94 LIVING LIGHTS. 



crassus from a depth of about two miles. The naturalists of 

 the " Challenger " expedition captured the Bathyophis ferox 

 about three miles from the surface, or, to be exact, five thou- 

 sand and nineteen meters. The American exploring-vessel, 

 the " Albatross," under the direction of Professor Spencer 

 F. Baird, has exceeded any of these hauls ; in 1883 making 

 a capture of five species in tvrenty-nine hundred and forty- 

 nine fathoms. 



While luminous fishes have been known for many years, 

 the " Challenger " expedition brought many new forms to 

 light, and the work accomplished by her officers may be said 

 to have given a new impetus to the study of deep-sea forms. 

 Off the north-west coast of Australia, the " Challenger's " 

 trawl captured the curious black fish Uchiostoma microdon. 

 The luminous spots were few in number, but so arranged as 

 to be of the greatest seryice : thiis two are found just below 

 the eyes ; above the maxillary there is a narrow, elongated 

 one, with a smaller spot nearer the eye. E. micripnus, found 

 in twenty-one hundred and fifty fathoms, has long, fringed 

 barbels, and small, round luminous spots above the maxillary, 

 resembling a rudimentary eye. 



Referring to this interesting torch-bearer. Dr. Giinther 

 says, "The fishes of the family Stomiatidce, to which this 

 genus belongs, are armed with formidable teeth, — a certain 

 indication of their predaceous habits and voracity. Their 

 long body is covered with a smooth, scaleless skin, of an 

 intensely black color. The vertical fins are close together, 

 near the end of the tail, as in the pike, forming a powerful' 

 propeller, by a single stroke of which the fishes are enabled 

 to dart with great rapidity to a considerable distance. A 

 long filament is suspended below the chin ; and, as it is fre- 



