LYCODIN^. 



reasons however, it is convenient to again split np the first division according as the lateral line is 

 ventral or ventral-niediolateral (cf. the table of analysis p. 11 — 12). 



We may now refer to some of the characters which have special importance in distingnishing 

 the species within the greater gronps based ou the conrse of the lateral Ime. 



Scales. C^f the present species two are perfectly devoid of scales, namely Ly codes agnosttis 

 Jensen (Tab. VI, fig. i) and L. platyrhinns Jensen (Tab. VI, fig. 2). The well-known ichthyologist P. 

 Bleeker has laid snch great weight on the absence of scales that he has formed a special genns 

 Lycodalepis ■), which only differs from Lycodes in this one character, and the later American natnralists 

 have followed him. It seems to me that [.ycodalepis is an nnnatural genns. If the two scaleless 

 species mentioned are removed from the genus Lycodes, they are then separated from species to which 

 in other respects they are closely allied. L. agnostiis has its true place amongst the species of Lycodes 

 with mediolateral lateral line, not only on account of the situation of the lateral line, but also on 

 account of the relative!)- short tail (the head and trunk together are 46-52'',.. o^ the total length) and 

 the number of raxs in the unpaired fins (D. 90-93, A. 70-72). L. piatyrlunus on the other hand, 

 belongs rightly to the L.ycodes with double lateral line, parth because of the ventral-mediolateral 

 lateral lines, partly because of the long tail (head and trunk together are 37",, of the total length) 

 and the number of rays in the unpaired fins (D. 99, A. 82). One must be content therefore, to regard 

 the absence of scales as a good specific character and not ascribe to it any generic importance. 



Of the remaining species of Lycodes dealt with in this treatise, there is one which m its 

 slight development of the scaly covering, is a transition form to the naked species, nameh' L. semiimdjis 

 Reinh. As the name denotes, it is only half covered with scales, on the tail namely^), and moreover 

 the scaly area ends in front in the shape of a wedge leaving a naked part dorsally and \-entralh- 

 (Tab. IX & Tab. X, fig. I). Some variation appears in this .species however, as the scaly wedge some- 

 times sends a portion forward on to the trunk; but as a rule the naked abdominal region is one of 

 the characters which aids to a ready determination of L.semwudns. 



The naked L. agnostns and the half naked /.. seminndns belong, as mentioned, to the group 

 with mediolateral lateral line. The remaining species of this group, /.. rossi Malmgr., L. liltkenn Coll. 

 and L. reticulatus Reinh. have the scaly covering developed almost to the same extent, and it extends for- 

 wards on the sides of the trunk to a point which lies under or a little in front o{ the beginning 

 of the dorsal fin; but the front part of the back and the belh' are alwaxs naked, and the fins are 

 likewise devoid of scales. 



.Alost of the species of the groups with ventral or ventral-mediolateral lateral lines are remark- 

 able for the stronger development of the scaly covering. In adult individuals the scales cover the 

 whole of the body (head excluded) and extend on to the unpaired fin.s. Such is the case in J., vahlii 

 Reinh., L. Jrigidns ^o\\., /.. rt//^;///V«i- Jen.sen, L. esmarkii ZoW. and L. eudip/enrostuius }tns&n. Of 

 these species L./rigidus is easily recognisable by its extremeh" small scales (Tab. V, fig. i a). L.pallidns 



1) Verel. K. A. \V. 2e Rks. VIII, 1S74, p. .569 (mucosus). 



.-, Tordan & Kvern.ann form a subgenus Lycia.^ under Lycodes, characterised by the tail only being scaled, into 

 this subgenus are brought L. snninudus Reinh. and the iniperfecUy described A. ueiu/osus of Kroyer, later lost and never 

 rediscovered (Fishes of North and Middle .Vnicrica. III. 1S98, p. 2463). 



