Contributions to the Knowledge of the Genus 

 Lycodes, Reinh. 



II. Lycodes gracilis, M. Sars. 



by 

 R. Collett. 



in 1898, I published some observations made of a hitherto little 

 known species of Arctic Deep Sea Fishes, Lycodes sarsii, originally de- 

 scribed, in 187 1, from a very young specimen (of a total length of 

 44 mm.) which was caught at a depth of 100 fathoms in the Hardanger 

 Fjord (Norway), September 1869. I there endeavoured to explain the 

 changes in colouration and other external characters which this species 

 undergoes from its youth, till it becomes capable of propagation 1. 



The chief materials connected with this species, were gathered during 

 the practical scientific investigations which were undertaken in the Ska- 

 gerak, in 1897 and 1898, under the guidance of Dr. Petersen, and in the 

 Christiania Fjord under that of Dr. Hiorth. 



There is now to hand a series of specimens of a Lycodes, obtained 

 from these combined expeditions, illustrating the more advanced stadia of 

 a species which, under the name Lycodes gracilis, procured in the 

 Christiania Fjord, was described in 1866 by Prof. Sars, sr. The type 

 specimen was a very young individual, caught in Drobak Sound, 1865; 

 it was not subsequently met with in this Fjord, whilst a few young 

 specimens of this species have been obtained in the Trondhjem Fjord. 



The specimens of Lycodes gi-acilis to hand, represent this species 

 from its youth up to the period it is capable of propagation. Although 

 this is on the whole an unbroken series, the dealing with it, nevertheless, 

 presents several difficulties. 



' Vid. Selsk. Skrifter Christiania 1898. Math.-Naturv. Klasse No. i (Christiania 1898). 

 The specimen was found in 1S69, not in 1870, as therein stated. 



Vid.-Selsk. Skrifter. M.-ÎJ.K1. 1899. No. 6. 1* 



