354 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [12] 



We have examined many specimens of this species from Callao, Peru, 

 in the museum at Cambridge. There seems no room for doubt as to 

 the identity of the nominal species analis, peruanus, and altijpinnis. 



The species is about as near Cestreus as Isopistlius, and its existence 

 renders the separation of Archoscion as a genus from the former a matter 

 of questionable propriety. 



Genus III.— CESTREUS. 



Cestreus Gronow, Cat. Fish., ed. Gray, 49, 1854 (carolincmis = nebulosus). 

 Cynoscion Gill, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil., 1862, 18 (regalia). 

 Apseudobranchus Gill, loc. cit. (toeroe = acoupa). 

 Atractoscioa Gill, loc. cit. (cequidens). 

 Otolithus species ; Cuvier, Giinther, &c. 



Type: Cestreus carolinensis Gronow = Otolithus nebulosus Cuvier. 



This genus is closely related to the old world genus Otolithus, from 

 which it differs cbietly in the absence of canine teeth in the lower jaw. 

 Nearly all the species referable to Cestreus are American. 

 Cynoscion, notwithstanding the existence of a prior name Cestrccus 



We use the name Cestreus (usffTpsvb) instead of the later name 

 {usarpalos), also applied to a genus of fishes (Mugilidw). 



The reasons for regarding the two words as different have been 

 already given in full by Dr. Jordan in a recent review of the Pleuronec- 

 thltv, and need not be repeated here. (See page 297 of this Report.) 



ANALYSIS OF AMERICAN SPECIES OF CESTREUS. 



a. Scales not very small, the lateral line having 55 to 75 pores, the number of trans- 

 verse series ranging from 55 to 75, being 

 not much in excess of the number of 

 pores; head compressed, not truly con- 

 ical; upper jaw with distinct canines, 

 the band of teeth in the upper j aw rather 

 narrow, the lower teeth small and in 

 few series in front, larger and uniserial 

 on the sides. 

 b. Soft rays of the dorsal and anal more or less closely scaled ; gill-rakers compara- 

 tively long and slender, 9 to 12 on the 

 lower part of the arch, the longest at 

 least half the diameter of the eye.* 

 c. Soft dorsal of 19 to 23 rays. 



d. Caudal fin rhombic, the middle rays considerably produced. 

 e. Mouth large, extremely oblique, the maxillary reaching considerably be- 

 yond eye, its length 2^ in head ; body 

 robust, deeper, heavier, and with the 

 back more elevated than in auy other 

 of our species; anterior profile depressed 

 above the eye, so that the snout prqj ects ; 

 snout short, not very acute, 4?- in head ; 

 head thicker than in other species, the 

 interoibital space equal to length ot 



' Cestreus obliquatus, a species imperfectly known, belongs presumably to this group. 



