PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 427 



tubercle, on a level with the upper rim of the orbit; behind this a median 

 ridge runnino- up on the interorbital space; on each side, in line with the 

 upper rim of the orbit, is another smaller ridge parallel with the median 

 one, and ending- anteriorly in a small, spinous tubercle. The infraor- 

 bital ridge is nearly vertical and ends under middle of orbit. Space 

 between tip of snout and upper jaw nearly vertical. luterorbital space 

 flat, very nearly equal to horizontal diameter of orbit. Orbit moderate, 

 its longest axis nearly vertical, with a slight obliquity downward and 

 backward, 3^ to 3| in head. Mouth very oblique, maxillary scarcely 

 reaching front of pupil; the tip of the premaxillaries nearly on a level 

 with the center of the eye. Teeth in narrow villiform bands in both 

 jaws. Angle of preopercle not produced, its posterior edge nearly 

 straight, directed upward and backward. Barbel 1 to 1^ in orbit; gill 

 membranes narrowly united, without distinct free fold. Length of 

 anterior gill slit li in orbit. 



Body compressed, very deep, its greatest depth at origin of first dor- 

 sal equal to or greater than the length of the head. The dorsal profile 

 ascends somewhat to origin of first dorsal, drops abruptly under this 

 flu, which is therefore attached to the posterior slope of a prominent 

 hum]), and then runs nearly straight. The ventral proflle ascends rap- 

 idly backward from origin of anal; hence the tail is abruptly narrower 

 than trunk, but tapers uniformly to its tip. Scales, small, thin, and 

 flexible, deciduous; about 14 in a transverse series between lateral line 

 and origin of dorsal. Scales from back, behind origin of second dorsal, 

 with 13 to 17 small spinelets arranged in about 5 or G nearly parallel 

 rows; a scale from back in front of first dorsal with about 9 spinelets 

 in 3 rows. Top and sides of head scaly. Second dorsal spine ser- 

 rate for about one-third of its length, i)rolonged into a filament, its 

 whole length 1| times as long as head. Base of first dorsal equal to 

 orbit, li in the distance between the dorsals. Pectorals slender, three- 

 fourths as long as head. Outer ventral ray prolonged into a filament 

 which reaches much beyond origin of anal, about 2 in head. Origin of 

 anal slightly in advance of origin of first dorsal. Distance from base 

 of ventrals to origin of anal two-thirds of long diameter of orbit. Vent 

 nearer origin of anal than base of ventrals. 



Color {ill alcohol). — Body brownish; snout light, translucent; lips, 

 mouth cavity, under side of head, and lower side of trunk black. A 

 vertical bar of same color on cheek behind angle of mouth, not reach- 

 ing the orbit. Lining of gill cover black, with the excei)tion of an 

 oblong space at base of inner branchiostegal ray, which is silvery white. 

 Lining of clavicular portion of gill cavity dusky or whitish. Pectoral 

 and ventral fins dusky. Peritoneum dark brownish, silvery. 



Seventeen specimens, 5i to Sh inches long, from stations 3474 and 

 3475; 375 and 351 fathoms, respectively. 



Type.—^o. 47733, U.S.N.M. 



