^""iriuo"'] PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 51 



1. Myctophum nanuochir sp. nov. 



Closely resembling M. cngraulis in appearance, differing in the pos- 

 terior insertion of both rayed and adi^iose dorsal, and iu the color. 



Head 3^ to 3§ in length 5 depth 5. 



Eye large, longer than snont, 4 in head in young (3 inches long), 4J 

 iu head iu adults (5 inches long). luterorbital space wide, 3| iu head, 

 the ethmoidal ridge prominent, coutiunous backwards with the low 

 ridge on middle of occiput. Supraocular ridge prominent, expanded. 



Lower jaw included, the tip of mandible slightly projecting. Mouth 

 rather large, the maxillary not reaching the anterior margin of preo- 

 percle, I2 iu head. Maxillary sligbtly expanded at tip, its width less 

 than half diameter of pupil. Gill-rakers long and slender, 5 by 18 on 

 outer arch. 



Origin of dorsal nearer posterior margin of orbit than adipose fiu, 

 its base a trifle less than half head, the veut under its middle. Adi- 

 pose flu wholly behind base of aual, which is contained 1§ in length of 

 head. Pectorals very short and narrow, with about nine rays, not 

 reaching base of ventrals and less than one-third head. Ventrals in- 

 serted well in advance of dorsal, their distance from tip of snout 2^ in 

 length of body. 



D. 12 or 13 '; A. 15 or IG. Lat. 1. 35 or 36. 



Scales large, entire. 



Color : Grayish or blackish, the opercle jet-black. Caudal black at 

 base, the tins otherwise more or less dusky (translucent in the young) ; 

 a light area usually present on middle of ventrals. Commencing on 

 branchiostegal membranes, the j)hosphorescent spots are arranged in 

 two series near median ventral line, extending back to base of caudal. 

 Four pairs of spots in advance of ventral, seven j)airs between ven- 

 trals and anal, the series diverging posteriorly and terminating in a 

 spot above front of anal and immediately below lateral line. The se- 

 ries begins again at front of anal, along base of which are six or seven 

 pairs of spots; seven pairs along tail and four at base of lower caudal 

 lobe. A spot at angle of preopercle, three just behind shoulder girdle, 

 and four on sides midway between lateral line and ventral outline. 



Xo glandular spot in front of eye ; a large one occupying back of 

 tail and one below. 



Very abundant along the entire Pacific coast of the United States. 

 Specimens were secured at Stations 2925, 2048, 3071, and 3072, in from 

 266 to 685 fathoms. 



2. Myctophum mexicanum sp. nov. 



Body slender, the eye rather small, the snout comj^aratively acute. 



Depth, 5a in length ; head, 3^. Eye longer than snout, 4 to 4^- in 

 head: snout, 6i; interorbital width, 5. 



Ethmoidal ridge low, ending above middle of eye ; a shallow de- 

 pression behind it on occiiiut, the latter without ridge and not con- 



