THE FISH OF THE DEEP SEA 155 



large heavy heads, with functional but small eyes, 

 and an abundant supply of large mucous glands on 

 the skin. 



MelampJiaes heanii, belonging to this family, 

 has been captured at the enormous depth of 2,949 

 fathoms. 



Bathydraco antarcticus, belonging to the family 

 Trachinidae, from a depth of 1,260 fathoms, is an 

 example of a true abysmal fish possessing very large 

 eyes. 



The Pediculati, the family of the anglers, is re- 

 presented at depths of over 2,000 fathoms by the 

 interesting form Melanocetus Murrayi. The eyes are 

 very small indeed, the mouth huge and armed with 

 long uneven rasp-like teeth. At the end of the fish- 

 ing-rod tentacle hanging over the mouth, there is an 

 organ that has been supposed to be capable of emitting 

 a phosphorescent light. This curious modification of 

 the red worm-like bait of the common shallow-water 

 angler into a will-o-the-wisp lantern attracting little 

 fishes to their destruction in the deadly jaws of the 

 Melanocetus is one of the most interesting adaptations 

 that has been brought to light by our study of the 

 deep-sea fauna. 



Several species of the family Lycodidee occur in 



