Narrative of Bahama Expedition. 149 



black edgings. Both dorsal and anal are long and low. Two 

 vertical series of dark brown or black spots are on the sides 

 of the head. This is the largest species dredged on the Pla- 

 teau, being nine inches long. "Said to exhibit electric powers 

 in life.'" (Jordan & Gilbert.) Another specimen from this 

 haul is a much mutilated flounder, which is not in a condition 

 for even approximate identification, as is indeed unfortunately 

 the fact in regard to several specimens from this station. 



An interesting species of Antennariiis was secured from 

 about liftv fathoms, and differed considerably from the others 

 seen by us. The first dorsal spine was modified into a " fish- 

 ing-rod,*' which is exceedingly slender, bearing a small trifid 

 "bait" on the end. The body is covered with sharp trifid 

 spines, which bear considerable resemblance, superficial ' of 

 course, to the calcareous spicules of some of the flexible cor- 

 als and sponges. These spines impart a velvety appearance 

 to the surface when dried, but it feels much like sand-paper. 

 The lateral line is armed with clumps of spines, the series ex- 

 tending over the eye, where it is greatly accentuated. The 

 second and third dorsal spines are much thickened, fleshy, and 

 covered with the minute spines. There is a large oval black 

 spot surrounded by a narrow white edging just below the 

 middle of the long dorsal. The abdomen is greatly dilatable, 

 it being possible to blow up the alcoholic specimen. The pec- 

 toral fins are placed far back, giving a ludicrous resemblance 

 to hind legs, while the ventrals are much more widely separ- 

 ated than in the Antennariiis which inhabits the Gulf weed. 



Another strange form belonging to the order Pediculati and 

 dredged from a depth of one hundred and twentv fathoms, is 

 such a curious combination of characters that it cannot be 

 placed in any family defined in the only S3'stematic work on 

 fishes at present accessible to the writer.^ The gill-openings 

 are far above and considerably behind the upper axils of the 

 pectorals, being situated further back than in an\' other fish 

 that I have seen. They are longer and more conspicuous 

 than in the species just described. The animal has the gen- 



1 Synopsis of the Fishes of North America, Jordan & Gilbert. 



