DISCUSSION OE SPECIES AND TI1E1K DISTRIBUTION. 371 



The diameter of the eye is one-sixth the length of the head (in specimens 20 to 2 I inches 

 long). Caudal peduncle rather slender, its depth being i wo thirds of the distance between 

 dorsal and caudal fins. Fifteen or 10 longitudinal scries of scales between the anterior dor- 

 sal (in and the lateral line, and 210 in the lateral line. The dorsal lilameut very thin, thread- 

 like. (Giinther.) 



Radial formula : I). 4+52-56; A. 49-52; P. 21; V. 5. 



Tins species lias, according to Giinther, been obtained oil' the coasts of Madeira and 

 Portugal, and also in the Mediterranean. One of the specimens in the British Museum, 

 that figured by Giinther in the Challenger report, was 2 feet long. 



LEPIDION EQUES, (Gt)NTHER),G rand BEAN. 



Baloporphyrua nines, GI'ntiier, Challenger Report, xxn, 91, pi. 18. fig. B. 



The length of the head equals the distance between the root of the ventral tin and the 

 anal, and is rather less than one-fourth of the total (without caudal). The eye is very large, 

 one-third of the length of the head, longer than the snout, and nearly twice the width of the 

 intcrorbital space. Snout of moderate length, obtuse, with an undulated series of pores in 

 the preorbital region running toward the extremity of the snout. The mouth extends 

 nearly to below the middle of the eye. Barbel half the length of the eye. The caudal 

 peduncle very slender, its depth being two-fifths of the distance between dorsal ami caudal 

 iius. Fifteen or 16 longitudinal series of scales between the anterior dorsal tin and the lat- 

 eral line and 180 in the lateral line. The first long dorsal ray is compressed, moderately 

 strong, extending backward to the posterior fourth of the length of the dorsal fin. The 

 middle of the anal fin very conspicuously depressed. Caudal fin rounded, with its basal 

 rays extending for some distance along the peduncle. Pectoral fin as long as the head with- 

 out snout. The filamentous ventral ray, which, in fact, consists of two rays, free along their 

 distal half, does not exceed in length the pectoral fin. Caec. pyl. 10-11. 



Eadial formula: D. 4+56-62; A. 49-54; V. 7; L. lat. 180. 



Color, brownish with blackish fins; orbitwitha black ring; the cavities of the mouth, 

 gills, and abdomen black. Specimens of a much lighter color (probably albinos) are not 

 scarce. (Giinther.) 



Young specimens (0 inches in length), says Giinther, do not differ essentially from older 

 ones of twice the length, but their eye is relatively still larger and the dorsal filament some- 

 what smaller. Numerous specimens were obtained by the Knight Errant, in the Faroe 

 Channel, in 530 fathoms, the largest being 12 or 13 inches long, at station 6, in August, 

 1880, and station 2, in August, 1882. 



Giinther formerly believed that these specimens represented the younger stage of 

 the large specimen from Madeira (the oidy one known to him at the time) which he referred 

 in 1862 to Bisso'sfish; but examples received at a later period convinced him that the 

 present species may be constantly, at all ages, distinguished by a comparatively larger eye 

 and shorter head. However, the three European species, viz, Lcpidion Giientheri, Lepi- 

 dion liissoi, and Lepidion eques are most closely allied to each other. 



LEPIDION ENSIFEEUS, (GOnther), Goode and Bkan. 



Haloporphyrui ensiferus, GOnther, Challenger Report, xxn, Inst, ill', pi. xix, lij;. A. 



Distinguished by the very broad and compressed dorsal ray. The length of the head 

 equals the distance between the root of the ventrals and the vent. Eye rather large, two- 

 sevenths of the length of the head, a little longer than the snout, and in width much ex- 

 ceeding the intcrorbital space; pores of the preorbital region very small. Mouth compara- 

 tively narrow, only reaching beyond the anterior margin of the eye; barbel much shorter 

 than the eye. Caudal peduncle rather slender, its depth being rather more than one-half 

 the distance between dorsal and caudal fins. Scales very small, rather irregularly arranged; 

 about 18 longitudinal series between rhe firs! dorsal fin and the lateral line. The long dor- 

 sal ray is strongly compressed, broad, shaped like a blade of grass, ami extending backward 

 to the posterior third of the dorsal fin. It is so in 3 male specimens, but in a female the 



