152 [August, 



and Rhacochilus toxotes. We have before us five immature specimens, the largest 

 of which measures but two inches and a half, and is consequently smaller than 

 the largest of E. live at a. They werp collected by A. Cassidy, and sent with 

 other specimens, without mention being made whether caught freely swimming 

 in the water, or taken by him fiom the parent hsh. At any rate they are 

 easily distinguished from those of E. Hit eat a in possessing numerous trans- 

 verse greyish bands more or less regular from head to tail and from dorsa 

 to ventral line. The anterior portion of anal, the anterior edge of soft dorsal, 

 the tip ot spines of first dorsal, and the ventrals are blackish : the remaining 

 parts of these fins, as well as the caudal and pectorals, are yellowish. The cau- 

 dal is slightly emarginated posteriorly. 



Adult specimens of this species have not yet fallen under our examination. 

 We have not hesitated in establishing it as distinct from those already described 

 after the careful study of the young in that family. 



From San Diego, Cal. 



31. Holconotcjs niioooTERus, Agass. Amer Jour, of Sc. Second series, xvii. 

 1854, p. 368. 



Sixteen young were taken from ihe parent body; they are from eight-tenths of 

 an inch to an inch long. A small vitelline sac is still to be observed at the ab- 

 dominal region. The general form is slender and elongated. The head is deeper 

 than the body and rounded ; the snout much less prominent than in the adult; 

 its general outline resembling more that of an adult Amphisti chits. The vertical 

 fins are much more developed than in the parent ; the caudal is rounded off, the 

 central rays being the longest. The soft dorsal and anal are likewise higher 

 and extend posteriorly to the base of the caudal if not slightly beyond it, the dor- 

 sal at least. 



Coloration uniform light yellowish ; fins whitish of an extreme transparency 

 owinu undoubtedly to their having but shortly escaped from the egg. 



Specimens were obtained at Presidio and San Diego, Cal. 



32. HoLCONorus trowbridgii, G. This species is about the size of H. rho- 

 doterus of which it has the general appearance. The body, however, is propor- 

 tionally less elongated and consequently more deep. The greatest depth, measured 

 between the origin of the first dorsal and the base of the ventrals, is contained 

 three times in the total length, whilst the head enters in it four times and three 

 fourths. The anterior portion of the body is superiorly very convex, and the 

 upper surface of head sloping rapidly towards a rounded snout terminated by a 

 very small mouth ; considerably smaller than in H. rhodoterits, whilst the teeth 

 are much shorter than in the latter species. The eye is large and circular, and 

 contained but three tim<--s in the length of the side of head ; the distance between 

 the anterior rim of the orbit and the end ol the snout is less than one diameter of 

 the eye. A line drawn vertically down from the origin of the lirst dorsal 

 would pass immediately behind the basp of the pectorals. The base of the 

 anal is compris<-d six times and a half in the total length of the fish, whilst 

 in II. rhoduterns the base of the same fin enters in the length of said species but 

 five times. The base of the ventrals is nearly equidistant between the symphy- 

 sis of the lower jaw and the posterior extremity of the base of anal ; in II. rhu- 

 doterus it is nearer to the snout. 



D IX. 13. A III. 14. C 5. 1. 6. 6. 1. 4. V I. 5. P 1-16. 



The size of the scales is nearly the same in both II. trowbridgii and II. rko- 

 doterus. 



The upper region, from the end of the snout to the base of caudal is reddish 

 brown, with irregular interspersed clouded purplish spots. The side of head and 

 abdomen are silvery. The fins are yellowish ; a cloudlike purplish spot at the 

 anterior portion of anal. The posterior half of ventral is of a deep purple. 



Ohs. The label accompanying this species was unfortunately lost, consequently 

 its location we are not prepared to give. 



33. Holcoxotus megalops, G. This species, six inches and a half in total 

 length, is the largest of its species, as far as observations go. The body is very 

 much compressed and very deep upon its middle region, tapering rapidly from 



