ATOPICHTHYS FALCIDENS. 331 



several dots at eacli side ; a more or less irregular series of spots, probably 

 luuiinous, at each side of the intestine ; a series of larger hnninous spots, 

 somewhat irregularly placed and spaced, close to the median line of the 

 flank, each spot of which is situated on the hinder edge of the muscular 

 segment at the groove between it and the next segment. Forward, a 

 number of the segments here and there are without spots in the median 

 series ; behind tlie mid-length the series is more regular. On and near 

 their bases the rays of anal and caudal bear very small streaks of black. 



Total length three and four tenths, head two tenths, depth four tentlis, 

 at tlie mid-length, and snout to vent three inches. 



Compared with A. falcukiis the species here described has a smaller eye, 

 a longer snout, a straighter crown, a wider caudal region and a smaller 

 number of segments in body and in tail. 



Station, 3375 ; Lat., 2° 34' N.; Lon., 82° 29' W.; Surface towiiet, over a depth of 1201 fathoma with 

 a bottom of Gy. glob. Oz., with a Teiup. of 36.6° F. ; Time, (i^ 26™ A. M., March 4, 1891. 



Atopichthys falcidens sp. n. 



Plate LXri. Jjffs. 4, 4 a. 



Comparatively short and very narrow ; greatest depth, in the anterior 

 half, about one nintli of the total length, caudal region tapering regularly 

 along the bases of the fins. Head nearly one eighteenth of the entire 

 length, upper longitudinal outline arched over the orbit and slightly concave 

 above the nostrils, lower outline convex in the mandibles, width greater than 

 that of the body, convex across the crown, tapering from the nape, acute at 

 the snout. Snout sharp, narrow, compressed or roof-shaped across the top, 

 little longer than the eye. Eye large, nearly one third as long as the head ; 

 iris silvery, deeper than long, narrowed below. Mouth large, cleft nearly 

 underreaching the forward half of the eye ; prominence of the angular 

 close to a vertical from the hind border of the orbit; lower jaw little if any 

 longer. Teeth large, sectorial, compressed, slender, acuminate, inclined for- 

 ward, Avith a rather distinct ridge along the outer side. One or two small 

 teeth in front on each jaw, separating a pair of large falciform canines, are 

 subconical. The canines are separated from the backward teetli by a wider 

 interspace. Behind the eighth or ninth tooth of the upper jaw, backward 

 of the posterior nostril, the teeth abruptly become much smaller and closer 

 together. The upper teeth pass outside of the lower. Nostrils medium ; 



