91. SCIJENID.E CYNOSCION. 579 



second anal spine small; pectoral fin short and caudal subtruncate. 

 Head 3 ; depth about 3. D. X-I, 24 ; A. II, 6; Lat. 1. about 62. (Hol- 

 brook.) South Atlantic coast and southward; rare. 

 (Holbrook, Icli. S. C. 1860, 154; Giinther, ii, 269.) 



3O3. ATRACTOSCIO1V Gill. 



(Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1832, 18: type Otolithus cequidens Cuv. & Val.) 



This genus differs from Cynoscion only in the dentition, the bands of 

 teeth being somewhat broader and some of the teeth near the middle of 

 the upper jaw enlarged, but not forming canines. The species are 

 among the largest of the Sciccnidce, and as food-fishes they are among 

 the best. (ar/>xroc, a spindle; azmv, Sciseua.) 



912. A. notoile (Ayres) Gill. White Sea Bass; Sea Trout; Corvina. 



Dull silvery, bluish above; e very where punctulate; young with obscure, 

 dusky cross-bars ; axil and fins dusky. Body elongate-elliptical," not 

 much compressed ; head slender, conical, the snout rather pointed; mouth 

 terminal, oblique, the lower jaw the longer; maxillary reaching to be- 

 yond pupil; prem axillary in front on the level of the orbit; teeth in 

 lower jaw enlarged and in a single row laterally, anteriorly smaller, in 

 a broad patch, the inner series in both jaws reflexed and movable ; upper 

 jaw with about two series on sides forming a broad eardiform patch in 

 front ; a few of the teeth near the middle of the jaw enlarged but not 

 canine-like ; gill-rakers moderate, very strong ; scales very thin, weakly 

 ctenoid ; anal spines 2, weak, the first sometimes obsolete ; fins low, 

 pectoral not reaching half way to vent; caudal lunate, the upper lobe 

 generally longest. Head '3; depth 4. D. X-I, 21; A. II, 9; Lat. 1. 

 88 (tubes); more than 100 series of scales. Pacific coast north to San 

 Francisco; one of the largest and most valuable of our Scia3noid fishes, 

 reaching a weight of 60 to 70 pounds. The flesh is firm and rich. 



(Johnius nobilis Ayres, Proc. Cal. Acacl. Nat. Sci. 1860, 78 ; Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. 

 Pliila. 1862, 18 : Otolithus caUfornensis Stemduclmer, Ichtli. Beitrage, iii, 31, 1875, the 

 young or " Sea Trout.") 



3O4. CYNOSCION Gill. 

 Weak-fislies. 



(Cestreus Gronow; not of C. & V.) 

 (Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1861, 49 : type Jolnrius regalis, Bloch.) 



Body elongate, little compressed ; the back not elevated. Head 

 conical, rather pointed. Mouth larger than in our other Sciaeuoids; the 

 lower jaw projecting. Maxillary very broad. Teeth sharp, not closely 



