Anguilla australis, _Richardson_, Proceed. of Zool. Soc. 1841, p. 22.
FORM.—Very similar to the _A. latirostris_, Yarr., but the upper jaw
rather shorter and broader, making the gape, which reaches to a
vertical line from the posterior part of the orbit, wider. Teeth
rather stronger. Dorsal commencing considerably beyond the first
third, and not much in advance of the middle point, of the entire
length; much less elevated than in the _A. latirostris_, its height
scarcely exceeding one-fifth of the depth, which last is about
one-seventeenth of the entire length. Vent a little posterior to the
commencement of the dorsal.
The distance from the end of the snout to the insertion of the
pectorals is rather less than one-eighth of the entire length: the
form of the pectorals is lanceolate. The tail is rounded, much as in
the _A. latirostris_.
in. lin.
Length (entire) 17 3
From end of snout to commencement of dorsal 7 6
From the same to insertion of pectoral 2 2
From the same to vent 7 9
COLOUR—(_In spirits._) Appears similar to that of the common eel.
Habitat, New Zealand.
The above eel was procured by Mr. Darwin in fresh water in the month of
December, in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. It so nearly accords with
the _A. australis_ of Dr. Richardson from Van Dieman’s Land, that I can
hardly suppose it to be a distinct species. The vent, however, would
seem to be a trifle backwarder, and the body deeper in proportion to its
length. Without seeing more specimens, it is impossible to say what
importance is to be attached to these points of discrepancy.