84 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



centre and the front of the pnjwl of the lower eye. Teeth slender, acute, 

 incurved, closely set at regular distances from each other, gradually in- 

 creasing in size forwards ; about equal in size on both sides of both jaws, 

 and extending the full length of the gape on both sides. Upper pharyn- 

 geals each with a single row of 6-8 slender, rather long, sharp, recurved 

 teeth ; lower iiharyngeals each with a single functional row of similar 

 teeth, all but some of the most anterior buried in the gum almost to their 

 j)oints; lower pharyngeal bones separate. Gill-rakers of 1st pair of 

 branchial arches about equal in length to the width of the interocular 

 space, rather stiff; those of the other arches gradually diminishing to the 

 fourth ; spinulose on their upper edge. Dorsal arising a little before the 

 anterior rim of the upper orbit, close behind the posterior nostril of the 

 blind side ; gradually increasing in height to about the 38th-48th rays, 

 which are behind the highest point of the dorsal outline, and thence 

 rapidly decreasing ; the last rays small and closelj^ set. Anal arising ver- 

 tical with the posterior axil of the base of the pectorals ; its longest rays 

 (23d-27th) somewhat deeper than those of the dorsal are high. From 

 these rays the depth of the fin diminishes rapidly to its termination 

 opposite that of the dorsal ; the posterior rays, like those of that tin, very 

 small and closely set. No anal spine visible externally. Posterior mar- 

 gin of caudal almost straight when closed, but slightly wedge-shaped ; 

 the centre rays longest, when opened out; princii)al rays bifurcate three 

 times. Pectoral of left or colored side about ^ of the total length, and 

 consisting of thirteen rays, all, except the fitst three, once bifurcate ; 

 fourth ray longest. Pectoral of right side |-f of the length of that of 

 the colored side ; rays simple. Ventrals short, but broad at base and 

 broadly rounded when opened, their tips extending beyond the third 

 anal ray, and the posterior margin of their base situated a little anterior 

 to the anterior axil of the pectoral. Ventral of the colored side on the 

 abdominal ridge ; rays simple. Lateral line almost straight, yet rising 

 somewhat anteriorly ; very distinct ; tubes simple. Number of scales 

 between base of caudal and head 65-70. No lines of pores on head. 

 Scales rather large, very thin and flexible, deciduous, almost mem- 

 branous, smooth ; the free end truncate, each pocket of the dermis bor- 

 dered by a delicate membrane of darker color than the scale, and often 

 broken up into tags ; engaged portion of scale with slight radiating 

 striffi. Those of the anterior poi'tion are as deep as long, or even 

 deeper ; those of the posterior part of tbe body and of the caudal peduncle 

 are more or less elongated. The scales vary much in size and shape ; 

 the largest are on the abdominal region behind and below the pectoral; 

 the smallest around the eyes and on the interorbital space, snout, and 

 lower jaw ; the two latter only partially covered with scales. Dorsal 

 and anal with a row of small scales along each ray on the colored side. 

 Caudal scaly at the base, and with the membrane between t]ie rays 

 covered with scales on both sides. Scales of blind side similar to those 

 of colored. Color dull reddish yellow ; the outline of each scale ren- 

 dered distinct by the margin of darker membrane behind each scale ; 



