PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 3 



the two laterals present varied characters; the third uDciuus, counting 

 outward, is usually spatulate ; while the remainder are mere bosses, or 

 scales. The wide differences found in the few figures of the dentition 

 of Chitons extant appear to be due to erroneous interpretation of the 

 objects represented. The figures of Loven are the most satisfactory. 



rOSTPIilOCElVE FOSSIL.S IIV THE COAST BAIVOE OF CAI^IFORNIA, 



By "W, II. DAL,L. 



The National Museum has received from Mr. G. F. Merriam, of San 

 Luis Eey,Cal., specimens of Donax cali/ornicus, Chione succincta, Olivella 

 biplicata,au(l Cerithidea sacrata, in a semi-fossilized condition. The first 

 mentioned retained a considerable part of its pinkish interior coloration. 

 These fossils (probably with other species) are stated by Mr. Merriam 

 to be found in great abundance at the head of a cahon in that vicinity, 

 in the heart of the Coast Range, twelve miles from the sea in a direct 

 line, and six hundred feet above tide-water. All the species are found 

 living in abundance on the present sea-coast. This indicates a very 

 recent elevation for this part of the coast, if the facts are correctly 

 interpreted, and further specimens and details will be awaited with 

 interest. 



NOTES ON TnE AMERICAN SPECIES OF TIIE GENUS CYBIUItl. 



By FELIPE POEY. 



[Translated by G. Brown Goode, from MS. memorandum of Professor Felipe Poey.J 

 Cybium caballa, Cuv. & Val. 



Cybium cahalla, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Histoire Natnrelle des Poiesons, 

 viii, 18:51, p. 187. — Guntiier, Catalogue of tbe Acantboi)terygian Fishes in 

 the Collectiou of the British Museum, ii, 1860, p. 373. — Poey, Repertorio 

 Fisico-Natural de la Isla de Cuba, i, 1867, p. 322 ; ii, p. 13 ; aud in Synopsia 

 Piscium Cubensiuiu, op. cit., ii, p. 362. 



CyUum acervum, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Ioc. cit., p. 186 {nee ti/puii). 



Vulgo : — Sierra. 



Differential Characters. — First dorsal with fourteen spines, without a 

 blaclc spot anteriorly. Body immaculate in the adult, spotted with yel- 

 lowish in the young fish. 



The number of teeth increases with the age ; in large specimens, it is 

 If. The larger teeth are placed upon the middle of the jaw, those in 

 the lower jaw being a trifle the longer. Tbe lateral line is very sinuous 

 upon the posterior portion of the body. The eye is larger than in Cy- 

 bium regale. 



Bluish upon the back, whitish under the belly. First dorsal white; 

 second dorsal and caudal dusky-bluish {hlen-noiratre) ; pectorals bluish, 

 as is also the anal, which, however, becomes white at its extremity ; 

 ventrals whitish. 



