274 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [50] 



cc. Eyes quite small, 5to0 in head; suout short, forming an angle with the pro- 

 file ; mouth moderate, oblique, the maxillary 2£ to 2f in head ; teeth 

 small, the anterior somewhat enlarged. 

 h, Scales not very large, 45 to 48 in the lateral line ; interorbital area a 

 low narrow ridge which is divided only anteriorly (in Atlantic 

 specimens, usually grooved for its whole length in Pacific coast ex- 

 amples) ; gill-rakers short and strong, X + 13 ; pectorals about 

 half head; no distinct spine on snout ; head3|; depth 2£; D. 75 to 

 80; A. 58 to Gl ; vertebne, 34; color olive-brownish, somewhat 

 translucent, with darker dots and blotches ; a series of distant ob- 

 scure blotches along bases of dorsal and anal Spiloptekus, 58. 



hh. Scales large, 40 to 42 in the lateral line ; interorbital area § diameter 

 of eye, which is 5 in head; gill-rakers short and slender, about 

 equal to pupil ; teeth rather smaller than in C. spilopterus ; maxil- 

 lary 2 j in head ; head 3f ; depth 2 to 2£ ; D. 77 to 82 ; A. 59 to 61 ; 

 color light gray, everywhere soiled and freckled, peppered with 

 black specks ; pectoral fin much mottled, the caudal less so. 



Sumichrasti, 59. 



51. CITHARICHTHYS SORDIDUS. 



Psettichthys sordidus Girard, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., vii, 1854, 142. Girard, Proc. 

 U. S. Pacif. R. R. Exped., Fishes, 1859, 155. (San Francisco ; Tomales Bay.) 



Orthoj)setta sordida Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 18G2, 330. 



Citharichthijs sordidus Lockingtou, Rep. Com. Fisheries of California, 1878-79, 42. 

 Lockington, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1879, 83 (San Francisco). Jordan & Gil- 

 bert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus.', 1880, 453 (Puget Sound, San Francisco, Monte- 

 rey Bay, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, San Pedro, San Diego), Jordan 

 & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1881, 67. Jordan & Gilbert, Synopsis Fish. N. 

 A., p. 817,1382. Beau, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1883, p. 353 (Johnston Strait, 

 Safety Cove, British Columbia. ) 



Metoponops cooperi Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1804, 198 (Santa Barbara). 



Habitat. — Pacific coast of North America, in water of moderate depth ; 

 British Columbia to Lower California. 



This small flounder is oue of the commonest species on the Pacific 

 coast, being found in water of ten fathoms or more depth, in all localities 

 from the Mexican boundary to British Columbia. It rarely exceeds two 

 pounds in weight. In its deciduous scales and soft flesh it much resem- 

 bles Lyopsetta exilis and Atheresthes stomias, two species of which are 

 often taken in company with it. Of all the species allied to Cithariclithys, 

 this one has the most extended range to the northward. 



52. CITHARICHTHYS STIGM^JUS. 



Citharichthys stigmmus Jordan and Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882, 410, 411 (Santa 

 Barbara). Jordan & Gilbert, Syn. Fish. N. A., 1882, 965. 



Habitat. — Coast of Southern California. 



The original type of this species is a young example, taken near Santa 

 Barbara by Capt. Andrea Larco. In the Museum of Comparative 

 Zoology are other specimens collected by Mr. Cary at San Francisco. 

 These have 72 anal rays, while the original type had but GS. In this 

 and other ways they approach (J. .sordidus. Were it not that some of 



