1879.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 135 



All the spines are exceedingly slender and fragile; the longest 

 are about equal to one-third the length of the head. 



Interspace between the two dorsals about one-fourth of the 

 length of the base of the first dorsal. 



Second dorsal commencing halfway between the tip of the snout 

 and the origin of the caudal, increasing rapidly in height to the 

 fourth, which is equal to the sixth, and slightly shorter than the 

 fifth, the fifth a little less than half the length of the head. The 

 rays diminish rapidly in height to the eleventh, which is about 

 half as long as the fifth ; the remaining rays decrease slowly to 

 the last, which simulates a finlet. 



Anal similar in form to second dorsal, but its rays somewhat 

 shorter than the corresponding dorsal ones. 



Pectoral pointed, the rays diminishing very rapidly from the 

 fourth to the eleventh from its upper margin; the 11th to 15th 

 rays nearly equal, remaining rays very rapidly shortening. Centre 

 of base of pectoral in a line with a line drawn from the tip of the 

 snout through the centre of the pupil. 



Ventrals very small, less than two-fifths as long as the pectorals. 

 Length of inner side of upper lobe of caudal a little less than 

 fth of the length of the fish (to end of middle caudal rays) ; lower 

 lobe slightly shorter. Lateral line diverging gradually from the 

 dorsal outline as far as the origin of the second dorsal, where it 

 lies slightly below the upper third of the height, thence curving 

 downwards rapidly to a vertical from the front of the first dorsal 

 finlet, thence in an undulating line along the centre of the depth 

 to the caudal keel. 



A low keel, convergent posteriorly, above and below the central 

 keel of the caudal peduncle. 



Long narrow scales on the region behind the eye, along each 

 side of the dorsal outline, and on the peduncle of the tail ; re- 

 mainder of body naked. 



Color of the upper portions dark steel blue, becoming silvery 

 below; no streaks. 



The specimen in the possession of the Cal. Acad, of Sciences 

 was obtained in San Francisco Market, and was probably taken, 

 as were previously examined specimens of this species, in Monte- 

 rey Bay. It is said to occasionally straggle as far north as San 

 Francisco, or even Tom ales Bay. 



