274 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 



[115.] 2. Ophidium Parrii. (Ross.) Parry s Ophidium. 



Ophidium Parrii. Ross (Captain J. C.),Jpp. Parry's Third Foy., p. 109, and 

 Polar Foy., p. 199. Idem, App. Ross's Second foy., p. xlvii. 



This species, discovered and described by Captain James C. Ross, has not come 

 under the notice of any other naturalist. It was first seen on Sir Edward Parry's 

 third voyage in Baffin's Bay and Prince Regent's Inlet, swimming among ice, in 

 the cavities of which it finds refuge from the sea- fowl, who, from its keeping near 

 the surface, would find it an easy prey if deprived of such retreats : a glaucous gull, 

 shot near Felix Harbour, on Sir John Ross's recent voyage, ejected one, measuring 

 four inches in length, from its stomach. Captain J.C. Ross informs us that this ophi- 

 dium belongs to Cuvier's sub-genus Fierasfers, and in its general appearance 

 approaches nearly to the Ophidium viride of Fabricius (p. 271), but has very much 

 larger pectoral fins, the number of their rays being between three and four times 

 greater than in Fabricius's fish. His description of it is as follows : — 



" Head very obtuse, being of equal ler.gtb, depth, and transverse diameter, broader than 

 the body, flattened and grooved between the eyes, which are lateral and rather large ; irides 

 pearl-white. Mouth rather large, placed at the extremity of the head, and armed with numer- 

 ous minute teeth on the palate and either jaw : lower jaw rather longer and without cirrhi. 

 Body three times the length of the head, ensiform, much compressed, and gradually tapering 

 towards the tail, which is pointed. Neck much arched, giving a greater depth to the body 

 than to any other part. Back of a dark greenish-brown colour, which is lighter on the sides ; 

 belly before the vent white ; vent nearer the head ; fins partake of the colour of that part of the 

 body on which they are inserted. Fins. — The dorsal, which rises just behind the head, and 

 anal, which commences close to the vent, unite with the caudal, and together consist of ninety- 

 five rays, of which there are fifty in the dorsal and superior half of the caudal, and forty-five 

 in the inferior half of this fin and the anal. The pectoral fins, which are very large, contain 

 thirty-seven rays, and when stretched backwards along the body, extend rather beyond the 

 vent, completely covering the whole of the belly and throat. The individuals varied from 

 four to eight inches in length. The following measurements are of an ordinary-sized fish: — 





Inches. 



Lines. 





Indies. Lines. 



Length to the caudal fin 

 „ of the caudal 

 „ head 

 „ body . 



. 4 

 



. 1 



3 



6 



7 



Length to the vent . 

 Height of dorsal or anal 

 Total length offish 

 Greatest depth of body 



• • 1 8J 



9i 

 . 5 6 



1 5-' 

 Ross, /. e. 



On Sir Edward Parry's Polar expedition a putrid ophidium was found among 



