BROTULOIDS. 143 
from the arch, which meet at their anterior ends, inclosing the bases of the 
ventrals as directed upwards toward the forward end of the hyoid, which 
forms a wide inverted trough containing the presymphyseal processes of 
the humeral arch. On account of the long extensions the ventral fins, 
though displaced in appearance, are really back of a humeral symphysis, as 
in most other fishes. The ventral rays are modified to form barbels. From 
the ventrals to the vent is twice the distance from the ventrals to the 
bases of the pectorals. Scales small on head and body, very thin and 
flexible. Snout bare. Vertebre 13+ 44. From the least depths the 
specimens are a trifle more stout and lighter in color. 
Dingy or clouded brown, top of head darker, edges of scales darker, 
borders of dorsal and anal black. Pectorals dark, tipped with lighter, 
Lining of mouth cavity whitish, of belly black. Color on the fins in close 
set puncticulations. 
Station. Latitude, Longitude, Depth. Temperature. Bottom. 
3385 Woi3s2! 36 IN. 79° 16’ W. 286 fathoms 45.9° F. Gn. 8. 
3386 Weoot L2UeN 79° Lil V5 We 242 48° F. Fne. gy. 8. 
3394 (POM ASI 79° 35° W. 511 sf 41.8° F. Dk. gn. M. 
3417 16° 32’ N. 99° 48’ W. 493 Me 40.6° F. Gn. M. 
. 3421 16° 47’ 20” N. 100° 0’ 10” W. 338 < 42.9° F. Dk. gn. M. 
3422 16° 47° 30” N. 99° 59’ 307” W. 141 ss sia 1 Gn. M. 
3423 16° 47’ 30” N. 99° 59’ 20” W. 94 se 56° F. Gn. M. 
BROTULOIDS. 
The Brotuloids are so pre-eminently inhabitants of great depths that much 
the greater portion of the group is of recent discovery. Before the “ Chal- 
lenger”’ expedition comparatively few species were known. From the col- 
lections made by that vessel fifteen or sixteen new species were described ; 
later the different steamers of the United States Fishery Commission gath- 
ered about as many more; the French steamers “ 'Travailleur” and “ Talis- 
man” added seven or eight; the Royal Indian Marine Surveying Steamer 
“ Investigator” brought to light about twenty ; and the work of the United 
States Fish Commission Steamer “ Albatross”’ between the Galapagos Archi- 
pelago and the mainland of Central America and Mexico makes an addition 
of the twenty or more described below. All told the list of species is at 
present more than five times as large as at the beginning of the deep sea 
researches. Horizontally the distribution extends from the polar regions 
to the tropics in all seas; that the representation from the southern oceans 
is so small is no doubt accounted for by lack of search in those waters. 
