MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY. 163 
The caudal consists of about 8 or 9 rays very closely placed ; its length is 
contained about 10} times in the total length. 
The pectoral is placed as in N. robustus ; its length about equal to 2} times 
that of the head, extending to vertical through the vent. 
The ventral, a bifid ray inserted in advance of base of pectoral, not reaching 
to the vent; its length (14 mm.) considerably less than the height of body. 
The distance from its origin to the vent (19 mm.) slightly more than the 
height of the body. 
Color light yellowish brown, an obscure narrow band of darker brown com- 
mencing on the snout, interrupted by the eye, and extending backward 3% of 
the distance to the tail, another beginning on the snout, extending ove> the eye 
and back as far as the first described, interrupted posteriorly. Dorsal fin milky 
white at base in its anterior third, above this a blackish band extending the 
whole length of the fin. A narrow white margin above. 
Aphyonus mollis, n. sp. 
The type is a specimen obtained at “ Blake” Station ccxx1., Lat. 24° 36’ N., 
Long. 84° 5’ W., at a depth of 955 fathoms. 85 + «mm. 
This species is closely allied to Aphyonus gelatinosus, Gthr., obtained by 
H. M.S. “ Challenger.” 
The body is much compressed, its greatest height (14 mm.), 6 in its total 
length. Head thicker than body, its height (15 mm.) slightly greater. Length 
of head (20 mm.) about 4} in total; width (11 mm.) over half its length. 
Snout, 3} in length of head. Eye not externally visible. Diameter of orbit, as 
seen through the skin, about } length of head. Maxilla extends to vertical 
through posterior margin of orbit, the mandible somewhat farther back, its 
length (13 mm.) nearly equal to height of body. A few weak teeth on vomer 
and palatines, mandible, and very rudimentary ones in maxillary ; not visible 
to the eye, but appreciable to the touch. Gill-lamine on the fourth and rudi- 
mentary gill-rakers, 8 rudiments and 4 developed below the angle. Dorsal 
origin almost over posterior edge of operculum, its distance from the snout } of 
total length ; fin-rays, more than 110 well developed, the longest 3 in head. 
Anal origin slightly nearer base of caudal than to tip of snout, its rays shorter 
than those in the dorsal. Pectoral with a fleshy base ; its origin somewhat 
behind that of the dorsal, its length equal to width of head. Ventral origin in 
advance of that of pectoral, close to humeral symphysis; the fin is a single 
simple ray, whose length (11 mm.) equals that of the pectoral: its tip does 
not reach the vent, by a space equal to height of head. 
Skin not loose. Texture of body rather firm, not transparent, whitish. 
