The first record of whale lice in the New Zealand literature is a description by Chilton (1883) of Cyamus ceti (Linn. 1780). from Virgia breviceps (= Kogia breviceps).

A later reference to Cyamus ceti (Thomson and Chilton, 1886), and referring in part to the same specimens, states:

“Parasitic on whales (Virgia breviceps), C.C. It appears to be common on various whales (and sharks?). I have it from several localities in the New Zealand seas, G.M.T. On small humpbacked whale, Napier, A. Hamilton.”

The remark, “and sharks?”, is one for which I have seen no verification.

Cyamids from different localities are included in the late Professor Chilton's collection, and I have identified them as follows:

Paracyamus boopis (Lutk.)

There are two tubes of this species, one labelled “Cyamus erraticus, Roussel de Vauzème. On whale. Parengarenga. T. F. Cheeseman”, and the other, “Cyamus ceti, Linn Napier. A. Hamilton.” These latter specimens are probably the ones referred to above as from Virgia breviceps.

Cyamus ceti Linn.

One tube labelled “Cyamus ceti, Linn. Whaler ‘Othello.' G.M.T.” I have been unable to establish a more definite locality for these. Stephensen (1942) maintains the species Cyamus ceti as described by Linnaeus, although Barnard (1932) considered Linnaeus' species to be a composite one, and rejected it in favour of Cyamus mysticeti (Lutk.). Cyamus ceti Linn has precedence.

Cyamus ovalis R. de Vauz.

One tube labelled “Cyamus ovalis R. de Vauzème. New Zealand From Indian Museum. No. 1464.” Mr. K. K. Tiwari, of the Zoological Survey of India, informs me that these were exchange specimens obtained from the Canterbury Museum, 2/8/1876, through Dr. J. von Haast. Mr. R. R. Forster has examined records at Canterbury Museum, and I have been through Dr. Haast's papers in the Turnbull Library. Apart from corroboration that a shipment of Crustacea was received by Mr. Wood-Jones, of the Indian Museum, about that date, no further information has been revealed.

Since the localities for the last two species are so indefinite, I can only note the presence of the specimens as possibly from New Zealand.

My specimens, from Megaptera nodosa, are undoubtedly Paracyamus boopis.