21 G DEEP-SEA FISHES OF THE ATLANTIC BASIN. 



with small spinules; a series along each ray, dividing as the ray branches; dorsal fin com- 

 mencing above the axil of the pectoral, composed of 50 to CO rays, which are all soft and 

 flexible, some of the anterior unbranched; the fin low in front, increasing in height behind; 

 none of the rays more than once forked; anal shorter than the dorsal, similar to it, of 35 to 40 

 rays; some of the anterior apparently undivided; caudal fin elongate, fan-shaped, the 

 middle rays produced ; accessory rays numerous, procnrrent; pectorals with a fleshy base, 

 fan shaped, the middle rays longest; ventrals thoracic, inserted just behind the pectorals, 

 narrow, consisting of 1 short subspinous ray and 4 long soft rays. Air bladder large. Ver- 

 tebra} numerous, the vertebral column extremely flexible and soft. Cranial bones tolerably 

 firm; bones of the face and opercles very flexible. The entire body is characterized by a 

 want of firmness, as it. can be doubled up as readily as a piece of soft, thick rag. {Jordan 

 and. Gilbert.) 



This genus is represented by a single species. I. enigmaticus, Lockington (Schedophilus 

 enigmatieus, Giinther, Challenger Report, xxn, 40, PI. xliv). The exact source of the types is 

 not known. They were bought in the San Francisco market in 1878, and the fishmongers 

 said that they were deep-sea fish. Lockington reports a small specimen in the museum of 

 the University of California, found off the coast of Washington. The fact that they have 

 not since been seen shows how unusual they are, and proves that they live at great depths 

 — if any proof other than their remarkable structure were required. Steiudachner also 

 had a specimen. 



SCHEDOPHILOPSIS, Steindachner. (Figure 41ti). 



Schedophilopsis, Steindachner, Sitzb. \k. Wis>. Wien. i.xxxiii, 1881,396; Ichth. BeHrage, xi, 4. 



Acanthopterygians having the form of the body and the dentition as in Schedophilus. 

 Body scaleless, with the exception of the lateral line. Dorsal and anal fins long, the former 

 beginning on the nape. Branchiostegals 6; pseudobranchiffl present. The fin rays thickly 

 covered with sharp, nettle-like spines, visible to the naked eye. 



The type of this genus is Schedophilopsis spinosus, Steiudachner (loc. cit.), obtained 

 by him at considerable depths off the coast of California, near San Francisco. The National 

 Museum possesses a specimen (Cat. No. 37327) obtained by Dr. August C. Kinney, at Astoria, 

 Oregon. 



ICICHTHYS, Jordan and Gilbert. (Figure 226.) 

 Icichthys, Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., in, 1880, 305; Bull, xvi, U. S. Nat. II us., 621. 



Body elongate, not elevated, not compressed at the bases of the vertical fins. Head 

 moderate. Byes lateral. Mouth terminal, little oblique, with small sharp teeth in one 

 series in the jaws only. PremaxiUaries not protractile. Gill membranes separate, free 

 from isthmus; gill-rakers long. Pseudobranchia- present. Branchiostegals 7. Body 

 covered with small cycloid scales. Lateral liue continuous, unarmed. Bases of fins with- 

 out spinules; dorsal and anal lius long aud low, composed of soft rays only; pectoral fins 

 moderate, their bases fleshy, as in Icosteus; ventral tins small, thoracic, I, 5. Pyloric caeca 

 about 0, large. Bones all very flexible, cartilaginous. (Jordan it Gilbert.) 



Represented by a single specimen obtained at the same time and under the same cir- 

 cnmstances as Icosteus enigmaticus. This was described by Jordan & Gilbert under the 

 name Icichthys Lockingtonii. Dr. Giinther's catalogues it under Schedophilus (Challenger 

 Report, sxii, 46). This form is but doubtfully related to those which immediately |)recede. 



Family ACROTID^E. 

 Acrotidm, Gill, MS. 



Acanthopterygians with a long, compressed body, naked skin, long low dorsal and 

 anal, large caudal on slender peduncle, no ventrals, no palatal or pharyngeal teeth, and 

 numerous (about 70) vertebra}. (Gill.) 



