DISCUSSION OF SPECIES AND THEIK DISTRIBUTION. 281 



delicate membrane, in which rays are visible like fine striae, and which on its hinder margin 

 is provided with long Cringes. The eight lower or anterior rays are quite free, bu1 not sep 

 arated by an interspace from the remaining pari of the fin. The bonesofthe head are 

 extremely thin, forming cavities on the top and the snout. Tlie eye is of moderate size, 

 about two-sevenths of the length of the head, a little shorter than the snout, and consider- 

 ably less than the width of the interoi lutal space, which is very convex. .laws even in 

 front, the maxillary extending nearly to the hind margin of Hie orbit. (Oimther.) 



Radial formula: D. ca. 70; A. ca. To. 



One specimen, 2J inches long, was obtained by the Challenger off Gape St. Vincent, 

 station 310, at a depth of 400 fathoms. 



GYMNOLYCODES, Vaillant. 



(lymnolycodes, Vaillant, Exp. Sci. Travailleur et Talisman, 1888, 312. — Boulenger, /.mil. Record, 1888, 

 Pisces, 18. 



Body compressed, tapering, ensiform; skin feebly adherent to the subjacent tissues, 

 and scaleless. Vertical tins confluent, pectorals enveloped in an integument; ventrals 

 jugular, .laws with line teeth in several rows, disposed in quincunx fashion; vomer and 

 palatines toothless. Branchial opening small and placed a little above the pectorals. 



This genus, which Vaillant places in the family Lycodicke, while calling attention to its 

 resemblance to the Brotulids, has been assigned by Boulenger to the Discoboli, where we 

 provisionally leave it. 



GYMNOLYCODES EDWARDSI, Vaillant. (Figure 254.) 



Oymnolycodes Edwardsi. Vaillant. Exp. Sci. Travailleur et Talisman, 1888, 313, pi. xxvi, fig. 3. 



Body shaped much as in Bythites, its height nearly one- fifth of its thickness and one- 

 seventh of its length; the length of the head is two-ninths of the length of the body; its 

 form is globose (so far as Vaillant was able to judge from a distorted specimen). Length 

 of snout two-fifths that of head. Mouth large, the maxillary extending to the vertical 

 from the center of the eye. On the intermaxillary and mandible are small, smooth, pave- 

 ment-like teeth, similar to those which occur in certain Elasmobranchs, like Mtistelus, and 

 certain Kays; palate smooth. Eye moderate, diameter one-fifth of length of head; interor 

 bital width greater, the space equal to one-third that of the head. No barbel lias been ob- 

 served. The branchial orifice consists of a simple openiug. Opercular bones apparently 

 imperfectly developed. Branchiostegal membrane supported by rays which are relatively 

 long and strong, which, in the individual as it was captured, are bent, distending the mem- 

 brane in globular form. Vent a little in advance of the anterior third of the body. 



It is impossible, says Vaillant, to know whether there was, or was not, a lateral line, the 

 skin, which is very loose, as in certain species such as Liparis, being absent from most 

 parts of the body. Skin absolutely devoid of scales, but studded with numerous pigmen- 

 tary dots which cover it nearly entirely — head, body, and fins. 



The dorsal does not appear to commence very far forward, its origin being nearly in 

 the vertical from the vent; that of the anal considerably farther back. The two vertical 

 fins are similar in appearance and size; they are confluent at the posterior extremity of the 

 body, where, properly speaking, there is no caudal. Pectorals are completely enveloped in 

 the skin, and have from 11 to 1"> rays. 



When taken out of the dredge the fish was entirely brown; dark upon the tins; belly 

 bluish-black; the inside of the mouth and branchial cavity brownish, witli some scattering 

 pigmentary spots. 



A single specimen was obtained by the French vessels at station xxi. oil the coast of 

 Morocco, at a depth of 1,319 meters. 



