352 DISCOVERY REPORTS 



opinion that one species hitherto considered as distinct, and two others previously described in 

 different genera, are but growth stages of G. melampus, and quotes close parallels in yet other genera. 

 Such difficulties are bound to occur with rare species known from very few specimens, and can only 

 be rectified as larger series are collected. 



ZOARCIDAE 



Ophthalmolyciis macrops (Giinther). We took no specimens of this species, which is known only from 

 the holotype obtained by H.M.S. 'Challenger', in the Magellan Strait. 



Iluocoetes fimbriattis Jenyns. This was the commonest member of the family captured during the 

 trawling surveys. It was found to attain considerable size (more than 40 cm. long), and was found 

 mostly in moderately deep water near the outer margin of the shelf, and more rarely beyond the shelf 

 edge, down to the greatest depths fished. It was found in all three regions within the area, with 

 perhaps a tendency to be most numerous in the intermediate region : 



The spotted brown and white colour pattern so well shown by E. R. Gunther's sketch (Norman, 

 1937, pi. i, fig. 4) suggests concealment value among the bracken-like forests of coralline hydroids 

 and Polyzoa frequented by the species. The sketch also shows how in its general appearance, the beast 

 without background is extraordinarily reminiscent of a wet hen. I. fimbriatus is known to range as far 

 as southern Chile, outside our area. 



Iluocoetes elongatus (Smitt). This species was taken three times only, once in the trawl and twice 

 with 'Other gear', in shallow water ('first slope') in the southern region. The colour pattern is 

 exceptionally variable but is always barred rather than spotted, and the species may always be dis- 

 tinguished from the last named by the entire absence of scales (/. fimbriatus has small scales embedded 

 m the skin): WS834 6 WS835 14 (in BTS) WS749 17 (in NR) 



Austrolycus depressiceps Regan. No specimens of this littoral southern species were secured during 

 trawling operations, but series for Norman's report were readily obtained from East Falkland 

 (Mr A. G. Bennett) and West Falkland (Dr J. E. Hamilton). The species extends to the Chonos 

 Archipelago (between 46 and 44° S) on the west coast of southern Chile, outside our area. One of 

 Bennett's specimens was 48 cm. long, and he tells us that the species has been known to attain a 

 weight of 3 lb. at the Falkland Islands, where they are sometimes known as ' rock-eels '. 

 New Island 6 (J. E. H. coll.) Port Stanley 13 (A. G. B. coll.) 



Austrolycus laticinctus (Berg). We obtained four small specimens of this species in the rectangular 

 net at a single station in the southern region. From Norman's account (1937, p. 104) it appears that 

 the synonymy has been much confused, and that it may be found to range much farther up the main- 

 land coast than most of the Zoarcids with which we have to deal : 



WS749 4(inNR) 



Phiicocoetes latitans Jenyns. A few specimens of this tiny species were obtained at two southern 

 stations in shallow water, and others were collected by Bennett from kelp holdfasts in Stanley harbour. 



