new Species of Viviparous Fish. 145 
of attachment of the pectoral rays; it and the anal are con- 
tinuous with the caudal. 
The pointed pectorals are not much more than one third 
the length of the head, and the ventrals are still shorter. 
The ventrals, which are inserted less than an eye-length 
behind the pectoral symphysis, consist on each side of a single 
ray, which, however, has its surface fluted, as if it were made 
up of several rays bound together and fused. 
The stomach is siphonal; the intestine is in three long 
folds, and, as in D. brachysoma, there are no pyloric caca. 
A large thick-walled air-bladder is present. 
The ovaries, which open on a fleshy cushion behind the 
vent, are, in the single specimen obtained, closely packed 
with embryos and ova. 
Colours in spirit: body purplish brown; head much 
darker, inclining to the colour of the fins, which are purplish 
black. \ 
Total length a little over 15 inches. 
Loc. Arabian Sea, lat. 22° 14’ 25” N., long. 67° 8’ 55” E., 
947 fathoms. 
The present species differs from Diplacanthopoma brachy- 
soma, Gthr., in the following particulars :— 
1. It is much larger and is viviparous. The ‘ Challenger’ 
specimen of D. brachysoma is stated to be 43 inches long; 
and a single female of D. brachysoma dredged by the ‘ Inves- 
tigator’ in 1888 is 4} inches long, and has ovaries full of 
large ova in which no traces of an embryo can at the present 
moment be detected. 
2. The length of the head is not half the combined length 
of the head and trunk; whereas in D. brachysoma the head 
is more than half this measure. 
3. The eye is smaller, its length being two thirds that of 
the snout, less than one sixth that of the head, and not very 
much more than half the width of the interorbital space ; 
whereas in D. brachysoma the eye is as long as the snout, 
one fifth the length of the head, and equal to the width of 
the interorbital space. 
4, The dorsal fin arises an appreciable distance behind the 
base of the pectoral; whereas in D, brachysoma it arises 
immediately behind the base of the pectoral. 
5. The ventral fins arise at the level of the posterior 
border of the operculum, instead of beneath the middle of 
the operculum as in D. brachysoma. 
In other respects, as well as in general appearance, the two 
species have the closest resemblance. 
Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Ser. 6. Vol. xvi. 10 
