FISHES HETEROLEPIDAE CHIRUS CHIROPSIS. 41 



Species of this family were first made known by Pallas, in 1810,* under the names of Ldbrax 

 lagocephalus , L. decagrammus, L. superciliosus, L. monopterygius, L. octogrammus, and L. hexa- 

 grammus. The latter is figured in the illustrated edition of Cuvier s Animal Kingdom, plate 

 Ixxxiii, fig. 2, under the head of Chirus, a generical name attributed to Steller. 



We regret to say that we have had no access to the Memoirs of the Academy of St. Peters 

 burg, above alluded to, and therefore we remain very imperfectly acquainted with the specific 

 descriptions of Pallas, and ignore totally the origin of the genus Chirus, as well as its generical 

 characters as formulated by its author. 



On a former occasion, f when we described the three following species under the name of 

 Chirus, we attempted to circonscribe that genus. Subsequently we thought the range ascribed 

 to it too wide, and availed ourselves of the opportunity to subdivide it, preserving the n me of 



CHIRUS, Steller. 



for those species which are characterized by an elongated body, a small head, and a mouth but 

 little cleft. The jaws being provided with small, conical, and unequal teeth. The opercular 

 apparatus smooth and without spiny processes. A single and continuous dorsal fin occupying 

 most of the dorsal region, and composed of undivided rays. The insertion of the ventral fins 

 being situated immediately posterior to the base of the pectorals. Lateral lines multiple. 



This character of the presence of several lateral lines, which Cliirus has in common with 

 Chiropsis, is one of the most curious in the class of fishes, and known to occur in but few 

 instances out of the present family ; such the genus Chela, a cyprinoid inhabiting the fresh 

 waters of East India. We would mention Porrichthys, of the toad. fish family, as another 

 instance, and, perhaps, Peprilus of the Scomberoid family. 



The fishes of the present family are of a tolerable size, being brought to the San Francisco 

 market, and sell pretty well, especially the species of Chiropsis, which are not uncommon. We 

 are inclined to think the flesh of Ophiodon and Oplopoma more delicate and more highly flavored 

 than in the one just alluded to. They are all inhabitants of the sea. 



CHIROPSIS, Girard. 



GEN. CHAR. Body sub-fusiform ; head well developed ; mouth of medium size. Slender canine teeth on both jaws ; velvet- 

 like teeth on the front of the vomer and on the palatines. Opercle and preopercle without either spines or serratures. Cheeks, 

 opercular apparatus, and upper surface of head covered with small scales. A supraocular, abrorescent, membranous flap. 

 Gill openings continuous under the throat. Branchiostegal rays six in number. Two dorsal fins, a spinous and an articulated 

 one, occupying most of the dorsal region. Insertion of ventrals situated behind that of the pectorals. Caudal posteriorly rounded 

 or sub-truncated. Scales finely serrated posteriorly. Several lateral lines. 



SYN. Chiropsis, GRD. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. November, 1587, 201. 



This genus may be distinguished from that of Chirus of Steller by a more compact body, a 

 larger head, and larger mouth, two dorsal fins, the anterior alone composed of undivided rays, 

 and perhaps also by the presence above the orbits of a membranous arborescent flap. All the 

 species of Chiropsis known to us up to the present day have the latter character more or less 

 conspicuously developed. The lips are rather thickish and well developed, the mouth more or 

 less protractile, and the pectorals broad, with their inferior rays thick and not dichotomised, 

 and the interradial membrane emarginated. The scales might almost be termed polymorphic 

 in their outline, so great are the variations observed among them. 



*Mem. de 1 Academic de St. Petersbourg, vol. XI. 

 t Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philada, VII, 1854, 132. 

 6a 



