74 



LYCODIN^. 



The dorsal fin begins at a distance from the snout equal to 29,6 — 33,7% of the total length; 

 it contains 91 — 97 rays, the anal fin 73 — 78 rays. The ventral fins are small (almost of the same 

 length as or even shorter than the longitudinal diameter of the pupil). The pectorals are relatively 

 broad but short, their length being 9,6 — 11*^0 of the total length or always less than the distance be- 

 tween the snout and the posterior margin of the eye; they contain (19) 20 — 22 rays, of which the lower 

 project at their points from the connecting skin. 



The scales extend from the end of the tail more or less far forward on the sides of the body; 

 the co\'ering tends to a point in front like a wedge, leaving the side of the back and belly naked for 

 some distance; there are no scales on the fins, or in any case only on the posterior half of the dorsal 

 fin, along the base. In the uniformly coloured or weakly banded form, the scaly covering is subject 

 to great variation in regard to distribution in part independently of the age of the individuals, it seems. 

 In the type-specimen, which is 445 mm. long, the scaly covering extends forward scarcely to a point 

 which lies directly over the origin of the anal fin. In the second largest (365 mm.) on the other hand, 

 the scales reach to a point at the tip of the flattened pectoral and have thus attained the greatest 

 extension known as yet for the species. In the 335 mm. specimen (Tab. X, fig. i b) and that of 180 mm. 

 (Tab. X, fig. I a) the scaly covering extends forward a little in front of the anus, in Collett's speci- 

 men from Spitzbergen (128 mm. long) just a trifle in front of the anus. The specimens present of the 



distincth' banded variety have a much more regular distribution of the 

 scales (Tab. IX, fig. i b, c, d, e). In 3 specimens of 280, 218 and 180 mm. 

 the scalv covering extends forward like a wedge to a point, whiclr lies 

 directly over the anus, whilst in 5 specimens of 250, 197, 180, 161 and 

 129 mm. it stops at a short distance behind the anus. 



The lateral line begins over the gill-cover, forms an arch over 

 the shoulder and courses from there along the middle of the body. On 

 the foremost part of the trunk in well-preserved specimens, a shorter or 

 longer series of pores is present above the lateral line, with wide inter- 

 spaces and without forming an)- true lateral line. 



Colour. The present species occurs in two coloiu'-varieties, it 

 seems, namely, one uniformly coloured or with slightly marked cross- 

 bands, the other with distinct cross-bands. — Those entireh- uniform of 

 a gray-brown are: Reinhardt's t>-pe-specimen (445 mm. S) from Umanak; 

 Vanhoffen's specimen (335 mm. $| from Umanak Fjord (Tab. X, fig. i b)'); 

 Collett's specimen (128mm. J) from Spitzbergen. A weak banded mar- 

 king is seen in: the specimen (365 mm. $) from Godthaab, referred to 

 (Franz Joseph's Fjord) 760 ni. /^, rei/cu/atus hv Lntken , also the Specimen (180 mm. $) recently sent 



Nathorst Exped., 14.S.1S99. 



from Jakobshavn. In the first of these, there are above the median 

 line 7 dark bands, 2 on the trunk and 5 on the tail, which again are somewhat lighter in the centre; 

 in the small specimen, a similar number of somewhat more apparent bands are seen (Tab. X, fig. i a). — 



Fig. 13. The head uf Lycodes se- 

 minudiis^ of the variety witli di- 

 stinct cross-bands. X 3/4. 

 From a 2S0 mm. long specimen (cf) 

 from northern East Greenland 



') By verv favourable hght, exceedingly weak traces of a faded, banded marking may perhaps be detected in this 



specimen. 



