EEPORT ON THE DEEP-SEA FISHES. 201 



The eye is large, but shorter than the snout and less than one-fourth of the length of the 

 head. 



Origin of the dorsal fin a little nearer to the extremity of the snout than to the root of 

 the caudal ; it is higher than long. The anal fin commences at some distance behind the 

 vent, which occupies a position midway between the ventrals and the anal, and somewhat 

 behind the vertical from the last dorsal ray. The anal fin is lower than the dorsal and 

 terminates close to the anterior rudimentary rays of the caudal fin. The adipose fin is a 

 small narrow lobe. Pectoral fin inserted close to the ventral profile, truncated behind, 

 and terminating at some distance from the ventral fin. Ventral fins inserted somewhat 

 behind the vertical from the origin of the dorsal fin, shorter than the pectorals, and 

 extending to the vent. 



This fish is colourless in spirits, but covered all over with brown pigment spots. 



The description is taken from a specimen, 6^ inches long, obtained near Nice. 



Omosudis, n. gen. 



Body oblong, compressed, naked ; head compressed, snout of moderate length, cleft 

 of the mouth very wide, intermaxillary and maxillary bones slender, the former with a 

 series of very small teeth of equal size, only one or two anterior ones being somewhat 

 enlarged ; the lower jaw, the vomer and palatine bones with a few very large and 

 lanceolate teeth. Lower jaw broad, and like the rest of the head formed of very thin 

 bone. The supraclavicle and postclavicles form a long rod extending from the occiput 

 on each side downwards to the abdomen, and partly free, not covered by skin. Ventral 

 fins inserted far behind the pectorals below the origin of the dorsal. Dorsal fin behind 

 the middle of the length of the body ; adipose fin very small ; anal fin long. Stomach 

 very distensible. Branchiostegals eight ; pseudobranchise well developed ; gills four, 

 with broad gill-laminse and very short gill-rakers. 



Omosudis lowii, n. sp. (PI. LII. figs. C, C). 



B. 8. D. 9. A. 14. P. 12. V. G. (?) 



The length of the head is two-sevenths of the total length, without caudal ; the 

 greatest depth of the body immediately behind the head is one-fifth of the total length. 

 The head is strongly compressed, with rather flat upper surface ; snout somewhat pointed, 

 rather longer than the eye, the diameter of which is one-third of the length of the head. 

 The bones of the head are extremely thin, the operculum being smaller than the suboper- 

 culum and supported by two or three ridges. The infraorbital ring is nearly membran- 

 aceous. Praeoperculum terminating below in a forked point. Cleft of the mouth 

 extending backwards to the angle of the prseoperculum. 



(ZOOL. CHALL. Exr. — PART LVII. — 1887.) Lll 26 



