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COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY, |
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AT HARVARD COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, MASS. |
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The gift of Jncfic^ A/jc^fcA/y^ |
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No. /44QZ. |
IH ^%
DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE
DF THE
INDIAN DEEP-SEA FISHES
IX THE
INDIAN MUSEUM.
BEING A. BEVISED ACCOUNT OF THE DEEP-SEA PISHES
COLLECTED BT Til E
ROYAL INDIAN MARINE SURVEY SHIP
INVESTIGATOR
Bt
A. ALCOCK, M.B., C.M.Z.S., F.G.S.,
IN'I'IAN MEDI&AX SERVICE, SITKlilN TUN' UK NT OF THE INDIAN MDSEUM AND PROFESSOR OP ZOOl.OOl IX IHP MEDICAE COLLEGE; CALCUTTA ; FORMERLY NATURALIST 10 THE MARINE SURVEY OF INDIA
6 i': -■
- w»a
(*Ul
CALCUTTA:
PRINTED BY ORDKR OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE INDIAN MUSEUM*
1899.
Price Five Rupees.
'■■'""' *"y
&^5*<236W<
\8
•
.A.
DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE
OF THK
INDIAN DEEP-SEA FISHES
IN Till'
INDIAN MUSEUM.
BETNG A REVISED ACCOUNT OF TITF DEEP-SEA FISHES
COLLECTED BY THK
ROYAL INDIAN MARINE SURVEY SHIP
INVESTIGATOR
l!V
A. ALCOCK, M.B., C.M.Z.S., F.G.S.,
INDIAN MEDICAL SERVICE, SUPERINTENDENT OP THE INDIAN MUSEUM AND PROFESSOR OF ZOOLOGY IN THE MEDICAL COLLEGE, CALCUTTA; FORMERLY NATURALIST TO THE MARINE SURVEY OF INDIA.
CALCUTTA:
PRINTED PA' ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE INDIAN MUSEUM.
1899. Price Five Rupees.
CALCUTTA : — BAPTIST MISSION PRESS.
4
K
Preface.
The following extract from the Prefatory Note to the Account of the Deep Sea Madreporaria collected by the B. I. M. 8. Investigator will serve to explain how the collection of Deep- Sea Fishes described in the present volume came to be made and to be presented to the Indian Museum.
" In the year 1871 the Council of the Asiatic Society of Bengal appointed Dr. T. Oldham, Dr. F. Stoliczka and Mr. J. Wood-Mason to form a suh-committee to report upon the desir- ability of moving the Government of India to undertake deep-sea dredging in Indian waters.
" The sub-committee drew up an elaborate Memoir on the subject, in which definite pro- posals for deep-sea dredging were embodied : this Memoir was submitted to Government, and a copy of it along with a copy of the letter with which it was forwarded, is published iu the Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal for 1871.
" The Government received the proposals of the Council of the Asiatic Society with cordial approval : it gave a small grant-in-aid of carrying them into immediate effect, and when, in 1874, the present Marine Survey Department was established, it sanctioned the appointment, upon the staff of the Survey, of a Surgeon-Naturalist — an appointment that had also been strongly advocated by the organizer and first head of the Department, Commander Dundas Taylor, I. N.
"But in the early days of the Survey (1874-1881) neither machinery nor vessels capable of deep-sea research were available, so that Surgeon (now Lieutenant-Colonel) J. Armstrong, I. M.S., the first Surgeon-Naturalist of the Department, had to report that it was " quite impos- sible to carry into execution the scheme of deep-sea dredging originally proposed by the Council of the Asiatic Society of Bengal," and had to confine himself to the Zoology of the shallow- water and littoral, although he did occasionally manage to dredge in water as deep as 100 fathoms.
" However, in 1876, when it had been decided to construct a special vessel for the accom- modation of the Marine Survey, the Council of the Asiatic Society again addressed the Gov- ernment of India, and asked that provision for deep-sea dredging might not be forgotten iu the plans for the new vessel. In reply the Government authorized the Council of the Society to confer with the Dockyard authorities on the subject of such equipment.
" The Council thereupon appointed a sub-committee, consisting of Dr. John Anderson, then Superintendent of the Indian Museum, and Messrs. J. Wood-Mason (then Deputy Superin- tendent of the Indian Museum), W. T. Blanford, H. P. Blanford, and H. B. Medlicott, for the purpose of advising the Dockyard authorities in this direction.
" The result of this and other measures was that when, in 1881, the new vessel Investigator was ready for sea, she was properly provided with the means of undertaking deep-sea research as opportunity should occur.
" Before this, however, Dr. Armstrong had left the Survey, and it was not until the end of the year 1884, when Commander A. Carpenter, B. N., was appointed to the command of the ' Investigator,' and Surgeon (now Major) G. M. J. Giles, I.M.S., to the post of Surgeon- Naturalist, that deep-sea dredging became a recognized, if subordinate, branch of the ship's routine.
11
" Since 1885 the Zoological collections made by the 'Investigator' have been accumulat- ing year by year in the Indian Museum, where, in accordance with the recommendations of the Council of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, they have beeu deposited.
"It must not, however, be supposed that deep-sea dredging occupies a very large part of the attention of the officers of the Survey ; since, as a rule, it is only possible when the ship is proceeding to and returning from her systematic surveys of the shores and shallows. It is rarely indeed that as many as twenty deep-sea hauls are made in one year.
" From October 1888, when regular records began to be kept, up to the present time, 118 more or less successful hauls have been made in depths of over a hundred fathoms (100-1997 fms.).
" As regards the ' Investigator ' herself, she is a paddle-steamer of 580 tons, and for a few facts as to her history and equipment I may refer to a paper in the Scientific Memoirs of the Medical Officers of the Army of India for 1898."
"With regard to the contents of the present volume on the Deep-Sea Fishes, I may state that the species not here described for the first time have already- been noticed in the following papers : —
Journ. As. Soc. Bengal : Vol. LVIII. pt. 2, 1889, pp. 279-295, pi. xvi-xviii, and pp. 296-305, pi. xxii ; Vol. LXIII. pt. 2, 1894, pp. 115-137, pi. vi-vii ; and Vol. LXV. pt. 2, 1896, pp. 301-338.
Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6) IV. 1889, pp. 376-399 and 450-461 ; (6) VI. 1890, pp. 197-222, pi. viii-ix, and pp. 295-311 ; (6) VIII. 1891, pp. 16-34 and 119-138, pi. vii-viii ; (6) X. 1892, pp. 345-365, pi. xviii, and pp. 207-214; (6) XVI. 1895, pp. 144-146 ; and (7) II. 1898, pp. 136-156.
Proc. Zool. Soc. 1891, pp. 226-227.
All but four of the new species described in the above-cited papers have been figured in the Illustrations of the Zoology of the R. I. M. S. Investigator, Fishes, pis. I-XXVI (and XXVII-XXXV in the press).
As it is intended that those plates should be bound up with the present Catalogue, together with a small appendix on the Shore Fishes discovered by the Investigator, no special illustrations have been prepared for this volume.
I have however added (facing page 12) a chart, compiled from plate ii of Dr. Ernst Koken's Die Vorwelt mid ihre Entmckelungsgeschichte, which is meant to elucidate the theories upheld in the Investigator Reports as to the origin and past geographical relations of the fauna of the Indian Oligobenthus.
For the opportunity of making this chart and for help in compiling it, I am indebted to Mr. T. H. Holland of the Indian Geological Survey.
To explain an apparent want of uniformity in the plan of this Catalogue, I must mention that I have intentionally omitted diagnoses of the families and genera, and of the one or two species, heretofore well known to inhabit Indian
Ill
seas. The Catalogue is designed to meet the wants of students of the Indian fauna, and it would have been superfluous to reprint information that can be found recorded in Day's standard volumes on the Fishes of India.
I cannot let this volume go out without acknowledging the essential and fundamental obligations that it owes to the Catalogue of the Fishes in the British Museum, to the Introduction to the Study of Fishes, and to the Report on the Beep Sea Fishes collected by H. M. S. Challenger.
In any scheme of classification the compass and standing of the various units will vary with individual opinion ; but the value and influence of a well- organized system of broad, clear, consistent generalizations must always last, and I am happy to add my tribute of regard to the author of the works in which these qualities are so conspicuously manifest.
A. Alcock, Major, I. M. S.,
Superintendent of the Indian Museum.
INTRODUCTION.
46 55 57
2
The Fishes included in this Catalogue were all of them dredged by the R. I. M. S. " Investigator," in deep water, between the meridians of 65° and 99° E. and the parallels of 53 and 24° N., during the years 1885-1899.
They number, exclusive of a few mangled remains that cannot be identified with certainty, 169 species, namely : —
Chondropterygii ... ... ... ... 9 species.
Acanthopterygii Anacanthini Physostomi Plectognathi
Of these — 126 species have, so far as is known, been taken only by the " Investigator ; " while 43 species are believed to be identical with species found in other parts of the world, the identities having been assured by actual com- parison of specimens in 13 instances.
It will be interesting, to begin with, to inquire into the geographical distri- bution of these 43 species and to see if they throw any light on the outside relations of the Fish-fauna of the Indian seas.
It appears that the following 23 of them, or over thirteen per cent, of the whole, are common to these seas and the Atlantic, and many of them to certain very definite areas of that Ocean : —
Setarches Giintheri Johns.
* Hoplostethus mediterraneum C. V. (Also in the Mediterranean). Trachichthys Darwinii Johns.
Polymixia nobilis Lowe.
* Antigonia capros Lowe. Bembrops caudimacula Stdr.
( = *Hypsicometes golioides G. & B.). Chiasmodus niger Johns. Chaunax pietus Lowe.
* Dicrolene intronigra G. & B. Dlplacanthopoma brachysoma Gthr.
\ * Macrurus cavernosus G. & B.
[ (probably identical with the Mediterranean Hymenocephalus italicus Giglioli)
Hacrurus Isevis Lowe. (Also in the Mediterranean).
Bathygadus longifilis G. & B.
* Argyropelecus hemigymnus Cocco. (Also in the Mediterranean).
{
* Species marked with an asterisk have been compared with actual specimens from other localities.
* Stemoptyx diaphana Herni. Cyclothone elongata (Gfchr. ). Cy clot hone microdon (Gthr.).
Chauliodus Sloanii Bl. Sclm. (Also in the Mediterranean).
* Nenscopelus macrolepidotus Johns. Platytroctes apus Gthr.
* Synaplwbranchus pinnatus Gronov. Uroconger vicinus Vaillant.
? Leptoderma macrops Vaillant.
The remaining 20 are Indo-Pacific species.
Very significant, to my mind, is the occurrence in these seas — it also occurs in Japan, where it was originally found — of Bembrops caudimacula (=Hypsicometes gobioides G. & B.). Hardly less significant is the distribution, having regard to its mode of life, of Ghaunax pictus.
Bembrops caudimacula, which is undoubtedly the young of Bembrops gobioides, appears to be common off the West Indies and neighbouring coasts of North America at depths of 68 to 324 fathoms, and a good number of specimens have been taken in the Andaman Sea at 107 to 194 fathoms. It is a Trachinoid fish with a large flat head and a big shovel mouth, very much the form of Platy- cephalic, and is undoubtedly — like most of the members of its family — a dweller on or near the bottom. A fish that most commonly lives near the 100-fathom limit cannot be truly called bathybial, nor would anyone who has handled Bembrops be likely to decide that it belonged to the nectic fauna; so that some other explanation must be found for its peculiar geographical distribution. And if this explanation will also serve to throw some light on the distribution of, e.g., Lobotes surinamensis, which is so far from being pelagic or nectic that it enters brackish water ; and if it will also enable us to better understand the curious distribution, e.g., of Symbranchus, of the Chromides, and of the Gyprinodontidx, its probability will be enhanced,
The hypothesis that appears to offer the most satisfactory explanation is, that a very considerable part of the fish-fauna of the Oriental region originated from, and to a certain extent is a remnant of, the fauna of the Tertiary Mediter- ranean of Professor Suess — of a Mediterranean that extended from the present Gulf of Mexico, through the present Mediterranean basin, far into the Eastern Hemisphere,
In the Account of the Deep Sea Madreporaria collected by the Investigator, pp. 5-^10, I have discussed some evidence in favour of this hypothesis that is afforded by certain other elements of the marine fauna; and in the Account of the Veep Sea Brady ur u collected by the Investigator, pp. 2, 3, 82, 85, I have added m,i,]o further confirmatory evidence, derived from the present distribution of
* Species marked with an asterisk have been compared with actual »pociincns.
Certain genera and species of Crabs ; so that the evidence to be adduced from the fish-fauna will already have been corroborated from several other marine groups.
It is no part of my plan, in this series of Reports, to refer to the evidence that lies outside the boundaries of the " Investigator" collections ; but no one who remembers the singular distribution of certain Mammals (e.g. the Tapirs), Birds (e.g. the Trogons, Barbets, and Whistling Teal), and Amphibia (e.g. the Cmciliidse), and no one, more especially, who has considered the geogra- phical range of a number of Indian Snake and Lizard families and genera too numerous to mention, can have failed to have suspicions of the former ex- istence of some land connexion (which this sea-connexion implies) between the tropical and subtropical regions of America and the Old World — suspicions which the comfortable formula " similarity of conditions" alone will not satisfy.
Moreover, as regards marine fishes, the researches of Dr. Giinther have familiarized us with the idea of a former direct and open connexion between the Mediterranean and Japanese Seas (Introcl. Study of Fishes, p>- 270).
The testimony supplied by the Indian fish-fauna favourable to the hypo- theses in question may be briefly summarized as follows : —
A. The Marine Fishes. The total number of genera of Indian marine fishes is about 350, of which
(1) about 28 per cent, are common to the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and the Indo-Pacifie :
(2) nearly 6 per cent, are common to the Atlantic, the Bed Sea, and the Indo-Pacifie, to the exclusion of the Mediterranean :
(3) nearly 20 per cent, are common to the Atlantic and Indo-Pacifie, to the exclusion of the Mediterranean and Red Seas :
(4) nearly 3 per cent, are common to the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacifie to the exclusion of the Atlantic.
That is to say, taking the Atlantic and Mediterranean as one integral region, over 56 per cent, of the genera of Indian marine fishes are also found in that region.
Not only so, but a considerable number of species are common to the two regions, and although it may be argued that most of these — such as the Sword- fishes, the Pilot fish, the Tunnies, the Sucker fish, the Stemoptychidse, and even certain Glupeidss and Beryeidx — are oceanic forms of unlimited range, yet this objection cannot, I think, apply to such species as Lobotes surinamensis, Bembrops caudimacula, Chaunax pictus, or Macrurus cavernosus, or to Sargus noct and Crenidens Forslcalii.
B. The Freshwater Fishes. Exclusive of certain immigrants from marine families, the freshwater fishes of India are Carps (which are nearer two-thirds than half the whole freshwater fish-fauna), Siluridse, Cyprinodontidse, Ghromides
and Nandinae, Symbranchidae, Notopteridx, Labyrinthici, Ophiocephalidae, Bhyncho- bdellidae. Excluding the Carps and the Nandinae, we have our attention at once attracted bj certain curiosities of distribution.
For instance, in the small family of Symbranchidae, we find Symbranchus with three species, one common in the jheels of the Oriental region, another common in tropical America. The third is from Indo-Australian waters.
Again, the Gyprinodontidas, of which 2 genera and 5 species occur in India, have a most suggestive range, being found in tropical and temperate America, in tropical Africa and the regions of the Mediterranean basin, and in south- western Asia — one genus, Cyprinodon, being represented in India and all round the Mediterranean.
Again, the Siluroid genus Arms has a tropical distribution that fits in most remarkably with the theory of a tropical Mediterranean of wide extent east and west.
The same is the case with the Chromides, which are freshwater fishes of tropical America and Africa, and of which three species are found in India.
The other families — Notopteridae, Bhynchohdellidas, Labyrinthici and Ophioce- phalidse — do not extend further to the west than Western Africa.
I may conclude this Introduction with some Tables of genera and species that are common, on the one hand to the Atlantic and Mediterranean and, on the other hand, to the seas of India. Of course many of these are widely ranging forms, and may be discounted ; but, on the other hand, no mention is made of several characteristic Indo-Pacific genera that have been discovered, fossil, in the Tertiary deposits of Northern Italy, and a respectable number of forms that are common to the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and Japan are not included here.
I. List of Genera and Species common to the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and the Indian Fauna.
1. Carcliarias. 10. Rhinobatis.
2. ZygEena. vii. „ halavi.
i. „ blocliii. viii. „ columnae.
ii. „ tudes. 11. Raja.
3. Larana. 12. Trygon.
jii. „ spallanzauii. ix. „ pastinaca.
4. Odontaspis. x. „ bennettii (Atl. not Med.),
5. Alopeoias. 13. Pteroplataaa. iv. „ vulpes. 14 Myliobatis.
6. Notidanus. 15. RLrinoptera.
7. Scyllium. 10. Dieerobatis.
8. Centrophorus. 17. Serranus.
9. Pristis. 18. Chelidoperca. v. ,, pcctinata. 19. Piistipoma.
vi. „ perrotteti (Atlantic not Med.). xi. „ stridens (Med. not Atl.).
|
20. |
Lobotes. |
60. |
Regalecus. |
|
xii. |
„ surinamensis. |
61. |
Heliastes. |
|
21. |
Apogon. |
62. |
Novacula. |
|
22. |
Dentex. |
63. |
Julis. |
|
23. |
Smaris. |
64. |
Coris. |
|
24. |
Chastodon. |
65. |
Physiculus. |
|
25. |
Sargus. |
66 |
Fierasfer. |
|
xiii. |
„ noct (Med. not Atl.). |
67. |
Ammodytes. |
|
26. |
Pagrus. |
68. |
Macrurus. |
|
27. |
Chrysoplirys. |
69. |
Mystaconurus. |
|
28. |
Pimelepterus. |
70. |
Malacocepbalus. |
|
29. |
Sebastes. |
xxii. |
,, lams. |
|
30. |
Scorpsena. |
71. |
Arnoglossus. |
|
31. |
Hoplostethus. |
72. |
Platophrys. |
|
xiv. |
,, mediterraneum. |
73. |
Solea. |
|
32. |
Utobrina. |
74. |
Syngnatbus. |
|
33. |
Sciaena. |
75. |
Hippocampus. |
|
34. |
Scia?noides. |
xxiii. |
„ guttulatus. |
|
35. |
Histiopborus. |
76. |
Nerophis. |
|
36. |
Tricbiurus. |
77. |
Balistes. |
|
37. |
Tbyrsites. |
xxiv. |
„ maculatus (Atl. not Med.) |
|
38. |
Caranx. |
78. |
Ostracion. |
|
XV. |
,, carangus. |
XXV. |
„ nasus (Med. not Atl.). |
|
39. |
Naucrates. |
79. |
Tetrodon. |
|
xvi. |
„ dnctor. |
80. |
Diodon. |
|
40. |
Ecbeneis. |
xxvi. |
„ hystrix. |
|
xvii. |
„ remora. |
81. |
Orthagoriscus. |
|
sviii. |
„ naucrates. |
82. |
Argyropelecus. |
|
41. |
Seriola. |
xxvii. |
„ hemigymnus. |
|
42. |
Stromateus. |
83. |
Cbauliodus. |
|
43. |
Coryphsena. |
xxviii |
,, sloanii. |
|
xix. |
„ hippurus. |
84. |
Saurus. |
|
44. |
Scomber. |
85. |
Scopelus. |
|
45. |
Thynnus. |
86. |
Cbloropbthalmus. |
|
XX. |
„ tbnnnina. |
87. |
Belone. |
|
xxi. |
„ pelamys. |
88. |
Hemiramphus. |
|
46. |
Cybium. |
89. |
Exocoatus. |
|
47. |
Batrachus. |
xxix. |
„ evolans. |
|
48. |
Lopbius. |
XXX. |
„ furcatus. |
|
49. |
Trigla. |
90. |
Stomias. |
|
50. |
Peristetbium. |
91. |
Cbtpea. |
|
51. |
Dactylopterus. |
92. |
Engraulis. |
|
52. |
Gobius. |
93. |
Alepocephalus. |
|
53. |
Callionymus. |
94. |
Anguilla. |
|
54. |
Salarias. |
95. |
CoDgromursena. |
|
55. |
Tripterygium. |
96. |
Murasna. |
|
56. |
Cepola. |
xxxi. |
„ afra (Atl. not Med.). |
|
57. |
Spbyraena. |
97. |
Muraenesox. |
|
58. |
Atherina. |
98. |
Nettastoma. |
|
59. |
Mugil. |
99. |
Ophichtbys. |
II. List of Additional Genera and Species common to the Atlantic the Red Sea and the Indian
Fauna, excluding the Mediterranean.
100. Tmniiira.
101. Mesoprion.
102. Priacanthus.
103. Holacanthus.
104. Mulloides.
105. Upeneus.
106. Holocentrum.
107. Myripristis. 10S. Acanthurus.
109. Opistbognatbus.
110. Antennarius.
III. List of Additional Genera
|
120. |
Galeocerdo. |
|
121. |
Mustelus. |
|
122. |
Centroscyllium. |
|
123. |
G inglymostoma. |
|
124. |
Narcine. |
|
125. |
Aetobatis. |
|
xxxiii. |
„ narinari. |
|
126. |
Dules. |
|
127. |
Gerres. |
|
128. |
Epbippus. |
|
129. |
Letlirinus. |
|
130. |
Setarches. |
|
xxxiv. |
,, giintheri. |
|
131. |
Tracbicbthys. |
|
XXXV. |
„ darwinii. |
|
132. |
Polymixia. |
|
xxxvi, |
„ nobilis. |
|
133. |
Melamphaes. |
|
134. |
Bathyclnpea. |
|
135. |
Polynemus. |
|
136. |
Otolitbus. |
|
137. |
Antigonia. |
|
xxxvi; |
i. „ capros. |
|
138. |
Micropteryx. |
|
xxxviii. ,, chrysurus, |
|
|
139. |
Chorincmus. |
|
140. |
Tracbynotus. |
|
xxxix. |
„ ovatus. |
|
141. |
Pseues. |
|
xl. |
„ regulus. |
|
142. |
Elacate. |
|
xli. |
„ nigra. |
|
143. |
Malacautkus. |
111. Periophthalmus.
112. Salarias.
113. Eleotris.
114. Glypbidodon.
115. Platyglossus.
116. Pseudoscarus.
117. Callyodou.
118. Monacantbus.
119. Albula.
xxxii. „ conorbyiicbus.
and Species common to the Atlantic and the Indian Fauna excluding the Mediterranean.
144. Chiasmodus. xlii. „ niger.
|
145. |
Bembrops. |
|
xliii. |
,, caudimacula. |
|
146. |
Chaunax. |
|
xliv. |
„ pictus. |
|
147. |
Ceratias. |
|
148. |
Onirodes. |
|
149. |
Dibrancbus. |
|
150. |
Sicydium. |
|
151. |
Fistularia. |
|
152. |
Pomacentrus. |
|
153. |
Cossyphus. |
|
154. |
Bregmaceios. |
|
155. |
Brotula. |
|
156. |
Neobytbites. |
|
157. |
Dicrolene. |
|
xlv. |
„ intronigra. |
|
158. |
Diplacanthopoma. |
|
xlvi. |
„ bracbysoma. |
|
159. |
Bassozetus. |
|
160. |
Batbygadus. |
|
xlvii. |
,, longifilis. |
|
xlviii. |
Mystaconurus cavernosue. |
|
161. |
Citharicbtbys. |
|
162. |
Pseudorbombus. |
|
163. |
Apboristia. |
|
1G4. |
Cynoglossus. |
|
165. |
Dovyicbtbys. |
|
166. |
Neoscopelus. |
|
xlix. |
,, macrolepidotus. |
|
167. |
Batbypterois. |
|
168. |
Arius. |
|
169. |
Opistltopterus. |
|
170. |
Raconda. |
|
171. |
Cliatoessus. |
|
172. |
Spiatelloides. |
|
173. |
Elops. |
|
1. |
,, saurus. |
|
174. |
Pellona. |
|
175. |
Megalops. |
|
176. |
Sternoptyx. |
|
li. |
„ diaphana, |
|
177. |
Cyclothone. |
|
lii. |
,, microdon, |
|
liii. |
„ elongata. |
|
178. |
Malacosteus. |
|
179. |
Photostomias. |
|
180. |
Bathytroetes. |
|
181. |
Platytroctes. |
|
liv. |
„ apus. |
|
182. |
Xenodermichthys. |
|
183. |
Leptoderma. |
|
184. |
Halosaurus. |
|
185. |
Nemiclitbys. |
|
186. |
Synaphobranclius. |
|
lv. |
.. |
|
187. |
Uroconger. |
|
Ivi. |
,, vicinus |
|
188. |
GymnomurEena. |
|
lvii. |
Diodon maculatus. |
|
189. |
Chilomycterus. |
pinnatus.
