THE SHORE FISHES OF PERU 499 



Panama fish the origin is a httle behind that of the dorsal, and the 

 anal ends perceptibly in advance of the end of the dorsal. The 

 Peruvian example is gray, instead of dark brown, and it has roundish 

 pale spots, rather than irregular or crescent-shaped pale markings on 

 anterior part of back and side as in Panama specimens. 



Other characters, which may or may not prove significant when 

 more specimens become available for study, are: The rather large 

 pectoral fin, which reaches the base of the sLxth anal ray in the 

 Peruvian example and generally only to the base of the third ray in 

 the Panama specimens; the Peruvian fish has 16 pectoral rays, which 

 is correct for 4 Panama specimens also, but the other 5 all have 17; 

 the second dorsal has 30 rays in the Peruvian example. Two Panama 

 fish have the same number, but 5 have 31, and 2 have 32 rays. 



The name depressa alludes to the broad depressed head. 



Range. — Known only from the type, taken at Puerto Pizarro, Peru. 



Family LOPHIIDAE: Anglers 



Head and body anteriorly broad, becoming smaller rapidly from 

 the shoulders backward; head very broad, depressed; mouth exces- 

 sively large and broad; lower jaw projecting; sharp teeth of unequal 

 size on jaws, vomer, and palatines, mostly depressible; gill opening 

 large, situated in axU of pectoral; skin mostly smooth, naked, with 

 many dermal flaps, especially on head; dorsal fins two, the first with 

 very slender spines, the anterior three or four separate, the rest con- 

 nected by membrane; second dorsal well removed from the first, 

 rather small, similar to anal; ventrals jugular, far apart, each with one 

 spine and five soft rays; pectoral large, more or less fleshy, with 

 elongate carpal bones forming a distinct "wrist." 



A single genus is known from Peru. The first dorsal spine is more 

 or less bristlelike, and generaUy at least is provided with a membranous 

 flap or bulb at or near tip forming a "bait." The fish supposedly uses 

 this flexible spine, with the bait, to lure small fish to its mouth, which 

 it then may engulf easily. This apparatus and habit have suggested 

 the name angler. 



Genus CHIROLOPHIUS Regan, 1903 



Teeth in lower jaw in 3 very irregular series; giU opening occupying 

 entire axil of pectoral and extending somewhat above and below it; 

 opercular membrane with free margin, attached along upper margin 

 of "wrist"; first dorsal with 4 to 6 spines; second dorsal with 7 to 9 

 soft rays; anal with 5 or 6 soft rays; pectoral with 13 to 19 rays. 



This genus is characterized largely by the large gill opening. A 

 single species is known from Peru. 



