1894.] Zoology. 187 
evidently a larger species than paradoxus, the largest of the genus 
hitherto known. In many respects, notably of the dentition and gen- 
eral proportions of the brain case, and in size and coloration, latirostris 
resembles paradoxus, but is strikingly different in the size and propor- 
tions of the rostrum and of the interparietal. Owing to the loss of 
occipital portions I am unable to give the usual ratios for sake of com- 
parison with Dr. Merriam’s tables. Perognathus latirostris belongs to 
the paradozus group of the subgenus Chetodipus.—SaMvuEL N.Rwoape 
Zoological News.—Mo..usca.—The experiments in oyster cul- 
ture carried on at Roscoff, France, have been extremely satisfactory. 
In a communication addressed to the Academy of Sciences at Paris, 
M. de Lacaze Duthiers gives a detailed statement of what has been ac- 
complished. The spat were planted in a closed fish pond so situated 
that at high tide the sea water could find entrance. The young oysters 
grew rapidly, and in three years, that is to say the fourth year of their 
age, they were well grown and fine in flavor. During this year, young 
were produced in large quantities, thus settling the question of the age 
for reproduction in the oyster. (Péches Maritimes, T. I, 1893.) 
ArTHRopopa.—Mr. Walter Faxon reports 105 new species of 
Crustacea, some of which represent new genera, in the collection ob- 
tained by Mr. Agassiz in the dredging carried on by the U. S. Fish 
Commission Steamer, “ Albatross,” off the west coast of Central 
America and Mexico and in the Gulf of California, during 1891. 
(Bull. Harvard Mus. Comp. Zool., Vol. XXIV, 1893.) 
According to Dr. C. O. Porat, the Syrian Myriopods collected in 
1890 by Dr. Barrois comprises 19 species, many of which are new, dis- 
tributed among 10 genera. In its general aspect this Syrian fauna re- 
sembles that of southern Europe and northern Africa, being interme- 
diate in its characteristics. The species are described and figured in 
Revue Biologique, Nov., 1893. 
VERTEBRATA.—The report of the U. S. Fish Commission for 1889- 
91 contains a review of the Sparoid fishes of America and Europe, by 
D. S. Jordan and B. Fesler. The family comprises about 55 genera and 
some 450 species, all valued as food, chiefly inhabiting the shores of 
warm regions. The authors consider the group closely allied to the 
Serranide on the one hand, the genus Xenistius being very close to the 
Serranoid genus Kuhlia; on the other hand, Scorpis, Cyphosus, etc., 
approach the Chetodontidae. Of the 12 subfamilies into which the 
