470 tSurvcij of Fishing-Grounds, West Coast of Ireland, 1890-1891. 



of the jjel vie rays, viz. eight in the Irish examples, and nine in the type. However, 

 the specimens which Vaillant has referred to in this species are also stated to 

 possess eight rays, at least that is the numl)er given in the diagnosis of his species, 

 M. smiliopJiorus,* acknowledged in the index to be synonymous with M. cequalis 

 (Giinthur) ; and. Dr. Giinthur, who has been kind enough to examine our Survey 

 specimens, considers our identification correct. A parallel is found in some other 

 species of Macrurus, though the number of the pelvic rays is usually constant in 

 Gadoids ; and it is rather remarkable that the type specimens should exhibit that 

 condition which appears to be the least common in the species. 



Scales. — The type specimens, eight and nine inches long, are described as having 

 scales " equally rough over the whole of their surface, the spinelets being subequal 

 in size, densely packed, but arranged in from eight to twelve series, the middle 

 series being not more prominent than the others (as in the case in Macrurus 

 sclerorhijnchus). The entire margin of the scale is spinous." The figure below 

 represents the spinelets as comparatively short and rather stout, but not entirely 

 covering the exposed surface of the scale. 



In our series we find a gradual transition in the character of the spinelets. In 

 the smallest example, D, the condition differs widely from that of the types. 

 Tliere are three rows of relatively very large spinelets, of 

 which the central row is usually slightly the strongest. 

 Two rows of much smaller spinelets occur between the 

 larger ones, and single spinelets at the dorsal and ventral 

 extremities of the exposed part of the margin represent 

 the formation of the other two rows, bringing the total 

 number up to seven. The interval between each row is 

 considerable, and thus a great part of the exposed surface and its margin is left 

 destitute of spinelets, though the last of every row projects beyond the margin. 

 In the next example, C, there are, unfortunately, very few scales left on the body; 

 the usual number of rows appears to be about eight, of which only three are 

 regular. As in D, the central row is the stronger ; but all the spinelets of the 

 three principal rows are relatively slightly smaller than in D. But, for the fact 

 that the posterior spinelets of most of the rows project beyond the margin, the 

 condition would be practically identical with that of M. sclerorhyncus^ when half 

 as large again as the example now before us ; but it is reasonable to suj)pose that 

 in smaller stages of that species the spinelets of the principal row are relatively 

 larger, and the subsidiary rows fewer than in the adult, or in specimens of 

 M. cequalis which agree with them in size. 



Specimen B, allowing for the deficiency of the caudal region, is considerably 

 larger than C, and we accordingly find a proportionate advance in the spiuulation 



* Vaillant. \ Cf. Giintlier, op. cit., p. 134, pi. xxxii., fig. A. 



