268 DEEP SEA FISHES. 



of the anal there is a series of six separated by a short space from another 

 series of three, which latter is separated from the two lanterns on the lower 

 part of the base of the caudal ; and above the sixth of the anal series on 

 the lateral line tliere is a single one. On the caudal pedicel there is a 

 luminous patch of varying extent behind the adipose and another behind 

 the anal fin. 



Blackish; fins lighter; opercles silvery; iris brilliant with metallic 

 reflections. 



Myctophuni atratum sp. n. 



1). 12 ; A. 19 ; V. 8 ; P. 14 ; LI. 40. 



There is so much resemblance between this fish and that described by 

 Cocco, I808, as Scopelus Beuoisii that it would perliaps be better described 

 by comparisons that shall set forth the respects in which it differs from 

 Cocco's species. Accepting for the purpose the identification and figure 

 given by Liitken in his admirable work on the Scopelini, in the Spolia 

 Atlantica, 1892, it will be seen that in the outlines of tlie body, in the size 

 of the eye, in the formulte, the length of the pectorals, the positions of 

 dorsal and anal fins and of the lanterns, in the two lanterns at the base of 

 the caudal, and in other features the two forms agree tolerably well. On 

 31. atratum, however, the shape is a little less compressed, the lanterns 

 at the base of the caudal are farther apart — the upper of the two being 

 on the end of the lateral line, the luminous organ on the npper edge of the 

 caudal pedicel is smaller and nearer the caudal fin, the series of four lan- 

 terns from the lower part of the base of the pectoral directly backward to 

 a point above the origin of the anal has a larger distance between the first 

 and second lantern-! — it being equal to the space occupied by the hinder 

 three, the group of three in the lower part of the cheek behind the maxil- 

 lary more nearly forms an equilateral triangle, and there are but five 

 lanterns in the posterior nnnl series. Apparently the eye is a trifle larger, 

 being rather more tlian two fifths of the length of the head, and it interferes 

 somewhat more in the profde of the crown. The middle of the interorbital 

 space is occupied by a luminous organ. The maxillary is broad at the hind 



