REPORT ON THE DEEP-SEA FISHES. 203 



Plagyodus, Steller. 



No specimen of this characteristic deep-sea type was obtained during the Challenger 

 Expedition ; indeed, no example is known to have been captured by means of the 

 dredge or trawl. The Madeiran species is rarely caught on the deep-sea lines of the 

 fishermen, whilst the other species seem to be known from examples that were found 

 floating on the surface or thrown ashore. The following species are known : — 



Plagyodus ferox. 



Alepisaurus ferox, Lowe. 

 Known from the 'depths of the Atlantic only ; a fragmentary skull from Tasmania 

 indicates the presence of this species in the South Pacific. 



Plagyodus sesculapius. 



Alepisaurus eesculapius, Bean, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 1883, p. 661. 



Alaska. 



Plagyodus altivelis. 



Alepi-iawms altivelis, Poey, Mem. Cub., vol. ii. 302. / 



Cuba. 



Plagyodus borealis. 



Caulopus borealis, Gill, Proc. Acad. Nai Sci. PhilaJ., 1862, p. 128. 

 Pacific Coast of North America. 



Family S T o M i a t i D -e. 



Astronesthes, Rich, 



Astronesthes niger. Rich. 



Habitat. — Near Sierra Leone, Station 101 ; depth, 2500 fathoms. Two specimens, 

 1^ inches long. 



West Coast of Africa, April 28, 1876. One specimen, 1^ inches long. 



This little fish is one of the most common of pelagic forms in the Atlantic as well as in 

 the Indian Ocean, and therefore is caught on almost every voyage on which the tow-net 



