NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 281 



Genus Pakophrys Girard. 



Body fusiform in profile, covered with cycloid scales. Lateral line scarcely 

 convex in front, recurrent backwards near the back. Head large and conic. 

 Snout conic. Eyes entirely in the anterior half, contiguous and nearly even. 

 Nostrils on the horizon of the superior margins of each orbit ; the anterior 

 subtubular ; the posterior with an anterior flap. Mouth unequal, little ob- 

 lique, the maxillary boues of the colored side extending little beyond the 

 anterior margin of the orbit, and much shorter than that of the white side. 

 Lips rather thin and simple. Teeth on the white side uniserial, contiguous, 

 short and wide, presenting an incisorial edge as in Pleuronectes planus, &c. 

 A recumbent anal spine. Caudal fin truncated or little emarginated. 



This genus is most closely related to Pleuronectes. 



Pakophrys hubbardii Gill. 



This species is very slender, the height being considerably less than a third 

 of the total length and not much greater than the head. The eyes are situated 

 in the middle of the anterior half of the head ; a diameter enters four times 

 and a half in the length of the head. The caudal fin is slightly emarginated 

 and forms a seventh of the total length. The pectoral bent forwards, extends 

 little beyond the interior preopercular ridge. 



D. 83. A. 62. C. 3. 6. 6. 3. P. 12. V. 6. Scales of lateral line 96, 



The color is a uniform brownish. 



This very fine species is distinguished especially from Parophrys velulus 

 Girard by its more elongated body and head as well as the other proportions. 



I have given myself the pleasure of dedicating the species to the gentleman 

 who has formed the collection of which the present article is descriptive. The 

 judgment with which that collection was made is evident from the number 

 of new species described ; and the excellent condition of the specimens, all of 

 which are in alcohol, and have even, in several cases, preserved their original 

 colors, is worthy of all praise. 



Family CLUPEOIDJS. 

 Subfamily CLUPEIN^S. 

 Alausa californica Gill. 



The form is that of a herring (Clupea), the back is thick and rounded, and 

 the height little exceeds a seventh of the extreme length. The head forms 

 little more than a fifth of the length. The opercular margin behind is ver- 

 tical. The diameter of the eye is rather less than a fourth of the head's 

 length, while the snout equals a third of the same. The lower jaw, when 

 closed, is even with the upper, which latter has no emargination. The ventrals 

 are under the posterior third of the dorsal. 



D. 2. 1. 15. A. 2. 1. 16. P. 1. 17. V. 1. 8. Scales 57 -f 6 ; longitudinal 

 rows 12. 



The color is silvery on the sides and beneath and blue above. 



This species belongs to the genus Alausa of Valenciennes, but not of Na- 

 ture. The genera of Clupeoids need a careful revision, altogether too much 

 importance having been attached to the dentition. As I am not certain to 

 what other genus the present species should be eventually referred, it is 

 deemed advisable to retain it in that one where most naturalists would 

 place it. It is, however, more nearly allied to the type of Clupea than that 

 of Alausa. 



Four specimens, between eight and ten inches long, are in the collection, 



1862.] 



