396 Zoological Society. 



Fam. EsociD^. 



Gen. EcHiosTOMA, nob. 



Char. Gen. — Corpus elongatum anguilliforme nudum. Caput ser- 

 pentiforme, oculis magnis, rostro brevissimo obtuso, rictu magno 

 longe diducto, mandibulte inferioris symphysi barbulifero. Denies 

 conferti nuraerosi aciculares recurvi inaequales, quibusdara prae- 

 longis ; intermaxillaribus vomere palatinis linguaque arraatis. 

 Apertura branchialis ampla. Opercula plana simplicia inermia. 

 Pinncc pectorales jugulares rudimentales pauci-radiatae (s. quadri- 

 radlatse), prima superiore distincta (in filamentum longissime pro- 

 ducta), tribus inferioribus brevibus membrana subcoalitis: ventrales 

 abdominales (ad medium corporis sitae octo-radiatse) : dorsali anali- 

 que parvis oppositis posticis, caudali parvo lunato-furcato sub- 

 rudimentali approximatis. 



EcHIOSTOMA BARBATUM. 



D. 15 ; A. 18 ; P. 1 + 3 ; V. 8 ; C. \^^' 



Stomias barbatus, Cuv. R. An. ii. 283, 284 } 



This is very probably the fish briefly noticed by Cuvier under the 

 above synonym. But it seems, at all events, sufficiently distinct 

 generically from the Esox or Stomias Boa of Risso (Hist. iii. 440. 

 f. 40), vt'ith vi^hich Cuvier associates it; but which, besides having 

 other differences indicative of generic distinction, is figured by Risso 

 as covered with large scales, like a Microstoma or Chauliodus. Nor 

 can I find any trace of the Madeiran fish in Risso*, or in any other 

 work to which I have access. It may therefore be considered one 

 of no less rarity than singularity of characters and aspect ; linking 

 the Esocidce with the Munenidce, and indeed partaking more of the 

 habit, form and colouring of the latter tribe than of the former. 



A single example only has been taken in a net close in shore, 

 measuring thirteen inches and a quarter long. It was wholly devoid 

 of silver spots but had two rather conspicuous rows of pale pore- 

 like dots low down on the sides, and a most singular rose-coloured, 

 jiear-shaped spot, placed obliquely beneath and a little behind the 

 eye, at the bottom of the cheek. This soon faded to white in 

 spirits. The whole body was an uniform dark chocolate-brown, 

 punctate with black dots disposed in bands or figures. The single 

 beard is thick or broad and subcartilaginous, equalling in length the 

 depth of the head. The opercles are of the usual strength and 

 structure. 



Fam. Salmonid^. 



Gen. AuLOPus, Cuv. 

 • Saurus Lacerta (Risso), Syn. p. 188, is certainly an Aulopus ; and 

 notwithstanding the larger number (15-17) of its branchial rays, 

 is also probably the A. filamentosus of Cuvier (Reg. An. xi. 315). 



* Cuvier speaks of liis Stomias barbatus being equally with Stomias Boa 

 a discovery of M. Risso's ; but 1 can find no trace of the former fish in his 

 ' Histoire,' or, as Cuvier cites it, the second edition of his ' Ichthyology.' 



