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 
434 Dr. A. Giinther on neio Fishes from Japan. 
wliicli the middle is the longest, corresponding to a strong 
median keel of the scale. Uniform greyish. 
Off Inosima. 
Raja isotrachys. 
Snout rather produced, the anterior margins meeting at 
nearly a right angle. The width of the interorbital space 
equals the length of the orbits. The distance between the 
outer margins of the nostrils equals their distance from the 
end of the snout. Teeth small, each with a point directed 
backwards towards the interior of the buccal cavity. Outer 
pectoral angle rounded ; but the margins of the fin would meet 
at a right angle. Body and tail entirely covered on the upper 
surface with minute asperities, each with a stellate base. No 
spines on the superciliary margin. A sifigle small spine in 
the middle of the back. A series of rather strong spines 
(eighteen) along the median line of the tail, none on the sides. 
Upper parts uniform brownish grey ; lower parts smooth, 
brownish black. 
Coast of Southern Japan. 
Sehastes macrocMr. 
D. 14 I i. A. I P. 17/5. L. lat. ca. 45. 
The height of the body is contained thrice and one fourth 
in the total length without caudal ; the length of the head 
twice and a half. Scales rather regularly arranged. Eye 
very large, one third the length of the head, much longer than 
the snout. Mouth wide ; the maxillary extending to behind 
the middle of the eye. The bands of intermaxillary teeth are 
of moderate breadth ; but those of the vomer, palatines, and 
mandible are very narrow. Interorbital sjjace flattish, scale- 
less, narrow, its width being only two fifths of the diameter of 
the orbit. Occipital region flat, with some rudimentary scales. 
A series of spines runs along each side of the forehead and 
occiput. It consists of a spine in front of the orbit, three 
above it, and two on each side of the occiput. Infraorbital 
ridge Avith strong spines. Prffioperculum with .five pointed 
spines on the margin. Each ramus of the mandible with five 
large muciferous apertures. Dorsal spines rather feeble ; the third 
to the sixth are the longest, two fifths of the length of the head. 
Anal spine stronger, but shorter than the longest of the dorsal. 
Caudal truncated. The pectoral fin is extremely broad, the 
five or six lower rays being elongated beyond the extremity 
of those next above them. Their extremities are somewhat 
thickened j and they, like the similar outer ventral rays, serve 
Dr. A. Giinther on new Fishes from Ja'pan. 435 
as an organ of locomotion. The pectoral rays extend to tlie 
ventral rays beyond the vent. The latter are as long as the 
head without snout. 
Red, with a large black spot on the posterior half of the 
spinous dorsal,, and with another between the anal spines. 
Inland Sea. 
Sebastes ohlongus. 
Allied to S. inermis 9xA jpachyce'phalus. 
D. 12 I ^. A. |. L. lat. ca. 65. 
The height of the body is contained thrice and a half 
in the total length without caudal ; the length of the 
head twice and three fifths. The scales are rather irregu- 
larly arranged, and much smaller above than below the 
lateral line ; on the upperside of the head they advance 
to the nostrils, very minute ones covering even the prse- 
orbital. The snout is pointed and much longer than the eye, 
the diameter of which is one sixtli of the length of the 
head, and equal to the width of the flat interorbital space. 
None of the spines on the upperside of the head project ; and 
those of the pra^operculum are obtuse and denticulated. The 
teeth form broad villiform bands in the jaws as well as on 
the vomer and jmlatine bones. The maxillary reaches to the 
vertical from the hind margin of the eye. Dorsal spines 
strong ; the fourth to the seventh are the longest, two fifths of 
the length of the head. Anal spines stronger, but much 
shorter than the longest of the dorsal. Brownish marbled, 
with darker ; lower parts and all the fins with brown spots ; an 
oblique brown streak from the prseorbital towards the angle 
of the prgeoperculum. 
Inland Sea. 
Scorpcena miostoma. 
