1854.] 145 



The head constitutes the fourth of the total length; it is quite depressed, and 

 slopes gradually towards the snout; its width is one fourth greater than its 

 depth. The eyes, of medium size, are placed near the summit of the head ; their 

 form is subcircular, and their horizontal diameter contained four times and a 

 half in the length of side of head. The posterior extremity of upper maxillary 

 reaches a vertical which would pass in advance of the pupil. 



Minute prickles are scattered all over the skin, more developed above the 

 lateral line than beneath it. The lateral line, itself very conspicuous, follows 

 the curve of the back uninterrupted to the base of caudal. 



Ground color yellowish brown above and on the sides; dull yellowish beneath. 

 Sides and back with darker somewhat confluent blotches, or else groups of 

 crowded dots resembling blotches. The pectorals, dorsals and caudal are barred ; 

 the anal and ventrals unicolor. First dorsal with a blackish blotch upon its upper 

 and posterior portion. Base of caudal with a black bar, upper surface of head 

 covered with dark roundish small spots. 



From Presidio, Cal. 



6. Leptocottus armatus, Grd. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc.Philad. vii. 1854, p. 131. 

 Specimens of this species, most of which are in an immature condition, were 



obtained at Presidio, Monterey, San Pedro, and San Diego, Cal. 



7. Scorp.enichthys marmoratus, Grd. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. vii. 

 1854, p. 131. 



From Presidio, Cal. 



8. Scorp.enichthys lateralis, G. We know but a few small individuals of 

 this species, the largest of which is less than four inches long. The body is 

 compressed and tapering; the head being contained about three times in the 

 length, excluding the caudal fin. The occipital region is flattened; the inter- 

 ocular space, convex, and the rostral distance, declive. The mouth is large : 

 the posterior extremity of upper maxillary extends to a vertical line, which 

 would intersect the posterior margin of the pupil. The eye is large, subcircular, 

 and placed near the summit of the head; its horizontal diameter is contained 

 four times in the length of the side of head. The interocular space is quite 

 narrow. The opercular apparatus exhibits but a double spine of moderate de- 

 velopment, situated upon the upper half of the limb of preopercle, with its point 

 directed obliquely upwards. The caudal fin is posteriorly subrounded. The 

 insertion of ventrals is situated under the middle of the base of pectorals. The 

 origin of the dorsal is in advance of base of the same tins. The first dorsal is 

 rather low, and not contiguous to the second, which is considerably higher. 



D IX. 17. A 11. C 2. 1. 5. 4. 1. 1. V I. 3. P 15. 



Oa the upper portion of dorsal region, alongside the dorsals, may be seen an 

 elongated area covered with small pectinated scales or plates, disposed upon 

 oblique or transverse rows. The skin is otherwise smooth, and the lateral line 

 conspicuous, making a slight inflexion downwards upon the middle of the 

 abdomen. 



Upper region of head and body deep chestnut brown, variegated on the sides 

 with shining yellowish areola? and dots. Inferior surface of head, belly an I 

 tail uniform yellow. Fins spotted or barred. 



From Monterey, Cal., and San Luis Obispo, Cal. 



SCORP.ENID.E s. Catapiiracti. 



9. Scorp.-exa guttata, G The head has a pretty rough appearance : in the 



first place, the orbits seem as if emerging from the upper part of the skull, the 

 middle line of which exhibits an obtuse groove. Three spines are observed 

 along the upper edge of the orbit, behind which three more may be seen on 

 either side of the occipital region and nape. Several supratympanic spines, but 

 small ; two diverging ones, upon the body of opercle, and four upon the limb ol 

 preopercle, the uppermost of which being much the stoutest and longest. Next 

 we see four other spines irradiating downwards from the suborbitals, and finally 

 the nasal bone terminates into a sharp and acute point directed upwards and 

 slightly backwards. Intermingled with these numerous spines there are but two 



y 13 



