: XYNE 25 



G. Van Cleve, science teacher. It is presented to the Museum of Stanford 

 University. 



Family CLUPEID^. 



21. Xyne grex Jordan and Gilbert, new genus and species. 

 (Plate IX, fig. 1; Plate X, fig. 2; Plate XI, figs. 2, 3) 



Type No. CVIII, block of diatomaceous shale from Lompoc, about 

 20 inches by 16, containing 24 skeletons of a herring-like fish, besides 

 fragments, each specimen about 6 inches in length, presented to Stanford 

 University. 



No. XXXIV, seven similar skeletons also in rock of absolutely pure 

 diatom substance without sand or grit, was obtained at Bairdstown, near 

 Los Angeles; as also a third slab (No. XXVIII), with five skeletons of 

 similar character. A fourth slab (No. XV), with four specimens, is from 

 Lompoc. In these the scattered loose scales give the fish a rather curious 

 resemblance to an ear of Indian corn or maize surrounded by loose kernels. 

 Another large block, altogether similar to CVIII, also from Lompoc, and 

 containing 16 fine skeletons, is in the Academy of Sciences at San 

 Francisco. 



The species has the general form of a herring, rather, deeper than in 

 CLUPEA HADLEYI or in any living species of herring, the ventral outline 

 more convex than the back, but not prominent. 



Head about .Z l / 2 in length to base of caudal ; depth 3 to 3% '> body 

 cavity very long, the region provided with ribs, about equal to distance 

 from last rib to base of caudal; length of a rib 3^4 i n length of body. 

 Ribs strongly curved, hair-like, finer than in CLUPEA. Mouth rather large, 

 oblique, the lower jaw somewhat projecting. Vertebrae 17 to 19 -f- 28 = 

 45 to 47 in number, small, slender, constricted, subequal, nearly as deep 

 as long, not reduced posteriorly ; each with two strong longitudinal ridges 

 on each side ; opercles rounded, smooth, with enameled surface ; rather 

 deep, smaller than the very broad preopercle ; ventral scutes strong, with 

 entire edges, evident in three specimens, lost in the others ; the scutes large, 

 pointed, enameled; no trace of dorsal scutes. Neural bones rather long 

 and strong for a herring, directed moderately backwards, interspersed 

 with fine, hair-like intermuscular bones set very obliquely. Opercle finely 

 and evenly striate under the glass. 



Dorsal median, of moderate size, its insertion slightly nearer base of 

 caudal than snout, about twenty rays traceable, ventral inserted slightly 

 before dorsal; anal rays apparently about twelve; pectoral sixteen. 



Scales cycloid, of moderate size, apparently about sixty in a longitudi- 

 nal series, regularly placed, thin, but more or less enameled ; many loose 

 scales scattered about most of the specimens. 



