138 



U. S. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS ZOOLOGY GENERAL REPORT. 



SYN. Ophididae, BONAP. Sagg. Distr. Anim. vertebr. 1831, 118. 



Ophidini, MULL, in Wiegm. Archiv fur naturg. I, 1843, 329. 



It is doubtful yet as to whether Ammodytes belongs to the family of Ophididae. The air 

 bladder appears to be wanting, at least in the American species of both the Atlantic arid Pacific 

 coasts. The conformation of the jaws, as observed by Job. Miiller, somewhat resembles that 

 of the Scopelidae, still the absence of an adipose fin and the extension of the first dorsal forbid its 

 association with the latter group. We regret that time will not permit us entering into 

 anatomical researches, by which alone the systematic position of this genus could be ascertained, 

 a desideratum which we hope to comply with at no distant period. 



OPHIDION, Artedi. 



GEN. CHAR. Head short, obtuse ; jaws equal. Teeth upon the jaws and the palate also. Gill openings large, and extending 

 under the throat forwards, without being absolutely continuous. Pectoral fins extant. Dorsal and anal fins continuous with 

 the caudal. Two pairs of small barbels inserted at the point of the hyoid bone. Scales cycloid. 



SYN. Ophidian, ARTED. Gen. Pise. 1738 ; ed. Walb. 1792, 154. LINN. Syst. Nat. ed. X, 1758, 259. 



Ophidium, Cuv. Regn. anim. II, 1817, 238 ; 2d ed. II, 1829 ; &, ed. illust. Poiss. 325. DEKAY, New Y. Fauna, 

 1842, 315. STORER, Synops. 1846, 235. 



OPHIDION TAYLORI, G r d . 



SPEC. CHAR. Head contained nearly seven times in the total length. The eye is rather large and circular; its diameter 

 entering about three times and a half in the length of the side of the head. The posterior extremity of the maxillar bone 

 extends to a vertical line drawn about midway between the pupil and the posterior rim of the orbit. The origin of the dorsal 

 fin is situated a little way posteriorly to a vertical line which would intersect the base of pectorals. Ground color olivaceous, 

 sprinkled over with blackish specks ; sides of the head and belly whitish yellow. Vertical fins margined with a black filet. 



The largest specimen observed measures about three inches and a quarter ; the species inhabits 

 the sands of Monterey beach. 



List of specimens. 



AMMODYTES, Artedi. 



GEN. CHAR. Head elongated, sub-conical ; lower jaw longest. Jaws and palate toothless. Gill openings continuous under 

 the throat. Pectoral fins extant. Dorsal fin extending nearly the whole length of the back ; anal fin long ; neither of which 

 continuous with the caudal, which is forked or else sub-crescentic. Scales cycloid in structure. 



SYN. Jlmmodytes, ARTEDI, Gen. Pise. 1738 ; ed. Walb. 1792, 104 ; &, Descr. spec. Pise. 1793, 55. Cuv. Rcgn. anim. II, 

 1817, 240 ; 2d ed. II, 1829 ; &, ed. illustr. Poiss. 327. D E KAY, New Y. Fauna, IV, 1842, 317. STORER, 

 Synops. 1846,237. 



Two species of this genus have been mentioned by Pallas as occurring about the seas of 

 Kamtschatka : Ammodytes hexapterus and A. septipinnis ; but the former alone belongs to the 

 genus Ammodytes, since the latter is provided with abdominal ventral fins, and therefore 

 excluded from the family we are now treating of. 



