333 

 4. Avocettina Jordan 8: Davis. 



(JORDAN & DAVIS, Report for 1888 U.S. Fish Comm. 1892, p. 655). 



Exceedingly elongate, band-shaped, tail tapering into a point. 

 Height of body in its anterior third much less than in its 

 second third. Anus far behind pectorals. Origin of dorsal imme- 

 diately behind the origin of the pectorals, that of anal imme- 

 diately behind vent. Head nearly as deep as broad. Posterior 



Fig. 161. Avocettina infans (Gthr). X 4 /5- 



nostrils near upper border of eye and close to anterior nostrils, 

 which are tubulate. Eye moderate, without orbital margin. 

 Snout produced into a long, slender bill, which is curved 

 upwards ! ) and longer than the lower jaw, which is curved 

 downwards ') and even as the snout at its top provided with a 

 knoblike, denticulated intumescens. Teeth on jaws and vomer 



Fig. 162. Avocettina infans (Gthr.). X 2 - 



close set, with the point directed backward. Tongue not free. 

 No scales; lateral line formed by one series of pores. Gill- 

 openings rather wide, with a narrow interspace where the 

 gillmembrane is fastened to isthmus. 



Distribution: Bathypelagic (600 4573 M.). Atlantic, 

 Indie and Pacific. 



i) See note on page 326. 



