FISHES—HETEEOLEPIDAE-CHIROPSIS PICTUS. 
43 
small scales similar in size and shape to those observed upon the thoracic and abdominal regions. 
The snout and region in advance of the orbit is perfectly smooth, as also the chin, interopercle 
and branchial apparatus. 
The color is greenish or yellowish brown, lighter beneath than above ; obsolete, cloud-like 
patches appear occasionally on the sides of the body ; black dots, disposed in groups varying 
in number, occupy the anterior and upper region of the hack and sides of the head, irregularly 
arranged in each group around a central whitish or yellowish spot; blackish maculte may also 
he observed upon the cheeks and opercular apparatus ; the pectorals and ventrals are spotted 
with yellow and black ; the other fins are greyish or blackish. 
References to the figures .—Plate XIX, figure 1, represents Chiropsis constellatus , somewhat 
reduced in size. Figure 2 is an outline of an upper view, showing the comparative thickness 
of the fish, as well as the three upper lateral lines. Figure 3, is a section of the body 
across the line of greatest depth. Figure 4, a scale of the uppermost line. Figure 5, a scale 
fi'om the area between the first and second lines. Figure 6, a scale from the second line. Figure 
7, a scale between the second and third lines. Figure 8, a scale between the third and 
fourth lines. Figure 9, a scale from the fourth line ; and figure 10 a scale from the fifth line. 
List of specimens. 
Catalogue number. 
Corresponding No. 
of. 
No. of specimens. 
Sex and age. 
Locality. 
When collected. 
Whence obtained. 
Original number. 
Nature of specimens 
Collected by— 
263 
1 
Adult 
San Francisco, Cal------- 
1853 
Lieut. Whipple ... 
Alcoholic. 
264 
1 
-_do_„ 
_do_-----_ 
_ _do_. 
Lieut. Williamson . 
_do_ 
265 
2 
-_do_ _ 
Presidio, Cal_ 
_ _do.- 
Lieut. Trowbridge . 
_do_ 
Lieut. Trowbridge 
2. CHIROPSIS PICTUS, Grd. 
Plate XX, Figs. 1—4. 
Spec. Chau. —Dorsal fins contiguous ; caudal fin sub-truncated posteriorly. Ground color dark brown, with numerous 
Vermillion spots, bordered with black, upon the sides and lower fins. Under surface of head, throat, and belly whitish or 
yellowish. 
Syn. —Cldrui pictus, Grd. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. YH, 1854, 132. 
Grys'.es lineatus, Ayres, Proc. Cal. Acad. Nat. Sc. I, 1854, 9. 
The dorsal outline is more depressed than in the other species of this genus. The greatest 
depth, which is equal to the length of the head, is, as usual, upon the thoracic region, hut it 
diminishes very gradually towards the peduncle of the tail. The head enters about four times 
and a half in the total length, as in C. constellatus , but the caudal fin, instead of being contained 
six times and a half in the total length, enters in it seven and a half times. The eye is sub¬ 
circular, smaller than in the preceding species, for, its diameter is contained five times in the 
length of the side of the head. The lips are very fleshy, and the teeth less conspicuous than in 
C. constellatus. The supraocular flaps are well developed, and fringed upon their edges. The 
base of the first dorsal is a little shorter than that of the second, which is equal to the base of 
the anal. The fins, as a general feature, are less developed than in 0. constellatus. 
