50 Natural History Bulletin. 



hinged so that the pear-shaped flesh-colored bulb can be hung 

 right above the large vertically cleft mouth, and thus serve as 

 a bait in securing prey, which seems to me a much more 

 reasonable explanation of this peculiar structure than to dis- 

 cover in it a •• sense-organ intended to give notice of the 

 approach of the prey.'"^ The animal has good eves, situated 

 so as to be effective much further than this hypothetical sense- 

 organ. The two shoi't fleshy tubercles forming the second 

 part of the flrst dorsal of ura)ioscoj)iis are represented in our 

 species by two round, rather club-shaped spines, covered with 

 spiny skin, and King flat upon the dorsal surface of the head 

 and body. The ventral fins are small and thoracic in position, 

 while the pectorals are geniculate and ten rayed. It agrees 

 with uranoscopus in being laterally compressed, of a uniform 

 black color, gill openings at lower axils of pectorals, the 

 skin being covered with minute imbedded conical spines, in 

 the vertically cleft mouth. •• fishing rod and bait," dorsally 

 placed eyes, geniculation of pectorals and number of pectoral 

 rays. The animal was capable of great distention, assuming 

 an almost globular outline. It emitted a distinct grunt when 

 handled. 



Among the other fishes secured at that time might be 

 mentioned a Malthus. or •■ bat-fish."' an exceedingly grotesque 

 creature with long geniculate pectorals, flat body, and a fore- 

 head produced into a lumpv prominence reaching in front of 

 the mouth. The animal doubtless lives buried in the sand. 

 with nothing but its staring eyes to be seen. Its color would 

 assimilate well with the sandy bottom, and the warty dorsal 

 protuberances would still further deceive by a simulation of 

 small pebbles or worm castings. 



A small flounder belonging to the genus Etroptis was 

 secured, having the eyes sinistral, the scales cycloid on the 

 blind side and ctenoid on the left. A species of Monocanthiis, 

 or " file-fish,"' was also secured. 



Here, as elsewhere during our dredging operations, the 

 Crustacea were constantly a source of wonder and interest. 



1 "Challenger" Narrative, the Atlantic, Volume 2, page 08. 



