68 LYCODIN^. 



longitudinal diameter is contained 5,4 — 6,7 times in the length of the head, or is 4,3 — 4,8 "„ of the 

 total length; the distance between the two eyes is a little smaller than the longitudinal diameter of 

 the eye. The length of the snout, measured to the eye, is contained 2,7 — 7,,t, times in the length 

 of the head or is 8 — 9,8^0 of the total length. The upper jaw reaches to the vertical line through 

 the middle or anterior third of the eye, and anteriorly extends a little way in front of the under jaw. 

 The lips are thick; tlie nnderlip has a dependant fold on each side, and the fold of skin along the 

 lower margin of the lower jaw is spread out like a flap on the chin. The nasal tubes are well- 

 developed. Along the upper and lower jaws there are shallow pits for the lateral line. The teeth 

 are short but strong; I have counted 8 — 11 teeth in a row on the intermaxillary, 8—10 on the palatine, 

 1—5 on the vomer, 9—14 in a row on the mandible; forward on the intermaxillary and mandible 

 there is further a posterior row of teeth. 



The dorsal fin begins at a distance from the snout which is equal to 29,2 — 32,3% of the 

 total length; it contains 91—96 rays, the anal fin 72—78 rays. The ventral fins are short (almost of 

 the same length as the longitudinal diameter of the eye). The length of the pectoral is almost equal 

 to the distance from the snout to the posterior margin of the e}-e and amounts to 13— 14,4", „ of the 

 total length; they contain 20—21 rays (only in one specimen — that of 113 mm. — have I found 19 rays). 

 Scales. The smallest of the present specimens, which is 61 mm. long, lacks any trace of 

 scales. In the 83 mm. specimen (Tab. VIII, fig. i c) scales have begun to appear as a small strip round 

 the lateral line, forward to the middle of the posteriorly extended pectoral and posteriorly almost the 

 same distance behind the anus. The further development of the scaly covering consists essentialh- in 

 the appearance of scales on the posterior part of the tail also, and at the same time the rows are 

 increased in a vertical direction. Some variation exists however. Thus, the scaly covering in a 

 133 mm. long specimen (Tab. VIII, fig. i d) does not have any greater extension relatively than in that 

 of 83 mm., whilst in another only 116 mm. long, it approaches distincth- nearer to the root of the tail. 

 In some of the largest specimens the scales extend from a little behind the base of the pectoral to, 

 or uearh- to, the beginning of the caudal fin, but they are less close together at the root of the tail 

 fin, and the belly as also a stretch on the back anteriorly are naked; in other specimens just as large 

 the end of the tail is however still naked, and that holds also for a narrow stretch along the base of 

 the dorsal and anal fins (Tab. \'III, fig. i e & f). No scales are to be seen on the unpaired fins. 



The lateral line begins over the operculum, forms a sHght arch on the shoulder and from 

 there courses along the median line of the body. A shorter or longer series of pores, with wide inter- 

 spaces and without the character of a true lateral line, is often to be seen on the anterior portion of 

 the back above this mediolateral lateral line. 



Colour. The young have 7 — 9 dark cross-bands on a light ground, and in addition a dark spot 

 on the end of the tail; the bands again are bordered by a more or less marked edge of darker, almost 

 blackish colour; the hindmost 2—5 bands extend out on to the anal fin as darkish streaks in line 

 with those on the dorsal fin where the bands end; further forward the bands extend more or less 

 down below the median line of the side. Across over the neck and on to the operculum extends a 

 light band which is most frequently divided in part or entireh- into three light spots by a dark 

 streak on each side, which crosses from the dark edge bordering the neck-band in front and behind. 



