28 THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER, 



The single specimen known was taken from the stomach of a Coryphsena ; and the 

 skin covering the head and enclosing the muciferous cavities is destroyed by the action 

 of the gastric juice so as to render the ridges of the skeleton of the head more conspicuous 

 than they are in a living or well-preserved example. 



Melamphaes crassiceps (PI. VIII. fig. B). 



Scopeltts crassiceps, Giintli., Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 1878, voL ii. p. 185, 



D, f\. A. gL. P. 14. V. f L. Lit. 28. 



The height of the body is one-fourth of the total length (without caudal) ; the 

 length of the head one-third ; the least depth of the tail is two-fifths of its free portion. 

 Head very thick with short snout. Eye small, one-seventh of the length of the head, 

 and one-half of that of the snout ; posterior margin of the prseoperculum descending 

 obliquely backwards; lower jaw slightly prominent ; cleft of the mouth rather oblique; 

 the maxillary reaches to behind the eye, and is moderately dilated behind. Origin of 

 the dorsal fin nearer to the extremity of the snout than to the caudal fin, and immediately 

 behind the base of the ventrals ; its last ray is above the anterior anal rays. Pectoral 

 fin narrow, nearly as long as the head, reaching to or beyond the end of the anal fin. 

 Black. 



All the specimens are in an indifferent state of preservation ; the bones are extremely 

 soft, and the wide muciferous channels have collapsed, most of the covering membrane 

 being destroyed. The scales are lost. 



Habitat. — Mid-Atlantic, Station 107 ; depth, 1500 fathoms. One specimen, 

 2 inches long. 



Off Pernambuco, Station 120 ; depth, 675 fathoms. One S2:)ecimeu, 2^ inches long. 



Midway between Cape of Good Hope and Kerguelen Island, Station 146 ; depth, 

 1375 fathoms. One specimen, 6| inches long. 



North of New Guinea, Station 220 ; depth, 1100 fathoms. One specimen, 2f inches 

 long, 



Melamphaiis mizolepis. 



Scopelus mizolepis, Gunth., Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 1878, vol. ii. p. 185. 



D.A. A. 1. V.i 



Height of the body two-sevenths of the total length (without caudal) ; the length of 

 the head rather less than two-fifths; the least depth of the tail is one-half of its free 

 portion. Head very thick, with short snout; eye very small, about one-seventh of the 

 length of the head, and one-half of that of the snout. Posterior margin of the 



