of caudal
3.94 in the total: diameter of eye 2.25, interorbital space 2.7 in
the head.

The head is deeper than long, the profiles meeting at the
snout form a right angle. Eye very large and round, the
space below it equal to its diameter, the snout is one-third shorter

(19) Richardson, Voy. Ereb. and Terr. 1848, p. 136.
(20) Fishes of N.Z., 1872, pp. 19, 112.

PISCES 193

than the eye; the mouth is moderate and oblique, it can be pro-
tracted to twice the length of the snout; the maxilla is one-fifth
longer than the eye; the jaws are equal; the mandible is one-half
longer than the eye, and is produced into a spine below; the
posterior nostril is a vertical slit close to the front edge of the
orbit; the anterior nostril is in a tube directed forwards: gill
openings moderately large, gills three and a half, a slit behind
the last; gill-rakers small, fifteen on the first arch; pseudo-
branchie present; edge of preopercle short and rounded.

Body short, deep, elevated and compressed, forming, with the
head, almost a rhombus, the upper posterior and lower anterior
edges being the further apart; anterior profile straight, except
where broken by the tumidity in front of the eyes: lower hinder
profile from the anal spine upwards, nearly straight; lower edge
of body broad and flat.

Teeth—The teeth are minute and form a narrow band in
each jaw: there is also a small patch on the vomer.

Fins——The dorsal fin commences a little behind a point
midway between the end of the snout and the root of the caudal
peduncle; the spines are stout, the second, and _ longest,
especially so; its length is one-fourth greater than the diameter
of the eye, and when depressed reaches to the base of the sixth
ray; with the exception of the first, which is short and equal to
the seventh, or one-third the diameter of the eye, the spines are
eraduated backwards, they are free for about one-third their
length, but in the second the membrane extends but half way up:
the rays are short anteriorly, and are graduated to about the
eighteenth whence they become shorter, the longest is a little
less than the diameter of the eye; they are simple as are also
those of the anal and pectoral: the first anal spine is stout and
dagger-like, and is one-half the diameter of the eye; the second
is short and weak; the rays are similar to those of the dorsal
but extend a little further back: the vertical fins lie in a broad
and deep groove bounded by the spiny scales of the sheath: the
pectorals are short and rounded, the seventh, or longest ray
being three-fourths the diameter of the eye; the ventrals are
widely separated and have a lateral aspect, they cannot be
received into a groove, the spine is strong, one-sixth longer than
the eye, and extends to the first anal ray; the rays are slightly
longer; the caudal is truncate, and has two sharp spines at the
base of the rays, above and below; the peduncle is slender, twice
as long as deep.

Scales—tThe scales are cycloid but rough, producing a harsh

sensation to the touch; they are strongly adherent and the
exposed portion is four times as deep as wide, the head is naked

194 WAITE

with the exception of the cheeks; the scales which form the
sheaths of the vertical fins are enlarged, and bear each about six
spines, of which the first is the largest. There are twenty-six
spinous seales at the base of the dorsal, the first commencing
with the fourth spine, and seventeen at the base of the anal.
The lateral line rises from the upper angle of the opercle, thence
follows the line of the back.

Colours.—The general colour is silvery, and the body is
strikingly marked as follows:—A broad purplish band arises
behind the eye, follows near to the curve of the back, and
deepening to black passes in advance of the caudal peduncle,
thence half way towards the ventral; this band is sometimes
broken at its hindermost point. A black crescent, widening
below, passes from above the base of the pectoral, behind the fin,
to a position in advance of the ventral; there is also a black spot
above the insertion of the last ventral ray and a brown band
at the base of the caudal; all the fins are colourless.

Length.—84 mm.

This pretty little fish was first made known from a specimen
obtained by the Challenger Expedition in 400 fathoms off Cape
Farewell. It is surprising that we secured it at all, seeing that
the greatest depth reached was, with a single unanticipated
exception, 105 fathoms; it was however taken at this depth,
recorded in the Bay of Plenty: it was likewise secured at both
hauls made in Hawke Bay, the depth ranging from 68 to 82
fathoms.

Under the name Antigonia mulleri, Klunzinger describes the
species from New Zealand, but without indication of locality or
depth.

HETEROSOMATA.
Family PLEURONECTIDAi.

In his official report on the Expedition Mr. L. F. Ayson
writes :—

‘‘One of the reasons why the cruise was: undertaken in the
winter season was for the purpose of ascertaining the winter
habitat of the flat-fish, as they generally disappear from the in-
shore trawling-grounds during that season. The general opinion
of fishermen is that they either go out to deep water or migrate
to off-shore banks which were supposed to exist. The result of
the work done during this cruise would seem to negative both
theories, as no flat-fish of any value were obtained beyond the

PISCES 195

depths at which they were taken at other seasons, and no off-
shore banks were found to exist within the 100-fathom line, and
beyond that all the soundings taken showed a sudden drop down
to great depths. It is probable that the disappearance of
flounders and soles off the known fishing grounds at certain
seasons is due to weather and temperature conditions and
spawning habits, and, like the soles and plaice in the Northern
Hemisphere, they partly bury themselves in the sand on the
bottom. In this way the trawl net would pass over them.”’

This quotation will indicate that in New Zealand, as elsewhere,
the flatfishes are accounted as of considerable commercial
importance, and the writer of the paragraph has asked me to
pay special attention to the group with the object of ascertaining
what species are really referred to under the common names
applied by fishermen, dealers and the public generally. Mr.
Thomas Anderton, Director of the Portobello marine fish
hatchery, has also made a similar suggestion, remarking that
as the Government is importing European flounders it will be
well to have a reliable guide to native species, so as to prevent
confusion in the future.

It has not been found possible to do this as thoroughly as could
be wished, for there are several species recorded from our waters
which were not taken by the trawler. This deficiency has, to a
certain extent, been minimised by both the gentlemen named,
they having forwarded specimens to me from districts accessible
to them. I have also to thank the President and Council of the
Canterbury Acclimatisation Society for granting me facilities
for acquiring specimens and also the rangers of the Society,
Messrs. David Hope and William Cobeldick for procuring
specimens from Lake Ellesmere in the Canterbury Province.

My efforts have been mainly directed towards ascertaining the
number of species, their correct designation and the relationship
they bear to one another, also in endeavouring to discover
characters whereby the different kinds may be easily identified.
It will however be evident that this is only a small portion of the
investigation which should be carried on, and my experience
leads me to think that no better work in the domain of fisheries
could be undertaken by the Government than a proper investiga-
tion of the flatfishes of the waters of the Dominion.

Several trawlers regularly operate for the supply of fish to
each of our principal centres, and I venture to think that the
masters of the craft could obtain much valuable information
with very little trouble. The distribution of good coloured
illustrations supplemented with a little personal coaching would
enable the men to correctly identify the different species taken.
If any specimen was found which could not be thus identified, it

196 WAITE

should be tagged and at once forwarded to head quarters for
examination. I would further suggest that a schedule be drawn
up and copies placed in the hands of all the masters of trawlers
with the request that it be filled up as regularly and carefully
as the ship’s log. It is not to be expected that all the trawling
masters would comply with the request, but some useful informa-
tion would certainly result. Among the more important subjects
of inquiry we should endeavour to learn:—(1)The different
kinds of flatfishes inhabiting the several localities, and the
extent of the grounds peopled by each kind; (2) their relative
abundance at different seasons; (3) their migrations and the
reason for such, whether for breeding, or questions of food,
temperature, ete.; (4) the nature of the food; (5) the spawning
season; and (6) the development of the ova. The last named
could be supplemented by observations made in the laboratory,
and as we already possess such an institution in the Marine
Biological Station, at Portobello, there is no reason why a very
complete set of observations should not be made. ‘These
schedules would be regularly sent to those entrusted with the
work, and the information being collated, our knowledge would in
time be greatly extended. We should then be in a position to
determine how best to improve our source of fish food, whether
by working certain grounds at the best season or by artificial
propagation, and by rearing and planting the young fry in
localities known to be suitable for their further development.

A reading of the local literature relating to the flatfishes,
together with information supphed by Christchurch fish dealers
and others, indicates that the following names are in use for
our commercial species. Black Flounder, Brill, Flounder,
trass Flounder, Greenback, Lemon Sole, Mahoa, Megrim, Patiki,
Sand Flounder, Sole, Three corner, Tinplate, Turbot, Witch, and
Yellow-belly.

As, however, it is improbable that this list is exhaustive, I
shall be pleased to receive communications on the subject, but
must ask any correspondent to forward the specimen to which
he refers, as otherwise no absolute decision can be given.

The trivial nomenclature is very involved; a certain species
may be known by several common names, and, on the other
hand, a given name may be applied to two or more species, thus
Flounder, Sand Flounder, Three corner and Tinplate are names
all applied to Rhombosolea plebeia. The name Brill has been
used to designate Caulopsetta scapha and Ammotretis guntheri.
Some of the names are only found in books and seem never to
have been current among the fishing community or the public.
It is probable that the names in use vary in different districts,
as in Britain, an undesirable condition, but one somewhat difficult
to remedy. No law except that of usage can operate in respect

~

PISCES 197

to common names, and all one can do is to adopt that most in
common use, and attempt to fix it by means of publications, the
more popular the better, and supplemented by effective, good
coloured illustrations. If such were displayed on the trawlers
and at the fish markets the attendant names would soon be in use,
and I venture to think that uniformity of nomenclature would
be in time secured.

Though the common names suggested appear in the following
account under their respective scientific headings, it will be
advisable to give some indication of their synonomy as follows :—

Suggested name. Other names. Scientific name.
Black Flounder - Patiki - Rhombosolea retiaria
Brill - - - Turbot - Ammotretis guntherr
Greenback Flounder - Grass Flounder - Fhombosolea tapirina
Lemon Sole - Ammotretis rostratus Pelotretis flavilatus
Megrim - - Brill, Mahoa, Witch Caulopsetta scapha
New Zealand Flounder,
Sand Flounder Patiki, Three corner, ; Rhombosolea plebeia
Tinplate
Sole - - - English Sole - Peltorhamphus
novae zeelandiae
Turbot - - Ammotretis rostratus Ammotretis nudipinnis
Yellow-belly [Rhombosolea flesoides\ Rhombosolea millart

| Rhombosolea leporinas

It is to be understood that in no case have I transferred any
name from one species to another. To give an example: the
name Brill appears to have been first used by Dr. Hector,?! who
’ writes: ‘‘It has been termed Brill on account of its being the
only one of our flatfish with the eyes on the left side of the
head (Pseudorhombus scaphus) ; it is of small size and is so full
of bones that it cannot be eaten with any comfort.’’

The fish indicated by this book name is commonly called
Megrim or Witch, while the name Brill is freely used in connec-
tion with Ammotretis guntheri, it is therefore here associated
with this large and prime edible species.

It might be argued that because the British Brill is a left-
sided fish it is wrong to apply the name to a right-sided species
in New Zealand; one cannot force names upon the public, but
if two or more names are in use for the same species we are
justified in attempting to secure uniformity of nomenclature
within the Dominion. ‘‘Turbot’’ is the only name I have so far
met with applied to Ammotretis nudipinnis, and this fish also

(21) Hector, Edible Fish N.Z.,; 1872, p. 117.

198 WAITE

is a right-sided species, whereas the British Turbot is left-sided,
both are however good to eat, and ‘‘New Zealand Turbot’’ is
by no means a bad name.

Owing, perhaps to the looseness with which these common
names have been used, a considerable amount of misconception
has arisen in respect to the scientific names also, thus the Lemon
Sole has been generally identified with Ammotretis rostratus,
a species which I have reason to believe is not found in New
Zealand seas, but represented by an allied though undescribed
species, Ammotretis nudipinnis. In any case the common
Lemon Sole does not belong to the genus Ammotretis as pre-
viously supposed, a supposition which, probably taken as an
axiom, left no ground for further research. As far as I am
aware, therefore, this fish has never been described, and it will
here be found under the name Pelotretis flavilatus.

This confusion of names may be very embarrassing to those
who may not be specialists in taxonomy, but nevertheless under-
take excellent work in connection with the life history, distribu-
tion, artificial propagation, diseases, and other subjects connected
with our fisheries. It is difficult to give examples without
appearing to be somewhat personal, but I trust that my remarks
may be taken in the spirit in which they are intended.

Mr. Thomas Anderton, to whom I have before referred, and
to whom I owe many courtesies, has written a very excellent
account of the development of some of our marine fishes, but
as the following quotation will indicate, he makes no pretence
of dealing with the troublesome question of nomenclature, and
indeed on this very account delayed the publication of his work
for a whole year :—‘‘Owing to the uncertainty as to the identity
of the two species of Flounders which were taken in the harbour
it was considered inadvisable in last year’s report to publish an
account of the eggs and larve until the species had been
definitely ascertained. This has now been done by Professor
Benham, and we are able to give a few particulars of each
species, ’’22

The species referred to are Rhombosolea plebeia and
Rk. tapirina, which, if it be not presumption for me to say so,
T have had the opportunity of verifying. On the previous page
Mr. Anderton refers to ‘‘The Brill’’ remarking—‘‘This fine
fish appears to be only an occasional visitor; it is seldom taken
on trawling grounds off Otago Heads, and only in small
quantities. It is a very handsome fish, and is greatly esteemed
as a table delicacy. Nothing is at present known of its habits
and movements, but it is a fish deserving every possible atten-
tion.’’? Mr. Anderton has used the name Pseudorhombus scaphus

(22) Anderton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxxix. 1907, p. 480.

PISCES 199

in connection with this fish, but it will be evident that this
‘‘fine handsome fish, deserving every possible attention’’ can
not be the one to which Dr. Hector applied the same name under
the remark, ‘‘it cannot be eaten with any comfort.’’ When,
however, the name Brill is applied to Ammotretis guntheri
Mr. Anderton’s statement becomes perfectly intelligible and apt.
Instances of this character might be multiplied, but enough has
been written to indicate that my statements as to the unsatisfac-
tory condition of the nomenclature of the New Zealand Flat-
fishes are by no means unealled for.

Thirteen species of flatfishes, assigned to seven genera, are
now known to inhabit New Zealand coasts and rivers, one of
which is believed to be confined to fresh or brackish water.

The full list is as follows :—

*Caulopsetta scapha Forster.

Caulopsetta boops Hector.

Caulopsetta hectoris Giinther.

Apsetta thompsoni Kyle.

Brachypleura novae-zeelandiae Gimther.
*Pelotretis flavilatus Waite.
*Ammotretis nudipinnis Waite.
*Ammotretis gunthert Hutton.
*Peltorhamphus novae-zeelandiae Ginther.
*Rhombosolea plebeia Richardson.
Rhombosolea tapirina Ginther.
*Rhombosolea millari Waite.
Rhombosolea retiaria Hutton.

Of these, only seven were taken in the trawl, they are indicated
by an *. For reasons already given, my study has not been con-
fined to these seven species, but has embraced all those, which
as far as I am aware, find a place in our markets. Two species
of Caulopsetta, and the monotypic Brachypleura and Apsetta
have not been recognised since first described, and not having
specimens to hand, these do not appear in the report. As,
however, a statement of their distinguishing features may be
useful their characters are included in the following synopsis of
genera :—

a. Eyes on the left side, two ventral
fins
b. ventrals separate from the anal, scales
etenoid .. 3h: BA abs Caulopsetta.
bb. Left ventral connected with the anal,
seales eyeloid by es ... Apsetia.

200 WAITE

aa. Eyes on the right side.
e. Two ventral fins, scales wholly imbricate.
d. Ventrals separate from anal, scales
eycloid 4 et oe
dd. Right ventral connected with the
anal, scales ctenoid.
e. Snout normal, dorsal fin
commencing over the eye.. Pelotretis.
ee. Snout produced over the
mouth, dorsal fin commenc-
ing at its tip.
f. Mouth visible from right
side, pectoral short and
rounded a .. Ammotretis.
ff. Mouth concealed from
right side by cutaneous
extension of rostral pro-
cess, pectoral long,
upper ray produced .._ -Peltorhamphus.
ee. Ventral fin single, connected with the
anal, scales imbedded non-imbrieate,
at least anteriorly hrs ix Rhombosolea.

Brachypleura.

Flatfishes are occasionally subject to reversal, that is, a right-
sided Megrim or a left-sided Flounder may be found, but such
are so very infrequent that the condition is worth recording
when it does oceur.

The dimensions recorded under each species are those of the
specimens described and figured, and are taken from the end of
the snout to the tip of the middle caudal rays. They are not
necessarily those of the largest specimens seen. The colouration
is described from preserved examples and is little guide to the
fishes in life.

CAULOPSETTA Gill, 1893.
CAULOPSETTA SCAPHA Forster.
MEGcRIM.

Plate XXXIV.

Pleuronectes scapha Forster, in Bloch and Schneider, Syst.
Ichth., 1801, p. 163.

Platessa? scapha Rich. in Dieffenbach, N.Z. i1., 1848, p. 222.

Pseudorhombus scaphus Hutton, Cat. Fish. N.Z., 1872, p. 51,
pl. ix., fig. 82.

PISCES 201

Caulopsetta scaphus Gill, Mem. Nat. Acad. Sci. vi., 1893, pp.
121, 124.

Sianons, £2. 3, 5, 6, 16, 17,18 19,20, 21. 22. 28.25, 26. 27,
28, 29, 31, 32, 35, 36, 39, 40, 43, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 54,
61, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69, 70, 71, 74, 81, 86, 87, 89, 90. 91, 92.

B. vii.; D. 117; A. 95; V. sin. 6, dex. 6; P. sin. 14, dex. 10;
C. 14 + 4; L. lat. 85*; Vert. 12 + 35 — 47.

Length of head 4.1, height of body 2.2, length of caudal 5.5
in the length: eyes on the left side, lower eye one-fourth its
length in advance of the upper, and 5.5 in the length of the
head, snout longer than the eye: interorbital space a very
narrow raised ridge, one-fourth the depth of the eye: nostrils
in a depression in advance of the interorbital ridge: mouth
nearly symmetrical with teeth on both sides, though less exten-
sive on the left, the maxilla is 2.5 in the length of the head.

Fins.—The dorsal fin commences over the anterior nostril, the
longest rays being one-fifth the height of the body, it extends to
the base of the upper caudal ray: both ventrals distinct and free
from the anal, the latter similar to the dorsal: the length of
the left pectoral is 1.8 in that of the head, the right being
smaller and shorter: caudal rounded, the peduncle about
half the length of the fin.

Scales—Ctenoid, imbricate, absent from the jaws and fore part
of the head, but extending on to all the fin rays, the pectoral
excepted. The lateral line forms a bold arch over the pectoral,
the top of the arch being quite flat, the line thence passes evenly
along the middle of the body: the scales of the lower side are
nearly smooth and extend on to the fin rays of the caudal only;
the lateral line is well developed and has a similar contour to
that of the upper side.

Colours.—The upper surface, including the fins, is uniform
greyish yellow, with minute irregularly disposed black spots;
lower surface uniform yellow.

Length.—325 mm.

The commonest and most widely distributed of the fiatfishes
of New Zealand, and yet, unfortunately, the least valuable.
It was taken from one end of the course to the other, and at all
depths tested: it is a very thin species, and the long fine bones
render it unsuited for table use. In the official reports it is
entered as ‘‘Megrim Ammotretis sp. ind.,’’ and in his report
on the 1900 expedition Mr. Ayson wrote :—‘‘This fish was found

*The scales are counted from the margin of the opercle.

202 WAITE

at any depth, but generally present in the deepest water tested,
and then frequently found in considerable numbers when no
other flatfish were taken. The largest specimen taken
measured 1214 inches. These fish are peculiarly transparent,
flesh white and full of fine bones.’’

Two other species of the genus have been described, namely :—
C. boops Hector and C. hectoris Gunther, but they were not
taken by the trawler. They were included in the collections of
the Challenger Expedition, made in deep water, beyond the
reach of payable trawling; moreover they are doubtless equally
inedible with the Megrim.

RHOMBOSOLEA Giinther, 1862.

Stations 7, 8, 10, 16, 32, 35, 40, 44, 45, 46. 51, 52, 61, 72,
76, 77, 96.

