mel anoma

[MELANOSIS.] měl-a-nō-nŭs, s. [Pref. mel an-, and Gr. onos= (1) an a , (2) a fish mentioned by Aristotle, perhaps the hake.] Ichthy.: A genus of Gadidae, founded on a single specimen dredged from the Atlantic Ocean at a depth of 1,975 fathoms. Head and body rather com pre ed, covered with cycloid scales of moderate size; tail long and tapering, no caudal. Villiform teeth in jaws, on vomer and palatine bone. Short anterior dorsal, the second extending to the end of tail; anal of similar length. Ventrals composed of several rays. Bones soft and flexible. This genus is one of the discoveries made by the Challenger expedition. (Günther.)