266 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Aug. 



of the dorsal there is a recumbent spine. The genus may be 

 named Stenotomus* The Surg us probatoceplialus agrees with 

 JStenotomus and differs from Sargus in being armed with a 

 recumbent dorsal spine, and may be called Archosargus.f The 

 anatomical and full generic characters will be hereafter exposed. 



I may also add that among the Cyprinodonts, the Fundulus 

 zonatus Cv., F. cingulatus Cv., and Hydrargyra lucice Baird, 

 should be separated from Fundulus and Hydrargyra, to form a 

 distinct genus, (Micristius J) distinguished by its physiognomy and 

 the small number of dorsal rays. The nominal species probably 

 represent sexual conditions. 



Another family involved in great confusion is that of the 

 Clupeidae. An examination of extensive material has convinced 

 me that the number of species has been very much over-estimated 

 and that too much attention has been paid to the dentition. The 

 various osteological modifications, &c. afford much safer characters 

 I can only recognize with certainty seven species of Clupeinse as 

 inhabitants of the eastern coast to the northward. 



1. Clupea harenqus L. (Greenland fide Reinhardt, &c.) 



2. Clupea elongata Les. 



3. Pomolobus mediocris Gill ex Mitch. = Meletta mattawocca, Cv. 



— Alosa lineata Storer. 



4. Pomolobus pseudo = harenqus Gill ex Wilson = Clupea virescens 



Dekay. — Alosa cyanonoton St. = Meletta venosa, Cv. = 

 Alausella parvula Gill, (y-g-) = Alosa tyrannies Storer 

 — Clupea fasciata Les, 



5. Clupanodon thrissa Lac. = Meletta thrissa Cv. = Opisihonema 



thrissa Gill. 



6. Alosa tyrannus Gill ex Latrobe = Alosa praestabilis Dekay. 



7. Brevoortia menhaden Gill ex Mitchell — Alosa menhaden Cuv. 

 Washington City, U.S.A., Aug., 1865. 



* 3,Tevos, narrow ; rop-hs, incisive. The narrow incisors are especially 

 characteristic of Stenotomus. 



f Apxw, ruler ; 3,dpyos, Sargus. The sheeps-head (Archosargus pro- 

 batocephalus) is pre-eminent among the Sparoids for the delicacy of its 

 flesh as well as its size. 



§ MiKpos, small ; istiov, sail. Micristius is well distinguished by its 

 small dorsal fin. 



