18 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP 



Teeth in external row large Odontoscion.* 



Eyes moderate, the diameter less than the snout. 

 Teeth in 1 3 rows. 

 Anal fin I. II. 713. 



Canine teeth of lower jaw large Otolithus.f 



Canine teeth in lower jaw obsolete. 



Psendobranchise developed Cynoscion. t 



Pseudobranchise obsolete Apseudobranchus. 



Anal fin I. 15 16 Archoscion.|| 



Teeth cardiform or pluriserial Atractoscion.^ 



BB. Teeth above in front (2) and beneath on sides large and 



arrow-shaped Ancylodon.** 



The third group is composed of two genera, and may be called Isopisthin^. 

 The only species of the Californian is that named by Ayres. 



5. SfiRipnus politcs Ayres. 

 The following are the characters of the group and genera: 



A. Dorsal fins quite remote ; second dorsal and anal subequal, 



oblong IsOPISTHIN/. 



Scales small and cycloid. Canine teeth above in front and 



below on sides very large and lanceolate Isopisthus. 



Scales large, strongly ciliated. Teeth distinct, in one or 



two rows Seriphus. 



The discovery of representatives of such rare types on that coast which has 

 already furnished so remarkable a number of peculiar forms, is a discovery of 

 much interest. 



I have, in my treatise on the North American Scisenoid genera, alluded to 

 the external differences between the Corvininse and Otolithina?, but, unable to 

 find other satisfactory characters, declined at that time to consider them as 

 distinct subfamilies. It was after an examination of Dr. Ciinther's work that 

 my attention was arrested by the coincidence between the proportions of the 

 abdominal and caudal vertebra? and the external form, and I cannot but believe 

 that the value that has been now given to the groups is merited by their im- 

 portance. To Dr. Griinther we are indebted for having first assigned to the 

 family of Sciamoids its true limits. He appears to have retained such, and 

 such only, as are genuine members of the family. Some, as Isojnsthus and 

 Seriphus, seem indeed to have some relation to the carangoid Scombroids, such 

 as Lactarius, but the affinity is probably remote. The wide separation above 

 proposed between Isopisthus and Ancylodon does not appear to be unnatural. 



The resignation of R. E. Griffith as Librarian was read and accepted. 



The following was read and adopted : 



Resolved, That the Committee on the Library, in conjunction with 

 the Librarian, be authorized to employ an assistant for one year, at a 

 salary not to exceed twenty-five dollars per month. 



The Auditors reported that they had examined the Treasurer's an- 

 nual report and had found it correct. 



*Type. Corvina dentex Cuv. et Val. \Type. Otolithus ruber Cuv. et Veil. 

 JOtolithus regalis Cuv. Otolithus toe-roe Cuv. et Val. 



|| Otolithus analis Jertyns. ^Otolithus aequidens Cuv. et Val. 



**Ancylodon jaculidens Cuv. etVal. 



[Jan. 



