22 THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 



this genus belong to the deep-sea fauna, although the actual depth to which they may- 

 descend is known in one species only. The other species are known from one or 

 two individuals only, which were picked up in an exhausted condition floating on the 

 surface. 



The following are the species known of this genus : — 



Trachichthys australis. 



Traehichtliys australis, Shaw, Nat. Misc., p. 378. 

 „ ,, Giintli., Fish., i. p. 10. 



D 3 A 2-3 



Scales small and very rough ; eight or nine abdominal scutes. The height of the 

 body is a little more than one-half of its length, without caudal. Suprascapular spine 

 longer than that of the angle of the prseoperculum. A black band along each caudal 

 lobe, the anterior rays of the dorsal and anal fins black. 



Besides the diy typical specimen I have seen only one other, 2 inches long, which 

 also is stated to have come from Australia. 



Trachichthys jacJcsoniensis. 



Trachichthys australis, Castelnau, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., 1879, vol. iii. p. 364. 

 ,, jacksoniensis, IVTacleay, Tbid., vol. v. p. 511. 



I fully agree with Mr. Macleay that the fish described by Castelnau as Trachichthys 

 australis cannot be that species, provided that the characters are correctly stated. 

 But it is somewhat unfortunate that Mr. Macleay himself has not confirmed the more 

 important of Castelnau's statements. Castelnau states that his specimen had no teeth on 

 the palate ; if that be correct, the fish should be referred to Hoplostethiis. 



Scales rough ; abdominal scutes ten. The height of the body is rather more than 

 one-half of its length, without caudal. Fins coloured as in Trachichthys austixtlis. 



One specimen, 5^ inches long, was found in Port Jackson on the 19th of September 

 1877. 



Trachichthys elongatus (PI. V. fig. C). 



Trachichthys elongatus, Giinth., Fi.sh., i. p. 10. 



D. j^. A. f. L. lat. ca. 65. 



Eleven or twelve abdominal scutes ; the height of the body is one-third of its 

 length, without caudal ; suprascapulary spine very small, much smaller than that of the 



