340 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



* 20 in curve. 



Citharichthys, Bleeker. 



A geuus of pleuroiiectoid fishes. Mouth rather wide, the length of 

 the maxillary almost one-third that of the head. Eyes upon left side, 

 the upper one very near to profile. Teeth quite minute, on a single series 

 in each jaw, rather more prominent upon the blind side*. Vomerine and 

 palatine teeth none. Pectoral fin upon blind side much shorter and 

 with fewer rays than uiion colored side. Ventrals also asymmetrical, 

 the sinistral one upon the median ventral line, the dextral one slightly 

 in advance and crowded up upon the blind side. Dorsal fin commences 

 in front of the eye upon the snout. Dorsal and anal rays simple. Cau- 

 dal fin subsessile, its peduncle not much develoi)ed. Scales large, flexi- 

 ble, cycloid, very deciduous. Lateral line strongly defined, straight or 

 very slightly curved anteriorly. Gill-rakers short, rather stout, flexible. 

 Vertebrae 34 (in C. arctifrons). Gill membranes broadly united below 

 the throat; gill rakers lanceolate. Branchiostegals 5. 



