Si 



XLV-CYPRINODONTIDiE. 



CYPRINODON, Lac. 

 C. variefjatus. 



The Sheepshead Killifisli. 



Elliptical, body much compressed ; its height is contained 

 twice and one-eight to twice and one-third in the total length, 

 (without caudal,) the length of the head thrice and one-fourth. 

 Scales large, bubquadrate, longest in their vertical diameter, 

 rounded and entire on their free edges ; on the summit of the 

 head is a central scale, with its entire margin free. The 

 scales extend over the cheeks, form an imperfect sheath for 

 the dorsal fin, and extend far up the caudal fin. The humeral 

 scale (behind the gill openmg,) is three or four times as large 

 as the others. Lateral line scarcely obvious. Snout very 

 obtuse, the upper mandible being directed obliquely upwards; 

 head much flattened between the eyes, which are distant. 

 Dorsal and anal of moderate size, very much higher in males 

 than in females and young males, but onl}^ extending to the 

 middle of the tail when laid backwards. Pectorals pointed, 

 placed low on the body. Ventrals very feeble. Caudal 

 broad and short, nearly even ; its margin slightly excavated. 

 Back dark green, becoming lighter towards the sides. Males 

 without black spots on the body ; caudal and sometimes the 

 other fins black edged. Females w'ith irregular blackish or 

 bluck vertical spots on the body ; fins without black margin ; 

 a black stripe across the root of the caudal. Length, 2 to 2J 

 inches. 



Fin-rays :-D. 10-11 ; P. 15 ; V. 7 ; A. 10-11 ; C. 15^ 

 Cyprinodon vuriegafvs, Lacep. V, pp. 486, 487, pi. 15, fig. 1. 



JEsjX ovinus, Mitch. Trans. Lit. & Phil. Soc. New York, 

 1815, I, p. 411, pi. 4, fig. 7. 



Lzbias ellipSdicka, Lesueur, Jouru. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. II, 

 1821, p. 0, pi. 2. 



