REPORT ON THE PELAGIC FISHES. 31 



was caught in the South Atlantic. Two specimens, 1^ inches long, were obtained during 

 the passage of the Challenger from the Admiralty Islands to Japan (April 1875). 



The other species of this genus obtained during the voyage were described in the 

 deep-sea series, as there was no reason to doubt their occurrence beyond the 100 fathom 

 line. 



Finally, during the cruise of the "Triton" in the Fseroe Channel in 1882 a small 

 number of young Scopeli were obtained, partly with the surface-net at night, partly with 

 the tow-net, which with ahne of 350 and 600 fathoms was worked at various depths. The 

 dates of capture were on August 9, 20, 21, and 30. Their length varies from 9 to 16^ mm., 

 the largest being perfectly developed, and having their specific characters sufficiently 

 distinct. Unfortunately the scales are either entirely, or for the greater part, lost. 



I am unable to refer these specimens to a described species of the genus. They dififer 

 especially from the other species described from northern seas {Scopelus glacialis, 

 Scopelus kroyen), either by the number of the fin-rays, or by a conspicuously smaller 

 eye ; they come nearest to Scopelus glacialis, and also to a species known from New 

 Zealand {Scopelus hectoris), but diSer from the latter in the relative position of the 

 dorsal and ventral fins. There is, therefore, sufficient ground for introducing this new 

 addition into the British fauna ' under a distinct name. 



Scopelus scoticus, n. sp. 



D. 10-11. A. 16. C. 8 1 20 I 8. 



Total length 16^ mm. The height of the body (3^ mm.) is two-ninths of the total 

 length (without caudal, 2 mm.), the length of the head (2| mm.) one-fourth ; the least 

 depth of the tail is much less than one-half of that of the body. Diameter of the eye 

 rather longer than the snout, but less than one-third of the length of the head and con- 

 siderably less than the postorbital portion of the head. Snout with the upper profile 

 rather straight, curved in front only, and with the lower jaw slightly projecting beyond 

 the upper. Maxillary reaching to the angle of the praeoperculum, and terminating in an 

 elongate triangular dilatation. Posterior margin of the prseoperculum vertical. Scales 

 of the lateral line apparently not larger than the others ; phosphorescent organs in the 

 same number and arrangement as in the allied species. Origin of the dorsal fin nearer 

 to the root of the caudal than to the end of the snout, behind the base of the ventrals. 

 Pectoral rather short. 



In a specimen 14 mm. long the scales are developed, also nearly all the phosphor- 



' The cruise of the same vessel yielded another addition to the bathybial fauna of the British seas. A specimen of 

 Slomias ferox (Reinhardt), 37 mm. long, was obtained in the dredge on August 9, 1882, at a depth of either 327 or 430 

 fathoms. 



