R. E. LIvOYD : Deep-Sea Fisfi caught by the “ Investigator 
i6i 
1909.] 
close to the upper lip. There is no prolongation of the first dorsal rays. This con- 
stitutes the great distinction between this species and 5 . cristata. 
The lateral line is straight, rising slightly in the anterior part of the body. 
The gill-rakers are short tubercles. 
Colour of the upper surface. — Chestnut-brown with diffused blotches of sepia and 
dark grey; white below. 
Fins black. 
Scales ctenoid on both sides ; the cilia are much less marked on those of the lower 
side. 
Three specimens, the longest measuring 13 cm., from 130 fathoms in the Gulf of 
Aden, Station 360. Registered Nos. 
This species so closely resembles 5 . cristata that it was thought that the absence 
of the crest might be due to the fact that these specimens were of the opposite sex to 
those on which 5 . cristata was defined. Examination of the immature generative 
organs show, however, that both sexes are represented among the three specimens. 
Lœops nigrescens, Lloyd. 
Rec. Ind. Mus., vol. i, pt. i, p. 9 (1907); Illustr. Zool. “ Investigator Fishes, 
pi. xliii, fig. 2 (1908). 
D. 95, A. 82, C. 17, P.d. «& 5. 13, V.d. & s. 6. 
This species is closely allied to L. guentheri and L. parviceps. It differs from 
these in the following respects : — 
It is bathybial in appearance. The pectoral fins are longer than the head. The 
head is ^th the length without the caudal fin ; the height without the fins is 2§ in the 
total length. The pectoral fins are better developed on the left side ; the length of 
the left pectoral is longer than the entire head in most specimens ; it is never less 
than the length of the head. The left pectoral fin is much longer than the right, in 
some specimens nearly twice as long. The ventral fins are about equal : the left is in 
a line with the anal. The caudal fin is pointed, its length is 6 in the total The 
length of the dorsal and anal fin rays are about equal and are about 2 \ in the body 
height. The lateral line forms a strong pectoral curve ; the scales are small and 
deciduous. The snout is half the major diameter of the eye, the lower eye is in 
advance of the upper ; the eyes are separated by a prominent ridge. 
The major diameter of the eye is one- third the length of the head. 
Teeth on the blind side only. 
Vomer prominent, devoid of teeth. 
Six specimens, the longest 6| inches in length. 
Colour. — Left side dark sepia, with irregular patches of a darker sooty tone, fins 
nearly black. The colour resembles that of Læops macropthalmatus from 100 fathoms 
and differs widely from that of L. guentheri and L. parviceps from shallow water. 
Habitat. — Gulf of Aden, 130 fathoms. Station 360. Registered Nos. 
