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U. S p. R. R. EXr. AND SURVEYS — ZOOLOGY — GENERAL REPORT. 



sub-elliptical, longer than deep, and posteriorly furrowed. Tlie lateral line is nearly straight, 

 presenting but a slight curve, convex upwards, just above the pectoral fin. 



The ground color of the right side is reddish ash with diifused darker spots spread all over 

 the body and fins. The left side is pale reddish yellow and unicolor. 



List of specimens. 



PSETTICHTHYS, Girard. 



Gen. Char. — Eyes large or moderate, situated eitlier on the right or tlie left. side. Interocular space very narrow or moderate. 

 Mouth rather large ; snout bluntly rounded ; jaws sub cr|ual. Teeth slender and conical, on both sides of the jaws. Origin of 

 dorsal iin situated anteriorly to the orbit. Dorsal and anal fins approximating the caudal without being continuous with it. 

 Posterior margin of caudal rounded or convex. A small spine in advance of the anal. Surface of the head scaly. Scales 

 varying in size, according to the species. Lateral line almost straight anteriorly. 



Syji.—Psettichthys, Grd. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Pliilad. "VII, 1854, 140. 



The general aspect of tliis genus is elongated, and reminds us of Solea, which analogy is 

 aided by the blunt outline of the head. The eyes and mouth are much larger than in Solea, 

 and the presence of teeth on both sides of the jaws exclude all idea of generical affinities 

 between these two genera. 



1. PSETTICHTHYS MELANOSTICTUS, Grd. 



Spec. Ch.\r. — Body elongated and rather slender. Eyes moderate, situated on the right side ; interocular space moderate. 

 Lower jaw somewhat longer than the up|)cr. Posterior extremity of maxillary extending to a vertical line drawn in front of 

 the pupil. Anterior rays of dorsal higher than tliaso immediately succeeding. Dorsal and anal fins even posteriorly. Origin 

 of anal fin situated somewhat posteriorly to the base of the pectorals, and provided with a small spine. Scales quite small, 

 cycloid in structure ; lateral line very slightly raised above the pectorals. Ground color cinereous, interspersed Jwilh crowded 

 black dots. 



Syu .—Psetlichthya melanosticlns, Grd. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VII, 1854, 140. 



The body is elongated, slender, and tapering posteriorly. Its greatest depth is contained 

 about three times in the total length, in which the head enters somewhat less than four times. 

 The mouth is large and its gape oblique ; the lower jaw being the longest. Tiie posterior 

 extremity of the maxillar bone extends to a vertical line drawn in advance of the pupil. The 

 teeth, which occupy both sides of the jaws, are very slender. The eyes, which are well 

 developed, occupy the right side ; their horizontal diameter enters four times and a half in the 

 length of the side of the head. The interocular space is of moderate width. The origin of 

 the dorsal fin takes place opposite the anterior rim of the left or upper eye ; its anterior rays, 

 which occupy the declivity of the occiput, arc higher than the following ones, which increase 



