92 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF 



We consider that it would be wrong to do so, although the species belongs 

 to a different genus from the Leiostomus xanthurus of Lacepede. The name of 

 Lacepede was adopted for that species under an erroneous impression, and 

 that of Homoprion xanthurus was applied with the express understanding that 

 it was " certainly the fish for which Lacepede established his genus Leiosto- 

 mus.' 1 '' It has been demonstrated that documentary evidence does not support 

 this assertion. The retention of the name of Holbrook would therefore per- 

 petuate an error ; the name of Homoprion subtruncatus has been consequently 

 offered as a substitute in the "Catalogue of the Fishes of the Eastern coast of 

 North America." 



There has been recently referred to the genus Liostomus, a fish found on the 

 coast of California. It has been called by Dr. W. 0. Ayres, Leiostomus lineatus, 

 and again described and figured from nature by Dr. Grirard, under the same 

 name. 



After a perusal of the description of that species, it is evident that it does 

 not belong to the genus Liostomus, but, from its imperfection, it remains doubt- 

 ful to what genus it really should be referred. A cursory examination would 

 remind the naturalist of the Johnii, but on a more careful investigation, all 

 the teeth of the upper jaw are found to be small and equal, and several small 

 but distinct barbels are discovered along the inner margin of each limb of the 

 lower jaw. The genus Micropogon is therefore at once suggested, but the 

 species differs from the other representatives of that genus in the armature of 

 the preoperculum, the form of the caudal fin and the number of rays in the 

 dorsal and anal. It consequently appears to belong to a different genus, to 

 which no name has yet been given. The name of Genyonemits may be there- 

 fore bestowed on it. 



Agreeing, therefore, with Holbrook, and removing the Leiostomus xanthurus, 

 of Cuvier and Valenciennes from the genus, and having shown that the Leios- 

 tomus lineatus of Ayres and Girard is to be also excluded, the type of the genus 

 is the only species yet known. That single species can at once be distinguished 

 from all other Sciaenoids by its peculiar form and tout ensemble. That pecu- 

 liarity of appearance is also coincident with most important anatomical char- 

 acters which indicate that the relations of the species are far less intimate 

 with other genera than has been supposed. Those characteristics are of such 

 a nature as appears to necessitate the establishment of a distinct subfamily 

 for the Liostomi. The name of Liostomince is therefore now conferred on it. 

 The diagnoses of the subfamily and genus will be given. 



Subfamily Liostomin^; Gill. 



The body is compressed and subovate, covered with ctenoid scales. The 

 lower jaw is received within the upper. Teeth are present only in the upper 

 jaw. 



The first dorsal fin commences over or before the bases of the pectorals, and 

 is longer than high. The ventral fins are inserted under or slightly behind 

 the pectoral. 



The lower pharyngeal bones when united present a hastate form ; the exter- 

 nal sides are incurved or emarginated ; they are contiguous to each other for 

 the whole of their internal sides ; from the apex of the basal emargination, 

 they are curved outwards or convex. Each bone is thickest behind, and there 

 is a high marginal or submarginal ridge which is mos f . elevated towards the 

 posterior third. 



The upper pharyngeal bones of each side are only two in number ; the an- 

 terior is semi-oval, and is emarginated to receive the posterior, which is of 

 an irregular ovoid form, and larger than the anterior. 



The teeth of the pharyngeal bones are not conical. 



The setse of the ceratohyals of the first pair of branchial arches are of mode- 

 rate length. 



[April, 



