Indian Deep-sea Dredging. 29 



length, wliicli is equal to the major diameter of the eye and 

 slightly exceeds the width of tlie flat interorbital space, is one 

 fourth that of the head. Nostrils superior, situated imme- 

 diately in front of the orbit, 



]\Iouth wide, oblique, with the upper jaw overlapping the 

 lower ; the maxilla reaches beyond tlie vertical tlirough tiie 

 middle of the orbit. Teeth villiform, in broadish bands in 

 tlie jaws only. 



liarbel stout, about as long as the eye. 



Gill-openings very wide. 



Body and head covered with a thick mucilaginous skin, 

 which is invested everywhere with small deciduous scales, of 

 which there appear to be six rows between the first dorsal fin 

 and the lateral line. Tiie dorsal and anal fins, which are 

 invested with a fold of tliick scaleless skin, extend to within 

 an eye-length of the caudal. The first dorsal, which is sepa- 

 rated from the second only by a notch, begins in the vertical 

 through the base of the pectoral ; its first ray is prolonged 

 and nearly equals the postrostral portion of the head in length. 

 The ventrals arise on flattened bases ; their outer ray is pro- 

 longed beyond the origin of the anal. The pointed pectorals 

 arise on oblique bases ; their length is not quite equal to that 

 of the prolonged ventral ray. 



The vent is situated well in advance of the origin of the 

 anal fin, and there is a small postanal papilla. A large air- 

 bladder exists, 



Colours in life uniform rose-red. 



One specimen, 7 inches long, from Station 115, 188 to 220 

 fathoms. 



Bregmaceros, Thompson. 



15. Bregmaceros^ sp. 



Numerous young specimens were obtained at Station 119, 

 In 95 fathoms. 



Family Ophidiidae. 

 MONOMITOPUS, Alcock. 



16. Monomitopus nigripinnis^ Alcock. 



Sirembo nigripinnis, Alcock, Anu. & Mag. Nat. Hist., Nov. 1889, p. 384. 

 Monomitopus nigripinnis, id. ibid. Oct. 1890, p. 297. 



One well-preserved specimen, 6^ inches long, from Station 

 112, 561 fathoms. 



