46 



or 5 along the lower border of the preoperculum. Two small coarse spines or 

 tubercles on the supra-clavicular region : the clavicular spine about as long as the 

 major diameter of the orbit. The points of the pubic bones project as a pair 

 of spines between the clavicular symphysis. 



Eye from a sixth to a seventh the length of the head, according to age, and 

 rather less than the width of the inter-orbital space. A small filament in front 

 of the nostril. 



Lips rather fleshy, papillated, especially the lower lip. A large prelingual 

 filament, more than two-fifths the length of the head. No barbel. 



No scales on the throat and belly. 



Nine pyloric appendages. 



Colours in life : back dirty greenish, below marbled with lighter shades, 

 belly silvery white, first dorsal black. 



The type specimen is eight inchea long. 



Numerous specimens from off the Ganjam coast 98 to 102 fathoms, off the 

 Coromandel coast 128 fathoms, and off the Malabar coast 45, 100 and 68 to 148 

 fathoms. 



Regd. Nos. 12784-12786, 12788, 12791, 12797-12798, 12800, 12803, 

 13214, 13451, 13495, 13496, 13498-13500, 14093-14103: ^-f*: 6 -?? -If. 



In the original description, I stated that there is no prelingual filament ; 

 but, as a matter of fact, the prelingual filament is very large. 



The nearest relative of this species seems to be U. Jcaianus, Giinther 

 (Challenger Shore Fishes, p. 43, pi. xix. fig. A). 



It is a voracious species : in the stomach of the specimen dissected seven 

 entire individuals of Scopelus pterotus were found. 



Champsodon, Giinther. 



Champsodon, Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1867, p. 102 ; Challenger Shore Fishes, p. 52 : Goode and Bean 

 Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 291. 



Body elongate, compressed, covered with minute granular or spiny scales. 

 Two indistinct lateral lines, with transverse branches that lodge minute gland- 

 like papillae. 



Mouth wide, oblique : irregular cardiform and setiform teeth of unequal size 

 in the jaws — largest in the lower jaw : cardiform teeth in two patches on the 

 vomer. Eye lateral, directed somewhat upwards. Two naked spines on edge of 

 preorbital bone. 



Seven branchiostegals. Gill-openings very wide. Posterior border of pre- 

 operculum finely denticulated : a strong dagger-shaped spine at its angle. 



