THE LONG-SNOUTED CHIMAEROID OF JAPAN. 3 



of Harriotta at once suggested, from the standpoint of an understand- 

 ing of the relationships of the Chimaeroid group, there are as yet re- 

 corded n«) observations upon the structural characters of this form, or 

 e\en of its dental plates. < roode and Bean's description of H. raleighana 

 was based upon purely superficial features, and the sanctity of the 

 type specimens has hitherto precluded the National Museum from al- 

 lowing an intimate knowledge of the genus to be obtained. I am ac- 

 cordingly under many obligations to my friend, Professor Mitsukuri, 

 for the rare opportunity of examining in some detail one of the speci- 

 mens of " Harriotta " pacifica of the Tokyo University. Among fur- 

 ther kindnesses, — and I have to acknowledge many during my stay in 

 Japan. — 1 am indebted to Dr. Mitsukuri for generously placing at my 

 disposal his original drawings of this chimaeroid (Cf. PL I, Figs. 2-3), 

 and farthering my work at the laboratory in every way in his power. 

 And in publishing the present paper I should not fail to express my 

 sincere thanks to Prof. Watasé, of the Imperial University, for his 

 cares in editing the MS. and in correcting my proof — favors which an 

 author far distant especially appreciates. 



By a long way the most interesting feature which " Harriotta " 

 presents, at least in the single adult specimen examined, is the dis- 

 tinctness of its palato-quad rate cartilage. 1 ) This can be clearly out- 

 lined on both sides of the skull, 2) and appears to be the only case in 

 which this important morphological suture has been observed in any 

 adult chimaeroid. It may be noted that the embryo oîChimœra colliei 

 presents a somewhat similar appearance. On the other hand, my ob- 

 servations on " if." pacifica have convinced me that this chimaeroid is 



1) In Chimaeroids this element cannot be identified in the mature skull, it having fused 

 completely with the sides of the cranium, producing the well known " holocephalous "' skull. 

 But in the specimen of " Harriotta " the dorsal suturai joint is still retained, enabling the 

 outline of this element to be clearly followed. 



2) Sad to relate, this feature is probably exceptional ! Vide infra. 



