. Holt — Survey of Fishing Grounds, West Coast of Ireland. 123 



As will be seen from the above description, this genus is inter- 

 mediate between Nettastoma, Eaf., and Saurenchelys, Peters, agree- 

 ing with the latter in the condition of the nostrils, and with the 

 former in the possession of an air-bladder. In the comparatively 

 feeble character of the vertical fins it recedes equally from both. 



Type Species. 



Nettophichthys retropinnatiis, sp. n. 



Length of head contained six times in total length (without 

 caudal) and equal to distance between gill opening and anus. 

 Eye large, diameter contained twice in snout, and five times 

 in length of head. Angle of gape behind hinder margin of 

 eye. Upper jaw slightly overhanging lower ; snout broad, 

 swollen, except where produced anteriorly into a short knob- 

 like deflected process, at base of which is situated anterior 

 nostril. Lower jaw slightly curved. Teeth in two rows, 

 outer most closely set, along margin of upper jaw, small and 

 conical posteriorly, becoming larger and recurved in anterior 

 region. Large abruptly reflected teeth, with swollen bases, 

 in several rows on vomer, those of central region largest. A 

 single row of small recurved teeth on mandibles, becoming 

 larger towards symphysis. 



Body laterally compressed ; greatest height, i. e. behind 

 anus, nearly half length of head. Abdominal cavity extend- 

 ing beyond anus ; peritoneum black ; air-bladder long. Tail 

 tapering, but terminating obliquely. Extremity of vertebral 

 column not upturned, overlying triangular hypural mass. 

 Vertical fins rather feeble, especially dorsal, which commences 

 at a point somewhat posterior to median. Vertical and caudal 

 fins edged with black. 



Colouration, uniform sepia brown, darkest ventrally, and on 

 snout and jaws. 



A single specimen, 5 inches, much injured, from 144 fathoms 



SCIEN. PKOC. R.D.S. VOL. VII., PART II. 



