it gradually descends tiii under the 15 th soft ra\-, when it con- 

 tuiues backward in a straight horizontal line. 



The scales of the body are thin and deciduous, circular and 

 with concentric striae only. On the middle region from the 

 commencement of the dorsal to about the anterior margin of 

 the orbits they assume the form of rough tubercles. The same 

 occurs in the ventral region between the beginning of the anal 

 and the isthmus. One or two enlarged scales occur on the body 

 under the dorsal spme. 



There are about 40 bon}' scales proxided with low spines 

 along the base of the dorsal and about the same number along 

 the base of the anal. Two short bony ridges extend backwards 

 from the posterior region of the eye. 



Locality: The single specimen procured was obtained by 

 trawl, Vasco de Gama Peak (near Cape Point) bearing N. 40*^ 

 E., distance, 13^ miles; depth, 120 fathoms; bottom, rough. 



F'ani. COTTID^. 

 Cottunciilus niacrocephalus. n.sp. 



(Plate XXIV.) 



D. IV II. A. II ' V. 3. P. 20. 



Length of head one-half the length of the bod\'. Depth of 

 body 3^- in length ; diameter of eye y^, in head, or one-half 

 depth of body. Snout nearly equal to diameter of eye. 



Head and bod)' covered by smooth loose scaleless skin. No 

 bony tubercles on the head apparent. The posterior extremity 

 of the maxillary is broad, 3^ in diameter of eye, and falls in the 

 vertical just in front of the centre of the eye. 



The dorsal fin com.mences on a line between the posterior 

 margins of the opercula. The anterior spines are short, and 

 scarcely penetrate the skin. Tiie soft rays extend backwards to 

 near the tail. They fall nearly within the same verticals as the 

 anal fin. The ventrals with 3 rays scarcely reach the vent, 

 which is a little behind the \ertical from the posterior edge 

 of the operculum. The distance of ventral from end of snout 

 about i length of body. 



Colour : Light brown dorsalh', colourless ventrally. 



Locality: Lion's Head, bearing S.E. \ S., distant 50 miles; 

 depth, 230 fathoms ; bottom, green mud ; and South Head,, 

 bearing E. by S., \ S., distant 25 miles; depth, 190 fathoms; 

 bottom, green sand and black specks. 



