THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY Return this book on or before the Latest Date stamped below. A charge is made on all overdue books. University of Illinois Library MAR 2 0 19. FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY PUBLICATION No. 249 ZOOLOGICAL SERIES VOL. XV THE MARINE FISHES OF PANAMA BY SETH E. MEEK Late Assistant Curator, Department of Zoology AND SAMUEL F. HILDEBRAND U. S. Bureau of Fisheries PART III WILFRED H. OSGOOD Curator, Department of Zoology EDITOR CHICAGO, U. S. A. September i, 1928 . PUBLICATIONS OF FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY THE LIBRARY OF THE MOV 10 1928 UNIVERSITY ZOOLOGICAL SERIES VOLUME XV PART III V NATURAL HISTORY CHICAGO, U. S. A. 1928 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY PUBLICATION No. 249 ZOOLOGICAL SERIES VOL. XV THE MARINE FISHES OF PANAMA BY SETH E. MEEK Late Assistant Curator, Department of Zoology AND SAMUEL F. HILDEBRAND U. S. Bureau of Fisheries PART III WILFRED H. OSGOOD Curator, Department of Zoology EDITOR CHICAGO, U. S. A September i, 1928 PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY FIELD MUSEUM PRESS is I -J CONTENTS OF PART III Contents of Part III ..... List of Plates in Part III List of new Genera and Species in Part III Index to Parts I-III ..... CLASSES, ORDERS, FAMILIES, AND GENERA INCLUDED IN PART III Page Class III. TELEOSTOMI — Continued. Order XIV. ACANTHOPTERI — Continued Family LXI. Labridas THE WRASSES 187. Bodianus Bloch 710 188. Halichoeres Riippell 714 189. Pseudojulis Bleeker 725 190. Thalassoma Swainson 726 191. Xyrichthys Cuvier 729 192. Doratonotus Giinther 730 Family LXII. Scaridas THE PARROT-FISHES 193. Cryptotomus Cope 733 194. Scarus Forskal 735 195. Pseudoscarus Bleeker 744 196. Sparisoma Swainson. ...... 747 Family LXIII. Ephippidas THE SPADE-FISHES 197. Chaetodipterus Lacepede.. . 760 198. Parapsettus Steindachner. .. 763 Family LXIV. Chastodontidae THE BUTTERFLY-FISHES 199. Chaetodon Linnaeus 765 200. Pomacanthus Lacepede .... 772 201. Holacanthus Lacepede 777 Page Family LXV. Acanthuridae SURGEON-FISHES 202. Acanthurus Forskal 781 203. Xesurus Jord. & Everm. . . . 786 Family LXVI. Balistidae THE TRIGGER-FISHES 204. Balistes Linnaeus 787 205. Canthidermis Swainson .... 793 Family LXVII. Monacanthidae THE FILE-FISHES 206. Monacanthus Oken 796 207. Cantherines Swainson 800 208. Alutera Oken 801 Family LXVIII. Ostraciidae THE TRUNK-FISHES 209. Lactophrys Swainson 804 Family LXIX. Tetraodontidae THE PUFFERS 210. Lagocephalus Swainson. . . . 809 211. Sphoeroides Dum6ril 811 212. Guentheridia Gilb. & Starks 821 213. Tetraodon Linnaeus 822 214. Canthigaster Swainson 825 Family LXX. Diodontidae THE PORCUPINE-FISHES 215. Diodon Linnaeus 826 216. Chilomycterus Bibron 831 XXV Page Family LXXI. Scorpaenidae THE ROCK-FISHES 217. Scorpsena Linnaeus ........ 833 218. Scorpsenodes Linnaeus 845 Family LXXII. Triglidas THE GURNARDS 219. Prionotus Lacgpede 848 Family LXXIII. Cephalacanthidas THE FLYING GURNARDS 220. Cephalacanthus Lac^pede . . 859 Family LXXIV. Gobiidas THE GOBIES 221. Gymneleotris Bleeker 863 222. Erotelis Poey 864 223. Lophogobius Gill 866 224. Bathygobius Bleeker 867 225. Tyntlastes Gunther 869 226. Evorthodus Gill 869 227. Microgobius Poey 871 228. Euctenogobius Gill 874 229. Gobionellus Girard 876 230. Bollmannia Jordan 885 231. Aboma Jordan & Starks. . . . 887 232. Enypnias Jord. & Everm... . 887 233. Gerhardinus gen. nov 889 234. Garmannia Jordan 889 235. Gobiosoma Girard 891 236. Evermannia Jordan 891 237. Gobioides Lacepede 894 Family LXXV. Echeneididae THE REMORAS 238. Phtheirichthys Gill 895 239. Echeneis Linnaeus 896 240. Remora Gill 897 Family LXXVI. Opisthognathidae THE JAW-FISHES 241. Opisthognathus Cuvier 900 Family LXXVII. Dactyloscopidae THE SAND STAR-GAZERS 242. Dactyloscopus Gill 902 243. Dactylagnus Gill 904 244. Cokeridia gen. nov 905 Page Family LXXVIII. Uranoscopidas THE STAR-GAZERS 245. Astroscopus Brevoort 907 246. Kathetostoma Gunther 909 Family LXXIX, Batrachoididae THE TOAD-FISHES 247. Batrachoides Lacepede. .... 911 248. Opsanus Rafinesque 917 249. Amphichthys Swainson 918 250. Thalassophryne Gunther. . . 919 251. Porichthys Girard 922 Family LXXX. Gobiesocidas THE CLING-FISHES 252. Gobiesox Lacepede 925 253. Arbaciosa Jord. & Everm. . . 926 Family LXXXI. Blenriiidae THE BLENNIES 254. Auchenopterus Gunther. . . . 930 255. Mnierpes Jord. & Everm.... 933 256. Dialommus Gilbert 934 257. Labrisomus Swainson 935 258. Malacoctenus Gill 938 259. Blennius Linnaeus 940 260. Hypsoblennius Gill 942 261. Homesthes Gilbert 947 262. Rupiscartes Swainson 948 263. Salarichthys Guichenot 949 264. Salarias Cuvier 951 265. Emblemaria Jord. & Gilb. . . 952 Family LXXXII. Cerdalidse 266. Microdesmus Gunther 954 267. Cerdale Jord. & Gilb 958 Family LXXXIII. Ophidiidae THE CUSK EELS 268. Lepophidium Gill 960 269. Otophidium Gill 961 Family LXXXIV. Carapidae THE PEARL-FISHES 270. Carapus Rafinesque 963 271. Leptofierasfer gen. nov 964 XXVI Page Family LXXXV. Brotulidse 272. Ogilbia Jord. & Everm 965 273. Pseudobythites gen. nov... . 968 Family LXXXVI. Bregmacerotidas 274. Bregmaceros Thompson . . . Family LXXXVII. Pleuronectidae THE FLOUNDERS 275. Pseudorhombus Sleeker. . . 276. Hippoglossina Steind 277. Paralichthys Girard 278. Engyophrys Jord. & Bollm. 279. Platophrys Swainson 280. Syacium Ranzani 281. Citharichthys Sleeker 282. Azevia Jordan 283. Cyclopsetta Gill 284. Etropus Jord. & Gilb 969 971 973 974 975 977 980 985 990 991 992 Page Family LXXXVIII. Soleidse THE SOLES 285. Achirus Lacepede 994 286. Apionichthys Kaup 1003 287. Symphurus Rafinesque 1004 Order XV. Pediculati Family LXXXIX. Antennariidse THE FROG-FISHES 288. Histrio Fischer 1010 289. Antennarius Commerson . . . ion Family XC. Ogcocephalidae THE BAT-FISHES 290. Ogcocephalus Fischer 1016 291. Zalieutes Jord. & Everm... . 1018 XXVII Opposite Page LXXII. Fig. i. Scarus azureus sp. nov. Fig. 2. Scarus nigrescens sp. nov. . t 742 LXXIII. Fig. i. Sparisoma radians (Cuvier & Valen- ciennes), male. Fig. 2. Sparisoma radians (Cuvier & Valen- ciennes) , female 750 LXXIV. Fig. i. Sparisoma rhomaleum sp. nov . Fig. 2. Sparisoma elongatum sp. nov 754 LXXV. Chaetodipterus faber (Broussonet) 760 LXXVI. Chaetodipterus zonatus (Girard) 762 LXXVII. Sphoeroides marmoratus (Ranzani) (a) Dorsal outline 812 LXXVIII. Fig. i. Sphoeroides annulatus (Jenyns). Fig. 2. Sphoeroides testudineus (Linnaeus). 816 LXXIX. Sphoeroides kendalli sp. nov 818 LXXX. Scorpaena isthmensis sp. nov 842 LXXXI. Fig. i. Scorpaena colonensis sp. nov. Fig. 2. Scorpaenodes xyris (Jordan & Gilbert) 844 LXXXII. Scorpaenodes caribbaeus sp. nov 846 LXXXIII. Prionotus aspersus sp. nov 856 LXXXIV. Evorthodus minutus sp. nov 872 LXXXV. Microgobius tabogensis sp. nov 872 LXXXVI. Euctenogobius panamensis sp. nov 876 LXXXVII. Euctenogobius liolepis sp. nov 876 LXXXVIII. Gerhardinus nudus sp. nov 888 LXXXIX. Cokeridia crossota gen. et sp. nov 904 XC. Batrachoides gilberti sp. nov 912 XCI. Opsanus barbatus sp. nov 916 XCII. Arbaciosa minuta sp. nov. (a) Ventral outline 928 XCIII-i Fig. i. Auchenopterus affinis (Steindacher). Fig. 2. Auchenopterus monophthalmus Giinther 932 XCIV. Fig. i. Labrisomus nuchipinnis (Quoy & Gaimard) . Fig. 2. Labrisomus xanti Gill 936 XCV. Fig. i. Malacoctenus delalandii (Cuvier & Valenciennes) . XXIX c. CI. CII. Fig. 2. Malacoctenus zonifer (Jordan & Gilbert) XCVI. Fig. i. Hypsoblennius minutus sp. nov. Fig. 2. Hypsoblennius lignus sp. nov. . . Emblemaria nigra sp. nov. XCVII. Emble XCVIII. Fig. i. Fig. 2. Fig. 3- XCIX. Fig. i. Fig. 2. Opposite Page 938 944 954 Microdesmus affinis sp. nov. Microdesmus intermedius sp. nov. Microdesmus multiradiatus sp. nov.. 954 Leptofierasfer macrurus gen. et sp. nov. Pseudobythites sanguineus gen. et sp. nov 964 Citharichthys evermanni sp. nov 988 Fig. i. Achirus lineatus (Linnaeus) . Fig. 2. Achirus mazatlanus (Steindachner) . . 998 Fig. i. Achirus fimbriatus (Giinther) . Fig. 2. Achirus fluviatilis sp. nov 1000 XXX Page Gerhardinus 889 Cokeridia 905 Leptofierasfer 964 Pseudobythites 968 NEW SPECIES Scarus azureus 742 Scarus nigrescens 743 Sparisoma rhomaleum 754 Sparisoma elongatum 757 Sphceroides kendalli 819 Scorpaena isthmensis 842 Scorpaena colonensis 844 Scorpaenodes caribbaeus 847 Prionotus aspersus 856 Evorthodus minutus 870 Microgobius tabogensis 873 Euctenogobius panamensis 874 Euctenogobius liolepis 875 Gerhardinus nudus 889 Cokeridia crossota 906 Batrachoides gilberti . . . '. . . . . 914 Opsanus barbatus 917 Arbaciosa minuta 928 Hypsoblennius minutus 943 Hypsoblennius lignus 946 Emblemaria nigra . 953 Microdesmus af finis 955 Microdesmus intermedius 957 Microdesmus multiradiatus 958 Leptofierasfer macrurus 964 Pseudobythites sanguineus 968 Citharichthys evermanni * 989 Achirus fluviatilis 1002 XXXI THE MARINE FISHES OF PANAMA. BY SETH E. MEEK AND SAMUEL F. HILDEBRAND. PART III. Class III. TeleOStomi — Continued. Order XIV. Acanthopteri — Continued. Family LXI. Labridse. THE WRASSES. Body oblong or elongate; mouth moderate, terminal; lips thick, the lower one usually with a lateral flap; premaxillaries protractile; maxillary without a supplemental bone, slipping under preorbital; nostrils round, with 2 openings on each side; teeth in the jaws strong, separate or more or less coalescent at base, never forming a continuous plate; the anterior teeth usually canine-like; no teeth on vomer or palatines ; lower pharyngeals completely united into one bone, the teeth conical or tubercular; branchiostegals 5 or 6; pseudobranchiae well developed; gills 3^2, the slit behind the last arch small or obsolete; gill- membranes somewhat connected, sometimes joined to the isthmus; scales large, cycloid; lateral line continuous or interrupted, often abruptly bent ; dorsal fin continuous, its spines slender, 3 to 20 in number ; anal similar to soft portion of dorsal, with 2 to 6 spines; ventrals thoracic, inserted below pectorals, with I, 5 rays ; air bladder present ; no pyloric caeca. KEY TO THE GENERA.* a. Dorsal spines 12; lateral line complete and continuous, without abrupt curve. Bodianus, p. 710. aa. Dorsal spines 8 or 9; lateral line either curved abruptly down- ward or interrupted posteriorly. b. Cheeks and opercles entirely scaleless; lateral line not inter- rupted, but with an abrupt downward curve posteriorly. c. Dorsal spines constantly 9. *Since these pages were prepared, Henry W. Fowler (Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., I9I7> P- *33) has recorded a genus and species, Lachnolaimus maximus (Wal- baum) from Colon, not obtained by us. 709 710 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. d. Upper jaw with a well developed canine tooth posteriorly on each side, near angle of mouth ; anteriorly with 2 canines ; lower jaw with 4 canines. Halichceres, p. 714. dd. Posterior canines wanting; upper jaw anteriorly with 2 canines; lower jaw with 2 to 4 canines. Pscudojulis, p. 725. cc. Dorsal spines constantly 8 ; no posterior canines. Thalassoma, p. 726. bb. Cheeks and opercles scaly, at least under and back of eyes ; lateral line interrupted posteriorly, reappearing on middle of caudal peduncle. e. Head short and deep, its anterior profile nearly vertical in adult, compressed into a sharp edge ; preorbital extremely deep ; snout little in advance of forehead; dorsal fin continuous, the spines graduated, nearly of equal length. Xyrichthys, p. 729. ee. Head rather long and low, its anterior profile not steep, straight or concave, not compressed into a sharp edge; preorbital rather narrow ; snout long and sharply pointed ; anterior spines of dorsal elevated, longer than the succeeding ones, making the margin of the fin concave. Doratonotus, p. 730. 187. Genus Bodianus Bloch. Bodianus Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, IV, 1790, 48 (type Bodianus bodianus Bloch). Harpe Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 1803, 426, PI. VIII, fig. 2 (type Harpe cceruleoaureus Lacepede). Cossyphus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIII, 1839, IO2 (type Bodianus bodianus Bloch; name preoccupied). Body rather robust, moderately compressed; the back moderately elevated; head pointed in young, becoming more and more blunt with age, large scales with a prominent fleshy pad on forehead ; mouth rather large ; jaws about equal ; teeth strong ; each jaw anteriorly with 4 canines ; upper jaw posteriorly with a single pair of canines; other teeth short, coalescent at base; lateral line complete and continuous; scales large, little reduced on chest, extending up on base of soft rays of dorsal and anal and forming a sheath ; cheek, opercle and preopercle scaly ; dorsal with 12 low spines, the median soft rays produced in adult; caudal truncate in young, concave in adult with the outer rays produced; anal with 3 rather strong spines, the soft portion similar to that of dorsal; ventrals inserted below base of pectorals; vertebrae n -f- I7 = 28. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OP PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 711 KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Dorsal profile of head straight or slightly convex at all ages, never concave; gill-rakers 10 or n on lower limb of first arch; sides without black bands or yellow bar; tip of pectorals pale. rufus, p. 711. aa. Dorsal profile of head more or less concave, except in very young; large males with a prominent fleshy pad on forehead; gill-rakers 12 or 13 on lower limb of first arch; sides in female with 2 distinct, black, longitudinal bands; male with a yellow vertical bar on sides passing over abdomen just in front of vent ; tip of pectorals black. diplotania, p. 712. 