36 FOSSIL FISHES OF LOMPOC 



Family HEXAGRAMMID^. 



18. Hexagrammos achrestus Jordan and Gilbert. 

 (Plate XIX) 



The original type of this species is from Lompoc. The block on 

 which it occurs was unfortunately cut in two just before the middle of 

 the body. The parts remaining agree with the genus HEXAGRAMMOS. 



Another block (No. 301), with counterpart, was also secured. This 

 represents 10 inches taken from a larger fish, and further forward, the 

 species apparently the same ; the only difference we notice is that in the 

 type of H. ACHRESTUS the slender interneurals are thrust between the 

 neurals, while in the present specimen they meet nearly tip to tip. This is 

 probably due to the fact that No. 301 shows the spinous dorsal fin, while 

 the type (No. CXL) shows mainly the soft dorsal. 



In No. 301 the head is crushed; the pectoral rounded, very wide, 

 with about 18 rays, scarcely procurrent below. Vertebrae very large, 

 deeply grooved, deeper than long; 16 shown, the pectoral reaching eighth ; 

 neurals simple, strong, slightly longer than interneurals, which are simple, 

 straight, sharp, and well spaced, one interneural for each neural and 

 meeting its neural squarely. Dorsal spines beginning over opercle, mod- 

 erate, slender, well spaced, 16 of them apparent. Opercles apparently 

 entire. Total number of vertebrae probably about 45 to 50. In living 

 species of HEXAGRAMMOS (DECAGRAMMUS, SUPERCILIOSUS) there are 

 50 to 52. 



Family OPHIODONTID^E. 



19. Ozymandias gilberti Jordan. 

 (Plate XXIV) 



No. 332 is part of the large fish supposed to be OZYMANDIAS GILBERTI 

 Jordan (Fossil Fishes of Southern California, p. 44, pi. XXI). It con- 

 sists of a fragment, 8V 2 inches long, with 12 large quadrate vertebrae 

 from near the head, with their appendages. Vertebrae without ridges or 

 grooves on the side, the median portion on each side a little prominent. 

 The neurals are strong, directed well backward, well separated, with two 

 dagger-shaped interneurals between each pair below first dorsal ; these 

 corresponded to a long first dorsal fin of a dozen rays or more ; ribs well 

 separated, very strong, curved strongly backward, each as long as six 

 vertebrae. Body of even depth, the dorsal and ventral outlines seeming 

 straight. 



A broad, shortish pectoral fin of 12 to 15 rays detached from body, 

 on side of belly. 