IV. List of Genera and Species common to the Mediterranean and Indian Fauna, excluding the
' Atlantic.
|
190. |
Lates. |
|
191. |
Diagramma. |
|
192. |
Crenidens. |
|
lviii. |
„ forskalii. |
|
193. |
Uranoscopus. |
|
194. |
Lepidotrigla. |
|
195. |
Cristiceps. |
|
196. |
Synaptura. |
|
197. |
Odontostomus. |
|
19S. |
Saurenchelys. |
To sum up : if we estimate the number of Indian genera of marine fishes at 350, and of species at 1200, then over 56 per cent, of the genera and close on 5 per cent, of the species are also found in the Atlantic-Mediterranean region.
This does not include the Cephalochordate forms AmpJdoxus and Asijm- metron.
Amphioxus occurs in the tropical and temperate parts of the Atlantic, in the Mediterranean, off the Indian . and Ceylon coasts, and in the tropical and temperate parts of the Pacific.
Asymmetron has only been found (1) in the West Indies and (2) off the south-eastern coast of Papua. In the latter locality a species has recently been discovered by Dr. Arthur Willey, who was at once attracted by the singular fact of geographical distribution thus revealed.
List of the Indian Deep-Sea Fishes contained in the Collection of the Indian Museum. [The references for the plates and figures are to the Illustrations of the Zoology of the
|
Investigator for 1892, 1894, 1895, 1897, 1898, 1899, |
1900.] |
|||
|
Page. |
Plate |
Pig. |
||
|
CHONDROPTERYGIT :— |
* |
|||
|
i. |
Family Spinacidse : — |
|||
|
1. Centrophorus Rossi. ... ... |
13 |
XXVI |
3 |
|
|
2. Centroscyllium ornatum. |
14 |
... VIII & XXXV . |
.. 2&1 |
|
|
ii. |
Family Scyllidre : — 3. SCYLLIUM CANESCENS, Gthr. ... |
16 |
||
|
4. Scyllium hispidum. |
15 |
VIII |
.. 3 |
|
|
5. Scyllium quagga. |
17 |
XXVII |
.. 1 |
|
|
iii. |
Family Torpedinidse : — |
|||
|
6. Benthobatis Moresbyi. |
18 |
XXVI |
1 |
|
|
iv. |
Family Rajida? : — |
|||
|
7. Raja mamillidens. ... ... |
19 |
VIII |
1 |
|
|
8. Raja Poivelli. |
20 |
XXVI |
.. 4 |
|
|
9. Raja Johannis-Davisi. |
21 |
XXVII |
.. 2 |
|
|
TELEOSTEI:— |
||||
|
Acanthoptertgii : — |
||||
|
i. |
Family Serranidse : — |
|||
|
1. Chelidoperca investigatoris. ... |
23 |
X |
.. 1 |
|
|
2. Synagrops philippinensis, (Gthr.). |
24 |
XXVIII |
.. 1 |
|
|
3. Brephostoma Carpenteri. |
26 |
XVIII |
.. 2 |
|
|
ii. |
Family Scorpaanida? : — 4. Sebastes hexanema, Gthr. ... |
27 |
||
|
5. Setarches Guntheri, Johns. |
28 |
X |
o |
|
|
6. Pterois macrurus. |
30 |
XVIII |
.. 4 |
|
|
7. Minous inermis. |
30 |
XVIII |
,.. 3 |
|
|
iii. |
Family Berycidae : — 8. Monocentris japonicus, C. V. |
32 |
||
|
9. Hoplostethus Mediterraneum, C. V. ... |
34 |
XIV |
.. 3 |
|
|
10. Trachichthys Darwinii, Johns. |
35 |
|||
|
11. Trachichthys intermedics, Hector. |
36 |
|||
|
12. Melamphaes mizolepis, Gthr. |
37 |
|||
|
13. Polymixia nobilis, Lowe. ... |
38 |
|||
|
iv. |
Family Kurtidse : — |
|||
|
14. Bathyclupea Hoskynii. |
40 |
XXVIII . |
.. 2 |
|
|
v. |
Family Trichiuridas : — |
|||
|
15. Thyrsites bengalensis. |
42 |
XV |
,.. 10 |
|
|
vi. |
Family Carangidre : — |
|||
|
16. Bathyseriola cyanea. ... |
43 |
XVIII |
1 |
|
|
vii. |
Family Cyttidse: — 17. Antigonia capros, Lowe. ... |
44 |
Page.
Plate.
Fig.
Family Trachinidse : —
18. Uranoscopus crassiceps. ...
Champsodon vorax, Gthr. ... Bembrops caddjmacdla, Stdr. Chiasmodds niger, Johns. ...
Family Pediculafci : — 22. Lophius indicus.
Lophius gracilimanus. Lophius mutilus. Lophius lugubris. Ceratias bispinosus, Gthr. ... Onirodes glomerosus. Chaonax pictds, Lowe. Halieutjia stellata, Wahl.... Halieutsea nigra. Halieutsea coccinea. Halieutsea fumosa. Dibranchus nasutus. Dibranchns micropus. Malthopsis lutea- Halicmetus ruber.
Family Cottidas : —
37. Teigla hemisticta, Schleg.
Lepidotrigla spiloptera, Gthr. Lepidotrigla longipinnis. Peristethium Rivers- Andersoni. P eristethium serrulatum. Peristethium investigatoris.
Family Gobiidse : —
43. Gobius' cometes. ...
44. Amblyopus ar otocephalus.
45. Callionymus carebares.
46. Callionymus kaiancs, Gthr. ...
19. 20. 21.
23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36.
38. 39. 40. 41. 42.
|
45 ... |
X |
.. 4 |
|
47 ... |
XXVIII |
.. 5 |
|
48 ... |
XX & XXXI .. |
. 6 &2 |
|
50 ... |
XXVIII ., |
. 3 |
|
53 ... |
XIX |
,. 3 |
|
54 ... |
XXIX |
. 3 |
|
54 ... |
X |
. 2 |
|
55 ... |
XIV |
I |
|
56 ... |
XXXV |
. 2 |
|
57 ... |
XXVIII |
. 4 |
|
58 |
||
|
60 |
||
|
60 ... |
XIX |
. 2 |
|
61 ... |
XIX |
. 1 |
|
62 ... |
XIV |
. 2 |
|
63 ... |
XX |
2 |
|
63 ... |
XX |
1 |
|
64 ... |
XIX |
. 4 |
|
66 ... |
XIX |
, 5 |
|
67 |
||
|
67 |
||
|
68 ... |
XXXI |
1 |
|
68 |
||
|
69 ... |
XXV |
2 |
|
70 ... |
XXV |
1 |
|
71 ... |
XX |
3 |
|
72 ... |
XX |
7 |
|
73 ... |
XX |
4 |
|
74 |
Anacanthini :
Family Gadidee : —
1. Bregmaceros Macclellandii, Thomps.
2. Physiculus roseus.
3. Physiculus argyropastus.
Family Ophidiidae : —
4. Neobtthites macrops, Gthr. ...
5. Neobythites conjugator.
6. Neobythites nigripinnis.
7. Neobythites steatiticus.
8. Neobythites pterotus.
9. Neobythites squamipinnis.
10. Dicrolene intronigea, G. & B.
11. Dicrolene multijilis. ...
2
|
75 |
||
|
76 |
XI |
.. 2 |
|
77 |
XXII |
.. 1 |
|
80 |
||
|
81 |
XVII |
.. 4 |
|
82 |
XI |
.. 3 |
|
82 |
XXI |
.. 2 |
|
83 |
... XI and XXIX . |
.. 4 and 1 |
|
84 |
XXI |
.. 1 |
|
85 |
||
|
86 |
XI |
.. 1 |
10
|
Page. |
Plate. |
Fig. |
||
|
12. |
Bicrolene nigricandis. |
87 ... |
II |
... 4 |
|
13. |
Bassozetus glutinosus. |
88 ... |
I |
... 3 |
|
14. |
Dermatorus trichiurus. |
90 ... |
I |
... 1 |
|
15. |
Dermatorus melanocephalus. ... |
91 ... |
XXI |
... 4 |
|
16. |
Dermatorus melampeplus. |
92 ... |
XVII |
... 3 |
|
17. |
Glyptophidium argenteum. |
93 ... |
II |
... 3 |
|
18. |
Glyptophidium macropus. |
94 ... |
XV |
... 6 |
|
19. |
Lamprogrammus niger. |
95 ... |
I |
... 2 |
|
20. |
Lamprogrtimmus fragilis. |
96 |
||
|
21. |
Tauredophidium Hextii. |
97 ... |
XXI |
... 3 |
|
22. |
Diplacanthopoma Ilivers- Anderson i. |
99 ... |
XVII |
1 |
|
23. |
DlPLACANTHOPOMA BEACHTSOMA, Gthr. |
... 100 ... |
XVII |
... 2 |
|
24. |
Diplacanthopoma raniceps. |
... 101 ... |
XXVI |
2 |
|
25. |
Saccogaster maculata. |
... 102 ... |
XXIX |
2 |
|
26. |
Hephthocara simum. |
... 103 ... |
XXII |
... 3 |
|
Family |
Macruridse : — |
|||
|
27. |
Macrurus parallelus, Gthr. ... |
... 106 |
||
|
28. |
Macrurus quadricristatus. |
... 106 ... |
III |
... 1 |
|
29. |
Macricrus flabellispinis. |
... 107 ... |
XVI |
... 2 |
|
30. |
Macrurus investigatoris. |
... 109 ... |
III |
... 4 |
|
31. |
Macrurus Petersonii. |
... 110 ... |
III |
... 5 |
|
32. |
Macrurus nasutos, Gthr. |
... Ill ... |
XIII |
... 3 |
|
33. |
Macrurus semiquincuitciatus. ... |
... Ill ... |
XII |
... 2 |
|
34. |
Macrurus polylepis. |
... 112 ... |
XXIX |
... 4 |
|
35. |
Macrurus pumiliceps. |
... 113 ... |
XVI |
• • • O |
|
36. |
Macrurus Hextii. |
... 113 ... |
XII |
... 3 |
|
37. |
Macrurus Wood-Masoni. |
... 114 ... |
XIII |
1 |
|
38. |
Macrurus macrolophus. |
115 ... |
XII |
... 1 |
|
39. |
Macrurus lophotes. |
... 116 ... |
III |
2 |
|
40. |
Macricrus Huskynii. |
116 ... |
IX |
... 4 |
|
41. |
Macruros cavernosds, G. & B. |
... 117 ... |
III |
... 3 |
|
42. |
Macrurus LjEvis, Lowe. |
... 119 |
||
|
43. |
Bathtgadds longifilis, G. & B. |
120 |
||
|
44. |
Bathygadus furvescens. |
... 121 ... |
XVI |
... 1 |
Family Ateleopodidre : —
45. Ateleopus indicus.
Family Pleuronectidaa : —
46. Chascanopsetta lugubris.
47. Boopsetta prselonga.
48. Boopsetta maculosa.
49. Lmops inacrophlhalmus.
50. Solea umbratilis.
51. Aphoristia Gilesii.
52. Aphoristia Wood-Masoni.
53. Aphoristia septemstriata .
54. Aphoristia trifasciala.
55. Cynoglossus Carpeuteri.
123
II
|
125 . |
XV |
.. 3 |
|
126 . |
.. XV & XVII . |
.. 2 & 5 |
|
127 .. |
XV |
1 |
|
128 . |
XXIII |
1 |
|
129 . |
XV |
.. 4 |
|
131 . |
XIV |
.. 4 |
|
131 . |
XVI |
.. 4 |
|
132 , |
11 |
1 |
|
133 . |
XV |
.. 5 |
|
133 . |
XXII |
,. 5 |
11
Phtsostomi :—
i. Family Sternoptyuhidae : —
1. Argyropelecus hemigymnos, Cocco.
2. Sternoptyx diaphana, Herm.
3. Polyipnus spinosds, Gtlir. ...
4 Cyclothone elongata, (Gthr.).
5. Cyclothone microdon, (Gthr.).
6. Photichthys corythasolus.
7. Chauliodus Sloanii, Bl. Schn.
8. Chauliodus pammelas.
ii. Family Stomiatidse : —
9. Stomias nebulosus. JO. Stomias elongatus.
11. Mulacosteus, sp — ...
12. Photostomias atrox. 12a. Astronesthes, sp.
iii. Family Scopelidae : —
13. Scopelarchus Giintheri.
14. Harpodon squamosus.
15. Chlorophthalmus comiger. ...
16. Bathypterois Giintheri.
17. Bathypterois insularum.
18. Bathypterois atricolor.
19. SCOPELUS ENGRAULIS, Gthr....
20. Scopelus Domerilii, Blkr....
21. Scopelus pterotus.
22. Scopelus pyrsobolus.
23. Neoscopelus macrolepidotus, Johns.
24. Scnpelengys tristis.
25. Odontostomus atratus.
iv. Family Alepocephalida? : —
26. Alepocephalus bicolor.
27. Alepocephalus Blanfordi.
28. Alepocephalus edentulns.
29. Bathytroctes squamosus.
30. Narcetes erimelas.
31. Platytrootes apds, Gthr. ...
32. Aulastomomorpha phosphorops.
33. Xenodermichthys Giintheri. ...
34. Xenodermichthys squamilaterus .
35. Leptoderma ajjinis.
v. Family Halosaurida? : —
36. Halosaurus anguilliformis. ...
37. Halosaurus mediorostris, Gthr.
38. Halosaurus parvipennis.
39. Halosaurus carinicauda.
40. Halosaurtis nigerrimus.
Page.
135 136 138 139 141 142 144 145
146 147 149 150 211
153
154 155 157 158 159 161 162 162 163 164 166 167
169 171 172
173 175
177 178 180 181 182
184 185 186 187 188
Plate.
Fig.
XXV XXX
VII
|
XXXIII |
.. 4 |
|
XXX |
2 |
|
XXXV |
.. 3 |
|
XVII |
.. 7 |
|
XXX |
.. 1 |
|
XV |
.. 8 |
|
VII |
.. 6 |
|
XXXII |
.. 1 |
|
XVII |
.. 6 |
|
IX |
.. 3 |
|
XXX |
.. 3 |
|
VII |
.. 7 |
|
XXXIII |
.. 3 |
|
IV |
2 |
|
IX |
1 |
|
XXXII |
.. 4 |
|
V |
.. 1 |
|
IV |
.. 1 |
|
V |
2 |
|
XXXII |
.. 2 |
|
XXV |
.. 4 |
|
XXXII |
.. 3 |
VII
XXXIII
VII XXXIII
1
2 2
12
vi. Family 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57.
PlECTOGNATHI
i. Family 1.
2.
|
Page. |
Plate. |
Fig. |
|
|
Mura?nidse : — |
|||
|
Nemichthys acanlhonotus. |
.. 190 .. |
XIV |
... 5 |
|
Gavialiceps microps. |
... 191 |
||
|
Dysomma Bucephalus. |
.. 192 .. |
VI |
... I |
|
Dysommopsis mucipara. |
.. 193 .. |
XXXIV |
... 1 |
|
Synaphobranchcts pinnatus, GroDov. |
195 |
||
|
Coloconger raniceps. |
196 .. |
VII |
... 4 |
|
Gongromursena squaliceps. ... |
... 197 |
||
|
Congromursena macrocercus |
198 .. |
VII |
... 5 |
|
Congromursena nasica. |
198 .. |
IX |
... 2 |
|
Gongromursena musteliceps. ... |
199 .. |
XV |
7 |
|
CONGROMUR/ENA GUTTULATA, Gthr. |
199 |
||
|
Uroconger vicinus, Vaillant. |
.. 200 |
||
|
Promyllantor purpureus. |
202 .. |
VI |
... 2 |
|
Sauromursenesox vorax. |
.. 203 .. |
VI |
... 3 |
|
Xenomystax trucidans. |
.. 205 .. |
XVI |
... 5 |
|
Saurenchelys tseniola. |
.. 206 .. |
XXXIV |
... 2 |
|
Nettenchelys Taylori. |
.. 207 .. |
XXV |
... 5 |
Sclerodermi : — Triacanthodes ethiops. Halimochincrgus centriscoides.
208 209
XV XXXI
N. B. — The species of Astronesth.es was mislaid among some specimens of Shore Fishes, and was only discovered after the text relating to the Stomiatidse had been printed off.
Explanation of the Chart.
The Chart has been compiled from Plate II of Dr. Ernst Koken's Die Vorivelt und Hire EntmckeltmgsgescMchte, and shows the supposed coast-lines of the Tertiary Continents.
The present coast-lines are indicated by dotted lines.
The supposed Tertiary coast-lines of Koken are indicated by thick black lines.
The Great Inland Sea, stretching from the present Gulf of Mexico to the present Arabian Sea, is coloured dark blue.
The Chart is meant to elucidate the theory advanced in the text as to the origin of a considerable part of the Fish Fauna of India, especially that of the Oligobenthus.
12
Family Muraenidse : —
41. Nemichthys acanthonotus.
42. Gavialiceps microps.
43. Dysomma bucephalus.
44. Dysommopsis mucipara.
45. Synaphobeanchus pinnatds
46. Coloconger raniceps.
Gronov.
|
Page. |
Plate. |
Fig. |
|
... 190 ... |
XIV |
... 5 |
|
... 191 |
||
|
... 192 ... |
VI |
... I |
|
... 193 ... |
XXXIV |
... 1 |
|
195 |
||
|
... 196 ... |
VII |
... 4 |
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13
Sub-class CHONDROPTERYGII.
Order Plagiostomata.
Sub-order Selachoidei.
In the Fauna of British India, Fishes, Vol. I. p. 6, five families of Sharks are recorded for the seas of India, namely, Carchariidas, Lamnidx, Bhinodontidse, Notidanidgs, Scylliidse.
A sixth family, Spinacidas, with two genera, has been discovered by the " Investigator " to be also represented.
Family SpindCldCB.
" Two dorsal fins : no anal. Mouth but slightly arched ; a long deep " straight oblique groove on each side of the mouth. Spiracles present : " gill-openings narrow. Pectoral fins not notched at their origin. No nie- " titating membrane." (Giinther) .
Key to the Indian genera of the family Spinacidse. Each dorsal fin with a spine : no lateral folds of skin along the belly : —
1 . Upper teeth erect, with a single cusp : lower teeth
oblique ... ... ... ••• ••• Centeophoeus.
2. Teeth equal in both jaws, very small, tricuspid ... Centeoscyllium.
Centeophoeus, Midler and Henle.
Centrophorvs, Miiller and Henle, Plagiostomen, p. 88 : Giinther, Catalogue of Fishes, VIII. 419 (et synon.).
" Two dorsal fins, each with a spine which is sometimes hidden below the " skin : no anal fin. Trunk elongate without lateral folds. Mouth wide, but " slightly arched : a long deep straight oblique groove on each side of the mouth. " Teeth of the lower jaw with the point more or less inclined backwards or out- " wards. Upper teeth erect, triangular or narrow-lanceolate, with a single cusp. " No membrana nictitans. Spiracles wide, behind the eye. Gill-openings narrow." {Giinther).
l. Centrophorus Rossi, Alcock.
Centrophoms Rossi, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. August, 1898, p. 143 : Illustrations of the Zoology op the Investigator, Fishes, plate XXVI. fig 3.
Snout spathulate, much produced, its length measured from the most convex part of the upper jaw is one-eighth of the total, or more than 2^ times the inter- narial space, or about three times the major diameter of the eye-ball. The nostrils, though completely ventral, cause a distinct notching of the margin of the snout seen from above.
14
Mouth crescent-shaped, considerably protractile, the distance between its angles is about two-thirds the length of the snout. The labial fold extends rather more than half-way between the angle of the mouth and the middle of the lower jaw.
Teeth of the upper jaw acute, triangular, in two series : those of the lower jaw very oblique, in a single series.
The posterior borders of all the fins are frayed or fringed, this not being due to abrasion. The angle of the pectoral is rounded ; the extremity of the ventral is almost in the perpendicular with the after limit of the base of the second dorsal. The dorsal spines (measured obliquely as they stand) are not much more than half the greatest height of their fins, but their points project well beyond the skin ; the second dorsal is a little larger than the first.
Scales minute, acutely and very elegantly tridentate, or anchor-shaped.
Colour uniform jet-black.
A single specimen, 10 inches long, from off the Travancore coast, 430 fath.
Regd. No. — .
Named in memory of Captain Daniel Ross, who, according to Sir Clements Markham, was the first Indian " Marine Surveyor-General " (1823-1833) to introduce a really scientific method into marine surveying in India.
This species is closely related to the Centrophorus calceus Lowe and the Centrophorus obscurus Vaillant of the Atlantic-Mediterranean gate and to the Centrophorus foliaceus of the Japanese Sea.
Centroscyllium, Midler and Henle.
Centroscyllium, Miiller and Henle, Plagiostomen, p. 191 : Giinther Catalogue of Fishes, VIII. 425 : Jordan and Evermann, Fishes of North and Middle America, I. p. 56: Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 11. Paracentroscyllium, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. Nov. 1889, p. 379.
" Two dorsal fins, each with a strong spine : no anal fin. Mouth crescent- " shaped : a straight oblique groove at each angle of the mouth. Teeth equal " in both jaws, very small, tricuspid. No membrana nictitans. Spiracles of " moderate width. Gill-openings rather narrow." (Giinther).
Centroscyllium contains three species, Centroscyllium fabricii from Green- land, North America and the coast of " Sahara," Centroscyllium granulatum from the Falkland Is., and Centroscyllium ornatum from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, 690-620 and 405-285 fathoms.
2. Centroscyllium ornatum, Alcock.
PaTacentroscyllium ornatum, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. Nov. 1889, p. 379 .- Illustrations of the Zoology or the Invkstioatoic, Fishes, PL. VIII. FIG. 2 (yonng), pi. XXXV. §g. 1.
Centroscyllium ornatum, Alcock, Jouin. As. Soc. Bengal, Vol. LXV. pt 2, IH'M, pp. 30S, 310,
15
All the tissues extremely fragile.
Head very large, very flat and depressed, branchial regions laterally expanded.
Snout much depressed, somewhat polygonal in outline : nostrils very large, situated on ventral surface of edge of snout. Under surface of snout with numerous rather large pores, two rows of which form an elegant Y- or V-shaped figure that extends between the nostrils.
Eyes very large, their major diameter four-fifths as long as the snout measured from the mouth, and a fifth the length of the head (branchial region included).
Spiracles rather small, about a third the major diameter of the eye, situated on the upper surface of the head, behind the eye.
Mouth crescentic, large, the distance between its angles being as long as, or slightly longer than the snout : minute tricuspid teeth in both jaws.
Body covered with minute extremely deciduous placoid scales, the spine of each scale with a stelliform base.
Dorsal spines very strong and acute, the 2nd nearly twice the size of the 1st. The 1st dorsal fin arises in advance of a point midway between the pec- torals and ventrals, the 2nd arises immediately behind the level of the base of the ventrals.
Colours uniform jet-black, but the integument is very deciduous. In youn^ specimens the hue is " deep violet black, lighter between the eyes ; head with minute white spots arranged in the shape of a lute ; ventrals with pale tips."
Bay of Bengal 405-285 fathoms : Arabian Sea 690-620 fathoms.
Regd. Nos. 11664, 11666 : ~ to p
Family Scylliidce.
SCTLLIUM, CUV., M. & H.
3. Scyllium hispidum, Alcock.
Scullium hispidum, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hiat., July, 1891, p. 21 : Illustrations of the Zoology of the Investigator, Pishes, pl. VIII. figs. 3, 3a.
Head broad and depressed. Snout flat, semicircular in outline, its length, measured from the convexity of the upper jaw, is half its greatest breadth and twice the width of the inter-narial space. Nasal valves separated by an interval almost equal to the maximum diameter of the nostril : each has a very short cirrus.
Eyeballs large, their major diameter being between two-thirds and three- quarters the length of the snout (measured as above).
16
Spiracles very small, their diameter less than half that of the pupil, situated immediately behind and below the eye.
Mouth large crescentic, a short labial fold at the angles only. Teeth in broadish bands in both jaws, small, mostly tricuspid (sometimes 5-cuspid) the middle cusp much the largest. Surface of palate and of tongue papillated.
