200 U. S. p. R R, EXP. AND SURVEYS — ZOOLOGY — GENERAL REPORT. 



drawn from the first dorsal spine, and their extremity dots not extend quite as far back as that 

 of the ventrals. The rays are subdivided twice, with traces of a third division. 



Br. VI : VI ; D IX, 26 + 1 ; A III, 28 + 1 ; C, 3, 1, 6, 6, 1, 3 ; V I, 5 ; PI, 20. 



The scales are moderately developed ; there are sixty-two of them in the lateral line, which 

 is nearly concurrent with the dorsal outline, hence quite arched above the pectorals. Eight 

 longitudinal rows are observed between tlie lateral line and the dorsal groove, and about twenty- 

 three from the lateral line and the inferior line of the belly. The scales (figs 3 — 5) are deeper 

 than long, posteric rly convex, superiorly and inferiorly rounded, whilst the anterior margin is 

 somewhat undulated upon a nearly straight line. The dorsal groove extends from opposite the 

 sixth spinous ray to the eleventh articulated one. The sheath is formed anteriorly of three and 

 posteriorly of two rows of scales ; the scales in the upper row are much the largest and longest 

 of the three ; the inferior row is the shortest and is composed of the smallest scales Opposite 

 the anterior half of the anal fin there is an area of very small, almost minute, scales ; the row 

 running over the base of the rays, again, is a little larger. As usual the scales are larger on 

 the flanks than over the dorsal and sub-thoracic regions. 



The ground color is olivaceous above, silver and gold on the sides and abdomen. Traces of 

 dark transverse bars or bands may be observed on the middle region of the body. Scattered 

 blackish spots and dots exist on the dorsal region. The fins appear to be unicolor, some 

 yellowish, others greyish. 



A specimen about three inches in total length exhibits the transverse bands more distinctly, 

 nine or ten in number, from the base of the caudal to the thoracic belt. The soft portions of 

 both the dorsal and the anal are proportionally higher than in the adult, and the spinous 

 portion of the dorsal is still lower than the soft, corroborating an observation made by us on the 

 embryo upon the tardy growth of the spiny rays of the fins. The articulated rays of the dorsal 

 and anal fins are all undivided yet, whilst those of the caudal, ventrals, and pectorals, are but 

 once bifurcated. The posterior margin of the caudal having been broken ofi", we are at a loss to 

 describe its shape. 



The ovaries of the specimen above described were found of a very diminutive size. The 

 sheath in which they were contained was not larger than an ordinary quill. A microscopic 

 examination showed distinctly the presence of eggs (Plate XXVI, fig. 9), in a very immature 

 condition, still within the vascular membranes. The protracted immersion of the specimens in 

 alcohol had not changed their general aspect ; their contents were somewhat diffused, but a 

 practiced eye could still discern the germinal vesicle, around which the vitelline substance was 

 more condensed than in the remaining space of the sphere. 



The species inhabits the Bay of San Francisco, California, and was also observed along the 

 coast further north. 



Plate XXXVIII, fig. 1 represents the female sex of Ennichthys heermanni, size of life. 



Fig. 2 is a section across the line of greatest depth of the body. 



Fig. 3, a scale from the dorsal region. 



Fig. 4, a scale from the lateral line. 



Fig. 5, a scale from the side of the abdomen. 



