GRENAI ) I ER-FISH ES. 
593 
MACRURUS LJEYIS. 
Fig. 141. 
Snout Hunt but high , only slightly projecting, and like the rest of the head without sharp carince; its length less 
than the least breadth of the interorbital space, which is about equal to x / 3 (33*1 % in the specimen examined by 
us, which has probably — when perfect — been about 41 cm. long) of the length of the head, slightly less than 
(937 % of) the longitudinal diameter of the orbits, about 2 / 5 (41 ‘1 %) of the postorbital length of the head, and 
more than either x / 4 (28'5 %) of the distance between the first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout or than.\/ l0 
(86*5 %) of the breadth across the cheeks at the centre of the eyes, but less than 2 / 3 (59'8 %) of the length of the 
lower jaw, which is more than 1 j 2 (55*3 %) of the length of the head, nearly 1 / 2 (477 %) of the distance between 
the first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout, and greater than the postorbital length of the head. Mouth, almost 
terminal and lateral; its breadth at the corners more than 2 / 3 (80'8 %) of the breadth across the cheeks at the 
centre of the eyes. Length of the head somewhat less than X / G of that of the body", about 4 / 5 (86‘3 %) of the 
distance of the first dorsal fin from the tip of the snout, nearly x / 2 (47*8%) of that between the second dorsal fin 
and the same point, and nearly 3 / 4 (73* 1 %) of the distance between the anal fin and the tip of the snout. Depth of 
the body at the beginning of the first dorsal fin about x / 7 (15 %) of the length of the bod}', at the beginning of 
the second dorsal fin about x / 10 thereof. Pectoral fins with brachiate base. Length of the base of the first dorsal 
fin about 3 /s °f the distance between the two dorsal fins, which is nearly twice (185 % of) the breadth across 
the cheeks at the centre of the eyes. About 14. — 16 scales in a row from the end of the first dorsal fin to the 
lateral line. In the median line of the belly, just in front of the insertions of the ventral fins, we find a trans- 
verse, oblong (kidney-shaped) patch without scales and just in front of the vent a similar, but round patch. 
Scales spiny throughout their free surface, but without carince. Second ray of the first dorsal fin smooth {without 
spines ); its height about 2 / 3 (69 %) of the depth of the body at its base. Length of the barbel under the chin 
more than x / 3 of that of the lower jaw. Jaw-teeth set in two rows on the intermaxillary bones ( the outer row 
with larger, canine-like teeth), in one row of canine-like teeth in the lower jaw. 
R. br. 7 ; Z>, . 
(D + 
D 2 ■ 200 (ca); 
A. 200 (ca); 
p. m + f r. 
1 / 
/S' 
Syn. Macrounis ler.vis, Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1843, p. 92; 
Gthp. ( Malacoceplialus ), Cat. Brit. Mas., Fish., vol. IV, p. 
397; Ltkn, Vid. Meddel. Naturh. For. Kblivn 1872, p. 1 
(sep.); Malm, Gbgs, Boh. Fu., p. 503; Winth., Nat. Tidskr. 
Kblivn, ser. 3, vol. XII, p. 36; Lillj., Sv., Norrj. Fisk., 
vol. II, p. 273; Gthr ( Macrurus ), Deep Sea Fish. Chall. 
Expect., p. 148, tab. XXXIX, fig. B. 
Macrurus Iceris, which attains a length of about 
half a metre, with eyes relatively equal in size to those 
of M. Fabricii (35 % of the length of the head) is 
evidently a much more pronounced deep-sea fish than 
M. rupestris; and its more scattered, but stronger 
(canine-like) jaw-teeth and relatively longer jaws are 
signs of its more predatory habits. 
The body is remarkably elongated, this being due, 
according to Gunther, to the fact that the tail “tapers 
to a very long and narrow band.” But the forepart 
externally corresponds fairly closely to that of the two 
preceding species, the depth at the beginning of the 
first dorsal fin being about ! '/ 10 (897 %) of the length 
of the head, and at the beginning of the second dorsal 
fin about 2 / 3 (647 %) of the same. The breadth of 
the head straight across the cheeks at the centre of 
the eyes is less than 2 / 5 (38'2 %) of its length. 
The smooth spinous ray in the first dorsal fin and 
the small scales render this species easily recognisable 
among our Macruri. We must remark, however, some 
(5) raised, but only slightly marked stria; (osseous 
ridges under the skin) on the operculum and suboper- 
culum, radiating backwards and downwards from the 
articulation of the former. 
The coloration, according to Gunther, is brownish 
on the head, especially on the gill-cover, with a lustre 
of silver and gold; the axil of the pectorals, the ventral 
fins and the belly between them, and the vent are black; 
the dorsal and pectoral fins are blackish; the anal fin 
a According to Gunther and Lutken. 
