FISHES OF SINALOA. 469 



162. Menticirrus simus Jordan. 



This species was described from specimens obtained 

 by Dr. Gilbert at Mazatlan. A single very small one was 

 obtained by us in the surf north of the city. 



163. Menticirrus panamensis (Steindachner). 

 Taken by Dr. Gilbert at Mazatlan; not seen by us. 



164. Menticirrus elongatus (Giinther). Verrugata. 

 This species is very common in the surf on the sandy 



beaches about Mazatlan. Specimens were also obtained 

 by Dr. Gilbert. Elsewhere it has been recorded only 

 from Chiapam, whence came Dr. Giinther's original 

 types. 



Family GERRID^. 



165. Eucinostomus californiensis (Gill). Mojarra 

 Cantilena. ( Dia^teris calif oi'niensh and gracilis 

 Gill.) 



Excessively common in the estuary, being by far the 

 most abundant species, not excepting the White Mullet. 

 It is rarely used as a food on account of its small size, its 

 length when adult ranging from five to ten inches. The 

 second interh^mal bone in this species is developed in a 

 very singular manner, being short, much expanded and 

 hollow, the broadly open upper end being occupied by 

 the posterior part of the air-bladder, the structure being 

 the same as in the genus Calamus, but more highly de- 

 veloped, the bone being shorter and more largely ex- 

 cavated. This structure is seen also in Eucinostomus 

 gula, harenguliis, and probably others. As Gerres gula 

 (= argenteus) is the type of the genus Eiicinostonius, this 

 structure may be held to define that genus as distinct from 

 Gerres. There can be no question as to its generic im- 

 portance. In Gerres proper, the second interhsemal is 



