248 FISHES. 



vomerine teeth are apparent, and the number of branch- 

 iostegals appears to be but five. The vent is normal in 

 its position. Vertebrae 28. Pharyngeals as in Aphodo- 

 derus, separate, with sharp teeth. 



Its nearest relationships appear to be with the Aphodo- 

 deridce. Two fossil genera, lately described by Prof. 

 Cope, Erismatopterus and Amphiplaga, are perhaps 

 allied to Elassoma. 



* Mouth small, oblique, the lower jaw the longer; jaws apparently 

 with but one row of stout conical teeth ; dorsal spines five ; 

 anal spines three; branchiostegal membranes broadly con- 

 nected across the chest; body elongate, compressed; caudal 

 fin rounded; cheeks and opercles scaly; bones of head entire. 



ELASSOMA, 1. 



/. ELASSOMA, Jordan. ELASSOMES. 

 1. . zonata, Jordan. Head 3 in length; depth 3; 

 olive green, finely punctate, sides with eleven dark verti- 

 cal bands; a distinct round black spot behind the shoulder, 

 D. IV, 10; A. HI, 6; length of specimens known, one inch. 

 Lower Mississippi region and S. W.; specimens seen 

 from Arkansas and Texas. 



FAMILY XCIII.-APHODODERIDJ3. 



(The Pirate Perches.) 



Vent anterior, usually in front of the ventral fins; dor- 

 sal fin single, high, with but three or four spines; ventrals 

 thoracic, without spines and with seven soft rays; pre- 

 orbital, preopercle and other bones of head strongly 

 serrated; teeth on jaws and palate; scales ctenoid; 

 branchiostegals six; coecal appendages about twelve; 

 air bladder simple. 



