424 Messrs. E. W. L. Holt and L. W. r>ynie on 



it caught some bottom-living Crustacea, and may have been 

 practically on the ocean- floor when it extended its hospitality 

 to Lyconus. 



This specimen appears to us to be clearly distinguishable 

 specifically from that described by Giinther, and may be 

 diagnosed as follows : — 



Lyconus hrachycolus, sp. n. 



Head contained about 5^ times in total length without 

 caudal fin^ rather com])ressed, about twice as long as broad, 

 and as deep as its length without tlie snout. Eye 4 times in 

 head, slightly shorter than the snout, the length of which is 

 pubequal to the width of the nearly flat interorbital space. 

 The extremity of the snout is blunt and abrupt, with a median 

 prominence in front of the eyes. From the snout the dorsal 

 profile rises gently to the origin of the dorsal fin, which is 

 opposite the origin of the pectorals and a little in front of the 

 origin of the ventrals ; the height of the body at the base of 

 tlie pectorals is slightly less than double its width at the same 

 point and about | of tiie length of the head. 



Mouth terminal, jaws subequal, gape slightly oblique, 

 hinder extremity of maxilla behind vertical from eye. 



Pra^maxilla with 1 (or 2 closely apposed) fang anteriorly, 

 but at some distance from the symphysis, followed by about 

 15 smaller shurj) teeth in a single diminishing series. Man- 

 dible with 1 or 2 small teeth near the symphysis, followed by 

 2 fangs, separated by about 3 smaller sharp teeth, the second 

 fang followed by about 3 smaller teeth, of which the last 

 may be nearly as large as the second fang. The prajmaxillary 

 fang smaller than the anterior mandibular fang. Vomer with 

 about 4 teeth on either side. 



Pectoral fin with a narrow base and 13 rays, the longest 

 rays extending about halfway to origin of anal, about § 

 as long as head ; ventral set a little behind pectoral, with y 

 rays, the longest about § the length of the longest pectoral 

 rays. None of the rays of either fin truly filamentous. 

 Doisal fin commencing opposite pectoral, with about 210 

 rather long and slender rays, continuous tluoughout as to 

 fiu-nienibrane and spacing of rays, but showing indication 

 of subdivision by inflection of outline (reduction in length of 

 rays) at the tenth ray ; the first four rays (broken in type) 

 j)ossibly somewhat produced. Anal fin with rays shorter 

 than the corresponding rays of dorsal. ISUin delicate and 

 rather loose; scales rather :?mall, thin, cycloid, present every- 

 where except on jaws, underside of head, and fins ; transverse 



