62 



This species may perhaps be only a variety of H. stellata. An accident to 

 the unique specimen known in 1889 led me to describe the rostral tentacle as 

 bilobed : in the specimens received since then the tentacle has the usual three- 

 lobed form. 



41. Halieiitcea fumosa, Alcock. 



Halieutma futtwsa, Alcock, Jonrn. As. Sue. Bengal, Vol. LXIII. pt. 2, 1894, p. 119 : Illustrations of the 

 Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XIV. fig. 2. 



B. 6. D. 4. A. 4. C. 9. P. 13. V. I. 5. 

 Differs from H. stellata in the following particulars : — 



(1) the spines of the dorsal surface are mere spinules, though their bases 

 are pyramidal or star-shaped : the filaments along the edge of the disk and sides 

 of tail are excessively delicate : 



(2) the skin of the under surface of the disk is thick, gelatinous and abso- 

 lutely smooth : 



(3) the length of the eye is between ^ and - that of the disk, and the 

 interorbital space is slightly concave : 



(4) caudal one-fourth the total length, and equal to the pectorals : 



(5) ventrals slender, more than - the length of the pectorals. 



Colours in spirit : upper surface smoky blue, becoming hyaline near the 

 edge of the disk ; under surface grey, finely and closely speckled with silver ; 

 dorsal fin blackish ; pectorals and caudal with a broad black cross-band and 

 commonly a milk-white tip. 



Numerous specimens, from the Bay of Bengal, 145 to 250 fathoms, and off 

 the Malabar coast, G8 to 148 fathoms. The largest is about 4 inches long. 



Regd. Nos. 13716-13720, 13722-13725, 13727, 12823, ^^. 



It is quite possible that this species also is merely a variety of II. stellata. 



Dibranchus, Peters. 



Dibranchus, Peters, Monatsb. Akad. Berlin, 1875, p. 736 : Gill, Proo. U. S. Nat. Mus. I. 1878, p. 231 : Giinther, 

 Challenger Deep Sea Fishes, p. 59 : Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 500 Jord*nn and Evermanu, Fishes 

 of North America, III. p. 27-13. 



Head and anterior part of body forming a large subtriangular or ovate 

 disk the edge of which is armed with horizontal spines. Skin beset with spines 

 having stelliform bases, or with tubercles and granules. 



Cleft of mouth horizontal, of moderate width. Minute teeth in the jaws 

 only. 



Forehead with a transverse bony bridge forming a cavern above the mouth, 

 in which a retractile tentacle, that represents the 1st dorsal fin, is lodged. 



