322 
SCANDINAVIAN FISHES. 
THE KING OF THE HERRINGS (sw. sillkungen). 
REGALECUS GLESNE. 
Fig. 87. 
Length of the head less than the greatest depth of the hodg a . Tail probably elongated to a fine point with the dorsal 
fin gradually disappearing posteriorly , but in all recorded specimens f rom the Atlantic broken off short , with the point 
stripped both of the dorsal fin and the caudal and ending in a naked vertebra , while the dorsal edge slopes down- 
ward, generally in an oblique 8-curve, behind the last ray of the dorsal fin. The first (10 — 15 or 17?) rays in 
the dorsal fin are elongated and erected into a (continuous (?) or) bifid, cristate, occipital fin: the 2nd, 3rd, 4th 
and 5th of these rays are the slenderest, and the 1st the thickest and, together with the 6th, probably the longest; 
most, if not all , of these rays with a foliate extension of the membrane at the tip. The rest of the dorsal fin 
lower, its greatest height coinciding with the greatest depth of the body and, measuring from 1 / 3 to V 4 of the latter. 
Base of the pectoral fin horizontal and about equal b in length to the fin itself or at least half thereof. Only the 
first, ray of the centred fins persistent, being thick and long, with a foliate extension of the membrane at the tip 
(and (?) a triangular extension thereof at the second third of the length of the ray, on the inner margin). Longi- 
tudinal diameter of the eye (in specimens 3 metres or more in length) about equal to the thickness of the head 
or from 1 / 5 to 1 / 6 of the length of the latter; and the eyes set in the upper anterior half of the head. Maxillary 
bones, supraorbital part, (of the frontal bones) and opercular bones irregularly cavernous and striated with radiating 
grooves and ridges. Frontal profile concave in its slope from the occiput. Lateral line forming a chain of oblong 
scales, each, pierced with a tube, 11 which are quite thin and set loosely in the skin.” On each side of the body, 
which, is of a silvery lustre, 4 — 6 longitudinal, dark brown ridges, granulated with rough tubercles and separated, 
by shallow grooves with smoother skin. These ridges are obliquely traversed in front by the lateral line, which 
just in front of the vent takes its place at the lowest fourth (further back at the lowest fifth and finally at the 
lowest seventh) of the depth of the body c . Body transversely marked with oblique, black bands or rows of spots, 
which are usually interrupted at the lateral line 11 . Dorsal fin and the ventral ray red e . Forehead and the inside 
of the mouth black. Number of gill-rakers on the first branchial arch 42 or 43. 
Pi- hr. 6; D. ; P. 11 — 13; V. 1; Vert. circ. 110. 
zUO — 4U0 
Syn. Ophidium glesne, Ascan., D. Vid. Selsk. Skr., N. Sam]., Deel 
III, p. 421; Id. ( Regalecus ), Icon. Per. Nat., cab. II, p. 5, 
tab. XI; Nilss., Prodr. Ichth. Scand., p. 105; Cuv., Val. 
( Gymnetrus ), Hist. Nat. Poiss., torn. X, p. 366; Gthr ( Re- 
galecus), Cat. Brit. Mus., Fish., vol. Ill, p. 310; Coll., 
Forh. Vid. Selsk. Christ. 1874, Tillsegsh., p. 84; ibid. 1883, 
No. 16, p. 7; N. Mag. Naturv., Bd. 29 (1884), p. 71; 
Lillj., Sv., Norg. Fislc., vol. I, p. 475. 
Regalecus remipes, Brijnn, D. Vid. Selsk. Skr., N. Sand., 
Deel. Ill, p. 414, tab. B, figg. 4 et 5 ; Walb., Art. Gen. 
Pise., App., p. 696, tab. 3, fig. 4; Bl., Schn. ( Gymnetrus ), 
Syst. Ichth., p. 482, tab. 88. 
Gymnetrus Ascanii, Lindr., Vet.-Akad. Handl. 1798, p. 290. 
Gymnetrus Hawkenii, Bl., Ausl. Fish., part. IX, p. 95, tab. 
423; Bl., Schn. (G. Haivkinsii), 1. c., p. 481; Cuv., Val., 
1. c., p. 372; Yarr., Brit. Fish., ed. II, vol. I, p. 221. 
Gymnetrus Grillii, Lindr., 1. c., p. 288, tab. VIII; Cuv., Val., 
1. c., p. 370; Nilss., Skand. Fn., Fisk., p. 169; Gthr, 
1. c., p. 311. 
“ The average length of the head is about 14 % (13 — 15 %) of the distance between the vent and the tip of the snout or about 70 
/ (67 — 73 %) of the greatest depth of the body, which in its turn measures on an average about 25 % (22 — 26 %) of the distance between 
the vent and the gill-opening or about 20 % (18 — 22 %) of the distance between the vent and the tip of the snout, which latter distance, 
in specimens not more than 45 dm. in length, is about 40 % of the length of the body. 
6 According to Lindroth and Wright, as well as McCoy. 
c Before it ends at a distance from the tip of the tail which measures at least about x / 18 of the length of the body according to 
McCoy. 
d On the hind part of the body, though not on the hindmost part of the tail, there also appear, according to McCoy, round black 
spots, arranged in fairly regular, longitudinal rows. 
e Pectoral fins white, according to McCoy. 
