Any Cy CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FAUNA OF CHILE: BY CHARLES GIRARD. = ysontal inge; yw , tut, Division of Fishes, U. S, National ituseum is ES 75 | g5tL ae Os a Golson el (pptlien fy Ste “ishes ditnerng why are /8 47 > fo —é Ss Ti ose Fa hte hep 230-253 | 39? CONTRIBUTIONS FAUNA OF CHILE: BY CHARLES GIRARD. ~i Fay / Ca gu i SS Ce ety ey fo ea ve : rs ' ‘a os a a - 5 f 7 S * d . _ ¢ < 7 ms oat _ oy -' REP Pdbdines* BY CHARLES GIRARD. BATRACHIA. FAMILY OF RANIDZ. Genus CYSTIGNATHUS, Wazgler. Gen. cHAR. Vomerine teeth disposed upon a transverse or oblique row more or less inter- rupted in the middle, and situated either between the inner nares or behind them; tongue cir- cular, subcircular, or subcordiform, posteriorly entire, and either attached by its whole surface or very slightly free behind; tympanum distinct; toes either bordered by a membranous fold or slightly webbed at their base. Syn. Cystignathus, Wacu. Nat. Syst. Amph. 1830, 202. . Gro. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VI, 1853, 420. Oss. The genus Cystignathus is here admitted within the limits we have recently assigned to it on the occasion of the study which we have made of the species of exotic batrachians brought home by the United States Exploring Expedition, to which we would refer herpetologists. CYSTIGNATHUS TAENIATUS, Girard. Prate XXXIV, Figs. 2—11. Spec. cHAR. Vomerine teeth, situated a little behind the inner nares, well separated upon the middle of the palate; tongue subelliptical, free posteriorly, and slightly notched upon the same margin. Greenish yellow, with two dorsal blackish stripes; limbs barred above. A dark vitta upon the sides of the head, extending from the nostril, across the eye, to the shoulder. Syy. Cystignathus taeniatus, Grp. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VII, 1854, 226. Descr. The general appearance of this species is rather short, the head forming about the third of the entire length—the posterior limbs, of course, excepted. The head is longer than broad. The snout is subacute and rounded; slightly declive from the eyes forwards and side- ways. The canthus rostralis is depressed ; the nostrils, very small, are situated nearer to the tip of the snout than to the anterior rim of the orbit. The eye is well developed and subcircu- lar, its longitudinal diameter being equal to the interocular space above; the upper eyelid is minutely granular. The tympanum is quite small, though conspicuous. The tongue is well developed, in the shape of a subelliptical disk, broadest behind, slightly notched posteriorly, and free upon nearly the posterior third of its length. The inner nares are subelliptical, ob- lique, and conspicuous. The vomerine teeth are exceedingly minute, and disposed upon two very small and subelliptical distant eminences, situated between and a little behind the inner 4 ZOOLOGY. nares. The openings for the tubes of eustachii are smaller and less conspicuous than the inner nares. The subgular air-bladders are very much developed. The anterior limbs, when stretched backwards alongside with the body, bring the tip of the inner finger close to the groin, beyond which, consequently, the other fingers extend. The fingers are slender, and their tips slightly swollen. The innermost is stoutish, and shorter than the second, which is shorter than the fourth—the third being the longest. The palm of the hand is provided with quite large tubercles ; that at the base of the inner finger is the largest of all. The first pha- langes are marked beneath by similar tubercles, though more regularly conical in their shape. The tubercles under the second phalanx of the third and fourth fingers are quite reduced. The posterior limbs are long and slender, measuring nearly two inches from their origin to the tip of the longest toe. The foot is narrow, and likewise slender, as well as the toes, which are free, there being but a rudimentary webbing to be observed between the three middle ones. The sole of the foot is smooth ; the inner metatarsal tubercle is rather small and conical, and the outermost still smaller and inconspicuous, Small tubercles exist under the articulation of the first and second phalanges, except under the inner toe. The second toe is shorter than the fifth, whilst the third is longer than the latter. The fourth is much the longest. The inferior surface of the thighs alone is granular or warty; the skin elsewhere is perfectly smooth, save minute pores which may be observed about the tympanum and on the sides of the back, where they constitute a narrow band, extending from the occiput to near the groins. The ground color is olivaceous or greenish yellow. The region between and behind the eyes exhibit traces of black markings which cannot be defined upon the specimen before us. There is a black, narrow vitta along the line of the canthus rostralis, terminating anteriorly by an expansion over the nostrils posteriorly; the vitta when reaching the eye sends off a tapering branch along the inferior rim of the orbit, behind which the vitta reappears considerably broader, and pass- ing over the tympanum terminates above the insertion of the anterior limbs. From the upper and posterior part of the orbit, above the tympanum, originates a blackish stripe, which extends to the posterior extremity of the body, covering entirely the series of dorsal pores above alluded to. The bands from either side converge in their extension. The limbs above are barred with greyish black. The inferior surface of head, body, and limbs is of a uniform dull yellow hue. This species was obtained in the vicinity of Santiago, Chile. Plate XXXIV, fig. 8 represents the profile of Cystignathus taeniatus, of the size of life. fig. 9 is a view from below. fig. 10, inferior surface of the hand. fig. 11, inferior surface of the foot. Figs. 10 and 11 are slightly magnified. FAMILY OF HYLIDZ. Genus PHYLLOBATES, Dum. & B. Gen. cHAR. Snout protruding over the lower jaw; tongue free posteriorly upon a considera- ble portion of its length ; no teeth on the palate ; tympanum visible; tubes of eustachii small; fingers and toes slightly depressed, entirely free, dilated upon their extremity into a disk slightly convex below and above, the latter surface being provided upon its middle with a small groove. Protrusion of the first cuneiform bone very little developed ; transverse apo- physis of the sacral vertebre not dilated. Syn. Phyllobates, Dum. & B. Erp. Gén. VII, 1841, 637. Oxs. The shape of the snout reminds us of Elosia, but the latter is provided with palatine teeth. fea | REPTILES. PHYLLOBATES AURATUS, Girard. Pirate XXXIV, Figs. 12—15. Spec. cHar. Tongue narrow and elongated, free for about the half or two-thirds of its length; anterior limbs, when stretched backwards, reaching the vent with the tip of longest finger ; inferior surface of thighs granular ; color uniform bluish brown. Syv. Phyllobates auratus, Grp. Proc, Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VII, 1854, 226. Descr. The body is elongated and depressed, as well as the head, which constitutes a little less than the third of the whole length; seen from above, the head is subtriangular, subtrun- cated anteriorly, and sloping inwardly. The nostrils are small, situated on the sides and tow- ards the tip of the snout, and not to be seen from above; the sides of the head are declivous. The eyes are well developed, subelliptical in form, their horizontal diameter being equal to the distance between the anterior rim of the orbit and the tip of the snout, and comprised a little over twice upon the distance between the external margins of the upper eyelids. The tym- panum is well developed, oblong in shape, and vertically situated close to the orbit. The angle of the mouth extends as far back as the posterior rim of the orbit. The tongue is nar- row and elongated, posteriorly obtuse, and free for about the half or two-thirds of its length. The inner nares are very large and subcircular, situated far apart on the sides of the roof of the mouth, which is concave and perfectly smooth, there being no teeth on either the vomer or palatine bones. The openings for the tubes of eustachii are small, and not conspicuous. The anterior limbs are slender, the fingers stretching beyond the groin. The fingers are free, slen- der, depressed, and dilated upon their tips; upper surface of the dilation divided by a medial groove or furrow. There is a large metacarpal tubercle ; smaller tubercles are observed under the first phalanx, and under the second of the two external fingers. The palm of the hand is smooth. The first finger is longer than the second; the fourth is the shortest, and the most slender of all. The hind limbs are stoutish, one-fourth longer than the body and head together—the tibia being more developed than the femur. The toes are free, slender, de- pressed and dilated upon their extremities, and grooved above in the same manner as the fingers. The sole of the foot is smooth, and the inferior surface of all the phalanges provided with very small tubercles. The internal metatarsal tubercle is elongated, the external one rounded ; both of moderate development. The inferior surface of the thighs is granular ; the skin is otherwise perfectly smooth; its surface, under the magnifying glass, exhibits very minute pores, scarcely more developed under the belly than on the back. The color above is