342 DEEP-SEA FISHES OF THE ATLANTIC BASIN. 



•jill-laminjE. Head covered with a system of wide iinicifcrons clianiicls and sinuses, the 

 dciinal bones beiiiy almost membiaiiai'eons, whilst the others are in a semicartilaji'inous 

 condition. Notochord persistent, but with a superficial indication of the vertebral segments 

 (as in some Leptoccphaline forms). {Giinther.) 



This genus is known froi;; two s])ecies — A. mollis, (ioode and IJean, and the type, A. 

 gelattnosus, Giinther (Challenger ReiJort, xxii, 1887, 120, i)l. xxvi, Fig. A) from station 184, 

 between northeast Australia and New Guinea, at a depth of 1,100 fathoms. 



APHYONUS MOLLIS, Coonn iiiul Beax. (Figurn 2'J'J.) 



Aphyoniis mollis, Goode and Bean, Bull. Mn.s. Comp. Zoijl., xii, IC?. 



The body is much compressed, its greatest height (14 millimeters), G in its total length. 

 Head thicker than body, its height (1-^) millimeters) slightly greater. Length of head L'O 

 millimeters) about 4J in total; width (11 millimeters) over half its length. Snout, 3 J in 

 length of head. Eye not externally visible. Diameter of orbit, as seen through the skin, 

 about one-fourth length of head. Maxilla extends to vertical through posterior margin of 

 orbit, the mandible somewhat farther back, its length (13 millimeters) nearly equal to height 

 of body. A few weak teeth on vomei", palatines and mandible, and very rudimentary ones 

 in maxillary; not visible to the eye, but appreciable to the touch. Gill-lamina- on the fourth 

 and rudimentary gill-rakers, 8 rudiments and 4 developed below the angle. Dorsal origin 

 almost over posterior edge of operculum, its distance from the snout J of total length; tin- 

 rays, more than 110 well developed, the longest 3 in bead. Anal origin slightly neaier base 

 of caudal than to tip of snout, its rays shorter than those in the dorsal, l^ectoral with a 

 tleshy base; its origin somewhat behind that of the dorsal, its length equal to widtli of head. 

 Ventral origin in advance of that of pectoral, close to humeral symphysis; the fin is a sin- 

 gle simple ray, whose length (11 millimeters) equals that of the pectoral; its tip does not 

 reach the vent by a space equal to height of head. 



Skin not loose. Texture of body rather firm, not tran.sparent, whitish. 



The type is a specimen obtained at Blake station ccxxi, lat.24o 3C' N., Ion. 84° 5' W., 

 at a depth of 955 fathoms. 



This species is closely allied to Aphyonus gelatinosus, Gthr. 



RHODICHTHYS, Collett. 



Rhodichikys, Collett, NorskeNordhavs Exped., Fiske, 1880, 153.— 6t)NTHER, Challenger Report, xxil, 1887, 121. 



Head thick, body and taU strongly compressed, the latter tapering behind, enveloped in a 

 thin, transparent, scaleless skin. Vent immediately behind the humeral synqdiysis. Snout 

 swollen, overlapping the wide mouth. A few series of weak teeth in the jaws, none on the 

 vomer or palate. Eye of moderate size. Ventrals reduced to two filaments, each bifid, and 

 inserted on the hyoid. Vertical fins continuous, but wnth caudal rays difterentiatcd. Gill- 

 opeuiugs verjr wide. Pyloric appendages 10. (G ihither aftftr Colh-tf.) 



RHODICHTHYS REGINA, Collett. (Figure 303.) 



ShodicliUnis rcgina, Collett, Forb. Selsk., 1878, 99; Norske Nordhavs Exped., Fiske, 1880, 1.54. 



The length of the head is to the total length nearly as 1 to 4, the extreme depth of the 

 body as 1 to 4|. Anterior part of the body deep, in the posterior region rapidly ta])ering; 

 tail at base long and .slender. Upper jaw longer than lower. The dorsal fin originating 

 immediately above the branchial aperture; the <'au(lal projecting to the extent of tliree- 

 fifths of its length beyond the dorsal and anal. Eyes small, their diameter being to the 

 length of the head as 1 to 7; interorbital sjiace wide. The teeth exceedingly minute, 

 arranged in several series. Nostrils double. Pyloric appendages 10. 



Radial formula: D. CO; A. 57; P. 11-12. 



Ooh)r a uniform bright red. (Collett.) 



A single specimen, 297 millimeters in length, was obtained by the North Atlantic 

 Expedition in the open sea between Beeren Eiland, Jan Mayeu, and Finniark. 



