488 DEEP-SEA FISHES OF THE ATLANTIC BASIN. 



Descriptions and measurements of No. 2(>0l!l may be found in Goode, loc. tit. Although 

 there is ample material and some of the specimens in the National Museum are very Large, 

 fuller study seems unnecessary, since they are undoubtedly Lowe's G. pictus. 



The following color notes were taken by Dr. Beau from a fresh specimen taken in trawl, 

 station li.3.57. January 22, L885. 



Back greenish gray, mottled with brown and tinged with rosy, supraocular region with 

 golden reflections. Pectorals lemon yellow mingled with rosy; caudal like pectorals. 

 Sides rosy, ruder surface whitish and rosy intermingled. Pupil intense blue. Back with 

 fine reticulations. Rostral tentacle greenish gold at base, the fimbriated portion lavender. 

 Lines of mucous pores with reddish brown, well distinguished from the remaining colors. 

 Labial fringes lemon yellow. Iris golden or rather lemon yellow. 



The species inflates its abdomen like Tetraodon and has some difficulty in expelling the 

 air so as to sink rapidly. The small gill-openings are closed very tightly during inhalation 

 and a strong current of water is expelled in expiration. 



Family CERATIID^E. 



Ceraliida, Gill, Proe. Acad. Nat. Sci. l'liila.. 1863,89; Air. Fain. Fish.. 1872, 2 (No. f-'i: Proc. 1'. 8. Nat. Mas., 

 i. 1878, pp. L'li;. L'i'T. 



l'edieulates with head and body compressed. Mouth terminal, mine or less oblique. 

 Gill-openings small, in the lower part of the axils. No pseudo-branchiae. Spinous dorsal 

 represented by at least a frontal and superior rostral spine. Pectoral members not genicu- 

 hited, with short pseudobrachia and three actinosts. Xo ventral tins. All known forms 

 are uniform blackish in color. 



"The 'bathybial sea devils.'" writes Giinther, ••are degraded forms of Lophius; they 

 descend to the greatest depths of the ocean. Their hones arc id' an extremely light and 

 thin texture, and frequently other parts of their organization, their integuments, muscles, 

 and intestines are equally loose in texture when the specimens are brought to the surface. 

 In their habits they probably do not differ m any degree from their surface representative, 

 Lophius. 



••When the first individuals of this group were discovered they seemed to be suffi- 

 ciently distincl from one another to just i t \ generic separation. However, the additions of 

 recent years exhibit that variation in the shape of the body. head, and mouth, in the 

 specialized dorsal spines, and in the development of dermal scutes, which may be expected 

 in such grotesquely formed creatures. 



"The number of the dorsal spines is always reduced, and at the end of the series of 

 these species only one spine remains, with a simple, very small lamella at the extremity 

 i.Mi Iiihoii Ins Johnsonii, Melanoeetus Murrayi). In other forms sometimes a second cephalic 

 spine, sometimes a spine on the back of the trunk is preserved. The first cephalic spine 

 always retains the original function of a lure for other marine creatures, but to render it 

 more effective a special luminous organ is sometimes developed in connection with the 

 filaments with which its extremity is provided [Ceratias bispinosus, Oneirodes Eschrichtii). 

 So far as it is known at present these complicated tentacles attain to the highest degree 

 of development in Himemtolophus and fflgceonichthys. In other species very peculiar dermal 

 appendages are developed, either accompanying the spine on the back or replacing it. 

 They may be paired or form a group of three; are pear-shaped, covered with the common 

 skin, and perforated at the top, a delicate tentacle sometimes issuing from the foramen.'' 



KEY TO THE GENEEA OF CFKAT1IJLK. 

 I. Month moderate. 



A. Branchiee in 2\ pairs. 



1. Mouth-cleft aearlj vertical ; skin prickly Ct ratiina 



ii. Two cephalic spines, no dorsal spine, no caruncles : vomerine teeth Diceratias 



b. One cephalic and one dorsal spine, with lateral caruncles; no vomerine teeth Ceratias 



c. One cephalic spine, no dorsal spine-; caruncles present, 



i. Caruncles remote from soft dorsal Mancalias 



ii. Caruncles close to soft dorsal CRYPTOPSARAS 