516. Bodianus rufus (Linnaeus). Labrus rufus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 284 (America). Perro Colorado Parra, Desc. Piezas de Hist. Nat., 1787, 3, PI. Ill, fig. I (Havana). Bodianus bodianus Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, IV, 1790, 33, PI. CCXXIII (Brazil ; after a drawing by Prince Maurice). Lut janus verres Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, V, 1791, 9, PI. CCLV (locality unknown). Sparus falcatus Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, V, 1791, 20, PI. CCLVIII (after a drawing by Plumier made at Martinique). Labrus semiruber Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., Ill, 1802, 428 (Rio de Janeiro ; from notes by Commerson) . Bodianus blochii Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 1803, 279 (after Bodianus bodianus Bloch). Harpe coerulea-aureus Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 1803, 426 & 427, PI. VIII, fig. 2 (Martinique; from the drawing of Plumier used by Bloch). Cossyphus bodianus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIII, 1839, I03- Cossyphus verres Castelnau, Anim. Nouv. Rares Amer. Sud., 1855, 27. Cossyphus rufus Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 108. Harpe rufus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1863, 222. Bodianus rufus Poey, Repertorio, II, 1868, 331. Harpe rufa Jordan, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XV, 1887 (1891), 629; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1583. Head 3.1 to 3.5; depth 2.85 to 3.43; D. XII, 10 or n ; A. Ill, n to 13; scales 33 to 35. Body elongate, compressed ; dorsal profile anteriorly nearly straight or slightly convex, not concave over snout ; head rather strongly com- 712 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. pressed; snout sharply pointed, its length 2.38 to 2.94 in head; eye 4.8 to 6.4 ; mouth moderate, slightly oblique, the gape reaching anterior margin of orbit; jaws equal; maxillary concealed by the wide pre- orbital, its length 2.36 to 2.93 in head; teeth strong, each jaw anteriorly with 4 canines; upper jaw posteriorly with a single pair of strong canines directed forward; other teeth short, more or less coalescent at base; gill-rakers scarcely one-fourth the length of eye, 10 or n on lower limb of first arch; lateral line complete and continuous, the anterior pores with 2 or 3 branches; scales large, little reduced on chest, extending on base of soft rays of dorsal and anal ; dorsal spines short and strong, the longest slightly longer than eye, separate or slightly connected at base by membrane, the last one attached to soft rays; the middle rays of soft portion produced in adult, the longest ray reaching slightly past base of caudal in largest specimen at hand ; caudal in young truncate, distinctly concave in adult, the outer rays produced, nearly twice as long as the middle rays in large specimens ; anal spines similar to dorsal spines, the longest nearly as long as snout, the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal; ventrals notably longer than pectorals, reaching to or past vent; pectorals moderate, 1.23 to 1.45 in head. Color in spirits anteriorly rather dark brown, becoming paler posteriorly; a large dark area under base of dorsal and a smaller area at base of anal; caudal peduncle rather pale olivaceous; dorsal dusky or black, except the posterior 4 or 5 rays which are pale ; caudal brown or dusky with pale margin; anal colored similar to dorsal; ventrals black with outer rays pale ; pectorals dusky at base, otherwise pale. Of this species only 2 specimens were obtained, respectively 245 and 275 mm. in length. We also examined specimens from Bermuda, Cuba, San Domingo, Barbadoes and Bahia, Brazil. The above descrip- tion is based on specimens ranging in length from 175 to 340 mm. Known from Florida to Brazil. Our specimens are from the Colon market and Porto Bello. 517. Bodianus diplotaenia (Gill). Harpe diplotania Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1862, 140 (Cape San Lucas; female) ; Jordan, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XV, 1887 (1891), 629; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 144 (Pana- ma Bay). Harpe pectorallis Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1862, 141 (Cape San Lucas; male). SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 713 Cossyphus pectoralis Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, no. Cossyphus diplotania Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, no. Bodianus pectoralis Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1885, 384. Bodianus diplotcenia Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1885, 384. Bodianus diplotanius Snodgrass & Heller, Proc. Wash. Ac. Sci., VI, 1904 (1905), 391 (Cocos, Clipperton and Galapagos islands) ; Ken- dall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 137 (Taboguilla Island, Panama Bay). Head 3.1 to 3.45; depth 2.73 to 3.25; D. XII, 10 or n ; A. Ill, 12 to 14 ; scales 34 or 35. Body elongate, compressed ; dorsal profile in young gently convex, concave over snout in adult ; large males with a prominent fleshy pad on forehead over eyes; head rather short, strongly compressed; snout sharply pointed, at least in young, its length 2.25 to 2.6 in head; eye 5.15 to 6.9; mouth moderate, slightly oblique, the gape not quite reach- ing anterior margin of orbit; jaws about equal; maxillary largely covered by the broad preorbital, 2.6 to 3.1 in head; teeth strong, each jaw anteriorly with 4 canines; the inner pair on upper jaw slightly the larger, on lower jaw the outer pair much the larger; upper jaw posteriorly with a single pair of canines directed forward; the other teeth short and coalescent at base; gill-rakers less than a fourth the length of eye, 12 or 13 on lower limb of first arch; lateral line com- plete and continuous, the anterior pores with 2 or 3 branches; scales large, little reduced on chest, extending on base of soft rays of dorsal and anal; dorsal spines short, the longest about the length of eye, separate or slightly connected by membrane at base, each enveloped in a heavy dermal coat, the last one connected with the soft rays, the middle rays of soft portion produced in adult, longest ray reaching well past base of caudal in our largest male ; caudal truncate in young, distinctly concave in adult, with the outer rays much produced, more than twice the length of the middle rays in large males; anal spines similar to those of dorsal, the last one equal to length of snout, the median soft rays produced in adult, usually somewhat longer than the produced rays of dorsal; ventrals rather longer than pectorals, reaching nearly or quite to vent; pectorals moderate, 1.32 to 1.43 in head. Color of male in life pale brown, with little red on sides of head, also between pectorals and ventrals, and a reddish area about base of anal ; chest greenish; sides with a yellow bar at tip of pectorals, extending from slightly above lateral line downward across abdomen and becom- ing quite obscure just in front of vent; spinous portion of dorsal with dusky base and reddish margin, the anterior soft rays black, the posterior 714 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. ones with black base, otherwise red ; base of caudal and produced rays with more or less dusky, the rest of fin red ; anal fin colored like dorsal ; ventrals black with red margin ; pectorals deep red with black tip. This color description is based on a large specimen, 480 mm. in length. Color of female in life anteriorly reddish brown, this color gradu- ally shading into a yellowish brown posteriorly ; a black band beginning on snout, running through eye, and divided into 2 bands just behind the eye, the upper one running along back above lateral line, the lower one directed slightly downward anteriorly, assuming a median line of the body, both bands posteriorly broken up into more or less distinct spots ; another black band extending from angle of mouth to margin of preopercle; base of caudal with 2 distinct black spots, one above and one below lateral line; dorsal spines dusky at base, otherwise red; anterior rays of dorsal dusky, posterior rays yellowish, produced ray red ; outer rays of caudal reddish, the remainder of fin yellow ; ventrals rather dark red; pectorals of a slightly paler red. This color descrip- tion of the female is based on a specimen 300 mm. in length. No marked difference in color between the young and adult female appears to exist. Of this species we have 13 specimens, 5 males and 8 females; the former range in length from 350 to 480 mm.; the latter from 55 to 300 mm. Known from Cape San Lucas to the Galapagos Islands and from the coast of Peru. Our specimens are from Panama Bay at Balboa. 188. Genus Halichoeres Riippell. Halichceres Riippell, Neue Wirbelthiere, 1835, 14 (type Halichceres bimaculatus Riippell). Hemiulis Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 228 (type Labrus guttatus Bloch). Chcerojulis Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1862, 142 (type Julis semi- cine tus Ayres). flridio Jordan & Evermann, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XXI, 1895 (1896), 412 (type Labrus radiatus Linnaeus). Body oblong, compressed; head compressed, conic; mouth mod- erate; preopercle entire; teeth strong, upper jaw anteriorly with 2 large canines, and a single pair posteriorly near angle of mouth ; lower jaw anteriorly with 4 strong canines, none posteriorly; gill-rakers poorly developed, short and feeble; gill-membranes slightly joined to the isthmus ; scales large, more or less reduced on breast, 25 to 30 in lateral series; head entirely naked; lateral line complete, abruptly SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 715 curved downward posteriorly ; dorsal with 9 spines ; anal with 3 spines ; ventrals inserted under axil of pectorals; vertebrae 10 -f- 15 = 25. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Sides with a dark lateral band, at least in young ; adult without black blotch or bar on sides under spinous portion of dorsal, nor with a small black spot at base of last ray of dorsal. b. Dark lateral band persistent, broad, rather ill-defined, extending from eye to tip of caudal fin; a bluish band, nearly as wide as eye, extending from eye to nape; dorsal fin deep indigo, with pale margin. cyanocephalus, p. 716. bb. Dark lateral band disappearing with age, when present rather narrow, never extending beyond base of caudal ; head in adult with several bluish lines; a narrow one, about the width of pupil, extending from eye to nape; dorsal plain yellowish red in young; in adult with a narrow blue stripe at base, above with many blue spots. radiatus, p. 717. aa. Sides never with a dark lateral band ; a dark blotch or bar on sides under spinous portion of dorsal, or a small round spot at base of last ray of dorsal usually present, at least in adult. c. Color rather bright green; a prominent black spot just back of eye, and a small one at base of last ray of dorsal; base of pectoral with a very narrow brownish cross-bar; sides of head, in life, with several reddish bands; no dark bar or blotch on sides of body. kirschii, p. 720. cc. Color somewhat darker; no black spot back of eye or at base of last ray of dorsal; a black blotch or cross-bar on sides, except sometimes in very young. d. Pores in lateral line not branched; a black blotch in lateral line below sixth and seventh dorsal spines ; young with a distinct caudal spot. dispilus, p. 721. dd. Pores in anterior part of lateral line distinctly branched; a black bar on sides under spinous portion of dorsal, except in very young; caudal spot wanting. e. Body with a more or less reddish hue, at least on chest and abdomen ; a conspicuous black bar under base of fifth to seventh dorsal spines present in adult, ill-defined or entirely wanting in young ; scales, in young, with dark centers are grouped so as to form several more or less distinct blotches on sides of fish. sellifer, p. 722. 716 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. ee. Body without reddish hue; the bar on sides less conspicuous and slightly more anteriorly placed; the young unknown. nicholsi, p. 724. 518. Halichoeres cyanocephalus (Bloch). Labrus cyanocephalus Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, V, 1791, 139, PI. CCLXXXVI (locality unknown, probably Surinam). Julis dimidiatus Agassiz, in Spix, Pise. Brasil., 1831, 96, PI. LIII (Brazil). Icthycallus dimidiatus Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 232 (name only). Julis internasalis Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 421 (Havana). Platyglossus internasalis Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 164. Cheer o julis internasalis Poey, Syn. Pise. Cub.