60 Zoological Society : — 



measured ■& inch, and the longest teeth were less than ^th of an 

 inch in length. The rictus was l T 8 ^inch in depth. 



Thyrsoidea atlantica, sp. n. 



Anguilliform, compressed ; attenuate both ways from middle of 

 body. Skin smooth, scaleless, white, with one dusky oval blotch on 

 one side of body, and two or three such blotches on the other side, 

 unsymmetrically placed. The longer axis of these blotches is from 

 one-third to one-half an inch across. On the fins near the posterior 

 extremity of the body are several similar blotches. 



A single specimen of this Eel has occurred, the dimensions of 

 which are embodied in this description. 



Total length 23 inches; depth 1-^ inch, taken about an inch in 

 advance of the vent. 



Head compressed, rising behind the eyes ; depth through head 

 and swollen throat, lj 4 ^ inch. Eyes covered with skin, placed a little 

 in advance of the middle of the upper jaw, rather less than one-fifth 

 of an inch in diameter. Hinder nostril-tubes shorter than anterior, 

 placed a little in front of the vertical from the anterior orbit of eye. 

 Front nostril-tubes reaching a little beyond lip. Mouth cleft rather 

 more than an inch deep. Jaws rather slender, somewhat curved, 

 and not capable of shutting closely on account of the length of the 

 front teeth and the curvature of the jaws. Lower jaw a little longer 

 than the upper, without a barbel. Teeth in both jaws slender, 

 pointed, somewhat compressed, curving backwards. In the upper 

 jaw there are two rows at each side, those of the inner row being 

 longer. A row of seven teeth along the middle of the palate. The 

 longest teeth in the jaw are rather more than one-fifth of an inch in 

 length. In the lower jaw there is a single row at each side ; in front 

 there appear to be two rows. Gill-clefts -fa inch long, narrow, 

 placed about the middle of the sides, a little posterior to commence- 

 ment of dorsal fin, and 2^ inches from snout. The dorsal fin com- 

 mences at the nape, 2^ inches from snout, is lower in front than 

 behind, and unites with the caudal fin, like the anal fin, without a 

 break. Vent about 9 inches from tip of mandible, in anterior half 

 of body. Anal fin commences near vent, and is very low at first. 

 All the fins are covered with skin like that of the body. 



The specimen was taken in the sea near Madeira, in the month of 

 June 1859, and has been deposited in the British Museum. 



Fam. Synaphobranchid^e. 

 Synaphobranchus, gen. nov. 



Dorsal, anal, and caudal fins united. Pectoral fins present. Gill- 

 openings in close proximity on the under side of the body, having a 

 single external aperture, with an internal dividing membrane. 

 Branchiae four. A row of acute teeth in each jaw, with an external 

 band of minute teeth. Teeth on the vomer and on the mesial line 

 of the palate. Scales on the skin. 



This genus forms the type of a new family of Malacopterygian 



