136 THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 



Macrurus goodii. 



Macrurtw asper, Goode and Bean, Bull. !Mus. Comp. Zool., voL x., No. 5, 1883, p. 196. 

 D. 10-11. P. 20. V. 10. 



Allied to Macrurus hairdii} Width of the interorbital space a little greater than 

 the horizontal diameter of the orbit, contained four and a quarter times in the length of 

 the head, and equal to that of the snout. Cleft of the mouth extending to the hind 

 margin of the orbit. Teeth " in the jaws " (upper jaw ?) in a very narrow, villiform 

 band, the outer series slightly larger ; those in the lower jaw apparently in a single 

 series (?). Barbel shorter than the eye. Scales with the spines arranged in about seven 

 rows, the middle not being keel-like, although the median marginal spine projects most 

 strongly. Seven series of scales above the lateral line. Vent at a distance from the 

 ventral considerably greater than the length of that fin. Outer ventral ray slightly 

 produced. Reddish-brown. 



Habitat. — Several specimens, the longest 12 inches long, were obtained by the U.S. 

 steamer "Blake," between lat. 40° and 41° N., long. 65° and 68° W., at depths of 304 

 and 1242 fathoms. 



Macrurus holotrachys (PI. XXVIII. fig. B). 



Macrurus holotrachys, Gunth., Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 1878, vol. ii. p. 24. 

 D. 11. A. 115. P. 21. V. 9. 



Snout moderately produced, as long as the eye, which is large, one-third of the 

 length of the head, its vertical diameter being considerably more than the width of the 

 interorbital space. Anterior edge of the snout with three rough prominences, one in the 

 middle, and one on each side. Mouth inferior, lower side of the head naked. Each 

 scale with a median series of spinelets, and with two or more isolated spinelets besides ; 

 the median are the strongest, forming with their fellows continuous longitudinal lines on 

 the body. Upper and lateral portions of the head covered with irregular, rough scales, 

 lower naked. There are five scales in a transverse series between the first dorsal spine 

 and lateral line. Teeth of tlic lower jaw in a very narrow band. Distance between 

 the two dorsal fins scarcely equal to the length of the base of the first. Second doi-sal 

 spine with small barbs anteriorly ; outer ventral ray produced into a short filament. 

 Distance of the vent from the isthmus equal to the length of the head, without snout. 

 Barbel very small. No bands or spots. 



Ilahitat. — East of the mouth of the Rio de la Plata, Station 320 ; depth, GOO 

 fathoms. One specimen, 9 inches long. 



' Hence probably with a barbed dorsal spine, no mention being made by the authors of this character. 