Allied to 8c. zanziharensis and Sc. longicornis, but with a 
considerably narrower mouth. 
D. 11 I ^. A. l L. lat. 45. 
Palatine teeth ; the vomerine teeth form a simple open 
V-shaped band. The height of the body is less than the 
length of the head, which is contained twice and one third in 
the total length without caudal. Head nearly entirely scale- 
less. Upper jaw slightly overlapping the lower. Orbital 
tentacles broad, fringed, shorter than the eye, which equals 
the length of the snout. Interorbital space deeply concave, 
with a pair of slight ridges within its concavity. Vertex with 
30* 
436 Dr. A. Giintlier on new Fishes from Japan. 
a quadrate depression, which is rather broader than long and 
surrounded by spines. The maxUlary does not extend hack- 
wards to below the middle of the eye. All the cutaneous 
appendages on the head, body, and fins are well developed. 
The fourth and fifth dorsal spines are the longest, two fifths 
of the length of the head, and equal to the second of the anal 
fin, which, however, is stronger. Eight of the pectoral rays 
are branched. Body and fins marbled with the usual colours 
of this genus, but without any peculiar markings. The axil 
of the pectoral is scarcely spotted ; and the lower part of the 
head is white. 
Market of Yokohama. 
Polymixia japonica. 
D. |. A. ^. V. 1/6. L. lat. ca. 60. L. transv. 8/17. 
The upper jaw projects more beyond the lower than in 
either of the two other species. The maxillary extends to 
below the hind margin of the eye, which is one third of the 
length of the head. Six vertical series of scales on the cheek. 
Ventral fins short, rather more than one third of the length of 
the head. Top of the dorsal and extremities of the caudal 
lobes black. 
Off Inosima. 
Platycephalus rudis. 
D. 1 1 8 I 11. A. 11. L. lat. ca. 70. 
The length of the head is one third of the total without 
caudal ; and its width between the prseopercular spines is more 
than one half of its length. All the bones on the upper sur- 
face and the scales covering its sides are rough. The space 
between the eyes is concave, its width being one half of the 
vertical diameter of the eye. Superciliary edge serrated ; 
ridges with distant spines along the infraorbital and above the 
operculum, the central ridges of the crown of the head being 
rather obscure. Opercular ridge not serrated. Three spines 
at the angle of the preeoperculum, the lower of which is the 
smallest, the upper the longest, but only half the length of 
the eye. Only the foremost part of the lateral line is spiny. 
Ventral fins reaching to the anal. Greyish, with black dots 
on the trunk and operculum. The spinous dorsal and ven- 
tral black, the second dorsal and pectoral with blackish dots. 
Caudal irregularly marbled with blackish. 
Market of Yokohama. 
Dr. A. Gunther on new Fishes from Japan. 437 
Gohius yoholiamm, 
D. 6 I 11. A. 11. L. lat. 26. 
The height of the bodj is contained four times and a 
half in the total length (without caudal) ; the length of 
the head thrice and three fourths. Snout obtuse, as long 
as the eye, the diameter of which is more than one fourth 
of the length of the head. Eyes very close together; 
mouth oblique, with the jaws subequal in front, reaching to 
below the front margin of the eye ; a very small canine tooth 
on eacl) side of the lower jaw; head and occiput naked, but 
nape covered with small scales. A wide pore in front and 
behind the interorbital space, and two others behind the eye ; 
they are the openings of the muciferous channels. Seven 
longitudinal series of scales between the second dorsal and the 
anal ; the ventral fin terminates at some distance from the vent, 
which is midway between the root of the caudal and the prai- 
operculum. Dorsal fins rather lower than the body ; caudal 
slightly pointed, as long as the head. Light brownish olive, 
with a series of five brown spots along the lower half of the 
body-, the last being on the root of the caudal and the most 
distinct ; a triangular black spot occupies the lower angle of 
the operculum ; gill-membrane on the throat blackish. 
