Art. XVII.—Notes on the Occurrence of a Species of Lophotes on the Coast of Taranaki.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 29, 1896, Page 251

Art. XVII.—Notes on the Occurrence of a Species of Lophotes on the Coast of Taranaki. By F. E. Clarke. [Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 26th August, 1896.] Plate XVI. The fish came on shore in August, 1895, on the long flat beach south of the Waiwakaiho River mouth, Taranaki, and was brought into Mr. W. Bailey's butcher-shop, in New Plymouth, where it was on exhibit for a day. Unfortunately I had not the opportunity of seeing it personally, as I was ill at the time. Rough sketches were made for me by Messrs. Saxton, Collis, Gordon, and Doile, who also contributed verbal descriptions of portions of the fish. Such information was further intelligently enlarged by Mr. J. Harvey, manager for Mr. Bailey in Central Devon Street shop, where the fish was exhibited as before mentioned. This he was able to do from his having the fish longer under his observation, and so verified several particulars not sufficiently defined by the previous descriptions and sketches. The information received points to the stranger being a Lophotes, though in some features the descriptions clash with those given in Dr. Günther's catalogue; but, of all fish described (up to my present cognisance), the Lophotidœ have apparently escaped particular and minute attention in that respect from their excessively rare occurrence, and recorded specimens seem to be in bad condition as well. Our fish was described as being perfect, except that one side was slightly abraded from the rubbing on the sand, and one eye was partially destroyed by the gulls or sea-lice. The finder thought it must have run itself ashore whilst in pursuit of small fry—perhaps whitebait. Where it differs from the catalogue description of the genus and family before mentioned it sometimes agrees with Swainson's remarks thereupon; in other respects critical differences arise which a lucky further knowledge may amend. Comparison of my notes with the authors quoted will define these. It was stated by all to resemble in profile view the proportions and shape of the blade of a hand-saw, the head being high and abrupt; the dorsal line running back to the tail almost in a level, the ventral line rising in a gradual incline; sides very much compressed; in section the lower part of body being much thicker than the upper, it being described as running to a fine edge along the base of the dorsal fin. The dorsal fin was long and low; fin-rays very numerous, with some portions

projecting beyond the membrane. At the commencement of the dorsal on the top of the forehead was a stout curved spine or horn pointing forwards. Caudal fin small, but quite distinct. Ventrals were not noticed. Pectorals were not pointing upwards; they were described as being similar in shape to those of the Tamure. Anal fin placed very far back, in front of anal orifice; it was described as covering same when bent back. Gill-openings wide; eyes very large; mouth with short blunt teeth according to Mr. Saxton, without teeth according to the other describers, and was noted as being very small and tubular, “as if the fish lived by suction.” In this Mr. Saxton's description differed from the others, he stating the mouth, though small, was not prominent, rather the reverse. This may be explained by its having been made to protrude after his seeing it. He was quite certain as to the existence of the blunt teeth; and, with regard to the dorsal spine, he estimates its height as much less than the others. Skin very smooth and silky; scaleless. Colour purplegrey on back and upper sides, in places running down on to sides, making whitish patches. Rest of sides rose-coloured; belly golden. Flesh was described as very solid and white. Length, about 4ft. 6in. to 4ft. 8in. Extreme depth at head, 1ft.; minimum depth at root of tail, about 1 ½in.; extreme thickness, about 1 ¾in. I append an outline sketch (Plate XVI.) compiled from those supplied me; also one of Lophotes siculus, of Swainson, enlarged from one as figured by him, which was copied from a water-colour drawing prepared for the King of Sicily in 1815.* Since writing, I have seen vol. xxvi. of the Transactions, where I find, at p. 223, that a Lophotes was found in Otago (December, 1893). It seems to have been about the same length as the one now referred to.