320 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol.48. 



two. Thoracics 5, the fourth elevated, on a level with upper pectoral 

 rays or slightly above them, a trifle behind vertical from third tho- 

 racics; first, second, third, and fifth pairs of thoracics forming 

 gently diverging lines, the fifth less widely separated than in L. regale, 

 not opposite the outer ventral rays; second and fourth thoracic 

 interspaces equal, the first one-third longer. Supraventral vertically 

 above ventral base, midway between ventral base and lateral line, 

 very little above the line joining the two lower supraanals. Ventrals 

 4, the first pair nearest the median line, at base of inner ventral rays, 

 those of second pair most widely separated, forming with the 

 third and fourth pairs lines gently converging to the sides of the vent. 

 Supraanals angulated, the first and second in a line parallel with 

 lateral fine, a little nearer the ventral outline than the lateral line, 

 the first over or slightly in advance of the third ventral spot, the 

 second vertically above the first anal ray; third supraanal in contact 

 with the lateral line, above the interspace between first and second 

 anals. Anteroanals 8, the first 7 forming a weakly curved line with 

 the concavity downward, the eighth abruptly elevated, in a line 

 joining the seventh and the posterolateral, but constantly a little 

 nearer the seventh. Posterolateral in contact with lateral fine, a 

 little in advance of last anal ray. Posteroanals forming with the 

 lower precaudals an unbroken series of 1 1 photophores ; the last pre- 

 caudal abruptly elevated, at the end of the lateral fine ; the next to 

 the last precaudal a little elevated, vertically below the last. While 

 there is no interruption to mark off the lower precaudals from the 

 posteroanals, the last three of this series he above the caudal rays 

 and are a little more widely spaced. The total number of precaudals 

 may therefore be taken as 4, a number agreeing with that found in 

 other closely related species in which the series is broken. In one 

 specimen of L. ritteri, evidently abnormal in this respect, 4 smaller 

 photophores are crowded above base of lower caudal lobe. A short 

 luminous patch on back of caudal peduncle, occupying in the type 

 one-third the distance from caudal to adipose fin, consisting of 4 

 luminous scales; a similar patch below occupies nearly the entire 

 length of caudal peduncle, containing in the type 8 luminous scales. 



General color black, including the mouth and lining of gill cavity. 

 Fins dark at base, none of them black, all marked by fine wavy fines 

 formed by black pigment along fines of articulation of the rays. 



This species is very closely allied to L. regale, with which it is 

 found associated. From L. regale it differs: 



(1) In the much larger photophores, these being very small in 

 regale. 



(2) In the absence of the extremely numerous minute photophores 

 on cheeks. 



