!26 The West American Scientist. 



the ventral series fewer in number; five pairs on breast; four pairs 

 between ventrals and anal; six pairs along base of anal; six pairs 

 along caudal peduncle; two pairs on caudal peduncle above the 

 spines. Spots of the sides as in californiense with an additional 

 spot on base of middle caudal rays, and another between the last 

 of the anal pairs and the one below the twenty-fourth(?) scale of 

 the lateral line. 



Ventral surface of the caudal peduncle white; a similar light 

 area along the base of the anal fin and another on middle of belly. 

 A V-shaped spot in front of the anal in one specimen. 



Color chiefly black; cheeks, opercles and scales metallic blue; 

 mandibles barred with light, base of caudal black, the rest of the 

 caudal fin and the other vertical fins light with black lines; ven- 

 trals and anal light, spotted with black. 



We dedicate this species to Mr. Charles H. Townsend, Natur- 

 alist of the U. S. Fish Commission Steamer Albatross. 



Notoscopellus or gen. nov. 



Pectorals much smaller than the ventrals, placed low, their 

 upper margin scarcely above the ventrals. Eye comparatively 

 small; dorsal longer than the anal, the anterior rays elevated. 



6. * ? BRACHYCHIER sp. nov. — 



Types three specimens from forty-five fathoms. .09 m. 



D. 20-23; A- 18-20; depth 4^ head 3*^3; lat. 1. about 40. 



Elongate, compressed; dorsal and ventral outlines equally 

 arched. Head long, slender, the snout pointed, the profile only 

 moderately rounded. Preopercle extending very obliquely back- 

 ward and downward, its margin parallel with that of the opercle 

 Sub-opercle extending back beyond base of pectoral. Mouth 

 large, maxillary not dilated posteriorly, one and two -filths in the 

 head. 



Eye four in head, about one in interorbital. Iris black. 



Dorsal falcate, the highest ray one and two-fifths in head; 

 highest anal ray two in head. Origin of dorsal equidistant from 

 tip of snout and end of anal, end of dorsal equidistant from its 

 origin and base of middle caudal rays. Ventrals not reaching to 

 vent. Pectorals minute: not nearly reaching ventrals. 



A large elongate white spot on the dorsal surface ofthe caudal 

 peduncle. Chiefly black, fins dark with lighter bars; base of 

 caudal black. 



7 Exoccetus californicus Cooper. — Several seen flying 

 over the banks. 



8. *Xiphias gladius L. Sword fish. One individual seen. 



9. Scomber colias Gmelin. Mackerel. Several schools 

 seen between San Diego and the banks. 



10. Scomberomorus maculatus (Mitchill.) Spanish Mack- 

 erel. Several seen . 



11. Sarda chilensis (Cuv. and Val.) Several schools seen. 



12. *Orcynus alalonga (Gmelin.) Albicore. Surface fish; 

 a number captured. 



