1888.] PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 325 



name Psychrolutince. That subfamily will only include the two genera 

 in question, Goltiinculus, which has been referred to it by Professors 

 Jordan and Gilbert, appearing to be more closely related to the typical 

 Cottidce. The superficial characters of the subfamily are given in the 

 concluding synopsis. 



II. 



The generic differences between the genera Psychrolutes and Xmphn/ 

 nichthys can only be certainly ascertained when a typical Psychrolutes 

 can be re examined. 



III. 



The relation of the fishes of New Zealand and South America, con- 

 sidered to be conspecific by Dr. Giinther, remains for consideration. 



The Neophrynichthys lotus, as described by Captain Button, Mr. W. 

 Arthur, and Dr. Giinther, is a fish about 7 inches long, exceptionally 

 attaining a length of 9 inches ; it has no conspicuous tentacles ; its color 

 is noticeable for the distinct roundish or oval spots which cover the 

 body and head, and extend more or less upon the fins. (The color is 

 noticed more at length in the specific diagnosis.) The species is quite 

 uniform in respect to coloration, as Ilutton, Giinther, and Arthur es- 

 sentially agree respecting it, and other descriptions are corroborated 

 by the specimen under examination. Inasmuch as the specimens which 

 Dr. Giinther and the present writer have observed are derived from 

 New Zealand naturalists,* it is presumable that there is no essential 

 difference between them and any of the others that have been found. 

 Consequently, the color may be said to be generalized from about a 

 dozen individuals at least. The South American fish referred to Neo- 

 phry nichthys httus is, however, very different. A single specimen ob- 

 tained during the survey of H. M. S. Alert, in Swallow Bay, Magellan's 

 Straits, is 1G inches long. The coloration is a blackish-brown, marbled 

 with a lighter brown and gray ; small branched tentacles are represented 

 as being developed above on each side of the snout and along the roofs 

 of the orbits, as well as in a row along the preoperculum and scattered 

 over the body. 



According to Dr. Giinther, these differences are not enough to indi- 

 cate specific distinctness. In our own opinion they are amply sufficient 

 to indicate such differences, especially in view of the uniformity in size, 

 coloration, and absence of tentacles which distinguishes the Neophry- 

 nichthys latus of New Zealand. In addition to the differences alluded 

 to by Dr. Giinther, if we can place any reliance on the plate accom- 

 panying that gentleman's communication, the South American fish dif- 



* The specimen i.i the U. S. National Museum was seal by Professor Parker, of 

 Otago, who has made several excellent contributions to our kuowledgo of New Zea- 

 land fishes. 