*, 1868, 334. Platyglossus dimidiatus Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 45. Halichoeres dimidiatus Jordan, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XV, 1887 (1891), 644. Iridio cyanoicephalus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1594. Head 4.15 to 4.23; depth 3.6 to 3.8; D. IX, n or 12; A. Ill, 12; scales 27. Body rather slender, compressed; anterior profile rather steep, reaching the height of back slightly back of vertical from posterior margin of eye; head short, compressed; snout blunt, its length 2.45 to 2.9 in head; eye 5.13 to 5.78; mouth moderate, the gape reaching about to anterior margin of eye; jaws equal; maxillary mostly covered by the wide preorbital, 3.25 to 3.4 in head; teeth in jaws strong, upper jaw anteriorly with a pair of large canines, posteriorly near angle of mouth with a pair of slightly smaller ones ; lower jaw anteriorly with 4 strong canines, none posteriorly; other teeth short, coalescent at base; gill-rakers very short, about 10 more or less developed on lower limb of first arch; lateral line complete, curved abruptly downward under last rays of dorsal, the anterior pores branched; scales large, not greatly reduced on chest, not crossing median line of back; head naked; dorsal spines short, the soft rays not produced; caudal fin slightly rounded in specimens at hand; ventral moderate, the outer ray somewhat produced, reaching about two-thirds the distance from its base to vent; pectorals moderate, i.i to 1.25 in head. Color in spirits pale brownish or olivaceous ; a very broad, blackish lateral band extending from eye to tip of caudal, this band rather faint anteriorly ; a broad bluish band upward and backward from eye SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 717 to nape; a dark band along profile from snout to nape; dorsal very dark indigo at base, with pale margin ; caudal with middle rays blackish, outer rays pale ; anal brownish at base, with pale margin ; ventrals pale ; pectorals mostly pale, tips and upper rays brownish. This species was not taken by us. It is here described from 3 speci- mens from Havana, Cuba; "West Indies"; and Bahia, Brazil. The range in length is from 200 to 240 mm. Known from the West Indies south to Brazil. 519. Halichoeres radiatus (Linnaeus). Labrus radiatus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 288 (America). Sparus radiatus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. XII, 1766, 472 (Carolina). Labrus brasiliensis Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, V, 1791, 125, PI. CCLXXX (Brazil; -on a drawing of Pudiano verde by Prince Maurice of Nassau) . Labrus bivittatus Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, V, 1791, 133, PI. CCLXXXIV, fig. i (from a painting by Plumier, made at Mar- tinique) . Labrus psittaculus Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., Ill, 1802, 523 (Mar- tinique; from a copy of Plumier's painting). Julis crotaphus Cuvier, Regne Animal, Ed. II, II, 1829, 258 (based on Doncella of Parra). Julis psittaculus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIII, 1839, 387. Julis cyanostigma Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIII, I$39, 391 (Martinique). Julis opalina Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIII, 1839, 392 (Martinique). Julis patatus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIII, 1839, 398 (Martinique). Julis principis Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIII, 1839, 402 (Bahia, Brazil). Chloricthys braziliensis Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 232 (name only). Julis humeralis Poey, Memorias, II, 1860, 212 (Havana). Platyglossus cyanostigma Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 161. Platyglossus opalinus Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 163. Platyglossus principis Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 164. Platyglossus bivittatus Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 164. Platyglossus humeralis Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 165. yi 8 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Chcerojulis grandisquamis Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1863, 206 (Beaufort, N. C). Chcerojulis cyanostigma Poey, Syn. Pise. Cub., 1868, 334 (Havana). Chcerojulis bivittatus Poey, Syn. Pise. Cub., 1868, 335. Chcerojulis humeralis Poey, Syn. Pise. Cub., 1868, 335. Choerojulis arangoi Poey, Enumeratio, 1875, 109 (Havana). Chcerojulis radiatus Goode, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., V, 1876, 35. Platyglossus florealis Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882, 287(Pensacola, Fla.). Platyglossus grandisquamis Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XVI, 1882 (1883), 603. Halichceres radiatus Jordan, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XV, 1887 (I&91')> 641. Halichceres bivittatus Jordan, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XV, 1887 (1890,645, Pis. V, VI. Iridio radiatus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1590, PI. CCXXXIX, fig. 600. Iridio bivittatus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1595, PI. CCXXXIX, fig. 601 ; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, 405 (Toro Point, Colon). Head 3.6 to 4.25; depth 2.6 to 4.8; D. IX, n; A. Ill, 12; scales 26 to 28. Body rather slender in young, the depth increasing greatly with age ; dorsal profile anteriorly very steep in adult, moderately convex in young; head very short and deep in adult; snout rather pointed in young, rather short and blunt in adult, its length 2.1 to 3.5 in head; eye 3.7 to 7.55 ; mouth moderate, the gape scarcely reaching anterior mar- gin of eye; jaws equal; maxillary largely covered by the broad pre- orbital, 2.65 to 3.7 in head; teeth strong, upper jaw anteriorly with a pair of strong canines, and a smaller pair posteriorly near angle of mouth; lower jaw anteriorly with 4 canines, none posteriorly; other teeth short, conical; gill-rakers very short, 9 to n on lower limb of first arch; scales large, not greatly reduced on chest; head entirely naked; lateral line curved abruptly downward under posterior rays of dorsal, nearly all the pores more or less branched ; dorsal spines short, slender, soft rays not produced; caudal rounded in young, emarginate in large examples, the upper rays longer than the lower ones; anal spines slender, the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal; ventrals about the length of postorbital part of head in very young, proportion- ately much longer in adult, with the outer rays much produced, more than twice the length of the inner rays, slightly longer than distance SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 719 from snout to margin of preopercle; pectorals of moderate length, 1.13 to 1.65 in head. Color of young in life dark brownish green; sides greenish; abdo- men pale ; chest red ; a conspicuous black lateral band from snout to base of caudal; a much narrower and fainter band from below base of pectoral along edge of abdomen, disappearing posteriorly; a yellow- ish streak on side of head just below the black lateral band; cheeks below this streak reddish ; margin of opercle yellowish ; a red band across lower jaw from posterior angles of mouth ; dorsal, caudal and anal mostly yellowish red; a very small dark spot at base of last ray of dorsal; pectorals and ventrals slightly yellowish or pale. When the fish reaches a length of about 125 mm., an opercular spot which is darker than the lateral band has formed; the lower band has almost disappeared; the small black spot at base of last dorsal rays is no longer visible. In speci- mens about 170 mm. long the lower band has wholly disappeared, the upper one has become indistinctly outlined and more or less broken up into blotches ; the opercular spot remains very distinct. Base of dorsal and anal, and tips of outer caudal rays are dusky. Color of adult speci- men 340 mm. long, generally greenish, no trace of lateral band or opercu- lai spot; numerous scales each with a round pearly blue spot at base, these becoming elongate at nape and on caudal peduncle ; a blue streak from nape through eye to snout, one blue streak backward from eye ; an- other just below eye ; another from posterior angle of mouth across lower part of cheek, curving upward on opercle; a rather broader one on interopercle ; lower jaw with 2 blue cross-bands; dorsal with a narrow blue stripe at base, above this with many blue spots ; caudal with many blue spots, some of them confluent, forming longitudinal lines ; anal with a row of blue spots at base, a blue bar on lower third, a narrower and more or less broken bar on distal third, then a rather wide blue margin; ventrals with spine and outer ray blue, the rest of fin mostly pale; pectorals with a black spot at base of upper ray, the fin plain translucent, shaded with blue. We have 42 specimens of this species, ranging in length from 30 to 140 mm. We also examined numerous specimens of various sizes, the largest 420 mm. in length, in the National Museum collection. After examining the numerous specimens as noted above, we are convinced that with its several synonyms, as understood by Jordan (Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XV, 1887 (1891) pp. 641 and 645), H. bivit- tatus merely represents the young of the present species. The great variation, with age, in the depth of the fish is characteristic of this entire group, although it seems to reach its most extreme proportions in the 720 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. present species, which also shows considerable variation in this respect, among individuals of like size. The difference in the shape of the fins, as given, is clearly due to age, as is very probably also the change in color. It is a singular fact that of the numerous specimens exam- ined, which were taken at various times and places, there is not a specimen less than about 170 mm. in length that answers to the descrip- tion of H. radiatus, as heretofore understood. Nor is there one larger that will well fall in with H. bivittatus. It, however, at about this age becomes difficult to determine to which nominal species the individuals should be referred. If the two were really distinct, it would seem very strange that apparently no young oi H. radiatus have been taken. Known from North Carolina southward to Brazil. Our specimens are from Toro Point; Fox Bay, Colon; Colon Reef, and Porto Bello. 520. Halichoeres kirschii (Jordan & Evermann). Julis crotaphus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIII, 1839, 395 (Bahia; not of Cuvier). Platyglossus crotaphus Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 163. Chcerojulis crotaphus Poey, Enumeratio, 1875, 109. Halichceres poeyi Jordan, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XV, 1887 (1891), 646 (not of Steindachner). Iridio kirschii Jordan & Evermann, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XXI, 1895 (1896), 413 (Bahia; name only) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1598. Head 3.67 to 4.05; depth 3.8 to 4.55; D. IX, n ; A. Ill, 12; scales 26 or 27. Body elongate, compressed, increasing in depth with age; dorsal profile anteriorly rather steep, convex, highest at origin of dorsal ; head rather short, compressed; snout moderately pointed, its length 2.66 to 3.5 in head ; eye 3.9 to 4.9 ; mouth moderate, the gape reaching anterior margin of eye; jaws equal; maxillary largely covered by the wide pre- orbital, 3.05 to 3.8 in head; teeth rather strong, upper jaw anteriorly with one pair of canines and posteriorly near angle of mouth with another pair; lower jaw anteriorly with 4 canines, none posteriorly; other teeth short but strong ; gill-rakers very short, about 9 more or less developed on lower limb of first arch; scales large, little reduced on chest, not crossing median line of back, head naked; lateral line com- plete, curved abruptly downward under last rays of dorsal, the pores in anterior portion branched ; dorsal spines short, none of the rays pro- duced ; caudal fin slightly rounded ; anal with 3 spines, the soft portion SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 721 similar to that of the dorsal ; ventrals rather small, slightly shorter than pectorals, the outer ray produced in adult; pectorals moderate, 1.37 to 1.6 in head. Color in life rather bright green above, slightly paler below; a narrow lateral band of paler green from posterior angle of opercle to slightly below middle of base of caudal; a very faint band beginning below base of pectorals and running along edge of abdomen; sides of head with a reddish band extending from lips to margin of opercle; another red band from eye to upper edge of base of pectoral, extending downward past pectoral; a third red band directly back of eye to mar- gin of opercle; a prominent black spot just back of eye; dorsal, caudal and anal greenish, tinged with red ; a black spot at base of last ray of dorsal; pectoral and ventral green, the former with a black line across its base. Of this species 7 specimens, ranging from 75 to 100 mm. in length, were seined in one day. The species, thereafter, was never again seen. The above description is based on these and the 2 type specimens, 130 and 155 mm. in length, from Bahia, Brazil. Known from the West Indies south to Brazil. Our specimens are from Fox Bay, Colon. 