DISCUSSION OF SPECIES AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION. 319 



DIPLACAXTHOPOxMA BRACKYSOMA, GiNiHisu. 



Diplamnihopoma biailnjsmua, GCntuek, Challenger Reiiort, xxii, 115, Pi. xxiii, fig. C; AixocK, Ann. .and 



M.-ig. Nat. Hist., 18811, 385. 

 Sircmbo murwnolepis, Vaillast, Kxp. Sci. Travailleur et Talisman, Polssons, 188S. j>. 27,3, pi. xxiii, lig. 1, 4a. 



(Off Soiulau). 



Tbe greatest depth oC the body is below the oiiyiii of the dor.sal liii, and coiitatued twice 

 and one-third in the distance of the extremity of the snout Ihuii tlic vent. The head is 

 about as deep as broad, its length being eipial to the distance of the vent from the root of 

 the ventral fins, and more than one-half of the length of the body exclusive of the tail. The 

 vent is nearer to the snout than to the root of the caudal. Eye of moderate size, without 

 orbital fold, as long as the snout, one-fiftli of the length of the head and eipial to the width 

 of the tlat interorbital space. Mouth of moderate Avidth, the maxillary extending somewhat 

 behind the eye and being slightly dilated behind. All the teeth are in narrow villilbrm 

 bands, that of the vomer being open and /\-shapcd. The superflcial bones of the head are 

 thin, and those of the infraorbital ring and of the mandible dilated for the reccptioti of the 

 wide nuicous canals. Of the opercular s^iincs the horizontal is remarkably long, much 

 longer than the lower vertical one. 



The vertical fins are completely united, and, owing to the great attenuation of the tail, 

 no caudal portion can be distinguished. The rays are very thin, closely set, and of mod- 

 erate length. Origin of the dorsal tin immediately behind the root of the pectoral, and 

 that of the anal immediately behind the vent. Pectoral tins rather narrow, inserted on a 

 short, broad, and partly free pedicle; they are longer than the postorbital portion of the 

 bead; ventrals half as long as the distance of their root from the vent. 



The scales are rather small, thin, cycloid, and rather deciduous ; if a lateral line is 

 present, it is confined to the truidc. 



Upper parts of a uniform light brownish color; the loMcr parts atid the fitis colorless. 



The type, 4i inches long, was taken by the Challviujer off Peruambuco, Brazil (station 

 122), in o.">0 fathoms. Dr. Alcock has identified with the same species a female 4i inches 

 long with gravid ovaries, taken by the Invest'Kjatur in the Andaman sea, 7A miles east of 

 North Cinque Island in 490 fathoms (==D. Alcockii, G. & B. See p. 523, below). 



DICROMITA, GooDE and Be.\jj, n. g. 



Brotulids resemblitig in form and general a])pearance CaUvtyx and Diajdacanthopoma, 

 having the lateral line ob.solete, or interrupted posteriorly; ventrals a pair of simple, fine 

 filaments ; and teeth upon the palatines. It has, however, three or four small spines upon 

 the preoperculum, as well as a sharp spine upon the upper angle of the operculum; and 

 the lateral line, though indistinct, is traceable for half or three-fourths the length of the 

 body, which, like the upper part of the head, is covered with small, deciduous scales, the 

 opercular region being apparently scaleless, and the bones of the suborbital region almost 

 uncovered, with conspicuous sinuses, which show tlu'ough the transparent texture of the 

 surface. The head is oblong, the siiout being somewhat produced, depressed and turgid, 

 resembling, though in a less degree, that of Barathrodcmns. Eye moderate, conspicuous. 

 Mouth wide; teeth villiform, in bands on the jaws and palatines, and very minute upon the 

 vomer, which has a roughened, knob-like enlargement at its angle. Vent premedian. 

 Vertical fins confluent; ventrals rooted very close together, each reduced to a fine, flexi- 

 ble, simple filament, planted somewhat behind the isthmus and below the middle of the 

 operculum. Gills 4, with well developed lamimie and rather long, slender gill-rakers. 

 Branchiostegals 8. Pseudobrauchiie apparently absent. 



DICROMITA AGASSIZII, Goode and Be.\x, n. s. (Figure 285). 



Body elongate, much compressed, its height about one-fifth of its total length; its 

 width about half its greatest height. The length of the head is slightly greater tlian the 

 height of the body, and equal to twice its own width. Mouth very large, the maxillary, 

 which is ciuved and much dilated at its extremity, reaching far behind the vertical from 



