412 THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 



Kerguelen. Three strata of clouds were noticed during the day, the upper stationary, 

 the middle floating from the northwest, and the lower from the north. 



On the 9th, the northerly wind gradually decreased, until at noon it was nearly calm. 

 Shortly after a slight southeast wind sprang up, the sea being smooth, the weather cloudy 

 in the forenoon, but fairly clear in the afternoon, the barometer steady at 29'887 inches ; 

 mean temperature of the air 51°"2, of the surface water 50°'6 ; position at noon, 

 lat. 58° 18' S., long. 130° 4' E. 



On the 1 0th, the wind continuing light from the eastward, the barometer falling, the 

 weather dark, gloomy, and misty, advantage was taken of the smooth sea and the light 

 breeze to sound, trawl, and obtain temperatures. The depth was 2150 fathoms, Globi- 

 gerina ooze; bottom temperature 34°'5, Station 159 (see Sheet 24). The trawl when 

 hove to the surface contained some shrimps and fishes, but apparently had not reached 

 the bottom. One of the fishes belonged to a new genus, thus described by Dr 

 Gimther : — 



Echiostoma. — " The fishes of the family Stomiatidse, to which this genus belongs, are 

 armed with formidable teeth, a certain indication of their voracity and predaceous habits. 



Fig. 157. — Echiostoma micripnus, Giinther ; 2150 fathoms. 



Their elongate body is covered with a smooth, scaleless skin of an intensely black colour. 

 The vertical fins are close together, near the end of the tail, as in the pike, forming a 

 powerful propeller, by a single stroke of which these fishes are enabled to dart with great 

 rapidity to a considerable distance. A long filament is suspended from below the chin, 

 and, as it is frequently fringed at its extremity, it evidently serves as a lure for other 

 fishes or animalculae. Series of luminous globular bodies run along the lower half of the 

 body and tail, and some others of larger size occupy the side of the head, generally below 

 the eye or behind the maxillary bone. The species figured has, besides, the lower pectoral 

 ray prolonged and detached ; it probably acts as an organ of touch." 



The specimen was 16 inches in length. The end of the barbel, which was thickened, 

 was flesh-colour with a rose tint ; there was also a rose tint on the dorsal and anal fins. 

 The rest of the animal was of a dark colour with a perceptible slate-coloured tint. The 

 phosphorescent spots along the belly and radial and lateral line were red, as was also that 

 below the eye. 



At 4 p.m. sail was made to double-reefed topsails and courses in anticipation of a gale ; 

 the wind was easterly working to the northward, force 4 ; drizzly, misty weather; 