Owing to the unsatisfactory condition of our knowledge of
the members of this genus it was not possible to identify the
species as they were brought aboard, but an examination of the
specimens preserved indicates that but two species were taken,
namely, Rk. plebeia and Rk. millari, The specific stations at which
each was secured cannot however be given.

A study of the literature and available specimens indicates
that there are four species of Rhombosolea at present described
from our waters, one of which, R. millari, is herein named for
the first time. The following synopsis indicates their distin-
guishing characters :—

a. Body deep, 1.4 or more in the length, vertical
fins elevated, shape rhomboidal, colour grey

clouded os ve a Pe plebeva.
aa. Body lower, 1.7 or less in the length, shape
ovate.
b. Anterior profiles straight, or nearly so, eyes
large.

c. Snout produced over the mouth, ventral
inserted below the eye, colour green
above, with dark blotches, pure white
below cf oe Le Bs tapirina.
ce. Snout normal, ventral inserted behind
the eye, colour grey, clouded; yellow
below, uniform or with seattered black
spots ee a4 ope ae millari.
bb. Anterior profiles rounded, eyes small,
colour olive with red spots, dark beneath retiaria.

PISCES 203

RHOMBOSOLEA PLEBEIA Richardson.
SAND FLOUNDER.
Plate XXXV.

Rhombus plebeius Rich. in Dieffenbach, ii., 1843, p. 222.

Rhombosolea monopus Gimnth., Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus. iv., 1862,
p. 459. Hutton, Cat. Fish, N.Z., 1872, p. 51, and (Hect.)
p. 117, pl. ix., fig. 83. Macl. P.L.S. N.S. Wales, vi., 1881,
De l29:

Bowenia novae-zealandiae Haast, T.N.Z.1. v., 1873, p. 277,
pl. xvi.

Rhombosolea plebeia Gill, Mem. Acad. Sci. Phil. vi., 1893, p. 121.

B. vii; D. 60; A. 43; V. 6; P. 11; C. 14 + 4; L. lat. 159;
L. tr. 36 + 54; Vert. 10 + 18 = 28.

Length of head 3.3, height of body 1.3 in the length. Lower
eye one-third in advance of the upper, diameter (orbital) 4.9 in
the head; interorbital space smooth, less than the depth of the
eye: snout a little shorter than the eye, anterior nostril of both
sides with a skinny process behind, posterior nostrils simple.

Teeth.—In several rows in the jaws of the blind side only.

Fins.—The dorsal commences on the snout, but not quite at
its tip, though in advance of the nostrils; the first ray is almost
free, the following ones successively less so; the 28-31 rays are
the longest, being 2.2 in the head: the distance of the insertion
of the last ray from the base of the outer caudal ray is one-half
the depth of the peduncle: ventral and anal continuous, the
division corresponding to the absence of one or two rays, the
vent occupying the position; the longest rays of the anal are at
least equal to the dorsals and occur at the 12-15th: the pectoral
of the coloured side is slightly the longer, being 1.8 in the head;
it has a wider base, but is placed exactly opposite to its fellow:
caudal large, its margin rounded, the peduncle one-half the
length of the fin.

Scales—Fore part of snout, interorbital space and mandible
naked: scales ecycloid, deeply imbedded and _ non-imbricate
anteriorly, producing a honey-combed appearance. Lateral line
feebly wavy above the pectoral, otherwise straight to the
extremity of the tail, a branch is continued forward to the
upper part of the head.

Colours——Upper surface grey with clouded markings, fins
dusky at the margins, lower surfaces colourless.

Length.—386 mm.

204 WAITE

This is the commonest and best-known of the New Zealand
flounders, occurring all round the coasts, in addition to being
obtained in shallow water it was taken at a depth of 60 fathoms.
It was not included in the catches made at the Chatham Islands.

Though commonly called Sand Flounder or Flounder simply,
such names as Tinplate and Threecorner, applied by fishermen,
indicate how the characteristic shape of the species is utilised as
a ready means of identification.

RHOMBOSOLEA TAPIRINA Giinther.

GREENBACK FLOUNDER.
Plate XOXex Vir

Rhombosolea tapirina Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus. iv., 1862,
p. 459. Hutton T.N.Z.I. vi., 1874, p. 106 (not 2b. v., 1873,
p: 268). Yi

B, vi; D. 67; A. 50; V. 6) BP: dex: 12) sin. 11; ©, 1420 4.
L. lat. 91; L. tr. 25 + 34.

Length of head 3.4, height of body 1.7, length of caudal 4.8
in the length. Lower eye very slightly in advance of the upper,
4.5 in the head, interorbital space very narrow, not half the
vertical diameter of the eye; snout one-half longer than the eye
produced into a fleshy process which overhangs the mouth:
mouth small, only slightly more developed on the blind side.
The anterior profiles of head and body are nearly straight, but
the lower one is broken by the head, which depends below the
profile.

Teeth.—Confined to the blind side; they are small and in
several rows.

Fins.—The dorsal fin commences at the base of the rostral
process, that is, nearly an eye diameter from the tip, and its
three anterior rays are shghtly spht, the remainder being simple;
the longest ones are 2.4 in the head: the ventral commences below
the posterior third of the lower eye, and is continuous with the
anal, which terminates evenly with the dorsal; the left pectoral
is inserted exactly opposite to the right one but is a little shorter:
the caudal is rounded and the depth of the peduncle is 1.9 in the
length of the fin.

Colowrs.—Body and fins green above with black blotches,
the anterior dorsal and anal rays lighter; wholly white below.

Length.—280 mm.

PISCES 205

The only specimen of this species which I have seen was kindly
sent to me by Mr. Anderton, who says that it occurs in Otago
Harbour and other inlets in the vicinity down to about 15
fathoms. Hutton does not mention whence his specimen was
obtained, Giinther records examples from Australia, Tasmania
and the Auckland Islands.

RHOMBOSOLEA MILLARI sp. Nov.
YELLOW BELLY.
Plate XXXVII.

Rhombosolea leporina Hutton, T.N.Z.I. v., 1873, p. 268. pl. xi.
(not Giinther).

Rhombosolea flesoides Hutton, ib. viii., 1876, p. 215. (not
Giinther).

Buyig O60; A. 40; V..6; P12. C1476 4. hh Vat 84.
L. tr. 36 + 53; Vert. 12 + 20 — 32.

Length of head 3.1, height of body 1.8 in the length. Lower
eye one-third in advance of the upper, orbital diameter 5.4 in
the head, interorbital space smooth, equal to the depth of the
eye: snout longer than the eye, anterior nostril of both sides
with a skinny process behind, posterior nostrils with raised
margins. The upper anterior profile is slightly bowed, the lower
is straight.

Teeth.—The teeth are rather large, in several rows on the
blind side only.

Fins.—-The dorsal commences almost at the tip of the snout,
the first ray is largely free and divided to its base, most of
the rays are bifid, the posterior sixteen or so being simple. The
32-36 rays are equal and longest, being 2.5 in the head; the
distance of the insertion of the last ray from the base of the
outer caudal ray is 2.5 in the depth of the peduncle: ventral and
anal continuous, the division corresponding to the absence of
two rays, the vent occupying the position of the second one:
the longest rays of the anal are slightly more than those of the
dorsal, and occur at the 11-14th: the right pectoral is one-sixth
longer than the left, being 2.0 in the head, the relative position
of the two fins is the same: the caudal is 3.8 in the length, the
margin is slightly rounded and the depth of the peduncle is
one-half the length of the fin.

D

206 WAITE

Scales—As in R. plebewa, lateral line quite straight, with a
branch continued forward to the margin above the middle of
the orbit.

Colours.—Upper surface dark grey, with dusky markings,
lower surface colourless or with scattered black spots.

Length.—442 mm.

This species was included in the collection made for me by
Mr. J. J. Niven, in Hawke Bay. It was also forwarded by
Mr. Anderton, who writes: ‘‘The Yellow-belly (Rhombosolea
flesoides) is rare in Otago Harbour, it is common in Wycliffe
Bay and Hooper’s Inlet, but I have never known it to be taken
by the trawlers outside the Heads.’’

On the other hand the species is tolerably well represented in
our takings, but, as previously mentioned, I was not then in a
position to identify the different members of the genus, which
has proved to be a somewhat difficult task, an experience
evidently also of previous workers on the group. The species
is not referred to in the official report of the expedition, all
records being entered as ‘‘Common Flounder (Rhombosolea
monopus).”’

In describing this prime food fish under a new name, I have
been largely guided by a study of the description and figure
published of Victorian specimens determined by me as
Rhombosolea flesoides?® with which species the New Zealand fish
has been commonly associated.

It seems to differ in its non-overhanging and less free snout,
its wider interorbital space, and its smaller number of fin rays,
which are for the most part split; it differs notably in the more
posterior insertion of the ventral fin and the non-imbricate scales,
the arch in the lateral line above the pectoral also is less
marked.

I have much pleasure in associating with this really valuable
food fish the name of the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister of Marine,
by whose department the fisheries of the Dominion are controlled.
He authorised the necessary expenditure for conducting the
expedition, and it is due to the interest taken by him also, that
it has been possible to publish the present report.

(23) Waite, Rec. Aust. avi , vi., 1906, p. 197, pl. xxxv. Having left Sydney
before this paper was printed, and not being able, therefore, to correct the
proofs, I take this opportunity of making the following corrections :—

Page 197, for ‘‘ fenibriated’’ read fimbriated.
Pp. 204 and 205, for fig. 1 read fig. 2.
Plate xxxvi. (explanation of), interchange figs, 2 and 4, also figs. 6 and 7.

PISCES 207

RHOMBOSOLEA RETIARIA Hutton.

Buack' FLOUNDER.
Piste Xo oviili:

Rhombosolea tapirina Hutton, Trans. N.Z. Inst. v., 1873,
p. 268, pl. xii. (not Giinther).
Rhombosolea retiaria Hutton, ib. vi., 1874, p. 107.

B. vi.; D. 60; A. 48; V. 6; P. dex. et sin. 11; C. 12 + 6; L. lat.
77; L. tr. 23 + 31; Vert 9 + 20 = 29.

Length of head 3.6, height of body 1.8, and length of caudal
4.4 in the length: diameter of eye 7.1, interorbital space 9.0,
and length of snout 4.7 in the head.

_ Head rounded, snout short and blunt; eyes on the right side,
small, the lower about one-third in advance of the upper; mouth
small, much more developed on the blind side; the maxilla is
short, and does not extend to below the eye: nostrils in a smooth
area in front of the eye, the former with a low rim. Upper and
lower anterior profiles markedly rounded.

Teeth.—On the blind side only; they are small and in several
rows.

Fins.—The dorsal fin commences close to the tip of the snout,
the anterior rays are split at their tips, and the longest ones are
2.4 in the head; ventral and anal continuous, the longest rays of
both fins are equal to those of the dorsal, the rays are co-terminal
on the caudal peduncle; the right pectoral is the longer and 1.9
in the head; the caudal is slightly rounded and the depth of its
pedunele is 1.5 in its length.

Scales—On the head and anterior two-thirds of the body the
scales are small, imbedded, and rather widely separated, thence
they become larger and more closely set and towards the tail are
distinctly imbricate.

Colours—Dark olive green with darker mottlings, and with
brick-red spots. These spots vary in size from a mere dot to areas
as large as a pea; they are also irregular as regards their dis-
tribution, and are even found on the snout and eye membranes.
Membrane of fins lighter olive with dark markings: dorsal anal
and caudal with red spots; these spots recall the markings on the
British Plaice, but are much more numerous; the dorsal and anal
are bright orange in their hinder portions, and the posterior
part of the caudal is blood-red: pectoral with two irregular dark
bars. The left side of the head is flesh-coloured, without or with
only slight markings, in noticeable contrast to the remainder of

208 WAITE

the under side of the fish, which is yellowish olive, each scale
edged with brown and suffusing the whole: the fins, the pectoral
included, are almost as darkly coloured as on the upper side; in
some specimens this colour is replaced with red.

Length.—314 mm.

This species was not taken by the trawler, but is included
here for comparison with the other members of the genus, which
as before stated, have been very vaguely described. I owe the
specimens examined to Messrs. D. Hope and W. Cobeldick,
Rangers for the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, who have
also kindly supplied me with the following information :—

This is regarded as a fresh-water flounder, and is also taken
near the mouths of rivers, the chief source of supply in Canter-
bury being Lake Ellesmere, the fishes being caught where the
rivers enter the lake, chiefly among the weeds. Here it is con-
sidered to be a winter fish, being very rarely obtained during
the warmer months of the year, but the fishermen profess no
idea as to where it migrates. The two specimens originally
described were taken in the harbours of Wellington and the
Bluff. Writing under the name Rhombosolea monopus
(Rk. plebeia) Hutton?* remarks: ‘‘A small flatfish, also called
Patiki by the Maoris, is found in some of the rivers; it is brown,
with red blotches on the upper side. I do not know whether it
is identical with this species or not.’’ This distinctly refers to
the Black Flounder, which the Maoris on Banks Peninsula
always speak of as ‘‘Patiki.’’

Once its characteristics are discerned this fish is readily dis-
tinguishable, its contour and the character of its snout well mark
it as distinct from the Sand and the Greenback Flounders
respectively, while the red spots on the body and the dark under
side also serve to distinguish it from the Yellowbelly, it differs
from the latter structurally, by its more rounded contour,
blunter head, shorter snout, and smaller mouth and eyes.

It attains a length of 1714 inches (= 445 mm.), and a weight
of 5 pounds, and as specimens of this size are, according to Mr.
Cobeldick, 3 inches in thickness (— 76 mm.), the fish
is a very fleshy one.

Owing to the enormous number of eels occurring in the lake,
the flounders obtained are very commonly mutilated, a certain
proportion having suffered the loss of portions of their fins and
tails, while some exhibit much more extensive wounds.

(24) Hutton, Cat. Fish N.Z., 1872, p. 52.

PISCES 209
AMMOTRETIS Giinther, 1862.

Two species of this genus were taken, one of which is regarded
as undescribed. The three known species may be _ thus
distinguished :—

a. Ctenoid scales on both sides of body, dorsal
and anal fin rays sealy ‘ rostratus.
aa. Ctenoid scales on right side of ‘body only,
no scales on dorsal or anal fin rays
b. Rostral hook very long, interorbital space

wide, body with large blotches pe nudipinnis.
bb. Rostral hook small, interorbital space
narrow, body with spots forming lines guntheri,

A. rostratus is an Australian and Tasmanian species. A.
nudipinms and A. gunthert are known only from New Zealand.

AMMOTRETIS NUDIPINNIS Waite.
TURBOT.
Plate XXXIX.

Ammotretis rostratus Hutton, T.N.Z.I. vin., p. 215 (not
Giinther).
Ammotretis nudipinnis Waite, Proc. N.Z. Inst., 1911, p. 50.

Station 80.

Beaviie on Ac GO Vivdexs iersime 42 P dex, Wd) ‘sine 12).
C.14+ 4; L. lat. 82; L. tr. 33 + 48.

Length of head 3.6, height of body 1.7, length of caudal 4.7,
in the length, diameter of eye 9.2, length of snout 3.2 in the
head.

The rostral hook is very long, extending downwards below
the level of the maxilla, mouth large; lower lp with a fringe
of ten rays on the right side. Eyes on the right side on the
same level, interorbital space wide, equal to the longitudinal
diameter of the eye: gill membranes not broadly united below,
oill rakers short.

Teeth—A broad band of small teeth in each jaw on the left
side only.

Fins—The dorsal rays commence at the tip of the rostral
hook, the first five or six are free, the longest rays occur between
the 36th and 46th, and, measured from the edge of the sheath
on the right side, are contained three times in the head: the

210 WAITE

sheath is lower on the left side by an eye diameter, thus exposing
a longer ray: the anal is similar to the dorsal and is coterminal
with it, close to the outer caudal rays: the right ventral is very
long, commencing at the tip of the proventral and connected with
the anal; the base of the last ray of the left ventral is opposite
to the vent: the pectorals are short and subacute. the right one is
slightly the longer, measuring 2.1 in the length of the head:
the caudal is of moderate length, acutely rounded; the peduncle
is not an eye diameter in length, and its depth is 4.3 in that of
the body.

Scales.—Strongly ctenoid on the right, smooth on the left
side. The head is wholly scaly, with the exception of the snout
on the right side; lateral line shghtly arched over the pectoral
and the cireumorbital area, thence straight to the base of the
caudal rays. No scales on the fin rays, the caudal excepted, in
which the basal half of the rays are sealy.

Colours—General colour above warm brown, reddish towards
the margins of the body, irregularly blotehed with dark brown.
Under side colourless or more or less blotched.

Length.—482 mm.

This species was trawled only at Station 80, in Porangahau
Bay, northward of Cape Turnagain, in 16-17 fathoms, but
Mr. Niven kindly gave me examples taken by his trawlers in
Hawke Bay.

The principal differences between this species and A. rostratus,
with which it has been associated, appear to be the scaleless
dorsal and anal fins, the smooth character of the scales on the
left side, and the wide interorbital space.

In his generic diagnosis Giinther states that the ‘‘dorsal and
anal rays are branched and scaly.’’ In erroneously assigning
Rhombosolea bassensis Castelnau to the genus Peltorhamphus,
T°> overlooked the fact that Ogilby?® had previously examined
Castelnau’s type, and had determined it as Ammotretis
rostratus var. adspersus Kner. In my description of the
specimen I stated that the head, body and fins were wholly
clothed with small ctenoid seales, and the seales on the fins are
represented in the figure. I further stated that the ctenoid
scales were almost equally developed on both sides, and, as
Giinther does not differentiate between the two, ctenoid scales
were presumably present on both sides of the type specimen.
Kner?7 also found ctenoid scales on the left side,

(25) Waite, Rec. Aust. Mus., vi., 1906, p. 198, pl. xxxiy.
(26) Ogilby, Cat. Fish. N.S. Wales, 1886, p. 49.
(27) Kner, Voy. Novara Fische, 1867, p. 287.

PISCES 211
AMMOTRETIS GUNTHERI Hutton,
BRILL.

Plate XL.
Ammotretis guntheri Hutton, T.N.Z.L. v., 1873, p. 267.
Stations 34, 65.

B. vii.; D. 90; A. 66; V. dex. 10, sin. 5; P. dex. et sin. 11; C.
TOEra lat, 04,

Length of head 4.8, height of body 1.8, length of caudal 5.1;
diameter of eye 7.6, length of snout 3.8 in the head.

The rostral hook does not extend beyond the level of the
lower eye, mouth small, lower lip with a fringe of ten rays on
the coloured side only; lower eve half a diameter in advance of
the upper one, interorbital space narrow, half the vertical
diameter of the eye: gill membranes moderately united below,
gill rakers very short, reduced to a mere fringe.

Teeth_—A narrow band of small teeth on the lower side of
both jaws.

Fins.—The dorsal rays commence at the tip of the snout, the
first seven or eight being quite free, the rays on the head are
elongate, those of the body are moderately uniform in length and
short, the longest not exceeding a third of the head: the anal is
quite similar and is coterminal with the dorsal, quite close to
the base of the outer caudal rays; the right ventral corresponds
to the anterior dorsal rays and the left, which hes opposite to
the vent, has the rays similarly produced: the pectorals are very
short, the right one being 1.8 and the left one 2.3 in the head;
they are evenly rounded, the longest rays being in the middle:
the caudal is short and boldly rounded. Owing to the juxta-
position of the dorsal and anal rays there is no distinct peduncle,
the depth at this point being 3.2 in the height of the body.

Scales.—Strongly etenoid on the right, smooth on the left side,
entire head on both sides, including the interorbital space, scaly ;
lateral line with a low arch over the pectoral, thence straight to
the base of the caudal rays; the dorsal and anal fins are
sheathed, the sheaths being more extensive on the right side, but
there are no scales on the rays, the basal third of the caudal
is wholly scaly, and scales are continued up the separate rays for
another third.

