458 DEEP-SEA FISHES OF THE ATLANTIC BASIN. 



upon both sides of the body; about 127 in the lateral line, 31 above and 49 below. Dorsal 

 beginning almost over the middle of the upper eye, and extending almost to the base of 

 the caudal rays. Caudal rounded, composed of about 10" rays. Pectoral very small, tili- 

 forni, with 1 to 3 rays. Ventrals with 4 rays, but slightly developed. 



Radial formula: D. 84; A. 09; V. 4. 



Color, reddish, gray above; dorsal and anal fins black, excepting the rays, which, 

 being covered with scales, are of the same color as the body. The black tint is especially 

 noticeable on the blind side. Extremities of the rays milky white 



Specimens of this species were obtained by the French explorers at station xxvi, 370 

 meters; lxi, 1,290 meters — both on the coast of Portugal; station xxxn, in the Gulf of 

 Cadiz, 440 meters, and station lxv, off the coast of Soudan, 250 meters. 



APHORISTIA, Kaup. 



Jphorisiia, Kaup, Wiegmann's Archiv, 1858. 106 (type, Aehirus ornatus, Lacepfede). — GOnther, Cat. Fish. Brit. 

 Mus., iv, 490. — Jordan and Gilbert, Bull, xvi, U. S. Nat. Mus., 842. 



Sinistral pleuronectoids, having body elongate, lanceolate, rounded forward, tapering 

 behind, much compressed. Mouth small, twisted sinistrally. Teeth minute, dextral only. 

 Snout short, with a hook. One nostril present, before lower eye, with slight barbel. Scales 

 ctenoid, moderate; no lateral line. Vertical fins confluent; pectorals obsolete; ventral only 

 on colored side. Gill openings narrow. 



This genus, hitherto known only from the western Atlantic, has been reported from 

 deep water in the Bay of Bengal, where Alcock recognizes three species: Aphoristia Wood- 

 Miisinii. Alcock, 47."i-490 fathoms; A. Gilesii, Alcock, 193 fathoms; and .1. septemstriata, 

 Ahock, ls.s-220 fathoms. 



Aphoristiu fasciata, a shallow water form, is illustrated in pi. ex. (fig. 374) for comparison 

 with the allied species. 



KEi TO IHI. SPECIES "1' APHORISTIA. 



I. Ventral connate with anal. 



Ventral rays 5. 



Scales modi rate, 85-90 rows. I>. 95 A. fasciata 



II. Ventral separated from anal. 



A. Ventral rays 5. 



Scales small. 120/50 rows, a Bingle row between the eyes. Body elongate, height 4§; Head 5J; 



I). 119 A. NEBCLOSA 



B. Ventral rays 4. 



1. Scales moderate 80-90/34. None between eyes. Body elongate, height 4r£; Head5i; D. 96-100. 



A. MARG1NATA 



2. Scales large, rough, 65/34. Body short, height 3$; Head4i; D. 90 A. pigra 



3. Scales moderate, 80 '■'•'•. Caudal 1/10 of total. Eye in the same vertical. Body3J; head, 5|. 



A. DIOMEDEANA 



i. Scales moderate. 85-90/38, 1>. 7*; A. 70 A. pusilla 



APHORISTIA NEBULOSA, Goodjs and Bean. | Figure 375. I 



Aphoristia nebulosa, Goode and Bean, Bull. Mus. CVuip. Z<»"d.. \. lss::, 19l'. — Oi nth er, Challenger Report, 

 xxn, 1887, 167. 



Body is rather slenderer than in other species of the genus; its greatest height (18 

 millimeters) is contained 4- times in the extreme length. Scales small, rough, about 120 

 in a longitudinal series; about 50 in a transverse series. Jaws and snout scaleless. Length 

 of the head (15 millimeters) contained fi'rj times in total length. The length of the snout (3 

 millimeters) is J that of the head. Eyes small and close together, being separated by only 

 a single row of scales; upper eye very slightly in advance of the lower. The tubular nos- 

 tril is directly in front of the lower eye, and a little nearer to it than to the tip of the snout. 

 The length of the eye (2 millimeters) is contained 7 A times in length of head. The angle of 

 the mouth is about in a vertical through the anterior margin of the lower pupil. Teeth 

 feeble, very slender, and rather closely placed, apparently equally developed on the two sides. 



