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. 1. 
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 Nemichthyide, 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 Vettastoma 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, 
G'astrostomus 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 à minimum, The structure 
of the lateral line as described by Ryder is unique. There 
