
Pegi Pe cha Ne ee kn ET Sorte Re a EY. ee ONO 

1891.] Zoology. 1133 
A New Diodont.—The fishermen at San Pedro during the past 
summer took a species of Chilomycterus which is the first that has 
been recorded from the Pacific coast of America. On account of the 
unreasonable price asked for it I did not obtain it, but took the fol- 
lowing notes, which may serve to identify another specimen : 
CHILOMYCTERUS CALIFORNIENSIS, sp. nov.—One specimen, 9% in., 
San Pedro, California, July, 1891. No tentacles anywhere. Spines of 
back all low, those of front especially so, increasing in size towards 
belly, where they become much larger than those of the back. No 
spine on middle of forehead. A spine at upper anterior angle of orbit; - 
one above, somewhat behind its middle; oneslightly behind and above 
its upper posterior angle; another halfway between the last and the 
upper angle of pectoral; and another before and a little above the 
upper margin of the pectoral. Blue above, white below. Forehead 
and bases of all the fins with small (ṣẹ in.) dark spots, fewer on anal. 
Back densely covered with short streaks or bars, which become larger 
spots on sides. A few round, dark spots (1% in. in diameter) on belly. 
Spots below eye larger than those on forehead, similar in size to those 
of caudal peduncle.—C. H. EIGENMANN, Bloomington, Jnd., Oct. &th, 
891. 
Temperature and the Number of Vertebre in Fishes.— 
Dr. Jordan’s recent paper® on this subject possesses considerable inter- 
est. He shows by a review of the known facts that in those groups of 
fishes which have representatives in the tropics and in colder waters 
as a rule those species which come from the warmer waters the 
number of vertebræ is less than in the colder water relatives, a law 
which was first brought out by Dr. Gill. Dr. Jordan has collated a 
large number of facts, all bearing on this subject. It may be suggested 
that the same influences which cause this diversity have possibly given 
rise to the change of shape in the same species of mollusc as brought 
out by Prof. E. S. Morse. 
Note on Gyrinophilus maculicaudus Cope.—JIn the year 
1889 Mr. A. W. Butler, of Brookville, Indiana, presented to Prof. 
E. D. Cope some specimens of a tailed batrachian that had been taken 
near the town named, in Southeastern Indiana. They had been col- 
lected, I believe, by Mr. E. W. Quick, and had been suspected by both 
Mr. Butler and Mr. Quick to be an undescribed species related to 
Spelerpes longicaudus, which they greatly resembled. Prof. Cope’s prac- 
ticed eye immediately perceived that they were not members of the 
5 Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XIV., p. 107, t891. 

