100 



U. 8. P. R. R. EXP AND STJRVEYS ZOOLOGY GENERAL REPORT. 



edge of the preopercle is finely denticulated, whilst two flattened and tapering spines may be 

 observed upon the upper and posterior margin of the opercle imbedded in the integuments. 

 The scales covering the upper surface and sides of the head are well developed, and as large 

 upon the cheeks as on the opercle. The branchial apertures are continuous under the throat, 

 the branchial rays being seven in number on either side. 



The anterior dorsal fin is subtriangular, composed of eleven rays, properly speaking, the 

 fourth being the highest; the third and fifth are equal and a little shorter than the fourth ; the 

 eleventh is the smallest of all. Two other small spines may be observed, one immediately at 

 the anterior margin of the second dorsal, whilst the other is intermediate between the two fins. 

 The second dorsal itself is highest anteriorly, diminishing gradually posteriorly. The anal fin 

 is subtrapezoid, nearly as long as deep anteriorly, and slightly concave exteriorly. It does not 

 extend as far posteriorly as the dorsal. A rudimentary and an exiguous spine exist anteriorly. 

 The caudal is subcrescentic posteriorly, constituting about the sixth of the total length. The 

 insertion of the ventrals corresponds to a vertical line drawn immediately behind the base of the 

 pectorals, and a little in advance of the anterior margin of the first dorsal. The spiny ray is 

 long and slender, whilst the tips of the soft rays are far from reaching the vent. The pectorals 

 are slender and sublanceolated ; their extremities extending as far, if not further, than the tips 

 of the ventrals. 



Br. VII : VII ; D XIII, 22 ; A II, 12 ; C 4, 1, 8, T, 1, 3 ; V I, 5 ; P 16. 



The scales are large, finely pectinated, oblong in shape, deeper than long, with radiating 

 grooves upon the anterior section only. The base of the caudal alone is provided with small 

 scales ; the lateral line may be traced to near the edge of the latter fin. 



The color is greyish brown above and greyish silvery beneath, the dorsal region being 

 occasionally dark clouded. Oblique waving lines of umber brown are quite conspicuous along 

 the dorsal region above the lateral line, resulting from a spot on each scale : the scales being 

 disposed upon oblique series cause the obliquity of the above lines. The base of the pectorals is 

 black interiorly. 



The largest specimens observed are said to have measured eleven inches. 



References to the figures. Plate XXII C, fig. 1, represents Leiostomus lineatus, size of life. 

 Fig. 2 is a dorsal scale. Fig. 3, a scale from the lateral line. Fig. 4, a scale from the 

 abdominal region. 



List of specimens. 