The entire surface of the skin closely covered with minute stony tricuspid spines.
The first dorsal fin, which arises just ahead of the vertical through the after end of the base of the ventrals, is larger than the second, which is about opposite the anal : the base of the anal is about twice as long as that of either dorsal. The pectorals are at least twice as big as the ventrals, and the latter have a very oblique posterior margin.
Colours : dull stone-grey, rather lighter ventrally.
Andaman Sea, 188-220 fathoms, 185 fathoms, 370-419 fathoms, and 405 fathoms.
The largest specimen is a female 11 inches long.
Regd. Nos. 13120 type of male: 1J* type of female: 2ffi: a38_JLai.
382 385. 1 - 1 •
4. Scyllium canescens, Giinther.
Scyllium canescens, Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (5) II. 187S, p. 18 : Challenger Deep Sea Fishes, p. 1, pi. i., fig. A : Alcock, J. A. S. B., Vol. LX V., pt. 2, 1896, p. 310.
Differs from 8. hispidum, if my identification be correct, in the following particulars : —
(1) the snout is slightly longer, relatively :
(2) the eye is slightly smaller :
(3) the labial folds at the angles of the mouth are slightly larger :
(4) teeth tricuspid, the cusps subequal :
(5) the body is covered with simple stiff prickles :
(6) the fins have much the same position, but the second dorsal is slightly larger than the first, and the base of the anal is not so extensive.
Colours in spirit blackish with a hoary gray surface. Some of the fins, as in some specimens of Scyllium hispidum, may be tipped with white behind.
A single small specimen from the Arabian Sea, 690-620 fathoms.
Regd. No. ^8.
[ The type of this species was dredged by the Challenger, off the south- western coast of S. America at a depth of 400 fathoms. ]
Distribution. Patagonian fjords : Arabian Sea : at considerable depths.
17 5. Scyllium quagga, n. sp,
Illcstbations op the Zoology op the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XXVII. fig. 1.
Head broad, depressed. Snout flat, elliptical in outline with a bluntly acu- minate tip ; its length, measured from the convexity of the upper jaw is half its greatest breadth.
Nasal valves separated by an interval the width of which is rather more than two- fifths the length of the snout : each with a very short and inconspic- uous cirrus.
Eyes large, their major diameter rather over two-thirds the length of the snout.
Spiracles small, their diameter about equal to that of the pupil ; situated immediately behind and below the eye.
Mouth large, crescentic ; a short labial fold at the angles only. Teeth in both jaws tricuspid, the middle cusp much the longest and most acute.
Body everywhere covered with minute scales, which are tricuspid or anchor- shaped, except on the throat and belly, where they are granular.
The dorsal fins are not very unequal : the first arises just in front of the vertical through the after end of the base of the ventrals : the second arises just in advance of the vertical through the after end of the anal.
Base of anal a little longer than that of either of the dorsals, between a half and two-thirds the length of the interval between itself and the caudal. Posterior margin of ventrals very oblique.
Colours in spirit : very numerous well-defined alternate cross-bands of light and very dark brown, from snout to tip of tail, not passing on to ventral surface : the cross-bands are rather irregular in breadth, but the dark ones are usually the narrowest. The dark cross-bands are not broken up into spots, but are continuous stripes, and the light cross-bands are unspotted.
An apparently adult male is 11 inches long.
Off Malabar coast, 102 fathoms.
Regd. No. ~.
This species comes nearest to 8. Burgeri M. & H.
Suborder Batoidei. Family Torpedinidce.
Benthobatis, Alcock.
Benthobatis, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. August, 1898, p. 144.
The whole animal invested in a loose, soft, naked, glandular skin.
18
Tail very distinct from the oval disk and vrithout distinct lateral folds. Two dorsal fins on the tail ; caudal fin well developed.
Nasal valves confluent into a quadrangular curtain.
Teeth flat, rhomboidal, with the posterior angle acutely produced.
Spiracles large, situated immediately behind the inconspicuous and quite rudimentary eyes.
A large electric organ between the head and either pectoral fin.
This curious blind torpedo differs from all other members of the family in having the eyes quite rudimentary and in the absence of lateral folds of skin on the tail. In general form it resembles Narcine, though the disk is not quite so broad. The teeth, like those of Discopyge, have the posterior angle produced, but more acutely than in Discopyge, judging from Tschudi's figure.
6. Benthobatis Moresbyi, Alcock.
Benthobatis Moresbyi, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hiet. August, 1898, p. 145 : Illustrations of the Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XXVI. fig. 1.
The disk is oval, its long axis, which is fore and aft, is a little shorter than the tail : more than a third of its extent is pre-oral.
The eyes are represented by two small unpigmented spots, each not much bigger than the head of a pin, situated one in front of either spiracle ; a slender optic nerve passes to each, and expands into a vesicle so small as to need a lens for its recognition.
The mouth is small and protractile ; the teeth are small rhomboidal plates, with the posterior angle strongly and acutely produced, and are arranged in mosaic in about ten very oblique series in either jaw.
The gill-openings are large and well-spaced : the posterior one is nearer to the cloacal opening than to the mouth.
The dorsal fins are placed rather close together, the first being a little in front of the posterior limit of the ventrals, and, like the caudal, are thick and fleshy. The ventrals are of the usual shape ; though they are separate, the skin between them is loose and copious. The whole animal is covered with a per- fectly smooth, soft, glandular, purplish-black skin ; scattered on the disk and round the edge of it are some small white pores, not much smaller than the eyes ; in one specimen part of the tips of the second dorsal and caudal fins are white.
Two males (each about 14- inches long) and a young one, from off the Travancore coast, 430 fath.
-r, -■ AT 232 234
Regd. JNos. -j- : — .
19
Named in memory of Capt. Moresby, of the Indian Navy, whose surveys (1834-38) in the seas where this curious fish is found are known to all readers of Darwin's ' Coral-Reefs.'
Family Rajidce. Raja, (Artedi) Cuvier.
Raja, Cuvier, Regne Animal, Poissons, p. 375.
Raja and Vraptera, Miiller and Henle, Plagiostomen, pp. 132, 155.
Raja, Giinther Catalogue of Fishes, VIII. 455.
Raja, Jordan and Evermann, Fishes of North and Middle America (Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. No. 47, 1896)
I. p. 66 : Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 24.
" Tail very distinct from the disk, which is of rhombic shape, with a fold on " each side. Body generally rough or with spines, rarely entirely smooth. Two " dorsal fins, on the tail, without spine. Tail with a rudimentary caudal fin, or " without caudal. Each ventral fin divided into two by a deep notch. Nasal " valves separated in the middle, where they are without a free margin. Teeth " obtuse or pointed. Pectoral fins not extending forward to the extremity of the " snout. Sexes differing in the form of the teeth and in the dorsal spines."
(Giinther).
Synopsis of the Indian species of Raja.
I. Snout short, slightly exsert : upper surface of disk covered with prickles, in addition to definitely placed spines : a single row of large spines on middle line of back and tail : dorsal fins very close together ... ... ... ... ... R. maniillidens.
II. Snout much exsert : upper surface of disk with definitely placed spines, but with few or no prickles : dorsal fins well separated : —
1. Snout, measured from mouth, about two-sevenths the greatest breadth of the disk in length : a short row of spines
in the middle line of the nape, and several rows on the tail ... R. Powelli.
2. Snout, measured from mouth, about a third the greatest breadth of the disk in length : a single spine in the middle line
of the nape: a single row of spines on the tail ... ... R. Johannis-Davisi.
7. Maja maniillidens, Alcock.
Raja mamillidens, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. November 1889, p. 380: Illustrations op the Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, plate VIII, fig. 1.
The disk, including the ventral fins, is about half the total length and its breadth is about the same : it is rhomboidal in shape, with the angles rounded : the anterior margin of the pectoral fin is slightly and broadly sinuous.
The snout is short, broad, and only slightly exsert, its length, measured from the mouth or from the eye, is not quite a fourth the greatest breadth of the disk, and is a little more than the distance between the outer margins of the nostrils.
20
Major diameter of orbit equal to the width of the inter-orbital space and much more than that of the spiracle.
Mouth crescentic. Teeth, in the female, having a globular base and a mamillary point : in twenty-four oblique rows in the upper and eighteen in the lower jaw.
The whole of the upper surface of the disk (including the ventral fins) and tail, and all the surfaces of the posterior half of the tail (including the dorsal and rudimentary caudal fins) are covered with small sharp close-set prickles : under surface of disk smooth and glandular.
A large spine at either angle of either orbit, and a pair of spines between the spiracles : one or two on each shoulder girdle, and a single row down the middle of the back from the occiput nearly to the first dorsal fin.
Dorsal fins adjacent but separate, the posterior the larger. Colour in life — uniform jet black : in spirit, dark chocolate.
A single female specimen, 11^ inches long, from the Gulf of Manar, 597 fathoms.
Regd. No. 11769.
Apparently allied to the Mediterranean Raja atrata, M. & H.
8. Raja JPowelli, Alcock.
Raja Powelli, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., August, 1898, p. 145 : Illustrations of the Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XXVI. fig. 4.
The disk without the ventral fins is nearly half the total length, and its breadth is equal to its length with the ventrals : it is rhomboidal with the angles, except the rostral, rounded : the anterior margin of the pectoral fin is broadly sinuous.
The snout is rather slender and much exsert : its length, measured from the mouth, is two-sevenths the greatest breadth of the disk and is nearly half again as much as the distance between the outer margins of the nostrils.
Major diameter of orbit hardly equal to the width of the inter-orbital space, but considerably more than that of the spiracle.
Teeth in the female obtusely pointed or obscurely tricuspid ; in about 55 transverse rows in either jaw. Mouth straight.
Both surfaces of the disk are smooth, except for some prickles near the edge of the snout and the edge of the anterior half of the pectoral fins.
Two or three spines on the anterior edge of the orbit and one near either postorbital angle : three in the middle line of the nape. Two or three series of spines extend from the hinder fourth of the disk to the first dorsal fin, there
21
is a single short series between the dorsal fins, and the sides of the tail from end to end are thorny.
The distance between the two dorsal fins is greater than the length of either : the first dorsal is the higher, the second, which is confluent with the rudimentary caudal, is the longer.
Colours : upper surface warm brown with a pair of large ocelli behind the shoulder girdle : under surface dirty white.
A single female 12^ inches long from the Gulf of Martaban 67 fathoms.
Regd. No. 2-f.
Apparently allied to the Kerguelen Raja murrayi, Gthr.
Named after Lieutenant Powell of the Indian Navy : a colleague, in the old Marine Survey branch of the service, of Captain Moresby.
9. Maja Johannis-Davisi, n. sp.
Illustrations of the Zoology of the Investigator, pl. XXVII. fig. 2.
The disk without the ventral fins is nearly half the total length, and its breadth is much more than its length with the ventrals : it is rhomboidal with the angles, except the rostral, rounded, and with the two anterior sides much longer than the other two : the anterior margin of the pectoral fin is broadly sinuous.
Snout slender and much exsert : its length, measured from the mouth, is close on a third the greatest breadth of the singularly broad disk and is If times the distance between the outer margins of the nostrils.
Major diameter of orbit equal to the width of the interorbital space and nearly twice that of the spiracle.
Mouth straight : teeth obtusely pointed (male) in about 32 very oblique rows in the upper, and about 30 in the lower jaw.
Both surfaces of disk smooth, except for some star-shaped prickles on the ventral surface of the rostral cartilage and of the edges of the snout and adja- cent part of the pectoral fins.
Two strong spines on the anterior margin and one at the posterior angle of either orbit : a very strong spine in the middle of the nape. An eminence but not a distinct spine on either side of shoulder and pelvic girdles. Tail smooth except for a mid-dorsal row of large spines which extend from its base to the second dorsal fin.
The distance between the two dorsal fins is rather more than half the length of the base of either : the two fins are of about equal size and the second is confluent with the caudal.
Colours : smoky black above, black mottled with white below.
22
A single male 8|- inches long from off the Travancore coast 224-284 fathoms.
Regd. No. y'
Near the Mediterranean Raja oxyrhynchus L. Named after the celebrated Elizabethan navigator and explorer John Davis, who — though best known for his Arctic voyages — piloted three expeditions to the East Indies and lost his life in Indian seas.
Besides the Sharks and Rays just described, there is evidence of the existence of other species in the depths of these seas : —
(1) Off the Travancore coast, in 824 fathoms, an egg, with a very early embryo, of some gigantic species of, probably, Raja was dredged.
(2) Off the western coast of the Andamans, in 561 fathoms, an empty egg-capsule of, probably, Gallorhynchus was taken.
(3) Off the Godavari Delta, in 410 fathoms, an empty egg-capsule of, probably, Chimsera was obtained.
Sub-class TELEOSTOMI.
Order Teleostei. Sub-order Acanthopterygii.
Family Serranidce.
Chelidopeeca, Boulenger.
Chelidoperca, Boulenger, Catalogue of the Pereiform Fishes in the British Museum, I. p. 304.
" Body compressed ; scales rather large, rough and ciliated. Lateral line " complete, the tube with ascending tubule. Mouth large, protractile ; maxil- " lary exposed ; jaws with bands of villiform teeth, a few of the inner ones in " the middle of the upper jaw enlarged, depressible, hinged at the base ; teeth " on vomer and palatines ; tongue smooth. Head partly scaled ; pre-opercle " serrated, without antrorse teeth on the lower border ; opercle with two spines. " Gill-membranes separate ; seven branchiostegals ; pseudobranchiae present ; " gill-rakers rather long. Dorsal fins confluent, with X. 10 rays, the spinous " and soft portions subequal in length. Anal short with III. 6 rays. Pectorals " subsymmetrical, obtusely pointed, (with 17 rays).* Ventrals anterior to base " of pectorals, close together, with a strong spine. Posterior process of " premaxillaries not extending to the frontals ; supra-occipital and parietal crests " short, smooth area of cranium extending posteriorly to a line connecting the " preopercular portions" (Boulenger).
* lu the single Indian species the pectoral flu rays are 1-1 or 15 in number.
23
Centropristis investigatoris, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., September, 1890, p. 199 : Illustrations op thi
SOOLOGT OF THE INVESTIGATOR, FlSHES, PL. X. FIG. 1.
10. Chelidoperca investigatoris, (Alcock).
investigatoris, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Septembei Investigator, Fishes, pl. X. fig. 1. Chelidoperca investigatoris, Bonlenger, Cat. Perciform Fishes, I. p. 305.
B. 7. D. X. 10. A. III. 6. L. lat. 42. L. tr f .
10
Dorsal and ventral profiles quite symmetrical.
Height of the body between 3^ and 3f , length of the head, from the tip of
the lower jaw to the tip of the operculum about 2jt, in the total, without
caudal.
Head inclined to depression in its anterior half, deep, broad, and inflated in its branchial region, with the operculum prolonged ; scaly, except on the snout and upper jaw.
Snout depressed, rounded ; its tip formed by a prominent median knob on the projecting lower jaw ; its extreme length (including the mandibular element) is equal to the major diameter of the eye and is less than its breadth.
Eyes in their long diameter 4§ in the head-length ; the upper border of the orbit enters the dorsal profile ; the breadth of the interorbital space is one-third the length of the eye. Nostrils superior.
Mouth wide, oblique ; jaws strong, the maxilla reaches the vertical through the posterior border of the orbit, the mandible closes outside the maxilla ; teeth in villiform bands in the premaxilla and palatines and in a small patch on the vomer ; small canines in the mandible and at the maxillary symphysis ; tongue long and spathulate.
Gill-opening very wide ; operculum with two flat spines ; preopercular border rounded and serrated throughout ; sub- and interoperculum large ; pseudo- branchias coarse ; gill-rakers tuberculate.
Scales, except on the lateral line and in the row flanking the dorsal fin, large ; finely ctenoid, except on the operculum ; eight series on the cheek. Lateral line salient, with very small scales.
One dorsal, with its spinous and soft portions of equal extent, the fourth and fifth spines the greatest and one-fourth longer than the eye ; the rays slightly increasing in length to the ninth, which is less than two-thirds of the maximum body-height and shorter than the corresponding anal ray. Caudal emarginate, with the upper lobe the longer, its basal half scaly ; its length is about equal to that of the pectoral, which is rather longer than the postorbital portion of the head. Ventrals subjugular, the second ray almost as long as the pectoral fin.
Pyloric caeca few. Air-bladder small.
24
Colours in life : — Head and body bright pink, belly and throat white; a broad bright yellow band passes from the tip of the snout through the eye to the caudal fin ; indefinite bright yellow markings on the cheeks, opercles, and fins. In spirit, faded yellow, with four incomplete cross bands of grey.
Total length 5| inches.
Two specimens from off the Ganjam coast, 98-102 fathoms.
Regd. No. 12820, 12821.
Synageops, Giinther.
Synagrops, Giinther, Challenger Deep-Sea Fishes, p. 16.
ilelanostoma, Doderlein, Denk. Akad. Wien, XLVIII. 1884, p. 5 (name pre-occupied). Parascombrops, Alcock, Jonrn. As. Soc. Bengal, Vol. LVIII. pt. 2, 1889, p. 296. Eypoclydonia, Goode & Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 236.
Body rather elongate, covered with large, thin, deciduous, cycloid scales. Muciferous cavities of the vertex of the head well developed. Seven branchios- tegals : pseudobranchias present : edge of preoperculum more or less serrated : operculum with two weak points. Villiform teeth in (usually) narrow bands on the jaws vomer and palatines, with the addition of a pair of large canines in the upper jaw and an irregular row of canines in the lower jaw. Two separate dorsal fins, the first with nine slender spines : anal fin with two spines. An air-bladder. Pyloric caeca in small number.
This genus may probably prove to be identical with Acropoma Temm. and Schleg.
11. Synagrops philippinensis, (Giinther).
Acropoma philippinense, Giinther, Challenger Shore Fishes, p. 51 : Alcock, Jonrn. As. Soc. Bengal, Vol. LXII pt. 2, 1894, p. 116.
Parascombrops pellucida, Alcock, Jonrn. As. Soc. Bengal, Vol. LVIII. pt. 2, 1889, p. 296, pi. xxii. fig. 1.
? Melanostoma argyreum, Gilbert and Cramer, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mns. Vol. XIX. 1896, p. 416, pi. xxxix. fig. 3.
Synagrops philippinensis, Illustrations of the Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XXVIII. fig. 1.
B. 7. D. IX. 1-9. A. II. 7. L. lat. circ. 28.
Body compressed, its greatest height between 3| and 3^ in the total without the caudal.
Head, measured from the tip of the underhung lower jaw to the tip of the semimembranous prolongation of the opercle, 2^ in the total without the caudal, compressed, the muciferous cavities of its vertex well developed and bounded by numerous low sharp crests, most of which are oblique : in the skin covering the vertex of the head numerous tiny scales are embedded and almost concealed.
Snout short, a large part of it is formed by the prominent lower jaw : its length, including the mandibular element, is less than that of the eye.
25
Eye of good size, its major diameter is equal to the depth of the caudal peduncle or to two-sevenths of the greatest body height, and is rather more than the greatest width of the inter-orbital space.
Mouth-cleft wide, very oblique ; the maxilla reaching a little behind the middle of the pupil ; the mandibles peculiarly emarginate on either side of the symphysis. Villiform teeth on premaxilla?, vomer, palatines and anterior part of lower jaw ; in addition there is a pair of large canines at the symphysis of the upper jaw and a row of irregular (large and small) canines in the lower jaw, one of them being at the symphysis.
Gill-cleft wide : numerous gill-rakers, the longest of which are nearly two- thirds the major diameter of the eye, on the first branchial arch. Pseudo- branchiae large.
Preoperculum with a double border, the angle and the lower limb of the outer border strongly serrated, the angle of the inner border with three small spines. Operculum naked, with two weak points. Sub-operculum much pro- longed behind the angle of the operculum.
Scales cycloid, large, very thin, extremely deciduous.
The dorsal fins are separated by an interspace equal to three-fourths the length of the eye : the spinous is considerably the higher : the 1st spine is small, the 3rd is the longest and is equal to two-thirds of the body height, the 4th is nearly as long. The 1st anal spine is short, the 2nd as long as the eye. Caudal forked almost to its base, forming two distinct lobes. Pectoral delicate; its length equals the distance from the tip of the snout to the anterior pre-opercular edge. Ventral long, reaching two-thirds of the distance to the anal : its spine is long, and has its outer edge closely sharply and evenly serrated.
Colours in life, transparent light brown suffused with pink from the blood- vessels : opercular and visceral regions like burnished silver.
The intestine is long and much coiled ; and there are five very large pyloric caeca.
A small fish : adults of both sexes measure from 3 to 4 inches.
Common in the Bay of Bengal between 60 and 102 fathoms, also found between 145 and 250 fathoms.
Regd. Nos. 11829: 12437: 12720: 12723 a-j : 12856 a-b : 12857 a-q : 13503-13508, 13510.
I cannot see any difference between this and the species described and figured by Gilbert and Cramer under the name of Melanostoma argyreum.
Distribution. Bay of Bengal : East Indian Archipelago : (Hawaii).
4
26 Brephostoma, Alcock.
Brephostoma, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Nov., 1889, p. 383, and September, 1890, p. 201.
Head-bones and opercles unarmed; preoperculum with a double edge. Mouth edentulous. Eyes large. Two separate dorsal fins, the first with five spines. Anal fin with one spine and similar to second dorsal. Scales large, adherent, ctenoid. Seven branchiostegals. Pseudobranchia? present. Pyloric caeca in moderate number. No air-bladder.
Its nearest relative is Pomatomus.
12. Brephostoma Carjpentcvi, Alcock.
Brephostoma carpenteri, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Nov. 1889, p. 383, and Sept. 1890, p. 201, pi. ix. fig. 4: Illustrations op the Zoology op the R. I. M. S. Investigatoe, Fishes, pl. XVIII. fig. 2.
2
B. 7. D. V. I. 10. A. I. 9. L. lat. 32-36. L. tr. T.
9
Body elongate, compressed, its greatest height slightly over one-fourth the total length without the caudal.
Head one-third the total length without the caudal, for the most part covered with somewhat deciduous scales.
Snout broadish and somewhat depressed, its tip formed by the symphysis of the lower jaw : its length, including the mandibular element, is about two- thirds the major diameter of the eye.
Eyes large, their major diameter more than a third the length of the head and about twice the breadth of the inter-orbital space : supra-orbital margin in the dorsal profile.
Mouth oblique ; the upper jaw, which is much concealed by the extensive pre-orbitals, hardly reaching to the pupil ; the lower jaw, the rami of which are very broad, closes inside the upper jaw except at the symphysis. No teeth. Tongue free, broad.
Gill-opening very wide, the bones of the gill-cover, like those of the face and jaws, thin and weak — almost membranous, quite unarmed ; the preopercu- lum with a double edge. Gill-rakers of the outer side of the first arch long, close-set, — the longest being nearly half the length of the eye. Pseudobranchiae large.
Scales strong, thick, very adherent, imbricate, the exposed surface studded with spines as in most species of Macrurus. The scales of the head, though otherwise similar to those on the body, are somewhat deciduous. Lateral line in the form of simple tubes with large round patent orifice : it extends half-way along the caudal fin.
27
Dorsal fins separated by a snout-length, the second much the higher ; the first has five stout sharp spines, the three anterior a little longer than the snout ; the second has one short spine and ten branched rays, and is invested at its base with scales. Anal with one spine and nine branched rays, situated opposite the second dorsal, and similar to it in every respect. Caudal short, forked ; its proximal half scaly. Pectorals well developed, as long as the head without the snout. Ventrals thoracic, with one spine and five rays with scaly bases.
No air-bladder. Long pyloric cseca in moderate number. Colours in life, uniform jet-black.
A single specimen, 4 inches long, from Carpenter's Ridge (Lat. 6° 18' to 16' N., long. 90° 40' to 44' B.) 1370 to 1520 fathoms.
Regd. No. 12472.
Named after Captain Alfred Carpenter, R.N., D.S.O., Superintendent of the Indian Marine Survey from 1884 to 1889, who practically initiated, and who greatly developed, the deep-sea dredging operations of the " Investigator."
Family Seorpcenidce.
Sebastes, Cuv. & Val.
13. Sebastes hexanema, Giinther.
Sebastes hexanema, Giinther, Challenger Shore Fishes, pi. xvii. fig. B, and Challenger Deep-Sea Fishes, p. 18 : Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., July 1891, p. 23.
D. XI. 1-9. A. III-5. Sc. circ. 53.
Height of the body about one-third, length of the head nearly half, the total length without the caudal.
