154 BULLETIN OF THE 



The dorsal fin begins at a point over the posterior margin of the upper pupil. 

 It is composed of 96 to 100 rays, those about the middle of the body the longest, 

 and contained about 2^ times in the height of the body. 



The anal origin is separated from the snout by a distance equal to four 

 times the length of the snout. It has 86-87 rays, and its height is slightly 

 less than that of the dorsal. 



The median caudal rays are short, included 85 times in total length. 



The distance of the ventral from the snout is contained 5-| times in the total 

 length ; its distance from the anal, 1 J times the diameter of the eye ; its rays, 

 four in number, the longest contained 25 times in head. 



Color in life, reddish gray much speckled with brown. Belly bluish gray. 

 Bases and membrane covering fin-rays dark brown. Dorsal and anal fins very 

 dark on their last tenth. Caudal pale, in marked contrast with the dark area 

 of dorsal and anal. Tips of dorsal and anal rays, and some of the membrane 

 covering caudal rays, vermilion. 



Color in alcohol, uniform grayish brown, lighter below, with a dark brown 

 line marking margin between the body and the base of the vertical fins, with a 

 lighter line or stripe, as wide as eye, inside. 



Radial formula : D. 96-100 ; A. 86-87 ; V. 4 ; P. none. Scales, 88 to 90-34. 



Aphoristia pigra, n. sp. 



This species is described from a specimen obtained by the steamer " Blake " 

 from dredging off St. Kitts, at a depth of 250 fathoms, with the Fish Commis- 

 sion specimens from Stations 2318 (4) and 2405 (2) as collateral types. 



It is distinguished by its abbreviated form, and its large, rough, strongly 

 pectinate scales. The extreme length of the type is 98 millimeters. 



The body is shorter than in the congeneric Atlantic species ; its greatest 

 height is contained 3^ times in its total length, or three times in total without 

 snout. 



The scales are large, very rough, with strong horizontal striae and stoutly 

 denticulated margins, and rather loosely fixed to the skin ; about 65 in a 

 horizontal series, 34 in a transverse series. The jaws and snout are covered 

 with small scales. The length of the head is contained 4^ times in the total 

 length. The length of the snout is contained 4| times in that of the head. 

 The eyes are moderate in size, very close together, with no scales between ; 

 the upper is very slightly in advance, and is distant from the dorsal outline a 



