392 MACrXHIDiE. 



from the nostril equals the length of the head ; its length is rather less 

 than one-half of the height of the second (longest) ray : the iii'st ray 

 is quite rudimentary ; the second is smooth, slender, equal in length 

 to the distance from the anterior mai'gin of the orbit to the angle of 

 the operculum. The dorsal fins are close together, the distance be- 

 tween them being less than the length of the base of the first, or the 

 second dorsal commences in the vertical from the nineteenth scale of 

 the lateral line. Kays of the second dorsal very feeble, simple, shorter 

 than the barbel. The anal fin commences immediately behind the 

 vent, in the vertical from the seventeenth scale of the lateral line ; 

 the longest rays are in the middle of the fin, where their length 

 is equal to two-fifths of that of the head. The pectoral is inserted 

 below the midcUe of the depth of the body, vdth a narrow base ; it 

 is more than half as long as the head, and composed of foiirtecn 

 rays. The root of the ventral falls immediately behind that of the 

 pectoral ; it is shorter than that fin, its outer ray being slightly pro- 

 duced. 



The scales are subquadrangular, higher than long ; their free por- 

 tion, which is nearly one-half of the whole scale, is deeply ridged, the 

 ridges radiating from the centre, and causing incisions on the margin. 

 The lateral line is fonned by a smooth groove, dividing each scale 

 into two. 



The typical specimen is discoloured, and nearly 17 inches long. 



3. Macrurus ccelorhynchus. 



Lepidoleprus ccelorliynchus, Sisso, Ichth. Nice, p. 200. pi. 7. fig. 22 



(very bad), and Eur. Merkl. iii. p. 244. 

 Giorna, 3Iem. Accad. Torin. 1805, p. 18. tab. 1. figs. 3 & 4. 

 Macrourus coelorhyuclius, Ho/xip. Faun. Ital. Pesce. (pi. M. mysti- 



cetus). 



D. 9 I 68. A. 83. V. 7. 



Five series of scales between the first dorsal and the lateral line. 

 Scales without keel, with the surface spiny. The second dorsal ray 

 smooth anteriorly, extending to, or nearly to, the origin of the second 

 dorsal, if laid backwards. Vent situated behind the vertical from 

 the last ray of the first dorsal. The second dorsal commences above 

 the fifth anal ray. Snout about as long as the diameter of the eye. 



Mediterranean. 



4. Macrurus atlanticus. 



Lotve, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1839, p. 88. 



D. 11 I (ca) 100. A. ca 110. V. 7. Vert. 12/61. 

 Five series of scales between the first dorsal and the lateral line, 

 and fifteen between the latter and the vent. Scales without keel, 

 with the surface spiny. The second dorsal ray smooth anteriorly, 

 extending to, or rather beyond, the origin of the second dorsal, if laid 

 backwards. Vent situated behind the vertical from the last ray of 

 the first dorsal. The projecting part of the snout broad, triangular, 



