BOTHIDAE 361 



Genus Lepidopsetta, Giinther 

 Giinther, 1880, Shore Fishes 'Challenger', p. 18. 



Lepidopsetta maculata, Giinther. 



Giinther, 1880, t.c. p. 18, pi. xxx, iig. C. 



St. WS 218. 2. vi. 28. 45° 45' 00" S, 59° 35' 00" W. Commercial otter trawl, 311-247 m.: 

 dark sand, i specimen, 238 mm. 



Depth of body 2| to 2^ in the length, length of head about 3^ . Upper profile of head 

 a little notched in front of eyes. Snout shorter than eye, diameter of which is 3 to 35 

 in length of head ; eyes separated by a very narrow scaly space, the lower in advance of 

 upper, which is close to edge of head; upper parts of both eyes densely scaled. Jaws 

 about equally developed on both sides ; the maxillary extending to below anterior part 

 of eye, length | or more than | that of head ; lower jaw not projecting, its length about 

 2 in head; teeth more developed on blind side; small, conical, uniserial in both jaws; 

 no teeth on the vomer. Gill-rakers rather short and stout, about 12 on lower part of 

 anterior arch. Scales ctenoid on both sides of body, 114 to 120 in lateral line. Lateral 

 line well developed on both sides of body, nearly straight. Dorsal 118-119; origin 

 behind posterior nostril of blind side and just in front of eye ; highest rays about | length 

 of head. Anal 97-98 ; tip of first interhaemal spine not projecting. No pectorals. Pelvic 

 fin of ocular side with 7 rays, elongate, situated on median line of body; that of blind 

 side with 5 rays, short-based, lateral in position, its first ray opposite to fourth of right 

 pelvic; both pelvic fins free from anal. Caudal with 2/15/2 rays, rounded; caudal 

 peduncle very short. Brownish; head, body and fins covered with irregular rounded 

 darker spots and blotches. 



Described from two specimens, 134 and 238 mm. in total length, the smaller being 

 the holotype of the species. 



Hab. Near Prince Edward's Island; South Atlantic, north of the Falkland Islands. 



Genus Achiropsetta, gen. nov. 



Body rather elongate; the middle portion fairly thick and muscular, continued above 

 and below as a thin, semi-transparent region containing the supports of the fins. Eyes 

 on the left side, separated by a flat scaly space. Mouth rather small ; jaws and dentition 

 about equally developed on both sides; teeth very small, pointed, not enlarged an- 

 teriorly ; apparently uniserial in both jaws ; palate toothless. Gill-rakers short and stout. 

 Dorsal fin commencing above posterior nostril of blind side and in advance of upper 

 eye ; all the rays simple and scaled on both sides ; dorsal and anal ending very close to 

 base of caudal. No pectorals. Pelvic fin of ocular side elongate, median anteriorly, 

 twisted on to left side of body posteriorly; that of blind side with shorter base, lateral. 

 Scales very small, ctenoid, the long spinules directed vertically, giving the skin a pilose 

 appearance; upper surfaces of both eyes densely scaled. Lateral line well developed on 

 both sides of body, nearly straight. 



