244 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



This species, like the Pimelepterus, is related to a species of the Red Sea, the 

 Holacanthus maculosus C. et V., but is readily distinguished by the less ele- 

 vated body and fins, number of rays and details of coloration. It is also re- 

 lated to the H. formosus Cast, of Brazil, and more remotely to //. passer, Val., 

 of the Gallapagos Islands, and H. diacanthus, Gthr., of the Indian Ocean. 



Genus Pomacanthodes Gill. 



POMACANTHODES ZONIPECTUS Gill. 



The form much resembles that of Pomacanthus. The greatest height equals 

 three-fifths ( - 59) of the length. The head forms about a quarter ('26) and 

 the caudal fin about a sixth ( - 17) of the total length. The diameter of the 

 orbit enters nearly four times ( - 7-26) in the head's length, the snout two and 

 a half times, ("10) and the preopercular spine six times and a half ("04.) The 

 dorsal is considerably produced at the sixth ray which passes behind the 

 rounded posterior margin and nearly equals a third (*31) of the total length. 

 The anal is simply rounded behind, and the caudal truncated. The pecto- 

 rals equal a fifth (-21) and the ventrals three-tenths (-30) of the length. The 

 back behind the nape is gibbous or protuberant. 



D. XI. 2324. A. III. 20. 



The color is brownish margined with light on each scale. A very dark 

 brown band girdles the breast behind the ventral and pectoral fins ; the dark 

 color is prolonged upwards to the fifth dorsal spine, and merges into the 

 lighter color of the head. The pectorals and caudal are marbled, the other fins 

 nearly uniformly dark. 



One specimen eight inches long was collected by Captain Dow, at San Sal- 

 vador. 



PlMELEPTEROIDJE Gill. 



This family may be modified to embrace those fishes with the outline corres- 

 pondingly developed above and below the* median axis of the body, and by 

 scaly fins and compressed teeth, as well as the development of numerous pan- 

 creatic caeca. The principal types are the Piinelepterinae, Girellinje, and 

 Scorpidinae. Two of those types are represented on the California coast. 



Subfamily GIRELLIN^E Gill. 



Genus Griella (Gray,) Gthr. 



GlRELLA NIGRICANS Gill. 



Camarina nigricans Ayres, Proc. California Academy of Natural Sciences, 

 pt. ii. p. 81, fig. 22. Oct. 1861. 



Girella nigricans Gill, Proc. Acad. Natural Sciences, vol. xiv. p. 16. 

 1862. 



This species appears to be a true Girella, and I had referred it to that genus 

 early in 1850, when hastily examining the species then sent by Mr. Xantus. 

 I have always found fourteen dorsal spines. There is a more or less distinct 

 white spot under the spinous dorsal. If distinct, then it may be named G. 

 dorsomacula. 



D. XIV. 13. A. III. 11. 



The genus Girella as limited by Dr. Giinther, scarcely appears to be 

 homogeneous. The Girella simplex, (Crenidens simplex Rich.) has the incisors 

 entire and undivided, and therefore represents a distinct genus to which the 

 name of Incisidens may be given. 



Subfamily PIMELEPTERINJE Gthr. 

 Genus Pimelepterus (Lac.) 

 This genus as adopted here is intended to embrace only those species with 



[April, 



