SCOPELID^. 583 



very wide, with the lower jaw projecting; intermaxilLary very long, 

 styliform, tapering, not movable. Teeth in the jaws, in broad 

 bands, not covered by lips, curved, unequal in size and barbed at 

 the end. A series of similar teeth runs along the whole length of 

 each side of the palate. Eye of moderate size, lateral. Pectoral 

 of moderate length. Ventral eight-rayed, inserted immediately 

 behind the pectoral. Dorsal fin in the middle of the length of 

 the body, with about eighteen rays. Adipose fin absent or pre- 

 sent. Anal of moderate length. Caudal emarginate. 



Deep-sea fishes, obtained in the Pacific at depths varying 

 from 1100 to 2400 fathoms. The largest example is twenty 

 inches long. Two species. 



Bathypterois. — Shape of the body like that of an Aulopus. 

 Head of moderate size, depressed in front, with the snout pro- 

 jecting, the large mandible very prominent beyond the upper 

 jaw. Cleft of the mouth wide ; maxillary developed, very mov- 

 able, much dilated behind. Teeth in narrow villiform bands in 

 the jaws. On each side of the broad vomer a small patch of 

 similar teeth ; none on the palatines or on the tongue. Eye very 

 small. Scales cycloid, adherent, of moderate size. Eays of the 

 pectoral fin much elongated, some of the upper being separate 

 from the rest, and forming a distinct division. Ventrals ab- 

 dominal, with the outer rays prolonged, eight-rayed. Dorsal fin 

 inserted in the middle of the body, above or immediately behind 

 the root of the ventral, of moderate length. Adipose fin present 

 or absent. Anal short. Caudal forked. 



This very singular form is one of the discoveries of the 

 "Challenger;" it is widely distributed over the seas of the 

 Southern Hemisphere, in depths varying from 520 to 2600 

 fathoms. The elongate pectoral rays are most probably 

 organs of touch. Pour species were discovered, the largest 

 specimen being thirteen inches long. 



Harpodon. — Body elongate, covered with very thin, dia- 

 phanous, deciduous scales. Head thick, with very short snout ; 

 its bones are very soft, and the superficial ones are modified into 

 wide muciferous cavities ; the lateral canal of the body is also 



