414 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



equals the length of the head. The anal contains 35-37 rays, which 

 . correspond in general appearance to those of the dorsal. 



The length of the caudal is one-third the standard length of the body, 

 and one-fourth the total length. It is o\ate-lauceolate in form, slightly 

 pointed. 



Tlie distance of the ventral from the snout equals one-third the height 

 of the body. The right ventral is composed of live rays, and is con- 

 nected with the anal by a low membrane. The left ventral is slightly 

 smaller. Both are situated upon the ventral keel and are very close 

 together, so that w'hen expanded they are in contact throughout the 

 entire surface, looking like one fin. 



There is no trace whatever of a pectoral upon the sinistral, or blind 

 side. The pectoral on the dextral side consists of five rays and its 

 length equals one-third or two-fifths that of the head. 



Color. — Grayish or brownish on eyed side with five or six faint dark 

 vertical lines, and with scattered white spots, the largest nearly equal 

 in size to the eye. The blind side is whitish. 



Eaclial formula. —J). 47-48; A.3o-37 ; V. 5; P. 5 ; L. lat. GO ; tube-bear- 

 ing scales 53. 



3. Hemirhombus paettilus, ii. sp. 



A single specimen, Xo. 30180, was obtained at Pensacola Florida, in 

 1882, by Mr. Silas Stearns. 



Description. — Body sinistral ; general form that of an ellipse, the 

 caudal extremity being considerably produced. Its height is contained 

 2^ times in its length, 2§ times in its length to the end of the caudal fin, 

 and is 4 times the height of the tail at its lowest portion. Its height 

 at the ventrals is 3 times as great as at the tail. Its greatest width is 

 equal to the diameter of the upi)er orbit. 



The scales on the cheek of the blind side are arranged in thirteen 

 series; those upon the nape and interorbital space of the eyed side are 

 smaller than upon the body. The scales on the body are large, thin, 

 deciduous, and cycloid. There are fifty-seven scales in the lateral line, 

 fifty-four of which are tube-bearing. Lateral line straight, and over 

 the axis of the body, save in its anterior fourth, within which it slightly 

 ascends with a very gentle upward curve, to the upper angle of the 

 gill-opening. Above the lateral line are. thirteen scales; below, twenty- 

 two. The vertical fins are scaly tw^o-thirds of the distance to their 

 tips. 



The head is short, its length being contained 3| times in the standard 

 body length, 4i tunes in the total length, and If times in the greatest 

 height of body. The snout is short; its length, slightly less than the 

 diameter of the lower eye, is contained 5 times in the length of the head. 

 Mouth rather large, the upper edge somewhat curved, its cleft very 

 oblique, the maxillary extending to below the middle of the lower eye. 

 The loAver jaw extends to the vertical from the anterior margin of the 



