4 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. 82 



closely related species of this genus. Still another significant differ- 

 ence is that the type of hilgendorfi is dextral while that of schmitti 

 is sinistral, but the true value of this difference is again indetermi- 

 nable from single specimens. Most species of Paralichthys are con- 

 stantly sinistral, but two species at least are also frequently dextral. 

 Finally, in his account of hilgendorfi, Steindachner describes "Eine 

 sehr stumpfe knocherne Leiste auf der Stirne, schrage nach vorn zur 

 Schnauze ziehend", a condition not evident in schmitti. From all 

 other species of Paralichthys, except jernandezianus and hilgendorfi, 

 having ctenoid scales on eyed side and cycloid on blind side, and 

 occurring on the Pacific coast of North and South America, schmitti 

 is distinguished by the small number of gill rakers. 



PARALICHTHYS TROPICUS, new species 



Description oj type. — Sinistral. Vertebrae 10+26. Scales cycloid 

 on both sides, in 67 oblique rows over straight part of lateral line to 

 end of hypoural, 28 in a chord subtending the arch in the lateral line, 

 34 oblique rows over the arch. Accessory scales present on both sides, 

 quite numerous, except in area along the middle posterior part of 

 body; most other regular scales on body having a complete circle of 

 small accessory scales around their edges. Scales covering entire 

 head and body, except lower jaw and snout of both sides and pre- 

 opercle and maxillary of blind side; preopercle of eyed side incom- 

 pletely scaled, a few scales at end of maxillary of eyed side ; smaller 

 scales extending on rays of vertical fins, except those near either end, 

 on ventral of eyed side and on caudal nearly to its end. Both pec- 

 torals and ventral of blind side scaleless. Gill rakers rather short, 

 but little longer than pupil, 11 on lower limb (12 on eyed side) of 

 first gill arch, 2 on upper limb at the angle with 2 tuberosities above. 

 D. 75. A. 58. Pectoral rays 11 on both sides. Origin of dorsal 

 nearly on a level with anterior margin of eye, base curving downward 

 anteriorly to blind side, anterior rays distinctly shorter than those 

 near posterior part of body; origin of anal somewhat in advance of 

 base of pectoral; last 12 rays of vertical fins branched, others simple. 

 Ventrals of both sides symmetrically placed, subequal in length and 

 width of base, the tip reaching to base of third anal ray. Pectoral 

 of eyed side reaching angle of curve in lateral line, the one on blind 

 side falling considerably short of angle. Caudal distinctly biconcave. 

 Maxillary reaching slightly past a vertical through posterior margin 

 of orbit. Teeth in one row, unequal, the anterior ones considerably 

 enlarged, posterior teeth of upper jaw very small and close-set. 

 Mouth very oblique, a horizontal line through outer edge of upper 

 lip nearly passing through upper rim of lower orbit; lower jaw some- 

 what projecting; chin angular; articulation of mandible angular, 

 falling at some distance behind posterior rim of orbit. Position of 