521. Halichoeres dispilus (Giinther). Platyglossus dispilus Gunther, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1864, 25 (Panama). Halichoeres dispilus Jordan, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XV, 1887 (1891), 646; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 146 (Panama Bay) ; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 138 (Acapulco). Iridio dispilus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1597, PI. CCXL, fig. 602. Head 3.44 to 4.2; depth 3.36 to 4.55; D. IX, n; A. Ill, 12; scales 27. Body moderately elongate, compressed, increasing notably in depth with age; dorsal profile anteriorly rather steep in adult; head short, compressed; snout moderately pointed in young, rather blunt in adult, its length 2.7 to 4.2 in head ; eye 4.6 to 6.0 ; mouth rather small, the gape scarcely reaching anterior margin of eye ; jaws equal ; maxillary mostly covered by the broad preorbital, 3.2 to 4.2 in head ; teeth rather strong ; upper jaw anteriorly with a single pair of canines, posteriorly near angle of mouth with another pair directed forward ; lower jaw ante- 722 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. riorly with 4 canines, none posteriorly; other teeth short, but strong; gill-rakers poorly developed, about 8 short ones on lower limb of first arch ; scales large, not much reduced on chest, and not crossing median line of back ; lateral line complete, abruptly curved downward or some- times interrupted under last rays of dorsal, the pores not branched; first dorsal with 9 rather short, pungent spines, and n rays, none of them produced; caudal fin in young slightly rounded, with the middle rays the longest, concave in adult, the outer rays slightly produced in our largest specimens, the middle rays the shortest; anal with 3 short spines, the soft portion similar to that of dorsal ; ventrals small, notably shorter than pectorals, the outer ray not notably produced; pectorals moderate, 1.28 to 143 in head. Color in spirits olivaceous ; some specimens considerably darker than others ; young with a pale lateral band from just above base of pectoral to slightly below the middle of base of caudal. Our largest specimen with a pale area at shoulder, and another behind base of pectorals ; sides of head with 4 pale longitudinal streaks, two below eye and two extend- ing backward from eye; opercle with a dark-bluish area; a prominent black spot, larger than eye, in lateral line below sixth and seventh dorsal spines ; this spot broken up into 3 or 4 smaller spots in specimens about loo mm. in length; very young again with but a single spot, not larger than the pupil; very young with a prominent caudal spot, breaking up into 2 more or less distinct spots, becoming obscure and fading away when the fish reaches a length of about 130 mm.; fins pale in young; in large examples, and especially the more darker colored ones, the dorsal and anal largely dusky; the dorsal with a row of pale spots at base. Of this species 33 specimens were preserved, ranging in length from 40 to 170 mm. Known from Mazatlan to Peru. Our specimens are from the rocky shores of Naos Island and from Panama Bay near Balboa. 522. Halichoeres sellifer Gilbert. Halichceres sellifer Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1890, 67 (Clarion Island) ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 144 (Panama Bay) ; Kendall & .Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 138 (Acapulco). Irido sellifer Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1592. Halichceres macgregori Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 145, PI. XXIII, fig. 45 (Panama Bay). SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 723 Pseudojulis notospilus Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 139, PL VI, fig. 2 (Acapulco; in part). Head 3.65 to 4.75; depth 3.0 to 3.85; D. IX, n or 12; A. Ill, 12 or 13 ; scales 27 or 28. Body rather deep, compressed, getting deeper with age; back con- siderably elevated in adult ; anterior profile convex ; head very short and deep in adult ; snout rather pointed in young, becoming rather blunt with age, its length 1.46 to 3.55; eye 4.2 to 7.9; mouth moderate, the gape reaching about anterior margin of eye; jaws equal; maxillary largely covered by the wide preorbital, 2.9 to 4.0 in length of head ; teeth strong, the upper jaw anteriorly with a pair of canines, and posteriorly with another pair directed forward ; the largest specimen, 395 mm. long, with 2 pairs of canines posteriorly on upper jaw ; lower jaw anteriorly with 4 canines, none posteriorly; other teeth short, conical; gill-rakers very short, 8 to 10 more or less developed on lower limb of first arch; scales large, not greatly reduced on chest ; head naked ; lateral line complete, curved abruptly downward under posterior rays of dorsal, the pores on anterior portion branched; dorsal with 9 rather short, slender spines and u, rarely 12, soft rays, none of them produced; caudal fin rounded in young, very slightly emarginate in adult, none of the rays produced ; anal with 3 rather weak spines, and with 12, rarely 13, soft rays similar to those of dorsal; ventrals rather short in young, not nearly reaching vent, the outer rays much produced in adult, becoming about 3 times the length of the inner rays and reaching origin of anal ; pectorals moderate, not greatly changed by age, 1.16 to 1.4 in head. Color of a fresh specimen, 275 mm. long, generally greenish above, paler below ; scales below with a red base, those along back and upper part of sides with dark brown or blue center and bluish margin ; region about eye and opercle with sky-blue spots; a conspicuous black bar under the base of the fifth to seventh dorsal spine, extending downward to about the middle of side; dorsal green at base, the distal half red, about the middle of fin with a series of sky-blue spots ; caudal green, with reddish margin; anal green on basal two-thirds, distal third red, 2 broken streaks of sky-blue on green portion; ventrals pale green, with the exterior rays red; pectorals pale green. The young are notably darker in color; a specimen 70 mm. in length answers the following description; many scales with a dark brown spot at base, those so marked arranged in groups, forming more or less distinct blotches on sides of fish; no black bar under dorsal; sides of head behind eye with 3 or 4 narrow black lines, the lower two joined by cross- branches; a dusky band on lower part of cheeks, turning downward 724 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. and backward across base of pectoral; dorsal with several indistinct dusky blotches, the one on anterior spines the most distinct ; a very con- spicuous elliptical, jet-black spot on basal portion of first 4 rays of soft dorsal; caudal uniformly dusky; anal with 2 rather indistinct dusky lines, one at base, the other on distal third; outer rays of ventrals dusky, remainder of fins pale ; pectorals uniformly pale. When the fish reaches a length of about 95 mm. nearly every scale on side has a dark brown base and the blotches above described become indistinct. There is as yet scarcely a trace of the black bar under dorsal, which is char- acteristic of the adult. In specimens 120 mm. long this bar has formed as a very broad, ill defined blotch. The elliptical spot on base of soft rays of dorsal has become pale dusky and its outline is only faintly visible. The markings on the sides of head have become very indistinct. In our largest specimens the blue green color predominates; on the shoulder in front of the black bar are 2 or 3 yellow spots. Of this species we have 21 specimens, ranging in length from 70 to 395 mm. We have also examined the type. Our rather large series, containing specimens of all sizes, demon- strates without doubt that the fish described as Halichceres macgregori (Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, p. 145) is the young of H. sellifer. Known from Revillagigedo Archipelago to Panama. Our specimens are from Panama Bay, at Balboa; tide pools, Panama; and Panama City market. 523. Halichceres nicholsi (Jordan & Gilbert). Platyglossus nicholsi Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1881, 231 (Braithwaite Bay, Socorro Island). Halichceres nicholsi Jordan, Kept. U. S. Fish Comm., XV, 1887 (1891), 642; Snodgrass & Heller, Proc. Wash. Ac. Sci., VI, 1904 (1905), 395 (Charles Island). Iridio nicholsi Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1591. Head 3.5; depth 3.5; D. IX, 12 or 13; A. Ill, n or 12; scales 28. Body deep, compressed; head entirely naked; scales not crossing median line of back. No specimens of this species were seen by us. It appears to differ from H. sellifer chiefly in the absence of the reddish hue of that species, and in the more obscure and more anteriorly placed black band under the dorsal. Owing to the variation in color among individuals, the present SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 725 writers are strongly of the opinion that the two will eventually prove to be identical. Known from the Revillagigedo and Galapagos archipelagos. Not recorded from the shores of the mainland. 189. Genus Pseudojulis Bleeker. Pseudojulis Bleeker, Versl. Ak. Amsterdam, XIII, 1862, 99 (type Pseudojulis girardi Bleeker) . Julidio Jordan & Evermann, Kept. U. S. Fish Comm., XXI, 1895 (1896), 413 (type Pseudojulis adustus Gilbert). Body compressed, slender; upper jaw with 2 strong canines in front; lower jaw with 2 or 4 canines*, the outer ones, if present, often very slightly enlarged ; no posterior canines ; scales large, fewer than 30 in a lateral series, those on chest somewhat reduced; head entirely naked; lateral fin complete, abruptly curved downward posteriorly ; dorsal spines 9 ; anal spines 3. This genus differs from Halichceres chiefly in the ab- sence of the posterior canines. 524. Pseudojulis notospilus Giinther. Pseudojulis notospilus Gunther, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1864, 26 (Panama); Jordan, Kept U. S. Fish Comm., XV, 1887 (1891), 649; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. ScL, IV, 1904, 146 (Pan- ama Bay) ; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 139 (Acapulco; in part). Julidio notospilus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1603. Head 3.37 to 3.97; depth 3.28 to 4.0; D. IX, n ; A. Ill, 12; scales 26 or 27. Body elongate, compressed, moderately robust; the back elevated; profile from snout to nape strongly convex, especially in adult; head short ; snout rather blunt, becoming more so with age, its length 2.64 to 4.74 in head ; eye 4.25 to 5.0; mouth moderate, the gape reaching about to anterior margin of eye; jaws equal; maxillary mostly concealed by the preorbital, 3.22 to 4.74 in head; teeth strong; the upper jaw with 2 strong canines in front; lower jaw with 2 strong canines and a pair *The presence of 2 or 4 canines in lower jaw appears to be valueless as a generic character, as the outer pair may appear only slightly smaller than the inner pair, as in P. adustws; notably smaller, as in P. notospilus; somewhat larger than the succeeding jaw teeth, as in P. melanotis; or not at all enlarged, as in P. inornatus. 726 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. of smaller ones on the outside of them; no posterior canines; gill- rakers very short, about 9 on lower limb of first arch ; scales large, head entirely naked ; lateral line complete, abruptly curved downward under posterior rays oi dorsal, the pores mostly with 2 or 3 branches ; dorsal with 9 short, pungent spines, and n soft rays, none of the latter pro- duced; caudal evenly rounded; anal with 3 spines, the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal; ventrals moderate, none of the rays pro- duced ; caudal evenly rounded ; anal with 3 spines, the soft portion simi- lar to that of the dorsal ; ventrals moderate, none of the rays produced ; pectorals rather long, 1.2 to 1.33 in head. Color in life brownish or olivaceous above ; deep green, pale green, or reddish below ; back with several more or less distinct blackish bands ; a very small dark spot just back of eye present in young; opercle with a bluish area ; vertical fins usually more or less dusky, with bluish mar- gins; dorsal in young with a prominent, jet-black, elliptical spot at base of the first 3 or 4 soft rays, this later becomes confluent with the blackish bar underneath it ; outer rays of ventrals dusky ; pectorals pale greenish, with a brownish bar across base. Of this species we have 180 specimens, ranging in length from 40 to 130 mm. Known from Mazatlan southward to Panama. Our specimens are from Taboga Island, Balboa, and Panama. The species is very abundant in rocky tide pools. 190. Genus Thalassoma Swainson. Thdassoma Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 224 (type Labrus purpureus Riippell) . Chlorichthys Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 232 (type Labrus bifasciatus Bloch) . Body oblong or elongate, moderately compressed ; head rather small ; snout blunt; anterior canines moderate, 2 in each jaw, those in lower jaw sometimes not much larger than teeth next to them; no posterior canines; scales large; head entirely scaleless; lateral line complete, abruptly curved downward posteriorly ; dorsal spines 8 ; anal spines 3, the first one very small. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Body slender, its depth 4.1 to 4.75 in its length; head small, 3.8 to 4.16 in length; body brownish above, pale underneath, with a broad black lateral band ; no cross-bar ; head not darker than rest of body, its ventral surface pale. lucasanum, p. 727. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 727 aa. Body deeper, its depth 3.06 to 3.9 in its length; head larger, 3.4 to 3.8 in the length; body without lateral band; except in very young ; a broad yellowish cross-bar at occiput ; head entirely blue black, notably darker than rest of body. duperrey, p. 728. 