54  Ayres's Description of a New Genus of Fishes. 
membrane without ossification. Branchial rays not dis- 
cernible. 
The species, from its color, may receive the name of 
MALACOSTEUS NIGER. 
The description which follows is necessarily in some respects 
imperfect. The specimen is unique, and as such ought not 
to be destroyed. And though we are allowed by Miss Felt, 
with much liberality, to make partial dissections, yet nothing 
short of removing all the soft parts so as to form a complete 
skeleton, would serve for entire elucidation. The bones of 
the head, in particular, are so remarkably different from those 
of any other fish known, that it is difficult to settle their rela- 
tions, and it is very probable that in our conjectures as to their 
analogy we may err widely from the truth. A generic name, 
drawn from some of their peculiarities, would perhaps, be 
more characteristic than the one already proposed, (which has 
reference to the singular structure of all the bones,) but the 
uncertainty in regard to them forbids it. 
Body elongated, nearly cylindrical, somewhat compressed. 
In its present state the compression is rendered. more decided 
by the alcohol in which it has been kept. Entire length, 
eight and one-half inches. Depth greatest at the head, where 
it is one inch and three-tenths ; immediately before the dorsal 
and anal fins it is three-fourths of an inch. The muzzle is 
very short and obtuse. 
The nostrils are not discernible without close examination. 
They are situated immediately in front of the eyes, at theante- 
rior extremity of the head. The nasal cavity is*oval, about 
one-twentieth of an inch in length. The apertures are 
scarcely visible. 
The eyes, which are large, are very far forward. They are 
but about one-tenth of an inch from the blunt muzzle, and 
are four-tenths of an inch in length, nearly circular. 
The opening of the gills is uncommonly large, and is, in 
fact, one of the striking characteristics of the species. It 
extends from the posterior angle of the lower jaw, obliquely 
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