THE FISHES OF BERING SEA. 457 



partially arranged in series running obliquely upward and backward from the lower 

 larger plates to the bases of the dorsal rays, on whieh they extend for at least half 

 the height of ray. Dorsal spines with minute spinous plates extending almost or 

 quite to their tips. The snout, top of head, nape, suborbital ring, opercles and cheeks 

 above the suborbital stay covered with minute plates similar to the upper part of 

 dorsal band, with which the invested area on top of head is continuous. Sides below 

 lateral line naked, except for a few plates behind axil. 



Dorsals divided to the base, the last spine extremely short, its membrane joining 

 extreme base of the first soft ray. Spinous dorsal low, of slender, weak spines, the 

 longest ray one third length of head; longest soft ray, 2J in head. Anal beginning 

 under third ray of soft dorsal, ending under its fourteenth ray. Caudal peduncle 

 slender, its least depth one-third its length. Pectorals broad and short, the rays all 

 simple, the lower thickened with moderately incised membranes, the eighth to the tenth 

 rays the longest, extending beyond vertical from origin of anal. Ventrals not reaching 

 vent, 2^ in head. 



Ground color light grayish-olive; lower part of sides regularly reticulated with 

 narrow dusky lines. A dusky crossbar from base of posterior dorsal spines and ■ 

 forward to axil. A second much broader bar from front of soft dorsal, ending irregu- 

 larly below where it merges into the reticulating lines. A third broad bar, less clearly 

 defined, under posterior portion of soft dorsal. A conspicuous, broad, V-shaped blotch 

 at base of caudal, the apex directed forward. A faint dark streak from eye forward 

 to tip of mandible, and a crossbar behind eyes, continued faintly onto cheeks. 

 Spinous dorsal with a small dark spot on anterior and one on posterior spines. Eays 

 of soft dorsal and caudal with dusky markings so arranged as to form fine crossbars. 

 Terminal half of pectorals finely crossbarred, the proximal half plain, with a large 

 dusky blotch on extreme base. Anal very faintly barred. Ventrals unmarked. 



86. Hemilepidotus hemilepidotus (Tilesius). 



One specimen from Bering Island ; also taken at Sitka. 



Although much less abundant in Bering Sea than Hemilepidotus jordani, this is 

 the only species which came into the hands of the older writers. The Gottus trachu- 

 rus of Pallas, Blepsias ventricosus Eschscholtz, S. tilesii Cuvier and Valenciennes, and 

 H. gibhsi Gill all belong here. In additioii to the striking differences in color, H. hemi- 

 lepidotus is distinguished by the much narrower and deeper interorbital space and 

 the more extensive granulations of the bones of the head in adults. The occipital 

 and temporal ridges are more elevated, the granulations finer, extending onto upper 

 portion of opercle, suborbital ring, and bony bridge across cheeks. The opercular 

 rib and the suborbital stay are smooth or faintly striate in H. jordani. The vertical 

 fins are constantly shorter and lower than in H.jordoMi, the formula, D., XI, 19; A., 

 15, being constant in all specimens examined. 



The species is recorded by Dr. Bean from Unga, tJnalaska, Kyska, Adakh, Atka, 

 Amchitka, and Attn. 



87. Hemilepidotus jordani Bean. Irish Lord. 



Very abundant; specimens secured at Captains Harbor, tJnalaska, at St. Paul 

 Island, Bering Island, Karluk, Unga, and at Station 3635 off St. George Island; 

 depth, 24 fathoms. 



This species is recorded by Dr. Bean from Cooks Inlet, Kadiak, Shumagins, 

 Unalaska, and Plover Bay, Siberia. It was taken by Stejneger on Bering Island. 



