ACADEMY OP NATURAL SCIENCES. 77 



scales above pectoral, bordered by six rows of large distinct scales, which 

 grow smaller from before backwards. Scales underneath ventrals and around 

 other fins, similarly consolidated, and depressed under pectoral and ventral. 

 Rest of scales nearly uniform in size. 



Teeth numerous, very small, in one row, the palatine dense and velvety. 

 Rays of second dorsal and anal fins nearly hidden by adipose skin. 



Br. VI-VI D.XIV-12-|-8, P 32, V, 1-8 A.II-8, -|- 8 C.ll-1-6-6-1-12. 



Colors.— Above blackish, sides steel-blue, below silvery white, fins smoky, iris 

 brown, finlets yellow edged with blue. 



The largest I saw measured thirty-three inches to fork of tail, and weighed 

 twenty-five pounds. 



Numerous in summer among the islands off the southern coast of this State, 

 and is said to occur as far north as San Luis Obispo. It affords excellent sport, 

 being caught by trolling while sailing very rapidly, biting voraciously at a 

 white rag. It is in my opinion the best fish for the table that is caught on 

 this coast, but it is said to be sometimes poisonous. 



It belongs to the typical Orcynus of Ouvier, distinguished from Thynnus, by 

 the very long pectoral, eight pairs of finlets, small corselet, etc. The type of 

 Orcynus (Scomber alatunga, Linn., or 0. alalonga, Duhamel), is called "Ala 

 longa" (Long-wing) in the Mediterranean and resembles this species closely, 

 but is figured as less high and with a smaller pectoral fin. 



This species is one of several confounded by sailors under the Spanish names 

 of Albicore and Bonito. The English name Tunny is applied to an allied 

 species on the coast of Europe, the Thynnus vulgaris, Cuv., and to its near 

 representative the T. secundi-dorsalis, Storer, of the eastern American coast. 

 These, however, are evidently of a different genus, and as Thynnus is preoccu- 

 pied in insects, the name Orycnus, applied by Gill to the same type, may per- 

 haps be retained, although founded on a mistake. O. coretta, Cuv. and Val., 

 probably represents our species in the Gulf of Mexico. 







Regular Meeting, November 16th, 1863. 

 Dr. Kellogg in the Chair. 



Six members present. 



Dr. Cooper read a letter from Mr. A. S. Taylor, now of Santa 

 Barbara, complaining that his name had been omitted from the list 

 of corresponding members, though he was elected several years 

 since. It was resolved that his name be restored, having been 

 omitted on account of his new address being unknown to the 

 Secretary. 



