BY W. MACLEAY, F.L.S. 119 



externally visible eye. Barbel none. Ventrals reduced to simple 

 filaments placed close together, and near to the humeral symphysis. 

 Gill-membranes not united. Four branchial arches, the posterior 

 without gill-laminse, the anterior with very short gill-rakers and 

 rather short gill-laminse. Head covered with a system of wide 

 muciferous channels and sinuses, the dermal bones being almost 

 membranaceous, while the others are in a semicartilaginous 

 condition. Notochord persistent, but with a superficial indication 

 of the vertebral segments, (as in some Leptocephaline forms). 



Australian Seas." 



773. Aphyonus gelatinosus, Gunth. 



Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 1878, Vol. II., p. 22. 



' ' The head in the preserved specimen is compressed, rather deep, 

 and enveloped in loose skin ; especially on the upper side of its 

 anterior half the skin forms a long, loose bag, which during life 

 is probably filled with mucus. Transparent, colourless, like a 

 Zeptocephahis. 



North-east Australia in 1,400 fathoms (Challenger)." 



Genus Fierasfer, Cuv. 



Body produced into a very long and tapering tail, naked. Eye 

 moderate. Vertical fins continuous, very low ; no ventrals ; no 

 barbels. Cardiform teeth in the jaws, on the vomer and the 

 palatine bones, sometimes with canines ; the teeth on the vomer 

 form an oblong patch and are generally stouter than the others. 

 Lower jaw received within the upper. Vent situated at the throat. 

 Seven branchiostegals ; gill-openings wide, the gill-membranes 

 united below and not attached to the isthmus ; gills four, a slit 

 behind the fourth ; pseudobranchise none ; air-bladder present. 

 No pyloric appendages. 



Inhabitants of nearly all seas. 



