124 THE REV. R. T. LOWE’S DESCRIPTION OF 
Ordo. ACANTHOPTERYGII, Cuv. 
Fam. VIII. Taniorpss, Cuv. 
Genus. ALEPISAURUS. 
Rostrum productum, cum capite compressum: rictus magnus, pone oculos longé 
diductus: maxille dentibus uniseriatis, validis, subrecurvis, quibusdam prelongis, 
armate. 
Corpus elongatum, attenuatum, cum capite omnind nudum. 
Pinne dorsales due; prima alta, a nucha longé per dorsum producta; secunda 
parva, trigona, adiposa: ventrales parve, abdominales: analis parva, anticé alta: 
caudalis magna, furcata. 
Membrana branchiostega sex- vel septem-radiata. 
ALEPISAURUS FEROX. 
Hab. in Mari Atlantico, Maderam alluente, rarissimus. 
This new and very singular genus appears, notwithstanding some anomalies, to be- 
long to Cuvier’s eighth family of Acanthopterygian Fishes, the Poissons en ruban ou 
Tenioides. In habit, shape of body, smoothness of skin, compressed head and muzzle, 
wide gape, and long formidable teeth,—which are both pointed and have their edges 
sharp and keen almost as lancets,—it approaches so near to Lepidopus, Gouan, or 
Trichiurus, Linn., that the propriety of its collocation in the same group seems un- 
questionable. Its relation of affinity thus established, a very remarkable one of analogy 
remains to be indicated ; namely, its relation to the Salmonide in general by the small 
adipose second dorsal fin. A curious link of analogy hitherto unnoticed is thus sup- 
plied between an Acanthopterygian and a Malacopterygian group, in other respects so 
widely separated. 
In respect to its relations of affinity, Lepidopus and Trichiurus are the only two 
genera from which any particular discrimination can be necessary. From the former 
it differs chiefly in the regularly well-formed and perfect, though rather small, ventral 
fins (which are placed far behind the pectorals, close before the anus), and in the smaller 
number of rays in the branchial membrane :—from Trichiurus, (with which it agrees 
in the number of branchial rays,) it differs by the presence of ventral fins, a regular 
and well-formed anal, and a large forked caudal fin. From both it is remarkably 
distinct in the large high first, and small fatty second dorsal fin. 
It is a fierce, voracious fish, of very rare occurrence. 

[The entire fish is destitute of scales, much elongated, thin, slender, and tapering 
from the gills both backwards and forwards. The head and face are produced, and 
