= 
315 Mr. T. D. A. Cockerell on the 
or system of lines between the circuli in the apical field, 
even in latinucleate scales. The following synopsis separates — 
the Ophidian types studied :— 
Scales small (much less than 2 mm. long), 
elongate or long-oval, with rounded 
ends; nucleus central or nearly so; radii 
sttongly zigzag. 
Scales larger and broader ...........+4. Rissolamarginata (New 
York; U.S.N.M.). 
Seales smaller, with flatter sides........ Ophidion vassali (Mes- 
sina; U.S.N.M.). 
Scales variously shaped; nucleus basad of 
middle ; radii not, or not strongly, zigzag. 1. 
1. Seales variable in form, but usually dis- 
tinctly triangular; nucleus subbasal.... Genypterus blacodes 
(Tasmania; Brit. Mus.). 
Scales not at all triangular or pyriform.... 2. 
2. Scales very small; very broad-oval, not very 
far from circular; nucleus basad of 
middle, but not very near base; radil 
comparatively few, undulate.......... Lepophidium emmelas 
(Pacific Ocean; U.S.N.M.). 
Scales larger; oblong or long-oval; nucleus 
subbacal: 'y.2c;.. 2e Boh piel tee ee 
3. Scales small, about 1°50 to 1:75 mm. long; 
apical radii undulate ................ Lepophidium cervinum 
(Albatross Sta. 2591; U.S.N.M.). 
Scales larger, over 2mm. long, some 2°50; 
apex much broader and more obtuse .. Lepophidium microlepis 
(Albatross ; U.S.N.M.). 
The stem form here would seem to be Lepophidium, the 
scales of which are constructed as in Brotula, except that 
the sculpture is relatively much less dense, and the separate 
elements are rather differently shaped. The elements are, 
however, essentially alike in character; quadrate, with a 
median transverse ridge. It seems impossible to find any 
salient general characters to separate Ophidiid from Brotulid 
scales. The scales suggest that perhaps L. emmelas should 
be generically separated from the other species. It may be, 
however, that my material is immature. 
Zoarces viviparus (Baltic; U.S.N.M.) has small broad- 
oval scales, with ceutral nucleus, coarse circuli, and radii all 
around. There is here a general resemblance to Ophidion or 
Rissola, but the scales are less elongate and the radii are not 
zigzag. The almost straight, continuous, rather widely 
spaced radii at once distinguish Zoarces from Stygicola and 
Hephthocara. 
I have previously called attention to the great resemblance 
between the scales of Brotulide and those of certain genera 