Snout produced, its length is not quite equal to the major diameter of the eye, which is about two-sevenths the length of the head, and more than twice the width of the inter-orbital space (in young specimens).
Vertex of head with prominent spines and small scales and with three pairs of simple tentacles of good length— one at the anterior angles of the orbits, one above the middle of the eyes, and a third on the nape. (There are other small tentacles along the preopercular stay and along the lateral line, but they are liable to be lost by abrasion).
Mouth-cleft wide, the maxilla reaching nearly to the middle of the eye. Villiform teeth in the jaws, in a narrow band on the palatines, and in a V-shaped patch on the vomer. Tongue free, pointed.
The 3rd and 4th dorsal spines are the longest, about a third the length of the head, and shorter than the 2nd of the anal. Pectoral fin reaching to the anal.
28
Rose-coloured in life with indistinct dusky patches on the back and one on the first dorsal fin : these fade away in spirit.
Two specimens, the largest just over 3 inches long, from the Andaman Sea, 188-220 fathoms. They have been compared with one of the Challenger duplicates.
Regd. Nos. 13031, 13032.
Distribution : Andaman Sea : East Indian Archipelago.
Setaeches, Johnson.
Setarches, Johnson, Proo. Zool. Soo. 1862, p. 177 : Gunther, Challenger Deep-Sea Fishes, p. 19 : Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 262 : Jordan and Evermann, Fishes of North and Middle America, II. p. 1860. Bathysehastes, Steindachner and DSderlein, Denk. Ak. Wien, XLIX. 1885, p. 207. ? Lioscorpius, Gunther, Challenger Shore Fishes, p. 40, and Challenger Deep-Sea Fishes, p. 20.
Head and body compressed : the vertex of the head with the muciferous cavities well developed but with few ridges, and those low and indistinct, and with no erect spines : occiput naked, without a groove. Preorbital and preoper- culum armed with spines, operculum with two spines. Seven branchiostegals. Pseudobranchias present. Bands of villiform teeth on the jaws vomer and palatines.
Body covered with very small cycloid scales. Lateral line very wide, naked. Vertical fins not elongate. Dorsal fins separate but in contact, the first usually with eleven spines. Pectorals long and large, without separate appendages.
Pyloric appendages few.
14. Setarches Gunthei'i, Johnson.
Setarches Giintheri, Johnson, Proc. Zool. Soc, 1862. p. 177, pi. xxiii : Vaillant, Exp. Sci. Travailleur et Talisman Poissons, p. 373 : Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 263.
Lioscorpius longiceps, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., July 1891, p. 23 : Illustbations op the Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, PL. X. pig. 3. [It seems to me that Lioscorpius longiceps Gunther, Challenger Shore Fishes, p. 40, pi. xvii. fig. C is little different from this species, for though the short description does not correspond the figure does.]
Scorpxna remigera, Gilbert and Cramer, Proc. TJ. S. Nat. Mas. Vol. XIX. 1896, p. 418, pi. xl.
B. 7. D. IX. 1-10. A. III-5.
Height of the body from - to ^, length of the head about - the total length without the caudal.
m
Head singularly large and clumsy looking, with cavernous bones and well- developed muciferous cavities, scaly on temples cheeks and opercles, naked
elsewhere.
Three free divergent spines on edge of preorbital ; four or five, of which the three upper are usually large, on the edge of the preoperculum ; two on the
29
operculum. Preopercular stay prominent, with or without a single small spine near its posterior end. No true spines on the top of the head, but two low ridges on the occiput and one behind either orbit end somewhat acutely, as also does a short ridge at the anterior supra-orbital angle and one above the middle of the orbit.
The snout (including the sharp knob at the mandibular symphysis which, fitting into a notch in the pre-maxillary, forms its tip) is about 3^ in the length of the head. Nostrils of good size, a fleshy papilla above the anterior one (this is liable to loss by abrasion).
Major diameter of eye from - to - the length of the head : interorbital space
a little wider than the eye, with three very characteristic mucous fossa?, one large and elliptical in the middle line posteriorly, two smaller and oval, side by side, anteriorly.
Mouth large, oblique, with prominent lower jaw ; the maxilla reaches as far as the posterior border of the orbit. Villiform teeth on jaws vomer and palatines. Tongue ending in a small free spathulate tip.
Gill-opening wide. Pseudobranchia? rather large. Gill-rakers on outer side of first arch rather short and distant.
Body covered with tiny cycloid scales. Lateral line broad, naked, with double tubule.
3rd, 4th and 5th dorsal spines the longest, the 3rd about as long as the snout, and not quite as long as the 3rd anal spine, which is the longest of that fin. Pectorals very large, reaching beyond the beginning of the anal, consisting of 21 or 22 rays. Ventrals reaching rather more than halfway to anal.
Colours red with minute black specks, and with some dusky markings that usually fade.
Most of our specimens come up with everted stomach and dislocated viscera, so that dissection is difficult. In two specimens I have counted 4 large pyloric ca3ca, and in one there was a small thick- walled air-bladder.
Andaman Sea 185 and 188-220 fathoms : Bay of Bengal, off Trincomali, 320-296 fathoms.
Largest specimen nearly 5$ inches long.
Distribution: Madeira and C. Verde Is., Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, (East Indian Archipelago?), Hawaii: in moderate depths (up to about 300 fathoms).
Regd. Nos. 13036, 14131-14133, ™ ~^-
30
Pterois, Cuv.
15. Pterois macrurus, Alcock.
Pterois macrurus, Alcook, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal, Vol. LXV. pt. 2, 1896, p. 303 r Illustrations of the Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XVIII. fig. 4.
D. XIII. 9. A. II. 7.
Length of the head about two-fifths, height of the body about one-third of the total without the caudal.
Snout deep, about as long as the eye, which is about one-fourth the length of the head. Supra-orbital ridges high, overhanging the deeply concave inter- orbital space, the width of which is about half the length of the eye. Pre- orbital with frill-like crests arranged in a star, and with a large tentacle over- hanging the angle of the mouth. Crests of the head and cheek fairly well developed, serrated.
Scales finely ctenoid: in from 40 to 45 rows between the temple and the base of the caudal. The scales cover all parts of the head except the jaws, throat, and tip of the snout, and the middle line of the narrow interorbital space.
The pectorals reach to the base of the caudal : the ventrals reach just beyond the beginning of the anal. The caudal is pointed, one at least of its upper rays is produced as a slender filament which is as long as the body behind the eye : the rays below this gradually decrease in length.
Pseudobranchias singularly large. Three large pyloric caeca.
Colours in spirit : sepia with black cross-bars : vertical fins with dark spots which are distinct only along the upper edge of the caudal: pectorals and ventrals nearly black, with white spots.
Seven inches from tip of snout to tip of caudal filament.
Two specimens from off the Malabar coast, 68-148 fathoms ; (six specimens from 45 fathoms).
Regd. Nos. 13823 to 13828 : ~-
Minous, Cuv. & Val.
16. Minous inermis, Alcock.
Minous inermis, Alcock, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal, Vol. LVIII. 1889, pt. 2, p. 299, pl. xxii. fig. 4: Ann. Mao-. Nat. Hist., Sept. 1892, pp. 207-214: Journ. As. Soo. Bengal, Vol. LXIII. 1894, pt. 2, p. 116 : Illustrations of the Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XVIII. fig. 3.
B. 7. D. XL 12. A. II. 10. P. 11/1. V. I. 5. C. 13.
Head and body compressed : height of body about a third, length of head about three-sevenths the total without the caudal.
31
Preorbital with two divergent spines on its edge : preoperculum with a laro-e and a short spine at its angle and some dentations along its lower edge : operculum with two weak stays hardly projecting as spines. Preopercular stay crenate. Top of head eroded : two eroded and crenate ridges on occiput, one or either postorbital region : upper margin of orbit eroded and crenate.
Snout about as long as the eye, or rather more than a fourth the length of the head : interorbital space hardly narrower than the eye, traversed by ridges.
Mouth-cleft oblique, the maxilla reaches almost to the anterior margin of the pupil. A barbel about the middle of the limb of the lower jaw. Villiform teeth in the jaws and palatines.
Gill-opening wide : the posterior gill-cleft is a small foramen. Gill-rakers short, somewhat club-shaped.
Integument comparatively thin, without scales : it invests all the fins. The lateral line shows as 17 to 18 tubular papillae.
All the fin-rays are simple. Dorsal fins continuous, the soft portion being the higher : all the spines are weak and flexible, the 1st being very small and the 2nd and 3rd somewhat isolated. Anal spines hidden, the 1st being visible only on reflecting the skin. Pectoral as long as the head : its free filament reaches to the 3rd anal ray. Ventral two-thirds or more as long as pectoral.
Colours in fife : — rosy red with white and gray mottlings and minute black dots ; throat and barbels white ; pectoral, ventral, aud anal fins edged with black, the posterior surface of the pectoral with small light spots.
Two large pyloric caaca : a small air-bladder.
Largest specimen about 4^ inches long.
Off Coromandel coast, 133, 70, and 60 fathoms. Off Malabar coast, 68-148 and 45 fathoms.
Regd. Nos. 12444, 12445 : 13219 : 13220-13223 : 13511-13514 : ~Jp.
This fish, -wherever found — and it has been taken at five widely-distant stations on both coasts of the penin- sula is always more or less encrusted with the gymnoblastic Hydroid Stylactis minoi.
In the Annals and Magazine of Natural History for September 1S92 I have given reasons for concluding that the relation between the Fish and the Hydroid is a definite commensalism, and not accidental or parasitic. Since that paper was published Minous inermis has twice been taken by the " Investigator," — once off the Madras coast and once off the Konkan coast — and on both occasions Stylactis minoi was found on all the specimens captured.
For the description and figure of Stylactis minoi see Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Sept. 1892, pp. 212, 213.
Family Beryciclce.
When Day's latest volumes on the Fishes of India were published, in the Fauna of British India series, only two Indian genera of this family were known ; I therefore give a synopsis of the genera now known to inhabit these
seas.
32
Synopsis of the Indian genera of the family Berycidse.
I. No barbels : eight braneliiostegals : —
1. Scales bony, forming a bony mail : ventrals consisting of a huge
spine and 2 or 3 almost rndimentary rays ... ... Monocentris.
2. Scales ctenoid : anal spines 3 or 4 : —
i. One dorsal : abdomen serrated : 6 soft rays in the ven- trals :
a. No teeth in the vomer ... ... ... Hoplostethus.
b. Vomerine teeth ... ... ... Trachichthts.
ii. Two dorsals : abdomen not serrated : 7 soft rays in the ven- trals : —
a. No preopercular spine ... ... ... Myripristis.
b. A preopercular spine ... ... ... Holocentrum.
3. Scales cycloid : anal spines feeble and few (1 or 2) ... Melamphaes. II. Two barbels: four branchiostegals ... ... ... Poltmixia.
Monocentris, Bl. Schn., Cuv. & Val.
Monocentris, Cuv. & Val., Hist. Nat. Poissona, IV. p. 461 : Giinther, Cat. Fishes. I. p. 8 (ubi synon.).
Body deep, compressed, covered with a mail of large irregular bony scales : those in the middle line of the belly are large and strongly keeled.
Head large, the superficial bones, with the exception of the operculum, are sculptured to form wide deep muciferous cavities which are covered by spongy skin. Eye large. Snout blunt, rounded, overhanging the mouth. Mouth inferior, large, its cleft little oblique. Villiform teeth on jaws and palatines only.
Eight branchiostegals : large pseudobranchite : no large projecting spine at the angle of the preoperculum.
Two dorsal fins, the first consisting of a few large coarse isolated spines. Caudal emarginate but not deeply forked. Ventrals consisting of a huge spine and two or three small rays.
An air-bladder : a few large pyloric caeca.
17. Monocentris japonicus (Houtt,), Cuv. & Val.
Monocentris japonicus, Cuv. & Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss. IV. 461, pi. xcvii. : Temra. & Schleg. Faun. Japon., Poiss. p. 50, pi. xxii. fig. 1 : Giiuther Catalogue of Fishes, vol. I. p. 9 : Bleeker, Atlas Ichthyol. Vol. VIII. pi. ccclvi. fig. 4.
See also Castelnau, P. L. B. New South Wales, vol. III. 1878, p. 365: Hilgendorf, SB. Ges. nat. Freunde, Berlin. 1879, p. 22: Macleay, P. L. S. N. S. Wales, vol. V. 1880-81, p. 510: Steindachner and DOderlein, Denk. Ak. Wien, LXVII. 1883, p. 217 : Nystrom, Bihang Svensk. Vet.-Akad. Handl. XIII. iv. no. 4, 1887, p. 4.
B. 8. D. VI. 11. A. 10. P. 13 or 14. V. I. 2 or 3. L. lat. 16.
Height of the body nearly half the total length with the caudal, length of the head nearly half the total without the caudal.
33
Snout overhanging the mouth, blunt, rounded, about as long as the eye, which is about a fourth the length of the head : it, like the broad convex inter- orbital space and the vertex of the head, is occupied by large deep polygonal mucous cavities which are covered with thick spongy skin. The same sort of skin covers the cheek and opercles, with the exception of the operculum which is naked and coarsely striated. Nostrils large, situated near the lower angle of the orbit.
Mouth inferior, its cleft very slightly oblique : the maxilla is half as long as the head and completely overlaps the mandible. Broad bands of hard black villiform teeth in the jaws and palatines.
Gill-cleft wide. Gill -rakers coarse, those on the outer side of the 1st arch close set and more than half as long as the eye. Pseudobranchias very large. The operculum completed behind by a flap of thick skin.
Body covered with great irregular bony plates, many of which are acutely keeled : there are 15 rows of them round the body at the level of the 2nd dorsal spine, — the mid-ventral row, which are very strongly keeled, being unpaired.
First dorsal fin in the form of 6 coarse isolated spines, of which the first four are acute and fluted, and the last two are small truncated and eroded at tip. The 2nd dorsal and the anal are placed far back on the body. The caudal peduncle is formed very abruptly, its depth being less than a fifth the greatest body-height. Ventral spine a great fluted spike, about five-sixths as long as the head : it can be securely fixed like a bayonet, at right angles to the body.
Colours in spirit greenish-yellow, the bony dermal plates neatly outlined in black.
A single specimen, an adult female with ova, a little over six inches long, from the Gulf of Martaban, 67 fathoms.
Kegd. No. ^.
Distribution : Japanese Seas, Port Jackson, Andaman Sea, Mauritius.
Hoplostethus, Cuv. & Val„ Gthr.
Hoplostethus, Cnv. and Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss. IV. p. 469 : Giinther Cat. Fishes I. p. 9 (ubi synon.) and Chal- lenger Deep Sea Pishes, p. 20 : Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 189 : Jordan and Evermann, Fishes of North America I. p. 837.
" Body deep, compressed, covered with scales of moderate size and more or " less distinct ctenoid structure, rather irregularly arranged, those of the lateral ' ' line being the largest.
" Head very large, the superficial bones being deeply sculptured to receive
" wide muciferous cavities which are covered by thin skin only. Mouth very
"wide, oblique; the jaws and palatine bones armed with villiform teeth, the
" vomer being toothless. Eye very large. Eight branchiostegals ; gill-openings
5
34
" very wide, gill-laminae very short. Preoperculum armed with a flat spine. "Abdomen protected by dermal scutes which form a serrated edge. One " dorsal fin the anterior rays of which are spinous. Ventrals with six soft rays : "pectoral symmetrical. Caudal deeply forked. Air-bladder simple. Pyloric "appendages numerous." Giinther.
18. Hoplostethus mediterraneum, Cuv. & Val.
Hvplostethus mediterraneum, Cuv. & Val. Giinther, Challenger Deep-Sea Fishes, p. 21 (ubi synon.).
See also Vaillant, Exp. Sci. Travailleur et Talisman, Poiss., p. 378 : Giinther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. IV. 1889, p. 417: CaruB, Prodr. Faun. Medit II. p. 616: Alcock, Jonrn. As. Soc. Bengal, Vol. LXIII. 1894, pt. 2, p. 116 : Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 189, fig. 208 : Jordan and Evermann, Fishes of North America, I. p. 837 : K. Koehler, Campagne du Caudan, Poissons, p. 484.
Illustrations of the Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XIV. fig. 3.
B. 8. D. VI. 13. A. III. 9. P. 18. V. I. 6. L. lat. 28-29.
Height of body rather over 2\, length of head 21- in total without caudal.
As in Monocentris the head cheeks and preopercles are occupied by large deep square and rhomboidal muciferous cavities, which, however, are covered by a thin skin. A strong flat supra-clavicular spine, and a much stronger one at the angle of the preopercle.
Snout not overhanging the mouth, its length (including the prominent tip of the mandibular symphysis) is somewhat less than the diameter of the large round eye : the latter is about 3^ to 3^ in the length of the head and a little less than the width of the convex inter-orbital space. Nostrils large, situated near the upper angle of the orbit.
Mouth-cleft wide, very oblique (nearer the vertical than the horizontal) ; the lower jaw, though closing within the upper, distinctly prominent ; the upper jaw nearly two-thirds the length of the head. Villiform teeth in the jaws, and in a short and narrow band in the palatines.
Gill-cleft wide : some gill-rakers on the outer side of the first arch are more than three-fourths the length of the eye : large pseudobranchia?. Opercle striated.
Body covered with scales of uneven size, those of the lateral line, to the number of 28 or 29, being enlarged. On the back and tail, and on the throat and near the middle line of the belly, the scales are sharply granular, but behind the gill-opening and on the sides of the belly they are smooth. In the middle line of the belly the scales, to the number of 11 to 13, are enlarged and strongly keeled — the keels ending very acutely.
Pectorals large, reaching more than half-way along the anal. Ventrals reaching two-thirds of the way to the vent.
Colours in spirit, warm brown or plum-colour with a silvery sheen.
35
Six specimens, the largest nearly a foot long, from off Madras, 145-250 fathoms, off Trincomali, 320-296 fathoms, and off Travancore coast 224 to 430 fathoms.
Regd. Nos. 13711 : 14126-14129: ^-6: ™.
Distribution : Atlantic coast of North America, between 11° and 40° N. lat. : off the European and African shores of the Atlantic from Ireland to Cape Verde : Mediterranean : Arabian Sea : Bay of Bengal : Japanese Seas. At moderate depths (about 150 to about 400 fathoms, where the depth has been recorded).
In the Indian Museum there are also specimens from the Caribbean Sea and from the Gulf of Gascony.
Teachichthys Shaw, Cuv. & Val., Giinther.
Trachichthys, Cuv. & Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss. III. p. 229 : Giinther, Cat. Fishes, I. p. 10 (ubt synon.), and Challenger Deep-Sea Pishes, p. 21 : Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 187.
Trachichthys differs from Hoplostethus only in having villiform teeth on the vomer. The pyloric caeca (in some species) are less numerous, and there is a distinct spine on the operculum.
19. Trachichthys Darwinii, Johnson.
Trachichthys Darwinii, Johnson, Proc. Zool. Soc, I860, p. 311, pi. zzxii.
Trachichthys japonicus, Steindaohner & Doderlein, Denk. Ak. Wien, XLVII. 1883, p. 218, pi. ii. Trachichthys Darwinii, Giinther, Challenger Deep-Sea Fishes, p. 24 (ubi synon.): Alcock J.A.S.B. LXV. 1896, pt. 2, p. 314 : Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 188, fig. 207.
B. 8. D. VIII. 13. A. III. 11. P. 15. V. I. 6. L. lat. 27-30. Height of body about 2-, length of head about 2- in the total length without the caudal.
Bones of vertex of head and of sub-orbital ring, but not of any part of the opercle, sculptured for muciferous cavities that are covered with a harsh skin in which tiny scales are embedded : the cheeks, the membranous edge of the operculum, and the middle line of the chin are also scaly. A flat supra-clavicular spine of no great size : a very strong flat spine at the angle of the preopercle : a stay, ending in a prominent spine, across the upper part of the operculum, which bone has a striated surface.
Snout (measured to the tip of the symphysis of the lower jaw) a little longer than the eye and about equal to the width of the interorbital space. Eye large, round, its diameter about one-fourth the length of the head. Nostrils very large, situated near the upper angle of the eye.
Mouth very wide and oblique, approaching the vertical : the lower jaw, though closing inside the upper, projecting : the upper jaw two-thirds as long as the head. Villiform teeth in jaws and vomer and in a long narrow band in the
36
palatines : the inner row of teeth in the lower jaw and in the anterior half of the upper jaw considerably enlarged.
Gill-opening very wide : some of the gill-rakers on the outer side of the 1st arch are about two-thirds as long as the eye : large pseudobranchiae.
Body closely covered with harsh ctenoid scales of irregular size and dispo- sition. Those of the lateral line, to the number of 27 to 30, are enlarged. There are from 10 to 12 enlarged, strongly and acutely keeled, abdominal scutes.
3rd and 4th dorsal spines the longest, a little longer than the eye. The pectorals do not reach to the vent : the ventrals reach about two-thirds the way to the vent.
Colours in spirit : frosted, the cheeks and backs cinnamon, the operculum and gill-membranes dusky.
One specimen, a foot long, off Trincomali, 320-296 fathoms.
Regd. No. 14130.
Distribution : Madeira, Bay of Bengal, Japan.
20. Trachichthys intermedins, Hector.
Trachichthys intermedins, Hector, Trans, arid Proo. New Zealand Ingt. VII. 1874, p. 245, pi. xi : Giinther, Challenger Deep-Sea Fishes, p. 24, pi. v. fig. D: Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Dec. 1889, p. 380.
B. 8. D. VI. 13. A. III. 10-11. P. 18 or 19. V. I. 6. L. lat. 28.
Height of the body nearly half, length of the head two-fifths the total length without the caudal.
The skin covering the muciferous cavities of the head and cheeks is not scaly, nor is the middle line of the chin and the membranous edge of the oper- culum scaly. Supra-clavicular and preopercular spines sharp and prominent : spine at upper end of operculum not very prominent.
Snout much shorter than the eye : eye from a third to two-sevenths the length of the head and equal to the width of the interorbital space.
Cleft of the mouth oblique, but not approaching the vertical : none of the teeth are appreciably enlarged.
Only 9 keeled scutes in the middle line of the belly.
5th and 6th dorsal spines the longest, — a good deal longer than the eye. The pectorals reach well beyond the middle of the anal : the first two ventral rays almost reach the vent, the ventral spine is sharply serrated in the basal half.
Colours in spirit : warm brown, pectorals and ventrals much darker.
37
The characters noticed above are those that distinguish this species from T. Darivinii.
One specimen, 2f inches long, from the Bay of Bengal, 272 fathoms.
Regd. No. 11723.
Distribution : New Zealand Seas : Bay of Bengal.
Melamphaes, Giinther.
Melamphaes, Giinther, Cat. Fishes V. p. 433, and Challenger Deep-Sea Fishes, p. 26 (ubi synon.): Goode and Bean, Oceanio Ichthyology, p. 177.
Plectromus, Gill, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mas. VI. 1883, p. 257 : Goode and Bean, Oceanio Ichthyology, p. 178: Jordan and Evermann, Fishes of North America, I. p. 840.
Scopelogadus, Vaillaut, Exp. Sci. Travailleur et Talisman, Poiss. p. 140 : Goode & Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 181.
" Head large and thick, with nearly all the superficial bones modified into " wide muciferous channels. Cleft of the mouth of moderate width, obliquely descending backwards, with the jaws nearly equal in front. A narrow band of " villiform teeth in both the jaws, palate toothless. Eight branchiostegals : " pseudobranchia? present. No barbels. Opercles not armed. Scales large, " cycloid, rather irregularly arranged. One dorsal : caudal forked : anal spines " very feeble : ventrals with seven rays." {Giinther).
Distribution : Atlantic, Indo-Pacific.
21. Melamphaes mizolejris, Giinther.
Scopelus mizolepis, Giinther Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 1878, Vol. II. p. 185.
Melamphaes mizolepis, Giinther, Challenger Deep-Sea Fishes, p. 28 : Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. Sept. 1890 p. 201.
B. 8. D. 11.11. A. 1.8. P.14. V. 1.7.
Height of the body about two-sevenths, length of the head about two-fifths of the total length without the caudal.
Head very thick, with deep muciferous cavities : the bones of the cranium stout, the other bones thin and weak : snout short.
Eye very small, about one-seventh the length of the head, half that of the snout, and half the width of the interorbital space.
Mouth cleft wide, somewhat oblique, the maxilla reaching to the middle of the pupil, the lower jaw slightly prominent. A very narrow band of villiform teeth in both the jaws.
