132 us. p. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS — ZOOLOGY — GENERAL REPORT. 



We are not prepared to say whether it is equally distinct from Dr. Ayres' Liparis mucosus.^ 

 Should this prove to be the case, the latter would constitute a third species of Cyclogaster along 

 our northwestern coast. 



Cyclopterm calhjodon of Pallas is related to Cycloyaster pulchellus, and if distinct from the 

 latter it will constitute a fourth species in the present genus. 



CYCLOGASTEK PULCHELLUS, Grd. 



Spec. Char. — Snout bluiilly rounded ; posterior extremity of maxillaries extending to a vertical line drawn in advance of the 

 pupil. Inferior edge of pectoral fins falciform. Origin of dorsal fm placed somewhat posteriorly to the upper edge of the base 

 of the pectorals. Anterior margin of the anal situated nearer the extremity of the snout than the tip of the caudal. Light 

 olive brown above, with longitudinal waving lines of darker brown ; abdomen and throat whitish. Sides exhibiting white dots. 



Syd.— Liparis pulchellus, Atbes, in Proc. Cal. Acad. Nat. Sc. J, 1855, 23. 



A specimen of this species, a little over four inches in total length, was sent, labeled by Dr. 

 Ayres, to the Smithsonian Institution; it is, therefore, smaller than the one upon which the 

 original description is based. 



The body is elongated, compressed, and tapering gradually towards the tail. The head, 

 which is moderate, is contained about five times in the total length ; it is furthermore sub- 

 quadrangular in shape, declivous towards the snout, which protrudes slightly beyond the lower 

 jaw. The eye is sub-circular, its longitudinal diameter entering about five times in the length 

 of the side of the head. The mouth is broad when viewed in front, but is not deeply cleft, 

 since the posterior extremity of the maxillary extends but to a vertical line drawn in advance of 

 the pupil. The lips are well developed and flabby. The teeth are very small, disposed upon 

 transversely oblique series on .each jaw bone. The branchial apertures are quite small, and 

 situated above the base of the pectorals ; four slender branchiostegal rays may be observed 

 right and left within the membrane. 



The dorsal and anal fins are united to the caudal ; the origin of the dorsal takes place 

 somewhat posteriorly to the upper edge of the base of the pectoral fins. The anterior margin 

 of the anal is nearer the extremity of the snout than the tip of the caudal fin. Both fins are 

 composed of articulated and undivided very slender rays, which increase gradually in height 

 and depth towards their posterior portion. The separation between the caudal rays and those 

 of both the dorsal and anal is not easily traced, since they are all simple or undivided. The 

 ventral disc is elliptical, enclosed sideways by the inferior prolongation of the pectorals. The 

 latter are large, the lateral portion being quite elongated, composed of more slender and 

 crowded rays than the inferior portion. The external outline of the fins is falciform ; all the 

 rays are simple, though articulated. 



The vent is abdominal, being placed midway between the posterior edge of the ventral disc 

 and the anterior margin of the anal fin. 



The skin is scaleless, smooth, and flabby, loosely attached to the muscles. Large and 

 numerous mucous pores may be seen upon the head especially, and constituting a lateral line 

 upon the anterior region of the body. 



Dr. Ayres describes the color as " light olive brown, with numerous narrow, waving lines of 

 darker brown running longitudinally, and forming in some instances rings and irregular 



' Proc. Cal. Acad. Nat. Sc I, 1855, 24. 

 ' Zoogr. Kosso-Asiatica, III, 1831, 75. 



