Art. XXXVII.—Note on Ctenolabrus knoxi.

By F. J. Knox, L.R.C.S.E.

[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 14th August, 1872.]

A Fish captured in Cook Strait, close to Porirua Harbour, and amongst others such as the moki, snapper, etc., was pointed out to me by the salesman as a rare fish, and will be described under the above name by Capt. Hutton (see p. 265).

General colouration dark brown, passing to dull white on abdominal surface; head and gill-covers of a dull greenish hue; pectoral fins colour of dorsal aspect; pelvic and anal fins colour of abdominal aspect, with a reddish tinge, indicating spawning season.

Intestines 6 feet in length, of a delicate texture, filled with a green pasty substance, not oily to the touch; liver greenish brown colour, friable, composed of three irregularly shaped lobes; gall-bladder not observed; spleen one inch in length by half an inch, texture firm, of a dark red colour; generative organs (female) just after spawning, from the large dimensions of the oviducts the spawn or ova must no doubt be very numerous. Food, Diatomaceœ. Weight, recent, 3 lbs. 7 oz. Total length, 19½ inches.