REPORT ON THE DEEP-SEA FISHES. 255 



the root of the pectoral, while the anal arises not much nearer the snout than the end 

 of the tail. The pectorals are considerably shorter than the snout." 



One specimen, the size of which is not stated, was obtained by the U.S. steamer 

 " Albatross " in the Atlantic ; lat. 38° 30' N., long. 69° 0' W. 



Synaphobranchus brevidorsalis, n. sp. (PI. LXIII. fig. C). 



Mouth and dentition as in Synaphobranchus pinnatus. Gill-openings in a single 

 slit, in advance of the pectoral fins. Eye of moderate size, one-half the length of the 

 pointed snout. The length of the body is less than one-half of that of the tail ; root 

 of the pectoral fin much nearer to the end of the snout than to the vent. The dorsal 

 fin commences so far behind the vent, that the distance between its origin from the 

 vent equals the length of the head. Pectoral of moderate length, two-fifths of the 

 length of the head. Scales rudimentary, rounded, imbedded in the skin, extending 

 over the cheeks. Anal higher than dorsal. Dark brown. 



Habitat. — North of New Guinea, Station 218 ; depth, 1070 fathoms. One 

 specimen, 23 inches long. 



Hyalonema ground, oflf Japan, Station 232 ; depth, 345 fathoms. One specimen, 

 17^ inches long. 



Group S a c c p h a r y n g i n a, Gthr. 

 Saccopharynx. 



Saccopliarijnx, MitchiU, Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. New York, vol. i., 1824, p. 82, 



„ Giintk, Fish., vol. viii. p. 22. 



Ophiognathus, Harwood, Phil. Trans., 1827, p. 277. 

 Eurypharynx, Vaillant, Comptes rendus, 1882, vol. xcv. p. 1226. 

 Gastrostonuts, Gill and Eyder, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. vi., 1884, p. 271. 



Deep-sea eels, characterised as such by a combination of the Mura)noid characters 

 with a specifically bathybial modification of the osseous and muscular systems, of which 

 the former is wanting in inorganic matter, whUst the latter is but very feebly developed, 

 except in the parts which have to perform the function of deglutition. To enable them 

 to seize upon prey more powerful than themselves, certain organs have undergone a 

 degree of specialisation, as is observed in bathybial members of other families with a 

 similar mode of life; the jaws are exceedingly elongate, and the whole gape, the pharynx 

 and stomach capable of extraordinary distension. The head is of enormous size, with 

 short cranial portion ; the trunk of moderate extent, with the vent at its end ; the tail 



