386 



DEEP-SEA FISHES OF THE ATLANTIC BASIN. 



Insertion of the dorsal fin behind the vertical from the base of the pectoral, and termi- 

 nating a slight distance from the caudal. Tlie anal begins almost in the same vertical, and 

 is almost equal in length. Caudal rounded; caudal peduncle slender, somewhat elongate. 

 Pectorals placed rather high, their length less than that of the head. Ventrals jugular, 

 shorter than the pectorals, with slender base; second ray elongate and extending beyond 

 the origin of the anal. 



UROSMIOULUS IMBEUBIS. 



Radial formula: D. 58; A. 58; V. 5. 



Color dull gray; light behind the head, posterior part of the back, and caudal peduncle. 

 Cheeks silvery. Vertical fins deep brown; pectorals and ventrals blackish. 



Two specimens were obtained by the French explorers at station ex, ofl' the Cape Verde 

 Islands, at a depth of IGO meters. 



Family MERLUCIID^E. 



Merludida;, Adams, Manual Nat. Hist., 1S61, 101. — Gill, Arr. Fam. Fish., 1872, 3. (No. 25); Century Dictiou- 

 ary, 3719; Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. I'liila., 18S1, 172. 



A family of Gadoidca, ha\ing the caudal region moderate and coniform behind. Caudal 

 rays procurrent forward. Vent submedian. Frontal bones paired and excavated, with 

 divergent crests, continuous from the forked occipital crest. No barbels. Suborbital bones 

 moderate. Mouth terminal. Dorsal fin double, divided into a short anterior and a long pos- 

 terior portion ; anal fin corresponding in shape and position to the second dorsal. Ver- 

 tebrjE peculiarly modified, with well-developed and closely packed neural spines. Ventrals 

 subjugular. Kibs wide, approximated and channeled below, or with inflated sides. 



MERLUCIUS, Rafinesque. 



Merluccius, Eafinesque, Caratteri di aleuui iiuovi geueri, etc., 1810, 26 (type Mcrliicciiis smiridua^Gadua 

 vierhicciiis, L.).— GtJNTHER, Cat. Fish. But. Mus., iv, 344. — Jordan aud Gilbert, Bull, xvi, U. S. Nat. 

 Mus., 808. 



Slomudon, Mitchill, Rep. Fish. N. Y., 7. 



Body elongate, covered with small deciduous scales. Head conical. Snout long, de- 

 pressed. Mouth large, oblique; maxillaries extending to opposite the eyes; lower jaw 

 longest. Teeth slender, in about 2 series on jaws, those of the inner row longer and 

 movable; vomer with five teeth; palatines toothless. Eye rather large; edge of preopercle 

 free; preopercle with channel behind crest, crossed by short radiating ridges. Branchioste- 

 gals 7. GiU rakers long; gill membranes not united. Ventrals well developed. 



MERLUCIUS BILINEAEIS, (MrrciuLL), Gill. (Figure 330.) 



Stomndon bilinearia, Mitchill, Rep. Fishes New York, 1814, 7. 

 MerliicUia hUiticdrii, Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., I'hila., 1863,247. 

 Gadtis aWidiin, Mitchill, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philu., l, 409. 

 Merluciua albidus, Storer, Hist. Fish. Mass., 363. 



A Merliicius, distinguished from the common hake of Europe, M. smiridtis, L., chiefly 

 by the larger scales, of which there are 100 to 110 in the lateral line (about 150 in M. smi- 

 ridus), aud by the smaller size of its teeth. The pectorals and ventrals are long, the 



