DISCUSSION OF SFECIES AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION. 425 



of the pectoral that a vertical from the axil of the latter would touch the inner ventral ray 

 about at its middle (as shown in Variant's figure). In B. macrops the ventral is behind the 

 vertical from base of pectoral; its length is ljj times thai of the snout (in />'. macrops 3 times.) 



Radial formula: 1). ix+10-'; A. 97; V. 8. 



Color, ruddy, silvery gray, with reflections; interior ofmouth and branchial cavity black. 



Ninety-six specimens of this form were obtained by the French vessels, off the coast of 

 Morocco and Soudan and off the Canaries, in 834 to 1,590 meters. 



It is similar to />. macrops, which, however, has a small barbel, more rays in its vertical 

 litis, longer veutrals— set behind pectorals, instead of in advance of them — and anal set 

 further back. 



Family LYCONIDyE. 



Lycnnid/r, OfNTUER, Chullongor Report, xxil, 1887, 158. 



Body terminating in a long compressed tapering tail, covered with small scales. A 

 continuous dorsal fin occupies the back to the extremity of the tail, but a division into two 

 portions may be considered to be indicated by the prolongation of some of the anterior dor- 

 sal rays; anal long, extending from the vent to the end of the tail; no caudal; ventrals 

 thoracic, composed of several rays. Pseudobranchise present; 4 gills; 7 brancblostegals. 



.Related to the Macruridce, but to be considered as a more generalized type. (Giinthcr.) 



LYCONUS, Gunther. 



Lyconus, Oi'NTnER, Challenger Report, XXII, 1887, 158 (typo, L.pinnalus, lor. cit., pi. xlii, fig. C). 



Head and body compressed, the former composed of thin bones, but with narrow mucif- 

 erous channels, except on the top between the eyes; trunk as long as or longer than the 

 head: eye large; snout short; cleft of the mouth wide, terminal, both jaws armed with a 

 series of widely set teeth, unequal in size; two in trout of the upper jaw being canine-like 

 but not so large as those of the lower jaw; vomer with a single canine-like tooth ou each 

 side. Scales very small, cycloid, deciduous. Gill-membranes uot united. Barbel none. 

 (Giiniher.) 



This unique type of fishes is represented by a single specimen of the single species, 

 Lyconus pinnatus. 



LYCONUS PINNATUS, Gunther. 



Lyconue pinnatus, GOnther, Challenger Report, xxn, 1887, 158, pi. 42, fig. C. 



Head compressed, as deep as it is long, without snout. The interorbital space is rather 

 flat, narrower than the round eye, which lies immediately below the upper profile; its 

 .diameter is one-third of the length of the head and rather longer than the snout. The 

 mouth ascends obliquely forward, and extends behind the middle of the orbit; the jaws 

 are even in front. The teeth are but few in number, and besides the two long lateral fangs 

 there are only three shorter ones developed in the lower jaw. Opercular bones very thin, 

 and the infraorbitals narrow, separating the maxilla from the eye by a narrow space only. 



The distance of the vent from the root of the ventrals is rather more than the length 

 of the head. The tail tapers into an exceedingly fine filament. 



flic dorsal tin commences above the base of the pectoral, and is composed of very 

 delicate simple rays; there is no break in its continuity, but some of its anterior rays. 

 perhaps 3 or 4, are much prolonged, but as this portion is injured, no more precise informa- 

 tion can be given. The anal fin commences immediately behind the vent, and its rays are 

 considerably shorter than those of the dorsal. The pectoral has a narrow base, and is 

 directed obliquely upward; it consists of thirteen rays, aud is exceedingly elongate, the 

 middle rays extending far beyond the vent. 



The ventral fins are mutilated; they are composed of 10 rays and situated below the 

 base of the pectoral. 



Scales very small, thin, and deciduous. 



