84 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA 



and the curious yellow gelatinous membrane, which covered the eyes so as 

 to leave no outward trace of the orbit. 



On examining the genera and species of clupeoids given in Dr. Gunther's 

 valuable catalogue, I found, however, one species, the only one of its genus, 

 and this the only one of its tribe, characterized, among other things, by a 

 flat abdomen (which I take to mean not sharp as in the rest of the family), 

 and an " adipose membrane co-wering the eye." I therefore concluded that 

 my fish was an example of that singular species, and my belief was strength- 

 ened by the close agreement of all the other characters, as the number of 

 fin rays, position of mouth, teeth, etc. 



The only difference I noted was in the color, which Gunther gives as 

 "uniform silvery," but it must be remembered that these specimens were 

 much fresher than Gunther's could be; and the much greater prevalence of 

 the gold and dark metallic reflections in one of the specimens than in the 

 other, appears to show that the tints are variable. This point I hope to 

 settle ere long, by the aid of Mr. Fisher. 



Following are the dimensions of one of the specimens: 



Indies. 



Length 3.7 



Length of head 3.5 



Length of base of dorsal 2.5 



Tip of snout to origin of dorsal 6. 



Length of caudal 3. 



Tip of snout to base of anal 8. 



Girt in thickest part, just in advance of dorsal 7. 



This species has been found in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and one 

 of Gunther's specimens was from the Pacific Coast of Central America, but 

 I do not find that it has previously been reported from the North Pacific. 



Argyreiosus Pacificus, n. sp. 



Greatest height of dorsal outline, immediately behind the eye; greatest 

 depth of body, immediately in front of anal. Proportion of length to great- 

 est depth, about as 7 to 15. Lower jaw longer than upper. None of the rays 

 of spinous dorsal elongated. First three rays of soft-dorsal very long, next 

 two decreasing, the remainder nearly equal. No- free spines in part of 

 anal. First articulated ray of anal much elongated. First three rays of 

 soft-dorsal undivided, the others much branched. Membrane between rays 

 of anal very short, rays much branched, except the first, so that the anal 

 appears to consist of many Unlets, especially when depressed. Dentition 

 and brancheostegals, normal. Pectorals very long, one-third the total length 

 of the fish. Fourth, fifth and sixth rays (counting downwards) the longest. 

 Ventrals very short and small. Dorsal outline depressed behind snout, then 

 nearly perpendicular to above posterior edge of orbit, thence almost straight 

 to origin of soft dorsal, thence rounded and rapidly narrowing to peduncle of 

 tail. Caudal lobes very long and narrow. The greatest thickness of the fish 

 is between the eyes and the base of the pectorals. Formula of fins: D, 4 or 



5, zV; A- "19' **• 18> *• 6- 



