520 DEEP-SEA FISHES OF THE ATLANTIC BASIN. 



This genus, dedicated by Jordan and Bvermann to Dr. Leonhard Stejneger, curator of 

 reptiles in the U. S. National Museum, is, according to Jordan and Evermanu, closely 

 allied to Grammicolepii and Psenes, and is placed by them provisionally in the family 

 Bramidw, although its relations are not definitely determined. 



Having been found in the stomach of a Red Snapper, which inhabits considerable 

 depths, it is provisionally placed among deep-sea fishes. The fact of its never having been 

 found in the surface faunas of the Gulf of Mexico gives additional reason for supposing 

 that it is an inhabitant of the deep regions. 



STE1NEGERIA RUBESCENS, Jordan and Evermann. 



Steinegeria rubescens, Jordan and Evermanu, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mns., 1886, 467. 



Body ovate, considerably compressed, the greatest thickness a little less than half length 

 of head. Anterior of profile from tip of snout to base of dorsal nearly straight. Outline 

 of belly prominent, the axis of body being rather nearer dorsal than ventral outline. Breast 

 and belly not carinate. 



The head is but little longer than deep, its upper surface flattish, the bones not very 

 firm; its length contained 2jj times in the total length (34 with caudal): the depth twice 

 (2^ with caudal). Interorbital space nearly fiat, with two ridges, about as broad as eye, 

 which is 3£ in head. Preorbital very narrow, somewhat cavernous, its edge sharply den- 

 tate; snout short, 5 in head. 



Mouth very oblique, the lower jaw strongly projecting, the broad maxillary reaching 

 to below middle of eye, its length half that of the head. Each jaw with a band of small 

 cardiform teeth, those in front largest, especially in the lower jaw, but all of them small. 

 A band of villiform teeth on each palatine bone, but uoue on the vomer; premaxillaries 

 protractile. Lower jaw with conspicuous pores 



Preopercle forming a nearly even curve, without distinct angle. Ascending limb of 

 preopercle very finely serrulate, with sonic four or five coarser teeth about the angle. Other 

 opercular bones very thin, with entire edges. ( 'heeks, opercles, maxillary, and top of head 

 closely covered with scales similar to those on rest of body, but a little smaller. 



Gill-rakers rather short and wide apart, * or '■• developed on the lower part of the arch, 

 the longest about one-third length of eye. 



Body closely covered with membranous scales which are closely imbricated, deeper than 

 long, each with a distinct median keel besides which are some smaller radiating ridges, 

 especially on the scales of the sides of the body. These ridges on the scales give the body 

 a rough appearance, although they are not spiugerous. The keels on the scales form con- 

 tinuous ridges, giving the whole body a striated appearance. Scales largest on middle of 

 sides, becoming smaller on back and on belly. Xo distinct lateral line. Fins with few- 

 scales or none. 



Dorsal spines very slender and flexible, some of them ending in filaments (all more or 

 less mutilated in typical example). Soft rays separated from spines by a deep notch 

 extending nearly to base of fin. Soft dorsal elevated, the longest rays about 14, in head. 

 Caudal lunate, its peduncle very short and slender. Anal fin high, its spines short and 

 slender, the longest ray 1£ in head. No free anal spines. Ventrals inserted before pec 

 torals, their length 1? in head. Ventrals not depressible into a fissure of the abdomen. 

 Pectorals li in head. Vent well behind ventrals. 



Color in life salmon red, rather bright and nearly uniform, darker on back, silvery 

 under the chin. Fins all salmon, with black areas toward base on both dorsals and anal. 

 Ventrals largely black. Lining of opercles pale. 



Eadial formula: D. XI-I, 18; A* II, 20; V. 1, 5. Scales ca. 50-2ti. 

 A siugle specimen (Cat. Nb."37991, U. S. X. M.), 5 inches in length, in fair condition, 

 was found by Dr. Jordan in the stomach of a Red Snapper at Peusacola, Fla. 



Page 220: Nomeus Oronovii. Add to synonymy: 

 Gi'NTiiER, Challenger Keport, VI, Shore Fishes, 1880, 9. 



