BATHYDRACONIDAE 59 



part of the anal fin. Snout rather broad, spatulate, not more than i| times as long as 

 the eye. Dorsal with 30 to 37 rays, the anterior part of the fin forming a fairly distinct 

 lobe ; caudal rounded or subtruncate. 



One or two species. 



Coasts of Antarctic Continent. 



Comparison of the unique type specimen of Racovitzia glacialis^ with examples of 

 Aconichthys harrissoni shows that the two fishes are almost certainly congeneric and 

 may eventually prove to be identical. The body of Racovitzia was described by Dollo 

 as having scattered groups of scales, but this character seems to be due to damage to 

 the fish in capture. A specimen of Aconichthys (98 mm. in total length) shows a very 

 similar condition, but a close examination of the skin reveals that many of the scales 

 have become detached, leaving isolated groups on various parts of the body. In the 

 type of Racovitzia only the upper lateral line is present, and this runs near the base of 

 the dorsal fin. In a specimen of Aconichthys, 80 mm. in total length, the same condition 

 is found, and the single lateral line ends below the posterior rays of the dorsal fin. In 

 the specimen of 98 mm. mentioned above, this upper line extends a little beyond the 

 end of the dorsal fin, and there is an indication of the middle line on the side of the 

 caudal peduncle; there is, however, no trace of a lower lateral line. In all the larger 

 examples of Aconichthys examined by me three lines are present, although in one 

 example of 195 mm. on one side of the body the lower line is reduced to 2 or 3 scales, 

 and in another of about the same size this line is present on one side of the body 

 but entirely wanting on the other. I am unable to confirm the presence of the "in- 

 cubatory pouch" between the pelvic fins and the vent described by Dollo, but am 

 inclined to think that a post-mortem shrinkage in this region accompanied by folding 

 of the skin may have produced the pouch-like condition. 



Racovitzia glacialis, Dollo. 



Racovitzia glacialis, Dollo, 1900, t.c, p. 318. 



Racovitzaia glacialis, Dollo, 1904, t.c, p. 29, pi. ii, figs. 2, 3, pi. v, fig. 3; Regan, 1913, t.c, 

 p. 283. 



Depth of body 12 in the length, length of head 35. Snout longer than eye, about 2| 

 in length of head; diameter of eye about 3I, interorbital width 25. Lower jaw slightly 

 projecting; maxillary not reaching vertical from anterior margin of eye. Dorsal 30. 

 Anal 27. Pectoral with 25 rays, about | length of head, extending as far as vent; 

 pelvics shorter, not reaching vent. Body with dark spots and blotches forming very 

 irregular cross-bars; an irregular black spot on anterior part of dorsal; anal pale; a 

 black spot on upper edge of caudal ; pectorals blackish at the base and with a black 

 spot on upper edge ; pelvics with a black spot distally. 



1 This specimen, which is 82 mm. in total length, is in very poor condition, the caudal fin being largely 

 wanting and a portion of the caudal region of the body broken off. It is very difficult to handle the specimen 

 or to make any close examination of it, for fear of causing further damage. 



8-2 



