NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 115 



eye, and a smaller mouth ; the dorsal fin is also placed more anteriorly. The 

 system of coloration being exactly the same in either species. 



XL1V. The species which we have called Limia paciloides is but very imper- 

 fectly characterised in the " Ichthyology of the U. S. and Mex. Boundary. '" 

 Moreover, figs. 12 14, of plate xxxviii, do not belong to the same species. 

 Hence the male sex only is so far known ; it is represented on the plate just 

 alluded to, fijs. 811. 



Now then, if we recapitulate the characters to be assigned to this species, we 

 shall have the following diagnosis : The back is arched and the abdomen 

 qui'e convex; the greatest depth taken in advance of the anterior edge of the 

 dorsal fin enters somewhat less than four times in the total length. The head 

 is contained four times and a half in the total length ; external series of teeth 

 very slender and exiguous. Diameter of eye entering three times and a half in 

 the length of the fide of the head. Dorsal fin neatly as long as deep, superiorly 

 convex, its anterior margin being nearer the apex of the snout than the inser- 

 tion of the caudal. The caudal itself is posteriorly rounded oft* or convex. The 

 anal fin is inserted opposite the middle portion of the base of the dorsal. Ven- 

 trals small and slender, inserted immediately in advance of the anterior edge of 

 the dorsal ; their posterior extremity stretching beyond the anterior edge of 

 the anal fin and overlap, consequently, the vent. The pectorals being rather 

 short and broad, subelliptical in their outline. The rays are : D 13 ; A 6 ; C 2. 

 1, 7, 7, 1, 2 ; V 6 ; P 13. The ground color is reddish-brown, with transverse 

 narrow bands of a darker tint and a small blackish spot at the base of each 

 scale, constituting about seven longitudinal serit s on eitbtr eide of the body. 

 The caudal fin is likewise transversely spotted, whilst the other fins are uni- 

 color. 



Specimens of this species were collected at Indianola, Texas, by John H. 

 Clark, under Col. J. D. Graham. 



XLV. A very pretty little species of Limia, which we call L. formosa, was 

 likewise caught by John H. Clark, under Major Emory, in a lagoon at Paolo 

 Alto. Of this, we have a specimen of either sex, the female differing widely 

 from the male. We will proceed describing them, one after the other. 



The male resembles somewhat the same sex in L. poeciloicfes, from which it 

 may, however, be distinguished at first glance, by a greater depth at the pe- 

 duncle of the tail. The back is likewise less arched, and the abdomen less con- 

 vex; the greatest depth of the body, at the origin of the dorsal, entering some- 

 what over four times in the total length. The head constitutes about the fourth 

 of the total length ; the eye, which is large and circular, enters three times in 

 the length of the side of the head by its diameter. The snout is rather abbre- 

 viated. The dorsal fin is longer than high, and convex or subconvex upon its 

 upper margin. The caudal is rounded off posteriorly. The anal fin is inserted 

 nearly opposite the anterior margin of the dorsal ; it is slender and deep, but 

 far from extending as far back as the posterior rays of the dorsal. The ventrals. 

 which are slender, are inserted in advance of the anterior margin of the dorsal, 

 at a short distance from the anal, between which there is just space enough for 

 the anal aperture. Their extremities project beyond the base of the anal fin, 

 particularly the second ray, which is longer than the rest. As to the pectorals, 

 they are rather broad and proportionally well developed. 



The female specimen, which measures one inch and a half, is more slender 

 than the male. We take it, however, that when adult and full of roe, the pro- 

 portions of the body may assume a different aspect. The greatest depth is 

 equal to the length of the head, which constitutes the fourth of the total length. 

 We notice the same abbreviated snout and large eyes, as in the male sex. The 

 dorsal fin is nearly as high as long, and almost of equal depth throughout, its 

 upper margin being straight or subconvex ; the anterior margin of that fin is 

 somewhat nearer the insertion of the caudal than the apex of the snout. The 



1859.] 



