PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 409 



This species is distinct from L. pallidus, although closely related to it. 

 The color is much darker. Each scale has in its center a dark spot, 

 longest ui> and down. The opercular flap is longer and more abruptly 

 formed than in L. pallidus. The opercular flap, measuring from where 

 the scales cease, is equal to the diameter of the eye, while in L. pallidus 

 it is equal to only two-thirds the eye's diameter. The pectoral and ven- 

 tral fins reach fully to the first anal spine. 



17. Lepomis fallax (B. & G.) Hay. (No. 27,45G.) 



Pomotis fallax aud convexifrons, B. &G. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Pliila. 1854,24. 

 Pomotis fallax, Girakd, Pac. E. R. Surv. vol. x, 27, pi. ix, fig. 5. 



While at Enterprise I obtained some small specimens of a Sunfish 

 which belongs to Professor Jordan's genus Xenotis. 1 saw several adult 

 specimens, but could procure none from their captors, who took profes- 

 sional pride in their long "strings". My attention was especially 

 attracted to this fish by its immense opercular flap. Since returning 

 home, Mr. William A. Warner, of Enterprise, has kindly sent me addi- 

 tional material, and, among other things, a specimen of this fish, having 

 a total length of 6 inches. After a careful study of this species my con- 

 clusion is that it is the Pomotis fallax of Baird and Girard, described 

 from Northern Texas. The agreement Avitli the description and figures 

 given in the Pacific Eailroad Survey Report is very close indeed. Fig. 

 5, pi. ix, gives a very good- although somewhat reduced representation 

 of my largest specimen. 



Xenotis solis. Gill & Jor. (Bull. TJ. S. Is'at. Mus. No. 10, 22), not Pomotis 

 solis, C. & V. (see Proc. U. S. Nat. INIus. 1879, 225), is a more elongate 

 species, the greatest depth being contained 2 J times in .the length in- 

 stead of 2, as in my specimens. The eye of that species is contained 

 in the flap 1^ times instead of 2, as in this. The flai) of that is contained 

 2| times in the rest of the head instead of 2 times, as in this. In that 

 there are "about 5 rows [of scales] above and 11 below" the lateral line; 

 in this there is one more both above and below. 



From P. hreviceps, B. & G., it appears to differ in having a larger eye, 

 a more anterior dorsal fin, and longer ventral fins; from X megalotis, 

 in that the body is not so heavy anteriorly. 



I cannot give a description of the colors in life, except that they are 

 brilliant. In spirits the body above is yellowish brown, the scales being 

 dark-edged; fins dusky, narrow blue stripes on the cheeks; flaj) jet- 

 black, with a pale edge. 



Professor Jordan informs me that he now regards L. fallax as simj)ly 

 a variety of L. mefjalotis. I have not had the opportunity to examine 

 enough material to enable me to satisfy myself of the correctness of 

 this conclusion. He also discards the genus Xenotes. 



