64 DEEP SEA FISHES. 
at the lower angle of the preopercle. Operculum wide, thin, with a ridge 
from the hinge backward, membranous on the edges. Branchial lamellee 
short; gill rakers five plus thirteen, compressed, lamelliform, blunt at the 
ends, longest as long as the eye. Pseudobranchiz small. 
Scales deciduous, rather large, with fine striations. 
The distance from the snout to the origin of the dorsal is contained two 
and one fourth times in the length to the base of the caudal; the length of 
the base of the dorsal fin is equal to its distance from the bases of the 
caudal rays. Origin of the anal fin below the fourteenth ray of the dorsal; 
length of the base equal to the length of the eye together with that of the 
snout. Pectorals long, reaching backward of the first rays of the anal fin; 
the bases lie forward of the origin of the dorsal. Ventrals long, inserted 
below the bases of the pectorals. Caudal forked. 
Entire surface, and the linings of the body cavity, deep black. 
This species has been compared with Melamphaés typhlops Giint.; it differs 
from that species in having a larger anal, situated much farther forward, a 
longer dorsal, a larger eye, and ventrals that reach beyond the vent. The 
specimen originally described by Gilbert was taken by the “ Albatross” in 
1889 at station 2923; Lat. 32° 40’ 30” N.; Lon. 117° 31’ 30” W.; Depth 
§22 fathoms; Temp. 39° F.; Bottom green mud. The present specimens 
are from the stations noted below. 
Station. Latitude. Longitude. Depth, Temperature. Bottom. 
3388 CoL6ONE 79° 48/ W. 1168 fathoms 36.2° F. Gn. glob. oz. 
3414 10° 14’ N. 96° 28’ W. 2232 <6 Bo:cnk. Gn, m. 
Melamphaés nigrofulvus sp. n. 
Plate D, fig. 2; Plate LXXII. fig. 2, Lat. Syst. 
De WA SA Ge 9) Vil ie Bele a of elites: 
This species has a shorter caudal region, a larger head, and a smaller 
mouth as compared with MMelamphués crassiceps in Giinther’s figure in the 
“Challenger” report, Plate VIII, fig. B. The position of the anal fin, below 
the dorsal, would place the present type in the subdivision of the genus to 
which the name Plectromus is applied. In the figure given herewith the indi- 
vidual is represented as when first secured, yet allowance must be made for 
the loss or collapse of the membranes covering the head, in consequence of 
which displacement the ridges and spines of the skull are given a promi- 
nence not to be detected in the uninjured specimen. Form compressed, nar- 
