FISHES. 113 



of preservation. As there is little on record concerning the specif, and 

 the example under consideration is much larger than the types, and, 

 while it agrees in all important particulars with Richardson's descrip- 

 tion and figure of L. mmcosus, still shows some differences in the meas- 

 urements, I have drawn up a description and prepared an accompanying 

 table of measurements. It will be observed that in Lieutenant Mintzer's 

 specimen the head is longer and wider and the height and width of 

 body slightly less than in the types, which variations may be accounted 

 for by the difference in size. 



Like all the other described species of Lycodcs, except L. paxillus 

 Goode & Bean, of which I have knowledge, the width of the body at the 

 vent is very much less than just behind the pectorals, and the height 

 of the body at the same point is also considerably less than it is in the 

 anterior part of the body ; in other words, the body tapers decidedly, 

 and the tail is much compressed. 



Description. The length of the example is 430 millimetres (17 English 

 inches). Scales are entirely wanting. 



The greatest height of the body (at the pectorals) is contained 8 times 

 and its greatest width (just behind the pectorals) 9 times in the total 

 length. The width at the vent is contained 8 times in the length of t^e 

 head, and twice in the length of the longest dorsal ray. The height at 

 the ventrals about equals the height of the body at the pectorals. The 

 height of the body at the vent equals half the greatest width of the head, 

 and is contained 11 J times in the total length. 



The head is very large, its length being ^ of the total, and its 

 greatest width contained 5| times in the whole length. The distance from 

 the tip of the snout to the nape is of total length, and f of the length 

 of the mandible. The distance between the eyes is contained 6 times 

 in the length of the head. The length of the snout is J of the length 

 of the head. The nostrils are much farther from the eyes than from each 

 other, their distance from the eyes being contained 4J times in the length 

 of the head. The length of the upper jaw is contained 6J times in the 

 total length ; of the lower-jaw, 6 times ; the upper jaw slightly exceed- 

 ing the mandible in length. The eyes are very small, close together, 

 and high, their long diameter being equal to -^ of the length of the 

 head. 



The distance from the tip of the snout to the beginning of the dorsal 

 fin is contained 3J times in the total length. The first ray of the dorsal 

 is contained 5f times in the length of the head, and the longest, 4 times. 



The distance of the anal from the snout is ^ of the total length and 

 Bull. Nat. Mus. No. 15 8 