Colours.—General colour above brownish grey, each scale
with a black mark on its outer edge; these form longitudinal lines

yl fy WAITE

on the body but are in places somewhat irregularly disposed.
The anterior dorsal and the ventral rays are reddish, the dorsal
and usually the anal and caudal are dark brown towards their
free edges narrowly margined with a reddish tinge: under side
colourless, or blotched with grey.

Length.—420 mm.

This species was only once taken off the mainland, namely, near
Timaru, in 16 to 21 fathoms. It was also secured off -the
Chatham Islands, south of Port Hutt, in 24-33 fathoms, both
occurrences being on a sandy bottom.

PELOTRETIS Waite, 1911.

Eyes on the right side, the lower advanced, the upper close
to the profile; mouth small, subsymmetrical; teeth villiform, on
the blind side only, no vomerine or palatine teeth. The dorsal
commences behind the snout, and is not connected with the
caudal; two ventrals, the right one in the same line and con-
tinuous with the anal. Scales moderate, ctenoid on the mght
side, cycloid on the left, lateral lime nearly straight. Guill
openings narrow, the membranes broadly united below the
throat; gill-rakers short and conical.

This genus differs from Ammotretis by the small subsym-
metrical mouth, the large eyes, the upper of which is close to
the profile, the backward origin of the dorsal fin and the
absence of any rostral hook.

PELOTRETIS FLAVILATUS Waite.
LEMON SOLE.
Plate XLI.
Pelotretis flamilatus Waite, Proc, N.Z.1., 1911, p. 50.

Stations 20, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 31, 34, 35, 39, 40, 41, 43, 44,
46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 54, 58, 62, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69, 70.
71, 72, 73, 74, 76, 78, 81, 86, 87, 94.

By vil.; D. 89. A. 71; Vi dex. Tjeim.o- ek wdex. a2 euc ramen.
C. 138 + 4; L. lat. 78; L. tr. 26 + 39; Vert. 11 + 31 = 42.

Length of head 4.8, height of body 1.8, length of caudal 5.0
in the length: diameter of eye 3.9 in the head. The eyes are
large, crowded to the front of the head, and the upper one is
close to the dorsal edge, which is incised so that the eye can be
seen from the under side: lower eye slightly advanced a small
knob in front of it; this eye is separated from the maxilla by a
narrow ridge only.

Teeth.—Present on the blind side only.

PISCES 213

Fins.—The dorsal fin begins above the front edge of the eye
and none of the rays is entirely free; the longest rays are about
the middle of the fin and are 2.2 in the length of the head, the
rays are slightly sheathed, the sheath being more extensive on the
right side: the anal is similar to the dorsal and is coterminal
with it: the right ventral is but slightly separated from the anal;
the left is small, a little longer than the eye; it covers the vent,
which is behind its base: the right pectoral is longer than the
left, 1.5 in the head, both are strongly rounded: the caudal is
slightly rounded, and the depth of the peduncle is 4.5 in that
of the body.

Scales —Ctenoid on the right side, entire but striated on the
left, the lips and the proventral on the blind side are naked,
otherwise the whole head is sealy, the scales being imbricate;
they clothe the fin rays also, the ventrals and anterior rays of
the dorsal and anal excepted.

Colours.—Grey or brown above, both body and fins with
irregular though well defined markings, sometimes absent:
underside yellow.

Length.—311 mm.

This species was taken almost throughout the cruise including
the Chatham Islands, and at all depths from 914 to 50 fathoms.

Though so common, and sold in all the fish shops of the
Dominion as ‘‘Lemon Sole,’’ it does not appear to have been
previously named. This may be accounted for by confusion in
the application of the common name. In the official report the
Stations are correctly given under Lemon Sole, to which how-
ever the name Ammotretis rostratus is wrongly applied, but it
should be mentioned that the misidentification is of much older
date than the report referred to.

PELTORHAMPHUS Giinther, 1862.

PELTORHAMPHUS NOVA ZEELANDIZ Giinther.
Soue.
Plate XLII.

Peltorhamphus novae-zeelandiae Gimther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus,
iv., 1862, p. 461. Hutton, Cat. Fish. N.Z., 1872, p. 52,
Hector, 1b. p. 117, pl. ix., fig. 84.

Stations 9, 10, 11, 32, 33, 34, 40, 41, 48, 45, 62, 70, 73, 76, 78,

80, 81.

B. v.; D. 100; A. 67; V. dex. 6,.sin. 4: P. dex,.et sin. 10; L. lat.
108; L. tr. 38 + 384; Vert. 10 + 27 = 37.

Length of head 4.1, height of body 2.0, length of caudal 4.8

in the length; diameter of eye 7.1, and length of snout 3.0 in
the head.

214 WAITE

The front portion of the head is formed by the rostral hook,
which entirely covers the mouth, and its hinder edge forms a
vertical notch about an eye diameter in depth: the small eyes
are placed a diameter apart and more than two diameters from
the front of the head, the upper eye is slightly advanced and is
placed further from the dorsal edge than is the lower eye from
the ventral edge: the nostrils lie in a naked area nearer to the
lower than to the upper eye: the upper maxillary is small, not
more than an eye diameter in length, while the lower one is twice
and a half times the same; gill-rakers short and conical, fourteen
on the lower limb of the first arch; preopercle adnate.

Teeth—Teeth on the lower jaw, none on other bones of the
head.

Fins—The dorsal fin begins almost at the tip of the rostral
hook, the anterior rays are free, thence less so to at least above
the eyes; they extend quite close to the base of the caudal rays:
the right ventral and anal are continuous, and on the coloured
side the ventral rays do not appear to be much the longer, on
the blind side they are twice the length, the left ventral is very
small, placed in front of a decided drop in the profile which
occurs immediately behind the vent: the anal is otherwise
similar to the dorsal, the longest rays being 3.3 in the head.
Owing to the extended sheath the depth of the body on the
right side is greater than that of the left. The right pectoral is
long, 1.4 in the head, its second ray is produced, being an eye
diameter longer than the head, the left pectoral is less than half
the leneth of the head: the caudal is rounded and its peduncle
is about one-fifth the depth of the body.

Scales—The whole of the head, excepting the small areas,
containing the nostrils, and the entire body is covered with
imbricate ctenoid scales, the under side is equally scaly, but the
scales are smooth, there are some large open pores in the
neighbourhood opposite to the eyes and along the margin of the
preopercle, and several rows of large papille on the head, one
such runs from the front of the mouth, upwards and backwards,
another between this and the dorsal margin, while a third borders
the maxillary.: the upper and lower sides of the caudal and the
right pectoral rays are for the greater part covered with small
scales, but there are no scales on the other fins.

Colours—Greenish grey above, without markings, wholly
white below.

Length.—392 mm., obtained up to 415 mm.

This well known fish occurred throughout the area examined,
and was also taken at the Chatham Islands. It was secured
between the extremes of 9 and 50 fathoms.

PISCES Bells

The sole is so characteristic that there is no danger of con-
fusing it with any other species, it is commonly called English
Sole, and believed to be identical with Solea vulgaris, but is
immediately distinguishable by the large rostral hook which
wholly conceals the mouth on the right side, the long pectoral
fin with its elongated second ray, the ventral fin arising beneath
the mouth, and the freer caudal.

PERCOMORPHI.

Family SERRANIDAt.
POLYPRION Cuvier, 1817.

POLYPRION PROGNATHUS Forster.
HAPUKA.
Plate XLIII.

Perca prognatha Forster, in Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichth.,
1801, p. 302.

Polyprion prognathus Giinther. (See Boulenger, Cat. Fish.
Brit. Mus., 1895, p. 150, for synonomy).

Stations 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 36, 39, 42,
43, 48, 49, 54, 73, 84, 86, 87, 89, 90. 91, 92, 95.

Boy: Di xi, 12;°A Gil 9; P17: Vis 5 Ge 14 -E 14.

Length of head 2.6, height of body 3.3, length of caudal 4.4 in
the total; diameter of eye 6.1, interorbital space 3.6, length of
snout 3.4, and of the longest (5th) dorsal spine 2.9 in the head.
The anal rays are variable in number, ranging from eight to ten.

Though represented at many Stations, but few
individuals were usually taken together. On four occasions
only did the number exceed ten, they were: Station 13,
47 fishes; Station 15, 20 fishes; Station 16, 14 fishes;
and Station 27, 17 fishes. As mentioned in the introduction
(p. 53) large catches of Hapuka were made by means of hand
lines at the Chatham Islands, and the opinion was ventured that
these islands would in the future become important fishing
grounds for the Dominion.

The stomachs of different individuals yielded examples of
Clupea neopilchardus, Syngnathus mnorae and species of
Cephalopods.

216 WAITE
HYPOPLECTRODES Gill, 1862.

HYPOPLECTRODES SEMICINCTUS Cuvier and Valenciennes.
HALF-BANDED SEA PERCH.

Plectropoma semicinctum Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat.
Poiss. ix., 1833, p. 442.

Plectropoma huntii Hector, T.N.Z.I. vii., 1875, p. 240, pl. x.,
fig. 1.

This species was found to be very common off the Chatham
Islands and usually caught on the lines employed for Blue Cod
(Parapercis) and Hapuka (Polyprion). I have also seen
specimens caught off Kaikoura in the South Island.

Family HISTIOPTERID.
ZANCLISTIUS Jordan, 1907.

ZANCLISTIUS ELEVATUS Ramsay and Ogilby.
LONG-FINNED Boar FIsH.

Histiopterus elevatus Ramsay and Ogilby, Proc. Linn. Soe.
N.S.W. (2) i., 1888, p. 1811. Waite, Mem. Aust. Mus. iv.,
1899, p. 114, pl. xxvi.

Zanclistius elevatus Jordan, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. xxxi., 1907,
p. 236.

BivitD. vi 28s Am 14s VW 45 oP ig Oma

Among the sixteen species of fishes taken in the Bay of Plenty,
after I left the vessel, is a single example of this fish, the first
and only specimen known from New Zealand waters. As the
number of the Station and the depth, ete., were not reported to
me, I am unable to give a more exact locality. The length of the
specimen is 300 mm.

In 1903 I°8 published a note on the nomenclature of some
members of the family Histiopteride, and mentioned that
Pentaceros was not available for fishes, being preoccupied in the
Asteroidea. Later, Jordan?2 proposed the name Quwinquarius to
replace Pentaceros, while more recently, writing with R. E.
Richardson?° he states that ‘‘The name Pentaceros Cuvier and
Valenciennes is apparently not preoccupied, as recently sup-

(28) Waite, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (vii). 12, 1903, p. 288.
(29) Jordan, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. xxxii. 1907, p. 236.
(80) Jordan and Richardson, Mem. Carnegie Mus. iv. 1909, p. 192.

PISCES Det

posed by Jordan, Proc. U.S.M. xxxii., 1907, p. 238. The first
use of the name Pentaceros for a starfish by Schultze, 1760, is
nonbinomial, according to Dr. Walter K. Fisher.’’ These authors
therefore use Pentacerotidae as the name of the family.

In his review of the Histiopterid Fishes of Japan, Jordan?®
has supplied a useful key to all the genera of the family. The
genera as applied to Australasian species are :—

Zanclistius gen. nov. for H. elevatus Ramsay and Ogilby.

Richardsonia Castelnau for H. labiosus Giinther and 4H.
farnelli Waite.

Pentaceropsis Steindachner for H. recurvirostris Richardson.
The two species first named are found in New Zealand waters.

MACCULLOCHIA Waite, 1910.

Maccullochia gen. nom. nov. Waite, Proc. N.Z. Inst., 1910, p. 25.

This name was proposed to replace Richardsonia, applied by
Castelnau to Histiopterus labiosus Giinther in 1872. Richard-
sonia was first used by Steindachner in 1866 for Argentina
retropinna, and is not therefore available for this family. The
name Maccullochia is applied in recognition of the esteem in
which I hold my former pupil, Mr. A. R. McCulloch, now
Zoologist Australian Museum, Sydney. The type of the genus
is M. labiosa Giinther.

Respecting this species Mr. McCulloch, who is examining the
fishes collected on the Federal trawler ‘*‘Endeavour,’’ tells me
that he has a large series, and notwithstanding the differences
exhibited by the type of H. farnelli, he finds every lnk connect-
ing it with H. labiosus, of which it proves to be the young. The
name therefore becomes a synonym of Giinther’s species.

Family CHPOLIDA.
CEPOLA Linnezus, 1766.

CEPOLA AOTEA Waite.
Banp FIsH.

Plate XLIV.

Cepola aotea Waite, Proc. N.Z. Inst., 1910, p. 26.
Stations 89, 95.

Boyt). 742 A. 69 Voi: oP. 20% C6 -- 4.

Length of head 9.8, height of body 12.6, in the length;
diameter of eye 3.0, interorbital width 6.0, and length of snout

218 WAITE

5.1 in the head: depth of head 1.4 in its length, the large eye
almost cuts the profile: the mouth resembles that of a bull dog,
the lower jaw protruding and fitting into a notch in the upper
one, the anterior teeth remaining without when the mouth is
closed: the preopercle is unarmed, and the maxilla extends to
below the middle of the eve: the gill-rakers are long and slender
and finely spinous, they are forty-nine in number on the first
arch, thirty-two being on the lower limb.

Teeth.—The teeth in the jaws are in single series, but there
is a patch in front of the lower jaw, the anterior teeth of which
are strongly curved: there are no teeth on the vomer,
palatines or tongue.

Fins—The dorsal commences above the edge of the opercle,
its rays are articulated and branched: the anal arises less than
the length of the head behind the opercle; the pectoral is
rounded, its eighth ray being half the length of the head: the
ventrals are longer, twice the diameter of the eye: the caudal
rays are absent, their roots only remaining.

Scales.—The scales, left on portions of the body, are extremely
small,

Colours.—No colour remains after the partial digestion of the
fish, but there is a conspicuous black spot on the membrane
between the maxilla and premaxilla: no mark traceable on the
dorsal fin.

Length (to base of caudal rays).—353 mm.

The specimen described was obtained from the gullet of a
Zeus trawled at Station 89. Two smaller ones, measuring 74
and 47 mm. in length respectively were taken from the stomach
of Pagrosomus at Station 95, all occurrences being in the Bay of
Plenty.

This species is a true Cepola, as restricted by Bleeker, and
may prove to be not distinct from the European form C. taenia,
the fin rays and the presence of the maxillary spot being
identical, features also possessed by the Japanese C. schlegeli
Bleeker. Pending absolute comparison it has been given a
distinctive name. The Australian C. australis Ogilby differs
from all by having a much smaller number of rays in the dorsal
and anal, and also by the absence of the black spot noticed in
the other forms.

As to the systematic position of the Cepolide, Boulenger*!

writes : ‘‘ Although these fishes have hitherto been placed near the
Blenniidae, the Gobudae, or the Trachypteridae, they are nothing

(31) Boulenger, Camb. Nat. Hist. vii. 1904, p- 662.

PISCES 219

but extremely elongate Perches, and they stand in the same
relation to the Serranidae as the Trichiuridae to the Carangidae
and Scombridae.’’

In their review of the Cepolidae of Japan, Jordan and
Fowler®? publish details of the decades of the Fishes of the
‘‘Raune Japonica.’’ The pages attributed to Decades x.-xiv.,
have been also printed for Decades vii.-ix., for which the figures
should be pages 113-172, 1845.

Family SCIAANIDA.
ARRIPIS Jenyns, 1840.

ARRIPIS TRUTTA Forster.
KAHAWAIL.

Sciaena trutta Forster, in Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichth.,
1801, p. 542.
Centropristes salar Richardson, Voy. Ereb. and Terr. Fishes,
1845, p. 29, pl. xx., figs. 4-6.
Stations 71, 72, 73.

The only occasions on which the Kahawai was taken were
in three successive hauls in Palliser Bay, the depths ranging from
11 to 38 fathoms.

It was taken somewhat more freely during the period of the
extended cruise, but it is more than probable that the trawl did
not secure all those encountered, for the fish is a very rapid
swimmer, and would probably move off at the first sensation of
the vibrations caused by the passage of the trawl.

Family LATRIDIDAL.
LATRIS Richardson, 1840.

LATRIS LINEATA Forster.
TRUMPETER.

Sciaena lineata Forster, in Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichth.,
1801, p. 342.
Latris hecateia Richardson, P.Z.S., 1839, p. 98, and T.Z.S. iii.,
1842, p. 106, pl. vi., fig. 1.
Station 48.
The Trumpeter was but once taken in the trawl, a single
specimen being obtained, east of Lyttelton in 44-46 fathoms.

(32) Jordon and Fowler, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. xxvi. 1903, p. 701.

220 WAITE

Two specimens of Tripterygion variwm Forster were taken from
its gullet. Another example was caught on a long line off the
Chatham Islands.

LATRIS CILIARIS Forster.
Mokt.

Sciaena ciliaris Forster, in Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichth.,
1801, p. 310.

Latris ciliaris Richardson, Voy. Ereb. and Terr. Fishes, 1845,
Donets Ol. Koval dies (6-7.

Stations 13, 14, 25, 46, 57, 71, 73, 76, 77, 85.

Though taken generally between Otago Harbour and Hawke
Bay, the number of Moki secured by the trawl was not great.
The fishes were taken between the vertical limits of 11 and 43
fathoms. During the extended period it was secured in large
numbers in Great Exhibition Bay, almost at the northern
extremity of the Dominion. When at the Chatham Islands we
set nets and secured it in company with Tarakihi (Cheilodac-
tylus macropterus) and other species.

Family CHEILODACTYLIDAL.
CHEILODACTYLUS Lacépéde, 1803.

CHEILODACTYLUS MACROPTERUS Forster.
TARAKIHI.

Plate XLV.

Sciaena macroptera Forster, in Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichth.,
1801, p. 342.

Stations 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)31,
34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 54,
O7, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 73,
14, (5, 76, 78, 81,-83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88) SOI Gikso2 9s:
94, 95, 96.
B. vi.; D! xvi. 28; A. ii. 155 Vi. 18 de Po) tb aC eelo Gr
Malate doydluetre (et 17,
Length of head 3.4, height of body 2.2, length of caudal 6.4

in the length; diameter of eye 3.5, interorbital space 4.0, and
length of snout 2.1 in the head.

PISCES DOA

Upper profile of head sinuous, tumid over the snout and eye,
interorbital space convex, but not sharp, mouth small and sub-
horizontal the maxilla extending no further than the anterior
nostril, lips thick, the upper jaw the longer.

The profile of the back rises suddenly from the occiput, thence
gradually to the base of the eighth dorsal spine, whence it falls
to the caudal peduncle, the dorsal edge is sharp throughout its
length, the lower profile of the body is more even but tumid
behind the throat and is sharp and ridged to between the
ventral fins, it is rounded only beneath the caudal peduncle.

Teeth.—Teeth villiform, in a band in each jaw with a slightly
enlarged outer series.

Fins.—The dorsal commences above a point within the
opercular margin, its seventh spine is the longest, 2.8 in the head,
and longer than the rays: the anal has a short base, it commences
beneath the fourth dorsal ray and terminates an eye diameter
before the end of the dorsal; the second spine is the longest,
the -hinder rays are elongated reaching beyond the base of the
dorsal: the ventral arises beneath the longest dorsal spine which
its own spine exceeds in length, the fin reaches to the vent:
the two upper and seven lower rays of the pectoral are simple,
of the latter the second is greatly elongated, reaching the base
of the seventh anal ray, its length equals the height of the body
or 2.2 in its length; it is one-half longer than the head, and is
slightly fringed above and below: the caudal is deeply forked,
the -peduncle is low, little more than the diameter of the eye.

Scales—The snout is naked, the upper part of the head,
cheeks and opercles are covered with small seales, a band of small
scales also extends behind the opercle downwards to the pectoral,
the rest of the body is covered with moderate cycloid scales; the
lateral line has a low even curve, passes near to the upper edge
of the peduncle, thence drops to the central ray of the tail.

Colours.—Silvery, with a purple tint along the back; inner
side of opereles black, showing through the membranes; a
black band crosses the back in front of the dorsal fin, it extends
below the lateral line but fails to reach the pectoral fin. In young
examples there are, in addition, four other but fainter bands,
one beneath the middle and another beneath the hinder spines
of the dorsal, one beneath the middle rays and the last on the
upper surface of the caudal peduncle: occasionally all the five
bars persist, but usually only the first remains, and even this
may disappear in old examples. Young specimens also exhibit
about six longitudinal lines of brownish hue: the fins may be
shghtly clouded but without distinct markings.

