DISCUSSION OF SPECIES AND THEIR DISTRIIiUTION. 17 



Light bi'owuish, or leddisU brown, crossed at irregular intervals by groups of two to four 

 uarrrow black Hues which are joined toward tlie flanks by short lines in such manner as to 

 inclose i)olygonal spaces, thus forming a network in which the meshes vary exceedingly iu 

 size and shape. Uniform light yellowish below. 



Total length, 12.25; snout to vent, 5.75 inches. 



One specimen was obtained by the BhiJec, lat. 38° 22' .35" IST., long. T.i° 33' 40" W.; S!) 

 fathoms. The Fish Coniinission has since obtained several others. 



A young individual, G inches in length, was obtained by the litake off Barbados, at 

 Station cvil, at a depth of 200 fathoms, the coloration of which is so unlike that of the typi- 

 cal »V. retifer that at first sight it would seem to belong to quite a. different form, but a study 

 of its coloration reveals a general correspondence with the specimen described by Garman. 

 The reticulations are scarcely visible, and tlie spaces betweeu the lines at the base of each 

 of the dorsal tins are tilled by a shadiug of uniform brown rei-nforced by darker blotch-like 

 lines, and a similar transformatiou is observable — two blotches on the tail and three in 

 adviince of the lirst dorsal, as well as upon the base of the pectorals and in a spot upon each 

 .side midway between the extremity of the pectoral and the base of the anal. Approxi- 

 mately in the track of the narrow lines observable in Garinan's specimen may be found 

 various spots and blotches of blackish brown, so that at ttrst sight it gives the impression 

 of being covered with blotches rather tlian with reticulations. 



It was at first ourintentiou to describe this as a separate species under the name of iS'. bon, 

 but it is doubtful if it can be regarded even as a color variety, the markings Iteing doubtless 

 due to immaturity. 



SCYLLIORHINUS PROFUNDORCM, s]i. iiov., (Joour. .ami Heax. (FiKure 16.) 



Nasal valves confluent, with a short Ijlunt cirrus on the posterior as well as on the 

 anterior flap, being nearly opposite; the length of nasal cavity about equal to the horizontal 

 diameter of the eye, the two cavities separated by a spai'e equal to half that of the inter- 

 orbital area, and two-fifths the length of the snout; the distance of the posterior angle of 

 the nasal cavity from the root of the teeth at the nearest point equal to half the area 

 between the cavities; distance from the symphysis to the tip of the snout ecjual to the width 

 between the angles of the mouth. A well-developed labial fold at the angle of the mouth, 

 extending on the lower jaw halfway from its angle to the symphysis, and on its upper jaw 

 nearly in the direction of the nasal cavity, disappearing at half the distance. Teeth moder- 

 ate, with two small lateral cusps on each side of the longer middle cusp, in about five rows. 

 Gill openings narrow, somewhat less than the long diameter of the eye; the distance from 

 the anterior opening to the last, which, like the fourth, is above the angle of the pectoral 

 fin, is equal to half the length of the snout. Ventral tins thick, short, leaf-shaped, their 

 origin twice as far from the nasal cavity as is the last of the gill openings. The origin of the 

 anal tin under the tip of the first dorsal, and its end under the end of the dorsal; its base 

 ecjual to half the length of the head (without the gill opeuings), nearly equal to the com- 

 bined length of the bases of the two dorsals. Caudal continued in the line of the axis of 

 the body; lower lobe rounded, and iu its greatest height not deeper than the height of the 

 caudal extension of the body at the same point. Color, uniform grayish brown. 



A single individual (No. 35046, U. S. Nat. Mus.), 20J inches in length, was obtained by 

 the Fish Commission steamer Albatross at a depth of 810 fathoms, in lat. 30^ 0' N., long. 72^ 

 3' 15" W. 



PSEUDOTRIACIS, Capello. 



Pseudoiriakis, Capello, .Join. Sc. Matli., Phys. e Nat.. Lisbcia, iv, 1867. 

 Pseiidotriacis, GOnther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., viii, 395. 



Body elongate; mouth wide, with a very short labial fold around the angle; .snout 

 depressed, rounded, moderately long; nostrils inferior, near the mouth, but not ronrtuent 

 withit; eyes oblong, lateral, without nictitating membrane; spiracles well developed behind 

 19868— No. 2 2 



