HALIEUTOPSIS. 89 



they are larger and somewhat depressed, becoming larger and bi- or tri- 

 cuspid posteriorly on the subopercle. Fin rays rough toward their bases. 

 Lateral system distinct, arranged as in Oncocephalus, Halieutasa, and allies, 

 but of a low grade of development. The fringes at each side of the sensory 

 papillaa are elongate, but not particularly numerous. Tail flat on the lower 

 side, subcarinate at the edges. 



Fins small ; dorsal origin midway from the orbits to the end of the 

 caudal ; anal origin about one length of the orbit backward from that of the 

 dorsal, fin longer, hardly two thirds as long as the caudal ; caudal narrow, 

 rounded on the hind margin, length equal to that of the skull from snout 

 to nape ; pectorals shorter than the caudal, fringed ; ventrals narrow, 

 fringed, two thirds as long as the pectorals. 



Brownish above; with numerous small irregular spots of brown, smaller 

 on pectorals and caudals ; an oblong ocellate spot of black, with yellow 

 centre and pale edgings, nearly as large as the orbit, behind the nape at 

 each side of the spinal column ; white below. On some large specimens the 

 smaller spots tend to disappear in a nearly uniform olivaceous brown on the 

 upper surface, but the elliptical ocellus remains distinct. 



Originally the type described was from Mazatlan, Mexico. 



In essential features this species agrees so closely with the short snouted 

 species of Oncocephalus tliat it is difficult to find characters for subgeneric 

 distinction, to say nothing of generic separation. 



Halieutopsis gen. n. 



Outlines resembling those of Halieutasa. Rostrum and skull raised 

 above the balance of the disklike head. Head like that of Halieuta\a, 

 wide and broadly rounded forward ; subopercular region much swollen ; 

 snout indented. Eyes small. Rostral niche deep; rostrum overhanging; 

 illicium protractile and depressible, esca with two large spherical lateral 

 bulbs and a median slender elongate bifurcated more mobile portion. 

 Mouth medium, anterior, overhung by the swollen margins. Teeth absent 

 from vomer, palatines, and apparently from the tongue. Subopercular 



