FISHES. 3 



millimetres, but is partially digested. There are twenty-four specimens, up to 95 

 millimetres, from the winter quarters, taken throughout the year. All more or less 

 poorly preserved. This species is most nearly related to N. colbecki, differing in the 

 more numerous dorsal and anal rays, somewhat larger scales, and truncate caudal fin. 



8. Champsocephalus macropterus. 

 (Plate II.) 



Body feeljly compressed, gradually attenuate towards the very short caudal 

 peduncle. Head large, twice and three-fourths to twice and four-fifths in the total 

 length, twice and one-fourth to twice and a-half as long as broad ; snout spatulate, 

 nearly half the length of the head, with a hook-like spine in front, some longitudinal 

 strige on its upper surface ; diameter of eye five to five and a-half times in the length of 

 the head, once and a-half to once and two-thirds in the width of the interorbital region, 

 which is smooth and concave ; jaws equal in front, with a double series of slender, 

 sharply pointed, feebly curved teeth ; maxillary extending to below the anterior third 

 of the eye ; operculum produced above into a group of four spines, the upper of which 

 is shaped like a Lochaber axe, having an anterior, recurved hook. Dorsal fin with 

 XIII-XIV, 29-32 rays, the anterior portion commencing at a short distance from the 

 occiput, the posterior commencing immediately behind the anterior ; the spines flexible 

 and produced into filaments much longer than the articulated rays, measuring about two- 

 thirds the length of the head. Anal fin similar to the second dorsal, but a little shorter, 

 with 25 to 27 rays. Pectoral fin as long as the ventral, about two-thirds the length of 

 the head. Caudal fin small.* Body naked, with a series of 64 to 77 soft tubular 

 scales forming the principal lateral line, high up on the back from the gill-opening to 

 the caudal peduncle, but not extending to the root of the caudal fin ; a very short 

 second lateral line, of 3 to 7 scales, on the middle of the caudal peduncle. Head and 

 body pale olive | with blackish spots and vermiculations, forming more or less regular 

 cross-bands on the Ijody, these cross-bars enclosing a lighter field ; the membrane 

 between the first dorsal and the ventral fins blackish ; isis pale golden. 



Eleven specimens, measuring from 65 to 240 millimetres, the largest being a female 

 with the oviducts full of ripe eggs, measuring 3 miUimetres in diameter. They were 

 obtained from the stomach of a Weddell Seal ; winter quarters ; Sept. 27, 1903. The 

 head of another specimen was taken from a seal's stomach, March 14, 1903. The 

 very large first dorsal fin well distinguishes this species from Dr. Giinther's C. esox. 

 With respect to this character the C. gunnari recently described by Dr. Lonnberg is 

 intermediate. 



In addition to the specimens described above, there are three very young and post- 

 larval specimens, measuring from 20 to 30 millimetres, obtained at the winter quarters, 



* Its exact shape cannot be made out from any of the specimens, 

 t According to a coloured sketch by Dr. Wilson. 



