THE CHARACTERS OF THE DEEP-SEA FAUNA 69 



same in all the regions of deep seas. In depths of 

 300 to 600 fathoms the majority are large-eyed forms. 

 This is as we should expect, for it is more than 

 probable tbat many of these forms occasionally wander 

 into shallower waters where there is a certain amount 

 of sunlight. 



In depths of over 1,000 fathoms, the small-eyed 

 and blind forms are in a majority, although many 

 large-eyed forms are to be found. 



Among fishes, for example, we find the species of 

 Haloporplujriis found in depths of 300-600 fathoms 

 with large eyes ; and so with Dicrolene, Cyttus 

 aohreviatiis, and many other forms that are known 

 to live in water of less depth than 700 fathoms ; 

 while on the other hand in Melanocetus Murrayi, Ijmojjs 

 Murrayij many deep-sea eels and other fish that are 

 truly abysmal and live chiefly in depths of over 1,000 

 fathoms, the eyes are either very small or absent. 



Some interesting examples may be found in the 

 species of widely distributed genera to illustrate 

 these points. Thus in Neohythites grandis, from 

 1,875 fathoms, the eye is small, only one-eleventh 

 the length of the head, but in Neohythites macropSj 

 N. ocellatus, and N. (jillii from shallower water it is 

 much larger. 



