48 



THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S, CHALLENGER. 



embedded in the skin. Lateral line rather wide, continuous. One dorsal fin ; ventrals 

 jugular ; the lower pectoral rays branched. Teeth in the jaws in villiform bands ; none 

 on the vomer or the palatine bones. Opercles unarmed ; ten branchiostegals ; the gill- 

 membranes free from the isthmus and but slightly united in front. Air-bladder none. 

 Gills four ; pseudobranchi^e none ; gill-rakers short. 



Bathydraco antarcticus (PI. VIII. fig. A). 



Bathydraco antarcticus, Giinth., Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 1878, vol. ii. p. 18. 

 D. 36. A. 31. P. 23. V. ^. 



The greatest depth of the body is only one-third of the length of the head, which is 

 one-third of the total length (without caudal); the large eye occupies nearly the middle of 

 the length of the head, and is about one- fourth of its length. The entire upper surface 

 of the head is naked, but the cheeks and opercles are covered with small scales like the 

 body. The dorsal fin commences at a distance from the occiput, which is considerably 

 less than the distance of the occiput from the snout ; this fin is highest in front and 

 very low behind, terminating at some distance from the caudal fin. The origin of the anal 

 is opposite to the tenth dorsal ray. Caudal truncated ; pectoral fin very broad, with the 

 hind margin truncated and extending to the origin of the anal. Light coloured above ; 

 lower parts and gill-apertures black. 



This genus is clearly allied to Chcenichthys; its habitat at a great depth is evidenced 

 by the diminished proportion of earthy matter in the bones of the skull ; by its large 

 eyes, wide muciferous channels, and coloration. 



Habitat. — South of Heard Island, Station 152 ; depth, 1260 fathoms. 



lines 



V 



Aphritis, C. V. 

 Aphritis gohio. 



Aphritis gohio, Giinth., Report on the Shore Fishes, Zool. ChaU. Exp., pt. vi. p). 21, pl.jix. 

 Habitat. — Southern coasts of South America, from surface to 147 fathoms. 

 Near Magellan Strait, Station 307; depth, 140 fathoms. One specimen. 



