Lady Fish ; Bone Fish ; Banana Fish 



The young of this species pass through a metamorphosis, 

 analogous to that seen in the conger eels, the ten-pounder, 

 and the awa. They for a time are elongate, band-shaped, with 

 very small head and loose transparent tissues. From this condi- 

 tion they become gradually shorter and more compact, shrinking 

 from 3 or 3J inches to 2 inches in length. In the Gulf of Cali- 

 fornia where this species abounds, these band-shaped young are 

 often thrown by the waves on the beach in great masses. 



Head 3I; depth 4; D. 15; A. 8; scales 9-71-7. Upper lobe 

 of caudal the longer; a broad band of peculiar, elongate, mem- 

 branaceous scales along middle line of back; accessory ventral 

 scale large. Colour, brilliantly silvery on sides, olivaceous above; 

 back and sides with faint streaks along the rows of scales; fins 

 plain; axils dusky. Length 1^ to 3 feet. 



89 