Small as this species is (2| inches) it is adult, a female, 
having the ovaries fully developed. 
Yokohama Bay. 
Lepidopus tenuis. 
D. 126. A. 71. 
This species is distinguished at the first glance by the ex- 
traordinary slenderness of the body, the depth of which is not 
much more than one fourth of the length of the head ; the 
latter is two fifths of the length of the trunk, and one seventh 
of the total. The lateral teeth are comparatively stronger and 
fewer in number than in L. caudatus. The terminal portion 
of the tail becomes so slender that its entire depth is occupied 
by the mucous canal of the lateral line, which is very wide. 
Caudal fin very small. The anterior anal rays are not free, 
but hidden below the skin. Uniform silvery. 
Off Inosima. 
Siremho grandis. 
Head rather short and broad, with obtuse snout overlapping 
the lower jaw. Eye small, about one third the length of the 
snout, and one eleventh of that of the head. Mouth rather 
438 Dr. A. Giinther on new Fishes from Japan. 
wide, the maxillary extending to behind the eye, barbels none. 
Teeth of the jaws, vomer, and palatine bones in villiform 
bands. Nostrils gaping, oval openings, of which the anterior 
is surrounded by a membranous wall. Prseoperculum crescent- 
shaped, without any armature ; operculum with a strong spine 
above. 
Scales minute ; -also the entire head, even the space between 
the nostrils, covered with minute scales. Lateral line indis- 
tinct for the greater part of its course. 
The dorsal fin is, like the anal, enveloped in a thick, scaly 
skin. It commences with short rays above the middle of the 
pectoral fin. The pectoral is rounded, broad, and remarkably 
short, about half as long as the head. Ventrals inserted below 
the angle of the prgeoperculum, at some distance behind the 
symphysis of the humerus. Each ventral filament is bifid, 
the inner part being the longest. Distance of the vent from 
the root of the pectoral more than the length of the head. 
Brown ; darker behind, lighter in front. Fins blackish. 
Cavity of the mouth grey, peritoneum black. 
Total length 29^ inches, length of the head o| inches, length 
of ventral filament 3 inches. Distance of the vent from the 
snout 12i inches. 
South of Yeddo. 
Macrurus macrocMr. 
1 D. 11. V. 7. 
Snout produced, tetrahedral, rather longer than the large 
eye ; a bony ridge runs along the median line of the upper 
side of the snout, and a fold of the skin along that of the 
anterior side. Interorbital space slightly convex, its width 
being somewhat more than the diameter of the eye. Infra- 
orbital ridge low. Mouth rather wide, more lateral than in 
the other species of this genus. Barbel very small. Teeth 
" en carde^'' in a narrow band in the upper jaw, and in a 
single series in the lower. No scaleless fossa on the side of 
the temple. The two limbs of the prteoperculum meet at a 
somewhat acute angle, which is produced backwards. 
The second dorsal spine is smooth and slender ; and the 
second dorsal fin commences at a distance behind the first 
which is about one half of the length of the head. Pectoral 
fin remarkably long, extending to the origin of the second 
dorsal, and equal in length to the head the snout not included. 
The outer ventral ray not produced. 
Scales rather thin, with from eight to ten finely crenulated 
radiating ridges, which do not project beyond the margin of 
the scale. There are five scales in a transverse series between 
Dr. A. Giintlier on new Fishes from Japan. 439 
the first dorsal and the lateral line. The head is covered with 
similar radiated scales, but irregular as regards size and ar- 
rangement ; lower limb of the prasoperculum scaly. 
Brownish black. 
Off luosima. 
Macrurus parallelus. 
1 D. 10. V. 7. 
Snout much produced, subtrihedral, pointed, nearly twice 
as long as the large eye. Scales with five or even seven 
spiny ridges, which are nearly parallel to one another, and of 
which the middle one is the strongest, terminating in a more 
or less strongly projecting spine. Head covered all over with 
irregular, spiny, tubercle-like scales, of which those along the 
infraorbital crest and along two lines on each side of the 
crown of the head are the strongest. There are five scales in 
a transverse series between the first dorsal and the lateral line. 
