NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 255 



Genus Orthostoechus* Gill. 



This genus is proposed for species which differ from Ilcemidon by the arrange- 

 ment of the scales above as well as below the lateral line in longitudinal rows, 

 and the straight course of the anterior portion of the lateral line. In other 

 respects it resembles Hcemulon. The arrangement of the scales approximates 

 it rather to the genera Pristipoma (hasta) and Conodon of Cuvier, but the dorsal 

 and anal fins in both of those genera are scaleless. 



0RTH0STO3CHUS maculicauda Gill. 



The greatest height equals 28-100ths of the total length, and the head rather 

 more than a quarter. The diameter of the orbit equals a quarter ( - 07) of the 

 greatest height, and is less than the length of the snout (= -08.) The supra- 

 maxillary bone ends under or somewhat behind the front of the pupil. The 

 teeth of the external row are of moderate size and moderately curved. The 

 preoperculam is emarginated behind and pectinated or dentated. The fourth 

 dorsal spine equals or exceeds a ninth of the total length, and is scarcely shorter 

 than the third and fifth, while it is nearly three times as long as the twelfth, 

 which itself is shorter than that in front of the second dorsal. The second anal 

 spine equals a tenth of the total length. The caudal fin forms less than a fifth, 

 and the pectoral fin enters about four times and a third in the length. 

 D. XII. I. 16. A. III. 10. 

 1 



Scales 47 . 

 16 



The color is purplish grey, with longitudinal lines on the body formed by 

 yellow spots in the centre of each scale, and with an oblong black spot on each 

 side of the end of the caudal peduncle. 



There are sometimes irregularities in the squamation. In the collection are 

 four varieties. 



1st. With all the rows straight. 



2d. With the third row below the lateral line in front decurved and continued, 

 as the fourth row, to the caudal. 



3d. With the second row below the lateral line in front bent upwards and 

 confluent with the first row. 



4th. With the first row above the lateral line in front bent upwards and con- 

 tinued as the second row to the caudal. 



These aberrations are caused by the displacement of the rows, and corres- 

 pondingly affect the rows above or below. They exhibit the tendency to revert 

 to the arrangement of scales of Hcemulon. 



Genus Microlepidotus Gill. 



The present is closely related to Hcemulon and Orlhosicechus ; it differs from 

 the latter by the arrangement of the scales above the lateral line in oblique 

 rows, and from both in the following characters: 



1st. The scales are small. 2d. The mouth is rather small. 3d. The second 

 dorsal spine is at least half as long as the third, which equals or surpasses the 

 others. 4th. The anal spines are rather small and graduated, the third being 

 longest. 5th. The dorsal and anal fins are scaleless. In other respects the 

 genus resembles Hcemulon. 



It differs from Pristipoma (hasta) by 



1st. The small scales, obliquely arranged. 2d. The rather smaller mouth. 

 3d. The development of the anterior dorsal spines. 4th. The small and gradu- 

 ated anal spines. 



The name Microlepidotus is given to the genus in imitation of ITemilepidotus. 



* OpBo; (straight) and cttoi^o; (row.) 



1862.] 



