52 



PAPERS FROM TORTUGAS LABORATORY vol. xxxiv 



little longer than the very large eye; its anterior edge definitely rough; ventral 

 spine fully as long as 2d dorsal, equally rough on outer margin; premaxillaries 

 exceedingly protractile; scales distinct, rather deep, and without free margins. 

 West Indies to Florida in deep water. S. F. H. 



Family POLYMIXIIDAE. Barbudos 



Polymixia lowei Giinther 



The collection contains 3 specimens, each about 80 mm. Two are without 

 definite data, and the third was removed from the stomach of a flounder, Para- 

 lichthys oblongus, taken in 168 fathoms. Dr. Longley listed 7 specimens, 2 from 

 45 to 60 fathoms, and 5 from 140 to 197 fathoms. 



An error concerning the structure of the scales appears in the literature. This 

 error apparently originated with Giinther's description of Polymixia lowei (Cat. 

 fish. Brit. Mus., vol. 1, 1859, p. 17), wherein the scales were described as having 

 "distinct concentric layers on the free part and [being] without serrature." The 

 scales are strongly serrate in the Tortugas specimens, which not only bear spines 

 along the distal margins, but have in most cases two rows of spines on the ex- 

 posed surface in advance of the margin. Poey (Memorias, vol. 2, i860, p. 161) 

 described the scales as definitely ciliate ("a bord fortement cilie") in his Dinemus 

 venustus, he^e regarded as a synonym of P. lowei. Giinther's figure of P. nobilis 

 (here regarded as a synonym of P. lowei) in his Deep-sea fishes (1887, p. 34, 

 pi. I, fig. B), however, showed serrated scales. Gill (Johnson's Universal Cyclo- 

 paedia, vol. 3, 1878, p. 1323) in his description of the family Polymixiidae fol- 

 lowed Giinther's description of P. lowei, stating, "the scales are not serrated." 

 This error, apparently a mere "slip of the pen" on Giinther's part, has been re- 

 peated several times by other authors. 



Most descriptions state that the anal has only 3 spines. All 6 specimens from 

 Tortugas examined by Dr. Longley, however, 2 of which I also examined, had 4. 

 It has been stated that the ventral rays are all articulated, also that a spine is 

 present. Actually the so-called spine and the 1st ray are almost fused and can 

 be separated only with a sharp instrument. 



The following proportions and enumerations are based on the 2 specimens 

 in hand, with the exception of the dorsal, anal, and pectoral counts, which in- 

 clude 4 additional specimens examined by Dr. Longley. Head 3.1, 3.1; depth 2.6, 

 2.8. Eye in head 3.2, 3.2; snout 5.0, 5.0; interorbital ^.^ 3.4; maxillary 1.8, 1.8; 

 caudal peduncle 2.8, 2.8; pectoral 1.55, 1.65; ventral 2.2, 2.4. D. V,26 to 28; 

 A. IV,i5; P. 14 to 16; V. 7, 7 (counting the 1st fused "spine" and soft ray as 

 one) ; oblique series of scales between upper angle of opercle and base of caudal 

 59, 61; gill rakers 10, 11. 



Dr. Longley described the color as "bluish over black; sides silvery." This 

 color has been retained in the preserved specimens. 



The species apparently was previously recorded only from Cuba. It seems to 

 live in moderately deep water. S. F. H. 



