DISCUSSION OF SPECIES AND TUEIR DISTKII5UTI0N. 371 



The diairieter of the eye is one-sixth the length of the head (in specimens 20 to 24 inches 

 long). Caudal pedimclc rather slender, its depth being two-thirds of tlie distance between 

 dorsal and caudal fins. Fifteen or 16 longitudinal series of scales between the anterior dor- 

 sal fin and the lateral line, and 210 in the lateral line. The dorsal filament very thin, thread- 

 like. (Giinther.) 



Kadial formula: D. 4+52-56; A. 49-52; P. 21; V. 5. 



This species has, according to Giinther, been obtained off the coasts of Madeira and 

 Portugal, and also in tlie Mediterranean. One of the specimens in the British Museum, 

 that figured by Giinther in the Challenger report, was 2 feet long. 



LEPIDION EQUES, (Gunthek), Goode and Bean. 



Baloporphyrus eques, Guntuer, Challenger Report, xxii, 91, pi. 18. fig. B. 



The length of the head equals the distance between the root of the ventral fin and the 

 anal, and is ratlier less than one-fourth of the total (without caudal). The eye is very large, 

 one-third of the length of the head, longer than the snout, and nearly twice the width of the 

 interorbital space. Snout of moderate length, obtuse, with an undulated series of pores in 

 the preoi'bital region running toward the extremity of the snout. The mouth extends 

 nearly to below the middle of the eye. Barbel half the length of the eye. The caudal 

 peduncle very slender, its depth being two-fifth s of the distance between dorsal and caudal 

 fins. Fifteen or 16 longitudinal series of scales between the anterior dorsal fin and the lat- 

 eral line and 180 in the lateral line. The first long dorsal ray is compressed, moderately 

 strong, extending backward to tlie posterior fourth of the length of the dorsal fin. The 

 middle of the anal fin very conspicuously depressed. Caiulal fin rcmnded, with its basal 

 rays extending for some distance along tlic peduncle. Pectoral fin as long as the head with- 

 out snout. The filamentous ventral ray, which, in fact, consists of two rays, free along their 

 distal half, does not exceed in length the pectoral fin. Ca-c. pyl. 10-11. 



Kadial formula: D. 4 -f- 56-02; A. 49-54; V. 7; L. lat. 180. 



Color, brownish with blackish fins; orbit with a black ring; the cavities of the mouth, 

 gills, and abdomen black. Specimens of a much lighter color (probably albinos) are not 

 scarce. {Gihither.) 



Young specimens (6 inches in length), says Giinther, do not differ essentially from older 

 ones of twice the lengtii, but their eye is relatively still larger and the dorsal filament some- 

 what smaller. Numerous specimens were obtained by the KiiUjht Errant, in the Faroe 

 Channel, in 530 fathoms, the largest being 12 or 13 inches long, at station 6, in August, 

 1880, and station 2, in August, 1882. 



Giinther formerly believed that tliese specimens represented the younger stage of 

 the large specimen from Madeira (the only one known to him at the time) which he referred 

 in 1862 to liisso'sflsh; but examples received at a later pei'iod convinced liim that the 

 present species may be constantly, at all ages, distinguished by a comparatively larger eye 

 and shorter head. However, the three European species, viz, Lepidion Giientheri, Lepi- 

 dion Rissoi, and Leptdion eques are most closely allied to each other. 



LEPIDION ENSIFERUS, (Gunther), Goode and Bean. 



Halojporphynts cnsiferun, Ginther, Challenger Report, xxii, 1887, 92, pi. xix, fig. A. 



Distinguished by the very broad and compressed dorsal ray. The length of the head 

 equals the distance between the root of the ventrals and the vent. Eye rather large, two- 

 sevenths of the length of the head, a little longer than the snout, and in width much ex- 

 ceeding the interorbital space; pores of the preorbital region very small. Month compara- 

 tively narrow, only reaching beyond the anterior margin of the eye; barbel much shorter 

 than the eye. Caudal peduncle rather slender, its depth being rather more than one-half 

 the distance between dorsal and caudal fins. Scales very small, ratlier irregularly arranged ; 

 about 18 longitudinal series between the first dorsal fin and the lateral line. The long dor- 

 sal ray is strongly compressed, broad, shaped like a bhide of grass, and extending backward 

 to the iiostcrior third of the dorsal fin. It is so in 3 male specimens, but in a female the 



