14 



SMITT, ON THE GENUS LYCODES. 



measurements, with a total length of 77 mm., while in the 

 Vahlii-grou-p already the specimen of Lycodes gracilis num- 

 bered 1, with a total length of 42 mm., is covered by scales, 

 although thinly, oii the midst of the sides of the body just 

 before the beginning of the anal fin. However, the individual 

 variation is very great, as shown by my remarks on the 

 respective specimens in the measurement-tables. 



IV. Height of the body. 



The scaly covering, as shown in the preceding paragraph, 

 does not entitle any specific rank to Lycodes seminiidns, as 

 in that way defined by Reinhakdt. Neither does the colora- 

 tion give any better result, for, while our most specimens 

 are rather påle, Reinhardt's type-specimen was uniform dark- 

 brown (unicolor fnscus^). As to the dentition, which according 

 to LtJTKEN would give a constant character — series dentium 

 palatinse intermaxillares sequantes {reticulatus) 1. intermaxil- 

 laribus longiores {seminudus) — this already once^ has shown 

 its futility as used for the distinction of the nominal species 

 Lycodes JEsniarkii from Lycodes Valilii; and it seems to be 

 the same case here. At first, if we consider the 20 specimens 

 of the reticulatus-gvow^, on which we have measured the 

 length of the resp. lines of the palatine and intermaxillary 

 teeth, we find 



1 LtJTKEN, Vid. Medd. Naturh. For. Kbhvn 1879—80, p. 331. 

 ^ Cfr. Scandin. Fishes, 2d edit., pp. 614 and 615. 



