434 FISHES. 



istics of a deep-sea fish ; it resembles mucli Lcpidopus, but 

 has some long rays in the ventrals. Other Eocene genera 

 are Nemopteryjc and Xiphoptcrus. In the IMiocene of Licata 

 in Sicily Trichmridce are well represented, viz. by a species 

 of Lepidopus, and by two genera, Hcmitliyrsites and Trichiu- 

 richthys, which are allied to Thyrsites and Trichiurus, but 

 covered with scales. 



The following is a complete list of the genera referred to 

 tliis family : — 



Nealotus. — Body incompletely clothed with delicate scales. 

 Small teeth in the jaws and on the palatine bones ; none on the 

 vomer. Two dorsal fins, the first continuous and extending to 

 the second ; finlets behind the second and anal fins. Each 

 ventral fin represented by a single small spine. A dagger-shaped 

 spine behind the vent. Caudal fin well developed. 



One specimen only of this fish {N. tripes), 10 inches long, 

 has been obtained off ]\Iadeira ; it evidently lives at a con- 

 siderable depth, and comes to the surface only by accident. 



Nesiarchus. — Body covered with small scales. Several strong 

 fangs in the jaws ; no teeth on the palate. First dorsal not ex- 

 tending to the second. No detached finlets. Ventrals small, 

 but perfectly developed, thoracic. Caudal fin present. A 

 dagger-shaped spine behind the vent. 



A rather large fish {N. nasutus), very rarely found in the 

 sea off Madeira. The two or three specimens found hitherto 

 measure from three to four feet in length. Probably living 

 at the same depth as the preceding genus. 



Aphanopus. — Scales none. Two very long dorsal fins; 

 caudal well developed ; ventrals none. A strong dagger-shaped 

 spine behind the vent. Strong teeth in the jaws ; none on the 

 palate. 



One species only is known, named A. carho from its coal- 

 black colour ; it is evidently a deep-sea fish, very rarely ob- 

 tained in the sea off Madeira. Upwards of four feet long. 



EuoxYMETOPON. — Body naked, very long and thin. Profile 



