XYNE 11 



The two species (possibly identical with each other) already described 

 by us from El Modena and Carpinteria (LLIMMA ELMODEN.E * and EL- 

 LIMMA BARBARA) are certainly nearer XYNE than ELLIMMA; and may be 

 temporarily assigned to XYNE, with which they agree in general traits 

 and especially in the number of vertebrae (.44). The ribs are longer than 

 in X. GREX or X. FITGERI, being about 3% to 3^ in length of body. It is 

 very doubtful whether these species belong to the group of double-armed 

 herring, the presence of dorsal scutes being uncertain. In this group 

 the Eocene genera, DIPLOMYSTUS, KNIGHTIA, ELLIMMA, and ELLIMICH- 

 THYS, find their place. 



The type of XYNE FITGERI is a specimen (No. 167) seven inches long, 

 lacking the upper and low T er fins. 



Body heavy forward with large head. Head 2% in length to base 

 of caudal ; depth about 2%- Head very large, with steep, straightish pro- 

 file; eye moderate; lower jaw long, low, protruding; maxillary 1% in 

 head. Vertebrae 43, the first 24 forming a notable arch, its arc 21/2 times 

 its height, a character apparently due to distortion, as only partially shown 

 in other specimens. Vertebrae rather longer than deep, ribs many, very 

 slender, U/4 in head, nearly 3*4 in body ; some intra-muscular bones ; neu- 

 rals and hsemals moderate, interspinal bones weak and mostly obliterated ; 

 pectoral fins narrow, inserted low ; dorsal, anal, ventrals, and scales wholly 

 obliterated except for the lanceolate sharp ventral scutes which are about 

 15 in number; caudal strong, well forked, the lobes 1% in head, the 

 rays slender, about twenty-five to be counted. 



This specimen is preserved in duplicate, the other half (167B) being 

 exactly like it. The species is named for Mr. August Fitger, the excel- 

 lent proprietor of the Lompoc quarries. 



A second specimen (26) is in fair condition, 6 inches long, the ver- 

 tebral column elevated anteriorly, but not perfectly arched ; dorsal and 

 ventral present, the ventral just behind front of dorsal. Head 3 in length ; 

 depth 3 ; vertebrae 43. 



Another specimen (No. 241), 4i/ 2 inches long, has the head large 

 and with steep profile. The head is, however, crushed back on the body, 

 so that the dorsal fin is close behind it, and the anterior vertebrae are dis- 

 located and scattered about the nuchal region. There are 25 to 28 ver- 

 tebras behind the line of insertion of dorsal. The vertebral column in 

 this species seems exceptionally fragile, for when not arched, it is usually 

 broken or distorted. 



A specimen 3% inches long (the total fish about five) (No. 205), 

 with the head and tail broken, much resembles the type of ELLIMMA EL- 



* We may here note that in the original description of ELLIMMA ELMODEN^E 

 "head 2y 2 in length" is a misprint for "head 3%." 



