by H.M.S.' Challenger: 539 



out as deep-sea. The majority of the forms cannot be referred to existing 

 genera or species. Perhaps the most curious fish which we have obtained 

 belong to this family. Two or three species have the upper rays of the 

 pectoral fins greatly elongated, these rays being much longer than the 

 fish in some cases. These rays arch over the head, and when erected 

 simulate in a wonderful way Umbellularias, Virgularias, or Crinoids. 

 Another species has a large white (phosphorescent?) organ situated on 

 the head between the eyes. 



These fishes have occurred in all regions, and when the trawl has been 

 down to depths varying from 255 to 2385 fathoms. 



Stomiatidce 



occur at 13 stations, and 15 specimens have been taken. These have 

 been present only when the trawl has been down in deep water, and all 

 have more or less deep-sea characters. There are two or three new 

 generic forms, and new specimens of Malacosteus and Echiostoma have 

 been secured. 



Pediculati 



occur at 7 stations, and 7 specimens have been taken. A Chaunaoc 

 from 360 fathoms at the Fijis appears to be identical with that 

 described from the sea off Madeira as Chaunax pictus. The other fishes 

 of this family all belong to the same little group with Melanocitus, One- 

 roides, and Ceratias. One, which I propose to describe under the name 

 of Ceratias uranoscopus, came up from 2400 fathoms in the North 

 Atlantic, the only living thing in the dredge on this occasion. 



Halosauridce. 

 Halosaurus Oivenii occurs at 5 stations, and 5 specimens have been 

 taken. These seem all to be referable to the described species, and occur 

 both in the Atlantic and Pacific. 



Notocanthi. 

 One specimen was taken off the coast of Japan. It is a new species. 



Murcenidce 

 occur at 10 stations, and 20 specimens have been taken. This family 

 in our deep-water hauls is represented by Nemichthys and Synaphobran- 

 chus. The Nemichthys in the Atlantic is identical with the one described 

 (scolopaeea). One taken in the Pacific is generically distinct. 



All the specimens of Synaphobranchus can, I think, be referred to the 

 species described (pinnatus). They have occurred widely both in the 

 Atlantic and Pacific, and generally with the Macrurids. 



Trachinidce. 

 A species referable to the genus Chcenichthys, but with deep-sea 

 characters, occurred in one of the deep hauls in the Southern Ocean. 



