102 



Subgenus Saccooastek. 



Saccogaster, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Nov. 1889, p. 389. 



Differs from Diplacanthopoma, which it very closely resembles, only in the 

 following characters : — 



The scales are not, or hardly, imbricate, so that the peculiar scale-less skin 

 of the head is not so abruptly demarcated from the integument of the body. 



A row of teeth in the mandible, and a few teeth near the symphysis of the 

 upper jaw are enlarged. 



The operculum has two radiating ridges but they do not end in spines. 



The only known species is viviparous. 



80. Diplacanthopoma {Saccogaster) maculatum, Alcock. 



Saccogaster maculata, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Nov. 1889, p. 389 ; and July 1891, p. 30, pi. vii. fig. 3 : 

 Proc. Zool Soc, 1891, pp. 226, 227, fig: Illustrations of the Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XXIX. 

 fig. 2. 



Eight branchiostegals. 



Length of head 3- to 4 in the total : greatest body-height (except in the 

 pregnant female) equal to the postorbital portion of the head. 



Snout depressed, not overhanging the lower jaw, its length is half again 

 that of the eye and equal to the width of the interorbital space. Nostrils incon- 

 spicuous ; one in front of the eye, the other near the edge of the snout. 



Diameter of the eye about a tenth the length of the head. 



Upper jaw half as long as the head. 



Two or three gill-rakers on the outer side of the first branchial arch are 

 somewhat enlarged, as in Diplacanthopoma. 



The bases of the dorsal and anal fins are invested in a thick scaleless srlandu- 

 lar skin. The first anal ray is a head-length behind the axilla. 



The fleshy bases of the pectorals are particularly long : the fin is about as 

 long as the postorbital portion of the head. The ventrals arise a short distance 

 behind the clavicular symphysis ; each consists of a single filament not half as 

 long as the head. 



Colours : light brown, the scales showing as white dots, head and fins 

 darker. 



The largest specimen is 4 inches long. 



Bay of Bengal, 193, 240, 145 to 250, and 195 to 210 fathoms. 



Regd. Nos. 11073, 11674, 13045, 13527, 13528. 