metallic golden, whilst beneath a uniform bluish brown predominates. Collected by the late Professor C, B. Adams, on the island of Taboga, in the bay of Panama. Plate XXXIV, fig. 12, represents Phyllobates auratus in a profile view, size of life. fig. 13, is a view from beneath. fig. 15, a hand, seen from below. fig. 15, a foot, also from below. Figs. 14 and 15 are slightly magnified. OPHIDIA. FAMILY OF VIPERIDZ. Genus ELAPS, Schn. Gen. car. Body slender and cylindrical; tail short and conical; head somewhat depressed— in most cases continuous with the body, subelliptical when viewed from above, tapering for- 2 6 ZOOLOGY. wards, and covered above with plates, generally nine in number; no pit between the eye and nostril ; loral plate present ; mouth moderately cleft, not dilatable; upper jaw furnished on either side and quite posteriorly with a poisonous fang; scales smooth ; preanal scutella bifid ; subcaudal scutelle divided. Syn. Elaps, Scun. Hist. Amph. Nat. and Lit. 1801, 289. Firz. N. Class. Rept. 1826, 33. B. & G. Cat. Rept. N. Amer. I, 1853, 21. Oxs. The characteristic of the genus Hlaps, as given above, we wish it to be understood, is merely provisional, not having had at our command a sufficient number of the species described by the different authors. We reserve it for another occasion to revise its diagnosis in a manner satisfactory both to our mind and to the actual state of herpetology. ELAPS NIGROCINCTUS, Girard. Priate XXXYV, Figs. 1—6. Spec, cHAR. Head subelliptical, broader than the body, which is long and cylindrical; tail conical, abruptly tapering from its base ; scales smooth, disposed upon fifteen rows; color red- dish, annulated with jet black; tip of scales blackish; anterior portion of head black; an occipito-temporal yellowish ring ; tip of tail black. Syn. Elaps nigrocinctus, Grp. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VII, 1854, 226. Descr. The head is slightly detached from the body by a somewhat contracted neck. The eyes are very small, situated near the upper surface of the head, their diameter being equal to the width of the suroculary plate. The snout is obtusely rounded. The vertical plate is mod- erately elongated and subpentagonal, pointed posteriorly ; its anterior margin is sometimes perfectly straight, at others subconvex, so as to assume a subhexagonal shape. The occipitals are large, broad, and elongated, subrounded exteriorly, truncated anteriorly, permitting the posterior angle of the vertical to engage between them. The suroculary is short, a little longer than broad, and irregular in its outline, which is five-sided; the side limiting the orbit above being slightly concave, the others nearly straight. The postfrontals are well developed, broader than long, and irregularly six-sided, sending an angular projection towards the sides of the head, where it engages between the ante-orbital and postnasal plates, without, however, reaching the labials. The prefrontals are subquadrangular, broader than long, their external margin reaching the upper edge of the nostrils. The rostral is broadly developed, rather short, subpyramidal in form, and concave beneath. The nasals are well developed, the posterior one being nearly as long as the anterior is high. The nostrils are small and circular, intermediate between the two nasal plates. The anteorbital is irregularly triangular, rather elongated, and similar in shape to the postnasal, the anterior angle of which meets its own posterior angle a little in advance of the commissure between the second and third labials. The postorbitals, two in number, are nearly equal in size, and subpentagonal in shape. There are three temporal shields well developed, the posterior one being the largest. We observe seven upper labials, increasing in size from the first or anterior to the sixth inclusive; the seventh is a little smaller than the sixth ; the third and fourth forming part of the orbit. There are six lower labials, of which the fourth is the largest, and much expanded beneath; the fifth is nearly equal to the third; the sixth is a little smaller than the latter; the second is the smallest. The symphyseal plate is triangular. The mental shields constitute three pairs; the anterior two being parallel to one another; the third is obliquely situated along the margin of the REPTILES. / fourth, fifth, and sixth lower labials. The body is subcylindrical, a little more slender anteri- orly than posteriorly. The tail is short, subconical, and tapering to a point; it forms but the two-twenty-first part of the whole length. The scales are perfectly smooth, constituting fifteen longitudinal rows, larger in the outermost row, and smallest upon the dorsal line or middle row. The scales themselves are acuminated posteriorly. On the tail they are shorter, and truncated posteriorly, constituting seven rows upon its origin, and three only towards its tip. The abdominal scutelle are two hundred and eighteen in number: the preanal is bifid. The subcaudal scutellee are all bifid, and constitute thirty-six pairs. The tip of the tail is conical in the adult state, and somewhat acute in young specimens. Abd. sc. 217-++ 1. Sube. se. 18. Dors. rows 15. Total length 29 inches; tail 2,%. The body is reddish, annulated with jet black. The anterior part of the head from behind the eye is black, then follows a yellow ring, embracing in its width almost the whole length of the occipital plate, and just behind it the first black ring, embracing the posterior part of the head and neck, covering about six scales. There are fifteen more black rings hence to the tail, each covering about three scales. The intermediate red spaces embrace anteriorly four- teen scales, ten upon the middle region of the body, and eight towards the tail. There is an obsolete indication of a yellow margin to the anterior two black rings. The scales in the red spaces are tipped with black on the tail; the black rings are much wider than the red ones, there being three of each kind; the tip is black. The inferior surface is reddish-yellow sparsely spread over with small and irregular black spots. Specimens of this species wére collected at Taboga, on the bay of Panama, Central America. Plate XXXV, fig. 1, represents Hlaps nigrocinctus, of the size of life. fig. 2, a view of the head, seen from above. fig. 3, a side view of the head. fig. 4, the head, seen from below. fig. 5, shows the vent and the bifid preanal scutella. fig. 6, is a portion of the left side of the body, showing the shape and number of rows of scales. Figs. 2—5 are slightly magnified. . FAMILY OF OXYCEPHALIDZ. Genus DRYOPHIS, Fitz. Gen. cHaR. Body and tail long and slender. Cephalic plates normal. Eyes large. One anteorbital plate; several postorbitals. No loral. One nasal, with nostril in its middle. Ros- tral situated under the snout, which protrudes over the lower jaw. Several labials constituting the inferior rim of orbit. Dorsal scales smooth. The last two abdominal scutallee bifid; sub- caudals all bifid. Syn. Dryophis, Fr1z. N. Class. Rept. 1826, 29 and 60. DRYOPHIS VITTATUS, Girard. Prare XXXVI, Figs. 1—6. Spec. coar. Three postorbital plates, two of which constituting the posterior rim of the orbit, the third being placed behind them. Fifth, sixth, and seventh, or fourth, fifth, and sixth labials 8 ZOOLOGY. constructing the inferior rim of the orbit. A black vitta along the upper margin of upper max- illary plates extending posteriorly along a portion of the neck. Syn. Dryophis vittatus, Grp. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VII, 1854, 226. Descr. The entire length of the specimen figured is forty-seven inches, of which eleven belong to the tail. The head measures about one inch and an eighth. Its upper surface is flattened ; the inferior one subconvex, and the sides perpendicular. The eye is large and circular, and its diameter is comprised about six times in the length of the head. The snout is tapering, the upper jaw protruding considerably over the lower. The rostral plate is rather small, subcres- centic, convex anteriorly, and depressed upon its middle surface. It is obliquely situated at the inferior surface of the snout, showing but a very narrow edge in a view from above (fig. 2). The prefrontals are twice as long as broad upon the middle of their length; they belong exclusively to the upper surface of the head. The postfrontals are much larger than the latter, one-third longer upon their upper surface, and extend upon the sides of the head until they reach the upper labials. The vertical is elongated and slender, subtruncated anteriorly, and subacute posteriorly, engaging between the inner margins of the occipitals. The latter are as long as the vertical, but broader anteriorly ; their external margin being defined by an undulating line. The superciliaries are a little longer than the postfrontals, subtriangular in shape; the summit of the triangle directed forwards. There is a long and narrow nasal, in which, and rather in advance of the middle of its length, the nostril opens subangular in shape. There is no loral; but the lateral expansion of the postfrontals fills up the space between the nasal plate and a large anteorbital, much broader upwards than downwards, slightly visible in a view from above (fig. 2). Its anterior angle fits a notch in the posterior margin of the postfrontals, upon the line of demarcation between the sides and upper