proceedings" of united states national MUSE13I. 461 



laterally; the outer series of teeth in the upper jaw and the lateral 

 series of teeth iu the lower jaw larger than the others ; upper jaw 

 with two series of small teeth behind the outer series, and with two 

 canines (sometimes but one), which are smaller than is usual in tliis 

 genus. Gill-rakers rather short and strong, as long as pupil. Pseudu- 

 branchia' present. 



Scales small; lateral line well -arched in front, becoming straight 

 opposite the vent. First dorsal high, the spines not very slender, the 

 third spine a little less than half length of head, nearly equal to the 

 fourth and not very much longer than the second; solt dorsal rather 

 high, the longest rays 2| in length of head, not scaly, but with a distinct 

 high basal sheath. Caudal tin double concave, the middle rays consid- 

 erably produced, their length about two-thirds that of head. Anal 

 rather short and high, its longest ray two-thirds length of head, its spines 

 small but rather stout. Ventrals a little more than half length of head, 

 reaching about halfway to vent. Pectorals If in head, not (piite reach- 

 ing tips of ventrals. 



Head, 3} in length ; depth, 4^. D, IX-I, 20 ; A. II, 8 ; Lat. 1. 8(5 

 (vertical rows of scales, the number of pores about GO) ; about 12 rows 

 of scales between front of dorsal and lateral line. 



Bluish above, silvery below, upper parts and more conspicuously the 

 middle of sides, punctate with dark points ; upper tins dark, their mar- 

 gins dusky; lining of opercle black ; peritoneum white ; inside of mouth 

 bright yellow in life. 



This species has many points in common with C. album Gthr., but is 

 readily distinguished by its much smaller scales (about 65 iu C. album). 

 It is very abundant at Mazatlan, where it is one of the most highly 

 valued and most common food-fishes. 



The type (28109) is 15 inches in length. 



4. Culius aequidens, sp. nov. (28268, 29240.) 



Body elongate, depressed anteriorly, much slenderer than in C.fmcus, 

 the head especially very broad and flat, longer and more depressed than 

 in C.fuseus. Mouth large, broad, very oblique, the maxillary reaching 

 nearly or quite to opposite posterior margin of eye ; lower jaw consid- 

 erably projecting. Length of maxillary 2;^^ in length of head. Teeth 

 in jaws all equal, in broad bands, the outer not at all enlarged. Eye 

 small, anterior, its length in the adult, equal to half the width of inter- 

 orbital space, which is nearl,y one-third the length of head; a cons])icu- 

 ous knob at upper anterior and posterior angles of orbit; preopercular 

 spine (as in all species of the genus) well developed, strong, compressed, 

 directed downwards and forwards. 



Scales on head very small, mostly cycloid, covering cheeks and oi)er- 

 cles, and upper part of head to the eyes. Scales on body smaller and 

 smoother than in most other species of the genus, those on belly much 

 smaller than those on sides; scales on back and belly cycloid, only 

 those on the sides of the body being distinctl;\- ctenoid. 



