CENTROPHORUS PLUNKETI.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13597, 4 December 1909, Page 9

CENTROPHORUS PLUNKETI.

A firm of fishmongers in this city recently sent to the Canterbury Museum the body of a shark, which they had received from Kaikoura. It was taken by Mr A. D. Goodall in 130 fathome of -water, and was one of three captured at the same time. The fish .proved to be of a genus hitherto unknown in New Zealand waters, and was of a new species. When Mr E. R. Waite, curator of the Canterbury Museum, accompanies! his Excellency Lord Plunket on Us tour of the Southern Islands in 1907. it was remarked that a new bird had been designated after Lord Banfurly, the present Governor's predecessor. Lord Plunket then jocularly made the request that if a new species of fish were drawn to the surface it should be named a "plunketi." Unfortunately no novelties were taken during the cruise, and the new name suggested could not be bestowed.

A new shark in these waters is not «n everyday occurrence; so when the Kaikoura capture was received. Mr Waito wrote to his Excellency and asked perniißsion to associate his name with the new species. Lord Plunket, in a humorous reply, says:—'l have much pleasure in accepting the honour of having your new shark named after mc. Should a portrait or description of the shark be published, should much value a copy. Trust he will not meet m« when bathing and claim relationship.—l am, etc. The name of the new shark will be "Centrophorns phmketi/' The specimen in the Museum, which is not the largest of the three captured, is 4ft Biu in length. It is characterised by having two fins on its back, each preceded by strong spines, and the head is large and flat. The genus only frequents deep water, and is most numerously represented in Japanese waters. It is allied to the dojzfish, and is not a man-eater. Even if by any chance it should come to the surface beside a bather, it would not be likely to make an attack.