14. ELEOTRIS. 113 



separated by a crest ; there is only a low and feeble crest on the 

 occiput. The principal frontal bones have a transverse impression 

 between the posterior angles of the orbit, are moderately broad be- 

 tween the orbits, and again elevated and forming a convexity above 

 the ethmoid. The upper portion of the orbital incisure is deep, 

 as broad as long. Bones of the jaws feeble. The prseoperculum 

 has a double ridge along the posterior margin, the lower margin 

 being simple. Operculum and suboperculum large, elongate. The 

 urohyal is slender, terminating in a long point posteriorly. The 

 l)ubic bones form a square lamella together, and each is joined to 

 the humerus of its side. 



There are thirteen abdominal and fourteen caudal vertebrse, the 

 former portion being a little longer than the caudal. The ribs and 

 the processes are moderately developed. 



lines. 



Length of the first vertebra 1 1 



of the fifth vertebra 2 



of the thirteenth vertebra 1| 



of the nineteenth vertebra 1| 



of the twenty-sixth vertebra 14- 



of the abdominal portion 2l| 



of the caudal portion 19^ 



10. Eleotris grandisquama, 

 Cut'. ^- Val. xii. p. 229. 



D. 6 I 1 A. i-. L. lat. 30. 



The scales on the upper surface of the head are as large as those 

 on the body. The height of the body is one-fifth of the total length, 

 the length of the head one-fourth. Head obtuse, tJiick, depressed. 

 The eye occupies the second fifth of the length of the head, and its 

 diameter is one-half of the width of the interorbital space. The 

 maxillary scarcely extends to the vertical from the anterior margin 

 of the eye. Teeth villiform. Brownish ; the second dorsal and the 

 anal with blackish spots. {Val.) 



Tropical America ? 



11. Eleotris sima. 



Cm\ ^- Val. xii. p. 232. 



D. 8 I 9. A. 10. L. lat. 32. 



Snout obtuse, with the anterior profile subvertical ; the lower jaw 

 projects a little beyond the upper. Eye small. Dark greenish ; fins 

 with the rays brown-dotted. ( Val.) 



Fresh waters of Vera Cruz. 



The species has been founded on specimens three inches long, and 

 appears to be distinguished by the number of the dorsal spines. A 

 specimen received from Paris as E. sima, is identical with E. maculata. 



VOL. in. I 



