260 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCONCES. 



Lateral scutes low, highest above the anal, their height 

 about J orbital diameter, gradually becoming smaller 

 each way, scarcely evident anterior to the tips of the 

 ventrals, but showing as minute imbedded ossicles ex- 

 tending forward to a subdermal process which extends 

 downward from the posterior angle of the dorsal plate 

 to the posterior end of the humeral process. Each scute 

 with a median hook. 



Distance of the dorsal fin from the snout 2J 2J in the 

 length; dorsal spine IJ-li in the head, serrate on both 

 margins, less coarsely on the inner, the sides striate. 

 Interdorsal space about 4 in the length; the adipose fin 

 free posteriorly, its base about equal to that of the 

 dorsal fin exclusive of the spine. 



Caudal fin forked, its rays leathery; accessory rays 10 

 or 11, the last forming a small plate above and below on 

 the caudal peduncle, the longest rays li-lj in the head. 



Anal somewhat leathery, slightly emarginate, its 

 highest ray 2-2J in the head. 



Ventrals not reaching the anal, about 2 in the head. 



Pectoral spine strong, serrate on both margins, most 

 coarsely on the inner; sides striate. 



Small pores in the axil and beneath lower margin of 

 the' humeral process making the skin sieve-like. 



Humeral process broad and strong, reaching the pos- 

 terior third of the pectoral spine, its surface striate. One 

 or two thin plates imbedded in the skin above the 

 humeral process. 



Light purple above, becoming plain light below; dor- 

 sal fin dusky at tip, the pectorals and caudal with very 

 minute dots; ventrals and anal plain light colored. A 

 thin place in the skin above the humeral process, the 

 " tympanum " in an example .14 m. long is narrowly 

 margined with yellow giving the appearance of an ocellus, 

 slightly larger than the pupil. 