Gill-opening very wide : the gill-rakers on the outer side of the first arch are close-set and nearly as long as the eye. Posterior margin of the preoper- culum subvertical.
88
Scales deciduous very large : [one left on the thorax of the Bingle " Investi- gator " specimen measured quarter of an inch in its major diameter, the specimen itself being just over 3 inches long.]
The dorsal fin arises somewhat nearer to the tip of the snout than to the base of the caudal, and behind the base of the ventral, which is below that of the pectoral : the last dorsal ray is above the middle of the anal. Pectoral fin long, reaching nearly to the end of the anal.
Stomach very large : a few very large pyloric caeca.
Colour black.
A single specimen from the Bay of Bengal, off the Ganjam coast, 1310 fathoms.
Regd. No. 12834.
Distribution : East Indian Archipelago : Bay of Bengal : in deep water.
Polymixia, Lowe.
Polymixia, Lowe, Trans. Camb. Phil. Soc, VI. 1838, p. 198 : Gnnther, Cat. Fishes I. p. 16 (et synon.) : Goode & Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 243 {ubi synon.) : Jordan & Evermann, Fishes of North America, I. p. 854.
Body compressed, rather elongate. Eye large. Snout short. Mouth-cleft very slightly oblique : the upper jaw overhanging the lower. Villiform teeth in jaws, vomer, palatines, and pterygoids.
Two barbels on the throat.
Gill openings wide : only four branchiostegals : gill-cover unarmed, except that the edge of the preoperculum is finely serrated : pseudobranchiae present.
Scales moderate : ctenoid. One long dorsal fin, beginning with about five spines. Ventrals with 6 or 7 rays. Caudal forked. Anal with 4 spines.
Delicate pyloric appendages in moderate number. A thin-walled air-bladder with more or less distinct vestiges of a pneumatic duct.
22. Polymixia nobilis, Lowe.
Polymixia nobilis, Lowe, Gunther Cat. Fishes, I. p. 17, and Challenger Deep Sea Fishes, p. 34, pi. i. fig. B : ubi synon. (Nemobrama Webbii Val., Polymixia lowei and japonica Gthr., Dinemus venustus Poey) : Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Nov., 1889, p. 381, and July, 1891, p. 23 : Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 243, fig. 241 : Jordan and Evermann, Fishes of North America, I. pp. 854, 855 (foot-note).
B. 4. D. V. 30-38. A. III-IV. 14-18. V. I. 6-7. Sc. circ. 50. L. lat. circ. 36.
Height of the body about equal to the length of the head, which is a little over one-third the total without the caudal.
All parts of the head, except the snout, the suborbital space, the upper jaw, the middle line of the chin, and the border of the angle of the pre-oper- culum, are scaly.
39
Snout not much more than half the length of the eye, which is about one- third that of the head : interorbital space about a fourth of a head-length in width. Nostrils of good size, placed near the level of the middle of the eye.
Mouth-cleft large : the upper jaw reaches behind the posterior border of the orbit and so overhangs the lower that its teeth are quite outside the mouth when closed. Barbels about as long as the head without the operculum.
Gill-opening very wide : gill-rakers on the outer side of the 1st arch nearly half the length of the eye : pseudobranchige large.
Scales of moderate size, strongly ctenoid : about 36 of those of the lateral line are perforated.
The dorsal spines gradually increase in length to the last, which is about half the length of the anterior dorsal rays : the anterior third, or more, of the soft part of the dorsal is high, the posterior two thirds or less is very low. The anal spines also gradually increase in length to the last, which is not nearly so long as the anterior anal rays : also the anterior half of the soft part of the anal is high, and the posterior half low.
Pectorals about three-fifths, ventrals about two-fifths the length of the head : the ventral spine and first ventral ray are very intimately adherent.
Colours in spirit silvery, the cheeks nape and back a warmish light-brown : tip of the elevated part of the dorsal fin black.
Five specimens from the Andaman Sea 185 to 405 fathoms : the largest is about 7^ inches long.
Regd. Nob. 11725 : 13034: ~: 2f~
Distribution : "West Indies : Madeira, Canaries and S. Atlantic : Mauritius : Andaman Sea : Japan.
I accept Dr. Giinther's synonomy of the species. There is no doubt that our specimens are absolutely identical with P. lowei and P. japonica.
Family Kuvtidm. Bathyclupea, Alcock.
Balhyclupea, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Angust, 1891, p. 130: Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 190 : Jordan and Evermann, Fishes of North America, I. p. 834.
Head and body compressed : the head with the mucous cavities well deve- loped. Mouth cleft oblique, or very oblique, with the lower jaw prominent. Minute villiform teeth in the jaws, palatines, and vomer. Gill-openings wide : seven branchiostegals : pseudobranchiae present. Scales cycloid, deciduous : lateral line nearly straight.
One short dorsal fin, with the spines weak or absent, situated in the posterior half of the body. Anal long, with one spine. Pectorals large, the
40
upper rays longest. Ventrals small, subjugular, with one spine and five rays. Caudal forked.
Pyloric appendages in moderate number.
Air-bladder with a persistent pneumatic duct.
Distribution : Andaman Sea, Bay of Bengal : Caribbean Sea.
I was led by a combination of external characters and by the presence of a persistent pneumatic duct, to place this genus among the Clupeidse ; but Messrs. Gill and Goode and Bean have quite properly removed it to the neighbourhood of the Berycidse. They have made it the type of a distinct family (Bathyclupeidae) ; but I prefer to emphasize its very obvious relations with Kurtus and Pempheris and to include it in the same family with them.
23. Bathyclupea Hoskynii, Alcock.
Bathyclupea Hoskynii, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., August, 1891, pp. 131, 132, fig. 4: Illustrations of the Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XXVIII. fig. 2.
B. 7. D. 10. A. 33. P. 29. V. 6. L. lat. circ. 38.
Soft tissues fragile, bones thin.
Head and body compressed ; the height of the latter almost exactly equals the length of the former, which is one-third the total without the caudal. The median abdominal line is neither keeled nor serrated. The mucous cavities of the skull are large.
Snout rectangular, formed in front by the lower jaw, which in repose is almost vertical ; its length, including the mandibular element, is not quite equal to the diameter of the large lateral circular eye, which is one-third the length of the head ; the width of the flat interorbital space is half the diameter of the eye. Nostrils small, almost superior.
Mouth wide, its cleft nearly vertical : length of the upper jaw two-fifths that of the head. Villiform teeth in narrow bands in the premaxillse, mandible, and palatine, and in an inconspicuous V-shaped patch on the vomer. Tongue large, bilobed.
Gill-cleft very wide, the membranes entirely ununited; all the opercular bones well-developed, and the horizontal border of the preoperculum sharply serrated ; four gills ; the middle gill-rakers on the outer side of the first arch considerably elongated ; pseudobranchige large.
Head naked. Body and nape covered with large cycloid scales, deciduous everywhere except on the lateral line. In the largest specimen a scale from the flank measures 10 millim. in the vertical and 7"5 millim. in the antero-posterior diameter. Each scale of the lateral line has a deep pocket on its inner side which opens externally by numerous fine pores.
41
The dorsal fin commences almost exactly midway between the tip of the snout and the tip of the upper lobe of the caudal fin ; the length of its base is equal to that of the snout ; it is roughly triangular and its height is a fifth greater than the diameter of the eye. The anal commences about an eye-diameter in advance of the dorsal and extends to within a very short distance (equal to three-fourths of an eye-diameter) of the base of the caudal. Caudal forked, its length is about one-sixth of the total. Pectorals extending a good deal beyond the origin of the anal. Ventrals very small, in close contact.
Stomach large, with a csecal sac and a bunch of large pyloric appendages. A large air-bladder with a persistent pneumatic duct much like that of Glupea. Vertebrae 9 + 22.
Colours silvery grey becoming black along the back.
14 specimens, from the Andaman Sea, 185 fathoms, 188-220 fathoms, and 370-419 fathoms, and from off Madras 145-250 fathoms. The largest specimen, an adult female, is 8 inches long : the largest adult male is 6^ inches long.
Registered Nos. 13111, 13112, 13114: 13641, 13642: ^, 2-f, 2™ll™}
254 to 256 381
Named after the late Commander R. F. Hoskyn, R.N., who was Superin- tendent of the Marine Survey of India from October 1889 until his death on January 27th, 1892. Most of the success of the " Investigator " during those years was due to his good-natured sympathy, joined to a singular boldness and originality in handling the trawl.
Family TrlcMuHdCB.
Thyrsites, Cuv. & Val.
Thyrsites, Cut. & Val , Hist. Nat. Poiss. VIII. p. 196 : Giinther, Cat. Fishes, II. p. 350.
" Body rather elongate : cleft of the mouth wide. The first dorsal continu- " ous, with the spines of moderate length and extending on to the second. Two " to six spurious fins behind the dorsal and anal. The greater portion of the " body naked. Several strong teeth in the jaws : teeth on the palatine bones. " No keel on the tail. Seven branchiostegals. Air-bladder present. Pyloric " appendages in moderate number." (Giinther).
Subgenus Peomethichthys, Gill.
Promethichthys, Gill, Mem. Ac. Nat. Soi. Vol. VI. 1893, 115, 123: Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 20O ; Jordan and Erermann, Fishes of North America, Vol. I. p. 882.
Two finlets behind the dorsal and two behind the anal fin. Ventrals repre- sented by a pair of small spines. No dagger-shaped spine behind the vent. Scales very minute or absent. Lateral line undulating or bifurcating below the front part of the spinous dorsal. 6
42
24. Thy r sites (PromethicJithys) bengalensis, Alcock.
Thyrsites bengalensis, Alcock, Journ. Aa. Soo. Bengal, Vol. LXIII. pt. 2, 1894, p. 117, pi. vi. fig. 1 : Ilt.ustka- tions of the Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XV. fig. 10.
This species may possibly be identical with, the T. prometheoides of Bleeker, which I know only from the short description in Giinther's Catalogue.
B.7. D.XVIII. ~-4 LI. A.II.11-12, LI. P.14. V.I.
Length of head two-sevenths of the total (caudal included), and twice the greatest height of the body.
The snout, which has the usual Trichiurid form, is two-fifths of the head in length, and twice the diameter of the eye. The nostrils are small pores situated well in front of the eye.
The mouth is large, and the upper jaw-bones are massive : the maxilla reaches to a point midway between the anterior border of the orbit and the pupil. There is a single row of distant fang-like teeth in the premaxillary, which in front, to the number of three or four, are of great size : the mandibular teeth are similar in size form and arrangement, but only two — the front one on each side — are enlarged, and these but slightly. There is a single row of small sharp distant teeth on each palatine. Grill-opening extremely wide. Pseudobranchi'33 large.
The head and body are invested in a thick silvery scaleless skin. The lateral line bifurcates at the level of the 5th or 6th dorsal spine, the upper branch running along the base of the dorsal fin, the lower descending with a curve to the middle line, or a little ventrad of it, and then taking a somewhat sinuous course to the caudal.
The longest (middle) spines of the long first dorsal fin are two-thirds the greatest body-height in length : the second dorsal, like the anal, is low and short : the two spurious finlets are incompletely isolated in both fins.
The caudal is large and deeply forked.
The delicate pectorals are not quite half as long as the head. The ventrals, which arise close together on the abdominal profile, a little in advance of the pectorals, are each reduced to a single fluted spine.
In correlation with the strong jaws and large fangs the stomach is huge, its length being one-third of the total (caudal included). In the specimen dissected there is a small air-bladder and seven large but delicate pyloric casta.
Colours in spirit : burnished silver, with the mid-dorsal line, from snout to caudal, blue-black : fins hyaline, the spinous dorsal with a black edge which is broadest in front, the tips of the lobes of the caudal fin dusky.
Five specimens are in the Indian Museum, from off Madras 145-250 fathoms, The largest specimen is 5^ inches long.
Regd. Nos. 13518, 13520-13522, 13524.
43
Family Carangidce.
Bathyseriola, Alcock.
Bathyseriola, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Sept. 1890, p. 202.
Body fusiform but much compressed; edge of the belly sharp, grooved along the middle line. Scales small, deciduous, cycloid : lateral line unarmed. One dorsal fin with the spinous portion rather feeble : the soft portion, and the anal, long. No finlets. Anal spines forming an integral part of the anal fin. Ventral with a continuous membranous attachment to the belly.
Snout conical, cleft of mouth narrow : villiform teeth in the jaws only. Preopercular border entire : seven branchiostegals : pseudobranchiae present. No air-bladder. Pyloric appendages numerous. Vertebra? 10+14.
25. Bathyseriola cyanea, Alcock.
Bathyseriola cyanea, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. Sept. 1890, p. 202 : Illustrations of the Zoology of thi Investigator, Fishes, pl. XVIII. fig. I.
B. 7. D. VIII-IX. 24-25. A. III. 22. P. 22. V. I. 5.
Body oblong and compressed ; its height about 3- in the total and one- ninth less than the length of the head.
Head compressed and thin in its lower, broad and heavy in its upper half ; its muciferous cavities well developed. Snout rounded, a little inflated at the tip, the jaws equal in front ; its length, which is hardly equal to its greatest breadth, is equal to the diameter of the eye. Eyes circular, their diameter not quite one-fourth of the length of the head ; they are encircled by a sharp-edged adipose fold, widest fore and aft ; interorbital space wider than the eye, convex from side to side. Nostrils large, situated almost superiorly at the tip of the snout.
Cleft of mouth narrow, the maxillary hardly reaching the vertical through the middle of the eye ; jaw-bones weak, with a trenchant edge, which bears a narrow band of villiform teeth; tongue large and fleshy; buccal folds very broad. Gill-cleft wide ; gill-membranes united only quite anteriorly ; gill-covers with thin, almost membranous, bones, the operculum with two diverging weak stays above, the preoperculum bulging backwards as a large, striated, entire lobe; gill-laminae broad, gill-rakers on the first arch long, close-set, acute; pseudobranchiae fleshy. The mucosa of the whole pharynx black.
Scales extremely deciduous ; the few that still adhere are small and mem- branous, and those of the lateral line, which are — inch in their major diameter, have each a salient membranous tube.
The dorsal and anal fins have thick gelatinous bases ; the dorsal spines are short and rather weak, and their interconnecting membrane is delicate ; the anal
44
spines are in close contact with each other and with the rest of the fin. Caudal symmetrically forked. Pectorals pointed, their length rather more than four- fifths the height of the body. Ventrals much shorter than the pectorals ; they are adherent to the abdomen throughout their inner border, and can be retracted within a shallow furrow in the middle abdominal line.
Peritoneal cavity large, the membrane black ; numerous pyloric caeca in an arborescent mass ; no air-bladder. Vertebra? 10/14.
Colours in life, uniform bluish black, with an uneven silvery sheen.
In the Indian Museum are four adult specimens, the largest being nearly 7 inches long, from off the Ganjam coast 98-102 fathoms and off the Godavari coast, 240-276 fathoms.
Regd.Nos. 12816, 12817, 12819: 13035.
This species has affinities on the one hand with Seriola and on the other hand with the Nomeidse.
Family Cyttidce. Antigonia, Lowe.
Antigonia, Lowe, Proo. Zool. Soc. 1843, p. 45. Gaprophonos, Miiller and Troschel Horse Ichthyol, iii. p. xxviii. Bypsinotos, Temminck and Schlegel, Faun. Japon. Poiss. p. 84.
Antigonia, Gunther, Cat. Fishes, ii. p. 497 and Challenger Deep-Sea Fishes, p. 44, (ubi synon) ■ Steindachner and Doderlein, Denk. Ak. Wien, XLIX. 1885, p. 187 : Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 229.
Body compressed and elevated (rhomboidal) covered with rather small spiny scales. One dorsal fin with eight spines : the soft portion, like the soft portion of the anal, long. Anal with three spines, which though continuous with, are somewhat isolated from, the soft portion. Ventrals composed of a spine and five rays.
Mouth small, little protractile ; small teeth in the jaws only. Lower limb of preoperculum serrated. Six branchiostegals. Pseudobranchire present.
Pyloric appendages few. Air-bladder present, large.
26. Antigonia capros, Lowe.
Antigonia capros, Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1843, p. 85: Gunther, Cat. Fishes, II. 497 and Challenger Deep-Sea Fishes, p. 44 : Steindachner and Doderlein, Denk. Ak. Wien. XLIX. 1885, p. 187, pi. v : Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 229, fig. 235.
Caprophonus aurora. Mull. & Trosch. Hor. Ichth. III. p. xxviii., pi. v. fig. 1.
Hypsinotus rubescens, Temm. & Schleg. Faun. Japon. Poiss. p. 84, pi. xlii. fig. 2. Gunther' Challenger Shore Fishes, p. 44.
B. 6. D. VIII-IX. 27-34. A. III. 27-33.
The height of the body varies with age : in adults it is greater than the length without the caudal, in specimens about a third grown it equals the length of the body to the beginning of the caudal peduncle.
45
Head everywhere covered with harsh ctenoid scales; its length is from two-fifths to a third the total without the caudal. The superficial bones of the cranium are sculptured and striated : the edge of the preorbital is denticulated and the horizontal limb of the opercle serrated.
Snout about equal to the width of the inter-orbital space in length and rather shorter than the eye. Bye round, a third or more the length of the head. Nostrils almost superior.
Mouth-cleft very small, the maxilla not nearly reaching to the anterior border of the orbit. Gill-rakers short. Pseudobranchige very large.
Scales small, harsh, ctenoid; in from 60 to 65 rows between the gill- opening and the caudal fin. Small scales extend some way along the spines and rays of the dorsal and anal fins. Lateral line strongly curved.
2nd or 3rd dorsal spine the longest and by far the stoutest : its length is two- thirds that of the head and twice that of the longest soft rays. 1st anal spine the longest, about as long as the eye and about one-fourth longer than the longest soft rays. 12 or 13 rays in the pectoral : the upper, which are the longest, are more than three-quarters the length of the head. Ventral spine very strong, its length is equal to that of the snout and eye combined : its edge like the inner edge of the ventral rays is scabrous.
Colour in life red : in spirit light brown or yellow.
5 pyloric caeca, of which 2 are much enlarged.
Two specimens from off Trincomali 320 to 296 fathoms, and one from off the Malabar coast 68 to 148 fathoms.
Eegd. Nos. 14134, 14135 : y8-
Distribution : West Indies, Madeira, East Indian Seas, Japan.
Family Trachifiidce.
Ueanoscopus, Cuv.
27. Uranoscopus crassiceps, Alcock.
TJranoscopus trassiceps, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. Sept. 1890, p. 205 : Illustrations of the Zoology of t-he Investigator, Fishes, pl. X. fig. 4.
B. 6. D. IV. ^ A. 13. P. 18. V. 1.5.
Length of the head 2- to two-fifths of the total without the caudal ; its
maximum breadth in repose (that is, when the opercles are not expanded for defence) is two-thirds its length ; its greatest height (and that of the body) is about one-fourth the total length of the body without the caudal.
Bones of the head rugose : the antero-inferior angle of the preorbital pro- duced and subacute : a spine on the lower border of the suboperculum and 4
46
or 5 along the lower border of the preoperculum. Two small coarse spines or tubercles on the supra-clavicular region : the clavicular spine about as long as the major diameter of the orbit. The points of the pubic bones project as a pair of spines between the clavicular symphysis.
Eye from a sixth to a seventh the length of the head, according to age, and rather less than the width of the inter-orbital space. A small filament in front of the nostril.
Lips rather fleshy, papillated, especially the lower lip. A large prelingual filament, more than two-fifths the length of the head. No barbel.
No scales on the throat and belly.
Nine pyloric appendages.
Colours in life : back dirty greenish, below marbled with lighter shades, belly silvery white, first dorsal black.
The type specimen is eight inchea long.
Numerous specimens from off the Ganjam coast 98 to 102 fathoms, off the Coromandel coast 128 fathoms, and off the Malabar coast 45, 100 and 68 to 148 fathoms.
Regd. Nos. 12784-12786, 12788, 12791, 12797-12798, 12800, 12803, 13214, 13451, 13495, 13496, 13498-13500, 14093-14103: ^-f*:6-?? -If.
In the original description, I stated that there is no prelingual filament ; but, as a matter of fact, the prelingual filament is very large.
The nearest relative of this species seems to be U. Jcaianus, Giinther (Challenger Shore Fishes, p. 43, pi. xix. fig. A).
It is a voracious species : in the stomach of the specimen dissected seven entire individuals of Scopelus pterotus were found.
Champsodon, Giinther.
Champsodon, Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1867, p. 102 ; Challenger Shore Fishes, p. 52 : Goode and Bean Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 291.
Body elongate, compressed, covered with minute granular or spiny scales. Two indistinct lateral lines, with transverse branches that lodge minute gland- like papillae.
Mouth wide, oblique : irregular cardiform and setiform teeth of unequal size in the jaws — largest in the lower jaw : cardiform teeth in two patches on the vomer. Eye lateral, directed somewhat upwards. Two naked spines on edge of preorbital bone.
Seven branchiostegals. Gill-openings very wide. Posterior border of pre- operculum finely denticulated : a strong dagger-shaped spine at its angle.
47
Two dorsal fins, the first short, the second long and similar to the anal. C audal forked. Pectorals small, median. Ventrals jugular, of good size. An elongate air-bladder. A few large pyloric casca.
28. ChampSOdOfl VOrax, Giinther.
Champsodon vorax, Giinther, P. Z. S. 1867, p. 102, and Challenger Shore Fishes, pp. 43, 52, 56, pi. xxiii. 6g. A, and Challenger Deep-Sea Fishes, p. 49: Alcock, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal, Vol. LV1II. pt. 2, 18S9, p. 302 : Illustra- tions of the Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XXVIII. fig. 5.
B. 7. D. V. 21. A. 19.
Length of head 3-, height of body 5 to 5^ in the total without the caudal.
All parts of the head, except the edge of the operculum, the throat and branchiostegal membranes, and the sides of the chin, are covered with very small granular scales, among which are some rows of tiny gland-like papillae . The crown of the head is flat, and is traversed, from the snout backwards, by a pair of ridges, which are fairly parallel as far as the occiput and then diverge to end each in a supra-clavicular spinule. There are two diverging spines on the edge of the preorbital, two spinules on the lower edge of the interoperculum, and a long dagger-like spine at the angle of the preoperculum.
The snout, measured to the tip of the prominent lower jaw, is nearly twice the length of the eye, which, in the adult, is about one-fifth the length of the head. Inter-orbital space flat ; its width equals the diameter of the eye. Pupil small. Nostrils almost superior, near the tip of the snout.
Mouth-cleft wide, very oblique, the lower jaw prominent, the maxilla reaches well behind the posterior border of the orbit. The larger teeth in the jaws are depressible.
Gill-opening extremely wide ; gill-membranes quite free. Operculum thin, striated. Pseudobranchige small.
Body covered with minute ctenoid scales among which are some rows of small gland-like papilla?. Two indistinct lateral fines, with numerous trans- verse branches in which the gland-like papilla? are generally found.
First dorsal small, lower than the anterior part of the second dorsal, from which it is separated by about an eye-length. The pectorals, which are not much longer than the snout, arise high up on the side and consist of very slender branched rays. Ventrals rather longer than the head without the snout.
Six or seven large pyloric caeca.
Colours warm brown, gradually becoming whitish on the belly : the whole surface with a frosted appearance : first dorsal black.
The largest specimen in the Indian Museum — an adult female — is 5 inches long.
48
Numerous specimens from the Bay of Bengal 100 to 40 fathoms, and off the Malabar coast 124 to 28 fathoms.
Regd. Nos. 11663, 11831, 11832, 11835, 11923, 11924, 12438,12506,
12948, 13935-13939, 14334-14350, —^ ~> 4-f •
Distribution : East Indian Archipelago, Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea.
In the Indian Museum is also one of the Challenger Duplicates from the East Indian Archipelago.
Bembrops, Steindachner.
Bembrops, Steindachner, SB. Ak. Wien, LXXIV. 1877, i. p. 211 ; Alcock, Jonrn. As. Soc. Bengal, Vol. LXIII. 1894, pt. 2, p. 118, and Vol. LXV. 1896, pt. 2, p. 316.
Hypsicometes, Goode, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mas. III. 1880, p. 347 ; Giinther, ' Challenger ' Deep-sea Fishes, p. 85; Jordan and Gilbert, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus. XVI. p. 808 ; Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 290 : Jordan & Evermann, Fishes of N. America, III., p. 2293.
Bathypercis, Alcock, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal, Vol. LXII. 1893, pt. 2, p. 177.
