194 
PACIFIC SCIENCE, Vol. VI, July, 1952 
mm 
mm 
Fig. 1. Three species of Gempylidae. A, Neoepinnula orientalis (No. 4258); B, Mimasea taeniosoma (No. 4114); 
C, Promethichthys prometheus (No. 4101). Drawn by Ryokai Ito. 
Body rather stout, fusiform, and com- 
pressed, covered with minute imbricated 
scales. Several fangs, some depressible, on 
upper jaw near tip of snout. Vomer and pala- 
tines toothed. Two lateral lines, originating 
together above upper angle of gill opening. 
Dorsal fin inserted behind upper angle of gill 
opening; dorsals barely connected; spines 
rather feeble and flexible. Ventrals I, 5. No 
finlets. Tail not keeled. Gill raker at angle of 
first arch (Fig. 2 As) T-shaped; its inner sur- 
face armed with minute spines. Lining of 
buccal and branchial cavities and peritoneum 
black. 
This genus differs from Epinnula as indi- 
cated in the key. 
