168 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE. 
Genus.—PHUCOCCTES.* Jen. 
Corpus elongatum, compressum, nudum, alepidotum, porosissimum. Rostrum breve, 
obtusum. Dentes acuti, subconict, in maxilla superiore uniseriati, in inferiore 
bi-vel tri- seriati; supra canini duo fortiores, antici, et pre serie exstantes : in vomere 
dentes duo vel tres acuti, quorum unus fortis ; in utroque palatino uniseriati. Lingua 
levis. Ocult parvi. Apertura branchialis arctissima, membrand sex-radiatd. 
Maxillarum margines poris conspicuis longitudinaliter dispositis, simplicibus, haud 
in tubos productis. Pinne ventrales, dorsalis et analis, ut in genere pracedenti. 
This genus differs from I/wocewtes, in having the head and eyes smaller, the 
snout scarcely at all produced, the teeth in front of the lower jaw in two or three 
rows, and especially in the contracted gill-opening, which is reduced to a small 
hole, relatively not much larger than in the Eels, and in the branchial membrane 
having six rays. It wants also the tubal cutaneous appendages on the jaws and 
cheeks, in the place of which are rows of simple pores. It may be added that 
the whole skin is every where studded with pores; smaller, however, than those 
which form the maxillary series. The fins are similar, including the minute ven- 
trals; but the tail and caudal are more rounded, and the membrane investing the 
rays of the dorsal and anal is more fleshy, so as hardly to allow of the rays being 
counted. 
This genus is yet more eel-like, and more malacopterygian in general 
appearance than the last, serving to make the passage from the Blennid@ to the 
apodal division of the soft-finned fishes, still more gradual and evident. Mr. 
Darwin obtained it at the Falkland Islands. There is but one species in the 
collection referable to it. 
PHUCOC@TES LATITANS. Jen. 
Pirate XXIX. Fig. 3. 
Form.—Still more elongated than the Ilwocetes fimbriatus, but not tapering so much to a point 
posteriorly, the tail being blunter and more rounded. Greatest depth about one-eleventh of 
the entire length: head one-seventh. Head more compressed, its thickness being only three- 
fourths of its depth. Nape rather more elevated, and the profile more sloping, its descent 
commencing at a more backward point. Snout equally short and rounded, but much less 
projecting over the lower jaw. Gape, intermaxillary, and maxillary, similar: also the teeth; 
only the pair of canines above, standing in front of the series, are smaller; and below, the teeth 
in front are in two or more rows. On the fore part of the vomer is one strong tooth, and 
apparently one or two other smaller teeth with it; on each palatine a row, one or two of the 
anterior ones being stronger than the others. Eyes very much smaller; their diameter scarcely 
more than one-seventh the length of the head; not sufficiently high in the cheeks to cut the 
line of the profile: interocular space slightly convex. 
* A ovxos fucus, et cowry cubile. 
