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



This species is clearly one of those in this family which extend to the greatest 

 depths. The decrease in the size of the eye, the very soft bones, the concomitant want of 

 firmness in the structure of the scales, and the tail, which tapers into a very fine filament, 

 indicate its abyssal abode. The scales are nearly all gone in all the specimens obtained. 

 The species appears to be abundant in individuals, and has, like a true deep-sea fish, a 

 wide distribution. 



Macrurus microlepis. 



Coryphxnoides microlepis, Giinth., Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 1878, voL xs. p. 26. 



D. 12. V. 10. 



Snout short, obliquely truncated, slightly projecting beyond the mouth; eye exceeding 

 in length that of the snout and the width of the interorbital space. Head much com- 

 pressed, high. The cleft of the mouth does not quite extend to below the middle of the eye. 

 Teeth of the outer series visibly stronger than the remainder. Barbel as long as the eye. 



Scales small, cycloid. There are thiiteen scales in a transverse series between the 

 first dorsal fin and the lateral line. Second dorsal spine armed in front with [distant] 

 barbs; the distance between the two dorsal fins equals the length of the head, without 

 snout. [Trunk very short.] Outer ventral ray slightly prolonged. [Head and body 

 dotted with brown.] 



Habitat. — Ofi' Matuku, Fiji Islands, Station 173; depth, 315 fathoms. One specimen, 

 4 inches long. 



Although it must appear hazardous to describe a Macruroid from a single young 

 example, I can hardly hesitate to do so in the present instance, the species being well 

 characterised by its compressed head, small scales, &c. Some of the characters mentioned 

 are probably only signs of the immaturity of the individual, and have been enclosed within 

 brackets. 



Subgenus Trachonurus. 



Macrurus villosus (PL XXXVI. fig. B). 



Coryphsenoides villosus, Giintli., Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 1877, vol. xx. p. 441. 



D. 10. P. 13. V. 7. 



Head compressed, with vertical sides. Snout compressed, very slightly projecting 

 beyond the mouth, short, not longer than the eye, which is of moderate size, one-fourth 

 of the length of the head. Interorbital space broader than the eye. Mouth rather 

 small, lateral, not extending to below the centre of the eye. Infraorbital ridge 