part of the head. The postorbitals are rather small, and three in number; two upon an anterior line, the lowermost being much the smallest of the two. lar and compares better with the formula of Percichthys chilensis given further on. The rudimentary rays of the upper and lower lobe of the caudal are not enumerated by the French ichthyolo- gists. Itis to be regretted that their formula passed into the ‘‘ Historia de Chile’’ without verification upon the specimens collected by Mr. Gay, on the ground merely that Cuvier pro- nounced both species identical. It is true, they are called ¢rucha both in Patagonia and Chile; but this is one instance in many of vernacular names similarly applied to more than one zoologi- cal species. None of the specimens which came under my observation did exhibit roundish black spots as figured in the ‘‘ Historia de Chile,’’ which may after all become another distinguishing feature between the trucha of Patagonia and the trucha of Chile. To this, however, I attach no greater importance than it is worth. PERCICHTHYS CHILENSIS, Girard. Pirate XXIX, Figs. 1—4. Spec. cHaAR. Snout subconical, obtuse anteriorly, and slightly overlapping the lower jaw. Mouth well developed. Posterior extremity of upper maxillary fetching the vertical of centre of pupil. Limb of preopercle conspicuously serrated; exterior margin of sub and interopercle inconspicuously so. Soft portion gf anal deeper than the height of second dorsal. Caudal moderately emarginated posteriorly. Branchiostegals seven. Ground-color yellowish; upper regions covered with brownish or blackish diffused spots. Syn. Percha trucha, Guicu, in Gay, Hist. de Chile, Zool. II, 1848, 146; Ictiol. Lam. I bis. Liga. Percichthys chilensis, Grp, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VI, 1854, 197. Trucha, vernacular. Descr. The body is subfusiform, compressed, and more elongated than in the common perch of the United States. The greatest depth, which corresponds to the origin of the first dorsal fin, is contained four times and a half in the total leneth; whilst the least depth, taken on the peduncle of the tail, enters in the same length nearly ten times. The back is uniformly arched from the nape to the termination of the second dorsal. The peduncle of the tail con- stitutes almost the fifth of the whole length. The abdominal outline is convex from the throat to the end of the anal fins. The greatest thickness is a little more than half of the depth; the thickness of the peduncle of the tail is exactly the half of its depth. The head, which is subconical, is continuous with both the dorsal and abdominal outlines, if we except a very slight depression upon the vertex. It forms about the fourth of the entire length. The 28 ZOOLOGY. snout, which is rounded and obtuse, slightly overlaps the lower jaw, which is thus entirely concealed when the fish is viewed from above. The mouth is of medium size; its angles do not reach the anterior margin of the orbit. The posterior extremity of the upper maxillary extends to a vertical line, which would intersect the pupil. The teeth on both of the jaws, as well as those on the front of the vomer and on the palatines, are small and more card than vel- vet-like. They cover an elongated and narrow area along the palatines. The posterior nostril is the largest, subtriangular in shape, and situated close to the anterior rim of the orbit ; the anterior nostril is circular, and opens a little in advance of the latter. The eye is subcircular, approximating the upper outline of the profile; its horizontal diameter enters five times in the length of the side of the head. The inferior edge of the suborbitals is minutely serrated; these bones overlap considerably the upper maxillary when the mouth is shut. The limb of the preopercle exhibits small and closely set serratures upon its ascending branch, whilst the inferior and horizontal branch is provided with fewer spines directed downwards and slightly forwards. Minute serratures may be observed upon the exterior edge of both the inter and subopercles. The opercle is trapezoid, and obliquely traversed by a flattened spine in close union with that bone, allowing its extremity only to project beyond its margin just above the upper extremity of the subopercle. The interopercle is a well developed piece of the apparatus of which it constitutes a part. The thoracic belt is robust; the serratures of the suprascapular are conspicuous, and the coracoid sends off quite a broad expansion above the base of the pec- toral fins, the margin of which expansion is provided with minute spines. The branchial aperture is wide; there being no isthmus under the throat. The branchiostegals, seven in num- ber, are slender and flattened upon the posterior half. The distance between the origin of the first dorsal fin and the tip of the snout is equal to _ the combined base of both dorsals. There are eleven spiny rays, eight of which constituting what may properly be considered as the first dorsal fin; the ninth and tenth seem rather to fill up the space between the two fins, and the eleventh occupies the anterior margin of the second dorsal. The first ray is short and equal in height to the eighth, but more slender; the second is a little higher than the sixth; the seventh being intermediate between the sixth and eighth; the third is the highest of all, and thrice as high as the first; the fourth is slightly shorter than the third, and the fifth intermediate between the fourth and sixth. The upper outline of that fin is consequently very convex. The membrane between the rays is deeply indentated. There is no vacant area between the first and second dorsals; as already observed, there are two slender spines, shorter than the eighth, which connect these two fins; their direction or inclination seems more alike the rays of the second dorsal than those of the first. The eleventh spine, that which forms the anterior margin of the soft dorsal, is about the same height as the eighth. The second dorsal is higher than its base is long, though not quite as high as the highest spine of the anterior dorsal. Its upper margin is slightly convex; its soft rays are twice bifurcated, except the anterior one, which is simple; the anterior branch of the second ray remains also simple. The last ray being double, its posterior branch divides but once ; whilst its anterior portion divides once upon its posterior division, and twice upon its anterior, alike the other rays. The anal is preceded by three spines; the anterior one being the shortest, is immediately opposite the anterior margin of second dorsal; the second spine is nearly twice as long as the first, whilst the third is a little shorter than the second; the membrane which unites them is deeply indentated. The soft portion of the anal is deeper than the second dorsal is high, and deeper than its own base, equal, however, in depth to the base of the whole fin, its spiny rays included, The tips of its soft rays project a little further posteriorly than those of the second dorsal. The bifurcation of the soft rays is similar to what is observed in the second dorsal. The caudal is broad and moderately long, being contained about six times and a half in the total length. Its posterior margin is subcrescentic or else moderately emargin- ated, the lobes being rather obtuse. The central rays bifurcate thrice upon their length. The insertion of the ventrals corresponds to the base of the pectorals. The spine which occupies FISHES. 29 their exterior margin is long and acute, though shorter than any of their soft rays, which bifurcate thrice, save the posterior one, which divides but twice, and the anterior only once. Their external margin is broad and rounded. The pectorals are a little longer than the ven- trals, broad exteriorly when expanded, and composed of soft and slender rays, which bifurcate but twice upon their length. Bro av Ue 1) exe VOSS PAN TIDee MO Crane te Se Sia) Wile, br PGs The scales are well developed, minutely serrated upon their posterior margin, which is con- vex or rounded. Their anterior margin is subtruncated, whilst their upper and lower margins are almost rectilinear. Hight distinct rows may be counted between the anterior margin of the first dorsal and the lateral line, and from twenty-two to twenty-five beneath it and the ventral line. They diminish considerably in size upon the sides and belly, becoming very minute under the throat. The upper surface of the head and the cheeks, the suborbitals and maxillary are covered with them, smaller, however, on the cephalic region proper than on the cheeks, and quite minute on the maxillary. Those covering the opercular apparatus are again large and conspicuous, being nearly as large as those of the trunk. The lateral line is very conspicuous; there are in it from sixty-eight to seventy scales. From the upper part of the opercular appa- ratus it constitutes a gradually raised curve to nearly opposite the posterior portion of spiny dorsal; hence the curve is continued, gradually descending to nearly opposite the posterior margin of the soft dorsal by a series of undulations; then runs almost straightway to the base of caudal, along the middle of the peduncle of the tail. The coloration is of a golden yellow; the upper part of the flanks and dorsal region being brownish or blackish owing to the presence of diffused spots and macule. The fins are uni- color, greyish yellow. The inferior surface of the head is whitish. This fish is said to inhabit most of the rivers of the republic of Chile. The specimen figured, together with several others, was caught in a tributary of the Rio de Maypu, near Santiago. Plate XXIX, fig. 1, represents, size of life, Percichthys chilensis, seen in profile. fig. 2, is a scale of the dorsal region. fig. 3, a scale from the lateral line. fig. 4, a scale of the abdominal region. Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are magnified. PERCICHTHYS MELANOPS, Girard. Priate XXX, Figs. 1—5. Spec. cHAR. Mouth of moderate size, posterior extremity of upper maxillary reaching the ver- tical of the anterior rim of orbit. Palatine teeth occupying but a small area towards the an- terior extremity of these bones. Opercular spine not very conspicuous. Branchiostegals, six. Ground-color whitish, minutely and densely dotted with black; dots crowding upon the middle of the scales under the shape of a central blotch, giving to the whole fish quite a dark hue. Syn. Percichthys melanops, Grp. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VII, 1854, 197. Duscr. This species docs not apparently attain a very large size, judging of it from the fact that the specimen figured is the largest of the lot collected. It bears a general resemblance to P. chilensis above described, having the same general shape of the head and body; but the peduncle of the tail being less developed, its aspect is rather more contracted. The greatest depth of the body, which corresponds to the anterior margin of the first dorsal fin, is equal to the length of head, and is contained about three times and three-fourths in the total length; whilst the least depth, taken on the middle of the peduncle of the tail, enters in that same 30 ZOOLOGY. length about nine times, or a little over. The greatest thickness stands, in regard to the length, as one to six or two to thirteen. The dorsal outline is more convex than in Percichthys chilensis, and mayhap also the belly, which contributes not in a small degree to give to this fish that more contracted appearance already alluded to above. The head is sub-conical, and par- ticipates in the short aspect of the body. Its upper surface continues, towards the tip of the snout, the declivity of the nape with scarcely any inflexion upon either the occiput or the ocular region. The snout itself is blunt and rounded, slightly overlapping the lower jaw when the mouth is shut. The upper arcade of the mouth is but little protractile, and, when in the latter state, causes the maxillaries to move more downwards than forwards. There are minute card- like teeth on both the upper and lower jaws, and closely set together. Velvet-like teeth may be observed on the front of the vomer, disposed upon a small triangle. The palatines exhibit a few rudimentary teeth upon their anterior extremity in contact with the vomer. The palate is otherwise smooth. The pharyngobranchials are large, elongated, and convex, and closely set with prickly teeth; the inferior pharyngobranchials are smaller, subtriangular, and slightly concave, likewise set with similar teeth. The tongue is smooth, flattened, tapering anteriorly. The mouth is moderate, the posterior extremity of the upper maxillary reaching a vertical which would pass in advance of the orbit only. The eye is subcircular, and well developed; its horizontal diameter being contained a little over four times in the length of the side of the head. The anterior suborbital is broadly developed, overlapping considerably the upper jaw. Its ex- ternal edge is minutely crenated. The serratures of the ascending branch of the preopercle are rather more developed than in P. chilensis, though the spines on the lower branch are pro- portionally of the same size. The opercular apparatus, as a whole, is constructed upon the same pattern in both P. chilensis and P. melanops. The inferior margin of the sub and inter- , opercle are similarly crenated, and a flattened spine may be seen across the middle of the oper- cle, extending its point beyond the edge of that bone, mayhap a little more acute and more conspicuous in P. melanops than in P. chilensis, The suprascapular is likewise crerfated, and the coracoid expansion above the base of pectoral fins, wanting, however, the minute spines ob- served in P. chilensis. The branchiostegals, six in number, are flattened and curved. The gill openings communicate together under the throat, being shaped exactly as in P. chilensis. The distance between the tip of the snout and the origin of the first dorsal is a little greater than the base of both dorsals. The general structure of these fins is the same as in P. chilensis, with the exception that the third spine is the longest instead of the fourth. The membrane between the spines is deeply emarginated. Eight rays constitute, properly speaking, the ante- rior fin; two are intermediate between the eighth and the eleventh, which is situated at the anterior margin of the second or posterior fin. The central rays of the latter bifurcate also twice, and their tips extend evenly with those of the anal. The anal is preceded by three spines, and its soft rays are bifurcated in the same manner as those of the second dorsal. The poste- rior margin of the caudal is subemarginated with its central rays thrice bifurcated; it consti- tutes a little less than the sixth of the entire length of the fish. The origin of the ventrals cor- responds to a vertical line which would pass immediately behind the base of the pectorals. They are broad and rounded exteriorly ; their central rays being bifurcated three times, with the an- terior spine longer than in P. chilensis. The pectorals are rather short, and broad when ex- panded; their tips do not extend as far backwards as those of the ventrals; the rays are slender and bifurcate twice. BroVix- Dex. 10: A DT 5+ C6. @. 7. bibs Vib: P 15. The scales are of medium development, and very minutely, if at all, crenated upon their pos- terior margin, which is irregularly rounded. Their anterior margin is straight, and the upper and lower edges linear and parallel, the scales being much longer than broad. There. are ten distinct rows between the lateral line and the anterior margin of the first dorsal, besides some few irregularly disposed near the base of that fin; twenty rows and more may be counted FISHES. Sil between the lateral line and the medial region of the belly. The scales decrease in size towards the occiput and the middle of the back, as well as towards the belly and throat. They are quite small on the cheeks, and so are those that are observed on the upper surface of the skull, on the suborbitals and maxillary. On the opercular-pieces they are nearly as large.as those on the flanks. - The lateral line, in which fifty-eight to sixty scales may be counted, forms an arch from the upper part of the opercular apparatus to nearly opposite the anterior margin of the second dorsal, where it reaches the middle of the flanks, hence straight to the base of the caudal. A dark blackish hue seems to pervade all the body and head, and yet the ground-color is whitish, mayhap sometimes yellowish. Innumerable black dots thickly spread over all the regions contribute to give to this fish its dark appearance. These dots being more particu- larly crowded upon the posterior third of the scales, it seems as if each scale bore a small spot or blotch. The upper surface of the head is uniformly dark brown or blackish. The sides of the head and opercular apparatus appear obsolately maculated. The inferior surface of the head, the throat, and the belly, exhibit more of the ground-color. The fins are all more or less yellowish, intensely dotted with blackish, so as to assume the general dark hue of the body itself, particularly the dorsals and caudal. This species inhabits the hydrographic basin of the Rio de Maypu. Specimens were procured from the neighborhood of Santiago. Plate XXX, fig. 1, represents Percichthys melanops, size of life. fig. 2 is an outline, viewed from above. fig. 3, a scale from the dorsal region. fig. 4, a scale from the lateral line. fig. 5, a scale from the abdominal region- Figs, 3, 4, and 5 are magnified. yenus PERCILIA, Girard. Gen. cHAR. General physiognomy percoid; body compressed. Two dorsal fins, contiguous at their base, broadly separated in their outline. Mouth rather small, or else of medium size; jaws subequal. Small conical teeth upon the maxillaries, and a few card-like ones on the front of vomer; none on the palatines. Tongue smooth. A few minute spines along the limb of preopercle. Opercle without any spines. External edge of suborbitals, sub and interopercle not crenated. Branchial aperture of either side continuous under the throat. Branchiostegals 5 to 6 in number. Scales quite large and posteriorly ciliated. Cheeks and opercular apparatus scaly; top of head nearly smooth and nacked. Suborbitals and maxillary scaleless. Insertion of ventrals behind the base of pectorals. Caudal posteriorly “subcrescentic. Syn. Percilia, Grp. