276 Mr. C. T. Regan on ike 



wliich Lycodes frigidas differs chiefly in tlie greater leiigtii 

 of the narrow orbital portion of the frontals. The jaws, 

 suspensorium, and opercles (fig. 2, C) are much as in the 

 Stichaiidas, as is the pectoral arch except for the separation 

 of the coracoids by cartilage (tig. 3, 8). The vertebrae are 

 numerous, 112 (24 + 88) in Zoarces and 102 (22 + 80) in 

 Lycodes ; strong transverse processes are present on the 

 praecaudals from the first to the last ) the ribs are slender. 



A variety of forms, chiefly from Arctic and northern seas, 

 but with Antarctic representatives olso. 



The principal genera are : Zoarces, Lycodes, Embryx, Lyco- 

 dopsis, Aprodon, Lycenchelys, Lycodonus, Lyconema, Melano- 

 stigma, Gymnelis, Bothrocara, Lycodapus, PhucocceteSj lluo- 

 cetes, Platea, Afaynea. 



Lycodapus, Gilbert, includes small deep-sea fishes of tlie 

 North Pacific, and has been made the type of a distinct 

 family and placed near the Fierasferidse. But the head and 

 mouth recall those of Lycodopsis or Jiothrocara, the gill- 

 membianes join the isthmus between the rami of the lower 

 jaw (at least in L . Jierasfer) , and the dorsal and anal rays 

 correspond in number to the myotomes. 



Two other aberrant genera, Scytalina and Rhodichthys, are 

 closely related to the Zoarcidte, but may for the present be 

 regarded as the types of separate families. 



Family 10. Scytalinidae. 



Scytalina cerdale is a small eel-like fish known only from 

 specimens obtained on the shores of Waadda Island, in the 

 ►Straits of Juan de Fuca, where it lives in the wet shingle. 

 The very small eyes placed far forward and the tumid cheeks 

 give it a physiognomy unlike that of the Zoarciilse ; the gill- 

 membranes are united, but not joined to theistiimus; tlie 

 pectoral fins are small and the p.dvics absent. Tiie skull 

 is much more depressed than that of Zoarces or Lycodes, tlie 

 frontals gradually increase in breadth backwards, and the 

 union of the parasphenoid and frontals is very elongate, 

 almost as in the Symbianchidse. The parietals, occipital and 

 otic bones are much as in Zoarces ; the suspensorium, opercles, 

 and pectoral arch are also as in Zoarces, except tliat the very 

 small coracoids are in contact ; the vertebras number 69 

 (22 + 47); strong transverse processes are present on the 

 preecaudals from the third to the last. 



