414 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 42 



than in butleri ; broad and movable, apparently in two 

 well separated series, the inner row similar to the outer, 

 but smaller. 



Fins all low and short, except anal in male, in which 

 the first one or two rays are produced and extend back 

 nearly to the caudal fin. 



Dorsal in female inserted over middle of anal, behind 

 anal in male; caudal truncate. 



Female greenish above, sides with violet sheen; three 

 or four black cross bars, sometimes obsolete in adult, but 

 very distinct in young : one or two blackish oblong spots 

 before the anterior bar, representing other bars; a dark 

 pencil -like streak on sides of body below the scales; a 

 dark blotch on opercle; a trace of a dark ocellus on last 

 ray of dorsal at base. Fins without spots: lower fins 

 plain ; a dark streak along edge of caudal peduncle ; faint 

 traces of black markings on edge of dorsal and caudal. 



Male much smaller, reddish, with the lower fins yellow- 

 ish ; the coloration generally similar; both sexes rather 

 dull. 



Type, No. 2687, L. S. Jr. Univ. Mus. 



Family ESOCID^. 

 55. Tylosurus fodiator Jordan & Gilbert. Agujon. 



Common in the harbor at Mazatlan, where numerous 

 specimens, large and small, were taken: the largest of 

 these is about four feet long. 



It reaches a length of five feet. Greatly valued as food 

 in Acapulco; but not at Mazatlan, the people disliking it 

 on account of the green bones. It often leaps at lights 

 in boats, and is regarded as a species dangerous to fisher- 

 men, as its sharp beak readily pierces their scanty cloth- 

 ing- 



