BERYCOIDS. 55 



branchia? medium. Siiprabranchial gland polygonal or subtriangular, with 

 a depression in the centre. The stomach and other viscera are figured 

 on Plate IX., figs. 3, 4. Scales thin, cycloid, irregular, those on the top 

 of the snout and head comparatively large, those bearing the canals of the 

 lateral system on the flanks much differentiated, being twice the diameter 

 of those in adjacent series. Lateral line covered by a fold of the skin with 

 scales; disks resting on larger scales, somewhat as on Lamprogrammus, 

 Plate XXXIV., fig. 4, each as wide as two ordinary scales, twenty-seven 

 from head to tail. Tlie line makes a short upward curve from the head 

 till above the axil of the pectoral, whence it is straight or but slightly 

 curved until it reaches the middle of the caudal peduncle at the tail. 

 Dorsal origin forward of the base of the pectoral; a shallow notch near 

 the soft rays of the fin, rays varying in number from eleven plus ten 

 to eleven plus twelve. Hinder margin of caudal subtruncate or rounded. 

 Pectorals broad at the bases, pointed, median rays longest, reaching 

 the middle of the base of the anal. Ventrals with a slender spine and 

 five segmented rays. 



Deep black over entire surface, and on the linings of the body cavity. 



Largest specimen six and one-half inches in length. 



This is one of the most widely disti'ibuted groups of the fishes ; it in- 

 cludes a moderately large number of the living, and besides has an exten- 

 sive representation among the fossil forms. Though at present known in 

 greater part from the tropical waters, there is that in the fact of inhabiting 

 levels at a temperature of thirty-six degrees Fahrenheit, or lower, which leads 

 to expectation of members of the group at similar temperatures in all waters 

 containing a proper food supply outside of the torrid zone. Li the collec- 

 tion there are individuals belonging to eight different species of the group, 

 but two of which have been described heretofore; one of them is the species 

 described by Gilbert under the name Melaniphaes lugnhris, from nearly the 

 same locality, the other is with some hesitation identified with Giinther's 

 M. misolepis, originally described from south of New Guinea, more recently 

 reported by Alcock from the Bay of Bengal. In making the necessary 



