Il. COTTOIDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 63 
as scarcely to be seen exteriorly. The inferior edge of the preopercular terminates 
in two distinct angular points. Finally the scapular is terminated by an acute 
point which is concealed under the skin, and perceptible only to the touch. 
“There are no scales ; the skin on the head is smooth to the touch, but dotted on 
the crown with minute soft warts. The belly, a stripe adjoining the anal on each 
side, a small space around the base of the caudal, and the interscapular space 
anterior to the first dorsal, are also smooth; but the rest of the skin of the body is 
thickly studded with very small subulate, acute spines directed backwards. These 
spines are too minute to be seen distinctly with the naked eye; but a little fold of 
skin, raised by each of them, produces a roughness which is very visible ; they re- 
sist the finger only when it is drawn against their points.” 
“The lateral line, formed by a furrow, interrupted by about forty-four contrac- 
tions, is very conspicuous.” —RICHARDSON. 
The origin of the first dorsal is opposite the base of the upper ray of the 
pectorals; it is much lower than the second, to which it is connected by means 
of a membrane. The sixth and seventh rays are the longest. The second dorsal 
commences opposite the anus, and extends a little farther back than the anal, 
as is usually the case in Cotti. The anal is proportionally lower than in Cotti, 
and, therefore, much lower than the second dorsal, if we judge of it by the figure 
given in the Fauna Boreali-Americana. The caudal is slightly rounded posteriorly, 
whilst its base of insertion is somewhat dilated or spread out. The peduncle of 
the tail is quite narrow. The ventrals are situated under the pectorals as in Cotti. 
There exists an anterior bony ray, and four soft but unbranched ones. The 
pectorals are obliquely suboval, and their rays unbranched. 
Br 6. W191. A. 16 © 61. 4. 3.1.6. V1.4, P Ie. 
This species, according to Dr. Gairdner, is quite common in the Columbia River. 
To him Dr. Richardson was indebted for the specimens from which his description 
was drawn and the figures made. Specimens were collected by the United States 
Exploring Expedition. 
For our description of this species, as well as of C. cognatus, we are indebted to 
the Fauna Boreali-Americana. 
