JOURNAL OF THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, IMPERIAL UNIVERSITY, 

 TOKYO, JAPAN. 



VOL. XIX., ARTICLE 4. 



Notes on the Long-Snouted Chimaeroid of Japan, 



Rhinochimeera (Harriotta) Pacifica 



(GARMAN) MITSUKURI. 



By 

 BASHFORD DEAN. 



With 2 Plates. 



Historical. 



Harriotta described in 1894 by Goode and Bean, (P. U. S. Nat. 

 Mus. Vol. XVII, pp. 471-473, PI. XIX) added a third genus 1 ' to the 

 important but now greatly depleted group of Chimaeroid fishes. The 

 new genus was created upon an examination of four specimens obtain- 

 ed by the "Albatross" in water of from about 700 to 1100 fathoms, 

 between latitude 35° and 39° and longitude 70° and 74°. And the speci- 

 mens are referred by their describers to a new species, raleighana. The 

 largest specimen, a female, measured 64 cm. in length, a male 49 cm. 

 and two " young individuals " 10 cm. or thereabouts in length. As 



1) To Chimaera and Callorhynchus Dr. Gill in 1862 (P. Aca d. Nat. Sei. Phila. p. 331) sug- 

 gested the addition of a genus Hydrolagus, on the ground of certain structural differences which 

 he observed in Chimaera colliei, of the eastern Pacific. This form he distinguishes generically 

 ou account of its lacking a distinct anal fin, and of its possessing in the male a bifid instead of a 

 trifid ventral clasping organ. I do not believe, however, that these differences can be accepted 

 as of generic value, for in my studies upon this species I fail to coufirui the observation as to the 

 distinct character of the clasping organ in adult specimens, for this is sometimes trifid, and I 

 find furthermore that there is considerable variation in the matter of the anal fin. The latter 

 is adipose-like but varies to such a degree that one cannot draw a hard and fast line as to its 

 presence or absence. 



