242 DEEP-SEA FISHES OF THE ATLANTIC BASIN. 



PSEUDOPRIACANTHUS, Bleeker. 



Paeudopriacanthus, Bleekeu.— Jordan, Cat. Fish. N. Amer., 1887, 86. 



Priiicaiitliicls, having tlie body lathei' short, compressed, its height more than half its 

 length. Scales conii)aratively large and rough. Posterior nasal aperture a curved slit. 

 Angle of preoi)erculuni with strong spine. Dorsal and anal spines striated. Anal rays 

 10-11; dorsal rays 12-13. Other characters included in the family diagnosis. 



PSEUDOPRIACANTHUS ALTUS, Gill. (Figures 239, 240.) 



Priacanthus alius, Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1862, 132. — Jordan and Gilbert, Bull, xvi, U. S. Nat. 



Mus., 545. 

 I'seiiilopriacanthits alius, Jordan, Cat. Fish. North America, 1887, 86. 



Body obloug, its length exceeding its height by one-half, compressed and elevated. 

 Head high and short, its length two-flfths that of body. Proiile very oblique; snout 

 extremely short; gape of mouth very oblicpie, maxillary reaching to below orbit. Diameter 

 of orbit about one-half length of head. Spines stout. Scales rough and large, 45 in lateral 

 line, which runs obliquely upward in front, then abruptly turns downward. Ventrals large, 

 surpassing origin of anal. Preopercles and opercles coarsely serrate at angle and below; 

 angle of preopercle with two .sijines. Caudal fin rounded. 



Eadial formula: D. x, 11; A. iii, 9. 



Color, tawny red, the vertical tins dotted with black, and the ventrals black. 



The type was obtained in Narragansett Bay, September, 18G0, evidently an estray from, 

 southern waters. 



A large specimen, 5 inches long, was obtained by the Albatross at station 2316, N. lat. 

 210 25' W., Ion. 810 46' 45" in 45 fathoms, and two smaller ones at station 2606, in 25 

 fathoms. (Both of these are illustrated. Fig. 236 is 8 times natural size; Fig. 236 A, 

 4 times.) Tlie species is not known to be abyssal, and has no claim to a place in this list, 

 except that it has been accidentally included in similar lists before, and should be ac- 

 counted for. 



Family POLYMIXIID^E. 



Pohjmixiida-, Gill, Arr. Fam. Fish. 1872, name only (No. 99) ; Johnson's Cycloiiaidia, 1323. 



A family of teleocephalous fl.shes distinguished by the peculiar union of characters. 

 The body is rather elongated and compressed; the scales are not serrated; the lateral line 



POLTJIIXIA NOBILIS. 



is continuous with the back; head compressed and with a deciirved profile; preoperculum 

 serrated; mouth with a lateral and nearly horizontal cleft; teeth villiform, on the jaws as 

 well MS ])iilatc; branchiostegal apertures large; branchiostegal rays 4; dorsal moderately 

 elongated, witii several spines, increasing backward; anal opposite the posterior portion of 

 the dorsal, armed with .3 or 4 spines; pectorals with branched rays; ventral fins thoracic, 

 each with a spine and 6 or 7 rays. Tlie skeleton has the vertebra- in increased number (29). 

 The family is distinguished by the combinatiou of chin barbels, increased number of rays, 

 and small number of branchiostegals. Its affinities are doubtful, but on the whole seem to 

 be rather with the MulMa-. (Gill.) 



