268 PEOCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



men differs from otliers of this species examined by us in having the 

 body very slender, tlie depth 1| in length of head. The coloration is 

 peculiar, the back and sides being reticulated with black in fine pat- 

 tern, on an olivaceous ground, there being about 12 cross streaks of black 

 between the occiput and the dorsal fin. In S. grex these streaks are 

 not usually half so numerous. The lower part of the sides is i>laiu 

 silvery. The air-bladder is developed, and the ovaries in this speiimeu, 

 which was about a foot long, are full of eggs. 



Scomber grex Mitchill (Trans. Lit. & Phil. Soc. N. Y. 1815, 422) of 

 the Atlantic and Scomber diego Ayres (Proc. Cal. Ac. Sci. 92, 1855) of 

 the coast of Southern California are apparently identical. The Medi- 

 terranean species. Scomber coUas Gmel. (= S.imcumatophorus Delaroche), 

 seems to differ iu some i)articulars, slight, but constant in the speci- 

 mens examined. These are shown in the following analysis: 



a. Air-bladder preseut. 



ft. Dark bands ou bock broad, as broad as interspaces, usually confluent below 

 with a wavy dark, lateral streak ou the level of upper edge of i)ectoral; sides 

 and belly below the streak immaculate; head '.i\ to ;^f in length; longest 

 dorsal spine not more than half head Grex. 



ih. Dark dorsal bands narrow, more wavy, not so broad as interspaces; lateral 

 streak obsolete or represented by a line of dots; lower part of sides with 

 numerous irregular, wavy vertical streaks and reticulations of a dull gray 

 color, which are usually broader than the interspaces; head 4 in length; 

 longest dorsal spine a little more than half head Colias. 



50. Scomberomorus maculatus (Mitch.) J. & G. — Spanish mackerel. P. 

 Abundant iu spring and summer -, one of the most important food- 

 fishes. 



51. Scomberomorus caballa (C. & V.) J. & G. — King-fish. P. 



A specimen 4 feet in length was taken at Pensacola. Oolor in life 

 steel-blue, jialer below, slightly clouded, but without spots ; upper fins 

 dusky; lower fins whitish. Head 5 in length ; depth C. Maxillary 1| 

 in head, reaching posterior margin of eye. Eye G in head ; snout pointed, 

 2f in head. Teeth broad, triangular, smallest in front, those in lower 

 jaw largest, their breadth at base ^ their height. Gill-rakers very short, 

 scarcely higher than broad. Pectorals 1'^ in head ; ventrals 3|. Dor- 

 sal lobe 3 ; anal lobe 23. Interspace between dorsals a little longer 

 than eye. D. (spines injured) I, 14-9; A. Ill, 12-10. 



OARANGID^. 



52. Decapterus punctatus (Agass.) Gill. — Ciijar-fish. P. 



Kather common at Pensacola, where several specimens w-ere obtained. 



53. Caraiixtrachurus(L.)Lac. P. (30833.) 



Two specimens, one of them in fair condition, the other partly di- 

 gested, taken from the stomach of a Eed Snapper at Pensacola. 

 We identify the Gulf species with the Caranx trachurus i)roper, our 



