I6;s 



which the tvpes are preserved in the British Museum. The 

 number of teeth is about the same in all three, but xV. aimccteus 

 differs from N. scxspinis in the series of dorsal spines beginning 

 just above the vent, in this respect agreeing with the definition 

 of the genus Gigliolia of Goode.and Bean. But I can find no 

 justification for this genus, since the second character on which 

 it was founded, viz., the absence of an upper labial fold, is 

 shared by N. sexspliiis, which is besides more nearly related to 

 .Y. aimccteus than the latter is to N . iiiosclcvi, a species with a 

 less pointed snout, a much shorter body, more numerous anal 

 spines and larger seniles (i6 between the first dorsal spine and the 

 lateral line and 32 between the latter and the vent). The dis- 

 covery of N. annectens thus disposes of the generic distinction 

 proposed by the American authors. I may add that the shape 

 of the snout of the new species is intermediate between that of 

 X. scxspinis and that of N. iiiosclcyi. 



Procured 40 miles off the Cape Peninsula (Table Mountain 

 bearing N. 79° E.) ; depth, 250 fathoms ; bottom, green sand. 



Tripterophycis, gen. nov.* 



Body elongate, compressed, much attenuate posteriorly, with 

 very short praeanal region, covered with small smooth scales. 

 Head short ; eye large ; nostrils close together, close to the eye ; 

 mouth moderate, jaws wnth a single series of small, closely set, 

 truncate, compressed teeth ; palate toothless ; a mental barbel. 

 Seven branchiostegal rays. Three dorsal fins, the first very 

 small and on the nape, the second short and deep, behind the 

 vertical of the vent, the third elongate and low, widely sepa- 

 rated from the second and nearly reaching the caudal. A single 

 anal fin, measuring more than three fourths the total length. 

 Caudal fin small, but distnict from dorsal and anal. Ventrals 

 reduced, with narraw base, composed of five rays, the two outer 

 of which are prolonged and filamentous. 



This new genus occupies an isolated position in the Phycine 

 group of the Gadidae, being the only one to combine a tripai- 

 tite dorsal fin with a single anal. 



Tripicr.-iphxcis Gilcliristi. 

 (Plate XII.) 

 Depth of body slightly greater than length of head, six times 

 in total length. Head once and a half as long as broad, covered 

 with scales above and on the sides, the scales largest on the inter- 

 ocular region and occiput ; snout rounded, scarcely projecting 

 beyond the mouth, shorter than the eye, the diameter of which 



*Scc also " Annals and Mai^aziiic of Xatiiral Hisloiy," Sec. 7, Vol. IX., j\Jay' 

 ICJ02. 



