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Show 1880.] DR. J. VON HAAST ON ZIPHIUS NOV^-ZEALANDI.*E. 233 Having received prompt information, I arrived early next morning On the scene, and found the animal quite intact; so that I was able not only to take the necessary measurements, but also to have a careful sketch prepared (Plate XXIIL). This, as the sequel will show, is of importance, in offering us some curious information as to the habits of this species of Ziphioids. Colour. Head, neck, and anterior portion of the back, as far as the dorsal fin, white ; the rest of the body black, a white narrow line running along the edge of the dorsal fin, which is otherwise black. The line of division between the two colours is everywhere well marked except upon the cheeks, where blackish blotches advance some distance towards the nose. The form of the animal is rather slender for its length, its height at the occiput being only 2 feet 3 inches, and about 9 feet from the tip of the lower jaw 3 feet 3 inches, after which it tapers gradually to the tail. The animal proved to be a young female. The two teeth at the termination of the lower jaw stood half an inch above the gums, having a diameter of one inch where they rose above the latter. They are conical, and have a sharp apex, and are not covered anywhere with enamel, not even on the tip. The dentine shows a number of horizontal lines one above the other, running round the tooth. They are therefore quite different from the teeth of the two specimens described in vol. ix. of the Transactions of the New-Zealand Institute, which were found to be covered with a rough cement. They are also different from those of another specimen, of which I shall give some details further on. A single fold begins below the throat, 1 foot 1 inch from the tip of the lower jaw. After rising rapidly for 4 inches, it continues for 7 inches more at a smaller angle, ceasing where the black colour of the throat begins ; this fold is separated into two portions by a ridge of the breadth of half an inch below the centre of the throat. Lips flesh-coloured ; roof of mouth slaty black; no signs of teeth along the jaws ; there is, however, a hardened ridge along each side of the palate. The extremity of the lower jaw projects about 2 inches beyond the upper. The head rises steeply above the upper lip to the forehead. The blowhole is situated on the vertex of the head, just above the eye. Both the form and the size of the dorsal fin, and of the tail-lobes, show that this species must be a remarkably swift swimmer. Measurements. ft- m' Total length 19 j> Greatest circumference • From point of lower jaw to the beginning of the pectoral ,»r 49 From fork of tail to termination of falcate dorsal fin 6 5 Length of the opening of the mouth 1 3 From point of lower jaw to eye • • • • • • • • • - - 2 6 From point of lower jaw to beginning of fold below throat 1 1 Diameter of blowhole, concave towards head 6 |