282 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [58] 



an. Dorsal fin beginning on level of upper lip, about five rajs being on tbe blind side. 



b. Interorbital ridge posteriorly with a very strong, backward directed spine ; some 

 tubercles on interorbital ridge ; bead 4 ; depth 1J ; D. 65 to 72, A. 45 to 48 ; 

 vertebne 13+25 = 38; color dark olive brown, much mottled aud sometimes 

 with grayish spots ; middle of sides often with dark ocellus. -Verticalis, 68. 



bb. Interorbital ridge prominent, but without spines or conspicuous tubercles; 

 right side of lower jaw with a narrow band of teeth ; head 4J ; depth If ; D. 

 68, A. 48. to 50; color light brown, usually profusely mottled, the colors 

 variable Ccenosus, 69. 



67. PLEURONICHTHYS DECURRENS. 



Pleuronichthys ccenosus Lockingtou, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1879, 97 (San Francisco) 



(uot Pleuronichthys ccenosus Girard). 

 Pleuronichthys quadrituberculatus Jordan and Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1880, 



50 (not of Pallas). Jordan, Nat. Hist. Aquafc. Anim., 1884, 189 (Monterey, 



Point Reyes, Farallones). 

 Pleuronichthys decurrens Jordan aud Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1880, p. 453 (San 



Francisco ; Monterey Bay). Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1881, 



p. 69 (Monterey, San Francisco, Farallones). Jordan and Gilbert, Syn. Fish. 



N. A., 1882, p. 829. 



Habitat. — Pacific coast of United States, south to Monterey. 



This species is rather scarce along the California coast, being taken 

 chiefly in deep water. It reaches a larger size than either P. verticalis 

 or P. coenosus. 



68. PLEURONICHTHYS VERTICALIS. 



Pleuronichthys verticalis Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1880, 49 (San Fran- 

 cisco). Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1881, 169. Jordan & Gil- 

 bert, Synopsis Fish. N. A., 1882, 829. Jordan, Nat. Hist, Aquat. Anim., 1884, 

 189 (Monterey, Point Reyes, Farallones). 



Habitat. — Coast of California, in deep water. 



This species agrees in habits and general characters with Pleuro- 

 nichthys decurrens. 



69. PLEURONICHTHYS CCENOSUS. 



Pleuronichthys coenosus Girard, Proc. Phil. Acad. Sci., 1854, 139 (San Francisco). Girard, 

 U. S. Pacif. R. R. Exped., Fish., 1859, 151 (San Francisco). Lockington, 

 Rep. Com. Fisheries California, 1878-'79, 45 (Farallones). Lockington, Proc. 

 U.S.Nat. Mus., 1879, 97 (San Francisco). Jordan aud Gilbert, Proc. U. S. 

 Nat. Mus., 1880, 50 (Santa Catalina Island, San Luis Obispo). Jordan and 

 Gilbert, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 1880, 453 (Puget Sound, San Francisco, Mon- 

 terey Bay). Jordan aud Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 18S1, 68 (San Diego, 

 Puget Sound). Jordan and Gilbert, Syn. Fish. N. A., 1882, 830. Jordan, Nat. 

 Hist. Aquat. Anim., 1884, 189 (San Diego to Aleutian Islands). 



Paroj/hrys cccnosa Gtinther, iv, 456, 1862. 



Habitat. — Pacific coast of America, from the Aleutian Islands to San 

 Diego. 



This species is comparatively common in rather deep water and about 

 rocks from Alaska southward, being most common about Puget Sound. 



