FISHES OF WEST COAST OF PERU. 75 



This species differs from P. humeralis in coloration and in the size 

 of the scales. In individuals of the same size P. callaensis has a 

 longer head and slightly deeper body, a much narrower interorbital 

 and one more ray in the soft dorsal. 



Genus DIPLECTRUM Holl)rook. 



103. DIPLECTRUM CONCEPTIONE (Cuvier and Valenciennes). 

 OAMOTILLA. 

 Plate 7, fig. 2. 



Serranus concepUonis Citviee and Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., vol. 2, 

 1828, p. 183 (246) ; Chile.— Boulenges, Cat. Fisli. Brit. Mus., ed. 2, 

 vol. 1, 1895, p. 296.— Delfin, Cat. Peces de Clnle, 1901, p. 63. 



fPlectropoma paytensis Lesson, Voy. Coquille, Zool., vol. 2, 1830, p. 233; 

 Paita, Peru. 



Diplectrum conceptione Jordan and Eigermann, Rev. Serrauidae, Bull. U. S. 

 Fish Comm., vol. 8, 1890, p. 399. — Abbott, Marine Fishes of Peru, Proc. 

 Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1899, p. 349. 



fHemilutjanus paytensis Jordan and Eigenmann, Rev. Serrandiae, Bull. 

 U. S. Fish Comm., vol. 8, 1890, p. 345. 



Three specimens, field Nos. 09543, 09547, and 09558, respectively 

 11.8, 14.2, and 30.1 cm. in length, from Paita. The smaller specimens 

 were taken with a hook and line, a short distance out from the pier. 

 Evidently a very common little fish in this part of the bay. (Coker.) 



Two specimens, field Nos. 09529 and 09534, 27.5 and 24.5 cm. in 

 length, from Lobos de Tierra. 



Head 2.81 in length; depth 3.67; eye 5.72 in head; snout 3.63; 

 maxillary 2.4; interorbital (bone) 8.42; D. X, 12; A. Ill, 7; scales 

 8-60 (+5) -20. 



Body compressed; mouth large, oblique; maxillary reaching ver- 

 tical from middle of eye; lower jaw slightly projecting; eye large, 

 elliptical, high; interorbital slightly concave; snout short and 

 bluntish; preopercle with a well-developed process at angle project- 

 ing backw^ard, armed with a series of enlarged denticles; gillrakers 

 elongate, slender, 7-f 13. 



Scales large, ctenoid, those on cheeks in 9 rows; none on top of 

 head and snout; dorsal spines rather slender, fin without distinct 

 notch ; caudal nearly truncate, outer rays slightly longer than others ; 

 anal spines small, graduated; ventrals short, reaching three- fourths 

 distance to insertion of anal, 1.82 in head; pectorals broad and 

 rounded, 1.45 in head. 



Color in life : Back and upper part of sides dark olive green, but 

 with three pale horizontal stripes; one, from just above pectoral to 

 just beneath lateral line on peduncle; a second, from level of eye, 



