224 UR. A. (ilJNTUER ON A SPECIMEN OF SCHEDOPHILUS MEDUSOPHAGUS. 



The specimen is 9| inches long, and in good condition, with the exception of the 

 lower part of the abdomen, which is lacerated and shrunk in consequence of the loss of 

 the intestines. All parts of the body are in that state of softness which is peculiar to 

 many deep-sea fishes. 



The body is strongly compressed, of an elongate ovoid shape, its depth being con- 

 tained twice and two thirds in the total length, fins not included. The head is small, 

 as deep as long, and less than one fourth of the total length (without caudal). Inter- 

 orbital space convex, broader than the diameter of the eye, which is situated imme- 

 diately below the upper profile of the head, nearly as long as the snout, and one fourth 

 of the length of the head. Snout obtuse, with projecting lower jaw and oblique mouth. 

 Mouth of moderate width, the cleft extending to below the front margin of the eye. 

 Maxillary rather narrow, but widening towards its extremity. Teeth minute, implanted 

 in a single series on the sharp edge of the jaws. The palate is toothless. 



The prseopercular margin is armed with short spines, which upwards become a little 

 longer on the posterior margin ; these longer spines have an oblique dorsad direction. 

 Also the interoperculum is spinous, the suboperculum less so. Operculum membranous ; 

 its upper portion shows radiating osseous strite, which project beyond the margin. 



The gill-rakers of the outer branchial arch are long, narrow, and rather widely set. 

 Gill-openings very wide. 



The dorsal fin commences above the root of the pectoral, and terminates at a short 

 distance from the caudal, the caudal peduncle being about as deep as long. This fin 

 is rather low, the longest rays, behind the middle of the fin, being not erectile into a 

 vertical position. The rays are slender, fragile, 50 in number ^ The anal commences 

 a little behind the middle of the length of the fish, and is formed by 27 rays^. The 

 caudal fin (slightly injured) has a rounded margin, and is rather shorter than the head. 



The pectoral fin has a broad base, is more than half as long as the head, and has the 

 upper rays longer than the lower. Ventrals rather small, close together, and inserted 

 in advance of the pectorals. 



The entire fish is covered with minute cycloid scales ; on the head they appear to be 

 present on the cheek only. The upper part of the head is covered with a thick spongy 

 skin, as in Centrolopluis. 



The colours of a fresh fish are a pale greenish olive marbled with darker, the 

 markings being in the form of spots on the upper, and of irregular longitudinal bands 

 on the lower half of the body. Also the vertical fins are spotted with blackish. The 

 iris is nearly white ; and a ring of small white pores encircles the orbit. 



' In other specimens 45—17 have been counted. '' 28-29 in other specimens. 



