DISCUSSION OF SPECIES AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION. 329 



separated by a space greater than the diameter of the eye. Preoperculum with a square, 

 rounded angle; no armature; operculum with ;i si num. sharp spine above, the tip of which 

 projects slightly beyond the opercular flap. Distance of the vent from the root of the pec 

 toral slightly more than the length of the bead; as far removed from this point as is the 

 anterior nostril. 



Scales moderate, covering the entire head. Lateral line somewhat conspicuous, obso- 

 lete in its posterior third. 



The dorsal and anal litis enveloped in thick, scaly skin. The origin of the dorsal is in 

 advance of the middle of the pectoral. Pectorals rounded, broad, and very short ; less than 

 half as long as the head, and extending about half the distance from their origin to the ver 

 tieal from the vent. Yentrals inserted somewhat behind the angle of the preoperculum, 

 and extending to the vertical from the axil of the pectoral, and about one-fourth of the dis 

 tance from their origins to the vent; each ventral lilauieut is bilid, the inner part being 

 the longer. 



Radial formula: Vertical tins, 83+6+G7. 



Color, uniform grayish-brown; tins darker. 



The type was obtained by the Albatross from station 2684, off Cape ITenlopen, Dela- 

 ware, in 39° .'!•">' X. hit., 70° 54' W. Ion., at a depth of 1,106 fathoms. 



This form resembles so closely the figure, of Weobythites grandis, Gunther, (('hall. Rep. 

 xxii, 1(10, pi. xxi, fig. A), that the species was provisionally identified as the same, but a 

 more careful study shows that it differs in certain particulars, especially in the more distinct 

 lateral line, the rather shorter body, and the fact that the vent is considerably farther back 

 (more than twice the length of the pectoral from the gill opening), while the ventrals do not 

 reach more than one-fourth of the way to the vent. The rays in the vertical fins will prob- 

 ably be found to be fewer, though Gunther has not enumerated those in his type. 



ALCOCKIA, Goode and Bean, n. g. 



Brotulids resembling Neobythites in the general form of the body, with no continuous 

 lateral line, though traces can be distinguished at various parts of the body, and with a 

 head and snout similar in appearance to those of Bassozetus, though the former is peculiarly 

 shaped. Bones of the head rather thin, with large, somewhat conspicuous sinuses. Sharp, 

 well-developed spines upon the operculum and preoperculum (which has a crenulated 

 margin), behind the eye, upon the superciliary crest, and behind the posterior nostril, 

 which is separated from the orbit by a short, spinous projection, as in Bathybrotula. Mn 

 eiferous channels ample, that of the frontal bone opening in front by a wide aperture on 

 each side of the rostral projection, and each mandibulary canal opening in front immedi- 

 ately behind the symphysis by a slit in the skin. The mucous membrane of the nasal cavity 

 in two folds, forming together a longitudinal pad with a linear base. Teeth in villiform 

 bands on jaws, vomer, and palatines; the vomerines open V-shaped and much narrower 

 than the palatine band. Pectorals narrow and feeble. Ventrals each composed of two 

 filaments, short, very feeble and close together, inserted on isthmus, some distance from 

 symphysis. Scales cycloid, persistent, irregular. Gill-lamina' short: gill rakers stiff, far 

 apart, and but few in number. Branchiostegals 8. Pseudobranchia' represented by two or 

 three small lobes. 



This genus is provisionally proposed for the Porogadus rostral us of Gunther (Challenger 

 Report, xxii. 1887, lb">, pi. xxiv. fig. B) obtained by the Challenger from station 198, north 



Of Celebes, at a depth of 2,150 fathoms. 



The genus is named in honor of A. Alcock, M. !'>.. surgeon-naturalist to the II. M. 



Indian marine survey steamer Investigator, who has made so many important additions to 

 our knowledge of the bathybial fauna of the Indian Ocean. 



CELEMA, Goode and Bean, n. g. 



Brotulids closely resembling in appearance Mcebia, though with the rays of the 

 vertical tins apparently less abbreviated on the posterior part of the caudal Unlet, and 

 without the short row of specialized large scales beginning above the angle of the gill- 



