482 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 
hooks as the line was being lowered, and was earried by its weight to 
the bottom. This curious freak of the sword fish, so often observed of 
late, deserves careful study. 
LATILID Ai. 
40. Lopholatilus chamzleonticeps, Goode & Bean. 
Lopholatilus chameleonticeps, GOODE & BEAN, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. ii, 1879, 
p. 205. 
In July, 1879, numerous specimens of this remarkable fish were taken 
by Gloucester fishing vessels, at a depth of 84 fathoms, 80 miles south 
by east from Noman’s Land. The first trip of the “Fish Hawk” to 
deep water from Newport was September 4, and the nets were hauled 
as nearly as possible on the same grounds where Lopholatilus had pre- 
viously been taken. : 
The second trip, ten days later, was to a region about forty miles 
farther west, and on this occasion six or more large individuals of this 
species were brought up ona hand line ( ‘ladder-line” ) set from an open 
boat sent out from the steamer. None were at any time taken in the 
trawl-nets, though there is every reason to believe from the success of 
the fishing vessels previously, and from the number taken on the hand- 
line by the men in the small boat, that they are exceedingly abundant 
in this locality and probably for hundreds of miles in either direction, 
or at any rate to the south. 
The Lopholatilus may yet prove to be a fish of economic importance. 
Its suitability for food was tested at the ward-room table of the ‘ Fish 
Hawk”, and it was pronounced equal to cod-fish, though somewhat finer 
grained in flesh. 
The following notes upon color and internal structure were taken from 
a fresh specimen. The colors are very beautiful, and in general appear- 
ance when taken from the water it is one of the loveliest fishes I have 
ever seen, no exception being made in favor of the brilliant parrot-fishes 
or angel-fishes of the West Indian coral groves. 
Color.—Black bluish, with a green tinge, iridescent, changing through 
purplish blue 4nd bluish gray to rosy white below, and milky white to- 
ward the medium line of the belly. Head rosy, iridescent, with red 
tints most abundant on the forehead, blue under the eyes cheeks fawn- 
colored. Throat and under side of the head pearly white; with an oc- 
casional tint of lemon-yellow; this is most pronounced in front of the 
ventrals and on the anterior portion of ventral fins. Back with numer- 
ous maculations of bright lemon or golden. Anal purplish, with blue 
and rose tints, iridescent. Margin of anal rich purplish blue, iridescent 
like the most beautiful mother of pearl. This color prevading more or 
less the whole fin, which has large yellow maculations. The lower 
border is rose-colored like the belly, and the base of the fin also par- 
takes of this general hue. Dashes of milk-white on the base of the 
anal between the rays. 
