106 DEEP-SEA FISHES OF THE ATLANTIC BASIN. 



ASTEONESTHES RICHAKDSONII, Poey. (Figure 125.) 



Astroneslhes Bichardsonii. Poey, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, I, 1853, 176. 

 Chauliodus Bichardsonii, Poey, loc. cit., 1, pi. x, fig. 2. 



Length of bead contained 4| times in total (without caudal) ; its greatest depth nearly 

 two-thirds of its length. Body slender, its height at the dorsal origin equal to length of 

 postorbital part of head, and one-eighth of total length (without caudal). Snout very short, 

 two-thirds diameter of the eye, which is contained nearly 4 times in length of head. No 

 teeth on the vomer, and a few scattered small teeth on the palatine bones. The origin of 

 dorsal is nearer to root of caudal than tip of snout. Length of dorsal base half that of the 

 head; rays all imperfect. Ventral origin immediately under the dorsal origin; it does not 

 nearly reach to the vent, and its length equals that of the postorbital part of the head. 

 Distance of anal origin from root of caudal equals length of head. Length of anal base 

 equals postorbital part of head. Adipose fin directly over the tenth ray of the anal. 

 Pectoral narrow and slender, length of the longest ray now remaining being two-fifths that 

 of the head. Color, black ; about 35 luminous dots between the symphysis of the mandible 

 and the origin of the ventrals. 



Radial formula: D. 11; A. 14 or 15; V. 7; P. 9. 



A single specimen (No. 35540, U. S. N. M.), 7£ inches in length, from Cuban waters. 



Family STOMIATID^E. 



Stomiatida:, GItntfier, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., v, 1864, 424.— Gill, Johnson's Cyclopaedia, iv, 1677.— Jordan 

 and Gilbert, Bull, xvi, U. S. Nat. Mus., 285. 



Isospondylous fishes with elongate, tapering body naked or covered with very thin and 

 deciduous scales. Head oblong. Snout short and rounded. Eyes large and far forward. 

 Opercular apparatus imperfectly developed. Mouth enormous with deep lateral cleft. 

 Lateral margin of upper jaw formed by the supramaxillary and provided with teeth along 

 the edges. Teeth usually strong, unequal, some of them often fank-like or barbed. Gill 

 membranes not joined, free from the isthmus. Brancliiostegals numerous (12-17). A long 

 barbel at throat. No pseudobranchia?. Dorsal fin short, median or posterior, without 

 spines. Anal free, far behind and small. Caudal distinct. Pectorals low down on the 

 scapular arch and narrow. Ventrals inserted far backward. Stomach csecal, and pyloric 

 appendages absent. Sides with phosphorescent spots. Skeleton feebly ossified. Eggs 

 excluded through oviducts. 



KEY TO THE SUBFAMILIES AND GENERA. 



A. Pectorals present. 



I. Body covered with fine scales. Ventrals very far back Stomias 



II. Body naked. 



a. Pectorals with separate ray. Vomer with teeth. Teeth in jaws long. 



1. Teeth, depressible. Palatines with teeth Ecitiostoma 



2. Teeth, not depressible. Palatines toothless. Luminous organs very numerous.. Opostomias 



b. Pectorals normal. Vomer toothless. 



1. Dorsal and anal similar in size and opposite. 



a. Teeth fang-like. Pigment spots in place of lateral line. Eye small.. Grammatostomias 



b. Teeth small, subequal. Eye large Pachystomias 



c. Teeth stout. Eye small. Ventrals high on side of trunk Bathophtlus 



2. Anal much longer than dorsal. Palatine teeth absent Eustomias 



B. Pectorals absent. 



1. Body naked. 



a. Dorsal behind vent Photonbctes 



