138 [August, 



total length. The snout is subcorneal, head rather small, forming about the 

 fifth of the total length, and slightly depressed above the eyes. The anterior 

 margin of dorsal is nearer the base of caudal than to extremity of snout. The 

 caudal is forked. Both the anal and dorsal are anteriorly elevated. Insertion 

 of ventrals situated in advance of anterior margin of dorsal. Pectorals and vent- 

 rals of medium development. 



D II. 11. A II. 12. C 8. I. 9. 8. 1. 9. V 10. P 15. 



The scales are of medium size and provided with radiating ridges. The lateral 

 line is bent downwards upon the abdomen, constituting a curve, the convexity of 

 which is nearer the ventrals than to the dorsal outline. Greyish brown above; 

 sides silvery; belly dull yellowish. 



From Posa and Four creeks, the latter emptying into Tule lake, San Joaquin 

 Valley, Cal. 



CLUPEIDiE. 



24. Clupea mirabilis, G. Specimens before us are from eight to nine inches 

 in total length, the head forming about the fifth of that dimension. The greatest 

 depth is equal to length of head. The lower jaw is longer than the upper, the 

 posterior extremity reaches to a vertical which would pass through the middle 

 of the pupil. The eye is subcircular and large; its diameter being contained a 

 little less than four times in the length of side of head. The anterior rays of 

 dorsal are almost as high as the fin is long. The insertion of ventrals is situated 

 in advance of middle of dorsal. 



D 3. 15. A 14. C 4. 1. 11. 11. 1. 3. V 9. P IS. 



This species is closely allied to the common herring (Clupea harengus) by its 

 general appearance; the absence of teeth upon the palatine, the conspicuousness 

 of the vomerine teeth (which are most so of all), and the presence of but two 

 rows of them upon the tongue, will enable any one to draw the distinction be- 

 tween the two species. 



From San Francisco, Cal. 



25. Meletta C/Erulea, G. The body is slender, gracefully elongated, ten 

 inches in total length, of which the head constitutes the fourth part, not includ- 

 ing the caudal fin. The depth measured in advance of dorsal, stands in relation 

 to the total length as one to six. The body tapers away backwards from the 

 insertion of ventrals and dorsal ; in advance of these fins to the occiput its depth 

 is sensibly the same, when the head again gradually slopes, above and below, 

 towards the snout. The posterior extremity of the maxillary reaches a vertical 

 line which would intersect the middle of the eye The posterior edge of oper- 

 cular apparatus forms a uniform and rather flattened curve. The inferior branch 

 of preopercle exhibits small radiating striae ; strias more conspicuous are observed 

 upon the inferior and inner half of opercle. The anterior margin of dorsal is 

 nearer the snout than to the base of caudal. The ventrals are inserted opposite 

 the posterior half of dorsal. Caudal deeply forked ; anal long and low. Pectorals 

 of medium development and acute upon their extremity. 



D 3. 16. A 17. C 4. 1. 8. 8. 1. 4. V 8. P 18. 



The scales are large, but few are preserved upon the specimen before us. 

 The back, upper part of the head and half of the sides are deep blue. Sides of 

 head and lower half of flanks, silvery. Fins greyish or dull yellowish. 

 From San Francisco, Cal. 



26. Engraulis mordax, G. The general physiognomy of this species is some- 

 what susgestive of EngravHs encrasirholus, the common anchovy of Europe, 

 from which, however, it may be distinguished chiefly by the position of the 

 ventrals, the insertion of which is exactly opposite the anterior margin of the 

 dorsal. The body is slender and compressed, sharp upon the ventral line. The 

 greatest depth is comprised nearly seven times in the total length and almost 

 twice in the length of the head. The eye is large and subcircular ; its diameter 

 being contained four times in the length of side of head. The anterior margin 

 of dorsal is nearer the base of caudal than to the extremity of snout. 



D 1. 15. A 20. C. 3. 1. 10. 9. 1. 2. V 8. P 16. 



The back is deep bluish brown ; the sides are silvery. 



From San Francisco, Cal. 



