2624 Bulletin 4.7 , United States National Museum. 



its length varying considerably. Caudal fin somewhat double truncate, 

 with rounded angles, the middle rays being produced. Anterior nostril 

 of blind side with a long flap. Color olive brown, mottled with darker, 

 sometimes with very distinct round black blotches; vertical fins blotched 

 with dark; pectoral of colored side with oblique bars. Length 15 inches. 

 Southern California, rather common from Point Concepcion southward to 

 San Diego. It is a very variable species, the coloration and the length of 

 the pectoral fins having a wide range of variation. The body is indiffer- 

 ently dextral or sinistral. (Ae?o, smooth; kenis, scale.) 



Xystreurys liolepis, JORDAN & GILBERT, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1880, 34, Santa Barbara; 



JORDAN <fc GILBERT, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1880, 454; JORDAN & GILBERT, Proc. IT. S. Nat. 



Mus. 1881, 66; JORDAN <fc Goss, Review of Flounders and Soles, 243, 1889. 

 Paralichthys liolepis, JORDAN & GILBERT, Synopsis, 825, 1883. 



1024. PARALICHTHYS, Girard. 

 (BASTARD HALIBUTS.) 



Paralichlhys, GiRARD, U. S. Pac. R. B. Surv., x, 146, 1858 (maculosus = caUfornicus). 

 Pseudorhombus, BLEEKER, Comptes Rendus, Acad. Sci. Anisterd., xm, 1862, 5, Notice sur 



quelques genres do la famille des Pleuronectidae (polyspilos). 

 Vropsetta, GILL, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1862, 330 (calif ornicus=maculosug). 

 Chcenopsetta, GILL, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1864, 218 (ocellaris dentatus). 



Eyes and color normally on the left side. Body oblong; mouth largo, 

 oblique; each jaw with a single row of usually slender and sharp teeth, 

 which are more or less enlarged anteriorly ; no teeth on vomer or pala- 

 tines. Gill rakers slender. Scales small, weakly ctenoid or ciliated; 

 lateral line simple, with a strong curve anteriorly. Dorsal fine beginning 

 before the eye, its anterior rays not produced; both ventrals lateral; 

 caudal fin double truncate, or double concave, its middle rays produced ; 

 no anal spine. Species numerous, found in all warm seas. This genus, as 

 now restricted, contains a considerable number of species, inhabiting 

 both coasts of America and the eastern and southern coasts of Asia. As 

 indicated by the reduced number of vertebrae, the species range further 

 southward' than do those of the typo of Hippoglossoides. (irapdXXvXo^ 

 parallel; ijflvs, fish.) 



a. Gill rakers in large number, about 9 + 20. 



b. Gill rakers as long as eye and very slender. D. 72; A. 55; depth 2f in length. 



CALIFORNICUS, 2991. 



bb. Gill rakers shorter, about f length of eye. D. 80 ; A. 61 ; depth 24 in length. 



JESTUARIUS, 2992. 



act. Gill rakers in moderate number (5 -f 11 to 6 -f 21), rather long and slender. 

 c. Dorsal rays 70 to 75; anal rays 54 to 60. 



d. Head small, lateral line 4 in length ; depth 2J ; interorbital space rather 

 broad and flatish, f diameter of eye; eyes small, 5 in head; gill 

 rakers rather short, 4 -f 15, the longest about eye. 



BRASIL1ENSIS, 2993. 



dd. Head rather large, 3J in length ; depth 2 to 2J ; eyes small. 



e. Gill rakers 5 to 6 + 15 to 18 ; eyes wide apart. ADSPERSUS, 2994. 



ee. Gill rakers 5 + 11 ; eyes close together. WOOLMANI, 2995. 



cc. Dorsal raj s 85 to 93 ; anal rays 67 to 73 ; gill rakers 5 -f 15 or 16, long and slen- 



der, the longest f length of eye; body ovate, the depth about 24 in length ; 



head about 3f . DENTATUS, 2996. 