Body elongate, subcylindrical : head large, depressed. Snout broad spathu- late : cleft of the mouth wide, oblique, with the lower jaw projecting : villiform teeth in the jaws vomer and palatines. Eyes large, close together, almost super- ior.
Gill-opening very wide, the membranes free. Seven branchiostegals. Opercle with 3 spines : angle of preoperculum feebly armed. Pseudobranchias large.
Scales large, cycloid or very finely ctenoid, rather deciduous. Lateral fine continuous from occiput to caudal, the scales of its anterior portion keeled or feebly spinate. A small supra-clavicular spine.
Two separate dorsal fins, the first short, the second long. Anal similar to the 2nd dorsal. Ventrals jugular.
Pyloric appendages few. No air-bladder.
29. Bembrops caudimacilla, Steindachner.
Bembrops caudimacula, Steindachner, Sitzungsb. Ak. Wien, LXXIV. 1877, i. p. 212 : Alcock, Jonrn. As. Soc. Bengal, Vol. LXIII. pt. 2, 1894, p. 118.
Hypsicometes gobioides, Goode, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. III. 1880, p. 347, and Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 290, fig. 263 : Giinther, Challenger Deep-Sea Fishes, p. 85 ; Jordan and Evermann, Fishes of N. America III. p. 2294.
Bathypercis platyrhynchus, Alcock, J. A. S. B. Vol. LXII. pt. 2, 1893, p. 177, pi. ix. fig. 1.
Bembrops platyrhynchus, Alcock, J. A. S. B. Vol. LXIII. pt. 2, 1894, p. 118 : Illustrations of the Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XX. fig. 6.
B. 7. D. VI. 14. A. 16-17. P. circ. 25. V. I. 5. L. lat., from origin on occiput, 50.
Head large, broad, depressed, its extreme length, measured from the tip of the projecting mandible to the apex of the prolonged opercular flap is from two- fifths of to 2^ in the total, caudal excluded. Body elongate, cylindrical, low,
49
and tapering to the large caudal : its greatest height is about one-third the length of the head.
The snout is broad, much depressed, and spathulate, resembling the bill of Bathypterois ; its extreme length is a little more than the major diameter of the orbit which is about one-fourth the extreme length of the head. Mouth-cleft wide, slightly oblique, the maxilla reaching nearly to the vertical through the middle of the eye, and ending in a fleshy horizontally-disposed barbel. Teeth in villiform bands on the jaws, vomer, and palatines. Tongue large, spathulate.
The large eyes are placed close together on the summit of the head, separ- ated from each other by a narrow groove ; but the visual axis is lateral. The gill-cleft is very wide, the gill-membranes being free of the isthmus throughout : the preopercular angle is spinate, and the operculum, which is prolonged in membrane nearly to the level of the 4th dorsal spine, has two spines above, and one belonging to the suboperculum below. Four gills with setiform gill-rakers and broad lamina? : pseudobranchias large.
The body, and the head and the snout above, are covered with rather large cycloid or finely ctenoid scales. The lateral line beginning on the occiput as a close-set row of weak re-curved spines, or strongly carinated scales, curves in- wards towards the first dorsal fin and then downwards along the lower half of the tail, being salient but unarmed in this part of its course.
The first dorsal fin is short, and is separated from the second by four or five rows of scales : the second, which is much more elevated than the first, extends from the level of the vent to within an eye-length of the base of the caudal. The anal fin is similar to the second dorsal. The pectorals are large and long and reach to, or even beyond, the origin of the anal. The ventrals arise an eye-length in front of the pectorals and reach half-way to the anal.
Three rather large pyloric casca.
Colours in spirit, yellowish brown with thirteen incomplete and indefinite darker cross-bands : a golden-green ocellus on the crown of the head and one in the apex of each opercle, but all these ocelli tend to fade away : spinous dorsal white at the base, black in the upper half.
In the young there is a large oval black and white ocellus in the upper part of the basal half of the caudal fin ; but this gets broken up in older individuals.
An adult female in the Indian Museum is 81 inches lona:.
2 &
In the Indian Museum are 14 specimens from off the Coromandel coast 107 and 128 fathoms, from the Gulf of Manar 143 fathoms, and from the Andaman Sea 185 and 194 fathoms : [also a specimen labelled Htjpsicometes gobioides from the Gulf of Mexico 280 fathoms] .
Eegd. Nos. 13437, 13493, 13494: 2-^9> ™> ^
50
Distribution : Caribbean Sea and Atlantic coasts of N. America to 40° N., between 68 and 324 fathoms : Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea 107 to 194 fathoms : Sea of Japan.
A series dredged in the Andaman Sea shows that B. gobioides is the adult of B. caudimacula. The latter name has the priority.
Chiasmodus, Johnson.
Chiasmodus, Johnson, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1863, p. 408 and Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (3) XIV. 1864, p. 76 : Giinther, Cat. Fishes V. p. 435, and Challenger Deep-Sea Fishes, p. 99: Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 291 Jordan and Evermann, Fishes of N. America, III. p. 2291.
Ponerodon, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (6) VI. 1890, p. 203, and (6) VII. 1891, pp. 9, 10.
Pseudoscopelas, Liitken, Vid. Selsk. Skr. 1892, 6 Rask. nat. math. Afd. VII. 6. pp. 285, 297.
Body elongate, naked. Eyes lateral. Two separate dorsal fins, of which the second is much the longer and is equal opposite and similar to the anal ; ven- trals thoracic ; pectoral rays branched. Caudal forked, cleft of mouth extreme- ly wide ; jaws distensible and armed with canine teeth, as are also the palatines. Gill-openings very wide, the gill-membranes united only quite anteriorly ; preoperculum with a (small) spine at its angle ; seven branchiostegals ; pseudo- branchia?. Lateral line single, uninterrupted. Abdominal cavity enormously distensible. An air-bladder. No pyloric cseca. No anal papilla. Vertebra? 14/24. Mucous system of the head well developed.
30. Chiasmodus niger, Johnson.
Chiasmodus niger, Johnson, P. Z. S. 1863, p. 408 and Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (3) XIV. 1864, p. 76: Giinther, Cat. Fishes, V. p. 435 and Challenger Deep-Sea Fishes, p. 99 : Carte, P. Z. S. 1866, p. 35, pi. ii : Jordan and Gilbert, Cat. Fish. N. America, p. 1)9 : A. Agassiz, Ball. Mns. Comp. Zool. XV. 1888, p. 29, fig. 208 : Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 292, fig. 264.
Ponerodon vastator, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (6) VI. 1890, p. 203, pl.ix. fig. 5.
Cliiasmodus niger, Alcock, Illustrations of the Zoology ok the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XXVIII. fig. 3.
B.7. D.X.29. A.29. V.I.5.
Body somewhat elongate and compressed, its height being 4- in the total
without the caudal.
Head low, long, and compressed, its length being 3- in the same standard ;
its surface is studded with pores, those on the crown being elliptical and arranged in numerous longitudinal rows. A very large jwre, almost as big as the anterior nostril, in front of the upper angle of the orbit.
Snout depressed, tapering, and rounded, its length being twice the diameter of the eye and about one-fourth the length of the head ; the lower jaw projects slightly. Eyes lateral, small, circular, deep-set; interorbital space nearly twice the diameter of the eye and nearly flat from side to side ; it is traversed by two anteriorly-converging ridges which enclose a V-shaped space. Nostrils large, superior, situated near the tip of the snout.
51
Cleft of mouth oblique, extremely wide, the maxilla which is a very slender bone, reaches almost to the angle of the preoperculum. Depressible hinged fangs in two rows — those of the inner row being much the larger — in both jaws : a row of distant, fixed, recurved teeth in each palatine. The front tooth on each side of both jaws is also fixed. Tongue free, thin, almost spathulate.
Gill-openings wide ; gill-covers thin and flexible, the preoperculum with a very oblique edge, a small, stout, obliquely decurrent spine at its angle, and a thick muscular covering ; gill- membranes attached only quite anteriorly ; four gills, the last gill-cleft a small foramen, branchial arches extremely weak and flexible ; no gill-rakers ; pseudobranckias well developed.
Skin entirely scaleless, thin, covered with a uniformly thick adherent layer of mucus ; a single lateral line of pores, which follows the dorsal profile from occiput to base of caudal.
Two dorsal fins, separated by an interval equal to two-thirds the length of the snout : the first, which begins slightly in advance of the vertical through the base of the pectoral, consists of ten slender but well-ossified spines, of which the longest (third) is barely as long as the snout and eye combined ; the second contains twenty-nine slender articulated rays, branched at the tip and decreasing regularly in length from before backwards, the longest (second) being about half the length of the head. Anal equal, opposite and similar to the second dorsal. Caudal symmetrically forked. Pectorals slender, as long as the post- orbital portion of the head, all the rays branched. Ventrals thoracic, equal in length to the eye and snout combined.
The abdomen is a great elastic sac, which extends behind the normally situated vent into the tail ; it contains a vast collapsed stomach, but no pyloric caaca. There is an air-bladder similar to that of Ghampsodon.
There are 14 abdominal and 24 caudal vertebras.
Colours in life : blotchy violet-black to black.
In the Indian Museum is a single specimen, just over six inches long, from the Bay of Bengal, off the Godavari coast, 920 to 690 fathoms.
Regd. No. 12836.
Distribution : West Indies, North and Mid Atlantic, Madeira, Bay of Bengal. Dr. Giinther places Chiasmodus among the Gadidse, but I feel pretty sure that its place in the system is close to Ghampsodon.
Family JPecliculati.
When the second volume of the Fishes, in the Fauna of British India, was published in 1889, only two genera of Pediculates were known to occur in Indian Seas, namely, Antennarius and Ealieutsea.
52
We now know of nine Indian genera, which are shown in the following
table.
Synopsis of the Indian genera of the family Pediculati.
I. Gills three and a half or two and two halves: no pseudobranchiae : an air-bladder : no pyloric caeca. Body compressed and elevated : the spinous dorsal consists of 3 isolated spines, of which the first is a rostral tentacle ... ... ... ... Antennarius.
II. Gills three : small pseudobranchiae present : no air-blader : two pyloric caeca. Head and anterior part of body depressed, disk- like : the spinous dorsal consists of #from 3 to 6 spines, of which the first 3 are long isolated tentacles ... ... ... Lophids.
III. Gills two and a half : no air-bladder : no pyloric caeca : —
1. Body elevated: mouth-cleft oblique or nearly vertical: the
spinous dorsal consists of 1 or 2 unprotected tentacles.
No pseudobranchia? : —
i. Ventral fins present ... ... ... Chaunax.
ii. Ventral fins absent : —
a. Skin covered with prickles ... ... Ceratias.
b. Skin smooth ... ... ... ... Onikodes.
2. Head and anterior part of body depressed, disk-like : mouth
horizontal : the spinous dorsal consists of a single tentacle lodged in a bony cavity above the mouth. Pseudobran- chiae rudimentary, but distinct ... ... ... Halieutma.
IV. Gills two : no pseudobranchiae : no air-bladder : no pyloric caeca.
Head, etc., depressed, disk-like : mouth-cleft horizontal, not wide : the spinous dorsal consists of a single tentacle lodged in a bony cavity above the mouth : —
1. Soft dorsal fin present : —
i. Teeth in the jaws only ... ... ... Dibranchcs.
ii. Teeth in the jaws, vomer, and palatines ... ... Malthopsis.
2. No soft dorsal fin ... ... ... ... Halichetus.
Lophius, Artedi.
Lophius, Artedi, Genera Piscium p. 62 : C a v. and Val. Hist. Nat. Poiss. XII. p. 339: Giinther, Cat. Fishes, II. p. 178 : Goode and Bean, Ocpanic Ichthyology, p. 485 :
Lophius and Lophiomus, Jordan and Evermann, Fishes N. America III. pp. 2713, 2714.
Head exceedingly large, forming a broad disk with the eyes on its upper surface. Mouth exceedingly wide, the lower jaw projecting: jaws and palate with cardiform teeth. Skin naked : bones of the head with numerous spines. The tbree anterior dorsal spines, which are situated on the head, are isolated and are modified to form tentacles : the posterior dorsal spines vary in number from one to three, and when numbering three form a continuous fin. Soft dorsal and anal short. Gills three. Pseudobranchias present, small. Pyloric appendages two.
53
Distribution. American, European, and African coasts of N. Atlantic : Medi- terranean : Seas of India and Archipelago : Seas of China and Japan.
Key to the Indian species of the genus Lophius.
I. Six dorsal spines, the last 3 of which form a continuous fin : —
1. Pectorals broad : 3rd dorsal spine a simple filament ... L. indicus.
2. Pectorals narrow : 3rd dorsal spine fringed with tags of
skin ... ... ... ••• ... L, gracilimanut.
II. Five dorsal spines, the last 2 rudimentary and hidden beneath the
skin ... ... ... ... ••• L. mutilus.
III. Four dorsal spines, the 4th not hidden ... ... ... L. lugubris.
31. Lophius indicus, Alcock.
lophius indicus, Alcock, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal, Vol. LVIII. pt. 2, 1889, p. 302 : Illustrations of the Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XIX. fig. 3.
B. 6. D. I. I. I. III. 8-9. A. 6-7. P. circ. 23. V. I. 5.
Disk subcircular, half the total length, caudal included, fringed all round with tassels of skin which also extend along the sides of the tail and caudal fin and on to the dorsal surface of the pectoral fins.
Two spines on the preorbital, and two on the elevated upper border of the orbit. Humeral spine coarse, multifid.
Byes very small, their diameter being about one-tenth the length of the cephalic disk and about two-thirds the width of the interorbital space.
Tongue hyoid and neighbouring parts of branchial arches coloured much like the body.
Depressible teeth of unequal size in 2 or 3 irregular series in both jaws, the inner series the largest (especially in the lower jaw) and most regular. Two teeth on either side of the vomer, and three or four along each palatine.
First and third dorsal spines the longest, — rather over two-fifths the length of the disk : the first spine a bristle ending in a large tuft, the second fringed throughout, the third a simple bristle. Of the next three connected spines the first is much the longest, the 2nd and 3rd being short. Caudal about a fifth the total length (itself included). Pectorals broad and fan-like, all but the first one or two and the last five or six rays being of approximately equal length.
Colour in life, dorsal surface dark grey or brown with either a network of fine black lines or numerous small black rings : ventral surface colourless.
In the Indian Museum are eight specimens, the largest being just over five inches long.
Malabar coast, 28 fathoms, Bay of Bengal 25 to 60 fathoms, Gulf of Martaban 67 fathoms, Andaman Sea 90 fathoms.
54
Regd. Nos. 12450, 12451, 12504, 13216, 2-^^, ™.
This species is very closely related to, and may possibly be only a dwarf variety of, Lophius setigerus Wahl, the common Fishing-frog of Japan.
32. Lophius gracilimaniis, n. sp.
Illustrations of the Zoology of thb Investigator, Fishes, pl. XXIX. fig. 3.
B. 6. D. I. I. I. III. 8. A. 6. P. circ. 18. V. I. 5.
Disk elliptical, nearly half the total length, caudal included, fringed as in the preceding species, but more scantily.
Two spines on the preorbital, supra-orbital margin elevated and dentated. Humeral spine truncated and bifid at tip.
Eyes of moderate size, their major diameter about one-sixth the length of the disk and nearly equal to the width of the interorbital space.
Hyoid and neighbouring parts of branchial arches not or only slightly pigmented.
Teeth as in the preceding species, except that the premaxillary teeth beyond the vicinity of the symphysis become a single series.
Second dorsal spine the longest, its length being at least three-quarters that of the disk : the first dorsal spine is a bristle ending in a small tassel, the second is a simple bristle, and the third which is little shorter than the second is fringed throughout its length. Of the next three connected spines the first is the longest, but the 2nd and 3rd are also of good length. Caudal a fourth the total length (itself included). Pectorals narrow, pointed.
Colours, mottled dark sepia to blue-black.
Only one of the pyloric caeca is large.
Three specimens, the longest a little over four and a quarter inches long, from off the Malabar coast 68 to 148, and 100 fathoms.
This species is distinguished from L. indicus by the larger eye, the narrow pointed pectoral fin, the long caudal fin, and the different form and length of the isolated dorsal spines.
^ j -f.T 488-490 672
Regd. Nos. — - — , — .
33. Lophius mutilus, Alcock.
Lophius mutilus, Alcock, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal, Vol. LXII. pt. 2, 1893, p. 179 : Illustrations of the Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. X. fig. 2.
B. 0. D. I. I. I. II rudimentary. 8-9. A. 5. P. circ. 15. V. 1.5.
Cephalic disk subcircular, not quite half the total length caudal included, scantily fringed — like the sides of the tail and the dorsal surface of the pectoral fins — with slender tassels.
55
A single distinct spine on the preorbital : three teeth on the sharp over- hanging upper border of the orbit. Humeral spine trifid.
Byes large, their diameter being a fifth the length of the disk and equal to the width of the interorbital space.
Hyoid and neighbouring parts of branchial arches dusky, but not distinctly pigmented.
Small depressible fangs of unequal size in three irregular series in the mandible, in two series near the symphysis of the upper jaw, but in a single series along the greater part of the upper jaw. A pair of rigid fangs on each side of the vomer, and five or six along each palatine.
The third dorsal spine is much the longest, being as long as the cephalic disk : all three are plain bristles. The second portion of the spinous dorsal consists of two small spines only visible after dissection. Caudal about a fourth the total length (itself included). Pectorals narrow.
Colours in spirit, mottled brown.
A single specimen, 5; inches long, from the Bay of Bengal, off the Madras coast, 128 fathoms.
Regd. No. 13438.
This species is at once distinguished by the rudimentary second part of the spinous dorsal.
34. Lophius lagubris, Alcock.
Lophius lugubris, Alcock, Jonrn. As. Soc. Bengal, Vol. LXIII. pt. 2, 1894, p. 118: Illustrations of thk Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XIV. fig. 1.
B. 6. D. I. I. I. I. 7-8. A. 5-6. P. arc. 13. V. 1.5.
Cephalic disk subcircular, about half the total length, caudal included, scantily fringed with slender tassels as in Lophius mutilus.
A single distinct spine on the preorbital ; 3 teeth on the sharp overhanging upper border of the orbit. Humeral spine trifid.
Byes moderate, their diameter about a seventh the length of the disk, and rather less than the width of the interorbital space except at its fore end.
Hyoid and neighbouring parts of mouth slightly dusky, not distinctly pigmented.
Teeth as in Lophius mutilus.
All the dorsal spines are simple filaments : the third is much the longest, being as long as or even longer than the cephalic disk. The second part of the dorsal fin consists of a single short slender filament, about twice as long as the eye. Caudal rather more than a fourth the length of the total (itself included). Pectorals narrow.
56
Colours in spirit, dark sepia mottled with black.
Three specimens, tlie largest 5^ inches long, from off Colombo, 143 and 142
to 400 fathoms.
Regd. Nos. 13467, ™, ™.
This species is distinguished from L. nmtilus by the smaller eye, and by the second portion of the spinous dorsal fin, which consists of a single filament. In one of the specimens this filament is not present, or any trace of it.
Ceratias, Kroyer.
Ceratias, Kroyer, Natnrhist. Tidsskr. 1844-45, p. 639 : Giinther, Cat. Fishes, III. p. 205 and Challenger Deep Sea Fishes, p. 52.
Ceratias, Diceratias, Mancalias, Typhlopsaras, Cryptopsaras, Gill : Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, pp. 488^19 L (subgenera).
Ceratias and Mancalias (p. 2729), Cryptopsaras (p. 2731), Jordan and Evermann, Fishes of N. America, Vol. III.
Head enormous, body and tail short ; both often elevated and compressed. Skin with minute scutes or prickles. Mouth very large, approaching the vertical, the mandible projecting. Depressible teeth of unequal size in the jaws and sometimes on the vomer. Eyes small.
Gills two and a half. No pseudobranchia?.
Spinous dorsal reduced to one or two spines, which are generally modified into tentacles. Soft dorsal and anal short.
Yentrals absent.
Distribution : Arctic and North Atlantic : Seas of India and Archipelago Japanese Seas.
Subgenus Diceratias.
Two dorsal spines situated on the anterior part of the head. Vomerine teeth present. No pyloric appendages.
35. Ceratias (Diceratias) Mspinosus, Giinther.
Ceratias hispinosus, Giinther, Challenger Deep Sea Fishes, p. 53. Alcock, Illustrations of the Zoology
OF THE INVESTIGATOB, FlSHES, PL. XXXV. FIG. 2.
D. I.I. 6. A. 4. C. 9. P. 14.
The height of the body, when the stomach is empty, is about half the total, caudal included.
Head much larger than the body and tail combined. Each frontal bone with a strong outstanding spine, situated above and behind the eye.
57
On top of the snout are the two isolated dorsal spines, the anterior of which bears a long stout tentacle (about a third as long as the body) ending in a fleshy knob, while the second is almost a rudiment.
Eye small, subcutaneous, about a third as long as the snout : in front of it is a tubular nostril.
Mouth-cleft enormous, the length of the maxilla being nearly one-third of the total, caudal included. A series of large and small depressible teeth in each jaw : a few large teeth, decreasing in size from without inwards, on each side of the vomer.
Skin of head and body covered with minute prickles.
Dorsal and anal fins placed close to the caudal, which is very large and is pointed.
Colour black.
A single specimen, 5^ inches long, from off the Malabar coast, 636 fathoms.
Regd. No. 14008.
Distribution : Banda Sea, Arabian Sea.
Onieodes, Liitken.
Oneirodes, Liitken, Oversigt Dansk. Vid. Selsk. Forhandl. 1871, p. 56 : Gill, Proc. U. S. Nat. Una. I. 1878, p. 227: Giinther, Challenger Deep Sea Pishes, p. 56: Jordan and Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mas. XVI. p. 848: Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 492 : Jordan and Evermann, Fishes of N. America III. p. 2732.
Paroneirodes, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. Sept. 1890, p. 206.
Head enormous, body and tail short, both compressed and elevated. Skin naked. Mouth large, oblique, the lower jaw a little prominent. Depressible teeth of unequal size in the jaws and on the vomer. Byes small.
Gills two and a half. No pseudobranchiaa.
Spinous dorsal reduced to two spines, which are modified into tentacles. Soft dorsal and anal short.
Ventrals absent. No pyloric cgeca.
Distribution : off coasts of Greenland : Bay of Bengal in deep water.
36. Ofiirodes glomerosus, Alcock.
Paron irodes glomerosus, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. Sept. 1890, p 206, pi. ix. fig 6 : Illustrations of the Zoology of the Investigator, pl. XXVIII. fig. 4.
D. LI. 6. A. 4. C. 8.
When captured the form of the body was ovoid, though unstable ; hardened
in spirit it becomes compressed and oval. The length of the head is five
eighths, its greatest height nine-sixteenths of the total, without the caudal. The
eye is small, being deeply buried beneath a circular patch of transparent (unpig-
58
merited) skin; above each eye is a prominent, coarse, procumbent spine. Mouth moderately large, its cleft obliquely ascending ; the length of the maxilla is one-third that of the head ; a narrow band (?) of small teeth in each jaw and on the vomer ; tongue large ; only the floor of the mouth pigmented.
Gills 2:2 ; gill-opening a small circular aperture just beneath the root of the pectoral fin.
Skin thin and perfectly smooth and scaleless ; it is protected by a thick coat of mucus.
Two clavate cephalic tentacles, the first being rather more than twice the length of the second, situated close together in the after part of the interorbital space, with luminous organs imbedded in their enlarged tips. Second dorsal and anal placed far back on the tail, almost in contact with the caudal, which is pointed and in length a little more than one-fourth of the total ; all the rays of the vertical fins simple ; pectorals very short, pointed ; ventrals absent.
Colours : — Body and fins jet-black ; in spirit the tip of the cephalic ten- tacles become white. Pharyngo-branchial and peritoneal membranes unpig- mented.
One specimen, 1- inch long from the Bay of Bengal, 1260 fathoms.
Re^d. No. 12840.
"t3
Chaunax, Lowe.
Chaunax, Lowe, Trans. Zool. Soc. III. 1849, p. 339 : Giinther, Cat. Fishes, III. p. 200 and Challenger Deep Sea Fishes, p. 58: Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 487 : Jordan and Evermann, Fishes N. America, III. p. 2726.
Head enormous, cuboidal. Skin covered with minute prickles. Mouth- cleft wide, approaching the vertical, the lower jaw heavy and prominent. Bands of small teeth in the jaws and palate.
Spinous dorsal reduced to a short tentacle situated on the snout. Soft dorsal of moderate length. Anal short. Ventrals present.
Gills two and a half : no pseudobranchias. No pyloric ca?ca.
