1. SAURUS. 397 



Saurus longirostris, Spix, IHsc. Bras. p. 80. tab. 43. 

 fcetens, Cuv. &>• Pal. xxii. p. 471. 



B. 16. D. 11-12. A. 13-14. L. lat. 65. L. transv. ^. 



The length of the head is one-loux th of the total (without caudal) ; 

 crown of the head with a few smooth striae, radiating from the hind 

 part of the orbit. Interorbital space slightly concave. Snout as 

 long as broad, or a little longer, pointed, the upper jaw being some- 

 what the longer. Dorsal fin higher than long. The pectoral ex- 

 tends to the twelfth scale of the lateral line, the ventral to the 

 twelfth or fourteenth of the median scries commencing behind its 

 base. The series of scales on the tail with a scarcely perceptible 

 obtuse longitudinal keel. 



Atlantic and Pacific coasts of tropical America. 



a. Fine specimen. Pacific coast of Panama. From the Collection 



of Messrs. Dow and Salvin. 

 6. Adult. New Orleans. Purchased of Mr. Cuming. 



Saurus spixianus, Poey, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, ii. p. 304, appears 

 to be allied to the above species ; but it is said to have twelve anal 

 rays only. 



6. Saurus lucioceps. 

 Ai/res, Proc. Calif. Acad. Nat. Sc. 1855, p. GG. 



D. 11. A. 15. L. lat. 75. L. transv. 11/?. 



The height of the body is about one-ninth of the total length 

 (with the caudal) ; head pointed in front, its length equal to twice 

 the height of the body. Lower jaw the longer. Eyes large, their 

 longitudinal diameter one-fourth of the length of the head, and equal 

 to the width of the interorbital space. Dorsal fin half as long as 

 the head, highest anteriorly, the length of the third ray being a little 

 more than one-eighth of the total. Ventrals extending nearly to 

 the termination of the dorsal fin. (Ayres.) 



s an Francisco. 



7. Saurus brevirostris. 

 Poey, Mem. Hist. Nat. Cuba, ii. p. 305. 



D. 11. A. 10. Vert. 58. Csec. pyl. 25. 



The length of the head is rnthei more than one-fifth of the total 

 (with the caudal) ; upper surface of the head rugose. The point of 

 the dorsal fin corresponds to the vent, if laid backwards. Snout 

 short, black at its extremity ; scapula with a blackish spot. (Poey.) 



Cuba. 



8. Saurus altipinnis. 

 B. 16-17. D. 11. A. 12. V. 8. P 13. L. lat. 59. 

 L. transv. ^-. 

 Body rather depressed, its greatest depth being equal to its width, 



