242 



DEEP-SEA FISHES OP THE ATLANTIC BASIN, 



PSEUDOPRIACANTHUS, Bleeker. 



Pseudojtriacanthus, Bleeker.— Jordan, Cat. Fish. N. Amer., 1887, 86. 



Priacanthids, liaving the body rather short, compressed, its height more than half its 

 length. Scales comparatively large and rough. Posterior nasal aperture a curved slit. 

 Angle of preoperculum with strong spine. Dorsal and anal spiues striated. Anal rays 

 10-11; dorsal rays 12-13. Other characters included in the family diagnosis. 



PSEUDOPRIACANTHUS ALTUS, Gill. (Figures 239, 240.) 



Priacanthus altus, Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1862, 132.— Jordan and Gilbert, Bull, xvi, U. S. Nat. 



Mus., 545. 

 Pseudopriuvanthus alius, Jordan, Cat. Fish. North America, 1887, 86. 



Body oblong, its length exceeding its height by one-half, compressed and elevated. 

 Head high and short, its length two-fifths that of body. Profile very oblique; snout 

 extremely short; gape of mouth very oblique, maxillary reaching to below orbit. Diameter 

 of orbit about one-half length of head. Spines stout. Scales rough and large, 45 in lateral 

 line, which runs obliquely upward in front, then abruptly turns downward. Ventrals large, 

 surpassing origin of anal. Preopercles and opercles coarsely serrate at angle and below; 

 angle of preopercle with two spines. Caudal tin rounded. 



Radial formula: D. X, 11; A. Ill, 9. 



Color, tawny red, the vertical tins dotted with black, and the ventrals black. 



The type was obtained in Xarragausett Bay. September, 1860, evidently an estray from, 

 southern waters. 



A large specimen. 5 inches long, was obtained by the Albatross at station 2316, X. hit. 

 24 25' \V., Ion. 81° 40' 45" in 45 fathoms, and two smaller ones at station 2606, in 25 

 fathoms: (Both of these are illustrated. Fig. 236 is 8 times natural size; Fig. 236 A, 

 4 times.) The species is not known to be abyssal, and has no claim to a place in this list, 

 except that it has been accidentally included in similar lists before, and should be ac- 

 counted for. 



Family POLYMIXIID^E. 



PolymixiidcE, Gill, Arr. Fam. Fish. 1872, name only (No. 99); Johnson's Cyclopaedia, 1323. 



A family of teleocephalous fishes distinguished by the peculiar union of characters. 

 The body is rather elongated and compressed; the scales are not serrated; the lateral line 



POLT.MIXIA NOBILIS. 



is continuous with the back; head compressed and with a decurved profile; preoperculum 

 serrated; mouth with a lateral and nearly horizontal cleft; teeth villiforin, on the jaws as 

 well as palate; branchiostegal apertures large; branchiostegal rays 4; dorsal moderately 

 elongated, with several spines, increasing backward; anal opposite the posterior portion of 

 the dorsal, armed with 3 or 4 spiues; pectorals with branched rays; ventral tins thoracic, 

 each with a spine and 6 or 7 rays. The skeleton has the vertebrae in increased number (29). 

 The family is distinguished by the combiuatiou of chin barbels, increased number of rays. 

 and small number of branehiostegals. Its affinities are doubtful, but on the wdiole seem to 

 be rather with the Mullidee. (Gill.) 



