218 L. Agassiz on 
modifications in their viviparous reproduction, for which the 
name Hmbiotocoide might be objectionable, I would propose 
to frame some family name from another structural pe- 
culiarity of these fishes, not yet observed in any others, the 
naked furrow-like space parallel to the base of the posterior 
dorsal fin, separating the scales which cover the base of 
the rays from those of the sides of the body, and name it 
Holeconoti. 
The perseverance and attention with which Messrs Jack- 
son and Cary have for a considerable length of time been 
watching every opportunity to obtain the necessary materials 
for ascientific examination of these wonderful fishes, has in- 
duced me to commemorate the service they have thus ren- 
dered to zoology, by inscribing with their names the two 
Species now in my hands, and which may be seen in my 
-museum in Cambridge, labelled Emb. Jacksoni and Emb. 
Caryi. | 
A country which furnishes such novelties in our days, bids 
fair to enrich science with many other unexpected facts, and 
what is emphatically true of California, is in some measure 
equally true of all our waters. This ought to stimulate to 
renewed exertions not only our naturalists, but all the lovers 
of nature and of science in this country. 
Family Holconoti or Embiotocoide.—The general ap- 
pearance of the fishes upon which this family is founded, 
is that of our larger species of Pomotis, or rather that of the 
broader types of Sparoids. Their body is compressed, oval, 
covered with scales of medium size. The scales are cycloid, 
in which respect they differ widely from those fishes they 
resemble most in external appearance. The opercular 
pieces are without spines or serratures. Branchiostegal 
rays six. The mouth is encircled by rather thick lips; the 
intermaxillaries forming by themselves the whole margin 
of the upper jaw. The intermaxillaries and upper maxil- 
aries are slightly protractile. Teeth only upon the inter- 
maxillaries, lower maxillaries, and pharyngeals ; none either 
upon the palatines or the vomer. In this respect, as well 
as in the absence of spines and serratures upon the opercular 
pieces, they differ much more from the Percoids, than from 
