42 LYCODINvE. 



in front, likewise in the 130 mm. long specimen, though here the end of the tail is scaled. In the 

 1 53 nun. long specimen, there are one to two rows of scales under the descending part of the lateral 

 line, and the scales extend a little further forward towards the head; the neck (in front of the dorsal 

 fin) is still however naked. The scales have a similar distribution in the specimens of 135, 140 

 and 158 mm. length, but there are respectively 3 to 4, 2 to 3, and 2 to 3 rows of scales under the 

 branch of the lateral line descending towards the anus; the largest of the specimens (Tab. IV, fig. 1 d) 

 lias still a naked strip under the foremost part of the root of the dorsal fin. Lastly, in the specimen 

 of 1S3 mm. (Tab. IV, fig. 1 e) the scaly covering extends from the tip of the tail to tolerably near the 

 e of the pectorals, and there are ca. 6 rows of scales under the descending portion of the lateral 

 line, but the belly itself is still naked, as also the back in front of the dorsal fin; in one respect this 

 specimen differs from all the foregoing, namely, that the scales extend out on to the base of the 

 dorsal and anal fins. 



The lateral line begins over the upper end of the gill-opening, forms a slight arch over the 

 edge of the gill-cover and bends thereafter down towards the anus; from there it can be followed 

 though often with difficulty and only under the lens — a shorter or longer distance along the tail, 

 in the neighbourhood of the edge of the body. Most often there are also more or less distinct traces 

 of a mediolateral lateral line, especially on the tail. The descending part of the lateral line is developed 

 early and is seen already on the 53 nun. long young. 



Colour. The two smallest (53 — 53,5mm.) show 9 dark cross-bands, which are very sharply 

 marked on the dorsal fin, but lower down on the body become quite feeble; between these darker 

 cross-bands the yellowish ground-colour of the body shows itself as light cross stripes; the anal fin is 

 dark-coloured posteriorly, almost black (Tab. IV, fig. 1 a). During development the dark cross-bands 

 become more and more indistinct; they persist longest on the dorsal fin as dark patches, especially on 

 the hindmost part. There is also some individual variation. In one specimen of 85 mm. (Tab. IV, 

 fig. 1 b) the bands are already tolerably faint on the dorsal fin and hardly to be distinguished on the 

 body; in one 104 mm. long (Tab. IV, fig. 1 c) on the other hand, they are still rather distinct right across. 

 The following remarks on the remaining specimens will be sufficient: total length 115mm.: 10 distinct 

 dark markings on the dorsal fin, faint shadows on the body under them, anal fin dark posteriorly; 

 total length 130mm.: traces of dark markings on the dorsal fin posteriorly, anal fin dark posteriorly; 

 total length 133 mm.: 9 dark markings on the dorsal fin, two such on the posterior part of the anal 

 fin; total length 135mm.: faint traces of dark markings on the dorsal, under them indistinct shadows 

 on the body, anal fin darkened posteriorly; total length 140mm.: two very faint shadings posteriorly 

 on the dorsal fin, anal a little darkened quite at the posterior end; total length 158 mm.: 12 indistinct 

 dark markings on the dorsal fin, here and there traces also of faint shadows under them on 

 the body (Tab. IV, fig. 1 d). Finally, the 183 mm. specimen is uniformly coloured, brown, with the 

 scales showing somewhat lighter than the ground-colour (Tab. IV, fig. 1 e). The belly in consequence 

 of the dark peritoneum, has commonly a more or less darkened appearance; also, the posterior margin 

 of the gill-covers and the skin over the branchiostegal rays, sometimes also the pectoral fins, are 

 darkened. 



