64 



CALIFOKMA Al'ADKMV Ol' SCIENCES 



122. Polydactylus opercularis (Gill). 



Taken with hook mid line in jijrcat ahiiiulaiice. It is eagerly sought after by 

 the native jmpiilation, by wliom it is highly prized. Tt is one of the most imporlMiit 

 food-fishos, 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 

 tloubtless based on erroneous observation. 



AfeasiircHienls in Hundredths of Length ivithout CaudaL 



Length in mm 



Head 



Depth 



Maxillary 



Spinous clors;il I'loiii snout 



Distance from (runt of si^inDUs dorsiil to 

 soft dorsal 



Length of pectoral 



Longest detached ray 



Longest dorsal spine 



Longest dorsal ray 



Dorsal 



Anal 



Scales 



7i 



178 

 30 



27 



I 



34i 



26), 



22 



35 

 20 



17V 



VIII-1,12 



111,13 

 69 



Family HOLOCENTRIDiE. 



123. Myripristis occidentalis GlU. 



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

 from J/, jxjbcilopus 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 arc 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. pcecilopus, and with bluish reflections on each scale. The silver begins on the 

 row of scales below the lateral line rather than above, and is ri(;lier in coppery 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. p(£cilo2ms. The ventrals have lighter or 



