29 



Caudal very large and strong ; its breadth, when expanded, being 

 one-third the length of the fish. 

 B. 7, D. IX, III, 8, P. 19, A. II, 7, V. 1, 6, C. 3, 1, 6, 6, 1, 3. 



Squatina calif ornica, (Ayres). — This species appears to be by no 

 means common. But a single specimen has yet been observed, which 

 was taken in the Bay of San Francisco, September 22, 1857. It 

 measured thirty-nine inches in length. 



The principal points in which it seems to differ from its congener of 

 the Atlantic coast, S. Dumerili, are the form of the orbits, the form 

 and number of the teeth, the size and form of the pectorals, the form 

 of the ventrals and of the dorsals. 



Breadth as compared with the entire length, across the pectorals, 

 about three-fifths ; across the widest portion of the ventrals, a little 

 less than one-third ; of the body at its junction with the head, one- 

 fourth. 



Eyes small, orbits not elevated, nor any tubercles manifest upon 

 them. 



Distance from the anterior border of the head to the point of attach- 

 ment of the pectorals, equal to the breadth of the head at the line of 

 the spiracles, but the free border of the pectorals extends forward 

 about half this distance, forming the pectoral fissure in which are the 

 branchial apertures. Posterior flap somewhat shorter, and not pro- 

 vided with a notch on its inner border. Entire length of the pectorals, 

 a little more than one-fourth the length of the fish. 



Ventrals arising on a line with the posterior border of the pectorals, 

 increasing in width for rather more than a third of their length, and 

 then tapering to a point a little posterior to the origin of the first dor- 

 sal. Their free flap comprises almost their entire posterior half. 



Dorsals alike in size and shape ; the first arising at the commence- 

 ment of the posterior third of the fish ; its length of attachment equal 

 to the distance from the eyes to the anterior border of the head, its 

 height equal to the distance between the eyes ; the tip of the first not 

 quite reaching the origin of the second. 



Teeth small, acute, broad at base, rapidly narrowing ; arranged in 

 five to six rows, each row containing nine to ten teeth. Teeth in the 

 two jaws very similar. 



Color above greyish ash, marked more or less distinctly with small 

 whitish spots ; the membranous fringe bordering the head, white ; all 

 below, white. 



Hippof/Iossus calif ornicns, (Ayres). — Form elongated, greatest 

 depth equal to one-third of the entire length. Head small, its length 

 forming one-fifth of the length of the fish. Mouth large, the angle of 

 the maxillary reaching a line posterior to the orbits. Teeth in a single 



