REPORT ON THE DEEP-SEA FISHES. 121 



The integument of the abdomen is loose, and forms a double fold in the median line, 

 which, however, extends only to about the middle of the length of the abdomen. The 

 vent and genital openings project as thick papUlse. 



The vertical fin is continuous, and supported throughout by extremely numerous, 

 densely set, fine cartilaginous rays ; it commences immediately behind the vertical from 

 the root of the pectoral, and is continued round the tail to the vent. Pectoral with a 

 broad base, and thirty-three fine rays, rounded, more than half as long as the head. 

 Ventral filaments stoutish, with a narrow fringe of skin, as long as the pectorals. 



Transparent, colourless, like a Leptocephalus. 



Habitat. — Between north-east Australia and New Guinea, Station 184; depth, 1400 

 fathoms. One specimen, 5^ inches long. 



Mr. Murray ^ mentions that three specimens were obtained of this fish. However, on 

 closer inspection, one only of these three specimens proved to be an Aphyonus, the two 

 others belonging to difi'erent genera. 



Rhodichthys. 

 ^~~~~~^ Rhodichthys, Collett, Norsk. Nordh. Exped. Fisk., p. 153. 



Head thick, body and tad strongly compressed, the latter tapering behind, enveloped 

 in a thin, transparent, scaleless skin. Vent immediately behind the humeral symphysis. 

 Snout swollen, overlapping the wide mouth. A few series of weak teeth in the jaws, 

 none on the vomer or palate. Eye of moderate size. Ventrals reduced to two filaments, 

 each bifid, and inserted on the hyoid. Vertical fins continuous, but with caudal rays 

 difierentiated. Gill-openings very wide. Pyloric appendages ten. 



Rhodichthys regina. 



Rhodichthys regina, Collett, Norsk. NordL Exped. Fisk., p. 154, pi. v. 



Ventral filaments long. Uniform bright red during life. 



Habitat— A. single example, nearly 12 inches long, was obtained by the Norwegian 

 expedition in the sea between Bear Island, Jan Mayen, and Finmark, from a depth of 

 1280 fathoms. 



» Narr. Chall. Exp., vol. i. p. 521. 



(ZOOL. CHALL. EXP. — PAET LVII. — 1886.) L^l ^6 



