FISHES — SCOMBRIDAE — PELAMYS. 105 



Family SCOMBRIDAE, Bonap. 



The fishes of this family are exceedingly diversified in their external form and aspect, 

 according to the genera and species. Their body is covered with scales generally speaking 

 minute or diminutive, and which, by their unconspicuousness, leave the skin the appearance 

 as though it were perfectly smooth. In some species the scales themselves exhibit both the 

 cycloid and ctenoid structures. Many of them are provided, on the sides of the tail, with a 

 crest or ridge oftentimes protected by a series of keeled, bony, scale-like shields. The dorsal, 

 caudal, and anal fins are scaleless, and their structure undergoes a series of considerable modifi- 

 cations, according to the species. The sides of the head are smooth, the opercular apparatus 

 presenting neither spines nor serratures. There are numerous pyloric appendages to the intes- 

 tine, but the swimming or air bladder is wanting. 



Srs.—ScoiJibridae, Bonap. Sagg. distr. anim. vertebr. 1831, 107.— DeKat, New Y. Faun. IV, 1842, 101.— Storer, 

 Synops. 1846, 89. 

 Scomberoides, Cut. Regn. anim. II, 1817, 311; 2d. ed. II, 1829; &, ed. illustr. Poiss. 115.— Cuv. & Val. 



Hist. nat. Poiss. VIII, 1831, 1. 

 Scomberoideae, Richards. Faun. Bor. Amer. Ill, 1836, 76. 

 Scomieridae, Tarr. Hist. Brit. Fish. I, 1836; &, 2d ed. I, 1841, 137. 



This is one of the most interesting family of the order of Acanthopterians, and one the rep- 

 resentatives of which are very numerous. Whether they are really scarce along the coast of 

 California and Oregon, or whether not caught or observed as yet, we are not prepared to tell 

 from the distance at which we are now writing. One fact is certain, that, up to the present 

 year 1858, we have been made acquainted with but four species of this family ; one, a mackerel, 

 procured at San Diego, and which we have never seen; another, a bonito, also from San Diego; 

 and, finally, two trachuri, one from the harbor of San Francisco; the other from San Diego. 



The scomberoids are fishes most useful to man ; the pleasant and agreeable taste of their 

 flesh, the size reached by some species, and especially their incalculable number, constitute them 

 a source of trade and wealth. Indeed, the herrings alone can be compared to them in this 

 respect. 



The mackerel above referred to, and of which no specimens have so far come under our obser- 

 vations, has been described under the name of 



ScoJiBER DIEGO, Ayres, 



in the Proceedings of the California Academy of Natural Sciences, I, 1857, 92— where our 

 readers may find whatever has been said respecting it. 



PELAMYS, Cuv. & Val. 



Gen. Char —Two doraal fins approximated ; numerous finlets behind the latter and the anal. Peduncle of tail keeled on 

 either side. Scales small, inconspicuous ; thoracic corselet of moderate development. Maxillar teeth elongated, compressed, 

 sharp, and acute. Teeth on the palatines bones; none on the vomer. Branchial apertures continuous under the throat. Oper- 

 cular apparatus smooth. 



Syn — Pelamys, Cnv. & Val. Hist. nat. des Poiss. 1831, 149.— DeKat, New Y. Fauna. IV, 1842, IOC— Storer, 

 Synops. 1846, 90. 

 A genus allied to the mackerels {Scomber) from wbich it differs by the approximation of the 

 dorsal fins. Also, by its pointed, sharp, and compressed maxillar teeth ; the third one on 

 U a 



