FISHES—-EMBIOTOCOIDAE—ABEONA TROWBRIDGII. 
187 
cheeks and opercle are comparatively large, constituting two sub-concentrical rows on the 
cheeks, and three oblique ones on the opercle. The opercle itself is rather narrow. There are 
five branchiostegal rays on either side, the lowest of which being exceedingly slender and almost 
filiform, whilst the others are well developed, flattened, and curved. 
The spinous portion of the dorsal is higher than the soft, composed of nine rays, the sixth of 
which being the highest, whilst the others go diminishing gradually anteriorly and posteriorly, 
giving to its outline an arched appearance. The soft portion of that same fin, the anterior ray 
of which is a little higher than the last spine, gradually diminishes in height backwards and 
extending over a base hut a fraction longer than the spinous portion. The rays bifurcate only 
once. The caudal fin constitutes about the fifth of the entire length ; its posterior margin is 
sub-crescentic, like that of several species of Embiotoca. The rays bifurcate twice. The anal is 
short, but comparatively deep, sub-convex upon its external margin. The spines at the anterior 
margin are slender and well developed, the first is the shortest of all the rays, but the second is 
equal to, if not longer than, the posterior articulated rays ; the third is still longer than the 
second. Its base enters about six times and a half in the total length, being less considerably 
than the base occupied by the articulated rays of the dorsal. The soft rays bifurcate once upon 
their length. The insertion of the ventrals is under the vertical line of the third dorsal spine; 
their tips extend a little beyond the anterior margin of the vent. The articulated rays bifurcate 
twice; their external spine is slender and very acute. The entire base of the pectorals is placed 
in advance of the anterior dorsal spine, their posterior extremity is made to reach the vertical 
line of the first or second articulated dorsal ray, when bent backwards alongside of the body. 
The rays bifurcate twice. The formula of the fins is : 
Br. V: Y ; D IX, 14 ; A III, 15 ; C 3, 1, 6, 6, 1, 2 ; Y I, 5 ; P 16. 
The scales are proportionally large, particularly on the flanks. The lateral line, which is 
concurrent with the dorsal outline, contains about forty-one scales. Four longitudinal rows are 
found to exist between the latter and the dorsal groove, and twelve to fourteen between the 
lateral line and the abdominal outline. The scales are usually smaller under the throat, on 
the abdomen, and opposite the base of the anal fin. No scales exist on either of the fins. The 
typical scales (figs. 8—10) are deeper than long, almost rounded anteriorly as well as on the 
other sides ; the posterior margin, however, is the most convex. 
* The ground color is reddish brown above with irregularly interspersed purplish spots of a 
cloudy aspect. The sides of the head, the lower portion of the flanks are silvery white, and 
the abdomen yellowish. The dorsal, caudal, pectoral, and anal, are uniform straw color or dull 
yellow, the latter being moreover provided, upon its anterior margin, with a diffused purplish 
spot, not represented on the figure. The ventrals, yellowish upon their base, are deep purple 
on their remaining portion. 
The label accompanying this species having unfortunately been lost, the habitat of this species 
cannot be given more accurately than between San Diego and San Francisco, California. 
Plate XXXIV, fig. 6, represents the female sex of Abeona trowbridgii , size of life. 
Fig. 7 is a section across the line of greatest depth. 
Fig. 8, a dorsal scale. 
Fig. 9, a scale from the lateral line. 
Fig. 10, an abdominal scale. 
