r)9(j PEOCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. [1885. 



Squamation excessively rough, each scale bearing about 5 large spiues 

 besides many smaller ones, the median spine of the large series being 

 much the largest. Five rows of scales between origin of dorsal and 

 lateral line, 19 from vent forward to lateral line and 12 backward. 



Barbel ^ as long as snout. 



31. atronasus appears to be a near relation of M. trachyrhynchus, 

 which has not yet been adequately described. 



The single example known is from station 2396, north latitude 28^^ 

 34', west longitude 86° 48', 335 fathoms. 



Coryphaenoides sulcatus, n. s. 



The type of this species, 37335, is an individual 238 millimeters long, 

 taken at Albatross station 2394, with a large specimen (about 350°'™) 

 badly mutilated, from Blake station LXXIII, off Martinique, 472 fath- 

 oms, as a collateral type. 



The body is elongate, rapidly contracted behind the abdomen, the 

 tail long and whip -like ; greatest height of body (25™"^) 9 J times in total 

 length. 



Scales moderate, strongly armed, each with 8-10 spinelets irregularly 

 placed, the spinelets less numerous in the young, which feel bristly to 

 the touch, separated by wide deep furrows (hence the specific name). 

 More than 175 in the lateral line. Between origin of dorsal fin and 

 lateral line 7 ; counting from the origin of the lateral line the number 

 of scales in a distance equal to length of head is 33. Between the anal 

 and vent 21-22 (counting forward from vent, 16 counting backward). 



Armature of head similar to that of body, but the Scales upon the 

 snout, cheeks, and chin have very feeble spines. 



Length of head (32™i°) 7^ times in total length. 



Interorbital area nearly flat, its length (10™™) equal to diameter of 

 eye, and a little less than one third length of head. Postorbital por- 

 tion of head (15™™) 1^ times as long as diameter of eye. Eye circu- 

 lar, in larger individual its diameter less than \vidth of interorbital 

 space, 3f times in length of head. Snout short, obtuse, scarcely over- 

 hanging the mouth, its length (7™™) 4^ times in that of head ; in the 

 larger individual it is 4^ times in length of head. 



Nostrils somewhat above level of middle of eye, the anterior one 

 nearly upon the dorsal outline. 



Teeth in upper jaw in two series, the outer series somewhat enlarged; 

 in lower jaw in a single series. 



The end of the maxilla reaches to the vertical through the hind mar- 

 gin of pupil in the large specimen, to that through the front margin of 

 the same in the type. Length of upi^er jaw, including maxilla (11™™), 

 about 3 times in length of head. Length of mandible (13™™) equal to 

 one-half the height of the body. Barbel (4™™) 2^ times in diameter of 

 eye ; in the large specimen it is half as long as the eye. 



Gill-rakers rudimentary ; the attachment of the membrane to the first 

 arch is very extensive. Pseudobranchiae absent. 



