LYCODIN^E. 



47 



The dorsal fin begins about the same place as in typical specimens, namely at a distance 

 from the snout which is 29 — 32,2% of the total length; it has ca. 94—96 rays, the anal fin ca. 81—82 

 rays; as usual, half the tail fin is reckoned in both. The pectoral contains 19—20, seldom 21 rays. 



The ventral fins are just as small as in typical L. pal/idns. 



Scales. The smallest specimen (49 mm.) is naked (Tab. VI, fig. 3 a). In the 73 74 mm. long 

 specimens the scaly covering extends from the beginning of the dorsal fin some distance on to the 

 tail, but the anterior part of the back and the belly are naked (Tab. V, fig. 2 a). In the 106 and 109 mm. 

 long specimens the end of the tail is further naked (Tab. V, fig. 2 b). It is only late that this portion 

 begins to be covered with scales, viz. at a total length of 11S — 130 mm. In the larger specimens the 

 scales extend from the tip of the tail forward to a line from the anterior end of the dorsal lin. yet 

 the anterior part of the back and a strip just forward under the base of the dorsal fin as well as the 

 greatest part of the trunk under the branch of the lateral line descending towards the anus, are free 

 from scales (some specimens may have 2 — 3 rows of scales at the most, on the belly under the lateral line'; 

 scales on the unpaired fins cannot be discovered. The scales are relatively large as in the typical 

 form and are fairly close together. 



The lateral line is double. The ventral branch is distinct on the stretch from the edge of 

 the gill-covers down to the anus, also for a shorter or longer distance along the underside of the tail; 

 the mediolateral line is more or less apparent, sometimes specially distinct with a considerable number 

 of pores and short lines. Some pores are sometimes seen forward under the dorsal fin. 



Colour. The variety similis occurs in two different colour-forms, namely in one with indistinct 

 cross-bands (Tab. V, fig. 2 a, b, c, d), another with these distinct (Tab. VI, fig. 3 a, b, c, d). Under the first 

 come 10 specimens. The two young specimens of 73—74111111. (Tab. V, fig. 2 a| have 4 dark bands 

 over the first two-thirds of the dorsal fins, almost black and most distinct towards the edge of the 

 fin; under each of these patches there is a more or less distinct, brownish cross-band on the body. 

 The anal fin is black posteriorly, to a more or less extent, on the margin or even to the base. The 

 peritoneum shines through giving the belly a blue-black appearance, and the posterior margin of 

 the gill-cover as well as the skin over the brauchiostegal rays is dark. Otherwise the ground-colour is 

 yellowish brown. Two specimens which follow these in size and measure 106 — 109 mm., are similarly 

 coloured; the dark markings of the fins appear mainly, however, as stripes on the margins, and the anal 

 fin is not very dark posteriorly (Tab. V, fig. 2 b). Six other specimens at 125 (Tab. Y, fig. 2 c), 130, 132, 

 134, 143 and 175 mm. (Tab. V, fig. 2 d), display similar colouration or have the dark markings almost 

 entirely obliterated, so that the body seems almost uniformly brownish, with light scale-points and 

 dark belly and gill-cover. The other colour variety is shown by 5 specimens. The first is the |o mm. 

 long young specimen (Tab. VI, fig. 3 a): it has a very broad cross-baud 011 the trunk and | over the 

 tail, decreasing in size posteriorly; the bands are brown, but there is a lighter part in the centre of 

 those in front; a light band extends across the neck from gill-cover to gill-cover; the anal tin is 

 shaded with black posteriorly. 4 specimens of 118, 125, 145 and 1711111111. have preserved this colouration 

 in the main (Tab. VI, fig. 3 b, c, d): all show a light band across the neck as well as the dark brown 

 cross-bands on the trunk and tail, all, or in every case the most anterior of them, with a light 



