164 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



3. Rhypticus subbifrenatus Gill, Proc. A. N. S. 1861, 53. 



4. " xanti Gill, op. c, 1862, 250. 



5. " maculatus Gill, op. c, 1862, 251. 



6. Promicropterus maculatus __ R. maculatus Holb., S. C, 39, pi. vi. f. 2. 



7. " nigripinnis = R. nigripinnis Gill, Proc A. N. S. 1861, 53. 



8. " decoratus Gill, 1863. 



9. Smecticus bicolor Val., Venus, Poissons, p. 307 (pi. ii. f. 2.) 



Genus PROMICROPTERUS Gill. 



This genus is distinguished from Rhypticus by the presence of only two 

 dorsal spines. 



Promicropterus decoratus Gill. 



The greatest height of the body is rather less than a quarter of the total 

 length; the head, inclusive of the membranous prolongation of the operculum, 

 forms a third of the length to the base of caudal, while the latter equals the 

 area of the head behind the eye. The diameter of the eye is contained bh 

 times in the head's length, and equals the snout. The interorbital region is 

 convex and equals half the eye's diameter. The height of the caudal peduncle 

 equals the interval between the chin (front of the lower jaw) and eye, and the 

 length that between preorbital and eye. The band of palatine teeth is quite 

 broad. The dorsal and anal fins extend backwards as far as the base of caudal ; 

 the pectoral equals the distance of the opercular spine from the eye, and is 

 twice as long as the ventral. 



D. II. 26. A. 16. 



The color is brownish, irregularly maculated with white spots about as large 

 as the pupil, and generally with a blackish centre; the spots are sometimes 

 confluent, and most numerous on the side of the body and the opercula. 



This species is closely related to P. nigripinnis, but differs slightly in propor- 

 tions and color, and the greater width of the palatine bands of teeth. 



A single specimen, eight inches long, is in the collection. 



Family SCIJENOIDJE (Cuv.) Giinther. 



Genus BAIRDIELLA Gill, 1861. 

 Bairdiella armata Gill. 

 The height equals a fourth of the total length, of which the head forms ft 

 fourth. The caudal fin equals the head behind the front margin of the eye. 

 The diameter of the eye enters 4^ times in the head's length, somewhat exceeds 

 the interorbital area, which is scarcely convex, and equals the snout. The fourth 

 dorsal spine is longest and nearly equals half the head's length ; all are stout 

 and robust. The second dorsal commences nearly above the 20th scale of 

 lateral line, or tip of pectoral. The second anal spine is very strong, longer 

 than the first ray and nearly equals the interval between the front of orbit and 

 opercular flap ; the soft fin behind is incurved. The pectoral equals the in- 

 terval between the middle of the pupil, and the opercular flap and the ventral, 

 that between the front of the pupil and the same. 



D. X. 1. 23. A. II. 8. C. II. 1. 8. 7. 1. II. P. I. 1. 15. Y. I. 5. 

 7 4 



Scales 51 



10 4 

 The color is hoary above, silvery below ; the fins yellowish ; the vertical, 

 especially the first dorsal, clouded with darker. 



One specimen, about eight inches long: notwithstanding the development of 

 the anal spine and form of the fin, it appears to be a true Bairdiella. 



Genus OPHIOSCION Gill. 

 This genus is distinguished from Bairdiella, by the form of the head, which 



[June, 



