Dr. A. Giintlier on new F'sltes from Japan. 433 LVI. — Preliminary Notes on new Fishes collected in Japan during the ExjJedition of H.M.S. ' Challenger.'' Bj Dr. A. GiJNTHER, F.E,.S., Keeper of the Zoological Department, British Museum. The collection of fishes made during the expedition of H.M.S. ' Challenger ' having been intrusted to me for exa-mination, I propose to give preliminary diagnoses of the fishes of some of the faunistic districts, as the execution of the plates will, of necessity, retard the publication of the complete account. Typical specimens of the species described will be deposited in the British Museum after the completion of the work. Centrophorus sqiiamulosus. Snout much produced, the mouth being nearly midway be-tween the first gill-opening and the end of the snout. The distance between the nostrils is two fifths of the length of the prajoral portion of the snout. The labial fold extends a little way along the margins of the mouth. Pectoral short, with the lower angle rounded, not produced. The first dorsal small ; its base (without spine) is shorter than that of the second, and nearly one sixth of the distance between the two fins. Spines very small, scarcely projecting beyond the skin. Extremity of the ventral fins below the end of the second dorsal. The scales are tricuspid, with a median keel, and so minute as to giv^e a velvety appearance to the skin. Uniform deep black. Off Inosiraa. Centrophorus foliaceus. Snout much produced, the mouth being nearer to the first gill-opening than to the end of the snout. The distance between the nostrils is two sevenths of the length of the prge-oral portion of the snout. The labial fold extends a little way along the margins of the mouth, the angle of the mouth being received in a deep longitudinal slit of the skin. The anterior teeth of the upper jaw triangular, erect ; the lateral slightly oblique ; they are arranged in two regular rows. No median tooth in the lower jaw. Pectoral short, with the lower angle rectangular, not produced. Dorsal spines strong, nearly as high as the fins. The first dorsal rather lower than the se-cond, but with its base longer, the length of the base (without spine) being two fifths of the distance between the two fins. Extremity of the ventral fin a little behind the dorsal spine. The scales are pedunculated, terminating in three spines, of Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Ser. 4. Vol. xx. 30
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