77 



Length 7 inclies. 



From the Andaman Sea, 185 and 188 to 220 fathoms. 



Eegd. Nos. 13047 : '-^*. 



58. Physiculus argyroi^astiis, Alcock. 



Physiculus argyropastus, Alcock, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal, Vol. LXII. pt. 2, 1893, p. 180, pi. ix. fig. 2, and 

 Vol. LXIII. pt. 2, 1894, p. 122 : Illustrations of the Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XXII. fig. 1. 



B. 7. D. 9/55. A. 57. V. 6. 

 Differs from P. roseus in the following particulars :-■ — 



(1) the length of the head is more than a fourth of the total, caudal in- 

 cluded : 



(2) the length of the snout is barely equal to the width of the inter-orbital 

 space and exceeds the major diameter of the eye, which is about a fifth the 

 length of the head : 



(3) the maxilla reaches nearly to the posterior border of the orbit : 



(4) the first dorsal is not prolonged, its length being less than a third that 

 of the head : 



(5) the vent is situated between the bases of the pectoral fins : 



(6) the upper rays of the pectoral fin are as long as the head behind the 

 middle of the eye : 



(7) the prolonged ventral ray reaches to the 6th or 7th anal ray, or even 

 beyond : 



(8) the margin of the air-bladder is fimbriated. 



Colours in spirit light pinkish brown with a silvery sheen : belly throat and 

 gill-membranes black. 



Length 9 inches. 



Bay of Bengal 107 and 128 fathoms : Gulf of Manar, 180 to 217 fathoms. 



Eegd. Nos. 13439-13441, 13541-13545, 13549, j. 



Family Ophidiiclce. 



Excluding Ammodytes, the genera included in the Fishes of India are two, 

 namely Brotula with 3 species, and Ficrasfer with a single species. 



The ' Investigator ' has since brought to light thirteen more genera and 23 

 more species, a few, indeed, of which belong to the fauna of the abysses, but 

 the majority of which are inhabitants of moderate depths. 