525. Thalassoma lucasanum (Gill). Julis lucasanus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1862, 142 (Cape San Lucas) . Julis lucasana Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1864, 26. Thalassoma lucasanum Jordan, Proc. Cal. Ac. Sci., 2nd Ser., V, 1895, 482; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 141 (Acapulco; Taboguilla Island, Panama Bay). Chlorichthys lucasanus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1607. Head 3.8 to 4.16; depth 4.1 to 4.75; D. VIII, 13; A. Ill, u; scales 27 or 28. Body elongate, compressed; back not greatly elevated, anterior pro- file evenly, convex ; head moderate ; snout short and blunt, its length 2.8 to 4.0 in head ; eye 4.25 to 5.0; mouth small; jaws equal; maxillary not reaching anterior margin of eye, 3.4 to 4.15 in head; each jaw ante- riorly with a pair of canines, the teeth next to them somewhat enlarged ; lateral teeth short, conical ; no posterior canines ; gill-rakers very short and poorly developed ; gill-membranes broadly connected across isthmus ; scales large, reduced on chest ; head entirely naked, with many mucous pores; lateral line complete, curved abruptly downward under last rays of dorsal, the pores all branched; dorsal with 8 spines, graduated, the soft portion low, none of the rays produced; caudal slightly rounded in very young, the outer rays slightly produced in adult, making the outer margin distinctly concave; anal with 3 spines, the first one very small, the soft portion similar to that of dorsal ; ventrals small, less than half the length of pectorals; pectorals moderate, 1.13 to 1.34 in head. Color in spirits brown above, pale below, with a broad, black, lateral band extending from eye to base of caudal, becoming indistinct pos- teriorly and merging into the brown of the back ; dorsal black, with a pale margin ; caudal pale, with the outer rays black, narrowly edged with pale ; anal dusky at base, with a broad, pale margin ; ventrals pale ; pectorals with more or less dusky and a black spot at base of upper ray. This species was not taken by us. It is here described from 9 speci- mens from Taboguilla Island, collected by the Albatross, and ranging in length from 70 to 120 mm. We also examined the type specimens 728 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. from Cape San Lucas, and 3 small specimens from Tres Marias Island. Known from Acapulco south to Panama. Recorded from Panama by Giinther (Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1864, p. 26), and from Taboguilla Island, Panama Bay, by Kendall and Radcliffe (Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, p. 141). 526. Thalassoma duperrey (Quoy & Gaimard). Julis duperrey Quoy & Gaimard, in Freycinet, Voy. Uraine et Physi- cienne, Zool., 1824, 268, PL LVI, fig. 2 (Sandwich Islands). Julis clepsydralis Smith & Swain, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882, 136 (Johnston's Island). Thalassoma pyrrhovinctum Jenkins, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., XIX, 1899 (1901), 51, fig. 7 (Honolulu). Thalassoma duperrey Jenkins, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., XXII, Part I, 1902 (1904), 463; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm. XXIII, 1903 (1905), 302, fig. 130, PI. XXXV; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1921, 140. Head 3.4 to 3.8; depth 3.06 to 3.9; D. VIII, 12 or 13; A. Ill, n; scales 27 to 29. Body elongate, rather deep, compressed; the back moderately ele- vated; anterior profile evenly convex; head rather small; snout blunt, its length 2.7 to 3.44 in head ; eye 4.3 to 5.35 ; mouth moderate, nearly horizontal ; jaws equal ; maxillary largely hidden under the preorbital, 4.1 to 5.0 in head; each jaw anteriorly with 2 canines, teeth next to them somewhat enlarged; lateral teeth short, conical; no posterior canines; gill-rakers very short, poorly developed; gill-membranes con- nected across isthmus; scales large, reduced on chest, head entirely naked, with many mucous pores ; lateral line complete, abruptly curved downward under posterior rays of dorsal; dorsal with 8 pungent, graduated spines, soft portion rather low, none of the rays produced; caudal rounded in young, its margin deeply concave, with the outer rays produced in adult ; anal with 3 spines, the first one very small, the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal ; ventrals small, the outer ray some- what produced in adult; pectorals moderate, 1.13 to 1.23 in head. Color rather variable. An alcoholic specimen 115 mm, in length from Taboguilla Island has the head black-blue, a broad pale bar pass- ing from occiput downward back of base of pectorals ; the rest of body plain brownish; dorsal brownish, with pale margin; caudal black, the outer rays narrowly edged with pale ; anal pale brown, with pale mar- gin ; ventrals slightly brownish ; pectorals with a black blotch at base of upper ray, extending on ray, the distal third of fin with jet-black SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. , 729 bar. Specimens from Hawaii are much darker. Very young have a black lateral band, and the fins are mostly pale. The black band soon be- comes indistinct and the paler band at occiput begins to appear. This species was not taken by us. It is here described from a specimen from Taboguilla Island, collected by the Albatross, and from numerous specimens from Hawaii, ranging in length from 30 to 165 mm. Known from the tropical Pacific. It is very abundant about the Hawaiian Islands, and recorded from Taboguilla Island, Panama Bay, by Kendall & Radcliffe (Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 140). 191. Genus Xyrichthys Cuvier. Xyrichthys Cuvier, Mem. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, I, 1815, 317, 329, 355 (type Xyrichthys cultratus Cuvier=Coryph(?na novacula Linnaeus). Novacula Cuvier, Regne Animal, Ed. I, II, 1817, 265 (type Coryphana novacula Linnaeus). Amorphocephalus Bowdich, Excursions in Madeira, 1825, 238 (type Amorphocephalus granulatus Bowdich). Body rather deep, strongly compressed, deepest behind occiput, thence tapering backward ; head short and very deep, its anterior profile almost vertical in adult, compressed into a sharp edge ; eye small, placed high ; preorbital extremely deep ; snout not greatly in advance of fore- head; mouth rather small, low and horizontal; each jaw with 2 anterior canines ; no posterior canine ; scales large, little reduced on chest ; head mostly naked, with few scales below and back of eyes ; lateral line inter- rupted posteriorly, reappearing lower down on caudal peduncle; dorsal fin continuous, with 9 slender, graduated spines. 527. Xyrichthys psittacus (Linnaeus). Coryphcena psittacus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. XII, 1766, 488 (Charles- ton, S. C.). Coryphcena lineata Gmelin, Syst. Nat., 1789, 1195 (Charleston, S. C.). Xyrichthys lineatus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIV, !839, 50; Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882 (1883), 609. Xyrichthys vermiculatus Poey, Memorias, II, 1860, 215 (Havana, Cuba). Novacula lineata Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 171. Xyrichthys venustus Poey, Enumeratio, 1875, no (Cuba). Xyrichthys psittacus Goode & Bean, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1884, 45; 73o FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1618, PI. CCXLII, fig. 607. Head 3.86 to 4.35; depth 2.85 to 3.85; D. IX, 12; A. Ill, 12; scales 27 to 29. Body deep, very strongly compressed; head short, compressed, ex- tremely deep, its anterior profile very steep, ascending in a straight line, compressed into a keel; snout little in advance of forehead in adult, rather longer and more strongly projecting in young, its length 1.4 to 2.53 in head ; eye 4.52 to 5.5 ; preorbital extremely wide ; mouth mod- erate, horizontal ; jaws equal ; maxillary failing to reach anterior margin of eye, not concealed by preorbital, 3.1 to 3.53 in head; each jaw ante- riorly with 2 strong canines in front; posterior canines wanting; other teeth short, conical; gill-rakers very poorly developed; gill-membranes broadly united at isthmus; scales large, little reduced on chest; head mostly naked, with few scales below and back of eye; lateral line inter- rupted under posterior rays of dorsal, reappearing on middle of caudal peduncle, none of the pores branched ; dorsal with 9 slender spines, graduated, the last ray of soft portion produced in adult, reaching to or past base of caudal; caudal truncate or slightly rounded; anal with 3 slender spines, the soft portion similar to that of dorsal ; ventrals rather small, the outside ray produced in adult ; pectorals moderate, 1 .2 to 1 .45 in head. Color in spirits mostly pale or slightly brownish; in life rose-red or brownish, with a blue vertical streak on sides, and with a pale or silvery area behind and below pectorals, the latter often wanting or dis- appearing in spirits; cheeks with narrow bluish vertical bands; dorsal plain; caudal with several narrow, dark cross-bands; and with oblique olivaceous streaks. This species was not taken by us. It is here described from specimens from South Carolina, Florida, Nassau, Cuba, and Cozumel, ranging in length from 95 to 200 mm. Known from South Carolina southward to Bahia, Brazil; not re- corded from Panama. 192. Genus Doratonotus Gunther. Doratonotus Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 124 (type Dora- tonotus megalepis Gunther) . Body rather strongly compressed, elongate; head pointed, its dor- sal profile straight or slightly concave, not compressed into a keel; preorbital rather narrow, shielding posterior part of maxillary; each SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 731 jaw with 2 canines in front, upper jaw with a small canine posteriorly ; gill-membranes united, free from the isthmus ; scales large ; cheeks and opercles scaly; lateral line interrupted posteriorly, beginning again on middle of caudal peduncle ; dorsal with 9 pungent spines, the anterior ones elevated, longer than the succeeding ones, making the outer mar- gin of fin concave ; caudal rounded ; colors brilliant. 528. Doratonotus megalepis Giinther. Doratonotus megalepis Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 125 (Caribbean Sea) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1611. Doratonotus thalassinus Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1884, 28 (Key West, Fla.). Doratonotus decoris Evermann & Marsh, Kept. U. S. Fish Comm., XXV, 1899 (1900), 354 (Ponce, Porto Rico); Breder, Zoologica, IV, Pt. 4, 1925, 155, fig. 38 (Caledonia Bay). Head 3.1 to 3.55; depth 2.66 to 3.13; D. IX, 9 or 10; A. Ill, 9; scales 20 to 25. Body rather deep, strongly compressed; the back considerably ele- vated; profile from snout to nape straight or slightly concave; head rather deep; snout sharply pointed, notably longer than eye, its length 2.9 to 4.0 in head ; eye 4.05 to 4.82 ; mouth rather small, the gaps fail- ing to reach anterior margin of eye ; jaws equal ; maxillary posteriorly covered by the preorbital, 3.0 to 4.5 in head; teeth strong; each jaw with 2 canines in front, the teeth next to the canines somewhat en- larged; other teeth short, rather pointed; gill-rakers extremely weak, about 6 slightly developed; gill-membranes united, free from the isth- mus; scales large, extending up on base of dorsal and anal; cheeks, opercle, and preopercle scaly; lateral line interrupted near end of dorsal, reappearing on middle of caudal peduncle; pores in anterior portion slightly branched; dorsal with 9 pungent spines, the first 2 with filamentous appendages, the second spine the longest, from thence decreasing in length to fourth or fifth spine, the posterior spines gradu- ated, soft portion higher than the spines, without elevated lobe; cau- dal slightly rounded; anal with 3 spines, the soft portion similar to that of dorsal; ventrals moderate, an elongate scale between them; pectoral rather broad, 1.5 to 1.8 in head. Color variable, pale green to deep green in life ; sides usually with 2 or 3 more or less distinct, pinkish, longitudinal bands, these slightly visible as pale streaks in preserved specimens; sides various, without trace of maroon spots or blotches, with few maroon dots, or with ir- 732 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. regular spots, blotches and bars, becoming dusky in spirits; a dark opercular blotch usually present; a very short brownish bar just back of eye seldom wanting ; a dark brown bar from eye to snout present on specimens bearing maroon markings; iris deep green, with red border around pupil; fins in some specimens all plain green, with pinkish margin, reddish in others and variously spotted or barred with dusky or maroon ; a very small, dark spot often present on membrane between last rays of dorsal and anal; base of caudal often with a dark red or rusty bar, sometimes with blotches of the same color near tips of outer rays of fin, these occasionally confluent, forming a bar. Of this species we have 22 specimens, ranging in length from 30 to 60 mm. Known from Florida southward to Panama. It apparently is a rather rare species. Our specimens were all taken from among eel-grass in Fox Bay, Colon, and at Porto Bello. Family LXII. Scaridae. THE PAKROT-FISHES. Body oblong, moderately compressed; mouth moderate, terminal; lips not thickened; teeth in the jaws coalesced, at least at the base, usually forming continuous plates, with an externally evident median suture, often with one or more free canines above the cutting edge; no teeth on vomer or palatines; lower pharyngeals large, forming a quadrangle, with a more or less concave surface; scales large, cycloid, 23 to 26 in lateral series ; dorsal fin continuous, its formula almost con- stantly IX, 10, the spines weak and flexible or stiff and pungent ; anal constantly III, 9, the spines very weak, the first one often overlooked. KEY TO THE GENERA. a. Teeth not fully coalesced, not forming continuous plates; the anterior teeth enlarged, often more or less canine-like; the median suture of jaws not evident externally. Cryptotomus, p. 733. aa. Teeth in jaws fully coalesced, forming continuous plates; the median suture of jaws evident externally. b. Dorsal spines flexible; lower jaw included in the upper when mouth is closed; cheeks with 2 or more rows of scales; lower pharyngeals much longer than broad. c. Teeth pale. Scarus, p. 735. cc. Teeth bluish or green. Pseudoscarus, p. 744. