[41] REVIEW OF THE SCLENIDvE. 383 



This species is known to us from descriptions only. We can see no 

 evident difference between tbe magdalence and the surinamensis as de- 

 scribed by Steindacbner and Bleeker. We therefore refer the former 

 to the synonymy of the latter. As already stated, this may be the orig- 

 inal Scicena rubella of Schoinburgk. 



39. PLAGIOSCION AURATUS. 



John tits aitratiis Castelnau, Anirn. Nouv. on Rares de L'Am6r. do Sud, 12, plate iv, fig. 2, 



1855 (RioUcayala). 

 Scicena aurata Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ii, 2S7, I860 (copied). 



Habitat. — Elvers of Brazil. 



This species seems to be very abundant in the rivers of Brazil. We 

 have examined specimens, old and young, from Tajapuru, Cachiura, Ca- 

 neta, Para, Bio Sao Francisco, A vary, Obidos, Bio Puty, and Teffy. A 

 specimen (10855, M. C. Z.) froui Tajapuru has especially served as the 

 type of our description. 



Genus X.— BAIBDIELL A. 



Bairdiella Gill, Cat. Fish. East Coast North America, 33, 1861 (ar(/!iroleiic(i=cltrysui-a). 



Type: Bodianus argyrolcucus Mitchill = Dipterodon chrysurus Lace- 

 pede. 



This genus is characterized by tbe oblique mouth, little cavernous 

 skull, few rows of teeth, slender gill-rakers, and the preopercle armed 

 with a plectroid spine. It seems to us a natural group, and perhaps 

 worthy of recognition as a distinct genus, although its relationships 

 with Ophioscion and especially with Stelliferus are very close. The 

 numerous species are all American, and some of them are remarkable 

 for the great size of the second anal spine. In others, this spine is 

 quite small. These variations among species unquestionably closely 

 allied shows how slight is the systematic value to be attached to the 

 size of this spine. 



ANALYSIS OF SPECIES OF BAIRDIELLA. 



a. Teeth of lower jaw unequal, mostly biserial, some of those of the inner series very 

 slender, canine-like ; two small canines on front of lower jaw, inserted 

 on a symphyseal knob ; second anal spine very small, 3 in head (species 

 approaching Odontoscion). 

 b. Body moderately compressed, the back little elevated; profile somewbat con- 

 cave anteriorly ; snout acute, sligbtly longer than eye ; eye 44 to 5 

 in head ; mouth large, terminal, very obliqnc ; maxillary extend- 

 ing to below posterior margin of pupil, 2£ in head; teeth of the upper 

 jaw long and slender, in 3 to 4 series, the iuuer ones depressible back- 

 ward, tbe outer ones enlarged and fixed ; 5 or 6 distinct seme near tbe 

 angle of preopercle, the lowest a robust flattish spine directed down- 

 wards; gill-rakers slender, G+15 ; longest dorsal spine 2^ in head; 

 anal fin small, its base slightly oblique; second anal spine shorter 

 than tbe first rays, 3 in bead: pectorals about as long as ven- 

 trals, l£ in head; scales about the head cycloid, the rest all cte- 



