60 THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 



Family C o t t i d ^. 

 Cottunculus, CoUett. 



The first species discovered of this genus, viz., Cottunculus microps, seemed to differ 

 so much from Cottus, especially by its enormously developed head, that a generic 

 separation appeared to be well justified. To the very aberrant shape of the head there 

 were added some other distinctive characters, viz., the connection of the two dorsal fins 

 by a broad membrane, and the slight development of the spines of the gill-covers, which 

 do not penetrate the thick skin. 



The combination of these characters is not maintained in the second species, Cottus 

 thomsonii, which has united dorsals and small spines, but the typical Cottoid shape of 

 the head and body. In fact it connects Cottunculus with Cottus, so that the former can 

 only be retained as a group of the latter genus, characterised by the union of the dorsal 

 fins and division of the vomerine teeth into two groups. 



Cottunculus microps (PL IX. fig. A). 



Oottuneulus microps, CoY^eit, Norges Fisk., p. 20; Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christian., 1880, p. 11; 

 Norsk. Nordh. Exped. Fisk., p. 18, pi. i. figs. 5-6; NytMag. f. Naturvid., 

 vol. xviii., 1884, p. 53. 

 Strom, Norsk. Vid. Selsk. Skrift., 1880, p. 75. 

 „ „ Goode, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. iii., 1881, p. 479; BuU. Mus. Comp. 



Zobl., vol. X., 1883, p. 212. 

 „ „ Lilljeb., Sverig. och Norg. Fisk., p. 113. 



This fish has been fully described by CoUett, who examined specimens from the 

 open sea, south and west of Spitzbergen, dredged at depths varying between 200 and 

 460 fathoms. The species occurs also on the coast of Norway at depths of from 80 to 200 

 fathoms. Specimens of various ages, the largest 9-| inches long, were obtained during the 

 exploration of the Faroe Channel by the " Knight Errant," at Stations 4, 8 and 9, at 

 depths varying between 307 and 608 fathoms. The species seems to be also common in 

 the western parts of the North Atlantic, off the coast of New England, where it was 

 found in depths of from 238 to 372 fathoms. Our specimens show very little variation 

 among themselves. The two occipital prominences are sometimes compressed and 

 truncated, in other specimens more or less distinctly bicuspid. In an adult male the 

 black bands are more clearly defined, and of a deeper colour, than in the female figured, 

 or in the j'oung. Also the caudal, anal and pectoral fins are black, ^\ith white 

 margins. 



