REPORT ON THE DEEP-SEA FISHES. 23 



prEeoperculum, which is also very short. A l)lack baud along each of the caudal lobes 

 and another in front of the soft dorsal and anal fins. 



The two typical specimens, of which one, 4 inches long, was found near the Great 

 Barrier Island (New Zealand), seem still to be the only ones known. 



TracMchthys fernandezianiis, n. sp. 



D. ^, A. ^, L. lat. ca. 85.i 



The height of the body is contained twice and three-fourths in the total length, 

 without caudal, the length of the head thrice. Bones of the head deeply sculptured as 

 in the other species of the genus. Eye two-fifths of the length of the head. The 

 suprascapulary spine is nearly of the same size as that of the prseoperculum. Scales 

 studded with minute spines. Abdominal scutes ten. Spines of the fins moderately 

 strong ; and also the rudimentary outer rays of the caudal fin are modified into spines. 

 The dorsal spines increase in length posteriorly, the length of the last being two-sevenths 

 of that of the head. Pectoral fin not extending to the anal. Body with a coppery tinge ; 

 fins yellowish. 



Two specimens, preserved in a dry state, were contained in the series of Chilian fish in 

 the London Exhibition of 1884, and presented by the Chilian Government to the British 

 Museum. They were stated to have been captured at Juan Fernandez, and are 5 inches long. 



# 



TracMchthys traillii (PI. L^^ fig. A). 



TracMchthys traillii, Button, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 1875, vol. xvi. p. 315; or Trans. New 

 Zeal. Inst., vol. viii. p. 212. 

 „ „ Arthur, Trans. New Zeal. Inst., 1885, vol. xvii. \\ 162, pi. xiv. fig. 2. 



D. xV A. xV V. I. L. lat. 95 (118). Ccec. pyl. 11. 



The height of the body is contained twice and one-third in the total length (without 

 caudal), the length of the head thrice. The bones on the upper side of the head deeply 

 sculptured, the anterior ridges terminating in a pair of small rostral spines projecting 

 above the mouth. Eye one-third of the length of the head. Suprascapulary and oper- 

 cular spines subequal in length. The four anterior dorsal spines are shorter than, and the 

 fifth is nearly equal to, the diameter of the eye. Scales rough, ctenoid, irregularly 

 arranged. Abdominal scutes eleven. The ventrals nearly reach as far back as the 

 pectorals, which, however, do not reach the anal fin. Fins yellowish. 



The specimen from Otago described and figured here, shows a very extraordinary, 

 and probably abnormal position of the vent, which is placed between the ventral fins, in 

 front (and not, as usual, behind) the series of abdominal scutes (fig. a). 



1 The exact number of the scales cannot be ascertained, both specimens being dried and thickly covered with varnish- 



