34 



U. S. p. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS ZOOLOGY GENERAL REPORT. 



middle of that fin. The origin of the ventrals is situated opposite the anterior spine of the 

 dorsal and a little posterior to the hase of the pectorals. They are composed of one spine and 

 five articulated and subdivided rays. The posterior or outer margin of those fins is nearly 

 straight. The pectorals, composed of seventeen soft rays, are rounded posteriorly, and extend 

 furtlier back than the ventrals, though neitlier the ventrals nor the pectorals reach the anus, 

 which is nearly three-eighths of an inch in advance of the anterior margin of the anal. 



The fins and branchiostegals may thus be formulated : 



Br. VII: VII ; D X, 14 ; A III, 7 ; C 4, 1, Y, 6, 1, 3 ; V I, 5 ; P 17. 



The scales are of medium size, a little longer than deep, and posteriorly serrated or provided 

 with minute spines. They are larger on the flanks than on the dorsal and abdominal regions- 

 The lateral line is nearly concurrent with the dorsal outline. Minute scales may be observed 

 upon the base of the dorsal, caudal, and pectoral fins. The upper surface of the head, cheeks, 

 and opercular apparatus are likewise scaly ; the scales being smaller on the head and cheeks 

 than on the opercle, where they are even larger than on the back, properly so called. 



The ground color is reddish brown above, and yellowish beneath ; the upper part of the body 

 being provided with large, cloud-like, purplish black blotches. A dark purplish streak extends ob- 

 liquely downwards and backwards from the inferior rim of the orbit to the throat, across the 

 cheeks and branchiostegal apparatus. The fins are purplish, very intensely so on the ventrals, 

 the base of second dorsal, and the space between the third and fourth spines of the dorsal. 

 The snout exhibits small roundish spots. 



References to the figures. — Plate XII, fig. 1 , represents Paralabrax nebulifer, in profile, two-thirds 

 its natural size. Fig. 2, is a scale from the dorsal region. Fig. 3, a scale of the ventral region. 

 Fig. 4, is taken from the lateral line. 



List of specimens. 



2. PARALABRAX CLATHRATUS, Grd. 

 Plate XII, Fias. 5—8. 



Spkc. Chae. — Snout rather pointed ; extremity of maxillary intersecting the middle of the pupil. Eyes rather large. 

 Base of pectorals even with the base of ventrals. Blotches of dorsal region assuming a fenestrated disposition. 



%^^.—Labrax cUlhTalm, Grd. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VU, 1854, U3. 

 Paralabrca. olathratua, Grd. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Pliilad. VIII, 1856, 132. 



The most striking difierence between this species and the preceeding one consists in the gen- 

 eral profile of the body, which is less elongated, and, especially in that of the head, which is 

 more pointed and conical. The eye also is much larger, and contributes for a share in giving 

 this fish its specific physiognomy. 



The body is very much compressed, its greatest depth is to be measured across the middle of 



