190 



Jaws produced to form a long slender bill, of which the upper part is 

 formed by the vomer and premaxillas. The inner surface of the bill covered 

 with small close-set teeth. Similar teeth on the mandible. Eye large. The 

 nostrils of each side are close together, in a hollow before the eye. Gill-openings 

 wide, nearly confluent. Pectoral and vertical fins well-developed. The dorsal 

 fin begins close behind the head. 



Distribution : Atlantic ; Indian Ocean ; Pacific. 



151. NemichtJiys acanthonotus, Alcock. 



Nemichthys acanthonotus, Alcock, Jouro. As. Soc. Bengal, Vol. LXIII. pt. 2, 1894, p. 136: Illustrations of 

 the Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XIV. fig. 5. 



Investigator acanthonotus, Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 518. 



The posterior third or more of the long slender body is very abruptly con- 

 stricted to form a lash-like tail. 



The head, rather more than four-sevenths of which is formed by the long 

 tapering snout, is between one-seventh and one-ninth of the total. The diameter 

 of the subcutaneous eye is between one-third and one-fourth the length of the 

 post-orbital portion of the head, and between one-sixth and one-seventh the 

 length of the snout. The nostrils have the usual position, and the jaws are 

 curved at tip as in N. infans. Small recurved asperities in crowded bands form 

 the dentition of the jaws and vomer. 



The vent is situated immediately behind the gill-opening and the root of the 

 pectoral fin. 



The gill-openings, which are wide, are separated from one another only by 

 a thin fold of skin. 



No scales. The lateral line is marked by a series of small glistening pores 

 which are arranged with beautiful regularity in " fives" (quincunces). The head 

 is studded with similar pores. 



The dorsal fin commences on the occiput, and is continued to the tip of the 

 tail : in a part of its extent, somewhat less than the middle third, the long 

 slender rays are replaced by strong short spines — like those of Notacanthus — 

 interconnected by a low membrane. The anal fin, which commences immediately 

 behind the vent, has its rays well-developed throughout, — the longest rays being 

 considerably more than half the length of the post-rostral portion of the head. 



The pectorals are large, and are half as long as the post-orbital portion of 

 the head. 



Colours : uniform dark sepia becoming black ventrally : gill-covers and fins 

 black. 



The largest specimen is over 30 inches long. 



Bay of Bengal, 475 fathoms ; Arabian Sea, 636 fathoms. 



Regd. Nos. 13643, 14003. 



