352 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



the angulation of the lateral line. Small scales on soft parts of dorsal 

 and anal. 



Dorsal fin low, divided almost to base, the spines rather strong. First 

 and second spines short and slender, the second little more than one- 

 third the height of the third ; the fourth or longest 2^ in head ; soft dor- 

 sal low, its longest rays 3 in head. Caudal subtruncate, the upper rays 

 longest. If in head. Anal rather low, the second spine 2 in head, much 

 longer and stronger than the third, which is little lower than the sott 

 rays. Pectoral pointed, l^V in head ; ventrals If. 



Color dusky bluish above, silvery below. Sides of back with about 

 seven short black bars, each much narrower than the interspaces, the 

 last under last rays of dorsal, all terminating below at the lower edge 

 of the dark hue of the back. Fins all pale. 



The types of this species (17546; U. S. Nat. Mus.), three adult speci- 

 mens in good condition, were obtained by Dr. Thomas H. Streets at 

 Boca Soledad, on the Pacific coast of Lower California. They have 

 been mentioned by Dr. Streets (Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., vii, 50, 1877) 

 under the name of Conodon phimieri. They are closely related to the 

 latter species, but distinguishable as follows : 



Common characters. — Body ratber elongate; preopercle with 

 strong antrorse teeth on its lower limb and a spine at its angle ; series 

 of scales above lateral line parallel with it ; outer series of teeth in 

 both jaws enlarged ; dorsal deeply notched ; soft rays of vertical fins 

 scaly ; second anal spine enlarged. (Conodon, C. & V.) 



a. Back distinctly elevated and compressed, the depth equal to length of head, 3^ in 

 body; teeth of outer series very strong and thick; second dorsal spine more than 

 half length of third; second anal spine more than half length of head; pre- 

 opercular spine small; dark bars on sides extending to level of lower edge of 



pectoral Nobilis. 



aa. Back not elevated, the depth equal to length of head, 3f in body; teeth of outer 

 series moderately enlarged, slender ; second dorsal spine small, less than one-third 

 length of third; second anal spine about half length of head; preopercular spine 

 very strong; dark bars on sides not extending to level of pectorals. ..Serrifer. 

 It may be here observed that of the two specimens referred to Pristi- 

 poma lenciscus by Dr. Streets, one (17539) belongs to Pomadasys axil- 

 laris (Steind.), the other (30746) to Pomadasys nitidus (Steind). The 

 variety of Pomadasys lenciscus from Mazatlan and Panama mentioned 

 by us (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1881, 387, foot-note) has received from Dr. 

 Steindachner (Neue & Seltene Fische, aus. K. K. Museum, Wien, &c., 

 1879. 30, 52. taf 9. f. 2) the name of Prisfipoma lenciscus var. elongatiis. 

 As it is apparently a valid species, although very closely related to P. 

 lenciscus , it may stand as Pomadasys elongatus. It is much more abun- 

 dant than the typical lenciscus. 

 United States National Museum, June 26, 1883. 