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VII, 1854, 197. Oss. The genus Percilia is a diminutive percoid, essentially charac terized by a small mouth, the absence of palatine teeth, and an opercular apparatus nearly smooth, there being but a few minute needle-like spines along the limb of the preopercle. The maxillary teeth differ widely from those of Perca and Percichthys. The anal has three spiny rays, as in Percichthys, but the position of the ventrals takes place as in Perca. Its general physiognomy resembles more that of Percichthys melanops than any other member of the family. The shape of the head and structure of the mouth denote an affinity with Percichthys, whilst the absence of scales on the upper surface of the head, the suborbitals, and the (upper) maxillary, remind us of similar traits in true Perca. 32 ZOOLOGY. PERCILIA GILLISSII, Girard. Pirate XXIX, Figs. 5—9. Spec. cuAR. Snout short and rounded ; mouth small; posterior extremity of upper maxillary corresponding to the vertical of the anterior rim of the eye. A few minute spines upon the angle of preopercle. Scales large, conspicuously ciliated posteriorly. Ground-color light red- dish, or reddish brown, maculated with black. Syn. Percilia Gillissii, Grp. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VII, 1854, 197. Descr. This is a comparatively small species, and in all probability the specimens before us are full-grown ones. The largest we have seen measure about three inches and a half in total length, of which the head constitutes the fourth part. The dorsal and abdominal outlines are convex, giving to the whole profile a fusiform aspect. The peduncle of the tail is moderately developed, and rather narrow. The greatest depth, measured in advance of the first dorsal, is contained three times in the length, the caudal fin excluded; the least depth, taken on the peduncle of- the tail, enters seven times in the same dimension. The greatest thickness equals half the greatest depth. The body, therefore, is much compressed. The occipital region is slightly depressed. The snout is short and rounded, and the upper jaw, which is slightly pro- tractile, overlaps a little the lower one. The mouth is quite small, the posterior extremity of the upper maxillary extending to a vertical line, which would pass immediately in advance of the anterior rim of the orbit. The maxillary teeth are small, subcylindrical, slightly tapering towards their point, and disposed upon several rows. The front of the vomer is provided with | a subtransverse narrow band of card-like teeth, and not very conspicuous. The palatine bones are smooth. The pharyngobranchials are well developed, and densely covered with minute prickles. The tongue is smooth, small, semi-elliptical in shape, and very much -flattened, mayhap more swollen in a living state. The eye is of medium size, and subcircular ; its hori- zontal diameter being contained nearly four times anda half in the length of the side of the head. The preopercle exhibits but a few minute spines upon its limb; the opercle has no spine at all ; and the inferior cdge of both the sub and interopercle is entire, or else not cre- nated. The gill openings are continuous under the throat, but there is a membranous expan- sion between the adjoining branchiostegals, thus filling up a space which is open in the species of Percichthys, above described. The branchiostegals are five or six in number, flattened, and recurved. The suprascapular is not visible externally ; the coracoid expands much less above the base of pectorals than in Percichthys ; and, moreover, these bones are neither provided with spines nor crenated upon their edges. The dorsal fins are similar in general appearance to those of the foregoing percoids; the membrane which unites the spines is deeply emarginated ; but the two intermediate spines be- tween these two fins do not exist in this species. There are, consequently, nine dorsal spiny rays. The ninth, which is closely connected with the posterior fin, is the smallest of all; the eighth comes next, and is but very little higher than the latter ; the others increase in height, as follows: first, seventh, sixth, second, fifth, third, and fourth. There are instances where the third is slightly higher than the fourth, as is also the case in Percichthys chilensis. The second dorsal is not quite as high as the first, though a little higher than its own base ; on the other hand, the base of the first dorsal is longer than its height. The middle rays bifurcate twice upon their length, and their tips extend a little further backwards than those of the anal. The latter is preceded by three spines similar to those in Percichthys chilensis and allied species. A few of the central soft rays exhibit traces of a bifurcation of the third order; the others are as in the second dorsal, the external margin of which fin is rounded or subconvex, as is the case in the anal. The caudal is broad and suberescentic upon its posterior edge, the cen- tral rays bifurcating three times. The insertion of ventrals is situated behind the base of the FISHES. 33 pectorals, and their tips extend further backwards. Their spiny ray is well developed, and the central soft ones bifurcate three times upon their length. The pectorals are short, and rounded when expanded, composed of slender rays which bifurcate only twice. Bry —oVvie D> Exit; AT Sed Wet 3s Vb os bie The scales are large, provided posteriorly with slender and filiform serratures. They are * higher than long, anteriorly subtruncated, and rounded upon the other sides of their outline. Four longitudinal rows are observed between the anterior dorsal and the lateral line, and about twelve rows beneath, between the latter and the middle line of the belly. They diminish in size towards the occiput and nape, as well as towards the inferior surface of the body. The largest may be seen upon the middle of the flanks. The upper surface of the head is nacked and perfectly smooth. Small scales exist on the cheeks, and somewhat larger ones on the opercular apparatus. The suborbitals and the maxillary are scaleless. The lateral line, in which there are about thirty-five scales, from the upper part of the opercle to opposite the mid- dle region of the second dorsal fin, constitutes a depressed and occasionally somewhat undula- ting arch ; then runs nearly straight towards the base of the caudal fin. The ground-color assumes either a light reddish or reddish brown hue. The head, dorsal region, and sides of body and tail, are irregularly blotched with blackish or deep brown—the blotches being the result of an accumulation of minute dots. The lower surface of the head and throat are sown over with similar dots sometimes disposed in irregular streaks. The ground-color of the fins is light yellowish, the rays made blackish by crowded dots ; the pecto- rals and ventrals less so than the dorsals, caudal, and anal. Inhabits the Rio de Maypu; specimens were obtained from an aflluent of that river, in the vicinity of Santiago. Plate XXIX, fig. 5, represents the profile of Percilia gillissi, size of life, fig. 6 is an outline, viewed from above. fig. 7, a scale of the dorsal region. fig. 8, a scale of the lateral line. fig. 9, a scale of the abdominal region. Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are magnified. - FAMILY OF ATHERINIDZ. The study of this family, heretofore composed of the single genus Atherina, has led us to establish several new genera in which the rather numerous species are grouped according to several structural peculiarities which, though apparently inappreciable on account of their moderate development, are not to be altogether overlooked. The genus ATHERINOPsIS is to receive such species in which there are no palatine teeth, with both jaws equal, and the snout more or less rounded. Atherina menidia, Linn., and Atherina notata, Mrrcu., will find a place in this genus along- side with Atherinopsis californiensis, GRD. The genus Bastiicuruys will be characterized by the protrusion of the upper jaw beyond the lower one. There are no teeth on the palate. To this must be referred : 1°. Atherina microlepidota, Jun., from the fresh waters of Chile, described further on. | 2°. Atherina laticlavia, Cuv. and Vau.,* from the coast of Chile, and easily distinguished by its large scales and its broad silvery lateral band. 3°. Atherina argentinensis, Cuv. and Vau., observed at the mouth of the Rio La Plata and Bay of Maldonado, and commonly known as Pescadilla del rey. Hist Nat. des Poiss. X, 1835, 473. 34 ZOOLOGY. 4°. Atherina macrophthalma Aaass.,* A. brasilensis, Cuv. and Vau.; from the bay of Rio de Janeiro. 5°. Atherina bonariensis, Cuv. and Vau., from Buenos Ayres. 6°. Atherina lichtensteinii, Cuv. and Vau., from Montevideo. And, in all probability: Atherina regia, Hums.,+ from Peru, and Atherina lessonit, Cuv. and Vat., from Brazil. The genus Hrreroenatuus is based upon the elongation of the lower jaw, which projects considerably beyond the upper one. No teeth on the palate, or else in a rudimentary state only. Atherina humboldtiana and A. vomeriana, Cuv. and Vat., both from Mexico: whether from the fresh or salt waters, it is not stated. In all Atherinopsis, Basilichthys, and Heterognathus, the intermaxillaries constitute the upper arcade of the mouth at the exclusion of the maxillaries, which are situated behind the latter. This character will distinguish them at once from Atherina proper. Genus BASILICHTHYS, Girard. Gen. cHAaR. Intermaxillaries constituting the upper part of the mouth, the maxillaries being placed behind. Head and snout subconical; upper jaw protruding beyond the lower. Small teeth on both jaws; none on either the vomer or palatines. Upper surface of the head scaly. Syn. Basilichthys, Grp., Pro. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VII, 1854, 198. Oxs. Like Atherinopsis, the present genus includes species of its family which are unprovided with teeth of any kind on the upper roof of the mouth. The mouth itself has the sanie general structure as regards the disposition of the intermaxillaries and maxillaries, but the conical shape of the head, and the protrusion of the upper jaw beyond the lower, will constitute the generic feature of Basilichthys. BASILICHTHYS MICROLEPIDOTUS, Girard. Pirate XXX, Figs. 6—9. Spec. cHar. Upper surface of head depressed and subeonvex. Cheeks and upper portion of opercle covered with conspicuous scales. Origin of anal considerably in advance of anterior margin of second dorsal. First dorsal opposite the middle of space between anals and ventrals. Caudal forked. Ground-color yellowish brown, dotted with blackish ; a silvery grey band along the middle of the flanks. Syn. Atherina microlepidota, Jen. Zool. of Beagle, IV, Fish. 1842, 78, Pl. xvi, fig. 1, la, 10. GurcH. in Gay, Hist. de Chile, Zool. II, 1848, 253. Basilichthys microlepidotus, Grp. Acad Nat. Sc. Philad. VII, 1854, 198. Peje rey, vernacular. Drscr. The general form is elongated, subfusiform, and slender; the back being rounded, whilst the flanks diminish considerably in thickness from the silvery band towards the medial line of the belly. The greatest depth of the body, measured above the insertion of the ventral * Pisce. Brazil, 1827, Pl. xlvii, Fig. 1. t Rec. d’Obs. de Zool. et d’Anat. Comp. I, 1833. FISHES. 35 fins, is contained between five and six times in the total length; and the least depth, taken on the peduncle of the tail, near the base of the caudal fin, is about the third of the greatest depth. The greatest thickness is considerably more than half the greatest.depth. From the origin of the ventral the body tapers slightly anteriorly, and quite rapidly posteriorly from the anterior margin of both the anal and second dorsal fins. The head above is depressed, subconvex, and rather small. In length it constitutes about the two-elevenths of the whole. It is a little deeper than broad at its base. The mouth is well developed, the lower jaw being a little shorter than the upper, which is protractile. Several rows of very small and subconical teeth may be observed on the maxillaries and on the dentaries. ° The palate is perfectly smooth, or without teeth. The pharyngobranchials, upper and lower, are densely covered with card-like teeth. The tongue is smooth and narrow, and of but me- dium development. The posterior extremity of the upper maxillary does not quite extend to a vertical line which would pass through the anterior rim of the orbit. The nostrils are very small, the anterior one being the smallest, and both of them are nearer to the anterior rim of the orbit than to the lip of the upper jaw when the latter is in its retracted position. The eye, though well developed, is small when compared to other species, circular in shape, and its diameter contained nearly five times in the length of the side of the head. Its upper margin approximates the line of the profile. The opercular apparatus is rounded, and convex upon its margin. Conspicuous scales cover its upper margin as well as the cheeks. On the remaining portion of the opercle, and the sub and interopercles, scales are apparently wanting, owing to the transparency of the argentine membrane which passes over them. The branchial apertures are broadly open and continuous under the hyoidal apparatus. The branchiostegals, six in number, are mostly concealed under the subopercle; the innermost are flattened; the two outer- most, small and filiform. The first dorsal is quite small, and composed of slender rays. The posterior margin of that fin is nearly equidistant between the upper lobe of caudal fin and the extremity of the snout. The second dorsal is of moderate development, with one anterior rudimentary ray, undivided, like the second. The central rays bifurcate twice, with a slight indication of a subdivision of the third degree upon the fourth, fifth, and sixth rays. That fin is a little higher anteriorly than long, with its upper edge concave, and its posterior margin about half the height of the anterior. It is situated immediately opposite the posterior portion of the anal. The base of the anal is much longer than that of the second dorsal, and longer also than the depth of its anterior margin. Its external edge is likewise concave, and its posterior margin about two-fifths the height of the anterior. The first ray is rudimentary; the second is simple; the central ones bifurcate only twice. The caudal is deeply forked with sub-acute lobes. It constitutes the sixth of the entire length. Its central rays bifurcate three times, with partial indications of a subdivision of the fourth degree. The ventrals are altogether situated in advance of the first dorsal; these fins are short and broad exteriorly, when expanded. The anterior ray is the smallest, and remains undivided; the others subdivide three times. The pectorals are of mod- erate development and acute posteriorly; their ray subdividing but twice, the uppermost re- maining simple. They are obliquely inserted below the middle line of the body. Br. VI: D VI, 11; A16+1; ©3.1. 8.7.1.2; V6; P 15. The scales are rather small, and subquadrangular in general form; sometimes a little longer than high, at others a little higher than long. They are posteriorly rounded, and subtruncated anteriorly. They constitute more than twenty longitudinal rows upon the line of the greatest depth of the body, and about fifteen rows on the peduncle of the tail. Small and irregular scales may be observed upon the base of the caudal fin. The scales on the cheeks are equal in development to those on the nape. On the opercular pieces they are little larger than on the cheeks. The ground-color is yellowish brown, minutely dotted with blackish. The dorsal region between the silvery bands has a darker hue than the inferior part of the flank, owing to 36 ZOOLOGY. a great accumulation of dots over the whole surface of the scales, whilst beneath it there is but one series of these dots along the very margin of the scales. The caudal, dorsal, and pectoral fins are greyish yellow; the ventrals and anal are yellowish. The upper surface of head and snout being dark brown. This species, which is said to inhabit the fresh waters of Chile, was caught by Mr. Darwin in the vicinity of Valparaiso. The specimens before us were collected by Lieut. Gilliss in the Mapocho, an affluent of the Rio de Maypu. Plate XXX, fig. 6, represents Basilichthys microlepidotus in a profile view, and of the size of life. fig. 7 is an outline, viewed from above. fig. 8, a scale of the dorsal region. fig. 9, a scale of the abdominal region. Figs. 8 and 9 are magnified. FAMILY OF SILURIDZ. Genus NEMATOGENYS, Girard. Gen. car. Head very much depressed and large. Body posteriorly compressed; posterior margin of caudal fin rounded. Anal opposite space between the dorsal and caudal. Ventrals under the dorsal. Mouth broad, but not deeply cleft; its angle provided with a long barbel. A second pair of subhyoidal barbels shorter than the buccal ones. A still shorter and prenasal | barbels constitute a third pair of these appendages. Intermaxillaries and dentaries provided with a patch of card-like teeth. Pharyngobranchials covered with similar asperities. Eyes rather small, situated on the upper surface of head. Opercular apparatus without any spines. Branchial openings continuous under the throat. A spine at the anterior margin of the pec- toral fins. Skin scaleless. Syx. Nematogenys, Grp. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VIT, 1854, 198. Ons. The most prominent characters by which this genus may be distinguished from Thricho- mycterus, consist in the presence of one pair of barbels only at the angle of the mouth, another pair under the head, which is wanting in the latter, and by the absence of prickly or small spines on the opercular apparatus. The absence of an isthmus under the throat may become another not less important point of discrimination between the two genera. NEMATOGENYS INERMIS, Girard. Puiate XXXII, Figs. 1—3. Spec. carn. Head large and wedge-shaped: snout anteriorly broad and rounded. Origin of ventrals opposite the anterior margin of dorsal. Spiny ray of pectorals prickly beneath. Tip of buccal barbel extending beyond the base of pectorals. Skin beset with minute pustules. Ground-color yellowish brown maculated with white. Syn. Trichomycterus inermis, GuicH. in Gay, Hist. de Chile, Zool. II, 1848, 312. Ictiol. Lam. ix, fig. 2. Nematogenys inermis, Gro. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VII, 1854, 198. Bagre or Vagre. Vernacular. FISHES. 