EE VISION OF THE FISH FAMILY LIPARIDAE 159 



Giinther describes P. membranaceous as having a very delicate 

 fringed pectoral. This species has not been examined by the writer. 



Vent: — The position of the vent varies from beneath the gill slit to 

 beneath the eye. The distance between the tip of the lower jaw and 

 the vent varies with the position of the vent and has been used to 

 some extent in separating species. 



PseudohrancTiiae. — The writer has been aunble to demonstrate the 

 presence of pseudobranchiae in any of the specimens examined. 

 These specimens were in such condition that it can not be said that 

 psuedobranchiae were not present. Goode has described pseudo- 

 branchiae in P. liparina but I have been unable to confirm his 

 description. 



Pyloric coeca. — The number of pyloric coeca has been greatly 

 reduced in this genus and varies from 5 to 18. As in Careproctus the 

 coeca are on the left side. At present we can not estimate their 

 taxonomic importance. 



PricHes. — Thumb-tack prickles have been discovered on only one 

 species, P. deani. None of the species are known to have cactuslike 

 prickles. 



Coloration. — The range of coloration exhibited by the species of 

 Paraliparis is similar to that of the species of Careproctus. The color 

 of the species varies from white or pinkish to black. Paraliparis in 

 distribution, structure, and coloration is more of a deep-sea genus than 

 Careproctus. More of the species, fully 50 per cent, are black and the 

 peritoneum is dusky or black in nearly all the species. (See deani 

 and entochloris.) The stomach, gill cavity, and mouth are frequently 

 dusky or black. 



As in Careproctus the pigment is more common to the deeper water 

 forms. None of the black species have been taken at a depth of less 

 than 405 fathoms. P. rosaceus, a light colored species, is found at a 

 depth of 984 fathoms but the majority of such species are restricted 

 to shallower water. When the body is partly black the pigment is 

 usually confined to the posterior region. An exception is found in 

 P. rosaceus, in which the pigment is most pronounced on the snout. 



The variations in the coloration of the skin, flesh, peritoneum, 

 stomach, gill cavity, and mouth all deserve careful consideration for 

 they frequently indicate specific differentiation. 



Habits. — The habits of the species of Paraliparis are probably 

 similar to those of the species of Careproctus. Species have been taken 

 from all kinds of mud and rock bottom. 



Little is known concerning the food habits of these fishes. The 

 lack of material prevented an exa^mination of the contents of the 

 stomachs. The teeth are greatly modified in some of the species and 

 probably indicate special food habits. 



