488 i)ki:p-sea fishes of the Atlantic basin. 



Descriptions and iiicasnrenumts of No. 2(;021 may be foiuid in ( ioode, loc. cif. Altlioii.uli 

 there is ample material and some of the spucimeus in the National Museum arc very hu-fic, 

 fuller study seems nnnecessary, since they are undoubtedly Lowe's C. inetnu. 



The following color notes were taken by Dr. Beau from afresh si>eciuien taken in trawl, 

 station 2357, January 22, 1885. 



Hack greenish gray, mottled wit li hrown and tinged with rosy, supraocular region witii 

 golden retlections. Pectorals lemon yellow mingled with rosy; caudal like pectorals. 

 Sides rosy. Under surface whitish and rosy intermingled. Pupil intense blue. Back with 

 fine reticulations. Eostral tentacle greeuish gold at base, the fimbriated portion lavender. 

 Lines of nuicous ])or('s with reddish brown, well distinguished from the remaining colors. 

 Labial fringes lemon yellow. Iris golden or rather lemon yellow. 



The species inflates its abdomen like Tetraodon and has some diflQculty in expelling the 

 air so as to sink rapidly. The small gill-openings are closed very tightly during inhalation 

 aud a strong current of water is expelled in expiration. 



Family CERATIID.^. 



Ceral'Miv, Gill, Proc. Ao:ul. N:it. Sci. I'liila.. 1863, S!l; Air. Fain. Fisli.. 1S72, 2 (NO. 12) ; Proo. IT. S. Nat. Mus., 

 I, 1S78, p|). 21(3,227. 



Pediculates with head and body compressed. Mouth terminal, more or less oblL(iue. 

 GilI-oi)euings small, in the lower part of the axils. No psendobranchiie. Spinous dorsal 

 represented by at least a frontal and superior rostral spine. Pectoral members not genicu- 

 lated, with short i).seudobrachia and three actiuosts. No ventral tins. All known forms 

 are uniform blackish in color. 



"The 'bathybial sea devils,'" writes (liintlier, '-are degraded forms of Lophiiis : they 

 de.scend to the greatest depths of the ocean. Tlieir bones are of an extremely light and 

 thin texture, and frequently other parts of their organization, their integuments, muscles, 

 and intestines are equally loose in texture when the specimens are brought to the surface. 

 lu their habits they probably do not ditier in any degree from their surface representative, 

 Lo2)Muti. 



"When the first individuals of this group wen discovered they seemed to be sutti- 

 ciently distinct from one another to justify generic sejiaration. However, the additioiLS of 

 recent years exhibit that variation in the shape of the body, head, and mouth, in tiie 

 specialized dorsal spines, and in the development of dermal scutes, which may be expected 

 in such grotesquely formed creatures. 



"The number of the dorsal spines is always reduced, and at the end of the series of 

 these species only one spine remains, with a simple, very small lamella at the extremity 

 (Mehnoct'tus Joh)\xonU, MehinowUis MHfriiiji). In other forms sometimes a second cephalic 

 spine, sometimes a si)iiie on the baek of the trunk is preserved. The first cephalic spine 

 always i-etains the oiiginal function of a lure for other marine creatures, but to render it 

 more eft'ective a special luminous organ is sometimes developed in connection with the 

 filaments with which its extremity is provided (Vcratias hi.sjtitioxux, Oncinulcn I-JscJirichtii). 

 So far as it is known at present these complicated tentacles attain to the highest degree 

 of develoi)nient in Himantolojihus and ^l^^gaoiilchthys. In other species very peculiar dermal 

 appendages are developed, either accomjianying the spine on the back or replacing it. 

 They may be paired or form a group of three; are pear shaped, covered with the conimon 

 skin, and perforated at the top, a- delicate tentacle sometimes issuing from the foramen."' 



KEY TO THE OENEKA OF CERATIID^. 

 I. Moiitli moderate. 



A. Hraiu hiic in 2i pairs. 



1. Moiith-clet't nearly vortic-al ; skin priekly CcruliiiKr 



a. Two ceplnilir sjjinos, no dorsal spine, no lariimles; vomerine teeth Dicki!.\tias 



h. One eeidialic and one dor.sal spine, with lateral earuucles; no vomerine teeth Cekatia.s 



c. Oue cephalic si)ino, no dorsal spini'; caruncles present. 



i. Caruncles remote from soft dorsal Manga lias 



ii. Caruucles close to soft dorsal Ckvptopsaras 



