120 



Proceedings of the Royal Irish Aeademy. 



almost continuous ; the proportionately great development of the second 

 dorsal, the raj^ of which are longer than those of the anal; the slight 

 development of the anal, which in most Maerurids is a powerful fin ; the 

 teeth, which are in the form of small, equal asperities, arranged in a band on 

 the inner surface of both jaws, except for a gap at the symphysis of the 

 upper jaw, where a shallow depression receives the tip of the mandible ; and 

 the cycloid scales. 



Tlie genus has been sub-divided by some authoi-s (Began, Weber, Gilbert 

 and Hubbs, aud others), but as they are not in agreement as to the limits 

 of the dix-isions, it is more convenient to continue to use the name in its 

 widest sense. 



Bathygadus melanobranchus (^'^aillant). 



Batliyfjadus meianobranehns, Yaillant (1888), Goode and Bean (1895), 

 CoUett (1896J, Holt and Bynie (1908, 1910). 

 Mdanobranekiis mdanobrandius. Began (1903). 



Fig. 9. — Batkjfgadm mtUaaikramekat. 



Bescnption. — Head lai^e, about 5 to 5^ times in total length, moderately 

 compressed. Snout blunt, ^ of length of head. Month large, terminal, and 

 inferior, reaching back to beyond the centre of the eye. Lower jaw extend- 

 ing slightly in advance of the upper, the tip cur\ed slightly upwards, and 

 fitting into a depression in the upper jaw at the symphysis of the inter- 

 ma3dllaaes : it has a prominent mental process, maiked by a small hard 

 brown tubercle, and no barbeL Both upper and lower jaws with a band 

 of fine equal viUiform teeth. Eye almost circular, large, diameter equal 

 to or slightly greater than the length of the snout. Inter-orbital space 

 may be slightly less than diameter of eye (Yaillant) or distinctly greater 

 {Helga specimen). Bones of head thin and papyraceous, easily injured, 

 with large mucous cavities. 



