1854.] 131 



separated by an isthmus ; branchiostegal rays, six in number. Dorsals 

 separated by a narrow space; first, rather short, and lower than the second. 

 Caudal subtruncated. Pectorals broad and large. Insertion of ventrals under 

 the base of pectorals. Skin smooth as in Scorpceuichthys. Lateral line con- 

 tinuous for the whole length of the body. 



4. Leptocottus armatus, G. Greatest length of specimens observed, about 

 ten inches. Head forming more than the third of that length, caudal tin included. 

 Surface of head and snout spineless. The only spines observable are situated on 

 the preopercle ; a very stout one terminated by three conical processi directed 

 upwards and forwards, and a small, blunt one beneath directed downwards. The 

 origin of the first dorsal is situated in a line with the posterior cutaneous flap of 

 the opercle and upper edge of insertion of the pectorals ; its base is about half 

 that of the second dorsal. The caudal is subtruncated. The anal is much lower 

 than the second dorsal and not quite as long. The insertion of ventrals is be- 

 neath the pectorals and nearer to the snout than to the vent. The tips of pecto- 

 rals extend to a line corresponding to the anterior ray of second dorsal, which is 

 in advance of the vent. 



D VII. 17. A 16. C. 6. 1. 5. 4. 1. 7. V I. 4. P 19. 



Ground color above blackish brown; whitish beneath. Dorsals, caudal and 

 pectorals, yellowish, barred with black ; anterior dorsal with a black spot pos- 

 teriorly. Ventrals and anal whitish. 



From San Francisco, Cal. 



Genus SCORP^NTCHTHYS, Girard. 



Head partly covered with bony plates, without, however, any rough appear- 

 ance. A few small spines on the opercular apparatus. Mouth deeply cleft. 

 Jaws equal. Teeth on the maxillaries, front of vomer, and on the palatines. 

 Gill openings continuous; branchiostegal rays, six in number. Dorsals distinct 

 though contiguous; first rather long and of the same height as the second. Cau- 

 dal truncated. Pectorals broad and large. Ventrals inserted back of the base 

 of pectorals. Skin smooth, without either scales or plates; lateral line dis- 

 tinct and continuous the whole length of the body. 



5. Scorp.exichthys marjioratls, G. A large species, of which several speci- 

 mens were procured. The head forms the third of the length, the caudal fin ex- 

 cluded. A rather small and blunt spine is situated above and inwardly of the ante- 

 rior nostril. The snout is rounded and gradually sloping anteriorly. The posterior 

 extremity of the upper maxillary extends a little beyond the posterior rim of 

 the eye. The preopercle is armed with two small spines only, and occasionally 

 with the rudiments of a third. The other pieces of the opercular apparatus are 

 spineless. A cutaneous, branching flap, similar to those of Scorpceiia, is observ- 

 able above the posterior rim of the orbit. The first dorsal begins immediately 

 behind the occiput, with a base almost as long as the head, being composed of 

 eleven rays, the last sending its membrane to the anterior ray of the second dor- 

 sal, which is one-fifth of its length longer than the anterior one. The anal is 

 but little shorter than the anterior dorsal. The insertion of ventrals is a little 

 nearer to the anal than to the tip of lower jaw. and are composed of five soft 

 rays and a spine. The pectorals, composed of sixteen rays, are large and 

 broadly developed, extending posteriorly beyond the tip of ventrals, reaching a 

 vertical line drawn from the separation of the dorsals to the vent. 



D XI. 19. A 13. C 6. I. 5. 4. 1. 5. V I. 5. P 16. 



Ground color of body light-yellow or dark-brown ; fins yellowish ; both 

 body and fins marmorated with large, black patches. 

 From San Francisco, Cal. 



SCORPiENID,E s. Cataphracti. 



6. Seba.stes auriculatus, G. This species is allied to S. inermis of the 

 Japanese seas, in the structure of the upper surface of the head ; the spines of 

 which instead of being raised are reduced to horizontal ridges, terminating pos- 



