342 DEEP-SEA FISHES OF THE ATLANTIC BASIN. 



jj'inininiiia'. TTead covored witli a system of wide iinicifcrous cliannels and siiinses, tlie 

 dermal bones being almost membranaceons, whilst tlie others are in a semicartilagiuous 

 condition. Notoehord ])ersiatent, but with a sixperfieial indication of the vertebral segments 

 (as in some Leplocephaline forms). (Gihithcr.) 



This genus is known from two species — A. mollis, Goode and Bean, and the type, A. 

 (/elatinosus, Giinther (Challenger Report, xxii, 1887,120, pl.xxvi. Fig. A) from station 184, 

 between northeast Australia and New Guinea, at a depth of 1,400 fathoms, 



APHYONUS MOLLIS, Goode and Bean. (Figure 299.) 



Apliyonns mollix, Goode nn<\ Bean, Bull. Mus. Coiup. Zoill., xii, lfi3. 



The body is much comiiressed, its greatest height (14 millimeters), G in its total length. 

 Head thicker than body, its height (15 millimeters) slightly greater. Length of head 20 

 millimeters) about 4;^ in total; width (11 millimeters) over half its length. Snout, 3;^ in 

 length of head. Eye not externally visible. Diameter of orbit, as seen through tlie skin, 

 about one-fourth length of head. Maxilla extends to vertical through posterior margin of 

 orbit, the mandible somewhat fortherback, its length (13 millimeters) nearly equal to height 

 of body. A few weak teeth on vomer, palatines and mandible, and very rudimentary ones 

 in maxillary ; not visible to the eye, but appreciable to the touch. Gill-lamina', on the fourth 

 and rudimentary gill-rakers, 8 rudiments and 4 developed below the angle. Dorsal origin 

 almost over posterior edge of operculum, its distance from the snout J of total length; lin- 

 rays, more than 110 well developed, the longest 3 in head. Anal origin slightly nearer base 

 of caudal than to tip of snout, its rays shorter than those in the dorsal. Pectoral with a 

 fleshy base; its origin somewhat behind that of the dorsal, its length equal to width of head. 

 Ventral origin in advance of that of pectoral, close to humeral symphysis; the fin is a sin- 

 gle simijle ray, M'hose length (11 millimeters) equals that of the pectoral; its tip does not 

 reach the vent by a space equal to height of head. 



Skin not loose. Texture of body rather firm, not transparent, whitish. 



The type is a specimen obtained at i>/flAe station ccxxi, lat. 24° 3G' N., Ion. 84° 5' W., 

 at a depth of 1)55 fathoms. 



This species is closely allied to Ajjhyonus gelatinosus, Gthr. 



RHODICHTHYS, Collett. 

 Bkodiehthys, Collett, Norske Nordhavs Exped., Fiske, 1880, 153. — Gunther, Challenger Report, xxii, 1887, 121. 



I lead thick, body and tail strongly compressed, the latter tapering behind, enveloped in a 

 thin, transparent, scaleless skin. Vent immediately behind the humeral symphysis. Snout 

 swollen, overlapping the wide mouth. A few series of weak teeth in the jaws, none on the 

 vomer or palate. Eye of moderate size. Ventrals reduced to two filaments, each l)ifid, and 

 inserted on the hyoid. Vertical fins continuous, but with caudal rays difterentiated. Gill- 

 openiugs very wide. Pyloric appendages 10. ( Gunther after Collett.) 



RHODICHTHYS REGINA, Collett. (Figure 303.) 



BhodicUthya rcgina, Collett, Forh. Selsk., 1878, 99; Norste Nordhavs Exped., Fiske, 1880, 154. 



The length of the head is to the total length nearly as 1 to 4, the extreme depth of the 

 body as 1 to 4^. Anterior part of the body deep, in the posterior region rapidly tapering; 

 tail at base long and slender. Upper jaw longer than lower. The dorsal fin originating 

 immediately above the branchial aperture; the caudal projecting to the extent of three- 

 fifths of its length beyond the dorsal and anal. Eyes small, their diameter being to the 

 length of the head as 1 to 7; interorbital space wide. The teeth exceedingly minute, 

 arranged in several series. Nostrils double. Pyloric appendages 10. 



Kadial fornuila: D. CO; A. 57; P. 11-12. 



Color a unil'orm bright red. (Collett.) 



A single specimen, 297 millimeters in length, was obtained by the North Atlantic 

 Expedition in the 02)en sea between Eecren Efland, Jan Mayen, and Finmark. 



