280 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



The seven pectoral filaments are moderately long, and nearly coterminal 

 with the fins. The villiform teeth of the palatine and pterygoid bones form 

 a broad band. The pectoral fins are black. 



The Trichidion Plumieri is generally distributed through the Caribbean sea, 

 and appears to be there the most abundant species. Its claim to be con- 

 sidered as an inhabitant of the coast of the Southern United States is rather 

 doubtful. 



Trichidion octofilis Gill. 

 D. VIII. I. 11. A. II. 14. 



The lateral line runs through sixty scales ; there are six rows above and 

 ten below. 



The eight pectoral filaments are moderately elongated ; the longest reaches 

 midway between the two dorsal fins. The color is apparently a nearly uni- 

 form silver. The vertical fins, and especially the first dorsal, are punctulated 

 with black. The pectoral fins are quite black. 



The present species has been only found at New York. 



Trichidion octonemus Gill. 



Synonymy. 

 Polynemus octonemus Girard, Proceed, of the Academy of Natural Sciences of 



Phila., 1858, p. 167. 

 " " Girard, United States and Mexican Boundary Survey, 



Ichthyology, p. 19, pi. x. figs. 5-9. 

 " " Gunther, Catalogue of the Acanthopterygian Fishes, &c, 



vol. ii. p. 320. 



D. VIII. I. 12. A, II. 13. 



The lateral line runs through sixty or sixty-two scales ; the scales them- 

 selves are arranged in seventeen longitudinal rows, of which six are above and 

 ten beneath the lateral line. 



There are eight pectoral filaments, the upper and longest of which extend 

 behind the first rays of the anal fin. The color of the body is silvery on the 

 sides, and light brownish yellow on the back above the lateral line. The fins 

 are whitish and immaculate. 



This very distinct species has been as yet only detected in Texas. 

 Description of Trichidion octofilis, a new species. 

 Trichidion octofilis Gill. 



The body has the same ordinary form and degree of elongation as its con- 

 geners. The greatest height surpasses a quarter of the entire length from the 

 snout to the end of the median caudal rays (27-100) ; the least height of the 

 caudal peduncle does not quite equal an eighth of the total length (12-100). 



The length of the head exceeds a quarter of the total (26-100), and 

 is much greater than its height. The snout is much produced ; the distance 

 between its extremity and the anterior margin of the orbit is equal to a sixth 

 or seventh of the length of the head (4-100) ; that between the snout and the 

 margin of the preoperculum above its angle equals seventeen twenty-sixths 

 of the same (17-100). The eyes are large; the longitudinal diameter of the 

 orbit is equal to more than a quarter of the head's length (7-100). The inter- 

 orbital area equals the orbit's diameter. The front of the lower jaw is at the 

 vertical from the anterior border of the eye. The upper maxillary, as in 

 all the species of the family, passes far behind the orbit, and is contained 

 nearly two and two-third (2.8-11) times in the head's length. The preoper- 

 culum has a larger spine at its angle, and its posterior margin is pectinated. 



The first dorsal fin is subfalcate ; it commences behind the vertical from the 

 seventh scale of the lateral line ; the length of its base nearly equals a ninth 



[Sept, 



