288 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 
? 
simulans. 
flavidus. 
| ovalis. 
Series (or subgenus) Sebastichthys. 
atrovirens. 
pinniger. 
elongatus. 
rubrivinctus. 
auriculatus. 
vexillaris. 
chlorostictus. 
rosaceus, 
coustellatus. 
ruber. 
rastrelliger. 
nebulosus. 
fasciolaris. 
serriceps. 
nigrocinctus. 
Of the foregoing species we have examined a large series of all except 
ovalis, rubrivinctus, and nigrocinctus. All the species except nigrocinctus, 
ovalis, and rubrivinetus are of frequent occurrence in the San Francisco 
markets. 3 
The characters drawn from the presence or absence of the different 
pairs of spinons ridges on the top of the head are among the most 
reliable in this group, although not hitherto accurately given by the 
describers of the species. Some individual irregularities may be 
observed, but these are usually readily detected. 
For these spines we have adopted the following names: Nasal: those 
near the nostrils; present in all our species of Sebastichthys. Preocular: 
for those above the front of the eye; present in all except flavidus and 
simulans. In melanops the ridge is present, but it usually does not end 
ina spine. Supraocular: above the eye; present in all but simulans, 
melanops, and flavidus. Postocular: close behind these ; present in most 
of the red species, usually wanting in others. Tympanic: behind the 
postocular, and generally present. Occipital: long ridges on the pos- 
terior part of the head on each side of the occipital crest. These ridges 
end ia spines in all except melanops, simulans, and flavidus. Coronal: 
