"^^istw."'] PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 65 



ill a transverse series between lateral line and front of dorsal. Lateral 

 line with from fifty to fifty-five pores, the scales above it in about 

 eighty-five to ninety transverse series. 



Dorsal spines low and weak, the rays not high, the longest 3^ in 

 head. Second anal spine slender but not tiexible, its length 1^ in 

 soft rays. Caudal double truncate, the median rays much produced, 

 equaling length of head behind snout. Ventrals 1^ in head ; pectorals 

 short, scarcely reaching tips of ventrals, 1.^ in head. 



D. X, I, 25 ; A. II, 7. Head 3f in length ; depth, 4. 



Color: Dusky-silvery, with coarse black specks along lower part of 

 head and sides; upper half of sides with many irregular blackish spots 

 or blotches, showing little or no tendency to form streaks. Dorsals 

 dusky, the basal portion with small black spots. Other fins blackish ; 

 the caudal lighter at base; mouth white within; lining of gill cavity 

 black, becoming yellow on lining of brauchiostegal membranes. 



Adult. — The above description is from a young example lUJ inches 

 long, dredged at station 3030 in 20 fathoms. An adult, about 4 feet 

 long, agrees with this, except in the following details: 



Maxillary 2f in head, reaching vertical from behind eye. Eye 12 in 

 head. Preopercle entire. Opercle emarginate behind, without evi- 

 dent spinous points. Gill rakers short and exceedingly strong, equal- 

 ing diameter of pupil, 1 movable one above angle, nine below. 



Scales on nape very closely imbricated, the exposed portions ver^'^ 

 narrow. They are in somewhat irregular series, there being from 

 thirty-five to forty scales in a line between front of dorsal and occiput. 



Highest dorsal spine 3.\ in head. D. IX-I, 24; A. II, 7. Caudal 

 gently rounded posteriorly, the longest ray one-half in head. Pectorals 

 long, narrow and falcate, reaching much beyond ventrals, li in head. 



Color: Bluish above, dusky silvery on sides and below. No evident 

 black spots or blotches on body or fins. Vertical fins blackish, paired 

 fins dusky. 



This species is very abundant along the entire eastern shore of the 

 Gulf of California, and congregates in great numbers near the mouth 

 of the Colorado River. It enters the river and is found feeding in 

 shallow water near the shore, where it is easily approached and 

 speared. At the head of the Gulf it is known as the sea bass, while 

 in the vicinity of Guaymas it is goes by the native name of " Totuava." 

 It does not seem to be known at La Paz, and was not seen by us on the 

 western side of the Gulf. Many specimens were taken by hand-lines at 

 the head of the Gulf, the largest weighing 172 pounds. Large speci- 

 mens were also seen at Guaymas and at the mouth of the Rio del 

 Fuerte. At Guaymas it is said to be a winter visitant, unknown dur- 

 ing the summer months. 

 Proc. N. M. 90 5 



