THE SHORE FISHES OF PERU 425 



hand; scales extending on all the fins, exclusive of spinous dorsal, 

 covering most of the caudal; gill rakers slender, 30 on lower limb of 

 first arch in a specimen 50 mm. long; origin of first dorsal generally 

 somewhat nearer base of caudal than tip of snout; origin of second 

 dorsal a little behind that of anal, and a little nearer origin of first 

 dorsal than base of caudal; anal similar to second dorsal, its base a 

 little longer, 7.7 to 8.5 in length; ventral inserted equidistant from 

 tip of snout and end of anal base or a little nearer the latter; pectoral 

 short, though extending well beyond base of ventral, 1.75 to 2.0 in head. 

 Color of preserved specimens dark gray above, pale to brownish 

 underneath. Lower parts probably more or less silvery in life, but 

 the five lots, consisting of more than 100 specimens, collected at differ- 

 ent times and in different places, are without a silvery sheen. Upper 

 surface of head generally with dark spots; body everywhere, except 

 lower parts of head, chest and abdomen, with brown points; gill covers 

 pale or brownish, translucent, the gills generally visible through the 

 opercles; ventrals and pectorals pale, except for a dark spot at base 

 of the upper rays of the latter; other fins more or less dusky. 



Figure 82. — Mugil peruanus, new species. From the type, 95 mm. long, Independencia 

 Bay, Peru (U.S.N.M. No. 127877). 



More than 100 specimens, 35 to 95 mm. (27 to 77 mm. to base of 

 caudal) long, were collected by the Mission. These were taken in 

 Sechura Bay, Samanco Bay, Tortuga Bay, Chilca Bay, at La Lagun- 

 illa, and in Independencia Bay. Most of them were seined, and some 

 were taken under a light. The proportions and enumerations used 

 are based on 10 specimens, exclusive of the counts of vertebrae which 

 are based on 2 specimens, and those of anal rays on 35. The first 

 soft ray of the anal is transformed into a spine when the fish attain 

 a length of about 55 to 60 mm. The largest specimen, 95 mm. (77 

 mm. to base of caudal) long (U.S.N.M. No. 127877), taken in Inde- 

 pendencia Bay, near La Lagunilla, has been selected as the type. 

 The following proportions and enumerations pertain to the type: 

 Head in length 3.33; depth 3.5; anal base 7.7; pectoral 5.9. Eye in 

 head 4.8; snout 4.6; interorbital 3.15; maxillary 3.9; caudal peduncle 

 2.8; pectoral 1.75. D. IV-I, 8; A. Ill, 8; P. 15; scales 42. 



