544 Girard on Fishes of California. 



X. RAJIM3. 



17. RHINOPTEPA VESPERTILIO, Girard, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. 

 VIII. 1856, 137. Plate XXVI, figs. 1-3. 



Description. This species is closely allied to R. javanica, 

 from which it differs by the shape or outline of the head, 

 which is semicircular anteriorly and very slightly emargi- 

 nated, instead of being notched or concave, and by the pec- 

 toral fins, which are pointed. 



The specimen before us measures nineteen inches and a 

 half from the extremity of the snout to the tip of the tail, 

 six inches and three quarters being the length of the body 

 and head together. The width, from the tip of one pectoral 

 fin to the other, is twelve inches. 



The cephalic region is as long as the trunk properly so 

 called ; its anterior outline, as already observed, is rounded 

 and but very slightly emarginated. The eyes are quite 

 prominent and somewhat raised above the surface of the 

 head. The lips are fringed, and the edge of the tongue 

 scalloped. The respiratory apertures, five pairs in number, 

 are transversely elongated and disposed upon an open curve- 

 There is a small dorsal fin situated posteriorly to the 

 ventrals upon the anterior portion of the tail and followed 

 by a lanceolate horizontally flattened spine, serrated upon 

 its edges. The tail is very attenuated, flagelliform, tapering 

 into a filiform extremity. 



The color above is of a purplish blue or slate hue, lighter 

 towards the periphery than upon the dorsal region. Beneath 

 dull olivaceous. 



Locality. From Tomales Bay. 



Plate XXVI, fig. 1, represents this species seen from 

 above and somewhat reduced in size. Fig. 2, is a profile of 

 the head, size of life. Fig. 3, the inferior surface of the 

 head, exhibiting the mouth and branchial apertures, also 

 size of life. 



