74 
U. S. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS-ZOOLOGY—GENERAL REPORT. 
posterior margin, constitutes about tbe seventh of the total length. The origin of the ventrals 
takes place on a line immediately behind the base of the pectorals. Their extremities extend 
beyond the origin of the anal fin, consequently overlapping the vent. The second articulated 
ray is longer than the rest. The extremity of the pectorals corresponds to a line intersecting 
the origin of the anal fin. 
Br. VI : VI ; D XXI, 13 ; A III, II ; C 3, 1, 6, 5, 1, 2; V I, 5 ; P14. 
The scales are very small, firmly imbedded in a tough skin. Their structure is very simple: 
neither concentric lines nor radiating furrows ; a uniform granular appearance of the entire scale 
is exhibited under the microscope. The comb-like posterior margin is provided with a variable 
number (from four to eleven) of processes, too large to be called cilne ; these are the only parts 
protruding from the skin, giving the body a sliagreened appearance, and quite rough to the 
touch. The lateral line is concurrent with the dorsal outline, but is not composed of any 
particular scales. The upper surface and sides of the head are covered with minute scales similar 
in structure to those of the body. The snout alone is smooth. There are no scales on the base 
of the fins. 
The head and body are of a soiled yellowish-brown hue, darker above than beneath. The 
base of the dorsal fins is maculated with black ; the caudal and pectorals, barred with the same ; 
and the anal and ventrals are uniformly black upon their external half, the edge of the fins 
alone being whitish. 
References to the figures. —Plate XVII, fig. 5, represents Zaniolepis latipinnis, reduced from 
a specimen nine inches long. Fig. 6 is a scale from the middle of the flanks, considerably 
magnified. 
List of specimens. 
Catalogue number. 
Corresponding No. 
of 
No. of specimens. 
Sex and age. 
Locality. 
When collected. 
Whence obtained. 
Original number. 
Nature of specimen. 
274 
1 
Adult 
Fort Steilacoom, Puget’s Sound 
1856 
Dr. Suckley_ 
Alcoholic. 
NAUTICHTHYS, Girard. 
Gen. Char.— Upper surface of head and opercular apparatus spinous. Mouth moderate, with its gape nearly horizontal; 
the jaws being sub-equal. Velvet-like teeth upon the premaxillaries, dentaries, front of vomer, and palatines. Gill aper¬ 
tures separated under the throat by an isthmus; branchiostegal rays, five on either side. Dorsal fins contiguous upon their 
base ; first one shorter than the second. Caudal fin posteriorly rounded. Ventrals slender and elongated, inserted under the 
base of the pectorals, which are large and broad, with the infeiror rays projecting beyond the interradial membrane. Skin 
studded with minute prickles. 
This genus, like the preceding, is related to Blepsias and Trachidermis, hy its prickly skin. 
From the former it differs by the absence of membranous or filiform appendages, recalling to 
mind Scorpcena ; by its anterior dorsal, which is higher than the second ; by the depth of the 
anal, which is less deep than the second dorsal is high ; by the branchial apertures, which are 
separated by a wide isthmus ; and by its ventrals, which are longer and more slender. Its true 
affinities with Trachidermis we are not prepared to trace, since no specimens of the latter are at 
our command. 
