Description of two rare Tasmanian fishes

• Main Author: Johnston, Robert Mackenzie
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 1887
• Subjects: Royal Society of Tasmania; Van Diemens Land; VDL; Hobart Town; natural sciences; proceedings; records; Morton; Porbeagle
• Online Access: https://eprints.utas.edu.au/15639/; https://eprints.utas.edu.au/15639/1/johnston-two-rare-fishes-1887.pdf

Description of Histiophorus herscliellii, Gray. and Lamna cornubica. Gm. (Porbeagle shark.) Histiophorus herscliellii, Gray. - A fine specimen, 13ft. 6in. total length, was recently discovered by me stranded and half buried in the sand bank communicating with a large lagoon, immediately to the north of Cape Fredrick Henrick on Forestier Peninsula. The specimen was too large for me to carry to town, as I was at the time travelling on foot but I have urged Mr. Frank Rush, to whom I have explained its nature and position, to bring it to town as perfectly as possible on his next trip to that locality. The addition of the above species of swordfish to our catalogue of Tasmanian fishes, will be of much interest to ichthyologists generally. Lamna cornubica. Gm. (Porbeagle shark.) A fine specimen, about three feet long, was recently captured by Mr. Frank Rush in a graball net, and to him I am indebted for the opportunity of making these observations and for enabling me on his behalf to present to the Museum collection the valuable addition of so rare a species in our waters. Mr, Morton has since most skilfully stuffed the example which may be seen in the Museum.