HohT AJiB Caldekwoob— Re2>or ton the Barer Mshes. 511 



Genus Nettophichthys, . . Holt, " Sci. Proc. Roy. Dub. Soc." vii., p. 122. 



Scaleless. Snout much produced ; depressed. Jaws and vomer with rows of 

 teeth, recurved in anterior region, largest in central region of vomer. Gill open- 

 ings fairly wide, open. Vertical fins confluent, rather feebly developed. Pectoral 

 fins absent. Anterior nostril on upper surface of head near end of snout. 

 Posterior nostril on side of head in front of eye. Air-bladder present. Pyloric 

 appendages absent. 



As will be seen from the above description, this genus is intermediate between 

 Nettastoma, Raf., and Saurenchelys, Peters, agreeing with the latter in the con- 

 dition of the nostrils, and with the former in the possession of an air-bladder. 

 In the comparatively feeble character of the vertical fins it recedes equally from 

 both. 



Type Species. 

 Nettophiclitliys retropinnatus, Holt, loc. cit. (Deep-sea.) 



(PI. XLI., fig. 2.) 



Length of head contained six times in total length (without caudal) and equal 

 to distance between gill opening and anus. Eye large, diameter contained twice 

 in snout, and five times in length of head. Angle of gape behind hinder margin 

 of eye. Upper jaw slightly overhanging lower ; snout broad, swollen, except 

 where produced anteriorly into a short knob-like deflected process, at base of 

 which is situated anterior nostril. Lower jaw slightly curved. Teeth in two 

 rows, outer most closely set, along margin of upper jaw, small and conical 

 posteriorly, becoming larger and recurved in anterior region. Large abruptly 

 reflected teeth, with swollen bases, in several rows on vomer, those of central 

 region largest. A single row of small recurved teeth on mandibles, becoming 

 larger towards symphysis. 



Body laterally compressed: greatest height, i.e. behind amis, nearly half 

 length of head. Abdominal cavity extending beyond anus ; peritoneum black ; 

 air-bladder long. Tail tapering, but terminating obliquely. Extremity of 

 vertebral column not upturned, overlying triangular hypural mass. Vertical fins 

 rather feeble, especially dorsal, which commences at a point somewhat posterior 

 to median. Vertical fins edged with black, especially caudal and anal. 



Coloration, uniform sepia brown, darkest ventrally, and on snout and jaws. 



A single specimen, 5 inches, much injured, from 144 fathoms. It appears to 

 be sexually immature. 



