548 BULLETIN 100, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 
The scales bear numerous fine spinules close-set in quincunx order. 
There are 8 (7 to 9) rows between the origin of the second dorsal 
and the lateral line series. 
The anus is situated just behind the ventral fins. A small fossa, 
about 1 mm. broad, hes between the middle of the ventral bases, being 
much smaller than in V. ctenomelas. 
The numerous sharp denticulations of the second dorsal spine are 
developed along its entire length. The ventral fin is inserted a little 
in advance of the pectoral. The right pectoral fin of the type-speci- 
men is absent, apparently as the result of an early injury; its base is 
now completely healed over and covered by small scales. 
The color in alcohol, a little darker than in V. divergens, is brown, 
becoming darker and more dusky below the first dorsal fin, and black- 
ish on the belly; the sides shine with silvery reflections. The ridges 
and margins of the head are mostly dark; the jaws are whitish at the 
corners of the mouth. The first dorsal fin is dusky, with an intensely 
black median spot; the pectoral is dark dusky, becoming black on its 
base and axil; the ventral is blackish, but sometimes lighter either 
proximally or distally. The lining of the buccal cavity is whitish: 
that of the branchial cavity is dusky anteriorly, whitish over most of 
the hyoid region, and blackish within its posterior outer margin, 
except on the extreme white edge. The parietal peritoneum is silvery, 
with fine black dots. 
The relationships of this species are indicated in the key which is 
included under the generic heading. 
Weber * reported on some specimens of this group, referring them 
to Macrurus petersoni Alcock. He distinguished two sets of speci- 
mens; the typical ones are probably true V. petersonii, but his vari- 
ants are more probably referable to V. nigrodorsalis. 
Table of measurements in hundredths of length to anus. 
e 
Paratypes. ; Type. 
Albatross station .... ..-| 5317 | 5586 5586 | 5585 5542 5330 5502 
Total length in mm.... 192 | 240 2 2 188 2171 187 214 
Length to anus in mm 38 | S58 51 49 39 37.5 45.5 
Length of head... te 85 | 82 R4 85 82 92 90 
engthvoGorbit: ces ae ee ee ee 29: | . 26 24 27.5 26 31 27 
Width of interorbital es Ae || e953 23 21 22 24 21 
Widtnof-suborbitall, eo sase eee e pees 10 ll ll ll 10 12 11 
Orbit to preopercle - : 33 33 35 33 35 38 38 
Length of snout... .. 22 | 24 26 26 23 27 26 
Length of upper jaw- 32 34 34 33 30 37 35 
Length of barbel.. 21 18 20 21 18 18 17 
Depth of body. 76 68 77 68 69 77 81 
Width of body. 30 34 29 35 32 35 41 
Anus to anal .. 12.1 17.5 18 16 12.5 13 22 
Anal to: ventral ce cnnase se ae 23 29 27 26 23 22 33 
Height of second dorsal spine 73 GO of tae eet 72 65 19° | eee 
Height of third dorsal ray... . | xe Ree 63 56 70 63 1650" |aesteees 
Length of first dorsal base............-....... 23 25 23 23 22 26 26 
1 Fische der Siboga-Expedition, 1913, p. 156. 
2 A pseudocaudal developed. 
