ZOOLOGY. 



375 



vincUifi, which is known to the fishermen as the Spanish Flag, and is, ac- 

 cording to Jordan and Gilbert, "the most brilliantly colored large fish 

 on the Pacific coast." Of the species of the genus as understood by our 

 authors, 23 have been already detected in or near the bay of San Fran- 

 cisco, 25 in Monterey Bay, 14 at Santa Ijarbai'a, 5 at San Diego, and 9 

 occur as far north as Puget Sound. 



A DEEP-SEA ROCK-FISII. 



As has been indicated with regard to the Californiau Scorpa^nids, the 

 successive bathymetrical zones are inhabited by different species, and 

 as we descend downwards we find one set of species gradually disap- 

 pear, to be succeeded in the lower zone by another combination. It has 

 been conjectured that in still deeper water we may find yet other forms. 

 A^'hat may be expected is suggested by a species secured by the Chal- 

 lenger Expedition in the " Inland Sea of Japan," off Inosima, at a depth 

 of " 345 fathoms." It has been illustrated by Dr. Giinther (Eeport on 

 the Shore Fishes, p. G5, pi. 27),* under the name of Sehastes macrocJiir, 

 without any consideration of its relations. It is, nevertheless, note- 

 worthy for several peculiarities. The typical species of Sehaste.s have 

 15 (14+1) dorsal spines and about 30 {e. g., 12-J-19) vertebrae, while 

 the species of Sehastichthys and allied forms have 12 or 13 (12-|-1) dorsal 

 spines, and 24 (14+10) vertebrae. The ^^ Sebastes macrocliir''^ has, like 

 the typical species of Sebastes, 15 (14+1) dorsal spines, but the verte- 

 brte are unknown, although they are probably developed in increased 

 numbers. (The soft portion of the dorsal is said by Dr. Giinther to have 

 six rays, but nine are figured.) The principal characteristics of the spe- 

 cies, however, are the peculiar structure of the pectorals and ventrals, 

 and the position of the latter. The pectorals have a wide base, and are 

 produced backwards near the upper margin (and not medially), while 

 the (five) lower rays are thickened and extend much beyond the rays 

 next above in a linguiform lobe ; the ventrals are situated directly un- 

 der (and not behind) the axils of the pectorals, and the outer rays are 

 produced thick and unbranched. These characteristics are the more 

 noteworthy, inasmuch as many deep-sea fishes have the lower pectoral 

 and ventral rays differentiated and modified as "feelers." The ^^Sebastes 

 macrochir^^ is evidently not a true "/S'c^&rts/es," and, on account of the form 

 of the pectorals and position of the ventrals just indicated, should be 

 distinguished generically. It may be called Sebastolobus macrochir. 



REPTILES, ETC. 



FEATURES OF PROGRESS. 



Like ichthyology, herpetology is a common denominator for very dif- 

 ferent classes — the amphibians and reptiles — which receive attention 



" Guutber (Albdrt). Eeport on the Scientific Results of tlie Voyage of H. M. S. Chal- 

 lenger. Zoology, vol. i, part vi. Re^jort on the Shore Fishes. London, 1880. 4to., 

 82 pp., 32 pi. 



