42 
U. S. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS-ZOOLOGY-GENERAL REPORT. 
1. CHIROPSIS CONSTELLATUS, Gird. 
Plate XIX. 
Spec. Ciiar. —Dorsal fins contiguous. Caudal fin posteriorly sub-concave. Anal exteriorly rounded, or convex Scales on 
the middle of the flanks conspicuously larger than elsewhere. Greenish-brown with groups of black dots on the anterior part of 
body and sides of head. Pectorals densely dotted with black. 
Svn.— Chirus constellatus, Grd. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VII, 1854, 141. 
The body is sub-fusiform, compressed, deepest upon the thoracic region, and diminishing 
posteriorly towards the base of the tail. The greatest depth is greater than the length of the 
head, and a little more than the fourth of the total length. The head is contained four times 
and a half in the total length. The snout is sub-conical, the mouth moderately cleft, and the 
extremity of the maxillary extends to a vertical line drawn somewhat inwardly to the anterior rim 
of the orbit. The eye is sub-elliptical, its horizontal diameter being contained a little over four 
times in the length of the side of the head. The supra-orbital membranous flap is hut mode¬ 
rately developed, inserted nearly at right angle with the rim of the orbit, just above the posterior 
third of the latter. The edge of the flap is fringed, though not so represented on the figure. The 
branchiostegals are six on either side, and all well developed. The anterior dorsal is somewhat 
higher than the second, though shorter upon its base. Both fins are contiguous, a feature 
which the figure fails to represent. The posterior margin of the caudal is likewise sub-concave 
or sub-emarginated, contrarily to its aspect in the figure published. The caudal fin enters 
about six times and a half in the total length. The anal is nearly as long as the soft dorsal, 
hut not quite so deep. The tips of the ventrals and pectorals are nearly even, but do not extend 
quite as far as the vent, which is situated somewhat in advance of the origin of the anal fin. 
Br. VI: VI; D XXI, 25 ; A 24; C 5, 1, 8, 7, 1, 4; V I, 5 ; P. 19. 
The scales are disposed upon distinct series, which may be traced obliquely or longitudinally. 
In shape, they are much longer than deep, somewhat irregular in their outline, and, generally 
speaking, ciliated upon their posterior margin, in part (fig. 5), or whole (figs. 7 and 8). Diverging 
furrows exist upon the anterior section of the scale only. We observe five lateral lines ; the 
uppermost meets its fellow of the opposite side upon the occipital region ; hence they diverge 
and follow the base of the dorsal fin as far as the middle of the soft portion, and there termi¬ 
nate. The second of these lines starts from the nape, and runs along the dorsal region to the 
base of the caudal fin. Anteriorly, four longitudinal series of scales may be observed between 
the first and second lines. The third line occupies the usual region ; it originates above the 
opercle, and, concurrent with the dorsal outline, runs towards the middle of the caudal fin. 
Eight longitudinal series of scales may be counted within the area included between the second 
and third lines, at their origin. The fourth line may be traced along the lower portion of the 
flanks from the edge of the branchial fissures, passing beneath the base of the pectorals, hence 
above the insertion of the ventrals, to disappear towards the peduncle of the tail. Thus the 
area enclosed by the third and fourth lines embraces the entire side of the abdomen, which is 
provided with the largest scales. Finally, the fifth line is observed along the mesial line of 
the thorax and abdomen, commencing near the thoracic belt, branching off right and left one- 
third of the way between the insertion of the ventrals and the origin of the anal, to terminate 
near the base of the caudal. The figure does not give an accurate view of the direction of this 
fifth line. Small scales may he observed upon the base of the caudal, dorsal, and pectoral fins. 
The upper part of the head, the opercular apparatus, and the cheeks are densely covered with 