Length.—267 mm.

999 WAITE

Of all the fishes taken, economic or otherwise, this was the
most ubiquitous species secured. After passing the Otago
Peninsula, it was represented in every haul of the net with but
few exceptions, and some of these Stations are charted as
‘“net fouled’’ when no fishes of any kind were obtained. It was
taken at the Chatham and Pitt Islands by means of set nets and
hand lines. Not only was it so freely distributed but occasionally
it was taken in enormous numbers; 1000 examples were counted
in one haul, while a more careful census made at another
Station, revealed 1650 specimens.

Operations conducted during the period of the extended
charter shows that it is generally distributed over the area
traversed, and as I with others have hooked it in the Sounds of
the West Coast, it may be said to frequent the whole of the New
Zealand seas.

Family SPARIDA.
PAGROSOMUS Gill, 1893.

PAGROSOMUS AURATUS Forster.
SCHNAPPER.

_Labrus auratus Forster, in Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichth.,
1801, p. 266.

Stations.9, 71, 72, 73, 74, 15, 76; 77, 78, 80, 8, 83; 84,°35," 86,
ella cts teey GONE), Bar eeei ess lo.

The Schnapper is regarded as a northern species in New
Zealand waters, and Hector writes: ‘‘The Schnapper is not
reported to occur south of the Kaikoura Peninsula.’’ It was
therefore with considerable surprise that a single example was
found included in the catch at Station 9, made off the mouth
of the Clutha River, south of Otago, in 15-50 fathoms. This
record is the more remarkable when, as the trawler records
show, it was not again taken until the net was dragged outside
Wellington Harbour, whence it was secured at almost every
subsequent haul, the extremes of depths being 11 to 105 fathoms.

In the introduction I referred to the plenitude of Schnapper
in the Bay of Plenty, and wrote (p. 54): ‘‘Large hauls of
Schnapper were made, and so great was their buoyancy when
drawn from the deep water that they not only brought the net
and its contents to the surface, but, in addition, supported the
weight of Mr. Alward, our chief engineer, who jumped boldly
on to the net. It was some time before the fish slipped away

PISCES 293

from under his feet sufficiently to sink him to the chest, and in
this situation I photographed him (Plate vi., fig. 1).’’

At the final Station charted by me, 1178 Schnapper were
taken in the net, but later hauls were even more productive, as
the following records, taken from the official report, will
indicate: ‘‘Upwards of 2 tons of fish, mostly large Schnapper,
were taken at Station 102.’’ At Station 103 a similar number
was obtained, while at Station 104, 2250 Schnapper were
netted. Station 106 yielded about 2000 examples. Although I
examined several thousand specimens during the cruise, I did
not find a single example in which the large humps on the snout
or back, so characteristic of the New South Wales ‘‘Old Man
Schnapper’’ were in any way indicated, though specimens quite
as large as Australian individuals were secured.

In New South Wales the Schnapper is usually taken, on rough
or rocky bottoms, in fact the line fishermen sometimes speak of
such areas as ‘‘Schnapper ground.’’

The fish is by no means confined to such situations in the
seas around New Zealand, but, on the contrary, appeared rather
to favour clean ground, for the great hauls of Schnapper pre-
viously mentioned, were taken on clean sandy flats.

It is doubtless largely a matter of food. Remains of molluscs
were generally found in the stomachs, together with mdetermin-
able fishes; on one occasion, namely, at Station 95, in the Bay of
Plenty, two examples of Cepola aotea were taken from the
stomachs of Schnappers.

Family LABRIDA.
PSEUDOLABRUS Bleeker, 1861.

The following is a synopsis of the New Zealand species of the
genus, the fin formule being :—D. ix. 11; A. i. 10; V. i. 5.

a. Seales on cheeks in five or more rows.
b. Dark markings on body.
e. Dark spots on or above the lateral line celidotus.

ec. A black bar across the body ae cinctus.
bb. No dark markings on body .. et coccineus.
aa. Scales on cheeks in less than five rows
d. Six dark transverse bars on body pittensis.
dd. Two or three longitudinal bands on
body .. : bw, laticlavius.

ddd. No dark markings on body .. fuscicola.

224 WAITE
The following four species were obtained :—

PSEUDOLABRUS COCCINEUS Forster.

ScarRLer Parrot FIsH.

Plate XLVI.

Labrus coccineus Forster, in Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichth.,
1801, p. 264.

Julis? rubiginosus Richardson, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. xi., 1843,
p. 425.

Labrichthys roseipunctata Hutton, T.N.Z.I. xii., 1880, p. 455.

This large and very handsome species was not taken in the
trawl, but was obtained by means of hand lines off the Chatham
Islands. It is of brillant scarlet colour when first removed
from the water, with a longitudinal pink line along each row
of scales, and some examples have a dark purple vertical mark
on each side also; there are about five rows of ocellated pink
spots on the dorsal fin and a similar series on the anal; the
pectoral and ventral are without markings; a broad dark brown
bar passes across the extremity of the caudal peduncle, the
outer margins of the caudal lobes, which are considerably pro-
duced are also dark brown; the caudal fin is dusky, either
wholly or at its distal extremity.

Length—tThe largest example obtained measures 355 mm. in
length.

Julis? rubiginosus Richardson, which was placed by Gtinther
with unidentified species, is without doubt a synonym of this
species, the description of Parkinson’s figure applying well to
our specimens.

P. roserpunctatus is probably the same species also, differing
only in the absence of the dark band across the caudal peduncle,
possibly a condition of immaturity, the type specimen being but
six inches (152 mm.) in total length.

PSEUDOLABRUS CELIDOTUS Forster.
Sporty.

Labrus celidotus Forster, in Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichth.,
1801, p. 265. Richardson, Voy. Ereb. and Terr., 1846, p. 53,
ple xo tio

Labrus botryocosmus Richardson, 1b., 1846, p. 53, pl. xxxi., fig. 6.

Station 28.

Of all the New Zealand Labroids, this is the species best known
to line fishermen in the South Island. It was but once taken in

PISCES 225

the trawl, when a few examples were obtained off Oamaru in
19-22 fathoms, on a sandy bottom. Richardson’s figures fairly
represent the markings, the most characteristic of one form being
the dark spot on the lateral line, whence the name ‘‘Spotty.’’
Being drawn, doubtless, from a spirit preserved example, it
indicates a contracted appearance about the head, a feature far
from the truth, and one common to many of Richardson’s
illustrations.

The specimens trawled include both forms, that is, examples
represented by the names P. celidotus and P. botryocosmus. A
careful examination has confirmed the opinion I held that the
two are not specifically distinct but represent colour varieties,
possibly of sexual import; the case may be analagous to the
two forms of Diastodon occurring in the waters of New South
Wales, D. unimaculatus, and D. bellis, and of which Ogilby??
wrote: ‘‘For some time we inclined to the opinion that the
differences were merely sexual, but the examination of specimens
of both sexes belonging to either form has induced us to recede
from that position. It must be borne in mind that notwith-
standing the fact that the differences in the coloration is not
always concurrent with the differences in the sexes, yet we may
have here two distinct varietal races living under similar condi-
tions and inhabiting the same waters, but which, nevertheless
preserve intact their colour variations. ”’

Respecting the Pseudolabri the differences are chiefly those
of colour markings. In P. celidotus there are two marks behind
the eye, a series of black spots above the lateral line, and below
them, on the lateral line, just beyond the tips of the pectoral, a
large black blotch; sometimes, also, other two marks, one
beneath the middle of the soft rays and the other below the
termination of the dorsal fin. Occasional specimens exhibit a
longitudinal band on the dorsal fin. In the botryocosmus form
the postocular marks are absent as is also the large blotch on the
side, but the smaller spots above the lateral line are retained.
In addition to the band on the dorsal fin, there is a similar one
on the anal.

Richardson states that the branchings of the tubules on the
posterior scales of the lateral line are simpler than in
P. celidotus, but this is a variable character, for in some
specimens the tube is simply forked, whereas some examples of
the botryocosmus form exhibit complex branchings on the
posterior scales, equally with those on the more anterior portion.

(83) Ogilby, Edible Fishes, N.S. Wales, 1893, p. 138.

226 WAITE
PSEUDOLABRUS cINCTUS Hutton.

GiRDLED Parrot FIsH.
Plate XLVII.
Labrichthys cinctus Hutton, T.N.Z.I. ix., 1877, p. 354.

Length of head and height of body 2.9, length of caudal 3.7
in the total; diameter of eye 6.1, interorbital space 3.5, length
of snout 2.7 in the head.

There are five rows of scales on the cheeks and four on the
opercle. The posterior canine tooth is exposed when the mouth
is closed.

Fins—The dorsal fin commences over the margin of the
opercle and the anal arises midway between the end of the snout
and the tips of the caudal rays: the pectoral carries a dark
band at its base, and the characteristic black body band passes
from the 6-8 dorsal spines to the space between the ventrals and
anal, being inclined slightly backwards below, it is about three
scales in width.

This well marked species was originally taken off the coast of
Otago, and I am unaware if it has been recognised since. I
caught two specimens on the line fishing from the wharf at
Napier, and these were the only examples seen by me. The
larger measures 300 mm. in length.

PSEUDOLABRUS PITTENSIS Waite.

Banpep Parrot FIsH.
Plate XLVIII.
Pseudolabrus pittensis Waite, Proc. N.Z. Inst., 1910, p. 26.

Dex the A, die 102 Vad Pe 18 Co ide! il elaie oor
L. tr. 4-4 9.

Length of head 2.7, height of body 2.6, length of caudal 3.4
in the total: diameter of eve 7.0, interorbital space 4.0, and length
of snout 2.9 in the head.

The head is evenly rounded above and below, and the jaws are
equal; gill-rakers short and pointed, seventeen on the first arch,
twelve of which are on the lower limb.

Teeth.—The teeth are in a single series, exclusive of the large
canines in front; the posterior canine teeth are concealed
when the mouth is closed.

PISCES pet

Scales.—There are four series of scales on the cheek and some
larger ones on the opercle. No sheath at the base of the dorsal
and anal fins, basal half of caudal clothed with seales. Lateral
line continuous, bent downwards beneath the hinder dorsal rays.

Fins.—The membrane of the dorsal spines is longer than the
respective spine, and the anal is similarly formed: caudal
truncate or feebly rounded, the depth of its peduncle 1.9 in the
length of the head.

Colowrs.—The colour in preservative is purplish, darker above,
and yellow beneath. The body is ornamented with six dark
bands, which do not reach the lower edge, the first is close
behind the head, embracing the tip of the opercle, the last is on
the caudal peduncle; these dark bands extend on to the dorsal
fin including the membranes of the spines and rays as follows :—
First band, spines, 1-4; second band spines, 5-7; third band,
spine, 9-ray,-3; fourth band, rays, 5-7; fifth band, rays, 8-11;
the pectoral has a purple bar across its base and the distal
two-thirds of the ventrals are black.

Length.—271 mm.
This species was taken off Pitt Island, one of the Chatham

Group, by means of hand lines. during the visit referred to in
the introduction, p. 53.

Family SCARIDAL.
CORIDODAX Giinther, 1862.
CormDopAx PULLUS Forster.
Burtrer Fisu.

Plate XLIX and fig. 3.

Scarus pullus Forster, in Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichth.,
13801, p:- 288:

Bey De ini9 AU iin i ye Oe Pale OC. 12.6:
Vert. 27 + 19 = 46; L. lat. 80; L. tr. 12 + 32.

Length of head 4.4; height of body 3.2 and length of caudal
3.7 in the total: diameter of eye 6.3, interorbital space 2.4 and
length of snout 3.5 in the head.

228 WAITE

Head short and blunt, the broad inter-
orbital space is very convex, mouth small
with reflexed lips, maxilla not reaching
to below the eye, a broad frenum in
both jaws; gill-rakers short and weak,
about thirteen on the lower limb of the
first arch; opercle with a large thin
flap. The body is elongate, the upper
and lower profiles beimg similar.

Teeth—Wholly coalescent sub-equal
in size not united on the mid _ line.

4 Exposed portion of pharangeal teeth

g.3. : E
Pharangeal teeth of diamond-shaped, the central depression
Contd edad Tas: being four times as broad as long.

oe

Fins.—The dorsal fin arises behind the opercle, and the spines
are flexible, increasing regularly to the last, which measures 1.5
in the length of the head; there is no apparent division between
the spinous and the soft portion, and the rays regularly lengthen
to the penultimate one, which is longer than the height of the
body and one-half longer than the head: anal short, its base
about one-seventh shorter than the head, the rays are a little
shorter than the corresponding ones of the dorsal, the longest
being one-third more than the head: the pectoral is sub-truncate,
its fourth or longest ray being longer than the last dorsal spine,
it extends nearly half the distance from its origin to the vent:
the ventrals arise midway between the tip of the lower jaw and
the vent: there is no trace of a spine, its office being taken by
the first ray, which is simple, the third is the longest, measuring
one-fourth more than the head; it extends to beneath the hinder
dorsal spines: the caudal is slightly emarginate, its peduncle long
and deep, its length from the dorsal rays being twice its depth
or 1.1 in the head.

Scales.—The head is smooth and naked, with the exception
of three rows of scales behind the eye, four rows on the upper
edge of the opercle, and a small patch of ten scales in the
temporal region, these are scarcely discernible in fresh
specimens. The scales on the body are small and cyeloid, the
lateral line runs low, arising with a slight arch above the
pectoral, thence it runs along the mid line of the body to the tail.
No scales on the fin rays.

Colours.—The whole body is dark olive green, the extreme
lower edge excepted, which is white: a bronze band along the
middle of the body, from the angle of the mouth to the base of
the caudal: irregular blue wavy lines run longitudinally along
the whole body. Lower portion of head with vivid violet spots

PISCES 229
and short lines, lips tinged with pink, throat sky blue. Eye
brown, a golden then a bright blue line encircling the pupil.
Dorsal fin blood-red anteriorly gradually passing through a
purple tint into the dark olive of the hinder rays: anal fin
similar to the dorsal, the red colour confined to the margin, both
fins with closely placed blue spots most pronounced basally:
membrane of ventral green, the rays pink: pectoral bluish:
caudal intense greenish-blue tipped with brown. All the bones,
together with the teeth, including the pharangeals, are deep
ereen.

Length.—520 mm.

The Butter Fish was not taken in the trawl, but was freely
caught in the nets set in the kelp in various places round the
Chatham Islands.

Family STROMATEIDAi.
SERIOLELLA Guichenot, 1874.

Two species of the genus were taken, but, unfortunately, the
individual records were lost. The three southern Stations were
made northwards of Dunedin to the Canterbury Bight, and the
three northern ones in Hawke Bay and the Bay of Plenty,
the recorded depths being 9 to 105 fathoms.

Stations 22, 32, 39, 81, 83, 88.

SERIOLELLA BRAMA Giinther.

WAREHOU.
Plate L.

Neptomenus brama Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus. 11., 1860, p.

390. Hector, Edible Fish. N.Z., 1872, p. 112, pl. v., fig. 31.

Berita = 9) sayin. 20 = Atte Ad ey Veco ee ol ee die Se dal
88; L. tr. 17 + 34; Vert. 7 + 17 = 24.

Length of head 3.5, height of body 2.6, length of caudal 5.3
in the length; diameter of eye 4.1, interorbital space 2.4 and
leneth of snout 3.2 in the head.

The upper and lower profiles of head and body form low even
eurves, the dorsal being the more convex: the eye les wholly
in the anterior half of the head and the nostrils are situated
quite close to the end of the snout; the mouth is small, the
maxilla not reaching the eye, it has a supplemental bone, the
upper edge of which slips entirely under the preorbital; gill-
rakers long, twenty-five on the first arch, of which seventeen are
on the lower limb; opercles entire.

230 WAITE

Teeth—Extremely small in narrow bands in both jaws, none
otherwise in the mouth.

Fins.—The dorsal spines are low and recumbent, the first
being inserted well behind the edge of the opercle: the last
spine is the longest, being adnate to the first ray which is simple,
the second ray is the longest, nearly half the length of the
head; the following rapidly diminish to the eighth, whence they
are of nearly uniform height: the anal commences beneath the
thirteenth dorsal ray and its hinder insertion is posterior to
that of the dorsal: the pectoral is long and faleate, nearly as
long as the body is deep, and extending to the first spine of the
anal: the ventral is short, its spine equals the length of the
snout and eye, its anterior insertion is midway between the
hinder edge of the orbit and the anal; the caudal is large and
deeply eleft, with a narrow peduncle, its least depth being equal
to the snout.

Scales—Cvyeloid and deciduous, those of the lateral line more
adherent: scales are present on the cheeks and opercles, the
upper part of the head is naked but without pores: the lateral
line follows the contour of the back and extends to the base
of the caudal.

Colours.—The head is brown above, vellowish on the sides and
silvery beneath; eye with a bright golden mark before and
another behind the pupil; the back, above the lateral line, is
deep purple, and the sides are silvery with a pink tinge: a deep
blue black blotch behind the head, crossing the lateral line but
extending neither to the dorsal profile nor to the upper base of
the pectoral: dorsal fin dark brown; pectoral and caudal with
clouded edges, the latter reddish at the base.

Length.—553 mm.

In his revision of the fishes of the Family Stromateidae, Mr. C.
T. Regan?* admits five species of Seriolella, and supplies a
useful synopsis.

Since that time Mr. E. C. Starks®® has described a new
species taken at Callao, Peru, under the name Neptomenus
crassa, and perhaps being unaware of or not admitting the
generic identity with Seriolella remarks :—‘‘This is apparently
the first record of the occurrence of this genus outside of
Australian seas.’’ The species should be compared with
S. violacea Guichenot, from the coasts of Chili.

(24) Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (7) x. 1902, p. 127.
35) Starks, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. xxx. 1906, p. 784, fig. 8.

PISCES Zal
SERIOLELLA PUNCTATA Forster.
Plate LI.

Gasterosteus punctatus Forster, in Bloch and Schneider, Syst.
Kehth:, 1801, pe 36:
Neptomenus bilineatus Hutton, T.N.Z.I. v., 1872, p. 261, pl.
vill.
Beye Divan 3: A. m245 V0, bP, Zils Col4 8s) lat.
118; Li. tr. 22° + 28.

In addition to the fin formule this species differs from S.
brama in being more elongate and by having a smaller eye.
There is also a broad band of pores on each side of and a short
distance from the dorsal fin; these pores are situated in a low
ridge, which becomes more pronounced in the hinder portion
of the body, but is lost beneath the upper caudal rays. The
colouration is very similar to that of S. brama, the dark purple
blotch at the origin of the lateral line being likewise present.
Eve bright yellow with a dark mark above and another below
the pupil. The largest example I have seen measures 204 mm.
in length.

Placing the species under Seriolella Forster, with S. bilineata
Hutton as a synonym MHutton?® writes:—‘‘I have no
doubt but that this is the long lost fish of Forster. The mistake
is due to the peculiar genus into which Forster put his fish, and
from the absence in the colony of any copy of his drawing.”’
In the ‘‘Index,’’ Hutton?’ followmg Regan®® reverts to
his own name (S. bilineata).

Family CARANGIDA.

The following will serve to distinguish the three New Zealand
species usually associated with Caranx :—
a. A detached finlet behind the dorsal
and anal fins.. 3 .. Decapterus koheru.
aa. Dorsal and anal fins without de-
tached finlets.
b. Lateral lLne with large scutes

in its entire length .. Trachurus picturatus.
bb. Lateral line with scutes in its
posterior portion only .. Caranx platessa.

(36) Hutton, T.N.Z.1. xxviii, 1896, p. 315.
(87) id. ‘‘Index Faune Nove Zealandie ’’ 1904, p. 44.
(838) Regan, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (7) x. 1902, p. 128.

232 WAITE
TRACHURUS Rafinesque, 1810.
TRACHURUS PICTURATUS Bowdich.
Horst MACKEREL.

Seriola picturata Bowdich, Excursion to Madeira, 1825, p. 123,
fig. 27.
Stations 72, 74, 80, 89.

