FISHES — COTTIDAE — LEPTOCOTTtJS. 



59 



Its diameter is contained three times and a half in the length of the side of the head, less than 

 •nee in advance of the anterior rim of the orhit. The head itself forms about the fifth of the 

 total lengtli. A blunt and inconspicuous spine may be observed upon the convexity of the 

 preopercle, with its apex directed obliquely upwards. The upper and posterior angle of the 

 opercle terminates into a flat process. The nasal spines are exiguous and acerated. These are 

 the only spines observed about the cephalic region. The branchial fissures are continuous under 

 the throat, and the branchiostegal rays six in number, as in the preceding species. 



The body is very much compressed, sub-fusiform in its outline, swollen upon the thoracic 

 region, and tapering posteriorly. 



The anterior dorsal, which is lower than the second, is separated from the latter by a narrow 

 space. The tips of the posterior rays of the second dorsal approximate very closely the base of 

 the caudal. The base of the first dorsal is contained once and a half in that of the second. 

 The caudal fin enters five times and a half in the total length ; its posterior margin is sub- 

 convex or rounded. The origin of the anal fin is situated a little posteriorly to the anterior 

 margin of the second dorsal, and does not extend as far back as the latter ; its depth is about 

 equal to the height of the second dorsal, its opposite. The ventrals are slender, overlap the 

 vent, and reach the anterior margin of the anal ; their origin is situated backwards of the base 

 of the pectorals. The base of the pectorals is oblique ; its lower end corresponds to a vertical 

 line drawn somewhat in advance of the anterior margin of the first dorsal fin. Their extremi- 

 ties extend beyond the tips of the ventrals, and beyond the anterior margin of the anal also.- 

 Br. VI : VI ; D IX, 16 ; A 12 ; C 5, 1, 5, 4, 1, 6 ; V I, 3 ; P 14. 



The skin is perfectly smooth, the lateral line very conspicuous ; from the upper edge of the 

 opercular apparatus, it slopes down the thoracic region towards the middle of the flanks, hence 

 straightway towards the base of the caudal. 



The ground color is reddish brown, the head and back maculated and spotted with black, the 

 lower half of the flanks and belly unicolor. The fins are olivaceous, spotted and dotted with 

 black. 



This species occurs on the coast of California. 



List of specimens. 



LEPTOCOTTUS, Girard. 



Gen. Char.— Head perfectly smooth ; spines upon the preopercle only. Mouth deeply cleft, upper jaw longer than the lower 

 one. Teeth upon the premaxillaries, dentaries, front of vomer, and palatines. Gill openings separated beneath by an isthmus ; 

 branchiostegal rays six in number. Dorsal fins separated. Caudal sub-truncated posteriorly. Insertion of ventrals immediately 

 under the base of pectorals. Skin smooth. Lateral line continuous for the whole length of the body. 



SYn.—Leptocotlus, Grd. Proc. Acad. Nat Sc. Philad. VII, 1854, 130. 



