> 
[41] REVIEW OF THE SCIMNIDA. 383 
This species is known to us from descriptions only. We can see no 
evident difference between the magdalene and the surinamensis as de- 
scribed by Steindachner and Bleeker. We therefore refer the former 
to the synonymy of the latter. As already stated, this may be the orig- 
inal Sciena rubella of Schomburgk. 
39. PLAGIOSCION AURATUS. 
Johnius auratus Castelnau, Anim. Nouy. ou Rares de l’Amér. du Sud, 12, plate iv, fig. 2, 
1855 (Rio Ucayala). 
Sciena aurata Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ii, 287, 1860 (copied). 
FFabitat.—Rivers of Brazil. 
This species seems to be very abundant in the rivers of Brazil. We 
have examined specimens, old and young, from Tajapuru, Cachiura, Ca- 
neta, Para, Rio Sao Francisco, Avary, Obidos, Rio Puty, and Teffy. A 
specimen (10855, M. C. Z.) from Tajapuru has especially served as the 
type of our description. 
Genus X.—BAIRDIELLA. 
Bairdiella Gill, Cat. Fish. East Coast North America, 33, 1861 (argyroleuca=chrysura). 
TyPE: Bodianus argyroleucus Mitchill = Dipterodon chrysurus Lacé- 
pede. 
This genus is characterized by the oblique mouth, little cavernous 
skull, few rows of teeth, slender gill-rakers, and the preopercle armed 
with a plectroid spine. It seems to us a natural group, and perhaps 
worthy of recognition as a distinct genus, although its relationships 
with Ophioscion and especially with Stelliferus are very close. The 
numerous species are all American, and some of them are remarkable 
for the great size of the second anal spine. In others, this spine is 
quite small. These variations among species unquestionably closely 
allied shows how slight is the systematic value to be attached to the 
size of this spine. 
ANALYSIS OF SPECIES OF BAIRDIELLA. 
a. Teeth of lower jaw unequal, mostly biserial, some of those of the inner series very 
slender, canine-like ; two small canines on front of lower jaw, inserted 
on a symphyseal knob ; second anal spine very small, 3 in head (species 
approaching Odontoscion). 
b. Body moderately compressed, the back little elevated ; profile somewhat con- 
cave anteriorly ; snout acute, slightly longer than eye; eye 4$ to 5 
in head; mouth large, terminal, very oblique; maxillary extend- 
ing to below posterior margin of pupil, 24 in head; teeth of the upper 
jaw long and slender, in 3 to 4 series, the inner ones depressible back- 
ward, the outer ones enlarged and fixed ; 5 or 6 distinct serre near the 
angle of preopercle, the lowest a robust flattish spine directed down- 
wards; gill-rakers slender, 64-15; longest dorsal spine 2} in head; 
anal fin small, its base slightly oblique; second anal spine shorter 
than the first rays, 3 in head; pectorals about as long as ven- 
trals, 14 in head; seales about the head cycloid, the rest all cte- 
