Scales of the Brotulid Fishes. 319 
of Gadide. Scales of Lepophidium microlepis are constructed 
quite in the same manner as those of Microgadus tomcod. 
Gadus esmarkit (Norway ; Collett, U.S.N.M.) differs by the 
shorter elemeuts or denser circuli. Other Gadids are entirely 
different ; thus Physiculus (japonicus and nigrescens) has the 
basal circuli all longitudinal, in the manner of Bregmaceros, 
though the scales are otherwise very different from that 
genus, having the apical circuli wrinkled or labyrinthiform, 
and no radial ribs between the circuli, or radii of any sort. 
Thus, with scales alone, we should commit the error of asso- 
ciating Microgadus and its allies with the Ophidiids and 
Brotulids, much more closely than with such Gadids as 
Physiculus. 
Brotulidez. 
Scales circular or nearly, with radii all around, but 
these irregular and largely broken .......... 1. 
Scales elongate, or, if almost circular (G/ypto- 
phidium), the lateral radii curved, so that their 
apical parts are at right angles to the latero- 
basal radii, which is not true of the genera 
under the opposite alternative .............. 2. 
1. Scales very small, less than 1 mm. broad ........ Lucifugine. 
Scales larger, over 2 mm. broad ...............- Hephthocarine. 
2. Seales very elongate; the extremely numerous 
radii forming with the circuli a network the 
meshes of which, except toward the periphery, 
are quadrate or diamond-shaped, and are not 
broken up by fine lines forming a secondary, 
PAOLO MMe HOEW OPEC «72 <6 fs 0 ile ane cle ale G0 ole Brotuline. 
Scales elongate or broad-oval ; when the radii and 
circuli form a network, the meshes are short 
and transverse, or, if subquadrate (Bassogigas 
and Neobythites), are broken up by fine lines 
auto), Secondary NOtWOPK ..cw ces ween ew bes 3. 
3. Seales broad-oval or oblong, with radii all around, 
Pep ateralvGues CULVER 3. ss. wes cea as sy oleieel = Bythitine. 
Seales broad-oval, or oblong, or elongate; radii 
well developed, or nearly or quite absent .... Neobythitine. 
Luctrueinz. 
Stygicola dentata (Poey). Cuba (U.S.N.M.). 
The minute circular scales have the nucleus practically 
central, and the coarse circuli broken into segments by the 
irregular radii. Some of the smaller scales are oval. 
Except for the radii, there is a general resemblance to the 
scales of Lota. 
22* 
