112 BULLETIN 18 9, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



going description is based on that specimen (U.S.N.M. No, 127829), 

 which becomes the type of the species. Apparently it was under 

 pressm'e during the hardening process, which depressed its midsection. 

 In other respects it is in good condition. 



In addition to the Peruvian specimen there are 4 examples in the 

 National Museum (U.S.N.M. Nos. 41409, 79622, and 79624) from Pan- 

 ama Bay, one of these (41409) being a paratype of S. jenkinsi, and 

 a specimen (U.S.N.M. No. 54506) from the southern part of the Gulf of 

 California (taken at lat. 24°16' N.; long. 110°22' W.), which also belong 

 to this species. Among these specimens are 4 adults 118 to 260 mm, 

 in length and a juvenile 49 mm, long. The following proportions and 

 enumeration are based on the 4 adult examples mentioned: Head 4,1 

 to 4,8 in length; depth 7.4 to 9,7. Eye 5,35 to 5.75 in head, or 1.2 to 

 1.65 in snout; snout 3.5 to 3.8 in head; interorbital 6.65 to 9.6 in head, 

 or 1.9 to 2.5 in snout; premaxillary 1.55 to 1.7 in head; anal base 1.6 to 

 1.8; ventral (longest ray) 1.15 to 1.3; pectoral 1.7 to 2.0. D. 10 or 11; 

 A. 11 or 12; P, 13 or 14; V, 8; scales 56 to 59, 4 complete rows between 

 lateral line and base of dorsal, and 20 to 22 series crossing back in 

 advance of dorsal. The width of the body definitely exceeds the depth 

 at base of ventrals, being more or less depressed as far back as the 

 adipose where the depth and width are about equal. The larger 

 specimens are more definitely and more profusely spotted than the 

 smaller ones. The two largest specimens, 173 and 260 mm, long, have 

 a series of 7 or 8 enlarged pale gray spots, which approximately follow 

 the third row of scales above the lateral line. Only slight suggestions 

 of these spots are present on the type. The vertical membranous folds 

 on the edge of the mandible are especially prominent in the larger 

 specimens. 



Tliis species differs from aS*. scituliceps, with which it has been 

 identified, in several respects. The principal differences are set forth 

 in the following parallel columns : 



S. scituliceps 



Scales small, 63 to 66 in a lateral series, 



24 or 25 crossing back in advance of 



dorsal fin. 

 Anal with 13 or 14 raj's, usually 13. 

 Snout long, sharply pointed, extending 



well beyond tip of mandible, 2.95 to 



3.4 in head. 

 Mandible very sharply pointed, with a 



small but definite fleshy knob at tip, 



its lateral margins without definite 



folds of skin. 

 Eye small, 6.3 to 7.6 in head, and 2.0 to 



2.35 in snout. 



S. sechurae 



Scales larger, 56 to 59 in a lateral series, 

 20 to 22 crossing back in advance of 

 dorsal fin. 



Anal with 11 or 12 rays, usually 12. 



Snout shorter, notably less sharply 

 pointed, extending little beyond tip of 

 mandible, 3.5 to 3.8 in head. 



Mandible less sharply pointed, with an 

 indefinite fleshy knob at tip, its mar- 

 gins near tip with definite vertical 

 folds of skin. 



Eye larger, 5.35 to 5.8 in head, and 1.2 

 to 1.65 in snout. 



Range. — Gulf of California to northern Peru, 