37 Desc. The body is elongated, subquadrangular or subrounded upon its anterior half, very much compressed posteriorly, and thinning off towards the base of the caudal fin. The greatest depth, measured in advance of the dorsal fin, is about the eighth of the entire length, whilst the least depth, immediately behind the anal, enters nine times and a half in the same dimen- sion. The greatest thickness, at the origin of the trunk, is equal to the least depth, and the thickness above the anal fin is contained nearly three times and a half in the depth upon that same region. The head constitutes about the fifth of the total length. It is very much depressed, and broader than the body anteriorly. Its depth upon the occipital region is a little less than the half of its length, hence tapering off to the extremity of the snout, being also declive towards the sides. The mouth is broad, though not deeply cleft; the posterior extremity of the upper maxillary reaching a vertical line which would pass a little nearer to the anterior rim of the eye than to the posterior nostril. The jaws are nearly equal, and surrounded with well developed membranous lips, expanding considerably towards the angle of the mouth, where a subcylindrical barbel is observed, which extends posteriorly beyond the base of the pectoral fins. A pair of flattened barbels may be observed under the head, attached to the anterior part of the hyoidal apparatus, each widely separated from one another. When stretched backwards in a straight line from their insertion, their tip reaches the edge of the branchiostegal mem- brane. The nostrils, right and left, are wide apart; the anterior is much the largest, situated close to the jaw, and provided at its upper and posterior rim with a flattened and tapering barbel about seven twentieths of an inch long, immediately behind which may be seen the pos- terior opening, subcircular in shape, and provided upon its upper and posterior rim with a membranous expansion sufficiéntly large to cover that aperture when let down upon it. The eyes, situated towards the upper surface of the head, are small, inconspicuous, and elongated; their longitudinal diameter measuring but a quarter of an inch; their posterior rim being nearly equidistant between the margin of the upper jaw and the posterior edge of the opercular appa- ratus. An oblong and rather large patch of card-like teeth exists upon the intermaxillaries ; the upper maxillaries being toothless. A broad band, posteriorly tapering, of similar but smaller teeth, may likewise be seen upon the dentary or lower jaw. The roof of the mouth is smooth; but at the entrance of the esophagus the pharyngobranchials, upper and lower, are possessed with teeth of the same description, but smaller still than those of the dentaries, becoming almost velvet-like. The upper pharyngobranchials are subelliptical in shape and convex, whilst the inferior pair of these bones are subtriangularly elongated and subconcave. A double row of conical processi are observed, one upon each side of the branchial arches ; the anterior row more developed than the posterior one. The tongue is short, and provided on each side with a fleshy expansion. The opercular apparatus is concealed under the skin, without either spines or serratures of any kind. The branchial apertures are broadly open, and split to the hyoidal apparatus, without any intermediate membrane connecting the right and left flaps. The branchiostegals are numerous and slender, those next to the opercular apparatus are flattened, the others circular—all more or less curved. The membrane which unites them extends beyond their tips. The anterior margin of the dorsal fin is nearly equidistant between the extremity of the snout and the base of caudal. That fin is higher than long, superiorly convex; its central rays are subdivided three times. The anal resembles the dorsal in general appearance, being deeper than long, but more acuminated posteriorly. Its central rays bifurcate, likewise, thrice, and their tips reach the rudimentary rays of the caudal, between the base of which and the origin of ventral its anterior margin corresponds. The caudal, which constitutes a little less than the sixth of the entire length, is broad and rounded posteriorly; its central rays bifurcate three times upon their length; there are numerous rudimentary rays above and below. The insertion of the ventrals is nearly opposite to the anterior margin of the dorsal. These fins are of medium size, exteriorly rounded when expanded, and their rays three times bifurcated. The pectorals are longer and narrower than the ventrals, and inserted near the inferior surface of the body ; 6 38 ZOOLOGY. their anterior edge being placed a little in advance of the posterior expansion of the opercle. The spine which occupies this region is well developed, provided with minute prickles beneath, and with a series of small, subtriangular serratures posteriorly. Its tip is continued to the margin of the fin under the form of a membranous ray. The soft and articulated rays are bifur- cated three times. The external margin of these fins is rounded when expanded. Br. XII; D 10; All; 016.1. 7. 7.1. 12; V6; PL. ¥. The anterior ray of both the dorsal and anal fins is small and slender, and the second shorter than the third, which is a little longer than the last of all. The skin is densely studded with minute pustules, smooth to the touch, and extending to all the regions, except the lower surface of the head, throat, and belly. The lateral line, from the opercular apparatus, runs almost straight along the middle of the flanks to the base of cau- dal fin, undergoing but a very slight inflexion downwards upon the thoracic region. It is much more conspicuous anterior to the dorsal fin than farther back, where it exists under the shape of small pores. The ground-color is reddish, or yellowish brown. The upper surface of head is nearly black ; numerous blackish and rounded spots or blotches are spread all over the body and sides of the head, with a tendency towards longitudinal series along the flanks and tail ; the blotches often being confluent, and inconspicuously defined. On the fins, these spots assume a transverse arrangement, and give to the latter an irregularly banded or barred appearance. The inferior surface of the head and belly are whitish, the former regions sometimes maculated. The buccal and prenasal barbels are black ; the subhyoidal ones whitish, or semi-blackish. The ventrals and pectorals are lighter beneath than above. Specimens of this species were collected in an affluent of the Rio de Maypu, in the vicinity of Santiago. According to Mr. Gay, it is to be found in the fresh waters throughout the republic of Chile. - Plate XXXII, fig. 1, represents Nematogenys inermis in a profile view, and nearly the size of life. fig. 2, is an outline of the fish seen from above, to show the disposition of the eyes, nostrils, and prenasal barbels. fig. 3, is a view of the inferior surface of the head, exhibiting the insertion of the subhyoidal barbels, the continuity of the branchial aperture with the hyoidal apparatus, and the branchiostegal rays. Genus THRICHOMYCTERUS, (Humb.) Valence. Gen. cHAR. Head depressed and rather small. Body anteriorly rounded ; posteriorly com- pressed. Caudal fin emarginated or subemarginated. Anal under the posterior part of dorsal, and ventrals in advance of the latter. Mouth small, or of medium size, inferior, and provided with a double pair of barbels at its angle. No barbels under the head. One pair of prenasal barbels. Velvet-like teeth upon the intermaxillaries and lower jaw. Palate smooth. Hyes very small, situated on the upper surface of the head. Opercular apparatus prickly. Branchial openings not continuous under the throat. Fins without any spiny rays. Skin scaleless and smooth. Syn. Thrichomycterus (Humb.), Vatenc. in Humb. Rec. d’ Obs. de Zool. et @ Anat. comp. IT, 1833, 347. Cuy. et Van. Hist. Nat. Poiss. X VIII, 1846, 485. GuicH. in Gay, Hist. de Chile, Zool. IT, 1848, 309. FIRARD, in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VI, 1854, 198. FISHES. 39 Oss. The name of Uhrichomycterus was first framed by Hnmboldt,* under the following circum- stances: Having obtained a fish from the Rio Bogota, in New Grenada, he published a memoir thereon, in which he says: ‘‘ Je l’ai nommé érémophile, 4 cause de la solitude dans laquelle il vit a de si grandes hauteurs, et dans des eaux qui ne sont presque habitées par aucun étre vivant. Les naturalistes qui craignent que de nouvelles espéces de ce méme genre ne viennent A étre découvertes dans des situations trés-différentes, pourraient changer le nom d’érémophile en celui de thrichomycterus, tiré des barbillons attachés au nez de ce poisson.”’ Thrichomycterus, therefore, in the estimation of Humboldt, was exactly the synonym of EBremophilus. Now, in the second volume of the same work, Valenciennes, after giving us a more complete description of Hremophilus mutisti, mentions that another fish, generically distinct from the above, had been obtained from Brazil, and for which he would propose the name of Zhiicho- mycterus, imagined by Humboldt. No reference to the history of this generic name being made in the Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, we have considered ourselves fully justified in relating it here. The transfer of a name to a thing for which it was not originally intended, if not explained, is liable to throw a great deal of confusion upon the subject it refers to, and is likewise an infraction to sound rules of nomenclature. Many species having been described under the name of Thrichomycterus, we would advise that it should be retained, rather than to frame another one. The species of T'hrichomycterus are closely allied to Hremophilus, from which they chiefly differ by the presence of ventral fins. - THRICHOMYCTERUS MACULATUS, Cuv. et Val. Prate XXXIV, Figs. 1—3. Spec. cHar. Head small and very depressed, declive towards the snout, which is anteriorly rounded. Mouth small. Maxillary teeth inconspicuous. Upper buccal barbel longer than the lower, neither of which reaching the base of pectorals. Prenasal barbel as long as the upper buccal. Opercle and subopercle prickly. Isthmus quite small. Branchiostegals, six. Caudal subemarginated posteriorly. Skin perfectly smooth. Ground-color yellowish or brownish, maculated with black. Fins greyish yellow. Syn. ZVhrichomycterus maculatus, Cuv. et Vau. Hist. Nat. Poiss. XVIII, 1846, 493. Gutcu. in Gay, Hist. de Chile, Zool. II, 1848, 311. Girard, in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VI, 1854, 199. Bagre, or Vagre. Vernacular. Desc. The species is one of small size. The body is slender and elongated, anteriorly rounded, and slightly compressed; posteriorly more so. The greatest depth, measured immediately behind the tip of pectoral fins, is contained nearly nine times in the total length, and the least depth, taken on the peduncle of the tail, enters in that same length thirteen times. The great- est thickness, at the anterior portion of the body, is about equal to the depth. The head is contained six times and a half in the total length. It is much depressed, wedge-shaped, and equally declive towards the sides. ‘The snout is anteriorly rounded. The upper jaw overlaps the lower, thus giving the mouth an inferior situation. The latter is small, and surrounded with thick and fleshy lips, but little extensible upon the upper jaw. A membranous expansion is to be observed at the angle of the mouth, immediately below the barbels. The latter are * Recueil d’Observations de Zoologie et d’Anatomie Comparée, &c., Vol. I, 1811, 18. 40 ZOOLOGY. flattened, thick at their base, and filiform towards their extremity. The upper one is a little longer than the lower, its tip extending to the posterior edge of the opercular apparatus, when stretched straightway backwards. The velvet-like teeth constitute an elongated and transverse patch upon the intermaxillaries. A similar area of similar teeth exists upon the symphysis of the dentaries, or lower jaw. The palate is perfectly smooth. The pharyngobranchials, upper and lower, are either smooth or provided with very inconspicuous prickles: as far as we could ascertain, they appeared to be smooth. The anterior nostril approximates the upper jaw, and is provided at its external edge with a flattened (at base) and filiform (at tip) barbel, and about as long as the upper buccal. The posterior nostril, situated a little behind the anterior, is a little larger than the latter, and provided anteriorly with a very low and thin membrane. The eyes, which are situated towards the upper surface of the head, and far apart, are very small and somewhat elongated, nearly equidistant between the margin of the upper jaw and the pos- terior edge of the opercular apparatus. The cheeks are smooth, like the upper surface of the head, and the opercular apparatus concealed under the skin exhibits only a small group of prickles, situated at the upper angle of the opercle. The subopercle is largely developed, and its surface is covered with very conspicuous club-shaped prickles. The branchiostegal rays are entirely concealed under the subopercle. They are six in number; the four innermost flat- tened—all being enclosed in a tough membrane which projects beyond their tips. The branchial apertures are continuous, but not split under the hyoidal apparatus. The dorsal fin is situated far back ; its anterior margin being much nearer to the posterior extremity of the caudal than to the tip of the snout. It is nearly as high anteriorly as its base is long; the height of its posterior margin is less than the half of the anterior margin. Its upper margin is subconvex. The origin of the anal is situated opposite the posterior third of dorsal. It is nearly twice as deep as the extend of its base, and exteriorly convex. The tips of its central — rays consequently extend farther backwards than those of the dorsal, without, however, reaching the base of the caudal. The latter constitutes about the eighth of the entire length. It is posteriorly subemarginated, with its lobes rounded. There are numerous rudimentary rays which contiibute to give to the extremity of the peduncle of the tail a dilated appearance. The ventrals are situated in advance of the dorsal; their posterior extremity reaching a vertical line which would pass immediately in advance of the anterior margin of the last mentioned fin. The ventrals themselves are small and convex exteriorly, their tips not reaching the vent, which is situated somewhat in advance of the anterior margin of the anal fin. The pectorals are likewise short, broad, and rounded exteriorly, their insertion being almost horizontal, and below the middle line of the body. Br. VI; D 13; A 8; 010.1. 6.5.1.9; V5; P9. The anterior three rays of both the dorsal and anal fins are simple and shorter than the fourth, the first being quite rudimentary. The anterior ray of the ventrals and pectorals is simple also, and enclosed in a thick membrane. The central rays of all the fins are bifurcated three times upon their length. The lateral line is very inconspicuous, and visible only upon the anterior third of the body, where distant pores may be followed from the upper part of the opercle towards the middle of the flanks, after a slight convexity upwards at its origin. The skin is otherwise perfectly smooth. It is needless to add that a thick layer of mucosity covers the whole body, the head, and the fins. The ground-color is either yellowish or brownish, with small purplish macule spread all over the head, where they assume a cloudy aspect; also over the body, along the sides of which obsolete longitudinal stripes are to be seen. Two other stripes, more indistinct still, along the dorsal line, from nape to origin of dorsal; and three along the sides, the middle one of which running along the middle region of the body and tail. The inferior surface of the head and the belly are of a soiled yellow hue. The barbels and the fins are greyish yellow. Specimens were caught in the Rio Mapocho, near Santiago. FISHES. 41 Plate XXXIV, fig. 1, represents Thrichomycterus maculatus, size of life, and in profile. fig. 2 is an outline of the same, seen from above. fig. 3, the head, seen from below. THRICHOMYCTERUS MACRAI, Girard. Spec. cHar. General aspect elongated, subfusiform; peduncle of tail long and slender. Dor- sal fin elongated, and quite low posteriorly. Anal fin narrow. Ventrals and pectorals rather small. Caudal posteriorly emarginated. Ground-color greenish brown, with small, pavement- like blackish spots extending all over the body. Descr. The general form resembles that of 7. maculatus; the peduncle of the tail is still more slender, and the posterior edge of the caudal subcrescentic, with the inferior lobe larger than the upper lobe, The head is contained nearly six times and a half in the total length, which meas- ures four inches and a half. The base of the dorsal fin is contained three times in the distance between its anterior margin and the extremity of the snout, and once between its posterior mar- gin and the base of the caudal; the latter fin being one fourth shorter. The anterior third of said dorsal fin is higher than the remaining portion, which is comparatively very low. The origin of the anal takes place opposite the middle of the length of the dorsal ; it is deeper than long, and rounded upon its external margin, which extends backwards almost evenly with the posterior margin of the dorsal. The ventrals and pectorals are short and rounded exteriorly. The buccal and nasal tentacles are shorter than in 7. maculatus. The prickles about the oper- cular apparatus are but little conspicuous. The head is broad and depressed ; the mouth is moderately developed. The ground-color is greenish or yellowish brown ; the upper regions are covered with numer- ous small blackish spots, assuming a tessellated or else a pavement-like aspect. Beneath, the color is uniform yellowish or greyish. The fins present the same tint, with a blackish hue towards their margin. Three specimens of this species were collected by Lieutenant MacRae near Uspullata, east side of the cordilleras, at an elevation of about 7,000 feet. FAMILY OF CLUPEIDZ. Genus ALOSA, Cuv. Gen. cHaR. No teeth upon any of the bones constituting the apparatus of the mouth. Syn. dlosa, Cuv. Régn. Anim. (2d ed.) IT, 1829. Cuv. et Va. Hist. Nat. des Poiss. XX, 1847, 389. Oxs. The total absence of teeth in this genus will readily distinguish it from any other of the same family. It is here admitted as characterized in the ‘‘ Histoire Naturelle des Poissons.”’ The species resemble the herrings in their general appearance; the stomach being rather large and acute, and the pylorus provided with numerous ceca. The intestine likewise folds twice upon itself. The air-bladder is large, attenuated at both extremities, swollen upon its middle region, and communicating with the stomach; its anterior extremity not extending beyond the third vertebra. 49, ZOOLOGY. ALOSA MUSICA, Girard. Priarr XXXI, Figs. 1—4. Spec. car. Body subfusiform, elongated, compressed, and tapering posteriorly. Origin of ventrals opposite the middle region of dorsal. Posterior extremity of upper maxillary reaching the vertical of anterior rim of pupil. Lower jaw longest. Back bluish; sides silvery.