[59] FLOUNDERS AND SOLES. 283 
Its apparent abundance as compared with the other species of the genus 
is doubtless due to its inhabiting shallower waters than they. 
Genus XX VIIL—HYPSOPSETTA. 
Hypsopsetta Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1864, 195 (guttulatus). 
TYPE: Pleuronichthys guttulatus Girard. 
This genus consists of a single species, abundant on the coast of Cali- 
fornia. It is very close to Pleuronichthys, from which it differs only in 
a few characters of comparatively minor importance. Its range is in 
shallower and warmer water than that of the species of Plewronichthys, 
and, in accordance with this fact, its flesh is firmer and its number cf 
vertebra less than in the latter genus. 
ANALYSIS OF SPECIES OF HYPSOPSETTA. 
a. Head without spines or tubercles; accessory lateral line half length of body; out- 
line of body very broadly rhombic ; head, 32; depth, 13; D. 68, A. 50, lat. 1.95. 
Vertebr, 11-+- 24= 35. Brown,with numerous pale bluish blotches, fading in 
spirits; blind side largely yellow in life...................------ GUTTULATA, 70. 
70. HYPSOPSETTA GUTTULATA. 
(THE DIAMOND FLOUNDER. ) 
Pleuronichthys guttulatus Girard, Proc, Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1856, p. 137. Girard, 
Jour. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., 1857, pl. 25, figs. 1-4. Girard, U.S. Pacif. 
R. R. Exped., Fishes, p. 152, 1859 (Tomales Bay). Lockington, Rep. Com. 
Fisheries California, 1878~79, p. 44. Lockington, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 1879, 
p.94 (San Fransisco). 
Pleuronectes guttulatus Giinther, Cat. Fish., iv, 445, 1862 (copied). 
Hypsopsetta guttulata Gill, Proc. Ac, Nat. Sci. Phila., 1864, 195. Jordan and Gilbert, 
Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1880, 453 (San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Santa 
Barbara, San Pedro, San Diego). Jordan and Gilbert, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 
1881, 68 (Tomales, San Diego). Jordan and Gilbert, Syn. Fish. N. A., 1882, 
830. Jordan, Nat. Hist. Aquat. Anim., 1884, 185. 
Parophrys ayresi Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., iv, 1862, 457 (San Francisco). 
Habitat.—Coast of California; Cape Mendocino to Magdalena Bay. 
This species is one of the most abundant in the shore waters of the 
California coast. It is a food-fish of fair quality. ° 
Genus XXVIIL—PAROPHRYS. 
Parophrys Girard, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1854, 139 (vetulus). 
TYPE: Parophrys vetulus Girard. 
This genus consists of a single species, common on the Pacific coast 
of the United States. 
The narrow interorbital space and the vertical range of the upper 
eye give it a peculiar physiognomy, but in most regards it is not very 
different from some of the species of Platessa. 
