280 DEEP-SEA FISHES OF THE ATLANTIC BASIN. 



tlie liCivd. The tip of the pectoral when extended is abont nnder the second or third ray of 

 the dorsal. The anal origin is nnder the ninth or tenth dorsal ray. The length of the 

 unddle caudal ray (16 millimeters) is contained lOJ times in the standard length. The 

 longest pectoral ray (18 millimeters) equals half the distance from the snout to the dorsal. 

 The longest ray of the isolated portion of the tin (IG milliuieters) equals that of the middle 

 caudal ray. The distance of the vent from the tip of the snout (23 millimeters) is nearly 

 equal to the length of the head. The vent is directly under the base of the pectoral; it is 

 a narrow slit i)laced horizontally. Pyloric c;eca 4 to (>. 



Color: Anterior half of body very pale, whitish; posterior half very light brown; 

 snout, chin, and edge of gill-opening and region about the vent black. 



Eadial formula: D. GO; A. 55; P. 17+4; C. 10. 



The eggs of an example a little smaller than the type of the description have a diam- 

 eter of about 3 millimeters. At the same time the ovaries contain some eggs, which have 

 not reached maturity, whose diameter is only about one-half millimeter. The stomacli is a 

 stout subsplierical receptacle, its greatest width two-thirds of its length. 



The type specimen (Cat. No. 35G37, U. S. N. M.) was taken by the Albatross on Sept. 

 13, 1884, "from station 2232, in 39° 12' 17" N. lat., 72° 09' 30" W. Ion., at a depth of 520 

 fathoms. Specimens were also taken by the same vessel from station 2546, in 39° 53' 30" 

 N. hit., 70° 17' 30" W. Ion., at a depth of 538 fathoms; from station 2187, in 39° 49' 30" N. 

 lat., 71° 10' W. Ion., at a depth of 420 fathoms; and fragments of an individual (iSTo. 35479, 

 LT. S. N. M.) from station 2186, in 39° 52' 15" N. lat., 70° 55' 30" W. Ion., in 353 fathoms. 



HILGENDORFIA, Goode and Bean, n. g. 



Liparids with large, high, compressed head whose bones are exceedingly thin, cavernous ; 

 jaws even in front. Vertical flns represented by broad median folds, confluent at the pos- 

 terior end of the body, where the caudal is represented by two or three extremely fine, 

 slender terminal filaments. Pectoral very large, broad-based, with membranes fringed pos- 

 teriorly and having several of the lower rays free, though not forming a distinct portion of 

 the fin. No ventral disk. Vent far advanced, opposite liind margin of orbit. Gill opening 

 as in Monomitra. 



The type described by Giinther is only CO millimeters in length, and he remarks 

 concerning it that it is uncertain whether it represents a form in which endnyonic charac- 

 ters are persistent, or merely an early stage of development. 



Its peculiarities seem sufScient to warrant its being set apart for further study before it 

 is merged with raraliparis. It is named for Dr. Franz Hilgendorf, of the Royal Zoological 

 Museum, Berlin 



HILGENDORFIA MEMBRANACEA, (Oi-nther), Goode and Bean. 

 Paralipavis membranaceus, GiJNTHER, Challenger Report, xxii, 1887, p. 69, pi. xil, fig. D. 



Head very large, compressed, about as high as long, with tlie upper profile descending 

 in a parabolic curve. The abdominal cavity, black and trans]>arcnt through the integu- 

 ments, is excessively short; the tail compressed and gradually tai^ering into a fine point. 

 The whole of the integuments are colorless, with minute scattered points of pigment. A 

 broad median dorsal fold rises from the top of the snout and is continued to the extremity 

 of the tail, gradually disapi)earing as it approaches the caudal fin, which is represented by 

 two or tbree extremely fine and rather long terminal filaments. The fold is highest above 

 the posterior portion of the abdomen; there also fin rays comniem-e to be developed, which 

 on the anterior half of the tail are distinct enough, but become more crowded x)osteriorly 

 and almost indistinguishable. The anal has a similar structure; it also starts as a fold 

 from the vent, which is far advanced, opposite to the hind margin of the orbit; rays are 

 developed from the posterior end of the abdominal cavity, whence the fin is continued in 

 the same manner as the dorsal. 



Pectoral fin very large, with a very broad base, extending froin the upper end of the 

 gill opening forward nearly to the hyoid bone; its principal portion consists of an extremely 



