FISHES — HETEROLEPIDAE — CHIROPSIS PICTUS. 



43 



small scales similar in size and sliape to those observed upon the thoracic and abdominal regions. 

 The snout and region in advance of the orbit is perfectly smooth, as also the chin, interopercle 

 and branchial apparatus. 



The color is greenish or yellowish brown, lighter beneath than above ; obsolete^ cloud-like 

 patches appear occasionally on the sides of the body ; black dots, disposed in groups varying 

 in number, occupy the anterior and upper region of the back and sides of the head, irregularly 

 arranged in each group around a central whitish or yellowish spot ; blackish maculte may also 

 be observed upon the cheeks and opercular apparatus ; the pectorals and ventrals are spotted 

 with yellow and black ; the other fins are greyish or blackish. 



References to the fi(jure>s. — Plate XIX, figure 1, represents Chiropsis constellatus, sovnQVfYidit 

 reduced in size. Figure 2 is an outline of an upper view, showing the comparative thickness 

 of the fish, as well as the three upper lateral lines. Figure 3, is a section of the body 

 across the line of greatest depth. Figure 4, a scale of the uppermost line. Figure 5, a scale 

 from the area between the first and second lines. Figure 6, a scale from the second line. Figure 

 7, a scale between the second and third lines. Figure 8, a scale between the third and 

 fourth lines. Figure 9, a scale from the fourth line ; and figure 10 a scale from the fifth line. 



2. CHIROPSIS PICTUS, Grd. 

 Plate XX, Figs. 1—4. 



Spec. Chae. — Dorsal fins contiguous ; caudal fin sub-truncated posteriorly. Ground color dark brown, with numerous 

 Vermillion spots, bordered with black, upon the sides and lower fins. Under surface of head, throat, and belly whitish or 

 yellowish. 



Sys. —Chirus piclua, Ged. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VII, 1854, 132. 

 Gnjs'.es linealm, Ayees, Proc. Cal. Acad. Nat. Sc. I, 1854, 9. 



The dorsal outline is more depressed than in the other species of this genus. The greatest 

 depth, which is equal to the length of the head, is, as usual, upon the thoracic region, but it 

 diminishes very gradually towards the peduncle of the tail. The head enters about four times 

 and a half in the total length, as in C. constellatus, but the caudal fin, instead of being contained 

 six times and a half in the total length, enters in it seven and a half times. The eye is sub- 

 circular, smaller than in the preceding species, for, its diameter is contained five times in the 

 length of the side of the head. The lips are very fleshy, and the teeth less conspicuous than in 

 C. constellatus. The supraocular flaps are well developed, and fringed upon their edges. The 

 base of the first dorsal is a little shorter than that of the second, which is equal to the base of 

 the anal. The fins, as a general feature, are less developed than in C. constellatus. 



