434 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
A series of 34 broad plates along each side of dorsal fins, extending from the nape 
to the middle of caudal peduncle. Each plate is transversely angulated, the outer 
half directed outward and downward, the inner half nearly horizontally inward, | 
the angle bearing a very strong, compressed, backwardly-hooked spine. The dorsal 
fins thus occupy the middle of a flat dorsal strip, bounded by the two series of spines, — 
A number of enlarged spine-like prickles accompany the lateral line, each pore of 
which lies in the axil of one such. Anteriorly these prickles are arranged somewhat 
definitely in pairs, two to each pore, but this arrangement is lost posteriorly. A 
series of enlarged prickles is placed convexly at base of caudal fin. The upper 
unmodified rays of the pectoral tin and all rays of dorsal and caudal fins accom- — 
panied by series of prickles; other fins and the thickened pectoralrays smooth. Body 
without filaments. No barbels at chin, nor on mandible elsewhere. A slender ten- 
tacle, palmated at tip, above posterior portion of orbit, its length slightly less than 
diameter of pupil. A slender branched tentacle near base of middle and lowermost | 
preopercular spines, and a simple one at an equal distance below them. A similar — 
broadly palmated tentacle on cheeks behind end of maxillary, lost on one side in 
our specimen, but the scar apparent. | 
Dorsal fins separate, the membrane from last spine joining base of first soft ray. 
Spines very slender, the sixth the longest, 24 in head, very slightly shorter than the 
soft rays. Base of spinous dorsal 1} in head, of soft dorsal 23 in length of head and 
body. Front of anal under twelfth dorsal spine, the longest ray one-third head, the © 
length of the base slightly less than half head and body. Caudal rounded, 1? in 
head. The lower six pectoral rays simple, thickened, exserted, the membrane very © 
deeply incised; the upper three longer than the branched rays above, the longest © 
extending to opposite fifth analray. Ventrals broad, the inner rays shorter than the © 
outer, which extend to opposite second anal ray. | 
Color in life: Light olivaceous, with four brown crossbands, one under spinous 
dorsal, three under soft dorsal. A series of nine roundish dusky spots along middle 
of sides below lateral line. Back and sides with small golden spots and streaks; a _ 
distinct series of round blue spots above lateral Jine, and some scattered blue spots 
and blotches on back and head, Iris green and dusky. Spinous dorsal light green, © 
crossed by narrow yellow lines. Soft dorsal translucent, shaded with reddish and 
bluish. Ventrals translucent, posteriorly greenish, with white pigment. Pectorals 
translucent, the rays crossed with reddish and greenish bars, which are little con- 
spicuous. Supraorbital cirrus green; preopercular cirri white. 
Named for my esteemed colleague, Prof. W. W. Thoburn, from whom I have 
received important assistance in the preparation of this report. 
78. Blepsias cirrhosus (Pallas). | 
Not rare at Unalaska, where numerous specimens were taken in the seine. Not 
seen elsewhere, and not taken with the beam trawl. 
79. Nautichthys oculofasciatus (Girard). 
Numerous immature specimens were taken in Bristol Bay and south of the Alaskan 
Peninsula, at depths of 5 to 50 fathoms. Stations 3213, 3217, 3220, 3222, 3231, 3232, 
3233, 3234, 3236, 3246, 3274, 3281, 3290, 3291, 3292, 3293, 3294, 3296, 3300, and 3302. 
Family AGONIDZ. 
80. Aspidophoroides inermis (Giinther). 
Not abundant. A few individuals taken north and south of the Aleutian group 
and in Bristol Bay, at depths of 34 to 59 fathoms. Stations 3213, 3219, 3220, 3265, 
and 3322. 
81. Aspidophoroides bartoni sp. nov. 
Very close to A. monopterygius, with which Alaskan specimens have been identified 
by Dr. T. H. Bean. From this species it differs in the much lower ridges, which 
are slightly rounded rather than sharply carinate, and leave the intervening faces 