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 733 bb. Dorsal spines stiff, pungent; upper jaw included in the lower when mouth is closed. Sparisoma, p. 747. 193. Genus Cryptotomus Cope. Calliodon Cuvier, Regne Animal, Ed. II, II, 1829, 266 (type Scarus spindens Quoy & Gaimard ; not Calliodon of Gronow or of Bloch & Schneider). Cryptotomus Cope, Trans. Amer. Philo. Soc. Phila., XIV, 1871, 462 (type Cryptotomus roseus Cope). Lateral teeth of upper jaw coalescent, forming a more or less complete cutting edge; the anterior teeth more separate, often devel- oped as canines ; free canines often present on side of upper jaw ; lower jaw laterally with a single series of partly coalescent teeth, an- teriorly with 2 or more series of more separate teeth, some of these often enlarged, more or less canine-like; the median suture of jaws not evident externally; scales large, a single row on cheeks, 4 or 5 on median line before dorsal; dorsal spines flexible. KEY TO THE SPECIES.* a. Body deep, rather strongly compressed, its depth 3.08 to 3.2 in its length; anterior teeth in lower jaw not larger than the lateral ones. ustus, p. 733. aa. Body very slender, little compressed, its depth 4.1 to 4.3 in its length; anterior teeth in lower jaw larger than the lateral ones. roseus, p. 734. 529. Cryptotomus ustus (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Callyodon ustus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIV, 1839, 286, PI. CCCCV (Brazil) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 214; Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 541 (note on type.) Cryptotomus ustus Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 226; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1624. Head 3.24 to 3.25; depth 3.08 to 3.2; D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 8 or 9; scales 24 or 25. Body rather deep, compressed ; the back moderately elevated ; head rather short and deep, its anterior profile rather steep, convex; snout rather long and blunt, its length 2.0 to 2.44 in head; eye 5.06 to 5.15; *A third species, Cryptotomus margarita Fowler (Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., I9J7» I33)» from Colon, has been described since these pages were prepared. C. margarita differs from both species described here in having two rows of scales on the cheeks. 734 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. mouth small, horizontal; jaws subequal; preorbital wide; anterior teeth in upper jaw enlarged, canine-like; sides of jaw Usually with one or more canines curved outward and backward, these entirely wanting on one side in our smaller specimens ; anterior teeth in lower jaw not larger than the lateral ones; gill-membranes broadly united, attached to the isthmus; scales large, slightly enlarged on the chest, 3 in advance of ventrals; cheeks and opercles scaly, the former with a single row; lateral line slightly interrupted posteriorly, commencing again slightly lower down on middle of caudal peduncle, the pores much branched; dorsal with 9 flexible spines; caudal fin slightly rounded; anal with 3 flexible spines, the first very small, close to the second one (easily overlooked), the soft portion of fin similar to that of the dorsal; ventrals slightly shorter than pectorals, the latter 1.65 in head. Color of alcoholic specimens olive-gray above, pale below; some of the scales with dark bases, these often more or less grouped so as to form indistinct bars and blotches on back and sides ; cheek and opercle with a large bluish area ; upper lip dusky ; dorsal, caudal and anal all pale, with dusky bars or spots, the membrane between the first 2 spines black ; ventrals and pectorals pale ; no distinct axillary spot. We have only 2 specimens of this species, respectively, 150 and 200 mm. in length. We have compared the types (3 specimens) of C. beryllinus, from Key West, Florida, ranging from 1 10 to 135 mm. in length, with our material and are unable to find any difference, except the absence of the lateral canines in the former. In our smaller specimen, 150 mm. long, these canines are entirely wanting on one side, while the other side has but a single small one; our large specimen, 200 mm. long, has 3 well developed canines on one side and 2 on the other. The material at hand, therefore, indicates that the lateral canines are wanting in the young, but develop with age, as is shown to be the case in C. roseus. More material will very probably show conclu- sively that C. beryllinus is the young of C. ustus. Known from South Carolina south to Brazil. Our specimens are from the Colon market. 530. Cryptotomus roseus Cope. Cryptotomus roseus Cope, Trans. Amer. Philo. Soc. Phila., XIV, 1871, 462 (St. Martins) ; Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 228 (note on type) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1626. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 735 Head 3.15 to 347; depth 4.1 to 4.3; D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 9; scales 22 to 25. Body slender, a little compressed ; the back scarcely elevated ; head low, rather long; snout abruptly pointed, slightly depressed, its length 2.75 to 3.7 in head; eye 3.85 to 4.62; mouth small, horizontal; jaws subequal; anterior teeth in upper jaw enlarged, canine-like, directed forward, separate to base, the larger specimens at hand with one or two canines in side of upper jaw, curved outward and backward, these entirely wanting in very young (specimens 50 mm. long) ; an- terior teeth in lower jaw enlarged, more or less canine-like; no pos- terior canines; gill-membranes broadly united, connected with the isthmus; scales large, notably enlarged on chest, 3 scales in advance of ventrals; cheeks and opercles scaly, the former with a single row; lateral line slightly interrupted posteriorly, the pores in anterior por- tion much branched; dorsal with 9 very weak spines, the soft por- tion low; caudal slightly truncate, the lower rays a little longer than the upper ones ; anal with 3 weak spines, the first one extremely small, the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal; ventrals about as long as postorbital part of head; pectorals moderate, 1.53 to 1.9 in head. Color in spirits grayish above, pale below; fins pale; caudal with about 8 narrow dark cross-bars ; pectorals with a black axillary spot. Our specimens entirely without cross-bars ; very young with a narrow, pale streak, extending from above base of pectorals to base of caudal. This species is represented in the present collection by 5 specimens, ranging in length from 50 to 85 mm. We have also examined 2 speci- mens, respectively 85 and 1 10 mm. in length, from Bahia, Brazil. The presence of free lateral canines appears to be an age charac- ter. Our smallest specimens, 50 mm. in length, are entirely without them; specimens 60 and 65 mm. long have them slightly developed. When the fish reaches a length of 80 mm. they have become quite evident. In other respects our smallest specimens agree perfectly with the larger ones. Known from the West Indies south to Brazil. Our specimens are from Fox Bay, Colon. 194. Genus Scarus Forskal. Scarus Forskal, Descr. Animal., 1775, 25 (type Scarus psittacus Forskal). Calliodon Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, 312 (type Calliodon lineatus Bloch & Schneider). 736 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Hemistoma Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 226 (type Scarus pepo Bennett = Hemistoma reticulata Swainson). Eyrchthys Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 226 (type Labrus croicensis Bloch). Chlorurus Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 227 (type Scarus gibbus Riippell). Body rather robust, compressed; head rather short and deep; snout blunt; upper lip laterally double, the inner fold becoming very narrow or disappearing anteriorly; lower jaw included; teeth in the jaws fully coalesced, forming continuous plates; each jaw with an evident median suture ; free canines present or wanting ; lower pharyn- geals in the form of a rectangle, nearly twice as long as wide, trans- versely concave ; upper pharyngeals separate, each with one large and one small row of teeth ; gill-membranes scarcely united to the isthmus ; scales large, 22 to 26 in a lateral series; lateral line interrupted pos- teriorly, commencing again lower down on caudal peduncle, the tubes more or less branched; dorsal fin constantly with 9 flexible spines and 10 soft rays ; anal with 3 flexible spines, the first one very small, hid- den in the skin, therefore easily overlooked, soft rays constantly 9 in number. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Upper jaw with i to 4 free canines posteriorly near angle of mouth. b. Posterior canines i or 2. c. Sides with a wide yellowish longitudinal band extending from eye backward, becoming indistinct on posterior part of body; caudal fin with alternating green and yellowish longitudinal streaks ; dorsal mesially orange, with one or two rows of green spots. punctulatus, p. 737. cc. Sides plain brownish, no longitudinal bands; caudal plain brownish, the outer rays darker in spirits, bluish green in life; dorsal without spots. noyesi, p. 738. bb. Posterior canines 3 or 4; color uniformly brownish; fins pale and plain. trispinosus, p. 739. aa. Upper jaw without canines. d. Cheeks with 2 rows of 5 or 6 scales each, and a third partial row with i to 4 scales. e. The scales in the upper row on cheeks much larger than those in the second row ; third row with i or 2 scales. cceruleus, p. 739. ee. The scales in the upper 2 rows of about equal size. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 737 f . The third, or partial row, with 3 or 4 scales ; sides with 2 brown longitudnial bands. croicensis, p. 741. f f . Third row with only one small scale ; sides without bands. azureus sp. nov., p. 742. dd. Cheeks with 3 rows of 6 or 7 scales each, and a third or par- tial row with 2 small scales; color very dark brown or black above, of a lighter brown below ; no stripes or bars present. nigrescens sp. nov., p. 743. 531. Scarus punctulatus (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Scarus punctulatus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIV, 1839, 195 (Martinique) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1645. Scarus diadema Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIV, 1839, 198 (Martinique). Pseudoscarus tcsniopterus Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 226 (Trinidad; not of Desmarest). Pseudoscarus punctulatus Guichenot, Mem. Soc. Sci. Nat. Cherbourg, XI, 1865, 26. Scarus tceniopterus Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 47. Head 2.8 to 3.3; depth 2.62 to 3.0; D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 9; scales 24 or 25. Body moderately elongate, compressed; the back elevated; dorsal profile anteriorly gently convex; dorsal outline more strongly convex than the ventral ; head moderate ; snout very blunt, with a small fleshy pad on its upper surface, its length 2.35 to 2.57 in head; eye 5.0 to 6.1 ; mouth small, not reaching half way to eye; lower jaw included; teeth fully coalesced, forming continuous plates ; each jaw with an evident median suture; upper jaw with one or two free canines pos- teriorly near angle of mouth; gill-membranes scarcely connected; scales large, not reduced on chest, 5 in advance of ventrals; head largely scaly; cheeks with 2 rows of 6 scales each and a third row with 3 scales, those of the upper row scarcely larger than in the next row; lateral line interrupted under posterior rays of dorsal, reappear- ing lower down on caudal peduncle, most of the pores more or less branched; dorsal spines flexible, each with a fleshy tip, not much dif- ferent from the soft rays ; caudal slightly rounded, without produced angles in specimens at hand; anal with 3 flexible spines, the first one very small, often overlooked, the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal; ventrals moderate, shorter than pectorals, the latter 1.3 to 1.45 in head. 738 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Color dark brown above, becoming reddish to olivaceous on sides and below; a yellow longitudinal band from eye backward, becoming indistinct and disappearing posteriorly, narrow on head, a brown stripe, about as wide as eye below it, bordered above and below by green stripes, extending forward, one above the eye and the other below it, the upper one meeting its fellow on forehead and the lower one meeting its fellow on the upper lip; lower jaw with a green band extending from slightly back of angle of mouth to opposite side ; lower part of head with several bright green blotches, at least along margin of opercle; dorsal and anal each with dark green bases and margins, mesially orange, with one or two rows of greenish spots of different sizes ; in one specimen the anal with but a single row of round spots ; outer rays of caudal deep green, the rest of fin with more or less distinct alternating green and yellowish longitudinal stripes; ventrals pale green; pectorals pale yellowish, the axil not dusky ; teeth pale. Only 2 specimens of this species, 175 and 185 mm. in length, were secured. Known from the West Indies to Panama. Our specimens are from Porto Bello. The species was previously recorded only from the West Indies. 