156 ALBATROSS EXPLORATIONS, FISHES JORDAN AND BOLLMAN. 



dorsal and base <>t' caudal equal to a distance from tip of snout to two- 

 thirds an eye's diameter beyond upper angle of pectorals. Origin of 

 anal midway between base of caudal and posterior base of pectorals, 

 the base equal to distance from tip of snout to base of pectorals; 

 longest ray equal to snout and eye. Pectorals reaching beyond origin 

 of ventrals, 1\ to 14; in head. Ventrals reaching half way to vent, lif to 

 2 in head, their origin midway between front of anal and edge of pre- 

 opercle. Vertical fins nearly or quite scaleless. Scales large and firm ; 

 those above with the edges distinctly crenate. 



Color greenish, the back rather pale, the scales thickly dusted with 

 brown dots; a narrow vertebral baud, which is anteriorly accompanied 

 by a short line on each side ; this band is broadest posteriorly. A 

 bluish-silvery lateral band, bordered by dark above, upper parts dotted 

 with black ; sides and belly paler than back, the upper two rows of scales 

 below lateral band anteriorly with a few dots. 



Tip of snout, head between eyes, and A-shaped area on top of head, 

 dark; from the occipital mark a streak of dots extend to base of pec- 

 torals; only a few dots on top of opercles; lower jaw dusky; lining 

 of opercle dark ; fins ail pale. 



Of this species numerous specimens, the largest about 4^ inches 

 long, were obtained by the Albatross at Panama. Numerous specimens 

 were also obtained at Panama in 1882, by Dr. Gilbert, for whom we 

 have named the species. 



The species lately described from Guaymas, by Jenkins and Ever 

 maun, under the name of Atherina sardina, is also a Menidia, and should 

 stand as Menidia sardina. 



10. Stromateus palometa sp. nov. 



Diagnosis. — Allied to Stromateus medius Peters, but distinguished 

 by the greater number of dorsal and anal rays (D. Ill, 45 to 47 : A. Ill, 

 45), and by its larger head. (Head 2jf to 3 in length.) 



Type.—So. 41,136, U. S. National Museum. 



Hab.— Pacific Ocean, off coast of Colombia : 8° 1G' 30" N., 79° 37' 45" 

 W. Station 2804, 



Description.— Head 2f to 3; depth 2. D. Ill, 45 to 47; A. Ill, 45. 

 Length of type, 2f inches. Body ovate, compressed, rather deeper than 

 in 8. triacanthus; ventral outline most arched; profile evenly convex to 

 nostrils, where it abruptly descends, rendering the snout very blunt. 

 Mouth small: maxillary reaching middle of pupil, 3 in head. Jaws 

 equal. Teeth comparatively long, slender, and close-set, especially in 

 the lower jaw, where they form an even cutting edge. No teeth 

 evident on vomer or tongue. Snout shorter than eye, 4£ in head. 

 Eye rather large, 3 to 3i in head (young). Gill -membranes entirely 

 separate. Gill-rakers long and slender, the longest about half eye, 

 about 17 developed below angle. Dorsal and anal spines subequal, 

 the longest not half eye ; distance from tip of snout to first soft ray 



