FISUES — SAURIDAE — LEPIDOSTEUS BEELANDIERI. 363 



In a similar oblique row taken posteriorly to the ventral fins we count from thirty-one to 

 thirty-three scales, a dorsal series ; nine or ten from the dorsal region to the lateral line, and 

 eleven iiom the lateral line to the middle abdominal series. The lateral line is yet quite con- 

 spicuous upon the specimen now before us, and which measures seventeen inches in total length. 



The color of the upper region is bluish grey, whilst the inferior region is dull yellow. The 

 fins assume the uniform tint of the region to which they belong. 



3. LEPIDOSTEUS (ATRACTOSTEUS) BEELANDIERI, Grd. 



Spec. Char.— Body depressed, broader (thicker) than deep. Dorsal region depressed or sub-con vox. Peduncle of the tail 

 compressed and tapering backv?ards. Head contained three times and a half in the total length ; three times, the caudal fin 

 excluded. Eye well developed, sub-circular ; diameter of orbit entering about eight times in the length of the side of the 

 head: about twice and a half behind its posterior rim. Anal and dorsal fins nearly alike ; the extremities of their longest 

 rays extending beyond the insertion of the outer rays of the caudal fin. Vcntrals more slender than the pectorals, and 

 inserted somewhat nearer the posterior edge of the caudal fin than the extremity of the snout. Dark greyish olive above ; 

 lighter beneath. Body and fins unicolor, except the caudal, which appears to be obsoletely spotted. 



We have before us a specimen nine inches and a half in total length ; hence quite immature. 

 The scantiness of the materials at our disposal forbid us entering more at length into the com- 

 parative features between this species and L.ferox, the type of the group to which it belongs. 

 This can only be accomplished in the forthcoming monograph contemplated by Prof. Agassiz. 



The teeth of the lower jaw are largest ; the palatine seiies is next in size ; then the maxillar 

 series (upper jaw) properly so called ; the lower jaw being somewhat longer than the rest of 

 the side of the head. 



The dorsal and anal fins are almost alike in size and shape. The pectorals are sub-lanceolated 

 and shorter and broader than the ventrals, which are rather slender. The rays we have counted 

 as follows : 



D9-fl; A9 + 1; C12; V6; P13. 



The number of the scales in an oblique series across the body, beginning under the ventrals 

 and extending upwards and forwards, is sixty-three : one dorsal median series ; nine from the 

 latter to the lateral line, and twenty-one from the lateral line to the middle series under the 

 abdomen. 



In a similar oblique series, taken posteriorly to the ventral fins, there are fifty-nine scales : 

 the dorsal series as usual ; eleven from the dorsal series to the lateral line, and seventeen from 

 the lateral line to the middle region under the abdomen. 



The scales of the dorsal series assume a different shape from those on the rest of the body. 

 The surface of the scales is rugose or finely granular, like sand to the touch ; more so on the pos- 

 terior half of the body than on the anterior half. The abdominal scales are not yet in contiguity : 

 an area under the thorax, between the pectoral fins, is naked and scaleless ; a similar but smaller 

 45 a 



