RARE FISHES. 583 
by the crew of the Fish Commission steamer Albatross, the latter having just 
returned from an exploring expedition in mid-ocean. The Albatross was absent 
two months, during which time fish were captured representing thirty new 
species, twenty new genera, and three families. The British exploring steamer 
Challenger during a three years' cruise only secured specimens representing four- 
teen new genera. The wonderful success of the Albatross is therefore empha- 
sized by scientific men in this city. The fish are caught by means of a dredge 
or net, which is sunk very often to a depth of 3,000 fathoms. 
Among the strange denizens of the deep caught during the cruise are the 
following: The Anchenichthy, or fish with a neck. This specimen resembles an 
eel, has a well formed neck, and was caught at a great depth. The Gastrostonius 
Bairdii (named after Prof. Baird). This odd looking fish was described in the 
Popular Science Monthly as "the wonder of the deep sea." It is a variety of the. 
devil fish. The jaw bones are seven times as long as the cranium, and are 
attached to wings resembling fine black silk, which come together, forming a 
broad pouch. The fish swims about with its pouch open, acting in the capacity 
of a seine. Small fish are caught in the latter, and transferred to the mouth by 
means of suction. The "Baird fish" resembles a leather-wing bat in some 
particulars, and has a long and scaly tail. The Crypiopsaras, or " angler with con- 
cealed rod," is a most remarkable specimen. It has a very large mouth, and 
extending from a concealed rod on the back is a baited line, which floats 
above the body. Small fish nibble at the line, and are captured by 
the "angler." The bait is a ball of jelly-like matter, which is so sensi- 
tive that instant notice is given when a fish touches it. Another mem 
ber of the " angler " family is perfectly blind. It is known as the Typlopisaras, 
or "blind angler." This remarkable fish fisher was never heard of until the 
recent cruise of the Albatross, and it is said to inhabit the sea 2,000 fathoms 
below the surface. The Hypercharistus Tanneri, or fish with upper pectoral rays 
or finger separate, is a queer-shaped and vicious little fish. It inhabits deep 
water and is named after Capt. Tanner, of the Albatross, whose hand the little 
creature tried to bite when landed on the deck of the steamer with tht deep sea 
seine. It is jet black, and has teeth like a circular saw. The Neurichthyids, or 
snipe eel, is a genuine curiosity. Its body resembles that of an ordinary eel, 
while the head is a fac simile of that of the common marsh snipe which abounds 
in Maryland and Virginia. The tape fish is another interesting fish. It is of the 
size and thickness of ordinary tape, and when in the water is perfectly transparent 
and can only be seen by its little red eyes. 
There are several other remarkable specimens. They are kept in jars of 
alcohol in Prof. Gill's office, and will appear in the illustrated annual reports as 
fish discovered thousands of fathoms below the surface of the Atlantic by the 
United States Fish Commission. They will also probably be placed upon exhibi- 
tion in the national museum or Smithsonian. — National Republican. 
