no. 2075. FISHES FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA— GILBERT. 365 



distance from tip of snout to base of first dorsal ray, 26.6; distance 

 from tip of snout to vent, 40; length of longest dorsal rays, 7.2; 

 longest anal ray, 5; length of pectoral. 12. 



Body compressed, sides of head vertical, greatest depth at front of 

 dorsal; profile of head declines in a straight line from occiput to 

 snout, the profile of the latter rendered concave on account of its 

 protruding terminal portion; end of snout vertical. In fresh speci- 

 mens the eyes completely fill the sockets and the mucous pits are not 

 conspicuous. Mandible included, shutting within the outer series 

 of premaxillary teeth. Mouth oblique, the vertical from end of 

 maxillary crossing eye behind its middle. Mandibular teeth in a 

 broad band anteriorly, the outer series scarcely enlarged, the band 

 rapidly tapering laterally to an irregular single series or a narrow 

 band; premaxillary teeth consisting of an outer series, usually more 

 or less enlarged anteriorly, and an inner series of shorter slenderer 

 teeth directed downwards and backwards. The two series are widely 

 separated anteriorly, but converge laterally, and both usually reach 

 the angle of the mouth. Both anteriorly and posteriorly, small teeth 

 may occur in greater or less numbers between the two rows, thus 

 producing a broad band in front of jaw, and a narrow band at the 

 side. Vomerine teeth in a single series or a short narrow transverse 

 band of not more than two irregular rows. Palatine teeth in a single 

 series, which is irregular or sometimes even two ranked, the series 

 long, extending from near vomer to opposite angle of mouth; both 

 vomerine and palatine teeth well developed throughout, in young 

 as well as in adults, as strong as the premaxillary teeth. 



A single short nostril tube. Gill-slits continued well forward 

 under throat, separated by a narrow isthmus, which is behind the 

 vertical from posterior margin of orbit a distance but little less than 

 the ocular diameter. Branchiostegals 6. Pseudobranchise well 

 developed, consisting of about 10 filaments. Gill-rakers short -and 

 broad, movable, abruptly curved below the enlarged spinous tip, 

 3 + 15 in number. 



Body completely and rather closely scaled; scales on breast, belly, 

 and nape much reduced in size; head naked; anterior portions of 

 dorsal and anal fins enveloped in thick gelatinous tissue, and scaled 

 almost to their margins; posteriorly the naked margin widens 

 rapidly, until it embraces the entire height of the fins; pectorals 

 scaled only on extreme base. 



A narrow line of minute close set pores from near upper rim of 

 orbit to posterior line of occiput, the line curved, with the convexity 

 outward. Upper lateral line beginning at shoulder, rising gently and 

 continued parallel with back to a short distance behind vent, con- 

 taining 25 to 28 pores; lower lateral line beginning on middle of sides 

 immediately in front of end of upper line, continued to base of tail, 

 though frequently indistinct posteriorly. 



