386 



DEEP-SEA FISHES OF THE ATLANTIC BASIN. 



Insertion of tlic dorsal liu behind tlie vertical IVom the base of the pectoral, and termi- 

 nating a slight distance from the caudal. The anal begins almost in the same vertical, and 

 is almost e(|nal in length. Caudal rounded; caudal jieduncle slender, somewhat elongate. 

 Pectorals placetl rather high, their length less than that of the head. V^entrals jugular, 

 shorter than the pectorals, with slender base; second ray elongate and extending beyond 

 the origin of the anal. 



BROSMICULUS IMISERBIS. 



Eadial formula: D. 58; A. 58; V. 5. 



Color dull gray; light behind the head, posterior part of the back, and caudal peduncle. 

 Cheeks silvery. Vertical fins deep brown; pectorals and ventrals blackish. 



Two specimens were obtained by the French explorers at station ex, off the Cape Verde 

 Islands, at a depth of 400 meters. 



Family MERLUCIID.^. 



Merluciida', Adajis, Manu.il Nat. Hist., 1864, 104.— Gill, Ait. Fain. Fish., 1872, 3. (No. 25); Century Dictiou- 

 <ary, 3710; Proo. Ao.a<L Nat. Sci. Phila., 1884, 172. 



A family of Gadoidea, having the caudal region moderate and coniform behind. Caudal 

 rays procurrent forward. Vent submediau. Frontal bones paired and excavated, with 

 divergent crests, continuous from the forked occipital ci'cst. No barbels. Suborbital bones 

 moderate. Mouth terminal. Dorsal flu double, divided into a short anterior and a long i)os- 

 terior portion ; anal fin corresponding in shape and position to the second dorsal. Ver- 

 tebrse peculiarly modified, with well-developed and closely packed neural spines. Ventrals 

 subjugular. Kibs wide, approximated and cliainieled below, or with inflated sides. 



MERLUCIUS, Rafinesque. 



Merluccius, Rafinesquk, Caratteri di aleuni uuovi geueri, etc., 1810, 2(5 (type Mirhtcciiin s»iind«s=Gnrf«s 

 viKrliiccivs, L.). — Guntiieu, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., iv, 344. — Jordan and Gilbert, Bull, xvi, U. S. Nat. 

 Mu8., 808. 



Stomodon, MiTCniLL, Rep. Fisb. N. Y., 7. 



Body elongate, covered with small deciduous scales. Head conical. Snout long, de- 

 pressed. Mouth large, oblique; maxillaries extending to opposite the eyes; lower jaw 

 longest. Teeth slender, in about 2 series on jaws, those of the inner row longer and 

 movable; vomer with five teeth; palatines toothless. Eye rather large; edge of preopercle 

 free; preopercle with channel behind crest, crossed by short radiating ridges. Branchioste- 

 gals 7. Gill rakers long ; giU membranes not united. Ventrals well developed. 



MERLUCIUS BILINEARIS, (Mitciiill), Gill. (Figure 330.) 



Stomodon biUnearis, Mitchill, Rep. Fishes New York, 1814, 7. 

 Mcrlitciiis hUinearis, (Sill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 1863,247. 

 Gadus albidun, Mitciiill, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., I, 409. 

 McrhiciuH ulbidus, ^ToRKii, Hist. Fish. Mass., 363. 



A Merhimis, distinguished from the common hake of Europe, M. smiridus, L., chiefly 

 by the larger scales, of which there are TOO to 110 in the lateral line (about 150 in 3[. ■smi- 

 ridus), and by the smaller size of its teeth. The pectoi'als and ventrals are long, the 



