268 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [44] 



original figure of this species published by Caiesby iis :i very good one 

 and leaves no room for doubt as to the species intended. The figure of 

 Blocb, called Pleuronectcs argus, is also fairly accurate, and can refer 

 to no other species. 



This species reaches a leugth of some 18 inches, and is the largest in 

 size of the American species of Platophrys. We have never seen any 

 young examples which certainly belong to it, and till its development is 

 traced some of the species known from small examples only must be 

 doubtful. 



44. PLATOPHRYS LEOPARDINUS. 



Ehomboidichthys leopardimts Giinther, Cat. Fish., iv, 1862, 434 (locality unknown). 

 Platophrys leopardinus Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1884, p. 200 (Guaymas). 



Habitat. — Gulf of California. 



This species is known only from the orignal type from unknown lo- 

 cality, and from a single specimen in the TJ. S. National Museum, taken 

 by Mr. H. F. Emeric, at Guaymas. 



Genus XIX.— SYACIUM. 



Syacium Ranzani, Novis Speciebus Piscium, Diss. Sec, 1840, 20 (micrurunij. 

 Hemirhombus Bleeker, Comptes Rendu s Acad. Sci. Amsterd., xiii, Pleuron, 4 (1802), 



(guineensis). 

 Ararnaca Jordan & Goss, Cat. Fish. N. A., 1885, 133 (pcetula). 



Type: Syacium micrurum Eanzani. 



This genus contains a considerable number of species, mostly Ameri- 

 can and African, which form a transition from Platophrys to Citharich- 

 thys. They fall readily into two groups or subgenera, distinguished by 

 the width of the interorbital space. As this width is dependent on age 

 and as it is subject to various intergradations, the group Ararnaca 

 founded on it cannot be admitted as a distinct genus. 



The name Syacium, based especially on Syacium micrurum, must take 

 the place of Hemirhombus. 



ANALYSIS OF SPECIES OF SYACIUM. 



a. [Snout before upper orbit with three conspicuous spinous processes; maxillary 

 reaching beyond eye, 2| in head ; interorbital space scaly, concave, 2 in eye 

 (in specimens of 3£ inches); eye 2| in head; spines on snout about 3 in eye; no 

 produced fin rays ; pectoral as long as head without snout ; head blunt, higher 

 than long, the profile straight; lateral line without arch; head 3; depth 2; 

 D. 78, A. 02 ; scales 48 ; color grayish, with large distant black blotches on dor- 

 sal and anal ; one or two on basal half of caudal and on end of caudal peduncle; 

 pectoral with dark bands. ] (Giinther) Cornutum, 45. 



art. Snout and orbits without spines or spinous processes. 

 b. Scales larger, 50 to 57 in the lateral line ; interorbital space very broad, greater 

 than the long diameter of the eye in the males, about equal to the vertical di- 

 ameter in the females ; accessory scales very numerous ; maxillary 2$ in head; 

 its tip scaly ; anterior teeth canine-like : gill-rakers short, strong, not one-third 



