198 MESSES. E. W. L. HOLT AND L. W. BTENE — BISCAYAN PLANKTON: 



surface. The American and Irish material, taken in open nets, afford no certain 

 indication of vertical position of capture, and may have been taken in either warm or 

 cold water. Attention may be drawn to the fact that all the specimens except that in 

 haul 29 a, between 500 and 250 fathoms, were taken by night, and our remarks on the 

 possible vertical oscillation of Stomias boa apply, though in less degree, to this species. 



The following larval forms seem undoubtedly referable to this family and to the 

 genus Scopelus. 



1. ScoPELiD Larva " El." 



A larva closely resembling that of S. glacialis (see Holt, P. Z. S. 1898, p. 550), with 

 which it is not improbably identical, although it seems to be rather smaller at 

 corresponding stages of development. It was taken in the following haul : — 



Z2 g. One of 6 mm. 



Our material does not permit of a detailed description of any practical utility being 

 given. 



2. ScoPELiD Lakva " R 2." (Eig. 4.) 



JFig. 4. 



Scopelid larva " K 2 " 8 mm. long. Diagrammatic camera lucida sketch, x 9 ca. 



These larvae were of somewhat frequent occurrence, and were recognized in more or 

 less damaged condition in the following hauls : — 



30/. Four, 6-5-8 mm. 



30 l. Five, 6- 5-8-5 mm. 



31 b. Four, 4.-5-8-5 mm. 



32 0. Five, 4-8 mm. 

 33/. One, 6-5 mm. 

 36 6*. One, remains ca. 10 mm. 



They closely resemble the larvse of S. glacialis, but are smaller and deeper in the 

 body, with a longer and more conical snout. Our diagram, taken from a specimen 8 mm. 

 long, may be compared with the larva of S. glacialis figured by Holt (P. Z. S. 1898, 

 p. 550) at the same length, and should suffice to show these differences. 



3. Scopelid Larva " H 3." 



A larva which is larger than that of S. glacialis at corresponding stages, and has a 

 more elevated head and more abrupt profile, occurred in more or less damaged condition 

 in hauls : 



30^. One, with a head 2-25 mm. long. | 32 n. One, 9 mm. long. 



• There seems some doubt as to this record, as the label reads 36 6(?). 



