FISHES PEECIDAE PARALABRAX CLATHRATUS. 



35 



the abdomen, instead at the origin of the dorsal fin. That depth enters nearly four times in 

 the entire length. The head is contained three times and a half in the total length. The pos- 

 terior extremity of the maxillary extends to a vertical line, intersecting the middle of the pupil. 

 The eye is large and circular, its diameter entering five times only in the length of the side of 

 the head. The preopercular spines have the same appearance as in the preceeding species, but 

 those at the edge of the opercle are somewhat more conspicuous. The origin of the dorsal fin is 

 placed at a small distance back of a vertical line, which would pass through the insertion of 

 the pectorals. The number of spines is the same as in P. nehuUfer ; but the fourth spine is 

 highest, instead of the third, hence a marked difference in the outline of these fins. The base 

 of the spinous portion is longer than that of the soft, whilst the reverse is the case in the pre- 

 ceeding species. The posterior margin of the caudal fin is slightly more emarginated, and pro- 

 portionally longer compared to the entire length. The base of the anal is comprised six times 

 and a half in the entire length of the fish, and thus proportionally longer than in P. nehuUfer, 

 in whose entire length the base of its anal enters seven times and a half. A vertical line drawn 

 from the origin of the dorsal, passes immediately in advance of the base of the ventrals, and in- 

 tersects the base of the pectorals. The tips of the pectorals reach a vertical line which would 

 pass in advance of the vent. The latter is nearer to the anterior margin of the anal than in the 

 preceeding species. 



The formula of the rays is very similar to that of the preceding species : 



Br. VII : VII ; D X, 13 ; A III, 7 ; C 3, 1, 7, 6, 1, 2 ; V I, 5 ; P 15. 



The scales have the same general shape and structure as in P. nehuUfer. The course of the 

 lateral line, however, is more distant from the dorsal outline. Minute scales may be observed 

 upon the base of all the fins, with the exception of the ventrals. 



The ground color is purplish brown above, whitish beneath. The-upper part of the back 

 and sides are covered with darker blotches, assuming an irregular fenestrated appearance. The 

 pectorals are yellowish. The other fins have a purplish hue ; the soft dorsal is spotted. A 

 sub-ocular vitta, as in the preceding species, though passing nearer the angle of the mouth. 



References to the figures. — Plate XII, fig. 5, represents the profile oi Paralabrax clathratus, size 

 of life. Fig. 6, a scale from the dorsal region. Fig. 7, a scale from the abdominal region. 

 Fig. 8, a scale from the lateral line. 



List of specimens. 



Family TRACHmiDAE, Bonap. 



This family, a subdivision of that of Percidae, is characterized by the dorsal fin occuijying 

 nearly the whole length of the back ; by the position of the ventrals, the insertion of which is 



