430 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
73. Elanura forficata sp. nov. (Plate 30.) | 
Most closely related to Prionistius macellus, with which it agrees in its extreme 
elongation, in the production of its exserted pectoral rays, and in the investment 
of the spines and rays of dorsal, caudal, and pectoral fins with series of minute 
prickles (not ‘‘serrations”). The caudal fin is very widely forked, not merely emar- 
ginate as in P. macellus; the dorsal series of spinous scutes is present, and also the 
customary plates on the breast. The ventrals occupy the usual position and extend 
well beyond the vent. The interorbital region is a wide shallow groove, unlike the 
narrow space in P. macellus. There is a narrow naked streak on cheeks following 
the lower line of the suborbital stay. The coloration is peculiar. 
Dorsal x1-29 or 30; anal 30 to 32; pectoral 21; caudal 11; ventral 1,3; lateral line 
54 to 56; branchiostegals 6. 
Description Extremely elongate, heaviest at the shoulders, tapering slowly and 
regularly backward, the ventral region often distended. The depth varies from 
62 to 74 in length, equaling or nearly equaling length of snout and eye. Length of 
caudal peduncle, from last anal ray to base of median caudal rays, varying from 
& to 1) times length of snout and eye. Body everywhere compressed, slightly deeper 
than wide, the greatest width and depth of head about equal. Depth of caudal 
peduncle greater in females than in males, averaging three-sevenths diameter of eye 
in the former, two-fifths eye in the latter. 
Occipital region of head nearly square in cross section, tapering regularly. A 
pair of inconspicuous low ridges diverging from behind eye; a pair of cross grooves, 
one immediately behind eyes, the other on middle of occiput, hardly noticeable in 
the young. Supraocular rim protruding laterally, anteriorly, and posteriorly, deeply 
incurved above middle of eye. The interorbital space is wide, evenly concave, its 
greatest width over front of eye equaling length of snout, its least width one-half 
diameter of orbit. Snout sharp, with greatly convex upper profile, showing a faint 
transverse groove behind nasal spines. Its length is less than diameter of eye, 34 
to 32 in length of head. Mouth slightly oblique, reaching a vertical half way 
between front and middle of pupil, 24 (in young) to 2} in length of head. Eye 35 
(in young) to 3} in head. Gill-membranes widely joined, free from the isthmus. A 
well-developed slit behind last gill. The nasal spines are minute, as in 7. macellus 
barely visible. Upper preopercular spine short and simple, three lower ones devel- 
oped as thin rounded lobes, irregularly serrate or spinous. 
Squamation as in Triglops; the body above the lateral line and the top and sides 
of head thickly covered with small spinous scales. Lower side of head, including 
lower parts of cheek and preopercle and a narrow strip along lower half of pre- 
orbital, the suborbital ring, and the suborbital stay naked. The series of slightly 
enlarged dorsal scutes is very irregularly developed, the plates varying from 14 to 
34 in 6 specimens counted. Lateral line slightly depressed above axil of pectorals, 
thence ascending by a gently convex curve, sometimes nearly straight, with 54 to 56 
scutes of the usual character, having undulating folds descending obliquely from 
the posterior margins. Numerous secondary folds are also present, averaging about 
2 to each scute of the lateral line, the total number of folds counted along lower 
half of sides being in adults about 135. The anterior base and the axil of pectorals 
and a strip encircling breast in front of ventral fins naked, the breast with a few 
(5 to 10) transverse folds similar to those on sides. The lateral folds leave a wide 
naked strip along base of anal fin and do not encircle caudal peduncle below. 
‘Dorsal spines long and extremely slender, the longest 2} to 2} in head. The two 
fins are separate, the membrane of the last spine extending to base of first soft ray. 
Soft dorsal very long, its base 2} to 23 in length. It ends slightly in advance of last 
analray. Base of anal 2} to 24in length. Anus anteriorin position, nearly midway 
between axil of ventrals and front of anal. Ventrals inserted in the usual position, 
their distance from snout 3% or 4 in length. Along their outer margin they are 
provided with a wide cutaneous fold, as in Triglops beani. They extend well beyond 
