64 



LYCODIN^. 



irregular network of brown bands and lines of various breadtli, which separate spots more or less 

 large of a lighter ground-colour; but it is clear as a rule — and noticeable in all cases, if one seeks 

 for it, in younger specimens — that the foundation for this network lies or has been in a system of 

 7—9 dark and especialK' dark-margined cross-bands, which extend from tlie trunk and tail out on to 

 the dorsal fin where they are usually very distinct; between these bands, which extend down almost 

 to the median line, are light parts or spots (often with a darker spot again in the light). Especiall\- 

 constant is such a dark margined light spot or cross-band across over the neck from the one gill- 

 opening to the other, and also some light dark-bordered spots or sinuous markings posterior to and 

 over the e\es, as well as on the sides of the head under the eyes as far the nostrils . And of the 

 females it is said at the same place: <.The two larger specimens have plainlx the reticulate markings 

 characteristic of the species in general; these extend out on to the dorsal fin and the posterior part 

 of the anal fin as more or less distinct bands, and on the head like the markings already described 

 above for the males; the smallest has also these on the whole, specific and \er\- characteristic markings 

 on the head, but on the trunk and tail on the other hand there are onl>- S dark-margined cross-bands 

 on the back and dorsal fin . 



Distribution. 



L. retknlatus is distributed along the .southern parts of West (Treenland. During the last 

 centur\- 7 specimens are known to ha\-e been taken there, at Julianehaab, FiskeUces, Godthaab and 

 Umanak. Only of one of these specimens is there the fixrther information (by Dr. Vanhoff en ) that 

 it was taken in the innermost parts of Umanak Fjord (Karajak Fjord) in a trap at 190 metres depth. 



According to Goode & Bean') the species has been taken at several places on the east 

 coast of the United vStates at 17—140 fathoms depth, but one cannot tell with certainty if these 

 authors have had the true L. retiailatus before them; their figures (PI. 78, fig. 273 and PI. 81, fig. 281 a b) 

 indicate so however. 



Relation to allied forms. 

 L. reticjtlatns stands ver>- close to the form from East (xreenland I have called L. reticitlatiis 

 var. macrocephaius\ on p. 70 I gi\-e the reasons for holding them partly separate for the time. 

 Concerning the relation of this species to L. seminiidus see p. 78 and to L. rossi p. 59. 



Young forms of Z. retindatus ( L. perspicillnm Kroyer , Tab. II, fig. 3). 

 The specimens certainly L. reticulatus sent here from Greenland are medium-sized to large 

 (225—380 mm.). Concerning the appearance of the young we have onh- conjectures, Prof. Collett in 

 1878 expressing the supposition that the small Lycodes described long ago by Kroyer under the 

 name L. perspicilluiu was the young oi L. retictdatus'). With this view Liitken agreed. In my 

 prelimiuar\- report on the European-Greenland Lycodes I differed from this opinion and made L. 

 perspicillum a distinct species without giving particular reasons for this step however; certain know- 



') Goode & Bean: Oceanic Ichthyology, p. 305: Mein.of thelMuseuni afConip. /.oology at Harvard CoUe.ye, vol. XXII. 1S96. 

 2| Vidensk. Selsk. Forh. Chria. 1878. No. 14, p. 61. 



