PROCEEDIXGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 51 



A second exanijile of Xystrcurys liolcpis, taken at Santa Barbara, is 

 sinistral. The species is, therefore, like FaraUchthys maculosus and 

 riatklithys stellatus, both dextral and sinistral. In the second example 

 the small accessory scales are extremely numerous. 



Two more examples of the species, noticed by us as Platysomatichthys 

 stomias, have been obtained in trawl-nets from near the Farallones. 

 This species is apparently not conj^^eneric with Platysomatichthys liippo- 

 glossoiiles, differing in the long and slender gill-rakers and the ctenoid 

 scales, as well as in the dentition, narrow interorbital space, and other 

 minor details. The large teeth in both jaws, and the small teeth in the 

 outer row in the ui^ijer jaw, are distinctly arroiv-shaped, being abruptly 

 widened toward the tip, thence acutely triangular. 



We propose to consider this species as the type of a distinct genus, 

 which may be termed AtherestheSy from the arrow-shaped teeth. It may 

 be thus defined : 



Atheresthes geu. nov. 



Eyes and color on the right side. Body long and slender, closely 

 compressed, tapering into a long and slender caudal peduncle. Mouth 

 extremely large, oblique, the long and narrow maxillary extending 

 beyond the eye. Both jaws with two irregular series of unequal, sharp 

 teeth, which are anteriorly long and slender, posteriorly short. All the 

 long teeth of both jaws, and the outer series of small teeth in the upper 

 jaw, arrow-shaped. Some of the anterior teeth freely depressible. In- 

 terorbital space narrow. Gill-rakers long and strong, numerous. Scales 

 comparatively large, ciliated, thin, and readily deciduous, those on the 

 blind side similar, smooth. Lateral line without arch. Fins low and 

 rather fragile, the dorsal beginning over the eye, its anterior rays low. 

 Caudal lunate ; no anal spine. Pectorals and ventrals small, the latter 

 both lateral. 



Type, Platysomatichthys stomias Jor. & Gilb. 



IVOTES ON SHARKS FROi^I THE COAST OF €AL,IFORIVIA 



By DAVID S. JORDAN and CHAS. II. OILBSRT. 



The following species of sharks, not hitherto recorded from the Pacific 

 coast of the United States, have been observed by the writers during 

 the present winter (1880) : 



1. Isurus oxyrhynchus Rafinesque. (?) 



The jaws of a species of Isurus were obtained by us at San Pedro, the 

 shark having be6n taken off Santa Catilina Island. The teeth agree 

 essentially with those of Isurus oxyrhynchtis {Lamna spallanzani of 

 authors). Isurus glaucus has, however, also the same dentition, hence 

 we are unable exactly to determine the species. 



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