322 DEEP-SEA FISHES OF THE ATLANTIC BASIN. 



Biiinchiostegals, 8. Gills, 4; gill lamina' short; gill-rakers loug and stiffen the first 

 branchial arch. Pseudoljrauchiie, none. Pyloric apiicndages, none. 



Bassozetus glutinostis (Alcock), Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 1889, ii, 211, was taken by 

 the Incestiyator at station 93, in the Bay of Bengal, at a dei)th of 1,310 iathorus. 



HASSOZETUS NORJIALIS, Gill. (Figum 287.) 



Bassozetus normalis, Gill, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1883, 259. 



Body much compressed, its width in the region ol' the vent not more than one-third of 

 its height, which at the same point is abont one-ninth of the total length. The greatest 

 height of the body, over the origin of the pectorals, is about two-thirds the distance from 

 the base of the pectorals to the vent, the vent being about twice as distant from the base 

 of the caudal rays as from the snout. Head moderately compressed, tlat above; with snimt 

 obtuse, rounded, turgid; lower jaw considerably included. The length of the bead con 

 tained nearly six times in the total length. 



The bones of the head not completely ossified, very cavernous in the alcoholic speci- 

 men, the head showing many deep sinuosities and depressions. Eye very small, its diame- 

 ter about one-fourth the length of the snout, and situated about midway between the tip of 

 the snout and the vertical from the jjosterior end of maxillary. Teeth all small and short, 

 densely set, forming naiT(jw, villitbrin bands; vomerine band open V-sha])ed. The dorsal 

 flu begins far in advance of the origin of the pectoral and above the upper angle of the gill- 

 opening; the rays are longest in the region over the vent. The anal begins immediately 

 behind the vent; its rays are not quite so long as those of the dorsal. Pectoral with broad 

 base, short, not extending much more than half way to the vertical from the vent, its length 

 considerably less than that of the postorbital portion of the head. Ventral rays very slen- 

 der, villiform, reaching ahnost to the vent, far beyond the pectoral; their length almost 

 equal to that of the head. Scales moderate, very deciduous, extending upon the cheeks 

 and on the top of the head almost to the tij) of the snout. No evidence of a lateral line. 



Eadial formula: D. 116; A. 90. 



Color light, the head and abdomen blackish; the inside of the month pnrplish-browii. 



The Blake secured specimensfrom station cciv, in 24° 33' N. lat.,840 23' W. Ion., at a depth 

 of 1,920 fathoms; and from station Lxxxiv, off Dominica, in 1,131 fathoms. The Alhatrons 

 also obtained examples. Oat. No. 4941G, U. S. N. M., from station 2380, in 28-3 02' 30" N. lat., 

 87° 43' 45" W. Ion., at a depth of 1,430 fathoms; Cat. No. 3330G, U. S. N. M., fi-om station 

 2042, in 39° 33' N. lat., 68° 26' 45" VV. Ion., at a depth of 1,555 fathoms. 



BASSOZETUS COMPKESSUS, (GCnthek), Goode au.l Bean. 



Balhynectcs compreMiis, Guntiier, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., ii, 1878, 20. 

 Bathyonus comprissiis, Gunther, Challenger Kcport, xxii, 1887, xxii. Fig. A. 



The greatest depth of the body is above the end of thegiU-cover and about one-half of 

 the length of the trunk, the vent being twice as distant from the extremity of the tail as 

 from the snout; consequently, the tail is but moderately attenuated. Head compressed 

 like the body, and about two-thirds of the length of the trunk ; the superficial bones form 

 large muciferous cavities, which, when full, must give to the head a much more evenly 

 rounded appearance than in the preserved state, when the supporting bony ridges x^roject 

 more or less from under the skin. The snout is slightly swollen, but the jaws are nearly 

 even in trout, the wide mouth slightly ascending forwards. The maxillary has the form 

 usual in these Gadoid fishes, is dilated behind, and extends far behind the eye. 



The eye is very small, one half of the length of the snout, and about one-eleventh of 

 that of the head; it is placed up on the side, and does not i>ossess an orbital fold of the 

 integument. The interorbital space rather convex, and equal in width to three diameters 

 of the eye. 



All the teeth are very small and short, densely set, and form villiform bands. The 

 broadest is that of the maxillary bone, and it is quite uncovered on the sides, uo labial folds 



