1 899- No. 6. LYCODES GRACILIS. 



latter, the length of the head is contained 4.42 and 4.43 times in the 

 total length. These proportions I have but exceptionally met with 

 in a few males of L. gracilis, whilst the head in most of the males of 

 this species is contained about 4.6 to 4.7 times in the total length (the 

 females, as above mentioned, 5 times or more). 



A colouration, exactly similar to that of the two type specimens 

 of L. pallidus, I have not found in some 60 specimens of L. gracilis 

 from Scandinavia, Iceland and Greenland, which I have hitherto examined. 

 The intensely dark spots which deck the hinder portions of the dorsal 

 fin, (especially, the younger specimens of the first mentioned species), 

 have not appeared in L. gracilis, even if there may be indications of 

 such (see Fig. 5). 



Finally, it appears, that all specimens of L. gracilis are covered 

 with scales over the entire belly, and along the base of the dorsal and 

 anal, extending occasionally, almost quite out to the edges of these 

 fins. The fins of the two type specimens of L. pallidus were scaleless, 

 and the middle of the belly was also naked. 



As above stated, I have therefore considered that, for the present, 

 L. pallidus (together with its probable infantile form, L. rossi) ought to be 

 regarded as a separate species, until more certain connecting links 

 between the two species can be discovered. 



It is stated that L. pallidus was refound by the Danish Dijmphna- 

 Expedition i88l — 82, in the Kara Sea. These specimens were described 

 and drawn by Liitken in the account of the Expedition. 



In these specimens, too, the length of the head, throughout, is 

 relatively greater than in L. gracilis (according to Liitken 4.0—4.5 times 

 in the total length). 



Besides, most of the young individuals were far more deeply 

 coloured than L. gracilis, the transverse bands on the dorsal being 

 more sharply defined, and, in some, the bands of the body too (remains 

 of the infantile dress). 



Other individuals were, on the other hand, of a more uniform 

 colour, and, in colouration, did not appear to differ greatly from some 

 specimens of L. gracilis from the Christiania Fjord. 



One of these specimens was presented by Dr. Liitken to the 

 Christiania Museum. It was a female (with half developed roe). Its 

 total length was 140 mm.; length of head 34 mm. The length of the 

 head was thus contained 4.1 times in the total length. So great a 

 length of head I have not ever met with in any specimen of L. gracilis 

 from more southern waters. 



