1873.] ^1 [Cope. 



A. 19, 1G. Scales larger than in the last species, smaller on the cheeks 

 and top of head. Vent below anterior rays of second dorsal. Pectoral 

 not quite reaching line of last ray of first dorsal. Ventrals a little pro- 

 duced. Caudal slightly concave. 



Length of type, thirteen inches. 



Sides and above, brown; lower surfaces and upper jaw, golden yellow. 

 Superior and caudal fins, brown; the first dorsal with a median angular 

 yellow band, which terminates at the base of the last rays in n yellow 

 spot. Concealed surfaces of pectoral and ventral fins, dusky. 



In the Gadus vachna, according to Pallas, the number of radii in both 

 the last dorsal and last anal fins is greater than in Gadus auratus; the 

 depth of the body and length of head are represented by Pallas as the 

 same, while here the head greatly exceeds that dimension. 



Gadopsidte. 



Giinther's Catalogue of Fishes, British Museum, IV, p. 318. 



In adding a new genus to this family, I call attention to the probable 

 position of the latter in relation to others. Dr. Gunther places it among 

 the Anacanthini, preceding the Lyeodidm, while Dr. Steindachner has 

 expressed the opinion that the genus Gadopsis of Richardson should be 

 referred to the Blenniidoe, or near them. 



On examination of the new genus Buthymaster, I observe that the 

 superior pharyngeal bone do not present the type of the ScyphobrancJi 

 division of Percomophi, to which the Blenniidce belong, but resemble 

 some of the Gadidce in this respect. On the other hand, the large pseu- 

 dobranchii are much like those of the Blenniidce. The dorsal spines are 

 so few and soft as to count for nothing, as they scarcely differ from the 

 fissured rays which follow them. The pyloric caeca are like those of the 

 Gadidce. The structure of the scapula I cannot determine, but the basis 

 of the caudal fin is like that of the diphycercal families. This would not, 

 however, prevent the association of the family with the Anacanthini as 

 left-by Dr. Gunther. 



Bathymaster signatus. Cope, genus et species nova. 



Character genericus. — From elongate; a long dorsal fin well separated 

 from caudal, which possess only four or five unbranched rays as its 

 anterior extremity. Vent submedian, anal fin elongate, spineless, well 

 distinguished from the caudal. Caudal rounded. Ventral fins pectoral, 

 of one spine and five rays; scales ctenoid. Lateral line well developed, 

 single: no isthmus; no beard of any kind. Teeth simple, in a band on 

 the premaxillary, the outer series the largest; on the dentaries only many- 

 rowed near the symphysis, where the inner are largest. A narrow series 

 of vomerine and palatine teeth. 



The caudal fin having become separated, I observe that it is supported 

 by the usual modified luemapophyses with aborted centra, and is not 

 isocercal as in the Anacanthini generally. 



Pyloric appendages in small number. Branchial arches four, with a 

 fissure behind the fourth; a large pseudobranchus. 



