456 Survey of Fishing- Grounds, West Coast of Ireland, 1890-1891. 



The vertical range is summarised by Lilljeborg, as from 100 to over 500 

 fathoms, probably with approximate correctness, though we know of no exact 

 record of the occurrence of the fish at less than 200 fathoms. Giinther's Faroe 

 examples were taken at depths ranging from 200 to 500 fathoms, and the United 

 States specimen at 524 fathoms, which seems to be the maximum recorded depth. 



Diagnosis of Species. (D. 10-12; P. 17-21; Pelv. 7-8).— Head short, rather 

 compressed ; snout short, obliquely truncated in front ; cleft of mouth wide, lateral, 

 extending to beyond the centre of the eye in adults, but barely reaching the front 

 of the eye in very young examples. Prsemaxilla not much shorter than maxilla. 

 Teeth in villiform bands in both jaws: barbel very short. Inter-orbital space 

 convex, its width greater than diameter of eye, which is equal or nearly equal to 

 length of snout, and is about one-fourth the length of head. Scales rough ; spine- 

 lets directed backwards, present on whole of exposed surface of scales, and longest 

 on scales of ventral aspect of abdomen. Six to nine scales in a transverse series 

 between first dorsal fin and lateral line.* Head entirely covered with small scales. 

 Anterior dorsal spine armed with numerous small closely set serrations, usually 

 absent in large examples from the proximal region of spine ; outer pelvic ray 

 produced into a longish filament. Distance between vent and isthmus about two- 

 thirds to four-fifths of the length of the head. 



Colouration. — Brownish on the back, dull silvery grey on the sides and belly. 

 Branchiostegal membrane and mouth black. Fins dark grey or black. 



Sise. — We can find no record of an example exceeding the length of the largest 

 of our series, viz. 96 "4 cm. or 38 inches. Giuither mentions specimens nearly three 

 feet long, received from Sognef jord. The species appears to reach a larger size than 

 any of its European congeners. 



Description of Specimens. — Examination of the four specimens reveals a certain 

 divergence of characters, which at first sight made us think it possible that we 

 might be dealing with members of more than one species. On comparing them, 

 however, with examples in the British Museum from other localities, it becomes 

 evident that such difPerences as the Irish examples exhibit amongst themselves 

 cannot be regarded as of specific value, but can be sufficiently dealt with by 

 imparting a little more elasticity to the general diagnosis of the species. It will 

 be noticed that, especially with regard to proportions, the diagnosis which we have 

 given on the preceding page permits of a degree of variation somewhat in excess 

 of that defined by Giinther in his description of the species in the " Challenger" 

 Memoir. On a casual inspection our specimens arrange themselves into two 

 groups, the most readily noticeable distinction being the greater or less degree of 



*■ This statement is made upon the authority of Lilljeborg {op. cit., p. 259), but seven or eight seems 

 to be the usual number. 