532. Scarus noyesi Heller & Snodgrass. Scarus noyesi Heller & Snodgrass, Proc. Wash. Ac. Sci., V, 1903, 206, PI. IX (Albemarle Id.). Callyodon noyesi Snodgrass & Heller, Proc. Wash. Ac. Sci., VI, 1904 (1905), 397; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 142 (Panama Bay). Head 2.9; depth 2.16; D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 9; scales 25. Body rather deep, compressed ; the back considerably elevated ; dorsal outline more strongly convex than the ventral; profile from snout to dorsal about evenly convex ; head short and deep ; snout long, not very blunt, its length 2.0 in head; eye 7.7; mouth rather small, reaching scarcely half way to eye ; lower jaw included ; teeth fully coalesced, forming continuous plates, each jaw with a distinct median suture ; upper jaw with 2 posterior, conical canines, directed outward ; gill-membranes nearly separate; scales large, not much reduced on chest, 5 in advance of ventrals; most of head scaly; cheeks with 2 rows of 6 scales each and a third row with 3 scales, those of the up- per rows of about equal size; lateral line interrupted under posterior rays of dorsal, beginning again lower down on caudal peduncle, the pores variously branched; dorsal fin with 9 flexible spines, the spines SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 739 and soft rays of about equal length, the last rays slightly longer than the rest; caudal deeply concave, the angles much produced, especially the upper one; anal with 3 spines, first one hidden in the skin (easily overlooked), the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal; ventrals moderate, shorter than the pectorals, the latter 1.34 in head. Color in alcohol uniform brownish, scarcely paler below than above ; a yellowish band extending from back of angle of mouth down- ward and forward across chin ; dorsal and anal each with dark base and margin ; caudal brownish, the outer rays darkest ; ventrals plain brown- ish ; pectorals dusky, with a wide, pale margin ; teeth pale. This species was not taken by us. It is here described from a single large specimen 515 mm. in length from Panama Bay, taken by the Albatross, either at Perico Island or Panama and recorded by Kendall & Radcliffe (Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, p. 142). Known from Panama south to the Galapagos Islands. 533. Scarus trispinosus Cuvier & Valenciennes. Scarus trispinosus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIV, 1839, 182 (Brazil) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1648. Scarus quadrispinosus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIV, 1839, 197 (Martinique) ; Guichenot, Mem. Soc. Sci. Nat. Cherbourg, XI, 1865, 27 (note on type). Pseudoscarus trispinosus Guichenot, Mem. Soc. Sci. Nat. Cherbourg, XI, 1865, 23 (note on type). Pseudoscarus quadrispinosus Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 542 (note on type). Snout rather long ; upper jaw with 3 or 4 posterior canines ; cheeks with 2^2 to 3 rows of scales. Color of dry skin brownish; fins ap- parently plain and pale ; no axillary spot ; teeth pale. Known to us only from meager descriptions of dried skins. Recorded from Martinique and Brazil. 534. Scarus coeruleus (Bloch). Corphycena ccerulea Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, II, 1786, 148, PI. CLXXVI (in part; after Catesby and a figure of Aubriet, altered from a figure by Plumier). Scarus loro Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, 288 (after Loro of Parra). Scarus cceruleus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, 288 (after Catesby and Trompa of Parra) ; Jordan, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., 740 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. XV, 1887(1891), 686; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1652, PL CCXLIV, fig. 613, jaws. Scarus trilobatus Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 1803, 21 (Martin- ique ; on a drawing by Plumier) . fSparus holocyaneos Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 1803, 45 (Mar- tinique ; on a copy by Aubriet of a drawing of Plumier) . Scarus obtusus Poey, Memorias, II, 1860, 217 (Cuba; adult). Scarus nuchalis Poey, Memorias, II, 1860, 220 (Cuba; young). Pseudoscarus chloris Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 227 (not Scarus chloris Bloch & Schneider). Pseudoscarus caruleus Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 227. Pseudoscarus nuchalis Poey, Syn. Pise. Cub., 1868, 348. Pseudoscarus obtusus Poey, Syn. Pise. Cub., 1868, 349. Head 3.16 to 3.6; depth 2.85 to 3.2; D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 9; scales 24 to 26. Body elongate, moderately compressed; the dorsal outline more strongly convex than the ventral; head, not much longer than deep; snout very blunt, with a well developed fleshy pad on its upper sur- face, its length 2.34 to 2.7 in head ; eye 5.15 to 6.4; mouth small, reach- ing about half way to eye; lower jaw included; teeth fully coalesced, forming continuous plates; each jaw with a very evident median suture; no free canines; gill-membranes slightly connected; scales large, not much reduced on chest, 5 in advance of ventrals; most of head scaly ; cheeks with 2 rows of 6 scales each, and a third row with one or two scales, those on the upper row much larger than those on the second row; lateral line interrupted under posterior rays of dor- sal, beginning again lower down on caudal peduncle, the pores more or less branched; dorsal with 9 flexible spines, each with a fleshy tip, not much different from the soft rays; caudal notably concave in adult, with the angles produced ; anal spines 3, the first one very small (often overlooked), weak and flexible like those of the dorsal; ven- trals moderate, not much shorter than the pectorals, the latter 1.32 to 1.57 in head. Color dark green to slightly grayish green above, becoming of a lighter shade on sides and below ; no stripes or bars of any kind visi- ble on our preserved specimens ; lips a deep blue green ; dorsal and anal very deep blue green, almost black, each with bright green mar- gin; caudal slightly paler, the outer rays bright green; ventrals and pectorals mostly greenish, the latter without a black axillary spot; teeth white. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 741 Of this species only 3 specimens, ranging from 275 to 300 mm. in length, were secured. We have compared these with specimens from the West Indies. Known from Maryland southward to Trinidad. Our specimens are from the Colon market and Porto Bello. 535. Scarus croicensis Bloch. Scarus croicensis Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, IV, 1790, 27, PI. CCXXI (St. Croix) ; Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XVI, 1882 (1883), 938; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1650; Breder, Zoologica, IV, Pt. 4, 1925, 156 (Caledonia Bay). Scarus insulcs-sanctce-crucis Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, 285 (St. Croix; after Bloch). Calliodon lineatus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, 312, PI. LXII, fig. 2 (after Gronow). Erychthys croicensis Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 226 (name only). Scarus alternans Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIV, 1839, 200 (Martinique). Pseudoscarus sanctce crucis Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 226. Pseudoscarus lineolatus Poey, Repertorio, II, 1868, 375 (Cuba). Scarus sancta-crucis Cope, Trans. Amer. Philo. Soc. Phila., XIV, 1871, 461. ? 'Scarus croicensis Starks, Leland Stanford Jr. Univ. Pub., Univ. Ser., 1913, 6 1 (Natal, Brazil). Head 2.9 to 3.3; depth 3.1 to 3.65; D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 9; scales 22 to 25. Body elongate, compressed ; the back moderately elevated ; dorsal profile anteriorly gently convex; dorsal and ventral outlines about evenly curved; head moderately elongate, compressed; snout rather blunt, a fleshy pad on its upper surface more or less developed, its length 2.84 to 3.6 in head ; eye 3.6 to 4.85 ; mouth small, not reaching half way to eye; lower jaw slightly included; teeth fully coalesced, forming continuous plates; each jaw with an evident median suture; canines wanting ; gill-membranes slightly united ; scales large, not notably reduced on chest, 5 in advance of ventrals; head largely scaly; cheeks with 2 rows of 6 scales each, and a third row with 3 or 4 scales, those of the upper row scarcely larger than those of the second row; lateral line interrupted under posterior rays of dorsal, reappearing lower down on caudal peduncle, the anterior pores branched ; dorsal with 9 flexible 742 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. spines, the soft rays slightly higher than the spines; caudal slightly rounded, the angles not produced ; anal spines quite as weak as those of the dorsal ; ventrals moderate, slightly shorter than pectorals, the latter 1.35 to 1.78 in head. Color in spirits brown above, pale or pale brown below ; sides with 2 brown longitudinal bands, the upper one from eye to upper base of caudal, the lower one from base of pectoral to lower base of caudal; abdomen on each side with 3 narrow, pale lines; breast with similar stripes, but less distinct ; fins all plain ; pectoral without dark blotch at base; teeth pale. Of this species we have 31 specimens, ranging from 30 to 65 mm. in length. Known from Key West southward to Natal, Brazil. Our specimens are from Toro Point ; Fox Bay, Colon ; and Porto Bello. 536. Scams azureus sp. nov. (Plate LXXII, fig. i.) Type No. 81778, U. S. N. M.; length 205 mm.; Panama City, Panama. Head 3.36; depth 2.85; D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 9; scales 24. Body moderately elongate, compressed; dorsal and ventral outlines about evenly convex; profile over snout straight, from eyes to dorsal very gently convex; head rather deep, compressed; snout blunt, with a moderately developed fleshy pad on its upper surface, its length 2.6 in head; eye 5.55; mouth small, reaching less than half way to eye; lower jaw included ; teeth fully coalesced ; each jaw with a very evident median suture; free canines wanting; gill-membranes separate; scales large, not much reduced on chest, 5 in advance of ventrals ; head largely scaly ; cheeks with 2 rows of 6 scales each, and a third row with one small scale, those of the upper rows of about equal size; lateral line inter- rupted under posterior rays of dorsal, beginning again lower down on caudal peduncle ; dorsal fin with 9 flexible spines, each with a fleshy tip, of about the same length as the soft rays ; caudal fin with its posterior margin nearly straight, the upper rays very slightly produced, forming a sharp angle, the lower lobe rounded ; anal with 3 spines, the first one very small, hidden in the skin (easily overlooked), the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal; ventrals moderate, only slightly shorter than the pectorals, the latter 1.35 in head. Color in alcohol plain grayish above, paler below ; in life bluish, the margin of scales on back and sides yellowish; a blue bar across fore- head from eye to eye, thence backward, soon becoming indistinct ; another blue band extending from underneath eye to angle of mouth, thence z 2 CO V O v CO £ LIBRAftf OF m SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 743 forward around tip of snout ; a third blue band from back of angle of mouth downward and forward across chin ; dorsal and anal each brick- red, with a narrow blue streak at base and on margin, caudal pinkish, with upper and lower rays and posterior margin sky-blue; ventrals pinkish ; pectorals yellow, upper ray sky-blue ; teeth pale. A single specimen, 205 mm. in length, purchased in the Panama City market, is present in the collection. It differs from 5. noyesi, the only other species of this genus recorded from the west coast of Panama, chiefly in the absence of free canines, and in the arrangement of the scales on the cheeks. 537. Scarus nigrescens sp. nov. (Plate LXXII, fig. 2.) Type No. 81764, U. S. N. M.; length 105 mm.; Porto Bello, Panama. Head 2.9; depth 3.25; D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 9; scales 25. Body elongate, moderately compressed ; the back not greatly ele- vated ; profile slightly concave above snout, from thence to origin of dorsal gently convex; head rather long and low, compressed; snout moderately pointed, its length 2.5 in head ; eye 4.62 ; mouth small, reaching less than half che distance to eye; lower jaw slightly included; teeth fully coalesced ; each jaw anteriorly with a very distinct median suture ; no free canines ; gill-membranes scarcely connected ; scales large, not reduced on chest, 5 in advance of ventrals; head mostly scaly ; cheeks with 3 rows of 6 or 7 scales each, and a fourth row with only 2 small scales, those of the upper row not much larger than those of the next two rows ; lateral line interrupted under or slightly back of base of last ray of dorsal, reappearing lower down on caudal peduncle, some of the pores slightly branched; dorsal with 9 flexible spines, of about equal length, not much different from the soft rays ; caudal very slightly rounded ; anal with 3 weak spines, the first one very small, the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal ; ventrals moderately developed, somewhat shorter than the pectorals, the latter 1.42 in head. Color in spirits very dark brown or nearly black above, this color changing abruptly to a lighter brown on a straight line drawn from a little above base of pectoral to middle of base of caudal ; the lower sur- face of head and chest pale brown ; body and fins entirely without spots or bars; dorsal and caudal nearly black; anal somewhat paler; ventrals slightly dusky ; pectorals plain or translucent ; teeth pale. We have a single example of this species, 105 mm. in length, taken at Porto Bello. 