42 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



Family SCOPELID^. 



68. Synodus lucioceps (Ayres) Gill. — Biugaree Dock. 



From San FraDcisco soutliwaid ; rather comiiiDn in summer and 

 sometimes brought into the markets. It readies a length of about a 

 tout, and is not much valued as a Ibod-fish. This species differs from 

 the Atlantic iSynodus fcetens in the much greater number of scales in a 

 vertical series, and in the longer pectorals, as well as in lesser details. 

 The distinctive characters given by Ayres are most'y fallacious, 



69. Myctophuni crenulare Jordan & Gilbert. 



One specimen, 2| inches in length, taken from the stomach of Orcynus 

 alahnf/a, in Santa Baroara Channel, in July. Another obtained off 

 N'ancouver's Island has been recorded by Dr. Bean. 



Family CYPRINODONTID.^. 



70. Cyprinodon californiensis Giinnl. i 

 Described from San Diego. Only the original types known. 



71. Fimdulus parvipiunis Giiunl. 



i''rom Point Concepcion southward; exceedingly abundant in muddy 

 bays and lagoons, especially at the mouths of streams The males in 

 summer have the scales rough with small corneous ai)i)endages much 

 as in some Gyprinidm. This species reaches a length of 2-^ inches, and 

 is used for no purpose. 



Family SCOMBERESOCID^. 



72. Exoccetiis californicus Cooper. — FJijiiifj-ftsh; VoJador. 



In great schools in summer, rangmg north to Point Concepcion, and 

 very abundant about all the Santa Barbara Islands. It flies for a dis- 

 tance sometimes of nearly a quarter of a mile, usually not rising more 

 than 3 or 4 feet. Its motion in the water is extremely rapid, and its 

 motive power is certainly chiefly due to the movement of its powerful 

 tail in the water. On rising from tho, water the movements of the tail 

 are continued for some seconds until the whole body is out of the water. 

 While the tail is in motion the pectorals are in a state of very rapid vi- 

 bration and the vcntrals are folded. When the action of the tail ceases, 

 the pectorals and ventrals are spread, and, so far as we can see, held 

 at rest. When the tish begins to fall, the tail touches the water and the 

 motion of the pectorals recommences. When on the wing it resembles 

 a huge dragon-fly. Its motion is very swifc. At first it is in a straight 

 lino, but this becomes deflected to a curve, the pectoral on the inner 

 side of the arc being bent downward. It is able to some exti^nt to turn 

 its course to shy off from a vessel. The motion seems to have no refer- 



