450 



BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



in those of 2%-inch mesh. The largest example seen measures 265 millimeters. 

 The shape of the body, as seen from the side, is elliptical even in the largest or in 

 the deepest individuals; that is, the dorsal contour rises in a smooth curve from 

 the occiput to the insertion of the dorsal fin and slopes gently into the caudal pe- 

 duncle. The opposite ventral profiles correspond approximately, except that speci- 

 mens from deep water, particularly the smaller ones, are usually extremely bloated 

 and, unless the gas in the air bladder is released at once, the body remains distorted. 

 Larger individuals have thicker belly walls and do not bloat so conspicuously. The 

 body is usually only moderately deep; the depth most often is contained 3.8 to 4.2 

 times in the total length. The body is moderately compressed, but with growth 

 the width increases, and the largest specimens are often as subterete in body form 

 as artedi. The head is moderate, rather broadly triangular viewed from the side, 

 and is contained (3.6) 4-4.2 (4.6) 12 times in the total length. Its dorsal profile is 

 straight or but faintly convex. The prem ax 'diaries are directed forward and down- 

 ward and usually make an angle of about 40° with the horizontal axis of the head. 

 Their position is influenced by the frail mandible, which is more or less conspicuously 

 pigmented, provided with a more or less conspicuous symphysial knob, and which 

 in most specimens projects beyond the upper jaw, in that case forcing the premaxil- 

 laries to assume a more horizontal position. The mandible in less than one-third 

 of the specimens in the collection is only equal to the upper jaw, but only very rarely 

 is it shorter. The maxillary is moderately long, is contained (2.3) 2.5-2.6 (2.8) 13 

 times in the head length, and it always shows at least some pigment. The snout, 

 viewed from the side, is pointed. It is usually a trifle shorter than the large eye, 

 which is contained (3.3) 3.7-4 (4.5) times in the head length. The gill rakers on 

 the first branchial arch number (13) 15-16 (18) + (23) 26-28 (31) = (37) 41-44 (48). 

 There are (60) 67-77 (84) scales in the lateral line; only 2 per cent of all specimens 

 examined have 80 or more. Scale rows around the body just in front of the dorsal 

 and ventrals number (38) 40-42 (44), 14 just in front of the adipose and anus (31) 

 32-34 (35), 14 and around the caudal peduncle at its commencement (22) 23-25 (26). 11 

 The dorsal rays number (7) 9-10, 15 anal rays (10) 11 (13), 16 ventral rays (10) 11 (12), lfi 

 pectoral rays (14) 15-16 (17), 15 and the branchiostegal rays 8 to 9. 16 



The paired fins are rather long. The pectorals are contained (1.3) 1.7-2 (2.5) 

 times in the distance from their origin to that of the ventrals, and the ventrals are 

 contained (1) 1.2-1.4 (1.7) times in the distance from their origin to that of the anal. 

 The dorsal margin of the pectorals is usually nearly straight. 



The color in life is not essentially different from that as described for joJiannse. 

 In alcohol all color eventually fades and leaves obvious details of pigmentation. The 

 entire dorsal surface is strewn thickly with very fine pigment dots, which, however, 

 do not lend a conspicuous darkened effect except in the prenarial area, where they 

 are concentrated usually. There is sometimes a narrow dark streak down the back, 

 due possibly to differential preservation of the flesh but certainly not to pigment. 

 The pigmentation diminishes on the sides and often is absent below the lateral line but 



12 These and succeeding figures, unless otherwise designated, are based on an examination of 1,161 individuals ranging in length 

 from 82 to 265 millimeters. 



13 One hundred and eight specimens. 

 11 Twenty-five specimens. 



" Thirty specimens. 



