III. COTTOIDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 63 



as scarcely to be seen exteriorly. The inferior edge of the preopercular terminates 

 in two distinct angular points. Finally the scapular is terminated by an acute 

 point which is concealed under the skin, and perceptible only to the touch. 



"There are no scales ; the skin on the head is smooth to the touch, but dotted on 

 the crown with minute soft warts. The belly, a stripe adjoining the anal on each 

 side, a small space around the base of the caudal, and the interscapular space 

 anterior to the first dorsal, are also smooth ; but the rest of the skin of the body is 

 thickly studded with very small subulate, acute spines directed backwards. These 

 spines are too minute to be seen distinctly with the naked eye ; but a little fold of 

 skin, raised by each of them, produces a roughness which is very visible ; they re- 

 sist the finger only when it is drawn against their points." 



" The lateral line, formed by a furrow, interrupted by about forty-four contrac- 

 tions, is very conspicuous." — Richardson. 



The oi-igin of the first dorsal is opposite the base of the upper ra-j of the 

 pectorals ; it is much lower than the second, to which it is connected by means 

 of a membrane. The sixth and seventh rays are the longest. The second dorsal 

 commences opposite the anus, and extends a little farther back than the anal, 

 as is usually the case in Cotti. The anal is proportionally lower than in Cotti, 

 and, therefore, much lower than the second dorsal, if we judge of it by the figure 

 given in the Fauna Boreall-Americana. The caudal is slightly rounded posteriorly, 

 whilst its base of insertion is somewhat dilated or spread out. The peduncle of 

 the tail is quite narrow. The ventrals are situated under the pectorals as in Cotti. 

 There exists an anterior bony ray, and four soft but unbranched ones. The 

 pectorals are obliquely suboval, and their rays unbranched. 



Br. 6. D IX.— 21. A 18. C G. I. 4. 3. I. G. V I. 4. P IG. 



This species, according to Dr. Gairdner, is quite common in the Columbia River. 

 To him Dr. Richardson was indebted for the specimens from which his description 

 was drawn and the figures made. Specimens were collected by the United States 

 Exploring Expedition. 



For our description of this species, as well as of C. cognaius, we are indebted to 

 the Fauna Boreali-Americana. 



