42 



brown. The type described by Kittlitz from Alaska in 1858 was evi- 

 dently a variety with a dark purple shade. Mature specimens are 

 eight inches in length. 



The Belted Blenny, Xiphistes chirus (Jordan and Gilbert), (Fig. 

 97) is noteworthy for the presence of several parallel branches of the 

 lateral line, each with many short cross branches. The pectorals are 

 small but well formed. It measures about 12 inches in length. Color 

 variable and more or less mottled. Several dark lines radiate from the 

 eye. 



The Rock Blenny, Xiphidion rupestre (Jordan and Gilbert), (Fig. 

 100) is a near relative of the preceding species, but the pectoral fins 

 are extremely minute, not longer than the width of the eye. It lives 

 among the rocks along the shore where it may be found hiding in 

 masses of sea-weed. It is about 12 inches in length. Several bands of 

 color radiate from the eye. 



The Dagger Blenny, Xiphidion mucosum (Girard), is one of the 

 common Blennies of the Sound waters. It reaches a length of 18 

 inches and resembles the Rock Blenny very closely. The differences 

 lie in certain relative measurements and in the character of the bands 

 which radiate from the eye. The body tapers off posteriorily after the 

 manner of a dagger, hence the name. 



The Barred Blenny, Plectobranchus evides (Gilbert), (Fig. 98) is 

 one of our rare and beautiful fish forms. Only a few specimens have 

 come to light since it was named in 1890. In this species there is no 

 lateral line, the pectorals are long and rounded and the ventrals are 

 well developed. The color is dusky the sides being crossed by a con- 

 siderable number of narrow whitish bars. It is four inches in length. 



The Snake Blenny, Lumpenus anguillaris (Pallas), is a long snaky 

 fish with an obsolete lateral line. The paired flns are well developed 

 and the mouth is set obliquely in the head. It measures 18 inches. 



The Striped Blenny, Delolepis virgatus (Bean), is of the same long 

 snaky type as Lumpenus. but the ventral fins are lacking. It is brown- 

 ish yellow in color with three brown stripes on each side of the body. 

 It attains a length of 30 inches. 



The Aleutian Blenny, Lyconectes aleutensis (Gilbert), (Fig. 99) Is 

 like unto a small edition of the Striped Blenny, but is smaller, measur- 

 ing about seven inches in length. The body is without scales. The 

 color is reddish. Only two specimens of this fish have ever been taken, 

 one in Alaska and one in Puget Sound. 



