VOL. XVIII, PP. 249-250 DECEMBER 9, 1905 



PROCEEDINGS 



OF THE 



BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 



A NEW FAMILY OF JUGULAR ACANTHOPTERYGIANS. 

 BY THEODORE GILL AND HUGH M. SMITH. 



Among the fishes collected by the junior author in Japan in 

 1903 is a specimen in poor condition which can not be referred 

 to any previously known family. The specimen, about 3 inches 

 long, was obtained in May at Kagoshima, province of Satsuma, 

 island of Kiushu, and was found among a miscellaneous lot of 

 fishes caught in Kagoshima Bay by the local fishermen. 



The fish is designated as representing a new genus and species 

 (Caristius japonicus) of a peculiar family of jugular acanthop- 

 terygians (Caristiidae). The distinctive characters are the 

 greatly compressed cuneiform body covered with cycloid scales ; 

 no lateral line ; branchial apertures ample ; high and elongated 

 dorsal fin with the anterior rays crowded forward over the head 

 and eyes; long anal fin; grooved or sheath-bearing abdomen 

 between anal and ventrals ; and jugular complete ventrals rooted 

 below preopercles. 



The vertebrae number about 40, and the vertebral column (as 

 shown by skiagraph ) is singularly deflected downward near and 

 to the occipital condyle ; the head is overhung by the extension 

 of the flesh and dorsal fin above and forward ; the mouth is 

 large and obliquely cleft, being continued backwards under the 

 eyes ; the jaw teeth are slender, acute, and pluriserial ; the lower 

 lip is interrupted by a frenum in front; the eyes are large, their 

 diameter being nearly one-half length of head. The height is 



54 PKOC. BIOL. Soc. WASH., Vol.. XVIII, 1905. (249) 



