SEA SERPENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1921, Page 4

SEA SERPENT.

REMARKABLE KISH IN (,) I'KEN'S LAM). •SYDNEY. Nov. 4. A rare and rcnmrkahlc ti*h was washed up at Southport mi the south coast of l t )uoens|anil ; during the past week, and was welcomed at the Brisbane Museum as the first specimen to bo obtained by it of a curious species known as ribbon fishes, and technically called 1 nichipterus .lacksoiiensis, first discovered in I SSI. Belonging to the family of tbe Regaleous, which grows to 20 feet in length and is supposed to be tin original of sea serpent stories, this particular specimen is about 7 feet long, and its general shape justifies its popular unnip of the ribbon fisli. The Director of flip .Museum (Mr H. A. Longman) has made a dose examinatio of its peculiarities, and snvs that it is of burnished silver colour, with darker reticulations. The body is 9 inches deco, and not more than 2 inches thick at the maximum. It has extraordinary • yes, no less than 2' inches thick ill diameter and of the colour of quicksilver. with a large vertical dark pui il. The jaws are very protractile, or capable of being trust forward or retracted. a process of promaxilla, or front bone, being movable in a. groove. Thore are about ten tiny teeth in both upp'O- and lower jaws. Along the lateral line or a number of pi it teal with small spines. These very rare ribbon r;-:b..v lire regarded as being arming tho most fantastic inbahitants of tbe sen. Tliev are inoffensive, tlieir teeth bong too small to enable tliern to tackle large racy. Some authorities consider that they only live in, very deep water.