DISCUSSION OF SPECIES AND THEIH DISTRIBUTION. 291 



Color, grayish browii: lighter and yi-Uowisli below. 



Species aud genus were based ujion a very small specimen, and many of the important 

 characters were not discernible. This specimen (Cat. Xo. 2G0O7, U. S. N. M.) was taken by 

 the Fish Hawk from station 871, in 4(P 02' 54" N. lat., 7(P 23' 40" W. Ion., at a depth of 115 

 fathoms, and was much contracted and distorted from immer.sion in strong alcohol. Numer- 

 ous examples have since been obtained and the descripticms entirely recast. It was taken 

 by the Blake liom station LVi, off St. Vincent, in 95 fatlioms, aud from station Li, ofll' St. 

 Kitts, in 208 fathoms; also by the Albatross from station 2102, in 28^ 36' N. hit., Soo 33' 30" 

 W. Ion., at a depth of 111 tathoms; from station 2134, in 1!)^ 50' 0(!" N. lat., 75° 47' 32" W. 

 Ion., at a depth of 254 fathoms; from station 2.398, in 28^45'^ lat.,80o 20' W. Ion., at a depth 

 of 227 fathoms; from station 2403, in 28° 42' 30" N. lat., 85° 29' W. Ion., at a depth of 88 

 fathoms; from station 2399. in 28° 44' iST. lat., 80^ 18' W. hm., at a deptli of 19(! fathoms: from 

 station 2376, in 29° 03' 15" N. hit., 88= 10' W. Ion., at a depth of 324 fatliums; from station 

 2378, in 29° 14' 30" N. lat., 88o 09' 30" W. Ion., at a deptli of 68 fathoms; from station 2397, 

 in 28° 42' K lat., 86° 30' W. h)n., at a deptli of 280 fatlnmis; Ihmi station 2377, in 29= 07' 

 30" N. lat., 88° 08' W. Ion., at a deptli of 210 fathoms. 



CHAMPSODON, Gunther. 



Champsodon, GSnther, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lomlou, 18(17, 102; Challeui,'er Report, I, Part vi (Shore Fishes), 52. 



Body compressed, elongate, covered \\ith minute granular scales, and with two lateral 

 lines, earh provided with lateral vertical branches. Cleft of mouth oblique, very wide, 

 the tip of the maxillary extending very far behind the posterior niargin of the orbit. Eye 

 lateral, directed upward, close to the upper profile of the head, and comparatively small. 

 Two dorsal fins, the first composed of five rays; the second dorsal and anal similar in 

 shape and height, the anal slightly shorter than the dorsal, beginning slightly behind it 

 and ending slightly in advance of its last rays. Caudal peduncle stout, long; caudal 

 furcate. Ventrals jugular, inserted somewhat in advance of the liase of the iiectoral and 

 extending almost to the vent, rcctoral median, very short. Teeth in jaws in a single 

 series, not closely set, of unequal size, those of the lower jaw longer than the upper ones; 

 vomerine teeth cardiform, in two separate patches; palatine teeth, none. Gill-openings ex- 

 ceedingly wide. Angle of preoperciilum armed with a long, lanceolate spine obliquely di- 

 rected upward, and with several denticulations (m the liind margin of the same bone. 

 Preorbital with 1 or 2 spines. (From descriptions aud figures of Giinther.) 



The type of this genus and the only species is C. vomx (Giinther, loc. cit.; Challenger 

 Keport, VI, PI. XXIII, Fig. A). Itoccurs in the China seas, and was obtained by the Challenger 

 in the x\.rafura Sea, near the Ki Islands, at station 192, in 129 fathoms; and near the 

 Philippines, at station 204, in 115 fathoms; also by the InrestUjator in the Bay of Bengal, 

 100 lathoms (Alcock, Ann. and Mag. Xat. Hist., 1889, Xt.v., 381). 



Family CHIASMODONTID.^, Gill. 

 Chiamodontida!, Gbll in Jordan ami Gilrei-.t, Bull, xvi, U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882, 901 : Century Dictionary, 953. 

 Acanthopterygians, with an elongate, subcylindric or slightly tapering form and sub- 

 conic head. Skin naked. Two dorsal tins, the first of slender spines and short, the second 

 dorsal and anal long; ventrals thoracic and normal (i, 5). Mouth very deeply cleft, reach- 

 ing beyond the eyes, with numerous long, sharp, and (in front) movable tectli. Teeth on 

 palatines. Upper jaw not protractile, covered by an integument in common with the snout 

 anteriorly. Opercular apparatus very oblique and reduced. 



CHIASMODON, Johnson. 



Chiasmodon, Jounsox, Proc. Zofil. Soc. Loiulon, ISO.), 108.— Jord-vn aud Gilbert, Hull. x\ i. V. S. -Vat. JIus., 



810. 

 Chiasmodus, Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., v, 43.1, <■( ulibi. 



Body elongate, compressed, naked; belly pendent, its waUs membranaceous, capable of 

 great dilation. Mouth very large; lower jaw longer, no barbel; jaws with two series each 



