gilbert: the lantern-fishes of japan 99 



As previously indicated, this species is nearest L. warmingi Liitken, which 

 has been reported from the Indian Ocean and the eastern part of the Atlantic. 

 L. townsendi is readily distinguished from L. warmingi in the presence of 5 

 ventral photophores instead of 4. Also the fifth thoracic is elevated, on the 

 level of the outer ventral rays, the supraventral is low, midway between lateral 

 line and base of ventrals. In other respects, they seem very similar. The 

 ventral photophores in L. townsendi are arranged much as in L. viaderensis, the 

 first pair closely approximated on the same level, which is about that of outer 

 ventral ray, the fourth pair much more closely apposed, and the fifth pair again 

 diverging at the sides of the vent and a little anterior to it. Additional points 

 can be made out on these specimens concerning the distribution of the luminous 

 scales. A short patch of five scales on back of caudal peduncle involves the 

 rudimentary caudal raj's; a long band covers all of inferior surface of caudal 

 peduncle and contains twelve or thirteen scales ; a series along each side of base of 

 anal fin; a median series from base of ventrals to vent, and a pair at sides of vent; 

 a median scale somewhat in advance of ventrals; a median scale on isthmus 

 and two on each side forming with it lines diverging backwards towards bases 

 of pectorals. As the skin is lost in front of the dorsal fin, no trace of luminous 

 scales can there be found. 



The figure of L. townsendi above cited, based on a very small specimen from 

 the Marquesas Islands, represents the snout very much sharper than in the 

 Japanese specimens, wherein it is rather heavy and bluntly rounded. No 

 material is at hand for comparison. 



List of Stations. 

 4954. 32° 05' N., 133° 02' E. Intermediate net, 850 fathoms. 

 4980. 34° 09' N., 137° 55' E. 507 fathoms. 



25. Lampanyctus japonicus (Tanaka). 

 Macrostoma qiiercinum ja-ponicum Tanaka, Journ. Coll. Sci. Imp. Univ., 1908, 



p. 5, PI. 1, fig. 3. 



No additional material has been secured and the type has not been ex- 

 amined. Tanaka was unable to point out any differences between the Japanese 

 species and L. elongaius (= L. quercinus) from the Atlantic, and the specific 

 name is here retained awaiting an opportunity to make direct comparison of 

 material from the two oceans. It is apparent that the number of photophores 

 in Tanaka's figure is not entirely reliable. Apparently fragments of luminous 



