428 STOMIATID^. 



opposite the anal, at no great distance from the caudal. Pectorals 

 rudimentary ; ventrals inserted somewhat behind the middle of the 

 length of the body. GiU-openings veiy wide. Air-bladder none. 



Atlantic. 



Ay res, I.e. pi. 5. 



1. Malacosteus niger. 



D. 19. A. 20. P. 5. V. 6. 



The height of the body is one-sixth of the total length, the length 

 of the head rather more than one-fourth ; snout extremely short, 

 convex ; cleft of the mouth extending to behind the root of the pec- 

 toral, the hind limb of the praeopercidum being very oblique. Inter- 

 maxillary teeth small, but considerably larger than those of the 

 maxillary ; anterior half of the mandible with very long canine teeth. 

 Earbel long, slender*. The pectoral rays are coalescent into a thin 

 and long filameiit ; some of the ventral rays produced into filaments. 

 Black, with a white spot between the maxillary and the eyef. {Ay res.) 



A single specimen, 85 inches long, is known; it was picked up at 

 sea, in N. lat. 42° and W. long. 50°. 



* In consequence of laceration of the lower parts of the head, Dr. Ayres did 

 not recognize the barbel, representing it as a connecting band between tongue and 

 symphysis of the mandible. 



t Thia spot is identical with that of Echiodoma. 



