134 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



The Rhamdia bransfordii Gill differs from specimens 

 of wagneri only in color and their identity can scarcely 

 be doubted especially as the color is frequently oblit- 

 erated in alcohol. 



Width of body behind the pectorals about equal to its 

 depth, much compressed toward the tail. Head flat 

 above, its sides almost vertical, its greatest width IJ-lf 

 in its length. Profile from tip of occipital process to 

 snout nearly straight. Width of the snout at the rictus 

 about 2 in the head. Occipital process narrow, extending 

 about half way to the dorsal spine. 



Eye 2| in snout, 7 in head, 2J in interorbital. Max- 

 illary barbel sometimes extending to near the posterior 

 end of the adipose fin, sometimes scarcely beyond the 

 base of the dorsal; mental barbel to base of pectoral; 

 postmentals beyond middle of pectoral. 



Lower jaw shorter than the upper; mandibulary band 

 of teeth scarcely interrupted in the middle, tapering to 

 a point behind the rictus; depth of intermaxillary band 

 of teeth 7 in its width. Gill-membranes separate, over- 

 lapping; gill-rakers 3+7. Distance of dorsal fin from 

 snout about one-third of the length. Free margin of 

 the dorsal rounded, the base of the fin about equal to its 

 height, IJ-lf in head. Distance of the adipose fin from 

 the dorsal more than half the length of the dorsal. 



Caudal divided to near its base, the lower lobe broad 

 and rounded, the upper pointed, about equal to the 

 head in length, usually shorter. 



Tips of the anal rays when laid backward, not reach- 

 ing the vertical from the tip of the adipose fin; free mar- 

 gin of the anal rounded; the longest ray 2 2J in length 

 of head. 



Ventrals inserted below last dorsal ray, 1-f-lf in head. 



Pectoral spine short, stout, with recurved hooks or 

 notches near its tip in front, the posterior margin with 

 short straight teeth; the longest ray 1J in head. 



