248 FISHES. 



vomerine teeth are apparent, and the number of branch- 

 iostegals appears to be but five. The vent is normal in 

 its position. On account of the small size of the only 

 specimens known, the character of the pharyngeals and 

 of the nostrils as well as the osteology generally, can 

 not be ascertained. 



Its nearest relationships appear to be with the Aphodo- 

 deridce. Two fossil genera, lately described by Prof. 

 Cope, Erismatopterus and Amphiplaga, are perhaps 

 allied to JElassoma. 



* Mouth small, oblique, the lower jaw the longer; jaws apparently 

 with but one row of stout conical teeth ; dorsal spines five ; 

 anal spines three; branchiostegal membranes broadly con- 

 nected across the chest; body elongate, compressed: caudal 

 fin rounded; cheeks and opercles scaly; bones of head entire. 



ELASSOMA, 1. 



/. ELASSOMA, Jordan. ELASSOMES. 

 1. E. zonata, Jordan. Head 3 in length; depth 3J; 

 olive green, finely punctate, sides with eleven dark verti- 

 cal bands ; a distinct round black spot behind the shoulder, 

 D. V, 8; A. Ill, 6; length of specimens known, one inch. 

 Lower Mississippi region and S. W.; specimens seen 

 from Arkansas and Texas. 



FAMILY XCIIL-APHODODERIOE. 



(The Pirate Perches.) 



Vent anterior, usually in front of the ventral fins; dor- 

 sal fin single, high, with but three or four spines; ventrals 

 thoracic, without spines and with seven soft rays; pre- 

 orbital, preopercle and other bones of head strongly 

 serrated; teeth on jaws and palate; scales ctenoid; 

 branchiostegals six; coecal appendages about twelve; 

 air bladder simple. 



