288 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



simiilans. 

 flavidiis. 



ovalis. 

 Series (or subgenus) Sehastichthys. 

 atrovirens. 

 pinniger. 



eloiiffatus. 



rubrivinctus. 



auriculatus. 



vexillaris. 



chlorostictus. 



rosaceus. 



constellatus. 



ruber. 



rastrelliger. 



nebulosus. 



fasciolaris. 



serriceps. 



nigrociuctus. 

 Of the foregoing species we have examined a large series of all except 

 ovalis, rubrivinctus, and nigrocinctus. All the species except nigrocinctus, 

 ovalis, and riihrivinctus are of frequent occurrence in tlie San Francisco 

 markets. 



The characters drawn from the presence or absence of the diiferent 

 pairs of spinous ridges on the top of the head are among the most 

 reliable in this group, although not hitherto accurately given by the 

 describers of the species. Some individual irregulaiitics may be 

 observed, but these are usually readily detected. 



For these spines w^e have adopted the following names: N^asal: those 

 near the nostrds; present in all our species of Sehastichthys. Preocular: 

 for those above the front of the eye ; present in all excei)t flavidus and 

 simulans. In melanops the ridge is present, but it usually does not end 

 in a spine. Supraocular : above the eye ; present in all but simulans, 

 melanops, and jiavidus. Postocular : close behind these ; present in most 

 of the red species, usually wanting in others. Tympanic: behind the 

 postoculai', and generally present. Occipital : long ridges on the pos- 

 terior part of the liead on each side of the occipital crest. These ridges 

 end in opines in all except .-nclanops, simulans, a,nd Jiavidus. Coronal: 



