CHARACTERISTIC DEEP-SEA TYPES. FISHES. 35 



(Fig. 220) has been taken at the surface (dead), and also in the 

 trawl at various depths from 335 to 1,000 fathoms, by the 

 "Blake," "Albatross," and "Talisman." It has a luminous 



Fig. 220. Malacosteus niger. 



body under the eyes, and is possibly a form belonging to the 

 intermediate depths of the ocean. 



Characteristically abyssal is a familiar fish of our own coast, 

 Synaphobranchus pinnatus (Fig. 221), ranging from 239 to 

 1,200 fathoms. Next come the Nemichthyidae, popularly called 

 the " snipe eels," exceedingly elongate, feebly finned forms, 

 with the jaws prolonged and bill-like. Nemichthys scolopaceus 

 (Fig. 222) occurs along our coast in 306 to 1,047 fathoms. 

 Another typical genus living in considerable depths is Netta- 

 stoma, represented by Nettastoma procerum (Fig. 223), a new 

 species taken by the " Blake " in 178 to 955 fathoms. 



Some of the deep-sea fishes must find it most difficult to sup- 

 ply themselves with food. Such types as the astonishing Eury- 

 pharynx, discovered by the " Talisman," and its American ally, 

 Gastrostomus Bairdii (Fig. 224), seem to meet the problem of 

 foraging by a policy of masterly inactivity. Water and the food 

 it contains pour into the mouth and the enormous cavity be- 

 hind it, which is formed both above and below by the lateral 

 folds of the head and of the anterior part of the body, consti- 

 tuting a huge pouch, capable of great expansion. The head 

 thus becomes an immense funnel, the body of the fish being its 

 shank. Perhaps the process of digestion is carried on in part 

 in this pouch. 



This fish undoubtedly lives in the soft ooze of the bottom, its 

 head alone protruding, ready to ingulf any approaching prey. 

 Its fins are atrophied, and the power of locomotion of this 

 strange animal must be reduced to a minimum. The structure 

 of the lateral line as described by Ryder is unique. There 