37. Chaunax irictus, Lowe.
Chaunax pictus, Lowe, Trans. Zool. Soc. III. 1849, p. 339, pi. li : Giinther, Cat. Fishes, III. p. 200 and Challenger Deep Sea Fishes, p. 58, pi. x. fig. A : Goode, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. III. 1881, p. 470: Jordan and Gilbert, Bull. D. S. Nat. Mas. XVI. p. 846: Vaillant, Exp. Sci. Travaillenr et Talisman, Poiss. p. 343, pi. xxviii. figs. 1-11 : Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. Nov. 1889, p. 381 : Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 487, fig. 398.
Chaunax fimbriatm, Ililgendorf, Sitzungsb. Ges. Naturf. Freunde, 1879, p. 80 : Steindachner and Doderlein, Denk. Ak. VVien XLIX. 1885, p. 194.
B.7. D.I. 11. A. 6-7. P. 11. V. 4.. C. 8.
Shape like that of Diodon or Tetrodon.
59
The great cuboidal head is at least half the total length without the caudal, and its greatest height, behind the eyes, is from a third to two-fifths the same measure.
Byes large, subcutaneous, lateral although placed high up near the dorsal profile.
Snout short, squarish, underhung by the massive square-cut lower jaw. Nostrils two tiny pores situated near the edge of the snout. On the top of the snout, folding backwards on to a shallow smooth depression of the skin, is a tentacle, about half as long as the eye, ending in a leaf-like tassel : this repre- sents the first dorsal fin.
Mouth-cleft wide, the length of the maxilla being two-ninths the total without the caudal.
Skin extremely loose, covered with minute granules or prickles which are finest on the throat and belly, traversed by chain-like rows of mucous pores as follows : —
(1) one extending, on each side, from the snout over the eye, and then curving downwards to run along the ventral surface of the tail and on to the base of the caudal :
(2) one extending from the tip of the chin, on each side, along the lower border of the head, to near the gill-opening :
(3) one across the head (" like a headstall ") behind the level of the eyes from (2) to (2) :
(4) one on each side from the snout, in continuation of (1), round and across the cheek, to (3) :
(5) one across the chin from (2) to (2).
Pectorals fairly broad, ventrals small and narrow.
Colours in spirit, either uniform light yellow, or light yellow with large faint-brown spots ; throat white.
In the Indian Museum are numerous specimens from the Bay of Bengal 193, 272 and 145 to 250 fathoms, and two from off Colombo 14*2 to 400 fathoms and 480 fathoms.
Regd. Nos. 11687, 11690, 11693-11695, 11719, 11720, 13468, 13183-13492,
528
T •
Distribution : West Indies and neighbouring Atlantic coasts of America, Madeira, C. Verde and neighbouring coasts of Africa : Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal : Fiji, Japan : at moderate depths, 130 to about 400 fathoms.
|
E. |
fumosa. |
|
E. stellata. |
|
|
H. |
nigra. |
|
E. |
coccinea. |
60 Halieuma, Cuv. and Val.
Diagnosis, etc., recorded in tbe Fishes of India.
Key to the Indian species of the geyius Halieutaea.
I. Under surface of disk covered with a thick, perfectly smootb, glandular
skin II. Under surface of disk finely granular ; interorbital space decidedly concave : —
1. Pour rays in the dorsal fin
2. Five rays in the dorsal fin... III. Under surface of disk with stellate spines ; interorbital space hardly
concave ; five rays in the dorsal fin
38. JIalieutcea stellata, Wahl.
Srnonomy recorded in the Fishes of India.
B. 6. D. 4. A. 4. P. 13. V. I. 5. C. 9.
Tail, including the caudal fin, about three-fourths the length of the disk.
Disk broader than long, very little elevated anteriorly. Dorsal surface covered with stout sharp spines having a broad star-shaped base. The spines on the edge of the disk and along the side of the tail are bifid or multifid, and usually have numerous short filaments between them.
Skin of the under surface of the disk finely granular.
Eyes between g and - the length of the disk in diameter, and about a dia- meter apart. Interorbital space decidedly concave.
Rostral tentacle three-lobed.
Caudal about - the total length (itself included), not quite as long as the pectoral. Ventrals moderately broad, between - and ^ the length of the pecto- rals.
Parietal peritoneum moderately pigmented.
Colours in life, pink : in spirit the dorsum is light brown with some black streaks and patches.
Has been taken in the Bay of Bengal at 98 to 102 fathoms and off the Malabar coast at 68 to 148 fathoms.
Distribution: Seas of India, Malay Archipelago, China, and Japan.
39. Halieutcea nigra, Alcock.
Halieutxa nigra, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. July, 1891, p. 24: Illustrations of thk Zoology of thb INVE3TIGATOB, FlSUES, PL. XIX. FIG. 2.
B. 6. D. 5. A. 4. C. 9. P. 13. V. I. 5.
61
Differs from H. stellata in the following particulars : —
(1) the cephalic disk is circular and is decidedly elevated anteriorly, and there are no cutaneous filaments along its edge, except at the chin :
(2) the eyes are about i the length of the disk, and are rather more than a diameter apart :
(3) the caudal is - the total length (itself included) :
(4) the ventrals, which are only about half the length of the pectorals, are slender.
Colours in life, blue-black with jet black vermicular lines on the dorsal surface : in spirit bluish with the black lines more distinct.
A single specimen, just over 2- inches long, from the Andaman Sea, 188 to 220 fathoms.
Regd. No. 13027.
It is quite possible that this is only a variety of H. stellata.
40. Halieutcea coccinea, Alcock.
Halieutsea coccinea, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Nov. 1889, p. 382 : Illustrations of the Zoology of thi Investigator, Pishes, pl. XIX. fig. 1.
B. 6. D. 5. A. 4. C. 9. P. 13-14. V. I. 5.
Differs from H. stellata in the following particulars : —
(1) the cephalic disk is circular and is distinctly elevated anteriorly, and the cutaneous filaments on its edge are few and inconspicuous :
(2) the spines of the dorsal surface have needle-like points, and the under surface of the disk is well covered with stellate spines : [in the young the spines of the under surface are scattered and very small] :
(3) the interorbital space is but slightly concave and its width is much more than a diameter of the eye :
(4) the caudal is about a fifth the total length :
(5) the ventrals are slender :
(6) the parietal peritoneum and branchial mucosa are jet black and parti- cularly thick.
Colours in life : " dorsum bright pink, with fine black vermicular lines ; under surface crimsou " : in spirit white, with the black lines very distinct and the black peritoneum and branchial mucosa showing through on both sides of the disk.
Numerous specimens from the Andaman Sea, 265 and 185 fathoms : the largest is just over 7 inches long.
Regd. Nos. 11741: 2££J.
62
This species may perhaps be only a variety of H. stellata. An accident to the unique specimen known in 1889 led me to describe the rostral tentacle as bilobed : in the specimens received since then the tentacle has the usual three- lobed form.
41. Halieiitcea fumosa, Alcock.
Halieutma futtwsa, Alcock, Jonrn. As. Sue. Bengal, Vol. LXIII. pt. 2, 1894, p. 119 : Illustrations of the Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XIV. fig. 2.
B. 6. D. 4. A. 4. C. 9. P. 13. V. I. 5. Differs from H. stellata in the following particulars : —
(1) the spines of the dorsal surface are mere spinules, though their bases are pyramidal or star-shaped : the filaments along the edge of the disk and sides of tail are excessively delicate :
(2) the skin of the under surface of the disk is thick, gelatinous and abso- lutely smooth :
(3) the length of the eye is between ^ and - that of the disk, and the interorbital space is slightly concave :
(4) caudal one-fourth the total length, and equal to the pectorals :
(5) ventrals slender, more than - the length of the pectorals.
Colours in spirit : upper surface smoky blue, becoming hyaline near the edge of the disk ; under surface grey, finely and closely speckled with silver ; dorsal fin blackish ; pectorals and caudal with a broad black cross-band and commonly a milk-white tip.
Numerous specimens, from the Bay of Bengal, 145 to 250 fathoms, and off the Malabar coast, G8 to 148 fathoms. The largest is about 4 inches long.
Regd. Nos. 13716-13720, 13722-13725, 13727, 12823, ^^.
It is quite possible that this species also is merely a variety of II. stellata.
Dibranchus, Peters.
Dibranchus, Peters, Monatsb. Akad. Berlin, 1875, p. 736 : Gill, Proo. U. S. Nat. Mus. I. 1878, p. 231 : Giinther, Challenger Deep Sea Fishes, p. 59 : Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 500 Jord*nn and Evermanu, Fishes of North America, III. p. 27-13.
Head and anterior part of body forming a large subtriangular or ovate disk the edge of which is armed with horizontal spines. Skin beset with spines having stelliform bases, or with tubercles and granules.
Cleft of mouth horizontal, of moderate width. Minute teeth in the jaws only.
Forehead with a transverse bony bridge forming a cavern above the mouth, in which a retractile tentacle, that represents the 1st dorsal fin, is lodged.
63
Soft dorsal and anal short.
Two gills (on the 2nd and 3rd branchial arches). No pseudobranchiae.
No air-bladder : no pyloric appendages.
Distribution : "West Indies and Atlantic coasts of the United States : Cape Verde and neighbouring coasts of Africa : Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Anda- man Sea. At moderate depths.
42. Dibrancluis nasutus, Alcock.
Dibranchus nasutus, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist, July 1891, p. 24, pi. vii. fig. 1 : Illustrations of thk Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XX. fig. 2.
B. 6. D. 6. A. 4. C. 9. P. 12-13. V. 1. 5.
Disk, measured to the gill-opening, shorter than the tail (including caudal), its cranial portion very slightly elevated.
The frontal bridge projects considerably beyond the mouth, forming a snout.
The rostral tentacle ends in a pair of fleshy balls, with a pair of filaments above and between them.
Eyes about one-sixth the length of the disk and not much more than one diameter apart anteriorly.
Dorsal surface closely covered with rigid spines having a stelliform base : ventral surface much more sparsely beset with similar but smaller spines or acute tubercles.
Dorsal fin in the anterior half of the tail, but some distance behind the gill- opening : anal fin entirely behind the dorsal.
Caudal fin 4^ in the total length, equal to the pectorals. Ventrals narrow, nearly as long as the pectorals.
Colour in life, blue black to jet black.
The largest specimen is not quite 3| inches long.
Andaman Sea, 188 to 220 and 405 fathoms : off Travancore coast, 406 fathoms.
Regd. Nos. 13028, 14116-14118, if3.
43. Dibranchus mici*opus, Alcock.
Dibranchus micropus, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., July 1891, p. 25, pl. vii. figs. 2,2a, 2b,: Illustrations of the Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XX. fig. 1.
B. 6. D. 5. A. 4. C. 9. P. 15. V. 5. Disk as long as, or longer than, the tail, its cranial portion very decidedly elevated.
64
Edge of the frontal bridge flush -with the chin, not projecting.
The rostral tentacle ends in a pair of fleshy lobes, surmounted by a third, median, foliaceous fimbriated lobe.
Eyes between a sixth and a seventh the length of the disk, somewhat more than two diameters apart.
Dorsal surface closely covered with spines which have a stelliform base and a flexible, almost setaceous, shaft ; on the tail they are almost rigid : ventral surface with similar but smaller bristle-like spines.
Dorsal fin close behind the gill-opening, anal fin not entirely behind the dorsal.
Caudal fin 4- to 4- in the total length, equal to the pectorals. Ventrals very small, not a third the length of the pectorals.
Colour in life, uniform blue black.
The largest specimen is not quite 3 inches long.
Bay of Bengal, off Vizagapatam coast, 240 fathoms ; Andaman Sea, 370 to 419 and 405 fathoms ; off Travancore coast, 406 fathoms.
Regd. Nos. 13029, 13030, 14120, y' y •
Malthopsis, Alcock.
Malthopsis, Aleock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., July 1891, p. 26.
Head and anterior part of body forming a large depressed sub-triangular disk. Bones of the snout produced to form a sharp projecting spine, overhanging a cavity above the mouth, in which a retractile tentacle is lodged.
Skin more or less beset with large conical striated tubercles.
Mouth-cleft rather narrow, horizontal. Villiform teeth on the jaws vomer and palatines.
Soft dorsal and anal short.
Two gills (on the 2nd and 3rd branchial arches). No pseudobranchia?.
No air-bladder : no pyloric appendages.
Distribution : Indian Seas, Mid Pacific. At moderate depths.
44. Malthopsis lutea, Alcock.
Malthnpsis lutea, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., July 1891, p. 26, pi. viii. figg. 2, 2a : Illustrations of tub Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XIX. fig. 4.
B. 5. D. 5. A. 4. C. 9. P. 11. V. 1.5. Disk not quite as long as the tail (caudal included), its cranial part moder- ately elevated. Snout projecting horizontally or obliquely upwards as a stout striated spine.
65
Beneath this nasal prolongation is a deep narrow vault, flanked on each side by a pair of large, almost confluent nostrils, and containing a short, fleshy, clavate tentacle.
Eyes large, lateral, nearly circular ; their diameter is about one-seventh of the total length, caudal not included ; they are strongly convergent and ante- riorly are barely half a diameter apart ; the anterior limit of the orbit is in the same vertical line with the anterior limit of the mouth.
The mouth-cleft, which is horizontal, is about two-thirds of an eye-diameter in width. Teeth villiform, in bands in the jaws and in broad patches on the vomer and anterior ends of the palatines.
Gill-cleft a small foramen, in width about one-fifth of an eye-diameter, situated superiorly in the axilla ; two gills; no pseudobranchias. Sub-operculum prolonged and ending in a stout trifid or multifid spine.
Body more or less covered with hard granular adherent plates, each with a large radially-striated conical tubercle in its centre. On the dorsal surface of the cephalic disk they are of moderate size, in contact along the middle line, but distant and slightly sunken laterally ; on the ventral surface of the cephalic disk they are very few and distant (except on the belly, where they may be numerous) and sunken ; on the tad they are large and in close contact throughout.
The dorsal fin is in the anterior half of the tail, the anal is completely behind the dorsal : the ventrals are very long, nearly equal to the pectorals, which are equal to the caudal, which is two-ninths of the total.
Colours in life : pinkish yellow ; some specimens with a few irregular dark rings on the dorsum of the cephalic disk.
Five abdominal and thirteen caudal vertebras, the neural spines of the former fused into a trenchant ridge as in Malthe and Halieutsea.
The largest specimen is 3- inches long.
Andaman Sea, 185, 188 to 220, and 405 fathoms.
Regd. Nos. 13014-13016, 13018-13020 : 2|6, ^, 'f : l^p.
Haiicmetus, Alcock.
Halicmetus, Alcock, Ann. Mag Nat. Hist., July 1891, p. 319.
Head and anterior part of body forming a large depressed sub-triangular disk. Front with a transverse bony bridge roofing in a cavity that lies above the mouth and lodges a fleshy retractile tentacle representing the spinous dorsal fin.
Skin covered with granules and tubercles. 9
66
Mouth-cleft rather narrow, horizontal. Villiform teeth in jaws vomer and palatines.
No dorsal fin whatever (except the rostral tentacle) : anal fin very short.
Two gills (on the 2nd and 3rd branchial arches). No pseudobranchias.
No air-bladder : no pyloric appendages.
45. Halicmetus ruber, Alcock.
Htilicmetns ruber, Alcock, Ann. Slag. Nat. Hist., Jul^ 1891, p. 27, pi. viii. figs. 1, la-b. Illustrations of the Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XIX. fig. 5. (" Halieuteea coccinea," Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyo- logy, fig. 410.)
B. 6. D. 0. A. 3-4. C. 9. P. 11. V. 1.5.
Disk not quite as long as the tail (caudal included), its cranial part little elevated.
The truncated snout is occupied by a bony rugose orbital bridge, beneath which is a cavity lodging a fleshy tentacle which ends in three lobes, the middle (superior) lobe being crested by a pair of papillae or small bifid filament. The eyes are about one-seventh the length of the disk and are about half a diameter apart anteriorly.
The nostrils are minute papilla? situated on each side of the rostral tentacle, almost within the subrostral cavity.
Mouth horizontal, with the lower jaw slightly projecting ; its cleft is a little wider than the eye. Villiform teeth in bands in the jaws vomer and on the anterior ends of the palatines.
Gill-cleft a small foramen, less than half an eye-diameter in width, situated superiorly in the axilla. The sub-operculum ends in a stout multifid spine.
Surface of the body uniformly invested with minute close-set graniform spines, which also cover the eyes up to the corneal margin. The edge of the cephalic disk bears in addition large finely granular multifid spines in three longitudinal series, and the tail is clad with large granular conical tubercles — of which there are five longitudinal series on each side — in close contact. There are also some smaller tubercles scattered on the dorsal surface of the disk.
Fins in form and position as in Halieufsea, Malthopsis, &c, but the soft dorsal, as well as the spinous, is entirely wanting, and the anal is almost rudimentary. The pectorals, which are abont a third longer than the ventrals and a little longer than the caudal, are nearly one- fifth the total length.
Colours in life, uniform light pink.
Five abdominal and thirteen caudal vertebra?.
The largest specimen, a gravid female, is nearly 3- inches long.
Andaman Sea, 188 to 220, and 405 fathoms : Arabian Sea, off Travancore coast, 406 fathoms.
Regd. Nos. 13025, 13026: 14122-14125 : ™.
Family Cottidce. Teigla, Artedi.
46. Trig la hemisticta, Temm. & Schleg.
Synonomy and diagnosis recorded in the Fishes of India, p. 791, and Fanna of British India, Fishes II. p. 241.
Bay of Bengal, off Ganjam coast, 98 to 102 fathoms.
Regd. Nos. 12748, 12751, 12752, 12757, 12761, 12762, 12766, 12767, 12773, 12774, 12776, 12777.
Lepidotrigla, Giinther.
Lepidotrigla, Giinther, Cat. Fishes, II. p. 196.
" Head parallelopiped, with the upper surface and the sides entirely bony : " the enlarged infra-orbital covering the cheek. Body with scales of moderate " size, regularly arranged. Two dorsals, the first much shorter than the second. " Three pectoral filaments. Villiform teeth in both the jaws and on the vomer, " none on the palatine bones. Air-bladder generally with lateral muscles, often " divided into two lateral halves. Pyloric appendages in moderate number." (Giinther).
47. Lepidotrigla spiloptera, Giinther.
Lepidotrigla spiloptera, Giinther, Challenger Shore Fishes, p. 42, pi. xviii. fig. C ; and Challenger Deep Sea Fishes, p. 64.
B. 7. D. IX. 15. A. 15. L. lat. 60.
Scales feebly serrated, those of the lateral line unarmed, those that imme- diately flank the dorsal fins with well developed spines.
Profile of snout concave : pre-orbital projecting as a broad spine, about half as long as the eye. Interorbital space very concave, its width is nearly equal to the vertical diameter of the eye. A deepish transverse groove behind the orbits, not well marked in the young.
The 1st dorsal spine, which is the highest, is not very much more than half the length of the head. Pectoral fin reaching to the 4th or 5th anal ray.
Colours in life : reddish ; pectoral dark blue on its inner surface, with numerous white spots and a white margin.
68
One specimen, nearly four inches long, from the Gulf of Martaban 67 fathoms.
Regd. No. -j-.
This species was taken by the Challenger in the seas of the Bast Indian Archipelago at 140 fathoms.
48. Lepidotrigla spiloptera var. longipinnis, Alcock
Lepidotrigla spiloptera, var. longipinnis, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Dec. 1890, p. 429.
Only differs from the type in the great length of the pectoral fins, which reach to, or beyond, the 9th anal ray.
Largest specimen five inches long.
Off Ganjain coast 18 fathoms, Gulf of Martaban 67 fathoms, Andaman Sea 55 fathoms, off Malabar coast 68 to 148 fathoms and 100 fathoms.
-r. i tvt innntr 295 416-417 499-527 680-688
Regd. Nos. 12925, -p, — j — , — j — , — — .
Family Cfltaphracti.
Peristethium, Lacepede.
Diagnosis, etc., recorded in the Fauna of British India, Fishes, II. p. 241.
Key to the Indian species of the genus Peristethium.
I. Pre-opercubx ridge not prolonged to form a spine ... ... P. Rivers- Andersnni.
II. Pre-opercular ridge prolonged to form a spine : —
1. Preorbital processes long, narrow, spatliulate ... P. serridatnm.
2. Preorbital processes short, broad, triangular : —
i. Twenty rays in the soft dorsal ... ... P. investigatoris.
ii. Fifteen rays in. the soft dorsal ... ... P. Halyi.
49. Peristethium Rivers- Ander so ni, Alcock.
Peristethus Rivers- Andersoni, Alcock, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal, Vol. LXIII. pt. 2, 18SN, p. 121, pi. vi. figs. 2, 2a, 26.
B. 7. D. VI. 22. A. 21. L. lat. 32.
The length of the narrow sub-spathulate pre-orbital processes is nearly equal to the distance between their base and the anterior border of the orbit : each has, on the upper surface near its base, a recurved upstanding spine.
The pre-opercular ridge is remarkably salient but is sharply truncated, not forming a spine. The opercular ridge forms a short blunt spine.
The lower jaw is thickly fringed with small tentacles. The long labial tentacles when laid back hardly surpass the angle of the mouth.
69
The interorbital space, the breadth of which is equal to the major diameter of the orbit, is deeply concave, and is traversed fore and aft by a deep median groove. Each supra-orbital margin is surmounted posteriorly by a strong recurved spine, and there is a similar spine on each side of the occiput.
The body-shields are in four rows on each side : each shield is strongly carinated, the carina being produced behind into a strong spine ; and in the case of the shields of the posterior third of the lateral line the carinse are slightly produced and pointed in front also.
The length of the anterior ventral shields is more than twice their greatest breadth.
Colours in spirit : body flesh-coloured; the pectorals with a broad jet-black band in their posterior half and with a milk-white tip ; the spinous dorsal black in its upper half, and the soft dorsal with a black edge.
Length 3^ inches.
Off Colombo, 142 to 400 fathoms. One specimen. Regd. No. 13469.
Named after Captain A. R. S. Anderson, I.M.S., Surgeon-Naturalist to the Marine Survey of India from 1893 to 1899.
50. Pevistethhim serrulatum, Alcock.
Peristethus serrulatum, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., August 1898, p. 153: Illustrations op the Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XXV. figs. 2, 2a.
B. 7. D. VII. 22. A. 21. L. lat. 33.
The length of the narrow spathulate preorbital processes is equal to more than two-thirds the distance between their base and the anterior border of the orbit.
Pre-opercular ridge sharply serrulate, ending in a curved rather narrow spine, which is nearly as long as the eye. All the bony ridges of the head are finely serrulate or serrate ; in addition there are, on either side, a preorbital, a post-orbital, an occipital, a post-temporal and an opercular spine, and on the forehead there are at least five small spines.
Interorbital space concave, less than the major diameter of the eye.
The large labial tentacles, when laid back, reach to the after limit of the orbit.
All the shields of the body carry a stout recurved spine — eight rows in all ; those of the posterior third of the lateral line are not simple spines, but are acutely produced both forwards and backwards. The anterior ventral plates
70
are nearly twice as long as broad and nearly twice as long as the posterior ventral plates.
Colours in spirit : flesh-colour, rather dusky dorsally ; distal half of pec- torals and edges of vertical fins blackish.
Length nearly six inches.
Andaman Sea, 185 fathoms.
-r, , >T 296 297
Kegd. JNos. — > — .
51. Peristethiiim investigatoris, Alcock.
Peristethus investigatoris, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., August 1898, p. 152: Illustrations of tub Zoologt of the Invrstigator, Fishes, PL. XXV. F[GS. 1. In.
B. 7. D. VII. 20. A. 21. L. kit. 35-36.
The length of the broad triangular preorbital processes is equal to consider- ably less than half the distance between their base and the anterior border of the orbit.
Preopercular riclge trenchant, ending in a sharp spine, which is about two- thirds as long as the eye.
A spine at the posterior angle of the orbit, one on either side of the occiput, one on either post-temporal region, one at the upper angle of the operculum ; in young specimens only there are three small inconspicuous tubercles, disposed in a triangle, on the forehead.
Interorbital space concave, less than the major diameter of the eye.
The large labial tentacles, when laid back, reach far behind the posterior border of the orbit.
All the shields of the body carry a stout recurved spine — eight rows in all.
The anterior ventral plates are irregular in shape, their greatest length, measured diagonally, is nearly twice their breadth, and is half again as much as the greatest length of the posterior ventral plates.
