29 



operculum. Preopercular stay prominent, with or without a single small spine 

 near its posterior end. No true spines on the top of the head, but two low 

 ridges on the occiput and one behind either orbit end somewhat acutely, as also 

 does a short ridge at the anterior supra-orbital angle and one above the middle 

 of the orbit. 



The snout (including the sharp knob at the mandibular symphysis which, 

 fitting into a notch in the pre-maxillary, forms its tip) is about 3^ in the length 

 of the head. Nostrils of good size, a fleshy papilla above the anterior one (this 

 is Uable to loss by abrasion). 



Major diameter of eye from j to - the length of the head : interorbital space 



a little wider than the eye, with three very characteristic mucous fossae, one 

 large and elliptical in the middle line posteriorly, two smaller and oval, side by 

 side, anteriorfy. 



Mouth large, obHque, with prominent lower jaw ; the maxilla reaches as far 

 as the posterior border of the orbit. Villiform teeth on jaws vomer and palatines. 

 Tongue ending in a small free spathulate tip. 



Gill-opening wide. Pseudobranchise rather large. Gill-rakers on outer 

 side of first arch rather short and distant. 



Body covered with tiny cycloid scales. Lateral line broad, naked, with 

 doul^le tubule. 



3rd, 4th and 5th dorsal spines the longest, the 3rd about as long as the 

 snout, and not quite as long as the 3rd anal spine, which is the longest of that 

 fin. Pectorals very large, reaching beyond the beginning of the anal, consisting 

 of 21 or 22 rays. Ventrals reaching rather more than halfway to anal. 



Colours red with minute black specks, and with some dusky markings that 

 usually fade. 



Most of our specimens come up with everted stomach and dislocated viscera, 

 so that dissection is difficult. In two specimens I have counted 4 large pyloric 

 caeca, and in one there was a small thick- walled air-bladder. 



Andaman Sea 185 and 188-220 fathoms : Bay of Bengal, off Trincomali, 

 320-296 fathoms. 



Largest specimen nearly 5^ inches long. 



Distribution: Madeira and C. Verde Is., Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, 

 (East Indian Archipelago?), Hawaii: in moderate depths (up to about 300 

 fathoms). 



Regd. Nos. 13036, 14.131-14133, ^. ~^- 



