1856.] 137 



I have likewise a second species to add to my genus Pleuronichthys, taking 

 this opportunity of correcting a lapsus lingiice which occurred in the diagnosis of 

 its generic characters : " teeth very inconspicuous, occupying the colorless side 

 of the jaws," instead of both sides of the jaw. That this was a mere accident 

 will appear obvious by reading the characters given to Parophrys, in which an 

 allusion is made to the true state of things in Pleuronichthys. 



Pleuronichthys suttulatus, 

 appears to be a smaller species than its congener ; it is also deeper, less elon- 

 gated, hence more of a subcylindrical general form. The eyes are situated on the 

 right side. The origin of the dorsal fin is not quite even with the anterior 

 margin of the orbit, and in that respect the generic diagnosis will undergo a 

 slight modification. The largest specimens observed measure a little over three 

 inches. The ground color appears greyish black, over which are scattered light 

 spots ajipearing like as many drops irregularly dispersed. Specimens were col- 

 lected in Tomales Bay by E. Samuels. 



A specimen of Ophidium, in a too precarious state of preservation to be de- 

 termined specifically, was found by Lt. W. P. Trowbridge, at S. Farallones, near 

 San Francisco. Another was collected by Dr. Suckley at Shoalwater Bay, W. 

 T., apparently of the same species. 



We have also to mention a Sandlaunee, under the name of 



Ammodytes personatus, 

 the general aspect of which is shorter than its congeners, although theform and 

 outline of the body are not materially different. We perceive no teeth on the 

 palat. The posterior extremity of the maxillary extends to a vertical line which 

 intersects the anterior rim of the orbit. The origin of the dorsal fin is situated 

 anteriorly to the tips of the pectorals. The base of the caudal fin is black. 

 Specimens were collected at Cape Flattery, W. T., by Lt. W. P. Trowbridsre. 

 U. S. A. 



Syngnathus californiensiSj Storer, 



was received from Monterey, Cal., through the care of A. S. Taylor. The 

 specimen is somewhat imperfect ; it is the largest of those which we have ex- 

 amined from the Pacific coast. 



AcciPBNSBR acutirosteis, Ayres, 



was brought home by Dr. Newberry, the specimen having been labelled by Dr. 

 Ayres in San Francisco, where the specimen was procured. 



AciPENSER MEDiROSTRis, Ayrcs, was received in the same manner as the pre- 

 ceding. 



AoiPENSER TRANSMONTANUS, Rich., from the Columbia river, has been collected 

 by Dr. Suckley. 



We conclude by referring to a ray of a remarkable genus, 



Rhinoptera vespertilio, 

 which was caught in Tomales Bay, by E. Samuels. The specimen before us 

 measures nineteen inches and a half from the extremity of the mouth to the 

 tip of the tail, six inches and three quarters being the length of the body and 

 head together. The width from the tip of one pectoral fin to the other is twelve 

 inches. There is a small dorsal fin situated upon the anterior portion of the 

 tail, followed by a flattened spear shaped spine, serrated upon its edge. The 

 tail is very attenuated, flagelliform, tapering into a filiform extremity. The 

 cephalic region is as long as the rest of the body. Its anterior outline is round- 

 ed. The eyes are very prominent and somewhat raised above the surface of 

 the head. The respiratory apertures, five in number are transversally elonga- 

 ted and arranged upon an open curve. The lips are fringed. The color is of 

 an uniform bluish slate above ; dull whitish beneath. 