D. viii. i. 29;7A. ii. 1. 26; V. 1.5; P. 21; C. 18 + 8; Se. 44 + 41.

The specimens obtained agree with this species as diagnosed
by Jordan and Evermann?® exhibiting the following characters:
The anterior scutes are low, not more than one-third the height
of the posterior ones, and the curved portion of the lateral line
is almost as long as the straight portion: the maxillary is
relatively short, not reaching beyond the anterior margin of the
orbit and the lining of the operele is merely clouded with black
On the other hand, the depth of the body and the number of
scutes is intermediate between the figures supplied for the two
species. The large size of the specimens is another feature in
common with 7. picturatus, and the writers referred to have
apparently identified New Zealand examples with this species.

It was trawled on four occasions, namely, twice in Palliser Bay,
once north of Cape Turnagain, and once in the Bay of Plenty.
The indicated depths range from 13-94 fathoms, but it cannot
be certain that the fishes were taken on the bottom.

Length.—420 mm. -

As it is well known, members of this family are particularly
prone to harbour Isopodous parasites in their throats; writing
of the Yellowtail of New South Wales, Ogilby*® says :—‘‘ These
fishes almost without exception suffer from being the host of an
isopodous crustacean of the genus Anilocra, which lives in the
throat, and thus obtains both sustenance and protection for
itself; though it is common to take this commensal from the
Sead with its developed ova attached we have never found more
than one in a single fish.’’

The specimens from the New Zealand fishes have been kindly
identified by Dr. Chilton as Meinertia imbricata Fabricius
(Ceratothoa banksw Miers, Cat. N.Z. Crustacea). From one
specimen I obtained eight individuals representing an adult
and young in various stages.

(39) Jordan and Evermann, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., 47, i. 1896, p. 909.
(40) Ogilby, Edible Fishes N.S. Wales 1893, p. 79.

PISCES 233
CARANX Lacépéde, 1802.
CARANX PLATESSA Cuvier and Valenciennes.

TREVALLY.

Caranx platessa Cuvier and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss. Ix.,
1833, p. 84.

Caranx georgianus id., p. 85. Richardson, Voy. Ereb. and Terr.,
1848, p. 135, pl. lviii., fig. 1-3.

Stations 74, 81, 86, 87, 91, 92, 94, 95, 96.

Da Os CA. MS de 2 ge Vie ly ised 20 OE Ae Yee B
L. lat. 68 + 44 = 107.

This species was taken in Palliser Bay, off Cape Kidnappers,
in Poverty Bay and in the Bay of Plenty. It was obtained
between the extremes of 16 and 58 fathoms.

Length.—469 mm.

Family SCOMBRIDA.
SCOMBER Linneus, 1758.

SCOMBER PNEUMATOPHORUS De la Roche.
MACKEREL.

Scomber pneumatophorus De la Roche, Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat.
xili., 1809, pp. 315, 334. McCoy. Prod. Zool. Vict. i., 1879,
pl. xxviii.
Station 72.
rae erie Ae te a vies ob eo, Naor. a0yoe. 4 Or
Li. lat. 225.

Length of head 4.0, height of body 4.3, length of caudal 9.4 in
the length. Diameter of eye 3.5, interorbital space and length
of snout 3.3 in the head.

Upper surface of snout and head flat without median groove,
no ridge on the occiput; lower jaw slightly the longer, the
maxilla, which is concealed beneath the preorbital, extends to just
within the margin of the orbit; hinder edge directed obliquely
backwards. Body not much compressed, its width 1.45 in its
height. .

Fins.—The distance between the tip of the snout and the
origin of the first dorsal fin is 2.86, that between the origins of the
two dorsals is 2.9, and the distance of the tip of the lower jaw to

234 WAITE

the base of the ventrals is 3 2 in the total length, without caudal:
the detached anal spine stands beneath the fourth dorsal ray: the
pectoral is short, its length one-half that of the head, its upper
insertion is level with the middle of the eye: the ventral is
situated posterior to the insertion of the pectoral, and is slightly
shorter than that fin: the caudal is deeply cleft, each lobe with
a basal keel; the peduncle is very narrow as wide as deep. The
lateral line is scarcely curved. Air bladder present.

Teeth—Minute, present on the vomer and palatines, but not
on the tongue.

Colours.—Upper surface bluish grey with dark blue hnes and
spots trending downwards and forwards to the lateral line,
thence vertically or backwards; these markings extend to the
midline of the body; the lower half of the body is silvery, with
closely placed faint grey spots; the angle of the opercle is
marked with radiating blue lines. The dorsal fins and finlets are
dark blue, the ventrals and anal are colourless, while the pectoral
is marked with black in its hinder third; a black axillary spot;
outer and hinder edge of caudal narrowly bordered with black.

Length.—522 mm (= 201% inches).

The only example trawled was obtained in Palliser Bay the
depth being 13-14 fathoms.

The differences between the various supposed members of the
genus Scomber, are so slight, and the difficulties of ascertaining
the correct synonomy so great, that the identification of the New
Zealand species with S. australasicus as distinct from S. pneu-
matophorus, is very doubtful; the latter has been regarded as a
synonym of 8S. colias. In addition to other features, the example
before me has a much shorter head and lower body than is
described for the other forms; even more striking are the pro-
portions rendered by Giinther of (presumably) a specimen 26
inches long, attributed to S. pneumatophorus. It is noteworthy
that the specimens described as having a long head and deep
body are generally small. The question of the svnonomy of the
components of the genus Scomber is one which needs to be
elucidated, but can only be accomplished by those who possess
large collections and the necessary literature. Evermann and
Kendall,44 who recently studied the claims of S. colas
and S. pnewmatophorus, arrived at the conclusion that the two
are specifically distinct, the former being the Atlantic and the
latter the Pacific species.

(41) Evermann and Kendall, P.U.S. Nat. Mus. xxxviii. 1910, p. 327.

PISCES 235
Family TRICHIURIDA.
THYRSITES Cuvier, 1829.

THYRSITES ATUN Euphrasen.
BARRACOUTA.

Scomber atun Euphrasen, K. Vetensk. Acad. Nya Handl. xii..
dE leas ora a Sp

Thyrsites atun Cuv. and Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss. viii., 1831, p. 196.
pk ecxix.

Stations: 2,6, 9) 11) 12,13, 1a, ie 18192002526, 28°34 35,
36, 38, 39, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 49, 50, 51, 58, 60; 63, 64, 65, 71.
81, 83, 85, 86, 88, 94.

This species, known from South African and Southern Aus-
tralasian Seas is very common all round the coasts of New
Zealand. Goode and Bean state that it is undoubtedly a
deep-water form. This however is not so, or, at any rate, if
found in really deep water, it is not confined to the depths. It
was taken by the trawler from Stewart Island to the Bay of
Plenty and at all depths from 10 to 105 fathoms.

Specimens netted at Station 20 had their stomachs crowded
with the fish Hemerocoetes acanthorhynchus.

REXEA Waite, 1911.

Body moderately elongate, fusiform; mouth large with a
single row of dagger-like teeth in each jaw: three enormous
fangs towards the front of the upper jaw and two smaller ones
in the lower jaw: teeth on palatines, none on the tongue. Two
contiguous dorsal fins, the spinous portion in a sheath, two finlets
above and below; pectorals small and low, ventrals small, each
with four spines, eaudal forked, peduncle without keel, scales
small and smooth, lateral line single anteriorly but dividing
forms an upper and lower branch.

This genus is near to Promethichthys Gill (?Dicrotus
Giinther) differing principally in the character of the ventral
fins and in the configuration of the lateral line. It includes,
as the type of the genus, the species described below, also
Thyrsites promethoides*? Bleeker T. micropus MeCoy** and
possibly T. (Promethichthys) Beni Meise Alcock.44 (See dis-
cussion below).

(49) Bleeker, Act. Soc. Se. Indo-Nederl. I. Amboina, p. 42 (vide Giinth).
(48) McCoy, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4) xi. 1878, p. 338.
(44) Alcock, Journ. Asiat. Soe. Bengal, lxiii. 1894, p. 117, pl. vi., fig. 1.

236 WAITE
REXEA FURCIFERA Waite
Kine Fisx.
Rexea furcifera Waite, Proc. N.Z. Inst., 1911, p. 49.
Plate LIT.

Stations 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 32, 36, 39, 44 81,
83, 88, 89, 90, 92, 95.

Be vii; D, xviii, 15, ios Ab dici4, tik Ve ayant
C.18 + 8.

Length of head 3.2, height of body 4.1, and length of caudal
6.9 in the length. Diameter of eye 4.8, interorbital space 4.6,
and length of snout 2.4 in the head.

The head is sub-quadrangular in section, conical and acutely
pointed, flat above, the edges rounded and a depression between
the eyes; the latter are almost circular, and lie a trifle nearer
the opereular margin than the tip of the snout.

The anterior nostril opens an eye diameter in front of the
orbit and is directed forward from a horizontal tube, much
as in the petrels (Tubinares), the posterior nostril lies half-way
between it and the front margin of the eye: the length of the
maxillary is half that of the head, its distal extremity is rounded
and its greatest width is half the diameter of the eye, it
extends to the anterior fifth of the orbit: the lower jaw
markedly projects and its extremity forms and completes the
anterior contour of the head: the tongue is shgehtly roughened:
gill-rakers are replaced by teeth like those in the jaws; one, two
or three being developed from the same base; of these bony bases
there are ten on the upper and seventeen on the lower limb of
the first arch. Pseudobranchie present.

Teeth—The maxillary bears about twenty acute flattened
distantly set teeth, largest in the middle: the vomer has three
large dagger-like teeth, each with the tip of a similar one at its
base, possibly destined to replace them: the palatine teeth are
similar to the maxillary ones but smaller: the two large and
widely separated teeth at the symphysis of the lower jaw are
directed upwards and backwards and remain without the upper
jaw when the mouth is closed: the lateral teeth are much larger
than those in the maxilla.

Fins—The first dorsal fin arises within the vertical of the
opercular margin, the middle spines are longest, a third longer
than the diameter of the eye: the fins are sub-continuous and

PISCES Zot

the longest rays are slightly higher than the middle spines;
the anal is placed a little further back than the soft dorsal but
is otherwise similar: the length of the pectoral is half that of
the head; the ventrals are composed each of four weak spines,
of which the first measures one-fourth the diameter of the eye:
the caudal is forked and the peduncle is compressed, its depth
less than the diameter of the eye.

Scales.—Cheeks opercles and body scaly, the scales small, the
lateral line passes almost straight from above the opercle. near
to the dorsal edge, to beneath the middle of the soft dorsal:
beneath the base of the 5-6 dorsal spines it sends off a downward
branch which descends suddenly to the mid line of the body,
thence straight to beneath the origin of the soft dorsal; it then
forms three waves, terminating in advance of the middle caudal
rays.

Colours.—Iridescent blue above, silvery beneath; a deep black
blotch on the dorsal between the 1-111 spines, and the fin narrowly
edged with black: soft dorsal, anal and caudal orange.

Length—514 mm, the largest example preserved measures
711 mm.

Though taken generally between the extreme limits of the
operations, this species was not obtained at Stations between
Lyttelton and southward of Cape Kidnappers. It occurred at
all depths between 9 and 105 fathoms. At Station 88 five young
of the same species were taken from the stomach of one indi-
vidual. Many of the Stations yielded specimens under twelve
inches in length. Squid was generally found in the stomach.

As will be gathered from the introduction, I had regarded
this fish as Promethichthys prometheus, probably because that
species appears in the New Zealand list, but an examination for
record purposes shows it to be quite different. It is alhed to
the three species before mentioned, and may indeed prove to be
identical with one or more of them; it may not be distinct from
R. micropus, but MeCoy describes that form as having six dorsal
and four anal finlets, and he had ample opportunities of veri-
fying this feature, for he states that it is taken in great
quantities from Tasmania to the Melbourne fish shops. The
popular name is Tasmanian kingfish: and it may be noted that
kingfish in the name applied to our form in the South Island.
Passing by minor differences Alcock describes R. bengalensis as
having a thick scaleless silvery skin; the scales of R. furcifera
though small are quite apparent, but one is tempted to ask
if the nudity of the Indian specimens may not be due to
immaturity, the examples, of only 514 inches in length being in
all probability, very young. I am not aware of the condition

EF

238 WAITE

of the skin in R. promethoides, for I have only Giinther’s
epitomised description for guidance, and he does not mention
the feature, which indeed may not be referred to by Bleeker.
Supposing that the character has not been overlooked in regard
to the ventrals fins, all the previously described forms differ
from our specimens in the smaller number of spines or rays.
I have chronicled the four components as spines, for they are
all stiff, simple and do not exhibit any jointed feature. The
comparative measurements given in the different descriptions
are taken in such varied manner as to be useless for diagnostic
purposes; I therefore supply the above description and figure
for the use of those who may have access to further material.

The following table shows the comparatively close agreement
in the radial formule.

Dorsal. Anal. Ventral.
R. promethoides. XViii. 1. 15. i. i, A, Ie
R. micropus XVil. iv. 12. vi. il, WAL, ahy%e i.
R. bengalensis Xviil. 11. 13-14. ii. ii. J1-12. ii. 1.
R. furevfera Xvi. 11. 15. ni. i. 14. ii iv.

LEPIDOPUS Gouan, 1770.
LEPIDOPUS CAUDATUS Euphrasen.
Frost FisxH.

Trichiurus caudatus Euphrasen, K. Vetensk. Acad. Nya. Handl.
Tg L(Ketoyy) Op boy,

Station 83.

This species was but once taken in the trawl, four small
examples being netted in Hawke Bay, at a depth of 68-78
fathoms. The specimens range from 320 to 415 mm. in length,
and are of the usual silver-grey colour, but the lateral line hes
in a rust-coloured band, and there are similar narrower and
fainter bands above and below it.

The name frost fish is applied in reference to its well known
habit of gomg ashore in the winter months. I once witnessed
such an occurrence. Coaching along the shores of the Bay of
Plenty in July, 1908, I witnessed the fishes in the surf; they
seemed to be writhing helplessly, and were carried further and
further inshore by each succeeding wave until finally stranded
on the beach. Specimens were picked up in different parts of
the beach for a distance of forty miles, and on arriving at my
destination, I learned that other travellers had similar experiences

PISCES 239

in different parts of the extensive Bay. Even before they were
finally cast ashore, the fishes were more or less mutilated by gulls,
most of them having their eyes picked out. Many theories have
been advanced to account for the peculiar behaviour of the
fishes. I beleve that von Lendenfeld*> considers that they
approach the surface for spawning purposes, but not having
access to his paper I am unaware if this is merely a theory
or a proven fact.

Family LEPTOSCOPIDA.
CRAPATALUS Giinther, 1861.

CRAPATALUS NOVH-ZELANDI® Giinther.

Crapatalus novae zelandiae Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (3)
wie, L861, p87, pl. x,
Leptoscopus angusticeps Hutton, T.N.Z.1. vi. 1874, p. 106,
pls xox,
Station 17.

Bias; Dias An 39); Po 2h Vo to Ole Aas. Jat. -50;
L. tr. 16 + 18.

Length of head 4.1, height of body 8.8, length of caudal 7.6
in the length; diameter of eye 9.1, interorbital space 6.2, length
of snout 4.5 in the head.

The opercles mark the widest part of the fish, and the head
tapers to the snout, which is obtusely rounded; the top of the
head is quite flat with a ridge on the inner side of each eye
forking behind: the mouth is oblique, the lower jaw being much
the longer with a prominent chin; both upper and lower lips
bear long fringes. The body is rounded passing into the long
and compressed tail.

Teeth.—The teeth are depressible, and arranged in bands;
they are uniformly short in the mandible, but the median teeth
of the premaxilla are twice as long as the others.

Fins.—The dorsal fin arises at a poimt one-third the distance
to the end of the caudal rays; it is low, the median rays being
longest and nearly-one-fourth the length of the head; the anal
arises close behind the vent, whose distance from the tip of the
snout is one-fourth the total length (caudal included), and
extends closer to the caudal than does the dorsal: its rays are
longer and thicker than those of the dorsal, and all are
undivided ; the pectoral extends to the fourth dorsal ray, and its

(45) Lendenfeld, Zool. Anzeiger, 1883, p. 559.

240 WAITE

length is 1.3 in the head; the eight upper rays are divided, the
lower ones are simple; these latter rapidly decrease in length,
forming a lower concave margin; the ventrals are very short, not
reaching the vent by an eye diameter, and are contained thrice in
the length of the head; the caudal is truncated and the depth of
its peduncle equals the interorbital space.

Scales.—The head is entirely naked as is also the space behind
the pectorals and between the ventrals; the scales are small and
deeply imbedded on the occiput, but they become larger, and
imbricate, those on the tail being largest. The lateral line arises
above the opercle and gradually descends to the mid line, thence
running straight to the caudal: its scales are very large and
leaf-shaped with a central ridge, the line is therefore extremely
conspicuous.

Colours.—Except quite anteriorly the lateral line sharply
divides the colouration, that above being brown, each scale with
a darker dot, the upper part of the head is brown dotted, the
entire lower parts are white: a row of about five brown spots
is found on the front of each ray of the dorsal, but the other fins
_are without markings.

Length.—378 mm.

The only specimen obtained was taken off Otago Heads, in
55-102 fathoms. While LZ. robsona Hector,*® and L. canis
Arthur,47 are without doubt synonyms of L. angusticeps, and
with which my specimen quite agrees, this latter species dues
not conform to either Giinther’s description or figure, which,
however, are not in themselves entirely consistent: thus the body
is illustrated as far deeper than described. In my specimen the
ventrals do not reach the anal by fully half their length, and
the shortness of these fins is indicated by Hutton’s figure.
Ginther describes the ventrals as extending to the fourth anal
ray: he also describes and figures the interorbital space as much
narrower than found by Hutton and myself. The transverse
rows of scales are rendered as 7/7, but they are much more
numerous in my specimen, counted from the origin of the dorsal
fin. It is possible that there are two allied species in our waters,
but for the present I follow authors in regarding the genus as
monotypic, indicating the essential features of the Otago
specimen as above.

(46) Hector, T.N.Z.I. vii. 1875, p. 248.
(47) Arthur, ib. xvii. 1885, p. 165.

PISCES 241

Family URANOSCOPIDA.

The three genera of this family, known from New Zealand,
may be recognised by the following characters :-—

a. A strong forwardly directed spine in front
of each ventral fin i, a Kathetostoma.

aa. No forwardly directed spines in front of
the ventral fins.
b. Lower Jaw normal ; Gemagnus.
bb. Lower jaw with a pair of dilated
processes which meet in front of the
elim © ; . aS oe a Gnathagnus.

KATHETOSTOMA Giinther, 1860.
KATHETOSTOMA GIGANTEUM Haast.

Kathetostoma gigantewm Haast, T.N.Z.I. v., 1873, p. 274,
pr xvis, fig. 2 ,

Stations 39, 47, 48, 49, 50, 67, 68, 83, 91.
Dalse ee. 1S Ve oe Pt 2s ©. AT.

The head is measured from the chin to the opercular margin,
and its length is one-fourth the total, depth of body 5.2 and length
of caudal 4.3 in the length. Diameter of eye 5.4, interorbital
space 2.7 and length of snout 6.1 in the head.

The head is very broad and flat, its breadth greater than its
length, or about one-third the total: the bony armature consists
generally of raised ridges which radiate from several centres,
the most conspicuous is a pair placed at the inner hinder margin
of the eyes and another pair on the occiput; the former
embraces the inner and hinder edges of the eyes, while the
hinder rays of the occipital pair are truncated and form a
straight line; another plate is placed before the eye, and there
are less regular patches in a series from below the eye to the
preopercle and opercle; a final series occurs between the eye
and the humeral spine; the latter is very strong, and is curved
outwards and backwards. Mouth large and vertical, lower lip
incised in the middle to receive a protuberance of the upper one:
maxilla broad, its distal end wider than the eye; chin with
numerous transverse ridges which posteriorly become distinct
folds with fringed edges: five blunt spines on the lower pre-
opercular edge, the first two lying below the maxilla; two strong
spines in front of the ventral fins, directed forwards.

