6 ACANTHOPTEETGIT. 



1881, p. 232 \ and 1882, pp. 368 % 372 ", 377 ', and 380 " ; Jord. & Everm. Bull. U.S. Nat. 



Mus. xlvii. 1898, p. 2195 ". 

 Eleotris lembus, Glinth. Cat. Fish. iii. p. 121 (1861)". 

 Eleotris lateralis, Giintli. t. c. p. 122 ". 

 Gobiomorus lateralis, Eigenm. & Fordice, Proc. Ac. Pliilad. 1885, p. 69"; Jord. & Eigenm. Proc. 



U.S. Nat. Mus. 1886, p. 482 " ; Eigenm. & Eigenm. Proc. Cal. Ac. (2) i. 1888, p. 51 '*. 

 Gobiomorus maculatus, Eigenm. & Fordice, t. c. p. 70''. 

 Phihjjmus dormitor (part.). Meek, Zool. Pub. Columbian Mus. v. 1904, p. 226". 



Depth of body 3f to 5 in the length, length of the head 2f to 3. 55 to 60 scales in a longitudinal series, 

 20 to 24 from interorbital region to origin of anterior dorsal. Dorsal VI, I 9. Anal I 10. Caudal 

 peduncle 1 ;| to 2 as long as deep. Body usually spotted or marbled with dark brownish and with a more 

 or less distinct dark longitudinal band from eye to base of caudal ; an oblique dark stripe from eye 

 across the prseorbital ; a vertical stripe from eye to corner of mouth ; a dark spot on the upper part of 

 the base of pectoral ; soft vertical fins with or without series of small dark spots on the interradial 

 membranes, sometimes with series of light spots. 



Hab. Pacific Coast Rivers from California to Ecuador : 



Cape St. Lucas ^ '^ '^. — Rio Presidio^; Colima*^; Tehuantepec ^^ ; San Jose ^ ; 

 Panama ''. — Ecuador ^ " ^^. 



Here described from six specimens, 128 to 215 mm. in total length, from Presidio 

 and Ecuador, including the types of the species. 



This species has the head and body more compressed than its Atlantic congener, 

 and has constantly a ray more in the anal tin. 



2. ELEOTRIS, Gronow, 1763. 



Guavina and Eleotris, Jord. & Everm. Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus. xlvii. 1898, pp. 2198 & 2199. 



Body elongate, suboylindrical, more or less compressed posteriorly ; head broad, more or less depressed. 

 Mouth large, oblique ; lower jaw projecting ; jaws with small pointed teeth in bands ; palate toothless. 

 Eyes rather small ; interorbital region broad. Gill-openings moderately wide, extending forward to 

 below the angle of prasoperoulum, the gill-membranes attached to the isthmus. Scales small or moderate, 

 ctenoid or cycloid; no lateral line. Two dorsals, with VI-YIl, I 7-13 rays ; anal with I 7-13 rays ; 

 caudal rounded; pectoral symmetrical, rounded; ventrals well separated, each with a short feeble spine 

 and 5 branched rays. 



This widely distributed tropical genus comprises several species, some of which are 

 strictly marine, whilst some enter rivers, and others appear to be permanently 

 fluviatile. The three species which are known to occur in the rivers of Mexico and 

 Central America may be distinguished thus : — 



I. D. VII, I 10. A. I 10. 95 to 110 scales in a longitudinal series ; no prajoper- 



cular spine 1. guavina. 



II. D. VI, 18. A. I 8. 55 to 70 scales in a longitudinal series ; a small concealed 

 antrorse spine at the angle of tlie prsBoperculum. 



Depth of body 4 to 4q in the length 2. pisonis. 



Depth of body 5 to 6 in the length 3. picta. 



