1854.] 133 



The second Genus of this group, for which the name of 



OPHIODON, Girard, 



is proposed, has a more elongated head than the preceding one. Its mouth is 

 deeply cleft ; canine teeth exist on both jaws, rather more developed than in Chi- 

 r?is. The vomer is possessed with similar teeth as well as the palatines, where 

 they form a very long series. Posterior convexity of preopercle provided with 

 small spines. Minute scattered scales on the head, cheeks and opercular appa- 

 ratus. Branchial apertures continuous; branchiostegal rays six in number, 

 scales very small. 



9. Ophiodonelongatus, G Largest specimen observed, twelve inches long, 

 the head forming about one fourth of that length ; the greatest depth, measured 

 at the origin of the trunk enters seven times in the total length. The thickness 

 is one third less than the depth. The body is gradually diminishing backwards, 

 both in height and depth. The upper surface of the skull is slightly concave. 

 Eyes, subcircular and quite large, their horizontal diameter being comprised five 

 times in the length of side of the head. The posterior extremity of the upper 

 maxillary extends beyond the posterior rim of the orbit. The anterior suborbi- 

 tal overlaps the upper maxillary. Six or more small spines may be observed 

 upon the posterior curve of preopercle. The upper angle of qpercle terminates 

 in an acute processus. The subopercle is very long and stretches considerably 

 beyond the opercle. The origin of the first dorsal is situated in advance of the 

 spiny limb of the preopercle, at a distance of four tenths of an inch from I he 

 occiput; it is contiguous to the second dorsal, which terminates at an inch and 

 three tenths from the base of caudal (not from its rudimentary rays). The 

 anal is nearly the same length with the second dorsal. The tips of pectoral ex- 

 tend beyond the tip of ventrals. 



D XXVI. 22. A 23. C 7. 1. 5. 6. 1. 6. V I. 6. P 17. 



The scales are small, elongated, smooth and entire upon their anterior margin. 

 They extend somewh-it over the base of the fins. 



The color is very imperfectly preserved ; upon a dull yellowish ground may 

 be seen, on the upper part of the body, dark or blackish brown spots irregularly 

 scattered; the head appears uniform blackish brown. Beneath dull whitish 

 yellow; scales silvery. Fins greenish yellow; ventrals and analunicolor ; rest 

 exhibiting greyish spots. 



From San Francisco, Cal. 



GASTEROSTEID.E s. Catapheacti. 



10. Gasterosteus williamsoni, G. General form elongated, of rather slen- 

 der appearance; body tapering gradually towards the base of caudal. Greatest 

 length an inch and three quarters ; head forming the third of it caudal fin ex- 

 cluded and covered with long plates so finely granulated as to appear smooth. 

 Body perfectly smooth from head to tail. Two small dorsal spines; a third 

 very minute one at the origin of the soft dorsal fin. Ventral spines quite small, 

 exhibiting but few and very minute spiculae upon its upper margin. Caudal pos- 

 teriorly subconcave. Anterior spiny ray of anal very small. 



D I. I. I. 11. A 1. 7. C 3. 1. 5. 5. 1. 3. V I. 1. P 10. 



Color, above greyish brown, spotted ; beneath of a soiled yellowish or 

 whitish. 



Specimens were collected at Williamson's Pass, Cal. The basin into which 

 the waters in which they were caught flow, is not yet determined. 



11. Gasterosteus microcephalus, G The head is very small, plated, and 

 apparently smooth, although finely granulated. The body is quite depp upon its 

 middle region, tapering towards both extremities ; a little more rapidly posteri- 

 orly. The peduncle of tail is very short and contracted. Greatest length 

 about an inch and a half, of which the head forms the fourth part. Anterior 

 part of body from head to second dorsal spine, plated ; remaining portion smooth. 

 Two acute and well developed dorsal spines ; a third one, and rather small, is 



