GILBERT AND HUBBS. 547 
PHILIPPINE MACROUROID FISHES 
In both its geographical and its bathymetric distribution, V. 
nigrodorsalis agrees with the following species, V. d/vergens. 
Fin-rays—first dorsal, II, 10 (9 to 11); pectorals, 20 (17 to 23); 
ventrals, 8 (8 or 9). 
The body is deeper than in V’. divergens, the ventral contour being 
more strongly arched; the depth below the elevated origin of the 
first dorsal fin is contained 1.1 times in the head, being more than 
twice the greatest width of the body. The general appearance of 
this species in other respects strongly resembles that of dévergens. 
The horizontal projection of the snout beyond the premavillaries is 
equal to the length of the pupil; preocular length of snout, 3.7: pre- 
Fic. 36.—VENTRIFOSSA NIGRODORSALIS. TYPE. 
oral length, 2.6 in postorbital. The orbit is almost round, 3.4 in 
head, 1.6 in postorbital. The interorbital is rather narrow, as in 
divergens as contrasted with gafmani,; its least width is contained 
1.25 times in the orbit, 2.0 times in the postorbital. The oblique pre- 
opercular ridge is not produced backward at its angle. The subor- 
bital width is nearly equal to the diameter of the pupil. The mouth 
is little oblique and large, the maxillary extending backward almost 
to the vertical from the posterior margin of the pupil; length of 
upper jaw, 2.6 in head. The teeth are apparently finer than in 
divergens; the outer premaxillary series is little enlarged. The bar- 
bel is well developed but comparatively short, being constantly 
shorter than in divergens, its length is about two-thirds that of the 
snout. The branchial aperture extends forward to below the hind 
margin of the orbit; seven branchiostegals. 
