168 



DEEP-SEA FISHES OF THE ATLANTIC BASIN. 



upon head. Number of scales in lateral line not far from 400 (in the partially digested 

 specimen before me it is impossible to make an exact enumeration). Number between 

 lateral line and dorsal fin about 20, between lateral line and anal fin about ^50. Head 

 covered in every part, even the lips, with small scales, of which there are about 40 between 

 eye and end of oi)ercular flaj). Scales deeply imbedded (in life probably hidden beneath 

 a slimy epidermis). 



Length of the head about 7J times in that of body. The bones are flexible, and their out- 

 lines are invisible without dissection, the whole being covered with a leathery skin. Width 

 of interorbital space appears to be (in the mutilated head) somewhat greater than length of 

 snout, and about one-fourth length of the head. Diameter of orbit appears to be about 

 one-half width of interorbital space. Length of postorbital portion of head nearly 3 times 

 that of snout. Length of mandibular bone slightly exceeds twice diameter of eye ; that 

 of upper jaw considerably greater. Teeth in upper jaw blunt, accicular, set side by side 

 like the teeth of a comb, about 32 on each side. In lower jaw shorter, slenderer, and in 

 double rows. Villiform teeth upon palatines. 



Dorsal fin begins at a distance from snout iu)t far from 23 times length of the head, 

 and nearly over the one hundred and tenth scale of lateial line; it consists of 10 low, widely 

 separated spines, unconnected by any membrane. Distance between first and tenth spine 

 nearly double length of head. 



Spines from fourth to ninth about equidistant, while other interspaces are shorter. 



Distance from snout to anal fin equal to about four times length of head. Anterior 

 spinous portion of anal resembles dorsal and is devoid of connecting membrane. (The 

 membrane is also absent from the posterior half of the fin, but may possibly have been 

 destroyed. Anal rays extend to tip of tail and number about 130, the number of spines 

 being 19. Anal begins immediately behind vent, and its length of base is slightly less than 

 half that of body (less by a length about equal to the distauc'e from the angle of the mouth 

 to the gill-opening). 



Pectoral fin placed at a distance behind the gill-opening about equal to width of its 

 own base. (Its length is at least double this distance — how much more can not be deter- 

 mined, but the fin is evidently short and rounded in contour, the upper rays longest). Its 

 base is stout, peduncular, and thickly covered with scales. 



Distance of the ventrals from snout equal to that of the dorsal, though its insertion is 

 slightly in advance of that of dorsal. Ventrals closely adjacent, separated by narrow 

 groove, broad, with peduncle-like bases, thickly covered with scales and provided with 

 two spines and eight or nine rays (as nearly as the specimen will permit determination). 



Radial formula: D. X; A. Xix (130); CO; P. (17); V. II, 8-9. 



Color, yellowisli brown. 



MEASUREMENTS. 



Millimeters. 



Extreme length 9G8 



Body: 



Height at vent 110 



Greatest width (40) 



Head: 



Greatest length 132 



Width of interorbital area (34) 



Length of snout 30 



Length of postorbital portion (measured 



diagonally) 87 



Length of upper jaw 40 



Length of mandible 36 



Diameter of orbit 17 



Dorsal : 



Distance from snout 350 



Length of base 215 



Length of first spine 2 



Length of last spine 7 



illllimetera. 

 Distance between lirst and second spines. . 7 

 Distance between second and third spines . . 19 

 Distance between third and fourth spines . . 22 

 Distance between fourth and fifth, fifth and 

 sixth, sixth and seventh, seventh and 



eighth, and eightli and ninth spines 25 



Distance between ninth ami tenth spines.. 21 



Anal: 



Distance from snout 437 



Length of b.ase 525 



Length of first spine 2 



Pectoral : 



Distance from snout 150 



Length (40) 



Ventral ; 



Distance from snou t 350 



Length 20+ 



