12 THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 



Young specimens of Cuhiceps gracilis are comparatively much more common. The 

 British Museum has received, since the publication of the Catalogue, two examples, 

 7 and 8-^- inches long, obtained at Madeira by Mr. J. T. Johnson ; six of from 1^; to 

 2^ inches in length, purchased by a friend of the writer at Messina ; and, finally, two of 

 2 and 2^ inches in length, taken by the late Commander W. E. Cookson, near the 

 Azores with Meduste. 



All these specimens resemble much the adult state, so that there could not have 

 been any difficulty in recognising the species. None of the specimens show the slightest 

 trace of spots. The younger ones are comparatively shorter in the body, have a more 

 elevated dorsal fin, and shorter j)ectorals. We figure, of the natural cize, a specimen 

 from Madeira (fig. A'), one from the Azores (fig. B), and the youngest from Messina 



■{fig- c). 



Psenes cyanoplirys, C. V. 



Psenes cijanophrtjs, Ciiv. Va!., ix. p. iGO, pi. ccLw.; Liitkeii, K. danslc. Vidensk. Selsk. Skriv., 

 1880, p. 517. 

 ,, jacanicus, Cuv. Val., ix. p. 2G4 ; Giintli., Fish., ii. p. 494-. 



,, leucurus, Cuv. Val., ix. p. 26.5; Jeiiyns, Zool. Beagle, Fish, p. 73; Giinth., Fiali., vol. ii. 

 p. 49.5.1 

 ? „ auratus, Cuv. Val., ix. p. •264. 



Cuhiceps muUiradiatut:, Giinth., Froc. Zool. Soc. Loud , 1871, p. 601, pi. I.\i. 



r 



An examination of a long series of examples shows that the various terms mentioned 

 above refer to one species only, which is truly pelagic and distributed over the Tropical 

 Atlantic, as well as the Indian Ocean. Very young specimens have invariably a white 

 caudal fin. The number of the anal rays ranges from twenty-five to thirtj". 



The following specimens were collected : — 



a. 10 lines long. Between Tenerife and St. Thomas. 



h. 10 lines long. From Gulf- weed, south of Bermuda ; April 1873. 



c. 3 inches long. South of New Guinea ; tow-net; August 29, 1874. 



d-e. 1-2 inches long. South of Philippines ; surface-net; Februarys, 187o. 



f-h. 1-2 inches long. Between Philippines and Papua ; surface-net; February 10, 

 1875. 



^-^. f-2| inches long. North of Papua ; from driftwood ; February 21, 1875. 



a. 10 lines long. North of Papua ; tow-net; March 3, 1875. 



;S. H inches long. North of Papua ; tow-net; March 13, 1875. 



y. 2 inches long. Between Papua and Japan ; surface-net ; 1875. 



' Liilken (loc. cit.) distingui.sht.s a Piencs leucuns from Psenes cyanophrys. 



