14 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACAPEMY OF [1880. 



between these two individuals has almost convinced me of the 

 identity of G. princepa and G. anomalus ; and I am inclined to 

 think it probable that the type of G. affinis is only a somewhat 

 abnormal specimen of the same species. The chief differences 

 between the smaller of my specimens and the t^'pe of G. affinis 

 are the more quadrantiform outline and greater length of the head 

 and the smaller number of dorsal spines and anal rays in the latter- 



As, however, the form of the head differs so considerably in 

 individuals evidently belonging to the same species, too much 

 stress must not be laid on the former character ; and the A^ariation 

 in the number of dorsal spines (viii-ix) and dorsal and anal fin- 

 rays in specimens of undoubted G. anomalus on record, forbid us 

 to think the latter a positive character. 



It is quite possible that an individual may have acquired the 

 form of head of the adult, while still of small dimensions. The 

 dorsal spine may be expected (judging from the two specimens 

 here described) to increase in their proportional length inversely 

 to the size of the fish. 



If my conjecture be correct (and I only give it as a conjecture), 

 then there is only one Pacific species at present known, ranging at 

 least from the Galapagos to the Bay of Montere}-, near San Fran- 

 cisco ; representing in this ocean the G. cluysops of the Atlantic, 

 and var3'ing somewhat according to age and locality. To thor- 

 oughly settle the question, a thorough examination of several 

 specimens from the Galapagos, and a comparison of them with 

 others from Lower and Upper California, will be necessary. 



Presuming, for the occasion, that the}- are identical, the 

 synonymy will be as follows : 



Caulolatilus princeps (Jenyns), Gill. 



Latilus pi-inceps, Jenyns, Zool. Beagle, 53, pi. 11. 

 Latilus prin,cej)s, Gvinther, Cat. Fish. British Museum, II, p. 253. 

 Dekaya anomala, Cooper, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil., 1865, p. 68. 

 Caulolatilus anomalus, Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Cal., 1865, p. 68. 

 Caulolatilus affinis, Gill, loc. cit. 



Caulolatilus anomalus, Streets, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 7, p. 48, 

 1877. 



D. viii-ix, 25-26. A. ii, 24-26. P. 19-20. Y. i. C. ac. 13-14. 

 C. 13. 



General Description. — Profile more or less decurved,the curva- 

 ture increasing with age ; posterior portion of dorsal outline 

 nearly straight ; abdominal outline regularly curved. Greatest 



