98 
very low, 1 l/2 in eye. Gill rakers numerous, long, close set. 
No scales on lateral line, 
D. 15, fin height 5 in total head length; A. 14, origin opposite dorsal 
origin, fin height 4 3/4; caudal 2 4/5 (?), small, with numerous prominent 
rudimentary rays, forked; least depth of caudal peduncle 5; pectoral very 
short, 2 in eye; ventral equals eye. 
Uniform jet black. Length 153 mm, (Alcock,) 
» ' 
Indian Ocean, 
Genus ZENODERMICHTHYS Glint her 
V 
Xenodermich thys GflNTHER, Ann. ^ag. Nat, Hist., series 5, vol.2, 1878, p, 250. 
Type Xenodermichthys nodulosu s GUNTHER, monotypic. 
Aleposomus GILL, American Naturalist, vol,18, 1884, P.433. Type Aleposomus 
copei GILL, monotypic. 
Body elongate, compressed, N ea( j small. Snout short. Eye large or 
moderate, anterior. Mouth moderate or small. Maxillary reaches middle of eye. 
Teeth rudimentary, on premaxillaries, maxillaries and dentaries, none on palate. 
Gill rakers rather few. Skin rather thick, scaleless, with numerous small 
nodules, mostly on lower surfaces. U orsa q and anal opposite or former little 
advanced. Dorsal rays 27 to 34. Anal rays 25 to 32. Caudal forked. Paired 
fins moderate. 
ANALYSIS OF SPECIES 
1 
a. ALEPOSO’US. Depth 5 2/3 to 5 4/5; head 3 3/5 to 4 l/3; no lateral line; 
D. 27 to 30; A. 25 to 29. 
1 
b. Eye 3 l/8 
1 
L «• 
copei. 