No scaleless fossa on the temple. Outer ventral ray produced 
into a short filament. 
Ofi" Inosima. 
Goryplicenoides longifilis. 
1 D. 13. A. 9. 
Snout as in a Gaclus, swollen, obtuse, not projecting beyond 
the mouth, the jaws being equal. Eye rather large, but 
shorter than the snout, the length of which equals the width 
of the interorbital space. Mouth very wide, extending nearly 
to below the hind margin of the eye. Teeth of the outer series 
in the upper jaw much stronger than the others ; those of the 
lower strong, in a single series. Barbel minute. Prteoper- 
culum with the hind margin not excised_, with the angle 
rounded, and both limbs scaly. 
Scales rather thin and small, with about five feeble radiating 
keels: There are thirteen or fourteen scales in a transverse 
series between the first dorsal and the lateral line. The 
second dorsal spine is feeble, somewhat produced, obscurely 
denticulated in front. The second dorsal fin commences im- 
mediately behind the first. Pectoral much prolonged, as long 
as the head. The outer ventral ray produced into an exceed- 
ingly long stiff filament. Brownish black. 
South of Yeddo. 
Coryphcenoides altipinnis. 
1 D. 12. V. 9. 
The snout is rather short, slightly projecting beyond the 
mouth, with a prominent tubercle in the middle. Eye large, 
440 Dr. A. Giintlier oj2 new Fishes ft-om Japan. 
not much sliorter than the snout, or than the width of' the 
interorbital s])ace. Mouth extending beyond the middle of 
the eye. Teeth of the outer series visibly stronger than the 
remainder. Barbel shorter than the eye. Prseopercuhim 
with the hind margin not excised, and with both limbs densely 
scaly. 
Scales with five radiating spiny ridges, the spines being 
very small. There are eleven or twelve scales in a transverse 
series between the first dorsal and the lateral line. Second 
dorsal spine considerably produced, armed in front with rather 
distant barbs. The second dorsal fin commences at a short 
distance behind the first. The outer ventral ray produced 
into a filament. 
South of Yeddo. 
Coryphcenoides nasutus. 
D. 11 I 95. A. 110. V. 10. 
Snout obtusely conical, with a rather sharp upper edge, and 
with a projecting barb in the middle. The snout projects 
beyond the mouth, the cleft of which does not quite reach to 
below the middle of the eye. The teeth of the outer series are 
scarcely stronger than the remainder. Barbel very small. 
The width of the interorbital space is not quite equal to the 
vertical diameter of the eye. 
The scales are equally rough over the whole of their sur- 
face, the spinelets being subequal in size, densely packed, 
and not arranged in series. There are seven or eight scales 
in a transverse series between the first dorsal and the lateral 
line. Second dorsal spine somewhat produced, armed along 
its anterior edge with barbs pointing upwards and rather 
closely set. The second dorsal fin commences at a considera- 
ble distance behind the first, the distance being equal to the 
length of the head. The outer ventral ray produced into a 
long filament. 
South of Yeddo. 
CoryphcEnoides asper. 
1 D. 11. V. 10-11. 
Snout short, slightly projecting beyond the mouth. Eye of 
moderate size, not much shorter than the snout. Interorbital 
space flat, wider than the eye. Mouth extending to below 
the middle of the eye. Teeth of the outer series stronger than 
the remainder. Barbel rather shorter than the eye. Prje- 
operculum with the hind margin not excised, and with both 
limbs densely scaly. 
Scales with five radiating series of strong and low spines. 
Dr. A. Giintlier on new Fishes from Japan. 441 
There are six scales in a transverse series between tlie first 
dorsal and the lateral line. Second dorsal spine considerably 
produced, armed in front with rather distant barbs. The 
second dorsal fin commences at a short distance behind the 
first. The outer ventral ray produced into a filament. Black. 