242. WAITE

Teeth.—There are several rows of sharp teeth in the jaws and
a closely plicated membrane behind them.

Fins—The dorsal fin commences midway between the edge of
the upper jaw and the base of the caudal, its longest rays are
twice the length of the eye; the anal has a shghtly more anterior
insertion and is continued further back, its posterior rays are
longer than the corresponding ones of the dorsal and attain
nearly to the base of the caudal rays: the pectorals are connected
to the body by membrane beneath the humeral spine, and are
of great size, reaching to beneath the base of the 5th dorsal spine,
the lower nine rays are thickened, and are successively shortened ;
the ventrals are separate, disposed horizontally and quite flat,
the last or longest ray being 1.6 in the head; the caudal is
rounded.

Scales——Body scaleless. The lateral line arises above the
humeral spine and passes along the upper edge near the dorsal
fin, but suddenly drops on the caudal peduncle to the middle
of the tail, and is continued nearly to the end of the caudal
rays.

Colours.—Head and body above the lateral line, greyish brown
mottled below, the lateral line is without markings, and the
appearance of longitudinal stripes is thus produced: lower
surfaces colourless: dorsal fin mottled, pectorals and caudal dark
grey with white margins.

Length— 426 mm., the largest specimen preserved measures

555 mm.

Taken from the Canterbury Bight northward to the Bay of
Plenty, at depths between 28 and 78 fathoms.

TWitherto Kathetostoma laeve Bloch and Schneider, has been
regarded as a New Zealand species, and K. gigantewm Haast
placed as a synonym. Our specimens are, however, distinct,
and I am obliged to Mr. A. R. MeCulloch for comparing
specimens with Australian examples: he mentions that the bony
ridges on the head are not broken up into tubercles as in K.
giganteum, and that the antero-posterior dimensions of the bony
area is greater than the interorbital space, while it is equal to
it in our form; the fringes between the chin and the ventral
spines are neither so numerous nor so well defined in K. laeve,
and in this species the lateral line is much better defined: lastly,
the colour pattern of K. laeve tends to form transverse bars,
while in K. gigantewm they are longitudinal. The New Zealand
species grows to an enormous size, the type being 740 mm. in
Jength. Guill placed this species as a synonym of Geniagnus
maculatus, but I find it to be a true Hathetostoma, allied to

PISCES 243

K. laeve, but distinct. In large specimens the markings become
ill-defined resulting in a general mottling, but in young specimens
the ornamentation is very striking. The upper half of the body
is warm brown, and there is a median white line in which the
dorsal fin stands, and another on each side occupied by the
lateral lines, the sides are ornamented with large white spots.

An examination of the type specimen shows that the formula
of the fin rays has been incorrectly rendered in the description,
my count being as below.

eS Aa Ore Se Ve Ik Dre aeery ee alle

GENIAGNUS Gill, 1861.
GENIAGNUS MACULATUS Forster.

Uranoscopus maculata Forster, in Bloch and Schneider, Syst.
Ichth., 1801, p. 49.

Anema monopterygium Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus. i1., 1860,
p. 230.

Kathetostoma monopterygium Hutton, Cat. N.Z. Fish., 1872,
p. 23.

Synnema monopterygium Haast, T.N.Z.I. v., 1873, p. 274

Genyagnus maculatus Gill, Mem. Nat. Acad. Sei. vi., 1893,
anaes:

Stations 1, 2, 13, 16, 23, 30, 31, 35, 39, 47.

This species appears to be a southern form, having been
trawled from Stewart Island, northward to Lyttelton.

It may readily be mistaken for Kathetostoma, its general form,
volour, and markings being very similar. The small eyes, incon-
spicuous humeral spine and the absence of any spines in front
of the ventral fins are sufficiently striking, the bony ornamenta-
tion on the top of the head also is quite different; it is formed
of compact masses, and there is a hinder median boss not
represented in Kathetostoma, in which also the rugosities are
much more open. The upper half of the body is brown with
large white spots, which do not form lines as in Kathetostoma.

GNATHAGNUS Gill, 1861.

GNATHAGNUS INNOTABILIS Waite.
Gnathagnus innotabilis Waite, Rec. Aust. Mus. v., 1904, p. 238,
pb soxcvis, fe:
Stations 89, 91, 92, 94, 95.

All the specimens obtained were taken in the Bay of Plenty,
where nine, practically continuous, hauls were made, and the

244 WAITE

species was represented at five of them. The bottom was sand
and mud, and the registered depths 25 to 94 fathoms.

The largest example previously known was 152 mm. in length,
but specimens taken by the trawler show that it attains a con-
siderable size, up to at least 560 mm.

Three specimens were originally taken off Narrabeen, New
South Wales, and those now recorded constitute a record for
New Zealand, the genus not being previously known from our
waters.

Family PARAPERCIDAL.

PARAPERCIS Bleeker.
PARAPERCIS COLIAS Forster.
BLUE Cop.

Gadus colias Forster, in Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichth, 1801,
p. o4.
Stations 23, 25, 49.

As this species inhabits the vicinity of rocks it is not usually
taken in the trawl, and at two of the three recorded Stations the
net was fouled with rocks. The Blue Cod was freely taken at
the Chatham Islands on hand lines, the specimens being of large
size and excellent market fish, a matter I have previously
referred to (pp. 53 and 56).

PARAPERCIS GILLIESH Hutton.
Plate LIII.
Percis giles Hutton, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (5) iii., 1879, p. 53.
Station 89.

Bivir; Dov. 2iscA. 17 Ve. Rs 20 Ca 4 Gr ataneGe:
L. tr. 7 + 20.

Length of head 3.7, height of body 4.8, length of caudal 4.5 in
the total; diameter of eye 2.6, interorbital space 9.0, and length
of snout 3.0 in that of the head.

The upper part of the head and snout are declivous, while the
under part is flat, the large eyes are quite near to each other
and cut the upper profile: snout acute, mouth small, cleft
horizontal, with the lower jaw slightly longer than the upper:
the maxilla extends to beneath the anterior third of the eye.
edge of preopercle smooth, a spine on the operele.

Teeth.—A broad band of villiform teeth, and an outer pointed
series in a single row in each jaw.

PISCES 245.

Fins.—The dorsal commences above the root of the pectoral,
its fifth spine is the longest, equal to the diameter of the eye;
the first and last rays are shorter than the others, which are
subequal, and one-half longer than the eye; the anal is lower
and arises beneath the fifth dorsal ray; the pectoral and ventral
are of equal length, one-sixth shorter than the head, the latter
reaches the second anal ray; the upper lobe of the caudal is
pointed, the lower lobe rounded, and the depth of its peduncle
is nearly equal to the diameter of the eve.

Scales.—The snout and lower parts of the head are naked.
but the hinder part of the cheeks, opercles, and the whole of the
body, are covered with ciliate scales of moderate size; the lateral
line is slightly bowed over the pectoral and extends to the base
of the caudal.

Colours.—Generally sandy with dark brown markings, two
lines along the body, the upper of which crosses the lateral line
at the middle of its length, a number of bands pass from
the upper brown line across the back, they are generally in pairs,
one across the occiput, one at the first dorsal spine and another
at the first ray, three more beneath the rays and a last one on the
caudal peduncle; the base of the dorsal has a brown mark where
crossed by each band and an intramarginal line of the same
colour, the other fins are colourless.

Length.—164 mm.

One specimen only was obtained, it was taken in the Bay of
Plenty in 66-94 fathoms, and judging by the large size of the
eye it is an inhabitant of moderately deep water.

This specimen is possibly only the third known, the type having
been taken near Dunedin, while another is in the collection of
this Museum.

Family TRICHONOTIDAL.
HEMEROCCTES Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1837.

HEMEROCGTES ACANTHORHYNCHUS Forster.
Plate Vis neva
Callionymus acanthorhynchus Forster, in Bloch and Schneider,
Syst. Ichth., 1801, p. 41.
Hemerocoetes acanthorhynchus Richardson, Voy. ‘‘Ereb. and
Terr.,’’ Fishes, 1848, p. 123, pl. liv., figs. 7-12.
Stations 5, 20, 48, 50.
Byvi:y D: 426A. 40; V. 1. 5;.P. 18% C. 8 - 6: Ll. lat. 48;
L. tr. 4 + 7.
Length of head 4.2, height of body 11.2, and length of caudal

6.7 in the total: diameter of eye and length of snout 3.3 in the
head.

246 WAITE

' The interorbital spacé is so narrow that the orbits all but
touch each other, the nostrils of each side are widely separated
and are placed close in front of the eves, the maxilla extends
to beneath the middle of the eye, and each preorbital carries
a spine directed over the premaxilla; gill membranes very wide,
not attached to the isthmus, gill-rakers short and blunt, fifteen
on the first arch, of which two are on the lower limb.

Teeth.—Villiform teeth in bands in the jaws and on widely
separated patches on the expanded ends of the vomer.

Fins——The. dorsal commences close behind the base of the
pectoral, its rays are of uniform height, the few anterior and
posterior ones excepted; their length is equal to the height of the
body: the length of the anal is twice the distance of its origin
from the end of the snout, it arises below the 5-6 rays of the
dorsal and is continued posterior to that fin, its rays are one-
fourth shorter than those of the dorsal; pectoral rounded 1.6 in
the head; the ventral just reaches the vent, and it is a little
shorter than the snout and eye together; the caudal is rounded,
but the second and third upper principal rays are elongate, the
third being the longest, and one-half longer than the fourth:
the peduncle is low, one-half the diameter of the eye.

Scales.—Snout naked, upper part of head, cheeks and opercles
with scales a little smaller than those on the body, which are
large, eyeloid and carry small auxillary sealelets at their bases;
the scales of the lateral line are crenulate but not spinous.
The lateral line is shg¢htly depressed over the pectoral, otherwise
runs straight along the middle of the body.

Colours.—All the colours have faded in the preservative, but
during life they were very striking, the head and body being
marked with blue lines and some red spots on the fins; subvertical
lines on the cheek, and two lines on the dorsal may still be traced.
I have, unfortunately, lost my drawings made on board the
trawler.

Length.—194 mm.

This species was taken at the southern Stations, between
Foveaux Strait northward to Pegasus Bay in 20 to 67 fathoms,
and was also found in the stomachs of Barracoutas (Thyrsites
atun) at Station 20.

With the exception of a slightly larger eye and a difference in
the caudal rays, the specimens agree well with Richardson’s
figure; this writer mentions that the tail in his specimen was
not perfect, and states that Forster drew the tail as being lunate
at the end, and that Dr. Dieffenbach described the fin as being
truncated with an elongation of the upper angle.

PISCES 247
HEMEROC@®TES MICROPS sp. nov.

Plate LIV., fig. 2.

The specimens below described were not taken by the trawler,
nor within the sphere of its operations; they were caught by
myself on a hand line in the various Sounds on the south-west
coast, and present several differences from what I have con-
sidered or have chosen to consider as typical of H. acanthor-
hynchus: the principal features in which the specimens differ
may be expressed as follows :—

D. 40; A. 39.

Length of head 3.7, height of body 10.4, and length of caudal
5.6 in the total: diameter of eye 4.5 and length of snout 2.5 in
the head.

Compared with H. acanthorhynchus, the head is larger, while
the eye is very much smaller, both vertically and horizontally, so
that the interorbital space is wider and the snout much longer;
in the older species the eye and the snout are of almost equal
length, but in H. microps the eye is but half the length of the
snout; there is a prominent knob above the tip of the upper jaw.

Fins.—The vertical fins are very much higher than in the type
species, the dorsal being more than a third higher than the body:
the lunate caudal, when compared with Richardson’s figure,
would also appear to be different, but the shape is really
determined by the degree to which the outer rays are produced,
a feature which may depend upon age, sex or other condition.

Colours.—The once brilliant colouration has quite disappeared
in preservative, the general disposition of the markings alone
remaining. The upper part of the head and the body above the
lateral line are brown, the underparts are colouriess; a blue line
from below the preorbital spine, passes backwards beneath the
eye, there are some oblique bars on the cheeks and opercles: and
seven dark brown bars across the upper half of the back, the first
being in advance of the dorsal fin and the last behind it on the -
caudal peduncle: all the fins are smoky; the dorsal has three
darker horizontal lines.

Length.—217 mm.

The brilliant colouration and striking markings of this fish
excited the interest of all who saw it alive, but not recognising
it as different from the specimens previously trawled, and of
which I had made careful colour sketches—since lost—I did not
take note of its characters.

Presuming that. the specimen described and figured by
Richardson is co-specific with Forster’s examples, I have given a

248 WAITE

new name to the smaller eyed, longer snouted, and longer raved
form taken on the west coast, and have figured specimens of each.

Family BLENNIIDA.
TRIPTERYGION Risso, 1826.

TRIPTERYGION VARIUM Forster.

Blennius varius Forster, in Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichth,
ASO py ALT Ss:
Station 48.

Living examples were trawled in Pegasus Bay in 44 to 46
fathoms, and at the same time specimens were taken from the
stomach of a Trumpeter (Latris lineatus). I have recently
described specimens taken at the Auckland Islands.4%

Family OPHIDIDA.
GENYPTERUS Philippi, 1857.

GENYPTERUS BLACODES Bloch and Schneider.
LIne.

Ophidium blacodes Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichth, 1801,
p. 484.

Stations 14-2). 3:4. 5, 78.09), 10, ded te oA eel aeetiGae tig adles
19, 21,929, 96. 97, 99 Sih 182 34) 85 Bouse a ae)
41, 42, 48, 44, 45, 47, 48 49, 50, 52, 53, 54, 57, 61, 62,
65, 66, 67, 77, 78, 86.

Represented in almost every haul from Stewart Island to
Gisborne and at depths from 9 to 183 fathoms, this species was
more plentifully taken at the southern Stations. At Half-moon
Bay, Stewart Island, the Ling was commonly seen swimming
round the piles of the jetty in four feet of water: it was also
represented in the hauls made at the Chatham Islands. I have
previously (p. 54) referred to the extreme buoyancy of this fish
when drawn to the surface, remarking that when the air bladder
and tissues are distended it resembles an elongated barrel, and
comparatively few are required to float the net and its contents.
Cephalopods, crustaceans, eels and other fishes were commonly
removed from the stomachs, while all the examples netted at
Station 7 in 43 fathoms had the intestinal tract crowded with
the crustacean Munida gregaria.

(48) Waite, ‘‘ Subantarctic Islands of N.Z.’’ 1909, p. 597.

PISCES 249

Family SCORPAINIDA.
SCORPAENA Linneus, 1758.

ScoORPANA PERCOIDES Richardson.

Sea PERCH.

Sebastes percoides Richardson, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. ix., 1842.
p. 384.
Scorpaena barathri Hector, T.N.Z.I. vii., 1875, p. 245.

Stations 18, 19, 22, 23, 24. 25, 26, 30, 36, 38, 46, 49, 71, 83, 84, 88,
3 89.

This common species was freely taken, the depths ranging from
13 to 105 fathoms. Giinther states that it descends to 400
fathoms.

In 1887 S. barathri was pronounced by Ginther*? to be
synonymous with this species. Being possibly unaware of this,
Gill®® catalogued it as Sebastapistes barathri, and it therefore
appeared in Hutton’s ‘‘Index’’ and consequently in my ‘‘Basic
list’’ also.

Specimens taken on hand lines at Pitt Island, one of the
Chatham Islands group, measure 398 mm. in length.

In common with many other Sebastoid fishes, this species is
viviparus, a fact first made known to me by Mr. Anderton. The
young are very small, but are produced in large numbers.

CONGIOPODUS Perry, 1871.

CoNGIOPODUS LEUCOPzCILUS Richardson.
Pia FIsH.

Agriopus leucopaecilus Richardson, Voy. Ereb. and Terr., 1846,
p. 60, pl. xxxvii., fig. 4, 5.

Congiopodus leucopoecilus Gill, Mem. Nat. Acad. Sei. vi., 1893,
jee A ts

Stations 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 36,
46, 49, 50, 51.

The localities at which this species was taken are all southern
ones, no examples being netted north of Pegasus Bay: it was
found to be extremely common where it occurred, and was
obtained at depths between 13 and 50 fathoms.

The South American species C. peruvianus Cuvier and
Valenciennes appears to have been first recorded for New

(49) Giinther, Chall. Rep. xxii. 1887, p. 17.
(50) Gill, Mem. Nat. Acad. Sci. vi. 1893, p. 117.

250 WAITE

Zealand by Hutton,°! who writes:.‘‘ Distinguished by having a
small spine before each orbit,’’ which indeed is the only expressed
difference rendered in Giinther’s work. I have compared the
specimens used by Hutton with the fine series now at my com-
mand, and I find them to be identical. It may be noted that
small examples possess the preorbital spines, whereas larger
ones do not, the spines are therefore characteristic of immaturity.
IT am not in a position to decide if C. lewcopaecilus is distinct
from C. peruvianus; if not the latter name should be employed.
It is certain, however, that we know but one species from New
Zealand.

The Pigfish was found to be feeding largely upon a minute
hermit crab, which Dr. Chilton identifies as Eupagurus stewarti
Filhol; the crustacean was not extracted by the fish, but the
shell of the molluse or the small mass of caleareous polyzoon in
which the crab resided was swallowed whole, and the crustacean
was doubtless dissolved out by the juices of the fish’s stomach.

I may here refer to another extremely doubtful New Zealand
member of the family. Perca cottoides Linn. (= Cottapistus
cottoides) was entered as a member of our fauna on the
evidence of a specimen in the Haslar collection received at the
British Museum, but in giving the range of the genus
(Prosopodasys) Gunther placed New Zealand within brackets
evidently to express doubt. The species, however, found a place
in the New Zealand lists, but in 1890, Hutton®? marked the entry
with a ?, and, in a working copy which he used, I find the species
scored out and Agriopus peruvianus substituted. As far as I
am aware, no further specimen has been identified from New
Zealand, and I think that the species may be placed with those
which remain to be rediscovered.

Family COTTIDA.
NEOPHRYNICHTHYS Giinther, 1876.

NEOPHRYNICHTHYS LATUS Hutton.
TOADFISH.
Psychrolutes latus Hutton, T.N.Z.1. viii., 1876, p. 214.
Neophrymchthys latus Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4) xvii.,
1876, p. 396, (not P:Z:S., 1881, p; 20) pli Gall See Use Nab.
Mus. xi., 1888, p. 327, pl. xli.
Stations 5, 28, 31, 32, 40, 43, 44.50. — ¥
This appears to be a southern species, not being taken north-
ward of Pegasus Bay, though obtained from our most southerly

(51) Hutton, T.N.Z.1. xxviii. 1896, p. 314.
(52) 2d., ib. xxii. 1890, p. 277.

PISCES otk

Station; it shows considerable vertical range, having been
trawled between 9 and 183 fathoms.

This fish formed the principal subject of the paper by Dr. Gill,
above listed, but having but a single specimen, the author was
unable to sacrifice it to ascertain its anatomical structure. He
writes :—‘‘ We may hope that perhaps Professor Parker, to whom
we are indebted for excellent memoirs on the anatomy of several
fishes of his adopted home, may give himself, or depute a student
to give us, some details as to the anatomy of a fish which does
not appear to be excessively rare in New Zealand.’’ I was
particularly unfortunate in my selection of a specimen for
anatomical examination, for choosing one which was unsatisfac-
tory as regards its exterior I found that the skull was broken
to pieces and so crushed as to render it impossible to ascertain
the original condition of the bones. Moreover the specimen was
preserved in formaline, a medium which so hardens the tissues
as to make dissection from bones which appear to be semi-
cartilaginous, a rather difficult matter under the best conditions.
I possess only one example preserved in spirits, and this I have
sent to Dr. Gill with the request that he will examine it, so that
we may have the benefit of his wide experience in all matters
connected with the anatomy of fishes.

The following are the few notes revealed by an examination
of the imperfect specimen above referred to :—

iBeavite- Deexti, 15: AC 14s Vo os Pos COE S:

The vertebre number 33, there are four gills, no slit behind
the fourth, gill-rakers ten, eight being on the lower limb of the
first arch, they are very small and widely spaced, the upper
pharangeal teeth are two rounded masses, the lower ones are
smaller and fiat.

