NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA^ 207 



orbit, and is continued about 3| times in the length of the head. The two 

 front teeth of the upper jaw are slightly divergent: the two median of the 

 lower convergent and smaller; the outer ones nearly equal and curved back- 

 wards and outwards; the hinder canines normally developed. 



The dorsal fin increases backwards without interruption; the spinous por- 

 tion considerably, the soft little ; the last ray is contained 2 J times in the head's 

 length. The caudal is subtruncated, and its angles are rounded. The pec- 

 toral is contained 6f times in the length ; its upper angle is obtusely rounded, 

 the posterior margin slightly angulated between the sixth and seventh rays, 

 below which the rays rapidly diminish. The ventral fins are inserted beneath 

 the lower axillas of the pectorals and are of little equal or little greater length ; 

 the first ray is moderately produced at its inner branches. 



The scales are delicately striated ; those on the breast are larger than those 

 behind the nape. The lateral line is deflected beneath the penultimate to the 

 last dorsal rays ; each scale has generally three radiating branches, thicker to- 

 wards the ends ; more seldom two or four. 



D. IX. 11. A. III. 12. C. II. 1. 6. 5. 1. III. P. I. 1.11. V. I. 5. 

 2 



Scales 20 

 10 



The color in spirits is dark chestnut or brownish red. There appears to be 

 a slight indication of a temporal band. On the membrane behind the oper- 

 culum and below the axil of the branchial aperture, is a very dark vertical 

 spot bordered behind by steel blue. The dorsal is cloudy, but on the soft 

 portion has a clear band with a submarginal dark line. The anal has indica- 

 tion of three bands, the basal being separated from the median by an undu- 

 lated line and the marginal being clear. The caudal is marbled, and with a 

 marginal dark band widening towards the angles. The pectorals and ventrals 

 are clear and without axillar spots. 



A single specimen of this species, six inches long, was obtained by Wm. 

 Alexander, U. S. A., at Beaufort, North Carolina, on July 11, 1800, and was 

 shortly afterwards forwarded to the Smithsonian collection (4318). 



On an unnamed generic type allied to SE3ASTES. 



BY THEODORE GILL. 



In examining the various species of Fishes in the collection of the Smith- 

 sonian Institution that have been referred by their several describers to the 

 genus Sebastes, attention was arrested by the characters afforded by the Se- 

 bastes kuhlii of Lowe and Giinther, and the S. filifer of Valenciennes. These 

 forms represent a group that apparently well merits a special generic denomi- 

 nation which is therefore now conferred on it. The following synopsis will 

 serve to exhibit the most noticeable distinctions of the genera hitherto con- 

 founded under the name of Sebastes : 



I. Dorsal spines XIV-j-I. (Vertebra? 12-j-19pm.) Sebastes. 



II. Dorsal spines XL XII.+I. (Vertebra? 10-11+14.) 



A. Palatine teeth developed. 



o. Suborbital bone ecarinate. 



Scales moderate. Lowerjaw little projecting Sebastichthys. 



Scales minute. Lower jaw protruded , Sebastodes. 



0. Suborbital carina serrated Sebastoplus. 



B. Palacine teeth obsolete Sebastopsis. 



The genus Sebastodes Gill, has been recently unduly extended by the assem- 

 blage under it of species more nearly allied to the type of Sebastichthys, and 

 quite dissimilar to that of Sebastodes.* 



1863.] 



* See Ayres, Proc. Cal. Ac. Nat. Sci., vul. ii. 