Colours in life : adults red, young dusky violet ; pectorals, first dorsal, and distal half of labial tentacles black, second dorsal with a black edge.
The largest specimen is a little over 6 inches long.
Andaman Sea, 188 to 220 and 405 fathoms : off Travancore coast, 224 to 284 fathoms.
r» i tvt -.«.-.<-.,-, i i/^oo 121 140 529 530
Kegd. Nos. 13037, 13038, T, — , — , —.
This species appears to be near P. platycephakm Goode and Bean, from
Barbados.
71
Family GoMidce. Gobius, Artedi.
52. Gobius cometes, Alcock.
Gobius cometes, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Sept. 1890, p. 208, pi. viii. fig. 2 : Illustrations of the Zoology of the Investigator, Pishes, pl. XX. fig. 3.
B. 5. D. VI. 10-11. A. 10-11. L. lat. 23-24. L. tr. 5-6. C. 18-20. P. 23. V. 1.5.
Length of the head about 2^, height of the body about 4- in the total with- out the caudal.
Snout broad, its length about two-thirds that of the eye. Eyes entering the dorsal profile, separated by a very narrow shallow groove, their major dia- meter about 3- in the length of the head.
Mouth cleft oblique, the lower jaw a little prominent, the maxilla reaching the vertical through the middle of the eye.
In each jaw an inner band of villiform teeth, and an outer regular row of slightly enlarged, acute, slightly curved teeth ; tongue large and fleshy.
Gill-covers large, the suboperculum much larger than the operculum ; gill- lamina? broad ; gill-rakers small and weak.
Scales large (0-23 inch in the vertical, 0"18 inch in the antero-posterior diameter) microscopically ctenoid ; they cover the crown of the head as far as the eyes, leaving the cheeks and opercles scaleless ; there are five or six rows of scales between the second dorsal and the anal fins.
All the fins are elongated ; the second and third dorsal spines are about half as long as the head; the rays of the feathery second dorsal and anal increase in length from before backwards as far as the antepenultimate ray, which is almost as long as the head. The caudal is long and pointed, its longest rays, which are on the dorsal aspect, are nearly one-third the total length. The ventrals are united, but are not adherent to the abdomen ; their length is about equal to the height of the body. Pectorals with a long fleshy base, their longest (middle) rays are equal to the length of the head without the snout.
Intestine short; anal papilla long and slender. A large thin- walled air- bladder is present. Vertebras 11/13.
Colours in life : — Transparent grey, with seven broad bright-yellow cross bands not quite reaching the middle line of the abdomen, and the gills showing through the gill-cover as a bright pink blotch. Second dorsal and caudal fins beautifully pencilled black and white like a feather, anal with a broad dark border, ventrals blue-black. In spirit the yellow cross-bands almost entirely fade.
72
Length between 4 and 5 inches.
Very numerous specimens from off the Ganjam coast, 98 to 102 fathoms, and 107 fathoms.
Regd. Nos. 12729 et seg.
Ambltopus, Cuv. & Val.
53. Amblyopus arctocephalus, Alcock.
Amblyopus arctocephalus, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Dec. 1890, p. 432 : Illustrations of the Zoology of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XX. fig. 7 (eye far too distinct).
D. VI. 43. A. 41. Scales 50-60 rows. Head angular, its opercular region somewhat inflated, its vertex compressed into a sharp carina, its length one-sixth of the total, caudal included.
Body compressed, its height, which is 7 to 7-; in the total, caudal included, diminishes very slightly from nape to base of caudal. Eyes completely hidden and aborted, though the optic nerve is distinct.
Snout broad, with the lower jaw prominent. Mouth-cleft oblique, rather
wide, the length of the maxilla being 2^ in that of the head ; the upper lip with
a short broad barbel on each side; the mandibular symphysis prominent. In each jaw a row of small, close, even, acute teeth, and external to these in the front of the premaxilla, on each side, two large canines, and in the mandible five, of which two are lateral and one (the largest) median.
Head naked ; body covered with thin, smooth, hardly imbricate scales, which increase in size from before backwards.
Dorsal and anal fins low, enveloped in skin, confluent with the pointed caudal. Pectorals with the four or five upper rays as long as the maxilla, the lower rays extremely short. Ventrals jugular, small, cohering ; their length varies from nearly two-thirds to not quite one-third the body-height.
Stomach large, saccular ; no pyloric casca. A large, globular, thick-walled air-bladder. Anal papilla large, bilobed. Eleven abdominal, seventeen caudal vertebra?.
Colours in life mottled pink, fins hyaline.
Length 5 inches.
Off Orissa coast, 50 fathoms, off Vizagapatam, coast 20 to 25 fathoms, off Indus Delta 137 to 131 fathoms.
Regd. Nos. 12926-12931, 1 3 1-57-13459, ™, 3-^^.
Tn the drawing the artist has mistaken the dissected orbit for the eye. As a matter of fact the eye-ball is indistinguishably fused with the connective-tissue of the orbit, though the optic nerve is of normal size.
73
Callionymus, Linn.
54. Callionymus carebares, Alcock.
Callionymus carebares, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Sept. 1890, p. 209 : Illustrations of the Zoologt of the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XX. fig. 4.
B. 7. D. IV. 9. A. 9. C. 9 + r. P. 21. V. I. 5.
The upcurved branchiostegal rays are prolonged considerably beyond the suboperculum, so that the extreme length of the head is about two-fifths of the total without the caudal. The height of the body is about one-sixth of the same measure, and is less than the height of the head.
Eyes large, their major diameter being rather over one-fourth of the extreme head-length and one-fourth longer than the snout; they are separated by a narrow shallow groove.
Floor of the mouth dusky.
Preopercular spine upcurved, very fine and acute ; its length is two-thirds the long diameter of the eye ; its base is advanced forwards as a sharp spine of considerable length ; and on its upper border, close behind the angle of the preoperculum, are one or sometimes two spinelets.
The gill-opening is not much smaller than the orbit and is rather more on the side than on the top of the head ; the branchial arches are slender and flexi- ble, the gill-rakers almost rudimentary.
The skin is loose and very thin. Lateral line single. The first dorsal fin is lower than the second, its spines decreasing in length from before backwards ; the height of the second dorsal and of the anal is not quite twice the greatest body-height ; the length of the caudal is rather more than one-fourth of the total in the female and about one-fourth the total in the male ; the pectorals are rather shorter than the ventrals, which are as long as the postorbital portion of the head and reach to or just beyond the origin of the anal, when laid back.
The intestine is convoluted ; the anal papilla is very slender, and in the male it is very much longer than it is in the female. Vertebra? 8/13.
Colours in life : — the upper half of the head and body and all the fins range from sepia-grey to blotchy black, and the ventral surface of the body is trans- parent and colourless ; the first dorsal fin has in the male a central black patch, and in the female a central, black, white-edged ocellus.
Total length 5 inches.
Numerous specimens, from off the Ganjam coast, 98 to 102 fathoms, and from off the Malabar coast 100 fathoms.
Regd. Nos. 12740 et seq., 2±2»
In this species the secondary sexual characters are developed in the female, not the male. 10
74 55. Ccillionymus kaianus, Gthr.
Callionymus kaianus, Giinther, Challenger Shore Fishes, p. 44, pi. xix. fig. B.
D. IV. 9. A. 9. C. 10. P. 21. V. 1.5.
Length of the head nearly a third, height of the body about a ninth of the total length without the caudal. Eyes as long as or a little longer than the snout, one-fourth the length of the head ; separated by a very narrow bridge.
Preopercular spine shorter than the eye ; its base is advanced forwards as a sharp spine ; on its upper edge are two spinelets, the anterior of which is very small.
Gill-opening a small aperture, not half the diameter of the eye, on the upper side of the neck.
Lateral line single.
The anterior dorsal spine is prolonged, especially in the male, in which sex it is not much shorter than the head. The rays of the second dorsal fin, in both sexes, are as long as the postorbital portion of the head. The middle caudal rays are prolonged in both sexes, being between a third and a fourth the total length (caudal included).
The ventrals are a little longer than the pectorals ; in the female, but not in the male, they reach beyond the origin of the anal.
Anal papilla large in the male.
Colours : reddish, with irregular large rounded violet spots along the middle of the body : a lunate black spot, in both sexes, between the 3rd and 4th dorsal spines; second dorsal with a series of large subocellated bands, which are very conspicuous in the male.
Two specimens, adult male and female, from off the Malabar coast 102 fathoms. The male is 7 inches long.
Regd. Nos. — ' -r.
Distribution : Sea of New Guinea : Arabian Sea.
A large number of young, which may perhaps belong to this species, were taken off the Malabar coast in 56 to 58 fathoms.
Suborder Anacanthini. Anacanthini Gadoidei.
The Gadoidei of the Fauna of British India, include two families (Gadidse and Ophidiidse), three genera exclusive of Ammodytes, and five species only.
To these we have now to add two families (Macrv/ridse and Ateleopodidse), seventeen genera, and forty-four species, all of which have been brought to light by the dredge of the " Investigator."
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The following synopsis shows the inter-relations of the Indian families of the Gadoidei : —
I. At least two dorsal fins : scales present : the ventrals in all Indian species contain six rays or more : air-bladder and pyloric append- ages generally present: —
1. Second dorsal fin well developed : a normal caudal fin in all
the known Indian species
2. Second dorsal more or less rudimentary : the tail tapers to a
filament II. One dorsal fin : the ventrals consist of one or two filaments, or may be wanting : —
1. Dorsal fin short, corresponding with the first dorsal fin of
Macruridee : each ventral consists of one filament. No scales: no air-bladder : no pyloric creca
2. Dorsal fin long, occupying the greater part of the back :
ventrals, when present, consisting of one or two filaments. Scales generally present, and air-bladder also. Pyloric appendages present or not ... ... ... OphidiidjE.
GADIDiE.
Macrdrimi.
Ateleopodids.
Family Gaclidce.
Two genera are now known to inhabit the seas of India.
I. First dorsal fin above the pectorals, and consisting of several rays
an air-bladder II. First dorsal consisting of a single ray placed on the occiput
Phtsiodlus. Bregmaceros.
Bregmaceros, Thompson.
56. Bregmaceros 3Iacclellandii, Thompson.
Diagnosis and synonomy in Fauna of British India, Fishes, II. p. 433.
Numerous specimens from the Bay of Bengal, 10, 65, 95 and 145 to 250 fathoms ; from off the Andamans ; and from off the Malabar coast 56 to 58 fathoms.
Regd.Nos. 11830, 12387, 12475, 13442-13447, 13563-13587,
580
Physiculus, Kaup.
Physiculus, Kaup, Wiegmann's Archiv. f. Natnrges. 1858, p. 88 : Giinther, Challenger Deep Sea Pishes, p. 87 : Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 365 : Jordan and Evermann, Fishes of N. America, III. p. 2547.
Physiculus and Pseudophycis, Giinther, Cat. Pishes, IV. pp. 348, 350 : vide Challenger Deep Sea Fishes, p. 87.
Body elongate, covered with small scales. A separate caudal fin. Two dorsals and one anal fin. Ventrals with a narrow flat base ; composed of several rays. A band of villiform teeth in the jaws : no teeth on the vomer or palatines. Chin with a barbel. Seven branchiostegals. Small glandular pseudobranchiae in some of the species.
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Distribution : West Indies, Madeira and neighbouring parts of Atlantic, Mediterranean : India, Australia, Japan.
Key to the Indian species of the genus Physiculus.
I. First ray of the dorsal fin prolonged : the longest ventral ray
reaches only just beyond the origin of the anal ... ... P. roseus.
II. Dorsal fin not prolonged : the longest ventral ray reaches far beyond
the origin of the anal ... ... ... ... P. argyropastus.
57. Physiculus roseus, Alcock.
Physiculus roseus, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., July, 1891. p. 28 : Illustrations of the Zoology op the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XI. fig. 2 : Joarn. As. Soc. Bengal, Vol. LXIII. pt. 2, 1894, p. 122.
B. 7. D. 6-7/57. A. 55. V. 7.
Head and trunk broad ; tail compressed, higher than the trunk anteriorly. Length of the head very nearly one-fourth of the total, including the caudal ; greatest height of the body, just behind the origin of the dorsal fin, about one- sixth of the total.
Snout depressed, broader than long, obtusely rounded ; its length, which is equal to the major diameter of the eye and slightly exceeds the width of the flat interorbital space, is one-fourth that of the head. Nostrils superior, situated immediately in front of the orbit.
Mouth wide, oblique, with the upper jaw overlapping the lower ; the maxilla reaches beyond the vertical through the middle of the orbit. Teeth villiform, in broadish bands in the jaws only.
Barbel stout, about as long as the eye.
Gill-openings very wide. Small glandular pseudobranchia3.
Body and head covered with a thick mucilaginous skin, which is invested everywhere with small deciduous scales, of which there appear to be six rows between the first dorsal fin and the lateral line. The dorsal and anal fins, which are invested with a fold of thick scaleless skin, extend to within an eye-length of the caudal. The first dorsal, which is separated from the second only by a notch, begins in the vertical through the base of the pectoral ; its first ray is prolonged and nearly equals the postrostral portion of the head in length. The ventrals arise on flattened bases ; their outer ray is prolonged only j ust beyond the origin of the anal. The pointed pectorals arise on oblique bases ; their length is about equal to that of the head behind the eye.
The vent is situated well in advance of the origin of the anal fin, but behind the base of the pectorals, and there is a small postanal papilla. A large simple air-bladder.
Colours in life uniform rose-red.
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Length 7 inches.
From the Andaman Sea, 185 and 188 to 220 fathoms.
Regd. Nos. 13047 : 3-^-4.
58. Physiculus argyropastus, Alcock.
Physiculus argyropastus, Alcock, Joura. As. Soc. Bengal, Vol. LXII. pt. 2, 1893, p. 180, pi. ix. fig. 2, and Vol. LXIII. pt. 2, 1894, p. 122 : Illustrations of the Zoology op the Investigator, Fishes, pl. XXII. fig. 1.
B. 7. D. 9/55. A. 57. V. 6. Differs from P. roseus in the following particulars : —
(1) the length of the head is more than a fourth of the total, caudal in- cluded :
(2) the length of the snout is barely equal to the width of the inter-orbital space and exceeds the major diameter of the eye, which is about a fifth the length of the head :
(3) the maxilla reaches nearly to the posterior border of the orbit :
(4) the first dorsal is not prolonged, its length being less than a third that of the head :
(5) the vent is situated between the bases of the pectoral fins :
(6) the upper rays of the pectoral fin are as long as the head behind the middle of the eye :
(7) the prolonged ventral ray reaches to the 6th or 7th anal ray, or even beyond :
(8) the margin of the air-bladder is fimbriated.
Colours in spirit light pinkish brown with a silvery sheen : belly throat and gill-membranes black.
Length 9 inches.
Bay of Bengal 107 and 128 fathoms : Gulf of Manar, 180 to 217 fathoms.
Regd. Nos. 13439-13441, 13541-13545, 13549, y.
Family OphidlidW-
Excluding Ammodytes, the genera included in the Fishes of India are two, namely Brotula with 3 species, and Fierasfer with a single species.
The ' Investigator ' has since brought to light thirteen more genera and 23 more species, a few, indeed, of which belong to the fauna of the abysses, but the majority of which are inhabitants of moderate depths.
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Synopsis of the Indian genera of the family Ophidiicte.
* Vent situated at the throat
* Vent situated at least about a head-length behind the gill-opening : —
** Barbels present, on the chin ** No barbels : —
I, Caudal completely free II. Caudal more or less united with the dorsal and anal fins : —
A. Head more or less scaly. Oviparous : —
1. Eyes well developed: —
i. Bones of the head firm, without spines (except per- haps on the gill-covers) : greatest height of the body from a fourth to a seventh the total length : pre- operculum of moderate size : — o. Pectorals entire : —
a. Lateral line distinct, extending well on to the tail : — k. Pyloric casca very small : pseudobran- chia? consisting of 2 or 3 filaments ... y. Pyloric cseca large : pseudobrancbire absent /3. Lateral line indistinct or absent b. Lower pectoral rays prolonged and more or less detached from each other and from the rest of the fin ii. Bones of the head thin and soft : greatest body- height an eighth to an eleventh of the total length, the tail ending in a long lash : preoperculum very large and expanded : —
a. No spines on the head (except one on the oper- culum")
b. Bones of the head with spiny crests
iii. Bones of the head thin and soft, with frill-like crests : greatest body-height about a sixth the total length : preoperculum of moderate size : —
a. No lateral line : ventral fins consisting of one
or two filaments
b. No ventral fins : lateral line peculiarly large and conspicuous
2. No eyes : gill-covers armed with enormous spines
B. Head covered with a peculiar loose glandular scale-less skin. Viviparous : —
1. Ventral fins consisting each of a single filament, which however may be made up of more than one ray : —
i. Scales of the body imbricate : none of the teeth
enlarged ii. Scales not or hardly imbricate : some of the teeth enlarged
2. No ventral fins
[Fierasfer], [Brotula].
[DlNENATICHTHYS].
Neobtthites.
Pycnocraspedum. Bassogigas.
DlCROLENE.
Bassozetus. Dermatorus.
Glyptophipiuji. Lamprogrammlis.
TAOREPOPHimiM.
Dll'LACANTHOPOMA.
Saccogaster. Hephthocara.
79 Neobythites, Goode & Bean.
Neobythites, Goode and Bean, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. VIII. 1886, p. 600: Giinther, Challenger Deep Sea Fiehe3 p. 100.
Pycnocraspedum, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Nov. 1889, p. 386.
Monomitopus, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Oct. 1890, p. 297.
Neobythites, (p. 325), Dicromita (p. 319), Benthocometes (p. 327), Bassogigas, (p. 328), Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology : Jordan and Evermann, Pishes of N. America, III. pp. 2512, 2506, 2514, 2515.
Body elongate, compressed ; head not compressed, its bones firm : both head and body covered with small cycloid scales : tail not filamentous.
Lateral line never continued to the end of the tail, sometimes very indis- tinct.
Snout slightly overhanging the lower jaw ; without barbels. Mouth wide. Villiform teeth in bands on the jaws and palatines, and in a A-shaped band or a patch on the vomer.
Eye of moderate size.
Gill-openings wide : operculum with a spine, which is usually long sharp and styliform, but may sometimes be weak and flat. Eight branchiostegals. Pseudobranchias rudimentary (usually consisting of 2 or 3 filaments) or absent.
Dorsal and anal fins more or less confluent with the caudal. Each ventral fin consists of two rays which may either be intimately fused to form a single filament, or (more commouly) be separate in all or part of their extent : the ventral fins are inserted, either close together or some little distance apart, just behind the clavicular symphysis.
Air-bladder present. Pyloric caeca usually present.
Another character by which spirit specimens of Neobythites may be recog- nized is that the dorsal profile of the cranium and snout form a single common curve of no great convexity.
Distribution : Atlantic : Indo-Pacific. At moderate depths usually. Key to the Indian species of the genus Neobythites.
I. The lateral line runs halfway along the tail, or further : pectoral fins broad and short : pyloric casca present : — 1. A strong sharp styliform spine at the upper angle of the opercu- lum : numerous long gill-rakers along the outer side of the 1st branchial arch : each pseudobranch consists of two small fila- ments : pyloric caeca very short : —
i. Very short pyloric cseca in a ring round the pylorus and in two short rows along the mesenteric attachment of the neighbouring part of the intestine : —
a. Two spines or spinules at the angle of the preoper- culum: —
a. Each ventral fin consist of 2 rays coherent
only in their basal moiety . ... ... N. macrops.
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j8. Each ventral fin consists of 2 rays coherent
throughout so as to form a single filament ... N. conjugator. b. No spines or spinules at the angle of the preoper-
culum ... ... ... ... N. steatiticus.
ii. Short pyloric caeca in a ring round the pylorus only : angle of preoperculum merely excised : each ventral fin consists of a single filament ... ... ... ... N. nigripinnis.
2. A flat weak point at the upper angle of the operculum : only 4 or
5 long gill-rakers on the outerside of the 1st branchial arch : no
pseudobranchiaa whatever: pyloric cseea large [Pycnocraspedum] N. sqttamipinnis.
II. The lateral line is indistinguishable and appears to be present only close
to the head : pectoral fins long and feathery : no pyloric creca [Basso-
GIGAs] ... ... ... ••• ••• ••• N- fterotus.
The Indian species of Neobythites are so much alike that it will be sufficient to give a diagnosis of one, and then to note merely the specific differences of the others.
59. Neobythites maerops, Gthr.
Neohythites maerops, Giinther, Challenger Deep Sea Fishes, p. 102, pi. xx. fig. A : Alcock, AnD. Mag. Nat. Hist. (6) IV. 1889, p. 385 and VIII. 1891, p. 30.
D. circ. 100. A. circ. 80. P. circ. 26. V. 2 coherent at base.
(I) Length of head 4l- to 4<2- in the total. (2) Greatest body height about equal to the length of the head without the snout.
(3) Snout broad, rounded, hardly overhanging the upper jaw, as long as the eye and about equal to the width of the flat interorbital space.
(4-) Major diameter of eye about two-ninths the length of the head.
(5) Nostrils rather far apart, — one in front of the eye, the other, subtu- bular, near the edge of the snout.
(6) Upper jaw half as long as the head, overhanging the lower jaw. Teeth in broad bands in the jaws, in a A-shaped patch on the vomer, and in an ellip- tical patch on each palatine. None of the teeth in any way enlarged.
(7) Opercular spine long and sharp. (8) A spinule at the angle of the preoperculum and another a short distance above it. (9) Gill-rakers on the outer side of the first branchial arch numerous, of good length. (10) Each pseudo- branch consists of 2 filaments.
(II) Body, head, and bases of fins covered with small scales, of which there are 8 or 9 series between the 1st dorsal ray and the lateral line. (12) The lateral line extends more than halfway along the tail.
(13) The dorsal and anal fins are confluent with the caudal : the longest dorsal rays are equal to between a third and a fourth the greatest body height.
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(14) The distance between the first anal ray and the base of the pectoral fin is equal to the length of the head without the snout.
(15) Pectorals pointed, their length is equal to the post-orbital portion of the head.
(16) The ventrals are bifid but at some considerable distance from their base, the inner branch being considerably the longer and both branches being slender. The total leugth of the ventrals is equal to the length of the head behind the middle of the eye.
(17) Pyloric casca extremely short, in a ring round the pylorus and in two short series along the mesenteric attachment of the neighbouring part of the gut.
Colours in spirit, yellowish grey mottled with brown ; some large black blotches on the dorsal fin.
The largest specimen in the Indian Museum — an adult — is 8^ inches long.
Andaman Sea, 188 to 220, 271, and 405 fathoms : Arabian Sea, off Travan- core coast, 224 to 284 fathoms.
Regd. Nos. 11646, 11647, 11649: 13053—13056, 13060, 13062—13064,
-ictrinf 151 156 585
130o6 : — ' — ' -j-.
Distribution : Fiji Is. : Andaman Sea.
60. Neobythites conjugator, Alcock.
Neobythites conjugator, Alcock, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal, Vol. LXV. 1896, pt. 2, p. 30-1: Illustrations of thk Zoology of the Investigator, fishes, pl. XVII. fig. 4.
D. circ. 90. A. circ. 72. P. circ. 28. V. 2 (fused to form a single fila- ment). Scales 100-110 rows.
This species differs from N. macrops only in the following particulars, which for easy reference are numbered to correspond with the numbers relating to the diagnosis of that species.
(1) Length of head about 4^ in total.
(6) The outer row of teeth in the upper jaw is distinctly enlarged.
(15) The pectorals are hardly half as long as the head.
(1 6) The ventrals are half the length of the head : each consists of two rays intimately fused to form a single filament.
Colours in spirit, sepia ; caudal, distal two-thirds of pectorals, and outer part of dorsal and anal fins black.
Length 9 inches.
Off Ceylon, 296-320 fathoms : off Travancore coast 406 fathoms.
Resfd. Nos. -; r.
° 11
11
82
61. Neobythites nigripinnis, Alcock.
Siremho nigripinnis, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Nov. 1889, p. 384
Monomitopus nigripinnis, Alcock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Oct. 1890, p. 295 : Illustrations of the Zoology of the Investigator, fishes, pl. XI. fig. 3 (lateral line incorrect).
D. 95-100. A. 85-88. P. 28. V. I.
Differs from N. macrops in the following particulars : —
(3.) The snout, though as long as the eye, is only about - to - the width of the interorbital space in length.
(6) The upper jaw is rather more than half the length of the head.
(8) The preopercular angle is excised, and the angles bounding the excision are