South of the Philippines and Japan. 
Caryphcenoides leptblepis. 
1 D. 10. V. 9. 
The snout is rather long ; but its front portion projects but 
slightly beyond the mouth. The eye is comparatively small, 
about half the length of the snout, and much less than the 
width of the interorbital space. Mouth Avide, extending to 
below the hind margin of the eye. The teeth of the outer 
series are much stronger than those of the villiform band. 
Barbels as long as the eye. The prgeoperculum with the 
hind margin excised, and with the angle rounded and pro- 
duced backwards ; in young examples the lower margin is 
toothed. Lower, limb of the prteoperculum scaleless. 
Scales thin and deciduous ; most with five or seven radia- 
ting keels, some, especially on the back, nearly or quite 
smooth. There are seven or eight scales in a transverse 
series between the first dorsal and the lateral line. Second 
dorsal spine slightly produced, with barbs in front, which are 
rather distantly arranged. The second dorsal fin commences 
at a short distance behind the first. The outer ventral ray 
produced into a long filament. 
Off" the coasts of Brazil and Japan, Mid-Pacific. 
CorypJicenoides villosus. 
1 D. 10. V. 7. 
Snout compressed, very slightly projecting beyond the 
mouth, short, not longer than the eye, which is of moderate 
size. Interorbital space broader than the eye. Mouth rather 
small, not extending to below the centre of the eye. Infra- 
orbital ridge very obsolete. Teeth in villiform bands in both 
jaws. Barbel very small and slender. 
The scales are armed with erect spines, which give to the 
body the appearance of bemg covered with short villosities. 
A series of stronger spines runs along each side of the base of 
the second dorsal and anal fins. The second dorsal spine is 
very slender, smooth; the second dorsal fin commences imme- 
diately behind the first. The outer ventral ray produced into 
a very short filament. Blackish. 
South of Yeddo. 
442 Dr. A. Giintlier on new Fishes from Japan. 
Pleuronectes yolcoham.ce. 
D. 68-72. A. 52. 
The height of the body is contained twice and one sixth 
in the total length (without caudal) ; the length of the 
head four times. Snout shorter than the eye, the dia- 
meter of which is one fifth of the length of the head; 
lower jaw prominent ; maxillary as long as the eye ; the 
upper jaw with a series of fifteen truncated teeth on the 
blind side, none on the other ; eyes separated by a very 
narrow space covered with rudimentary scales. Scales 
small, cycloid, imbricate, larger about the lateral line than 
elsewhere ; the anterior curve of the lateral line is strong in 
an adult specimen, but much more open in a young one ; 
its width equals the length of the pectoral ; pectoral more 
than half as long as the head ; ventrals entirely separate ; 
fin-rays smooth ; the dorsal commences immediately behind 
the front margin of the orbit. The free portion of the tail 
much higher than long. Gill-rakers very short, aboutten on 
tlie first branchial arch. Blackish brown, uniform or indi- 
stinctly mottled with darker. In the young specimen the 
rays of the vertical fins are dotted with brown, five or six of 
them (of the dorsal as well as of the anal) having a broad 
black ring. In the adult example those fin-rays are uniformly 
coloured, only traces of the dark rings being still visible. ' 
Yokohama Bay. 
Leuciscus hahuensis. 
D. 10. A. 10. L. lat. 73. L. transv. 15/14. 
The height of the body is one fourth of the total length 
(without caudal) ; the length of the head two ninths. The 
diameter of the eye is one fifth of the length of the head, and 
two thirds of the length of the snout, or of the width of the 
interorbital space. The head is remarkably small, with nar- 
row, pointed snout, the cleft of the mouth being oblique and 
not reaching to the front margin of the eye. Upper jaw 
overlapping the lower. Origin of the dorsal fin above the 
root of the ventrals, midway between the snout and the root 
of the caudal fin ; fins generally small and short, the pectoral 
being not more than one half of its distance from the ventral. 