Though known to attain a length of 407 mm. (= 16 inches).
all the examples taken in the trawl are much smaller, and
specimens 188 mm. in length have the ova fully developed.

Family TRIGLIDA.

The three genera of Gurnards known in New Zealand waters
may be thus identified :—

a. Seales very small.
b. Spiny scutes at the bases of both

dorsal fins. . ae a Chelidomchthys.
bb. Flat scutes at base of first dorsal
only Pterygotrigla.

aa. Seales large, lateral line with 75 or
fewer scales... aes - Lepidotrigla.

vA Pe WAITE
CHELIDONICHTHYS Kaup, 1873.

CHELIDONICHTHYS KUMU Lesson and Garnot.
RED GURNARD.

Trigla kumu Lesson and Garnot, Voy. Coquille, Poiss, 1826,
p. 214, pl. xix.

Chelidonichthys kumu Jord. and Evern.,, Rep. U.S. Fish. Comm.,
1896, p, 488.

Stations 25, 31, 34, 39, 42, 48, 44, 51, 53, 54, 61, 62, 64, 65, 67,
69, 70, 72, 73, 74, 10, 14,18; 80, Sl, So,.560, Sr. 90sI2 noon
94, 95.

This common species was first encountered off Oamaru and
was thence taken generally throughout the remainder of the
cruise, the depths ranging from 10 to 105 fathoms.

PTERYGOTRIGLA Waite, 1899.

PTERYGOTRIGLA PICTA Gtinther.
SPoTTeED GURNARD.
Plate LV.

Trigla picta Giinther, Chall. Report, Shore Fishes, 1880, p. 24,
pl. xii, fic. a.
Pterygotrigla andertom Waite, Proc. N.Z. Inst., 1910, p. 26.

Devinevia, 2) 5A as Ve oe Pe 12S Sie Oui Oe sen lduie
Vert. 10 + 16 = 26.

Length of head (exclusive of spines) 2.9, height of body 3.8,
length of caudal 4.8 in the total; diameter of eye 3.2, interorbital
space 3.0, length of snout 2.1 in the head.

Profile of snout very declivous, supraorbital edge most
prominent, rising far above the contour of the head, producing
a concave interorbital area; the maxillary reaches to below the
anterior margin of the orbit: a single flat rostral spine on each
side, a sharp spine on the temporal and another on the operele,
both directed backwards, a smaller one at the angle of the pre-
opercle, a deep notch below it; a large spine on the supraclavicle
directed upwards and backwards. Gill-rakers short and stout,
fifteen on the first arch.

Teeth.—Teeth in narrow bands in the jaws, divided on the
mid line, and on the head of the vomer; none on the palatines.
Fins.—The dorsal spines are strong and sharp with acute
edges, the first, which stands wholly behind the head, slightly

~

PISCES 253

exceeds the orbit in length, the third spine is the longest, but
does not extend as far as the fourth or fifth when depressed;
its length is nearly twice that of the orbit: the two first spines
stand on a slight eminence, the others in a depression: the base
of the soft dorsal is one half longer than that of the first, and its
fifth or longest ray is shorter than the second spine: the anal
arises in advance, and terminates posterior to the soft dorsal and
its corresponding rays are lower; the pectoral is very long,
reaching to below the middle of the base of the second dorsal;
of the three detached rays the upper one reaches to the base
of the first anal ray, or to the tip of the ventral, which fin
reaches the base of the first anal ray; caudal fin deeply cleft with
pointed lobes, the outer margins of which are quite straight, the
pedunele is very low, its depth being one-half the diameter of
the orbit, its thickness is but slightly less; the rays leave it at
a very marked angle.

Armour.—tThe striz on the head plates arise from certain
centres and extend radially, they are especially rugose on the
upper plates; the occipital plate is deeply incised, the temporal
spines forming its outer border; the flattened area whence the
spinous dorsal arises bears eleven rugose plates, the first is large,
crescentice with straight lateral sutures, extending across, in front
of the first spine; the others become successively smaller, the
last pair being at the base of the sixth spine.

Scales.—Seales very small, deeply imbedded, lateral line well
marked, anterior portion of body, below the dorsal plates and
including the lower surface, naked.

Colours.—General colour pink, yellow above and white
beneath; bony plates ochreaceous; fins yellow. The whole of
the upper half of the head and body with black spots of different
sizes and irregularly arranged; similar spots on the dorsals and
caudal fins, those on the upper edge of the caudal are elongate
and form a margin; the inner side of the pectoral is brown with
seven black bars, these show through to the outer side, but no
markings are visible when the fin is closed, the only spots then
seen are those on the first ray and some smaller ones at the base
of the fin, the lowest ray is without colour or marks, a few spots
on the detached rays: the outer surfaces of the first three rays
bear three rows of large spots; the fin is broadly margined with
white.

Length. 294 mm.

This species, represented by several specimens, was taken in
the Bay of Plenty after I left the trawler, and was sent to me
by Mr. Thomas Anderton, Curator of the Portobello Marine
Fish Hatchery.

G

254 WAITE

It differs from P. hemisticta in comparative proportions also
in colour markings, as ascertained from the description by
Jordan and Starks.°? The maxillary is much shorter, not
extending beyond the anterior margin of the eye; there are more
plates at the base of the first dorsal fin and the rays are
relatively higher: both ventral and pectoral fins are longer and
the detached rays of the pectoral (which may be ealled
Chiropods) are relatively shorter.

In regard to colour, the large black spot on the dorsal fin of
the Japanese species is replaced with small scattered spots, not
dissimilar from those on the body, the dorsal rays bear three
rows of spots and the ventrals and chiropods are also spotted.
Fresh specimens of P. hemisticta may exhibit markings on these
fins also, as the one described was ‘‘apparently faded.’’
Judging from our examples, however, I shall be quite prepared to
hear that the colouration of the specimen was not far from
normal. It is unlikely that there is any agreement in the
colour of the pectoral in the two species; in P. hemisticta the
markings are in the form of two rows of milk white spots, while
in the New Zealand form there are seven black bars.

The name P. andertoni was published, the above description
written, and the accompanying plate prepared before I discovered
that the species was in all probability identical with Trigla
picta, described from Juan Fernandez.

Having communicated these facts to Mr. A. R. McCulloch, he
informs me that the same species was trawled by the
‘*“Wndeavour’’ in Southern Australia; the three known habitats
of this handsome fish are therefore in approximately the same
latitude.

The genus Otohime, of which O. hemisticta is the type, is a
synonym of Pterygotrigla.
LEPIDOTRIGLA Giinther, 1860.

a. Pectoral long, more than one-third the
total length, a black mark on the first

dorsal ies ce i ae Vanessa.
aa. Pectoral shorter, less than one-third the
total length, dorsal without markings brachyoptera.

Of the two described New Zealand species, one only was
obtained.

Se

(53) Jordan and Starks, P.U.S. Nat. Mus. xxxii. 1907, p. 132.

PISCES 255

LEPIDOTRIGLA BRACHYOPTERA Hutton.
GURNARD.

Lepidotrigla brachyoptera Hutton, Cat. Fish. N.Z., 1872, p. 27,
aoe NZ. v., 1873, ply xy., he Ai:

Stations 21, 26, 30, 36, 39, 50, 67, 74, 75, 83, 84, 88, 89, 90.

Beavis Dyin. 16; A. 160°V. 1.25; 2. te - 3.6. 12, =— 20.
L. lat. 64.

Length of head 2.7, height of body 4.0, and length of caudal
4.1 in the total; diameter of eye 3.0, interorbital space 3.7, and
length of snout 2.7 in that of the head.

Snout emarginate, the lateral prominences rounded with about
six denticles, interorbital space flat in the middle, but the supra-
orbitals are much raised ; supraocular and postocular spines very
small, a cross furrow behind the latter, the nuchal spine reaches
to the base of the third and the humeral to that of the fifth
dorsal spine; opercular spine short, the third dorsal spine is the
longest and is half the length of the head.

Fins.—The pectoral extends to the third, fourth, fifth or sixth
anal ray, it is 1.1 in the head or 3.1 in the total: the upper
chiropod does not nearly reach the tip of the ventral.

Scales.—The scales are spinous, spines of dorsal scutes strong
and sharp.

Colours.—General colour red, the outer rays of the pectoral
are colourless, the inner ones, including the membrane are black
on the inner side, the colour showing through on to the outer
side as bluish grey.

Length.—163 mm.

Taken from Otago to the Bay of Plenty at depths between
20 and 105 fathoms, and freely trawled at the Chatham Islands
also.

PLECTOGNATHI.
Family MONACANTHIDA.
PSEUDOMONACANTHUS Bleeker, 1866.

Two distinct species of the genus have been previously confused
they may be identified by the following characters :—

a. Gill opening under hinder half of eye,
pectoral behind posterior margin of
orbit, skin very rough when rubbed
forwards 5 RS x scaber.
aa. Gill opening under front half of eye,
pectoral below middle of orbit, skin
velvety .. =) Aes ie convexirostris.

bo
or
fon)

WAITE
PSEUDOMONACANTHUS SCABER, Forster.

RoucH LEATHER JACKET.
Plate LVI.

Balistes scaber, in Bloch and Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801,
p. 477.
Station 28.

1D Rares aise Gas sad cealaie(O. 12,

Length of head 3.2, height of body at the vent 2.1, length of
caudal 3.4 in the total; diameter of eye 3.4, length of snout 1.3,
and interorbital space 3.0 in the head.

The gill opening is oblique and placed under the hinder part
of the eye, being separated therefrom by an interval less than
its diameter; the nostrils are close together, placed in front
of the upper part of the eve. The head is deeper than long, and
the upper profile is sinuous, being concave over the snout; the
interdorsal space is also concave; the ventral process is markedly
extensible.

Fins.—The dorsal spine stands over the hinder half of the eye,
midway between the end of the snout and the origin of the
dorsal rays; its length is 1.7 in the head; the hinder barbs are
large, six or seven in number; the anterior ones are small; the
middle rays of the dorsal are the longest, about one-third longer
than the eye: the anal rays are similar, but lower; they originate
and terminate relatively posterior to those of the dorsal: the
ventral spine is fixed, large and with prominent spikes, one of
which is directed forwards: the pectoral has a long fleshy base
and the actual rays arise behind the vertical of the eye; the
eaudal is rounded and the depth of its peduncle is one-half
more than the diameter of the eye.

Scales—The scales are furnished with sharp points which
make the skin so rough that the finger cannot be freely rubbed
in a forward direction.

Colours.—The general colour is warm yellow, the upper parts
reddish with brown markings, which are variable: the specimen
described and figured is marked as follows:—A brown stripe
from above the nostrils passes over the eye to the caudal; two
dark marks below the dorsal rays and two similar ones at the
base of the anal: a dark line from the eye to the mouth, and
another below it; a wider one in front of the gill opening; all
reach the ventral profile; there is also a clouded area beneath the
pectoral fin, the colour spreading fanwise below.

PISCES 257

Length.—196 mm.

This species was taken only at Station 28. six miles east of
Oamaru, in 19-22 fathoms. I also have examples taken in
Lyttelton Harbour.

Writing under Monacanthus peroni Giimther’+ has the
following note :—‘‘Balistes scaber (Forst.) from Queen Char-
lotte’s Sound, New Zealand, appears to be allied to this species ;
but the manuscript drawing made by Forster represents the
dorsal spine as much more slender, without strong anterior
barbs, which are most characteristic of M. peronw. The outline
of the snout of B. scaber is concave.”’

Hutton®® also refers to this species of Forster, and, placing
it under M. convexirostris Giinther, remarks that it ‘‘was most
likely this species,’? and again®® ‘‘This is certainly the
Balistes scaber of Forster.’’ Since that time Balistes scaber has
disappeared from the New Zealand list, but I feel quite justified
in identifying the present specimens with Forster’s species, and
in pronouncing the two as distinct as will be evident from a
comparison of the accompanying illustrations, if my interpreta-
tions are correct.

PSEUDOMONACANTHUS CONVEXIROSTRIS Giinther.
SmootH LEATHER JACKET.

Plate LVII,

Monacanthus convexirostris Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus. viii.,
1870, p. 248, Hutton, Cat. Fish. N.Z., 1872, p. 71, and
Hector, ib., p. 120, pl. xii., fig, 114.

Stations 70, 78.

Dem. 362 A. 36; P. 12.'0) 12:

Length of head 3.4, height of body at the vent 2.3, length of
caudal 4.3 in the total; diameter of eye 4.0, length of snout 1.1,
and interorbital space 3.3 in the head.

The gill opening is oblique, placed under the anterior half of
the eye, its distance therefrom is less than the vertical diameter
of the orbit: the nostrils are close together, placed in front of
the middle of the eye. The head is deeper than long and the
upper profile is almost flat; the interorbital space is convex:
the ventral process is very extensible.

Fins —The front edge of the dorsal spine stands over the
middle of the eye, and midway between the end of the snout
and the dorsal rays; its length is 1.46 in the head; two rows of

(55) Hutton, Cat. N.Z. Fish, 1872, p. 71.
(56) id, T.N.Z.1. ix. 1877, p. 354.

258 WAITE

about sixteen barbs behind, of moderate size, and two rows of
smaller ones in front: the longest rays of the dorsal, anal and
pectoral are equal, and are 2.7 in the head. or one-half longer
than the eye: the base of the anal is but little shorter than that
of the dorsal, but it has a more posterior insertion: the ventral
spine is fixed, rugose, with small spines: the base of the pectoral
is short and is placed below the middle of the eye: the caudal
is rounded and the depth of its peduncle is one-half greater
than the diameter of the orbit.

Scales.—The scales have each about six or seven spines on their
margins, but the spines are so small and soft that the skin feels
velvety when rubbed either forwards or backwards.

Colours—The general colour of the body is brownish-grey,
the portion behind a line drawn from the eye to the origin of the
anal is ornamented with regular dark blotches somewhat smaller
than the eye.

Length.—309 mm.

The Smooth Leather Jacket was taken to the northward of
Cape Turnagain, in 18 to 24 fathoms, it was also trawled in
Hanson Bay, at the Chatham Islands, in 33 to 45 fathoms.

THE OUTCOME OF THE EXPEDITION.

The stated objects of the expedition have been referred to
in the introduction, and it will be seen that they were of purely
economic import.

Investigations were to be made only in direct connection with
the food fishes, their distribution and the grounds suitable for
their capture, and to place the information obtained on record
for the guidance of those interested in the trawling industry.

These objects have been well attained, as will be evident by
a study of the official report to which I have previously alluded.
The report is very exhaustive; it contains information which
can be obtained from no other source; and it should be in the
hands of all who are interested in the Batis industry of the
Dominion.

The information contained therein fenhte to the nature of
the sea bottom in the areas prospected, and their suitability or
otherwise for working the trawl is extremely valuable, and it is
almost unnecessary to mention that it is nearly as important
to know the rocky stretches, or those strewn with river drift-
wood or other obstructions, so as to be made aware of satisfactory
trawling grounds. It requires but a small fixed object to do
irreparable damage to the net, or if it can be mended it may
involve the expenditure of valuable time in its reparation. Two
sets of gear are usually carried on trawlers, but it sometimes
happens, as was once our experience, that the nets are badly
ripped at successive hauls, when work has to be suspended until
one of them is again made good.

Another feature of the report is the approximate number of
marketable fish taken in the different hauls at the various
localities exploited. I have used the term ‘‘marketable’’ in
preference to ‘‘edible,’’ because there is an abundance of good
wholesome fish-food regularly taken in our waters, and thrown
overboard again, being regarded as unsaleable. A _ bountiful
supply of fish, even if it is second rate, might tend to lower the
price of the commodity as a whole, and its introduction would
not therefore be regarded with favour by those who conduct the
sale of fish in our centres, though increased sales would doubtless
more than restore the balance. I know no reason why the Red
Cod (Physiculus bachus) should not be more freely eaten: this
species was taken by tons, but it is not in much demand in the

260 WAITE

markets; yet, when eaten fresh, as all fish should-be, it is
extremely palatable, and considering its plenitude could be
sold at a moderate price.

Though excellent as food, there is considerable prejudice
against eating the flesh of eels; this is doubtless largely due to
the interpretation of the biblical injunction against eating fishes
devoid of fins and scales :—

‘* And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat.”’

All eels are generally regarded as being scaleless, but this is:
not so, for members of the family of fresh-water eels (Anguil-
lidae) have true seales imbedded in their skins, which become
quite apparent when the skin is dried; they also have ample
pectoral fins, so that even those who desire to conform to the
Mosaic law, need have no compunction in eating the fresh-water
eel, under the belief that it is scaleless and finless.

Personally, I prefer the Conger Eel (Leptocephalus), a species
which, though possessing fins similar to the fresh-water eel, is
absolutely devoid of scales. This fine sea eel is not uncommon
in our waters, and attains to a length of at least seven feet; it
possesses the recommendation of being very fleshy, and the large
bones cannot be overlooked. The fresh-water eel abounds in
our lagoons, and is a very great favourite with the Maoris. It
is so plentiful in Lake Ellesmere, for example, that a boat may
be filled with them in a night by a few spoytsmen furnished with
torches and eel-spears. Eels are accounted of better flavour
when taken in the estuaries than when drawn from fresh-water.

To those who have no innate prejudice against eels, but who
dislike the flesh as such, it may be said that everything depends
upon the way in which they are cooked.

‘One more piece of advice, and I close my appeals—

That is—if you chance to be partial to eels,

Then—Crede experto—trust one who has tried—

Have them spitch-cock’d—or stewed—they’re too oily when
fried !’’

Being desirous of tasting as many different kinds of fish as
possible, it will be understood that our menu on the trawler
was somewhat varied as far as fish is concerned. On one
occasion we had Elephant Fish (Callorhynchus) on the
‘*saloon’’ table, and found it to be of quite delicate flavour and
texture: the crew, however, to whom it was also served refused
even to taste it, threw it overboard, and, if I mistake not, com-
plained to the master that the cook was serving them with shark
for meals; considering that there was plenty of prime fish on

OUTCOME 261

board one could not blame the men who could not, of course,
be expected to treat their dinners experimentally, but the act was
one of sentimental prejudice only. The flesh of the Elephant
Fish is really good, and would be welcomed in a country poorer
than New Zealand. JI may add that in Canterbury Bight and
Pegasus Bay this species formed quite a substantial percentage
of the total takings of the net.

Few native born New Zealanders will eat Skate (Raja nasuta),
yet in Britain where there are nine or ten species of the genus
Raja, skate is an important food fish, and the New Zealand
representative has a food value possibly equal to the best of them.
It has the further recommendation of being very common and
easily captured, for it is one of those ground forms which can
scarcely escape the trawl.

The prejudice against eating the flesh of Dogfishes is not
confined to New Zealand, but is fairly general, and may be
traced to several sources. The Dogfishes are, of course, small
sharks, and the general odium attached to the name shark is in °
itself caleulated to arouse a certain amount of abhorrence. Then
the names applied to the several kinds individually, suggest
unpleasant associations. Our two common species are respec-
tively known as Smooth Hound and Spiny Dogfish, while Dog
Shark, Spotted Dog, Catshark, ete., are names by which other
species are known, in contradistinction to Leopard Shark, Tiger
Shark and other names applied to larger species.

The small Dogfishes are freely eaten by the poorer people in
Britain, while there is reason to believe that American species
are exported to England and sold freely, probably under
disguised names. Possibly owing to the proximity of the famed
fishery investigation establishment, it is said that the Plymouth
Borough Council engaged the services of an expert chef to
prepare dogfish for the aldermanic table. The flesh was tried
both with and without sauce, and those who partook of the food
pronounced it to be excellent in regard to colour, flavour and
the firmness of the flesh. For this information I am indebted to
an article published by Dr. Irving A. Field,°? from which I
make the following additional quotations :—

‘‘The Dogfishes are not only palatable in the fresh condition,
but are as good as many other fishes when preserved by the
standard methods. The horned dogfish being in composition
most like the salmon is best adapted for canning, and is con-
sidered as good as the medium grades of salmon. A packer in
Petit de Grat, Cape Breton, in 1904 sent me a dozen cans of

(57) Field, Bull. U.S. Fish. Bureau, xxviii. 1908, p. 243.

