42 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



Family SC0PELIDJ3. 



68. Synodus lucioceps (Ayres) Gill. — Dingaree Dock. 



From San Francisco southward ; rather common in summer and 

 sometimes brought into the markets. It reaches a length of about a 

 foot, and is not much valued as a food-fish. This species diflters from 

 the Atlantic Synodus fcetens in the much greater number of scales in a 

 vertical series, and in the longer i)ectorals, as well as in lesser details. 

 The distinctive characters given by Ayres are mostly fallacious. 



69. Myctophuni crenulare Jordan & Gilbert. 



One specimen, 2^] inches in length, taken from the stomach of Orcynus 

 alalonga, in Santa Baroara Channel, in July. Another obtained off 

 Yancouver's Island has been recorded by Dr. Bean. 



Family CYPEINODONTID^. 



70. Cyprinodon californieiisis Girard. 



Described from San Diego. Only the original types known. 



71. Fundulus parvipinnis Girard. 



From Point Concepcion southward; exceedingly abundant in muddy 

 bays and lagoons, especially at the mouths of streams The males in 

 summer have the scales rough with small corneous appendages much 

 as in some Cyprinidce. This species reaches a length of 2^ inches, and 

 is used for no purpose. . 



Family SCOMBERESOOID^. 



72. Exocoetus californicus Cooijer. — FJifuKj-fish ; Folador. 



In great schools in summer, ranging north to Point Concepcion, and 

 very abundant about all the Santa Barbara Islands. It flies for a dis- 

 tance sometimes of nearly a quarter of a mile, usually not rising more 

 than 3 or 4 feet. Its motion in the water is extremely rapid, and its 

 motive power is certainly chiefly due to the movement of its powerful 

 tail in the water. On rising from the water the movements of the tail 

 are continued for some seconds until the whole body is out of the water. 

 While the tail is in motion the pectorals are in a state of very rapid vi- 

 bration and the vcntrals are folded. When the action of the tail ceases, 

 the pectorals and ventrals are spread, and, so far as we can see, held 

 at rest. When the fish begins to fall, the tail touches the water and the 

 motion of the pectorals recommences. When on the wing it resembles 

 a huge dragon-fly. Its motion is very swift. At first it is in a straight 

 line, but this becomes deflected to a curve, the pectoral on the inner 

 side of the arc being bent downward. It is able to some extent to turn 

 its course to shy off from a vessel. The motion seems to have no refer- 



