64 DEEP SEA FISHES. 



at the lower angle of the preopercle. Operculum wide, thin, with a ridge 

 from the hinge backward, membranous on the edges. Branchial lamellse 

 short; gill rakers five plus thirteen, compressed, lamelliform, blunt at the 

 ends, longest as long as the eye. PseudobranchiEe small. 



Scales deciduous, rather large, with fine striations. 



The distance from the snout to the origin of the dorsal is contained two 

 and one fourth times in the length to the base of the caudal ; the length of 

 the base of the dorsal fin is equal to its distance from the bases of the 

 caudal rays. Origin of the anal fin below the fourteenth ray of the dorsal ; 

 length of the base equal to the length of the eye together with that of the 

 snout. Pectorals long, reaching backward of the first rays of the anal fin ; 

 the bases lie forward of the origin of the dorsal. Ventrals long, inserted 

 below the bases of the pectorals. Caudal forked. 



Entire surface, and the linings of the body cavity, deep black. 



This species has been compared with Melamphdes typhlops Gtint.; it differs 

 from that species in having a larger anal, situated much farther forward, a 

 longer dorsal, a larger eye, and ventrals that reach beyond the vent. The 

 specimen originally described by Gilbert was taken by the " Albatross " in 

 1889 at station 2923; Lat. 32° 40' 30" N. ; Lon. 117" 31' 30" W. ; Depth 

 822 fathoms ; Temp. 39° F. ; Bottom green mud. The present specimens 

 are from the stations noted below. 



Melampliaes nigrofulvus sp. n. 



Plate D, fig. 3 ; Plate LXXII. fitj. 2, Lat. Syst. 



D. Ill, 12 ; A. I, 9 ; V. I, 7 ; P. 14 ; LI. 27 ; Ltr. 8. 



This species has a shorter caudal region, a larger head, and a smaller 

 mouth as compared with Melamphdes crassice'ps in Giinther's figure in the 

 "Challenger" report, Plate YIII., fig. B. The position of the anal fin, below 

 the dorsal, would place the present type in the subdivision of the genus to 

 which the name Plectromus is applied. In the figure given lierewith the indi- 

 vidual is represented as when first secured, yet allowance must be made for 

 the loss or collapse of the membranes covering the head, in consequence of 

 which di.splaceinent the ridges and spines of the skull are given a promi- 

 nence not to be detected in tlie uninjured specimen. Form compressed, nar- 



