84 Description of a Fish resembling the Stylephorus. 



this inconsiderable head proceeded the vertebral column, which 

 in its progress to the tail gradually tapered away, and seem- 

 ed to lose its bones and joints, and to be converted into a sort 

 of tough and grisly appendage. 



There was no appearance of ribs. 



There were two gill-openings, one on each side of the neck 

 below, resembling slits, about an inch and a half long. The 

 gills themselves are situated within the duplicatures of the 

 openings in three bundles or divisions, suspended by mem- 

 branes and skin. 



The skin was smooth and scaleless, and susceptible of be- 

 ing easily moved and pinched up, like that of some species of 

 Lophius. 



From the head a whitish line extended on each side of the 

 back, as far as its bony constitution could be traced. Two 

 similar stripes, one on each side, proceed from the vent back- 

 ward to the tail, but they are less distinct, and disappeared 

 sooner. Between the former is situated the dorsal fin ; be- 

 tween the latter, the anal fin. 



The dorsal fin begins about eleven inches from the tip of 

 the upper jaw, 'and reaches like a fillet or narrow riband, 

 quite to the tail, and at its extremity joined the anal. 



The anal fin commenced just behind the vent, and was con- 

 tinued also quite to the tail, and there joined the dorsal. 



The caudal fin was so faint or indistinct, that I have hardly 

 thought it worthy of notice. I ought to remark, however, 

 that several hair-like rays may be distinguished. The rays of 

 these were very numerous, but it was impossible to count 

 them. 



Thus the dorsal and anal fins are united with each other, or 

 are connected with the caudal. 



The pectoral fins are situated immediately behind the gill 

 openings. They are very small and feeble, of a squarish 

 shape, and from one bait* to one quarter of an inch Jong, 



