64 



CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 



122. Polydactylus opercularis (Gill). 



Taken with hook and line in great abundance. It is eagerly sought after by 

 the native population, by whom it is highly prized. It is one of the most important 

 food-fishes, and on some days equals or exceeds in numbers all others combined. 



The type is described as having only eight free pectoral rays, but that was 

 doubtless based on erroneous observation. 



Measurements in Hzindredths of Length without Caudal. 



Length in mm. 



Head 



Depth 



Maxillary 



Spinous dorsal h'om snout. 



Distance from front of spinous dorsal to 

 soft dorsal 



Length of pectoral 



Longest detached ray 



Longest dorsal spine 



Longest dorsal ray 



Dorsal 



Anal 



Scales 



178 



30 

 27 



i7i 

 34i 



26 1 



22 



35 

 20 



i7i 

 VIII-1,12 



ni,i3 

 69 



Family HOLOCENTRID^. 



123. Myripristis occidentalis Gill. 



Two specimens were taken among the islands in the baj'. The species differ 

 from M. poecilopus more than has been previously indicated. The teeth are much 

 larger, and the vomerine patch is lance-shaped rather than anchor-shaped. The 

 anterior rays of the dorsal and anal are longer, making these fins more angulated 

 and their posterior margins more nearly vertical. Scales thirty-nine or forty in the 

 lateral line, somewhat smaller than indicated in the type description. 



The color of the back is of a clearer reddish brown, less slaty than in 

 M. jxhcilopus, and with bluish reflections on each scale. The silver begins on the 

 row of scales below the lateral line rather than above, and is richer in co^jpery and 

 greenish reflections. The dorsal is lighter, and there are no dusky bands at base of 

 caudal and below the lateral line, as in M. 2'>(£GiIopus. The ventrals have lighter or 



