Dr. W. O. Ayres on the Sebastoid Fishes of California. 335 
and posterior supraorbitals strong and sharp, but not so elevated as 
to make much depth to the intraorbital fossa; intraorbital ridges 
just discernible ; postorbital spine slender, very sharp; occipital 
ridge smooth, somewhat prominent, not spined. Upper two pre- 
opercular spines sharp, next two flattened and serrated or edged, 
anterior one blunt. Humeral, scapular, and two opercular spines 
flat, not prominent ; lower angle of operculum serrated. Spinous 
dorsal a little higher than the soft portion, or sometimes only equal. 
Second anal spine as high as the third, and stouter. 
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ania 
i 
The colours are stated with sufficient accuracy by Girard (Joe. cit.). 
S. auriculatus is perhaps the most common species we have, and is 
almost the only one taken about the wharves of the city, The exam- 
ples for the most part small, seldom exceeding half to three-quarters 
of a pound in weight, though those brought in by the fishermen 
from the deep water are much larger; the heaviest I have seen was 
20 inches long, with a weight of six pounds. In the large specimens 
the black spot of the operculum becomes almost obsolete. 
The typical specimens of S. nebulosus and S. auriculatus are quite 
widely distinct ; but so many intermediate forms occur, that not un- 
frequently it is ‘actually very difficult to decide to which of the two 
certain individuals should be referred. The spines and ridges of the 
head I have found more reliable as means of diagnosis than any other 
features. 
4. SepasTEs ruBER, Ayres, Proc. Cal. Acad. Nat. Sci. i. p. 7, 
and ii. p. 208, fig. 63 (non S. rosaceus, Gir. P. R. Rep. x. p. 78). 
Top of the head quite rough, the ridges being thinner and more 
irregular on their edge than in the other : species. Nasal spine sharp 
and rather strong ; supraorbital crest consisting of an anterior spine 
which is distinct and regular, and then an elongated irregularly ser- 
rated ridge, not ending im any very distinct spine ; postorbital spine 
not large, but quite sharp, distinct, and regular ; intraorbital pair of 
