194 OaTHRAGORISCUS. 



A very yoimg specimen (about 4 era.), which Prof. A. 

 A. W. Hubrecht kiadly lent me for comparison from the 

 Utrecht Museum , presents two clearly separated teeth in 

 the upper as well as in the lower jaw. 



On the other hand as regards the proportion between 

 length and hight, as well as the place of insertion of the 

 dorsal and anal fin , I believe these to be reliable specific 

 characteristics with fishes of nearly the same size. For this 

 purpose however it is necessary that the measurements should 

 be very carefully taken from the fresh fish , in as much as 

 these dimensions undergo considerable change after stuffing. 



I quite agree with Prof. Harting , that the only way to 

 solve this difficult question is to have good figures made 

 in fresh state of all specimens captured, and to publish 

 these drawings with a minute description. 



That is why I have had a drawing made of our Ame- 

 land specimen , immediately after its arrival. This drawing, 

 made under my direction by Mr. R Raar at ^',9 of the 

 natural size, renders the outward form and the propor- 

 tions of the animal most correctly, and is added to 

 this note in an engraving. 



On examining this engraving we immediately notice a 

 particularity of the folded band , which as far as I know, 

 has never been noticed before. This band, broad 11 cm. 

 in the middle of the upper part of the body, and 10 cm. 

 in the middle of the lower part, parts oS backward, 

 exactly opposite the mouth in the middle of its whole length. 

 The side-branch thus produced , runs on to the extremity 

 of the caudal fin , which it divides into an upper and a lower 

 part. There is a total absence of dermal ossifications on 

 this folded band , as well as on its side-branch , except 

 on the prominent ridges. The elasticity of the caudal fin is 

 considerably heightened by this particular arrangement. 



The rest of the body is covered with bony little pricks 

 of different size. Those on the head and especially those 

 over the eyes are greatest in size (about 2 m.m.) and 

 closest together. On the flanks of the body these little 



Notes from the Leyden Museum, Vol. XII. 