Scales very indistinctly striated ; there are eight longitudinal 
series between the lateral line and ventral fin. Pharyngeal 
teeth 5 [ 2, pointed. Coloration uniform. 
Lake Hakou. 
Dr. A. Glinther on new Fishes from Japan. 443 
Family Bathythrissidse. 
Body oblong, with rounded abdomen, covered with cycloid 
scales ; head naked ; barbels none. Margin of the upper jaw 
formed by the intermaxillaries mesially, and by the maxil- 
laries laterally. Opercular apparatus complete. Adipose fin 
none ; dorsal fin much elongate, many -rayed ; anal fin short. 
Stomach with a blind sac ; pyloric appendages numerous. 
Gill-apparatus well developed ; pseudobranchite ; gill-open- 
ings wide ; an air-bladder. Ova very small ; ovaries without 
duct. 
Bathythrissa. 
Body covered with scales of moderate size. Head narrow, 
oblong, with the muciferous channels much developed. Eye 
large. Mouth narrow, coregonoid, with bands of minute teeth 
imbedded in the thick lips ; maxillary with a marginal row of 
very small teeth. Caudal fin forked, with a dense layer of 
small scales. Air-bladder with very thick walls, terminating 
in two short horns in front, pointed behind. 
Bathythrissa dorsalis. 
B. 6. D. fi^. A. 12. V. 9. L. lat. 112. L. transv. 8/13. 
Cffic. pylor. 14. 
The general aspect of this remarkable fish is that of a much 
elongate Coregonus, its greatest dej)th being one fifth of the 
length of the body (without caudal) . The head is low, elon- 
gate, one fourth of that length ; the large eye, the diameter of 
which is rather more than one fourth of the length of the 
head, occupies nearly the middle of its length, slightly en- 
croaching upon the upper profile. The width of the interor- 
bital space is much less than the diameter of the eye. Snout 
projecting beyond the mouth as in a Coregonus ; mouth late- 
rally extending to below the anterior nostril ,• the labial fold 
of the mandible does not extend across the symphysis. Nos- 
trils close together, separated by a membrane only. The 
muciferous channel of the infi-aorbital is longitudinally divided 
by a straight ridge ; angle of the prajoperculum somewhat 
produced backwards ; operculum small j sub- and interoper- 
culum narrow. 
Scales very regularly arranged ; lateral line straight, run- 
ning along the middle of the tail. 
The vent is situated far backwards, its distance from the 
caudal being less than the length of the head. 
The dorsal fin is low, but the anterior rays are somewhat 
444 Dr. A. Giinther on new Fishes from Japan. 
the longest ; it commences above the middle of the pectoral, 
and terminates above the middle of the anal. Also the anal 
rays are short, the anterior being the longest. The caudal 
fin is deeply forked, densely covered with scales. The pecto- 
rals are more, the ventrals less than half as long as the head. 
Ventrals inserted midway between the anal and the head. 
Upper parts brownish, shining silvery ; lower parts silvery, 
minutely dotted with brown. 
Off Inosima. 
Salmo macrostoma. 
B. 12. D. 13. A. 14. L. lat. ca. 130. 
This fish is distinguished by its remarkably pointed snout, 
the upper jaw being rather the longer, and by its wide oblique 
mouth. The narrow and slightly curved maxillary extenduig 
considerably behind the hind margin of the orbit. The head 
is small, only one fourth of the total length without caudal. 
Eye small, nearly one seventh of the length of the head. 
Teeth rather small ; one pair on the head of the vomer is 
followed by three or four other small teeth, arranged in a 
series. Prasoperculum crescent-shaped, without lower limb. 
