KTJNGL. SV. VET. AKADEMIENS HANDLINGAR BAND 40. N:0 5. 99 



In this connection I wish to make a correction and an addition to my paper 

 (10) on the fishes of the Swedish Antarctic Expedition 1901 — 1903. On page 47 of 

 the quoted paper (10) I have described a fish caught at Snow-Hill in a depth of 

 125 m. as a new subspecies of Chceniclithys rhinoceratus Richardson and called it 

 hamatus. I was compelled to do so by the great resemblance between Richabdson's 

 description and figure of Chcenichthys rhinoceratus on one side and the fish from Snow 

 Hill on the other. When I now have subjected the latter to a renewed examination 

 and had for comparison a true Chcenichthys (the one described above from South Ge- 

 orgia as Ch. aceratus), I have found that the discrepancies are greater than I thought 

 at first. The relationship between the two is certainly very close. There is, how- 

 ever, a characteristic which I unfortunately overlooked when describing the fish from 

 Snow-Hill which separates it so much from the typical Chcenichthys that, according 

 to the definition of the genera of this family in common practice it seems necessary 

 to create a new genus. This characteristic is the presence of a third lateral (ventral) 

 line. The reason why this was not observed at the first examination lies in that 

 it could not be so easily seen as the dorsal lateral line in consequence of the wrinkles 

 of the thick skin of the preserved fish, and in addition to this, it was covered by 

 coagulated mucus. When this latter had been removed it is, however, conspicuous 

 enough. I propose to call this new genus with allusion to the locality where it was 

 first found: 



Chionodraco n. g. 



And it may be described as nearly related and similar to Chcenichthys, thus 

 head and body naked but the latter provided with a third ventral lateral line whicli 

 extends from above the anus to a little beyond the posterior end of the anal fin 

 but not to the base of the caudal fin. From Cryodraco' Dollo 1900 which also has 

 three lateral lines it is easily and completely distinct in not having the ventral fins 

 prolonged nor the pectorals pointed, nor the first dorsal reduced, nor showing any 

 other adaptions to a benthopelagic life. Chionodraco is evidently like Chcenichthys 

 a bottom fish of the litoral region, although it, in consequence of its antarctic habitat, 

 may live in a somewhat greater depth than the latter. 



Gillopenings wide, gillmembrane in the middle attached to the isthmus. Bran- 

 chiostegals 6. No enlarged teeth, on the jaws, no vomerihe or palatine teeth. Only 

 a very few rudimentary gillrakers near the bend of the arches. Opercle armed. A 

 single tubular nostril in front of the eye. 



The only hitherto known species is 



Chionodraco hamatus (Lönnberg) 1905. 

 Dorsal VII; 37. Anal 33. Pectoral 23. Snout produced, spatulate. Head 

 large contained about three times in total length with caudal included. Crown of 

 head flat, interorbital region concave. Two ridges extend from there forward, bor- 



i Cryodraco may be a specialisation to a benthopelagic life of a fish similar to Chionodraco. 



