l8 R. COLLETT. M.-N. Kl. 



The Number of Rays. 



The number of Rays in the dorsal and anal are, as a rule, of little 

 significance in distinguishing the species in this genus. In one specimen 

 in which I endeavoured to count the rays, the dorsal appeared to contain 

 about 1 20. 



There are 17 to 18 rays in the pectorals, more rarely 19. (The 

 number is here also somewhat arbitrary, on account of the fineness of 

 the innermost rays). 



The Scale Covering. 



The scales of L. gracilis begin to appear when the individuals are 

 between 50 and 60 mm. in length. The type specimen, a very young 

 individual of a total length of 43 mm., was naked. A somewhat larger 

 specimen, 47 mm. in length, was also naked. 



The scales on a young specimen, of a total length of 60 mm., were 

 just out. The greater part of its body was covered with scales, but 

 portions of the tail were still naked. 



A large young specimen, whose total length was 86 mm. had not 

 yet completed its scale covering, but the scales were still in the process 

 of developement on portions of the tail. 



In a young individual, of a total length of 97 mm., all the scales 

 had appeared. 



In adults, the scale covering clothes the entire body to the neck 

 and ventrals, the belly, and the bases of the dorsal and anal. 



The lateral line is infero-lateral (ventral). In most specimens it 

 is but distinct at the beginning of its course, where it proceeds from a 

 little arch above the upper flap of the gill covering, running thence in 

 in a slanting direction down towards the anus, and may occasionally be 

 discerned a little way along the tail somewhat above the anal. 



Depth. 



The depth at which L. gracilis has been taken is, in the Christiania 

 Fjord, as a rule, about 30 fathoms, occasionally 60 fathoms. It has not 

 been met with in shallower water. 



In the Skagcrak, Dr. Petersen has obtained specimens at depths of 

 80 to 106 fathoms. It is probable that it occurs at even greater depths. 



