538 Girard on Fishes of California. 
in the length of the side of the head. The branchial fis- 
sures are continuous under the throat, and prolonged to- 
wards the hyoid apparatus. The branchiostegals are five on 
either side and quite slender. The inter- and subopercle are 
quite developed. 
The origin of the anterior dorsal fin is equidistant be- 
tween the extremity of the snout and the fork of the caudal 
fin. It is composed of seven spiny rays, the first of which 
is the highest. The second dorsal is situated opposite 
the anal, and since its base isa good deal shorter than that 
of the latter, the posterior extremities and the anterior mar- 
gins of these two fins do not coincide with the same vertical 
line. The rays are thirteen in number, diminishing less 
rapidly in height than in the anterior dorsal, thus giving 
the upper margin of the fin a more gradual slope. The 
- caudal fin is deeply forked and contained about six times 
in the total length, thé same as the head. The anal is as 
deep anteriorly as the second dorsal is high, diminishing, 
however, very rapidly backwards. The origin of the vene 
trals is nearer the terminus of the anal than the extremity 
. of the snout; they are composed of five well-developed and 
dichotomised rays, and a rudimentary undivided one upon 
their external edge. The pectorals are well developed, pos- 
teriorly faleiform, and tapering to a point. 
Br. VE: VI; D'VILIS; Ai, 97; C 5.7, 8,7, 7; VILE TS 
The scales are large, constituting but thirteen longitudinal 
series upon the line of greatest depth of the body. Longer 
than deep on the dorsal region, and deeper than long id 
the abdominal region, they are rounded off upon their pos 
terior margin, and truncated upon their anterior margin. 
Radiating grooves may be seen upon the posterior section 
of the scale only. The cheeks, opercular apparatus, 8? d 
the upper surface of the head, are covered with large an 
imbricated scales, similar to the scales of the body, exceP* 
that their outline is subjected to infinite variations. 