262 WAITE

dogfish he had packed. I passed them around to my friends,
who prepared the contents in different ways (fried, scalloped,
creamed, etc.). In these forms the canned article was highly
praised in flavour and palatability. Samples were also sent to
several hotels, where the fish was served to the guests as
‘Japanese halibut,’ and was pronounced most acceptable. An
establishment at Halifax has been canning large quantities and
putting them on the market labelled ‘ocean whitefish.’ A firm
at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, has been successful in
selling the canned articles as ‘sea bass.’

‘““The smooth dogfish found south of Cape Cod is preserved
best by salting and drying according to the same method
employed for preparing dry salt cod. The product very much
resembles cod, but has the advantage of being boneless. I have
had creamed salt dogfish served in the mess hall of the Marine
Biological Laboratory to a score or more of persons. They all
reported that they could detect little or no difference between it
and the ordinary salt codfish.

‘‘The flesh of the dogfish is apparently just as digestible as
that of other fishes, is palatable, nutritious, and easily preserved.
The fish are so abundant and easily obtained that they are
ridiculously cheap. But prejudice is barring this wholesome
food from our menus. People seem more willing to starve than
to eat this fish, just because it bears the name ‘dog.’ The
problem now is how to put the fish on the market without an
offensive label and at the same time meet the spirit and letter of
our pure-food law.”’

I have heard it alleged that we rightly don’t eat dogfishes
because they are flesh feeders, as are lions, tigers, dogs and cats,
and that man feeds only upon vegetable fed flesh as that of
cattle and sheep. The speaker was unaware that nearly all the
fishes we most prize for the table are carnivorous, and that the
comparatively few kinds which feed upon algae, or seaweed, are
not as a whole, in great demand, and require to be eaten quite
fresh in consequence of the poor keeping qualities of the flesh.

The habits and food of our two dogfishes differ considerably :
the smooth hound (see page 140, plate xiv., fig. 2) is a ground
feeder, preying upon various kinds of crabs, and it may possibly
become an enemy of the English lobsters which were imported
and have thriven well and bred in the enclosures prepared for
them at the Portobello Marine Fish Hatchery. If the lobsters
multiply to such an extent as to warrant a number being turned
adrift into the sea it would be well to choose the site very
carefully to ensure all the necessary conditions being present.
and if suitable shelters are absent to supply such under which
the lobsters can retreat.

OUTCOME 263

The spiny dogfish (see page 142, plate xvi., fig. 1) is, on the
other hand, an active predaceous species, and follows up the
shoals of herrings, pilchards, silversides and other fishes. Dr.
Field says of the American species that the flesh of the smooth
dogfish is free from oil, resembling most closely the cod, and that
the flesh of the horned dogfish (allied to our spiny dogfish),
contains a large percentage of oil, and in this respect most
closely resembles the salmon.

Fashion in food as in other things may be determined by
necessity; and hunger is a good cure for prejudice: though it
may not be actual want which has brought about the change
below referred to, there can be small doubt that the increasing
searcity of fish in the home markets, due to depletion of the
trawling banks and consequent rise in price, has resulted in the
ereater consumption of the so-called coarser fish, for Mr. F. G.
Aflalo®’ tells us that the smaller dogfishes find a ready market
to-day at Brighton and elsewhere on the South Coast, where
twenty years ago they would have been thrown away as offal.

Reverting to a consideration of the official report, the
list of different fishes taken at the various stations, is also
a useful feature, though as previously remarked, the value of
the records is somewhat discounted by the fact that the
determinations are too general and in some cases inaccurate;
this will, however, be remedied to a considerable extent by the
present publication, the data for which were independently
obtained.

Though I have no direct evidence that extended trawling has
been commercially undertaken as a result of the expedition, it
would appear that the favourable report published as to the
potentialities of the Chatham Islands for line fishing has been
distinctly effective in placing capital into what it is hoped may
be a remunerative venture. The company formed to exploit
the Blue Cod and Hapuka fisheries is employing the ‘‘Nora
Niven’’ to taken the catches to Wellington, but it is most dis-
heartening to learn that the fishes are being shipped thence to
Australia. Considering the high price of fish in New Zealand,
one would have thought that the catches could have been
disposed of here at prices at least equal to those of Melbourne
or Sydney. As there is evidently something prejudicial to the
sale of the fish in our own markets, some official enquiry should
surely be made to ascertain the true condition of affairs. It
seems anomalous that the people of this country should pay for
a survey of the fishing grounds of the Dominion, and not be able
to reap the benefit of the outcome thereof. It may of course

(58) Aflalo, British salt-water Fishes, 1904, p. 85.

264 WAITE

be said that this undertaking is not the result of the work per-
formed by the expedition, but it is at least significant that in
the official report particular stress was laid upon the plenitude
of fish at the Chatham Islands, and it was stated that ‘‘it is
extremely probable that the Chatham Islands will in the near
future become one of the most important sources of our fish-
supply.’’ In any case, this does not alter the fact, as stated in
the public press, that the fish is not being consumed at our own
tables.

Though the trawl is a selective instrument of capture, taking,
as a general rule, only those animals living on or near the floor
of the ocean, it secures most of the organisms within scope of
its area of operations. It will be evident therefore, that thongh
it will capture the food fishes which it encounters, it will also
secure other fishes and other forms of animal life outside the
limitations officially imposed on the undertaking. The present
report is therefore another though indirect product of the
expedition. It may be regarded as supplementary to the official
report, dealing largely with a study of the products outside the
official cognisance. At the same time the economic fishes have
been treated more liberally than other forms, so that it may
appeal to popular as well as to more purely scholastic circles.
The species have been dealt with in the exact manner that
science demands, the result being the recognition of many more,
even economic species, than are enumerated in the official report.

The total number of fishes included is eighty-five of which
eleven are described as new to science, some of these have been
previously associated with Australian or other species, but are
now found to be different. Others. though known elsewhere, are
now recognised for the first time as belonging to the New
Zealand fauna.

Though no attempt has been made to revise the synonomy of
all the species included in the report, special attention has been
devoted to the flatfishes, and with the aid of the synopsis
supplied and the accompanying illustrations, there should now
be small difficulty in identifying the several species of this
family at present known from New Zealand seas. A glance at
this portion of the report will show how very involved the
literature of the subject is, as applied to New Zealand species,
and suggests that a thorough revision of the whole of our fishes
is necessary.

The records show that, as would naturally be expected with
our extensive seaboard, fish is numerous and varied, but as the
area between the extreme points of the Dominion stretches
through thirteen degrees of latitude the range of water
temperature, difference of food supply and other conditions

OUTCOME 265

operate in limiting the northern and southern distribution of
some of the species, thus, for example, the Schnapper, Yellowtail
(Northern Kingfish), John Dory, Cucumber fish, Mackerel,
Trevally and Kahawai are commoner in the North Island, while
the predominating southern forms are the Hake or Whiting,
Kingfish, Blue Cod, Butterfish, Frostfish, ete.

Many species, however, range along the whole of the coast
line, including Red Cod, Barracouta, Tarakihi, Ling, Hapuka,
and many of the flatfishes, while one, the Black Flounder, is a
fresh-water species. Considerable information was also gained
as to the depths at which the different kind of fishes were most
abundantly met with—it should be added—at the season at which
the undertaking was conducted.—for it must not be supposed
that the same results would be met with the year round.

The illustrations which accompany the report will be distinctly
useful, and in the preparation of these I desire to acknowledge
much help rendered by my assistant, Mr. Frank A. Pollard.

Fifty-two different kinds of fishes are illustrated, this
number includes the sharks and rays, ete., which appeared in
the first part of the report, and other fishes which are not
directly of economic import, though many undoubtedly serve as
food for edible species.

In keeping with the text, representations of the flat fishes
have been more generously furnished and the whole of the
species which, as far as I am aware, find a place in our markets
have been illustrated.

Of the less economic portion of the report it may be noted
that Professor Benham records five new species of Echinoderms,
Mr. Henry Suter eight new species or varieties of Molluscs,
while Dr. Chilton finds that though all the Crustaceans were
previously known, one of them is an addition to the New
Zealand fauna. The enumeration of the new forms does not,
however, exhaust the interest of the communications, for several
of the others had never been seen since they were first described,
and were in danger of removal from the list as doubtful records.
Dr. Chilton refers to the enormous numbers of Crayfish which
we trawled at the Chatham Islands, and also mentions having
seen them in shallow water at Dusky Sound in 1908. Being
myself a member of the party which visited the South-west
Sounds in that year I was also struck with the congregations of
Crayfish mentioned by my friend, and cull the following from
an article I wrote for the newspapers at the time :—

‘‘Pulling over a sandy fiat, large masses of brown seaweed
were encountered, at least they were so regarded until the water
glass was brought into requisition, it was then found that each

266 WAITE

seaweed-like mass was a great cluster of Crayfish, numbering
from thirty to fifty individuals. Many were caught by means
of a baited hook; while in very shallow water, isolated individuals
were captured by hand, a somewhat sensational sport. It was
observed that every example taken was a male, the females were
possibly hiding beneath stones, engaged in maternal duties, this
being their habit as observed at the Marine Fish Hatchery at
Portobello.”? I have: also the following note on Munida
gregaria made about the same time: ‘‘On one occasion what was
thought to be a large frond of red seaweed was floating near the
surface, the water glass showed it to be a school of red
crustaceans known as whale-feed. Three fishes suddenly rose
among them and the little creatures scattered in all directions.’’

The reports on the Cephalopods and Nudibranchs, which were
sent to England for examination have not reached me up to the
time of going to press.

It is unfortunate that it was not found possible to have fuller
observations made or collections preserved during the operations
conducted on the extended cruise, and we may hope that in
future the advisability of having at least one trained zoologist
on board may not be lost sight of. I am simply stating a fact
when I mention that no mere collection, however conscientiously
made, can be got together by untrained men; the small
differences which sometimes characterise allied species, or the
outward similarity of forms which possess no close relationship
to each other, are not appreciated. Further, it is not possible
even for the trained man to recognise every species of a group
with which he may be familiar, without careful comparison, made
with the necessary tools and books to hand, and impossible on a
commercial trawler. That this applies to the primest edible
species as well as to those of lesser account will be evident from
my remarks on the flatfishes to which I may again be permitted
to refer,

While recognising the extremely useful work which the
Government has so far done in adding to the knowledge of our
marine resources, the operations to date should be looked upon
as preliminary. They should not only be continued in the future
but should be certainly extended to embrace further avenues of
research. There are many problems which await solution before
we can claim to have any adequate knowledge of our fish
resources, but these can only be solved by patient and continued
effort. We already know something of the various kinds of
fishes which inhabit the waters within easy reach of existing
markets, but of those which may frequent less accessible localities
we are in almost total ignorance, and of the possibilities in this
direction we cannot speak. Taking into account, however, only

OUTCOME 267

those kinds with which we are familiar, many pertinent questions
may be asked to which we have no answer. Of how many of our
common market fishes can we say we know the precise nature
of their food, and if we know that a certain fish habitually feeds
upon, say crustaceans, or upon molluscs or upon smaller fishes,
we certainly cannot say exactly on our ocean floor where such are
to be found: if we did we should be in a position to obtain the
fishes of which we are in search. Fishes may, and do vary their
haunts at different seasons, perhaps, on the whole, approaching
the coasts in summer. At breeding time they may leave their
usual feeding grounds and move inshore or into deeper water,
according to their kinds, and this brings us to the important
question of spawning: we require to know exactly at what
season the fishes shed their ova, their relative fecundity, the
position chosen for spawning, what the eggs are like, how those
of different species differ, whether they sink, float or are attached
to rocks, seaweed or other substances; the pecularities of their
development, the enemies to which both the eggs and the young
fishes are subject, at what size the fry leave the breeding ground,
and ‘whence they migrate.

Not all this information can be obtained by trawling alone;
though the trawl is par excellence the engine for securing
fishes in bulk, it should be supplemented by the use of dredges,
which are designed to secure the smaller organisms upon which
they may feed, samples of the bottom whereon the fishes are
found, also demersal or sunken ova: for similar reasons tow or
surface nets should be employed to secure pelagic organisms
(Plankton and Nekton) including floating eggs. It is also neces-
sary to have a shore station where the development of the ova
can be studied and various observations and experiments made.
Fortunately the Dominion possesses such a station at Portobello,
where, if somewhat more generously equipped, the most satis-
factory investigations could be carried on.

In newer countries where no great depletion of food fishes has
taken place, the needs for such investigations are not apparent,
but, learning the lessons which older ones have taught, a time
will come when our seas will be relatively less bountiful unless
supplemented by artificial means or by importations from richer
localities, and at such period it will be rather late to inaugurate
observations which should now be commenced and continued
towards the end in view.

It is not as though we had to grope our way trying to discover
methods of research, Britain, America, Japan and other countries
have done this for us, so that all we have to do is to collect the
necessary data by means already known to us.

268 WAITE

There may shortly be afforded an opportunity of witnessing
the application of modern methods employed in collecting
marine organisms and of collating the data obtained; the
‘Terra Nova,’’ which left our shores a few months ago for the
purpose of taking Captain Scott and his party to the shores
of Antarctica, is shortly expected to return.

It has been proposed that before again going south, a cruise
shall be conducted off the continental shelf of New Zealand
for biological research purposes, and it is to be hoped that the
project will receive the support of the Government.

In connection with the subject of sea fisheries, it may not be
out of place to refer a little more fully to the Portobello Marine
Fish Hatchery, the only one of its kind in New Zealand, which,
though somewhat inadequately supported, has proved the medium
by which it has been possible to publish some very valuable
observations indeed. A general account of the hatchery has been
supplied by Mr. George M. Thomson, F.L.S., M.P.°? together
with a preliminary notice of the development of some of the
marine fishes; the work has been continued by Mr. Thomas
Anderton,®° Curator of the hatchery, who has issued a very ¢care-
fully prepared article on the ova and larve of several important
food fishes and crustaceans. As previously mentioned, my thanks
are due to Mr. Anderton for assisting me with information gained
in the hatchery or for specimens which his experience as Curator
of the station enabled him to furnish.

Information of the nature supplied by Messrs. Thomson and
Anderton is particularly valuable, and will enable workers to
identify the eggs of fishes which may be found floating at the
surface or drawn from the bottom by means of the dredge; it is
by such auxiliary means that the breeding places and periods of
the fishes may be ascertained, while, of course the data obtained
as to the period of hatching and subsequent development is
invaluable; unfortunately the hatchery is not sufficiently exten-
sive at present to allow of post larval observations being made
for any lengthy period, a matter which is deserving of the best
consideration of the Government.

I have previously expressed my thanks to Mr. L. F. Ayson,
Chief Inspector of Fisheries, and the several gentlemen who have
so kindly examined the collections, it remains for me to render my
grateful acknowledgment to the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for
Marine, for his courtesy in permitting me to accompany the
expedition, and further, for placing funds at the disposal of my
Board, for the publication of the results in the ‘‘ Records of the
Canterbury Museum.’’ I also desire to acknowledge my
appreciation of the kind manner in which the official negotiations
have been conducted by Mr. George Allport, Secretary to the
Marine Department.

~ (59) Thomson, T.N.Z.1. xxxviii. 1906, p. 529 pl. lv.-lix.
(60) Anderton ib. xxxix. 1907, p. 477, pl. xvii.-xx.

As will be learned from the report on the Mollusca
(p. 117), Sir Charles Eliot had kindly undertaken to
examine the Nudibranchs collected on the eruise. The
specimens were forwarded to him by Mr. Suter, and it is
with deep regret that we read the following cablegram
published in the New Zealand newspapers, as the foregoing
pages were passing through the press :—

‘London, May 29th.
‘“The death is reported of Sir Charles Eliot, Bart. Sir
Charles succumbed to syneope, while attending an early
communion service. He was 76 years of age, and served
in India during the mutiny.’’

Sir Charles Norton Edgeumbe Eliot, K.C.M.G., F.Z.S.,
was Vice Chancellor of the University of Sheffield at the
time of his death, and was formerly H.M. Commissioner for
the East African Protectorate. In zoology he had specially
directed his attention to the Nudibranchiata, upon which
group he was a foremost authority. His published papers
are very numerous, and include reports on collections from
New Zealand.

EXPLANATION OF PLATES

PLATE XXIV.

Argentina elongata Hutton.
Slightly reduced.

PLATE XXYV.
Chlorophthalmus nigripinnis Ginther.
About four-fifths natural size.

PLATE XXXVI.

Centriscops humerosus Richardson, var. obliquus Waite.
Photograph of a specimen in the Dominion Museum.

PLATE XX VIL.

Fig. 1. Syngnathus norae Waite.
Female, two-thirds natural size.
Syngnathus blainvillianus Eydoux and Gervais.
Male, two-thirds natural size.
Fig. 3. Myctophum humboldti Risso.
Natural size.

bo

Fig.

PuaTE XXVIII.
Hippocampus abdominalis Lesson.
Bion ee Mtoe One Mendes

Both five-sixths natural size.

PLATE XXIX.
Fig. 1. Coelorhynchus australis Richardsor
About two-fifths natural size.
Fig. 2. Coelorhynchus aspercephalus Waite.
About two-thirds natural size.

PLATE XXX.
Fig. 1. Macruronus novae-zelandiae Hector.
Two-thirds natural size.
Fig. 2. Merluccius gayi Guichenot.
More than one-fourth natural size.

PLATE XXXI.
Fig. 1. Physiculus bachus Forste..
About half natural size.
Fig. 2. Auchenoceros punctatus Hutton.
Five-sixths natural size.

PLATE XXXII.

Cyttus novae-zealandiae Arthur.
Five-sevenths natural size.

271

PuaTe XXXITI.
Capromimus abbreviatus Hector.
One and a halt times natural size.

PLATE XXXIV.

Caulopsetta scapha Forster.
Four-sevenths natural size.

PLATE XXXV.
Rhombosolea plebeia Richardson.
Nearly half naturai size.
PLATE XXXVI.

Rhombosolea tapirina Ginther.
Five-ninths natural size.

PLATE XXX VIL.

Rhombosolea millari Waite.
Four-elevenths natural size.

PLATE XXXVITI.

Rhombosolea retiaria Hutton.
Five-ninths natural size.

PLATE XXXIX.

Ammotretis nudipinnis Waite.
One-third natural size.

PLATE XL.
Ammotretis gunthert Hutton.
Three-sevenths natural size.

PLATH Xu.

Pelotretis flavilatus Waite.
Five-eighths natural size.

PATH XLT:

Peltorhamphus novae-zeelandiae Giinther.
Two-fifths natural size.

Puate XLII.
Polyprion prognathus Forster.
Three-tenths natural size.

PLATE XLIV.
Cepola aotea Waite.
Natural size.

PLATE XLV.
Cheilodactylus macropterus Forster.
Three-fifths natural size.

PLaTteE XLVI.
Pseudolabrus coccineus Forster.
Three-sevenths natural size.

272

PuatTe XLVII.

Pseudolabrus cinctus Hutton.
Seven-twelfths natural size.

PLATE: XLVITI.

Pseudolabrus pittensis Waite.
Two-thirds natural size.

PLATE XLIX.

Coridodax pullus Forster.
One-third natural size.

PLATE L.

Seriolella brama Gunther.
Four-sevenths natural size.

Jena) IED
Seriolella punctata Forster.
Four-fifths natural size.

Puate LI.
Rexea furcifera Waite.
About one-third natural size.
Prare Lill.
Parapercis gilliesii Hutton.
Natural size.
PLATE L1V.
Fig. 1. Hemerocoetes acanthorhynchus Forster.
Fig. 2. Hemerocoetes nuicrops Waite.
Both two-thirds natural size.
Prate LV.

Pterygotrigla picta Gunther.
Three-fifths natural size.

PLate LVI.
Pseudomonacanthus scaber Forster.

Natural size.

PratTE LVEL.
Pseudomonacanthus convexirostris Gunther.
Three-fifths natural size.

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