126 CAIJTOKNIA ACADEMX OF SCIENCES 



the last teeth of the inner series. Along the front and sides of the upper jaw are two 

 series, an outer row of enlarged cauine-like teeth (smaller, however, than the large 

 teeth along the middle of the mandible), and an inner row of slender curved cardi- 

 form teeth curving directly backward. Those along the front of each jaw are larger 

 and more widely spaced than the others. Behind the middle of the premaxillary, 

 the inner series develops into a narrow band. The canines diminish in size laterally 

 and become finally indistinguishable from the teeth of the band. 



A specimen of this species secured by the Albatross in San Juan Lagoon, 

 near Guaymas, Gulf of California, has been compared with our material; no diflfer- 

 ences appear to exist. In this specimen, also, there are 26 rays in the second dorsal 

 fin. 



234. Bairdiella ensifera {Jordan <L- Gilbert). 



A common fish in the markets. It is well separated from B. icistia by the 

 shorter snout, more oblique mouth, more projecting lower jaw, stouter dorsal spines, 

 longer and stouter second anal spine, shorter soft dorsal and rounded spinous dorsal. 



Dorsal X, I, 22 in two specimens; X, I, 23 in three specimens; X, I, 24 in 

 three specimens. Snout equals diameter of eye, or is slightly shorter; it is contained 

 from 4^ to 4|- times in head. Anterior margin of premaxillary on a level with a 

 point slightly above lower edge of pupil. The tip of the lower jaw projects a very 

 little beyond the upper. 



Dorsal spines all stout, the second the stoutest; the fourth the longest, the fifth 

 and sixth only slightly reduced in length, the others reduced rapidl}' to the tenth. 

 The posterior outline of the extended spinous dorsal is convex above and concave 

 below. The second anal spine reaches nearly to below the caudal base, the length 

 from 1| to li in head. 



In three specimens of B. icistia, the dorsal formula is IX, I, 28; X, I, 27; 

 X, I, 26. The snout is a little longer than eye, its length from 4 to 41 in head. 

 Anterior margin of premaxillary on a level with a point midway between lower part of 

 eye and lower part of pupil. Tip of lower jaw included. Dorsal spines all slender; 

 the second not stouter than the others, the third the longest. The posterior outline of 

 the extended spinous dorsal is concave, the fin being sharj^ly angulated at the tip of 

 the third spine. The tip of the second anal spine scarcely reaches past the vertical 

 from the tips of the last dorsal rays; its length 1| to 1| in head. 



235. Bairdiella armata Gill. 



Frequent. In six specimens the dorsal formula is X, I, 23; in five it is X, I, 

 22 (not XI, I, 21, as described by Jordan and Evermann, 1898, p. 1436). 



The longest rays of the caudal fin are just below the middle; above these the 

 fin is slightly concave, below it obliquely truncate. This shape is not well marked 

 in some specimens. 



The following color notes are from a fresh specimen: Fins all yellow; ventrals, 

 pectorals, and caudal orange-yellow; spinous dorsal with a large black blotch above; 

 soft dorsal and caudal with dusky margins. Mouth and gill-cavity light yellow. 



