DISCUSSION OF SPECIES AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION. 155 



SPINIVOMER. Gill and Ryder. 



Spinivomer, Gill and Ryder, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. vi, 1883, 261. — Jordan, Cat. Fish. N. Amer., 57. — Jordax 

 and Davis, Rep. U. S. F. C., 1888, 653. 



Nemiclithyids with a rectilinear occipito-rostral outline, with very attenuated jaws, 

 high mandibular rami, the branchial apertures nearly confluent, enlarged acute conic teeth 

 ill a median I'ow on the vomer, and with a silvery epidermis, and a filiform tail. (Gill and 

 Ryder.) 



SPINIVOMER GOODEI, Gill and Ryder. 



Spinivomer (loodei, Gill and Ryder, lor. cit., 253, 255, 261. 



The rays are ensheathed in a tough membrane which renders it impossible at present 

 to enumerate them with exactitude. They are, however, it is to be noted, more distant 

 from each other, and conse(iuently fewer than in Serriromer. 



The fish has a silvery sheen by which, as well as by the smaller eyes aud deeper mandi- 

 bles, it may be at once recognized from its relations. 



This is the smallest of the family, but a beautiful silvery form. The total length of 

 the only specimen found is 0.13 of a meter, and its greatest. height (at the branchial region) 

 is 0.0025 meter. [Gill and Eydcr.) 



A single specimen (Cat. No. 33293, U. S. N. M.) was obtained hy the Albatross at station 

 2039, in 38° 19' 2G" N. lat., 68° 20' 20" W. Ion., at a depth of 2,301 fathoms. 



SERRIVOMER, Gill and Ryder. 



Serricomcr, Gill aud Ryder, Proc. U. S. N. M., vi, 1883, 260.— Jordam, Cat. Fish, N. A., 57.— Jordan and 

 Davis, Rep. U. S. F. C, 1888, 6.53. 



Nemiclithyids with the liead behind eyes of an elongated parallelogramic form, with 

 moderately attenuated jaws, brauchiostcgal membrane confluent at the i)osterior margin, but 

 with the branchial apertiu-es limited by an isthmus except at the margin, and with lancet- 

 shaped vomerine teeth in a crowded (sometimes doubled) row. [Gill and Ryder.) 



SERRIVOMER BEANII, Gill and Eyder. (Figure 175.) 



Serrivomer Beanii, Gill and Rtdeu, Proc. IT. ,S. Nat. Mus., vi, 1883, 260, 261.— Jordan and Davis, Rep. U. S. 

 F. C, 1888, 653. 



The stoutest species of the family and with much shorter jaws than any other, and with 

 a very formidable vomerine armature. Thetotal length of the single specimen obtained was 

 0.594 meter; its height at the vertical of the mandibular articulation is O.OIG meter, and the 

 greatest height of the body (just behind the branchial apertures) is 0.02 meter. 



Radial fornuila: D. 157; A. 138. 



The specimen (Cat. No. 33383, IT. S. N. M.) was taken by the Albatross at station 

 2075, in 41° 40' 30" N. lat., 65° 28' 30" W. Ion., at a depth of 855 fathoms. 



SERRIVOMER EICHARDII, (Vaillant), Goode and Bean. 



Xemichthys Bicliardi, Vaillant, op. cit., Appendix, 93. 

 Jvocettina KicJiardi, Jordan and Davis, Rep. 11. S. F. C, 1888, (1891) 655. 



Nemichthys itifana, Vaillant, Exp. Sci. Travailleur et Talisman, 1888, 95, pi. vii, tigs. 1, la (not X i«/an8 

 of (iiinther). 



The description of this species given by Giinther (Preliminary notice 1873, p. 251) 

 being very brief, the example dredged from the Talisman, on the other hand, leaving much 

 to be desired in the way of ]n'eservation, the affinity is doubtful. 



The example, moreover, if we may be able to judge, is a little more nearly oybudrical 

 in form. The muzzle is sharply conical, the teeth of the jaws rasp like, similar to those of 

 Nemichthys scolopaccus, Eicliardson. The eye appears smaU, nearer to the extremity of the 

 snout than to the branchial oriflce. 



