PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 3 



the two laterals present varied characters; the third uncinus, counting 

 outward, is usually spatulate; while the remainder are mere bosses, or 

 scales. The wide differences found in the few figures of the dentition 

 of Chitons extant appear to be due to erroneous interpretation of the 

 objects represented. The figures of Loven are the most satisfactory. 



POSTPLIOCE^E FOSSILS i.\ THE COAST RANGE OF CALIFORNIA, 



By W. II. BALL, 



The National Museum has received from Mr. G. F. Merriam, of San 

 Luis Bey,Cal., specimens of Donax californicus, Ghione succincta, OUvella 

 biplicataj and Cerithidea sacrata, in a semi-fossilized condition. The first 

 mentioned retained a considerable part of its pinkish interior coloration. 

 These fossils (probably with other species) are stated by Mr. Merriam 

 to be found in great abundance at the head of a canon in that vicinity, 

 in the heart of the Coast Eange, twelve miles from the sea in a direct 

 line, and six hundred feet above tide- water. All the species are found 

 living in abundance on the present sea-coast. This indicates a very 

 recent elevation for this part of the coast, if the facts are correctly 

 interpreted, and further specimens and details will be awaited with 

 interest. 



NOTES ON THE AMERICAN SPECIES OF TREE GENUS CYBIEM. 



By FELIPE POEY. 



[Translated by G. Browx Goode, from MS. memorandum of Professor Felipe Poey.J 



Cybium caballa, Cuv. & Val. 



CyUum caballa, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, 

 viii, 1831, p. 187. — Gunther, Catalogue of tbe Acanthopterygian Fishes in 

 the Collection of the British Museum, ii, 1860, p. 373. — Poey, Repertorio 

 Fisico-Natural de la Isla de Cuba, i, 1867, p. 322 ; ii, p. 13 ; and in Synopsis 

 Piscium Cubeusiura, op. tit., ii, p. 362. 



Cybium accrvum, Cuvier & Valenciennes, Joe. tit, p. 186 (nee typus). 



Vulgo : — Sierra. 



Differential Characters. — First dorsal with fourteen spines, without a 

 black spot anteriorly. Body immaculate in the adult, spotted with yel- 

 lowish in the young fish. 



The number of teeth increases with the age ; in large specimens, it is 

 |f. The larger teeth are placed upon the middle of the jaw, those in 

 the lower jaw being a trifle the longer. The lateral line is very sinuous 

 upon the posterior portion of the body. The eye is larger than in Cy- 

 Uum regale. 



Bluish upon the back, whitish under the belly. First dorsal white ; 

 second dorsal and caudal dusky-bluish (bleu noirdtre) ; pectorals bluish, 

 as is also the anal, which, however, becomes white at its extremity ; 

 ventrals whitish. 