Body rather deep ; its depth being equal to the length of the 
head. There are sixteen or seventeen scales in a series ob- 
liquely descending from behind the adipose fin to the lateral 
line. Dorsal fin but little higher than long. Caudal fin deeply 
emarginate. Silvery ; with nine parr-marks along the lateral 
line, and with several round spots above and below them on 
the sides. 
Yokohama market. 
Aulopus jajyonicus. 
D. 15. A. 9. L. lat. 43. L. transv. 4i/6. 
The length of the head is contained thrice and one fourth 
in the total without caudal. The diameter of the eye equals 
the length of the snout, and is contained thrice and two thirds 
in the length of the head. Interorbital space concave, one half 
of the width of the eye. Maxillary extending to behind 
the middle of the eye. Body irregularly marbled with 
blackish. 
Market of Yokohama. 
Halosaurus affinis. 
Snout much produced, but less so than in Halosaurus rostra- 
tus, its pra3oral portion being scarcely one half of its length. 
Eye of moderate size, one third of the postocular portion of 
Dr. A. Giintlier on new Fishes from Japan. 445 
the head, and equal to t.lie width of the interorbital space- 
Maxillary not reaching to the front margin of the eye. The 
length of the head equals its distance from the root of the 
ventral, the origin of which is but slightly in advance of that 
of the dorsal. Nearly all the scales are lost : only some of the 
lateral line remain j they are much larger than the other 
scales ; and on the tail, where the lateral line approaches the 
loAver profile, these larger scales are separated from the anal 
fin by one series of small scales only. Otherwise there is the 
greatest similarity between this species, Halosaarus rostra- 
tus, and H. Owenii. 
{South of Japan. 
Congromurcena megastoma. 
The length of the head is two thirds of that of the trunk, 
the tail being longer than the body ; upper jaw much pro- 
jecting beyond the lower, rather pointed ; mouth extendmg far 
behind the middle of the eye, which is large, two ninths or 
one fifth of tlie length of the head, and nearly two thirds of 
that of the snout ] posterior nostril a wide, round, open aper- 
ture ; length of the pectoral fin one third of that of the head ; 
the dorsal commences above the root of the pectoral ; vertical 
fins with a light margin ; terminal portion of the tail black, 
extremity of the fin white. 
Off Inosima. 
Synapliohranchus hathyhius. 
Mouth and dentition as in 8. pinnatus. Eye one half or 
two thirds of the length of the snout. The length of the body 
is contained only once and a fourth in that of the tail. The 
dorsal fin commences above or immediately behind the 
pectoral, which is only one third the length of the head. 
Epidermoid productions quite rudimentary, lanceolate, im- 
bedded in the skin ; cheeks naked. Dorsal and anal fins 
low, especially the former. 
Uniform black. 
Middle of iSTorth Pacific ; south of Yeddo. Midway between 
Cape of Good. Hope and Kerguelen's Land. 
Synaphohranchus affinis. 
Allied to 8. hrevidorsalis, from which it differs in the fol- 
lowing points : — The length of the body is two fifths of that 
of the tail ; root of the pectoral fin midway between the end 
of the snout and the vent. Dorsal fin commencing at some 
distance behind the vent. Pectoral of moderate length, rather 
446 Miscellaneous. 
less than one half of the length of the head. Epidermoid 
productions rudimentary, lanceolate, obliquely arranged, im- 
bedded in the skin. Anal higher than dorsal. 
Blackish brown. 
Off Inosima. 
Nettastoma jparvicejps. 
Head small, its length being two fifths of the distance 
between the gill-opening and vent (more than one half in N. 
melanurum). Dorsal fin commencing in advance of the gill- 
opening. In other respects similar to the Mediterranean 
species. 
South of Yeddo. 
MonacantJius modestus. 
D. 36. A. 34. 
Skin velvety, without spines or bristles on the tail ; the 
height of the body is contained twice and three fourths in 
the total length (without caudal) 5 upper profile of the head 
convex, the gill-opening extends downwards to the level 
of the middle of the root of the pectoral ; the dorsal 
spine is inserted above the posterior third of the eyej it 
is scarcely half as long as the head, or as its distance 
from the second dorsal fin ; it is armed with four series 
of very small barbs, the two front series being very close 
together; the anterior half of the dorsal and anal fins 
elevated, somewhat higher than the dorsal spine ; ventral 
spine fixed. 
Uniform brownish grey ; caudal blackish, with the inter- 
radial membrane whitish and without any cross bands. 
Inland Sea. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
M. K. A. Zitfel on Fossil Heccactinellida. 
To tlie Editors of the Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 
Gkntlemen, — Permit me to correct a slight mistake that has 
crept into Prof. Zittel's diagnosis of the scheme I adopted m the 
year 1870 * for the natural subdivision of the then known Hexac- 
tinellid sponge-forms, and which error is reproduced in Mr. Dallas's 
translation in the last number of the 'Annals.' Of the two groups 
of the " CoraUiospongia " and " Calicispongia " then instituted by 
me, it was the former of the two that was made to embrace all 
those species distinguished by the possession of an " anastomosing 
* ' Monthly Microscopical Journal,' vol. iv. p. 252, 1870. 
Miscellaneous. 447 
or coherent reticulate skeleton," while with the latter were associated 
types in which the skeleton consisted of " isolated or loosely inter- 
woven spicules " only. Zittel, as I find by reference to a copy of 
his original essay, with which he has kindly furnished me, makes it 
accidentally read exactly the reverse. In my original diagnosis 
(I. c. p. 252) I further proposed to characterize the group of the 
" Calicispongice " as possessing spicule-protected gemmules instead 
of both having " naked membranous gemmnles " as rendered by Prof. 
Zittel, 
W. Saville Kent. 
4 Marine TeiTace, St. Heliers, Jersey, 
Oct. 17, 1877. 
Phenomena accompanying the Metamorphosis of Libellula depressa. 
By M. JoussET DE Bellesme. 
The author gives an extraordinary account of the mode in which 
Lihellida depressa expands to its full size and extends its wings 
after quitting the pupa-skin. After describing the well-known pro- 
cess of the emergence of the insect, he inquires by what mechanism 
does the insect inflate itself and increase its volume to such an 
extent that after issuing from its little envelope it suddenly becomes 
double its former size. 
He states that at this time the function of respiration, which 
is very active in the adult dragonfly, is not yet set up. There are 
no movements of inspiration and expiration ; the abdomen is cjiin- 
drical ; and the deep fold in the ventral surface of the abdomen, 
which he regards as essential to respiration, is not yet in existence. 
On dissection the air- sacs of the body are found to be empty and 
flaccid. 
Nevertheless the inflation of the dragonflj^ is eff'ected by air ; and 
if the body is cut through with a pair of scissors it collapses in a 
moment like a balloon. By taking suitable precautions and dissect- 
ing the animal under water, it is found, he says, that the digestive 
tube here performs a most unusual physiological part. It is so much 
distended that it absolutely fills the whole interior of the body, 
pushing the other organs against the integuments. Under the in- 
fluence of this energetic pressure the blood is jiressed forcibly to- 
wards, the pei'iphery, distends the eyes, and gives the head its 
definitive form ; then passing into the wing, between the two mem- 
branes, which up to this time are separate, as M. Blanchard has 
described them, it accumulates in the wing, unfolds it. and circulates 
in it, depositing- the pigment which is destined to colour it. During 
this time the integuments, which are distended and bathed by the 
nutritive fluid, acquire their proper colour and solidity. It is by 
swallowing the air and storing it in its digestive tube, says the 
author, that the Libellula obtains the force necessary for the accom- 
plishment of most of its transformations ; and he thinks there is 
every reason to believe that the same thing occurs in many other 
insects. — Gomptes Rendus, August 20, 1877, p. 448.