744 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. This fish appears to differ from all other species of this genus in the very dark, and plain coloration. The scaling of the cheeks at once separates it from all other species in which the free posterior canines are wanting. In general appearance it resembles S. cuzamila, known only from Cozumel Island, but it of course lacks the posterior canines present in that species, and it has but 2 very small scales in the fourth row on the cheeks, while in 5. cuzamilce the fourth row is composed of 4 scales which are not much smaller than those of the rows above. 195. Genus Pseudoscarus Bleeker. Pseudoscarus Bleeker, Versl. Ak. Amsterdam, XII, 1861, 230 (type Pseudoscarus microrrhinos Bleeker) . Loro Jordan & Evermann, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XXI, 1895 C1^^), 418 (type Scarus guacamaia Cuvier). Teeth in the jaw deep green or blue, fully coalesced ; each jaw ante- riorly with a very evident median suture. Other characters as in Scarus. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Cheeks with 2 rows of 5 or 6 scales each, and a third row with one or occasionally 2 scales; fin spines enveloped in a rather thin coat of skin ; caudal fin slightly double concave in adult, the angles produced. guacamaia, p. 744. aa. Cheeks with only 2 rows of 6 scales each; fin spines enveloped in a very heavy coat of skin; caudal fin slightly rounded at all ages, the angles never produced. perrico, p. 745. 538. Pseudoscarus guacamaia (Cuvier). Guacamaya Parra, Desc. Piezas de Hist. Nat., 1787, 54, PI. XXVI (Cuba). Scarus guacamaia Cuvier, Regne Animal, Ed. II, II, 1829, 265 (no description; based on Parra). Scarus turchesius Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIV, 1839, 181 (Porto Rico). Scarus rostratus Poey, Memorias, II, 1860, 221 (Havana). Pseudoscarus turchesius Poey, Repertorio, I, 1866, 317. Pseudoscarus rostratus Poey, Syn. Pise. Cub., 1868, 349. Pseudoscarus guacamaia Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 233 ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1657, PI. CCXLVI, fig. 617. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 745 Hemistoma guacamaia Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XVI, 1882 (1883), 607. Head 2.9 to 3.3; depth 2.3 to 2.8; D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 9; scales 23 to 25. Body elongate, compressed; the back moderately elevated; profile slightly depressed over and in front of eyes, no trace of a fleshy pad on head ; heard moderately elongate ; snout more pointed than in P. perrico, its length 2.1 to 2.9 in head; eye 4.55 to 6.8; mouth small, its posterior angle slightly nearer eye than tip of snout ; jaws subequal ; teeth on lower jaw included; teeth fully coalesced, forming continuous plates, with a very evident median suture; no free canines; gill-membranes slightly connected across isthmus ; scales large, those on chest of about the same size as those on sides, 5 in advance of ventrals; cheeks and opercles scaly, the former with 2 rows of 5 or 6 scales each and a third row represented by one and occasionally by 2 scales ; lateral line interrupted under posterior rays of dorsal, reappearing lower down on middle of caudal peduncle, most of the pores branched; dorsal fin with 9 flexible spines, each enveloped in a rather thin coat of skin, the soft rays slightly longer than the spines ; caudal evenly rounded in young, slightly double concave in adult, with the angles produced ; anal with 3 spines, the front one very small, often overlooked, the soft portion similar to that of dorsal; ventrals slightly shorter than pectorals, the latter, 1.28 to 1.6 in head. Color in spirits olive brown to dark brown, paler below ; dorsal with more or less distinct dusky spots, and a bluish margin ; caudal more or less dusky, darker toward margin ; anal dusky, with dark green margin ; ventrals mostly pale, sometimes with faint brownish spots; pectorals bluish brown ; teeth very dark green. Of this species 5 specimens were secured, the smallest 95 and the largest 220 mm. in length. We examined other specimens from Key West, Florida ; St. Thomas ; Jamaica ; and Cozumel. The largest speci- men seen was 370 mm. in length. Ranging from the Florida Keys south to Rio de Janeiro. Our speci- mens are from Fox Bay and tide pools, Colon, and from the Colon market. 539. Pseudoscarus perrico (Jordan & Gilbert). Scarus perrico Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1881, 357 (Mazatlan). Pseudoscarus perrico Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1658; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 746 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. 1904, 146; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, 410 (Panama). Callyodon perrico Snodgrass & Heller, Proc. Wash. Ac. Sci., VI, 1904 (1905), 397; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 141. Head 2.9 to 3.2; depth 2.44 to 2.85; D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 9; scales 23 to 25. Body elongate, compressed; the back moderately elevated; anterior profile evenly convex in young, adult with a fleshy pad above and back of eyes, this variously developed, not of like size in specimens of same length; head rather deep, compressed; snout blunt, its length 2.0 to 2.45 in head ; eye 6.2 to 8.4 ; mouth small, its posterior angle about mid- way between tip of snout and eye; jaws subequal; teeth on lower jaw slightly included ; teeth fully coalesced, forming continuous plates, with a very evident median suture; no free canines; gill-membranes very slightly connected across isthmus; scales large, those on chest of about the same size as those on sides; 5 in advance of ventrals; cheeks and opercles scaly, the former with 2 rows, each row with about 6 scales; lateral line interrupted under posterior rays of dorsal, reappearing lower down on middle of caudal peduncle, the pores much branched; dorsal fin with 9 flexible spines, each enveloped in a heavy coat of skin, the soft rays of about the same height as the spines; caudal fin slightly rounded at all ages, the angles never produced; anal with 3 spines, enveloped in a heavy coating of skin, the first one very small, often overlooked, the soft portion similar to that of dorsal ; ventrals somewhat shorter than pectorals, with 2 scales between their bases ; pectorals mod- erate, 1.33 to 1.47 in head. Color olivaceous brown ; scales in life with central portion blue, sur- rounded by brown; large irregular blue spots on sides of head about eyes; dorsal fin brownish, with blue margin, and an imperfect bluish streak most distinct posteriorly; caudal brownish in spirits, green in life ; anal deep blue green ; ventrals pale green ; pectorals brownish green ; teeth pea-green. There are 4 specimens of this species in the present collection, which range in length from 240 to 465 mm. This species is closely related to P. guacamaia from the Atlantic coast, differing, however, from the latter in having but 2 rows of scales on the cheeks, and in having a rounded caudal at all ages. The teeth appear to be of a paler green, and the fin spines bear a much heavier coat of skin. In all the specimens of P. guacamaia examined there is not a trace of a fleshy hump on the head, while all the specimens of SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 747 P. perrico, at hand, have it more or less developed, sometimes becom- ing very large. Known from Mazatlan south to the Galapagos Islands. Our speci- mens were purchased in the Panama City market. 196. Genus Sparisoma Swainson. Sparisoma Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 227 (type Sparus abildgaardi Bloch). Euscarus Jordan & Evermann, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XXI, 1895 (1896), 416 (type Labrus cretenses Linnaeus). Body elongate, compressed ; head rather short and deep ; snout usu- ally blunt; upper lip double for its entire length; upper jaw included; teeth in the jaws coalesced, forming continuous plates; each jaw with an evident median suture; free canines present or wanting; lower pharyngeals much broader than long, the surface flat or concave ; upper pharyngeals separate, each with 3 rows of teeth ; gill-membranes united with the broad isthmus ; scales large, 24 to 26 in a lateral series ; lateral line interrupted posteriorly, beginning again lower down on caudal peduncle, the pores always more or less branched; dorsal fin with 9 pungent spines, and 10 soft rays; anal with 3 weak spines, and 9 soft rays. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Upper jaw with one or more free lateral canines on each side above the cutting edge of the dental plates. (These normally present, at least in adult.) b. General color of body dark red or brown ; no pale streaks along sides; scales along back with black edges; margin of opercles black. abildgaardi, p. 748. bb. Color paler, reddish brown or greenish ; scales along back with- out black edges; margin of opercles not black. c. Pectorals without a black spot at base of upper rays. d. Snout moderately pointed, its upper profile straight ; interorbital space transversely flat or slightly concave; lateral canines one on each side, wanting in young; general color reddish brown; sides usually with 2 longitudinal pale streaks, these most distinct in young. distinctum, p. 749. dd. Snout very blunt, its upper profile convex; interorbital space transversely convex; upper jaw usually with more than one lat- eral canine on each side ; general color greenish ; sides occasion- ally with a single indefinite pale streak. radians, p. 750. 748 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. cc. Pectorals with a very prominent jet-black spot at base of upper rays ; general color of body bluish green, chrysopterum, p. 753. aa. Upper jaw normally without free canines, or rarely a very small one developed on one or both sides. e. Pectorals with a very evident jet-black spot at base of upper rays. f. Snout very bluntly rounded, the interorbital space transversely strongly convex. rhomaleum sp. nov., p. 754. ff. Snout more pointed; interorbital space transversely flat or slightly concave. g. Body deep, rather strongly compressed, its depth 2.82 in its length; caudal fin in adult with middle rays of about equal length, the outer rays notably produced ; general color in alcohol grayish. squalidum, p. 755. gg. Body more elongate, its depth 3.13 in its length; caudal fin in adult about evenly concave, the outer rays not much produced; general color in alcohol greenish. elongatum sp. nov., p. 757. ee. Pectorals without a black spot at base of upper rays. h. Snout very blunt; interorbital space transversely strongly con- vex ; general color olive-gray or brownish, occasionally with one or more pale streaks along sides; body often more or less mottled ; vertical fins with spots and bars. flavescens, p. 758. hh. Snout more pointed; interorbital space flat; color nearly uni- formly bluish violet. frondosum, p. 759- 540. Sparisoma abildgaardi (Bloch). Sparus abildgaardi Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, V, 1791, 22, PI. CCLIX (America; from a specimen sent by Prof. Abildgaard). Scarus coccineus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, 289 (Cuba). Sparus aureoruber Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 1803, 56, 163 (Martinique; on a drawing by Plumier). Sparisoma abildgardii Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 227. Scarus amplus Ranzani, Novi Comment. Ac. Sci. Inst. Bonon., V, 1842, 324, PI. XXV (Brazil). Scarus erythrinoides Guichenot, Mem. Soc. Sci. Nat. Cherbourg, XI, 1865, 10 (San Domingo). Scarus oxybrachius Poey, Syn. Pise. Cub., 1868, 342 (Cuba). Sparisoma abildgaardi Jordan, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XV, 1887 (1891), 676; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII,. 1898, 1635 ; Evermann & Marsh, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., XX, Pt. I, 1900 (1902), 239 (Porto Rico). SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 749 Head 2.85 to 3.3; depth 2:54 to 2.9; D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 9; scales 24 or 25. Body elongate, rather strongly compressed ; the back elevated ; pro- file from snout to posterior margin of eyes nearly straight; head deep, compressed ; snout moderately pointed, its length 2.0 to 2.5 in head ; eye 4.35 to 6.4; interorbital space flat; mouth small; upper jaw included; teeth coalesced, the cutting edge more or less uneven, median suture evident ; a small canine above cutting edge of upper jaw, near angle of mouth, usually present ; gill-membranes united with the broad isthmus ; scales large, 3 in advance of ventrals; cheek and opercle scaly, the former with a single row of 5 scales ; lateral line interrupted posteriorly, beginning again on next row of scales below, the pores much branched ; dorsal fin with 9 pungent spines, all of about the same length as the soft rays ; caudal fin deeply concave in large specimens, with the angles produced, much less so in smaller individuals, probably rounded in young; anal with 3 weak spines, the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal; ventrals moderate, not much shorter than the pectorals, the latter 1.19 to 1.38 in head. Color in alcohol brown above, paler below; each scale along back and upper portion of sides with a dark brown margin; lips and mar- gin of opercle dark brown ; dorsal and caudal brownish ; other fins pale ; no black spot at base of pectorals. The life colors of a large specimen from Porto Rico are described thus: "Fins and lower parts below a line from tip of under jaw to base of caudal under the end of lateral line, red, edges of scales paler ; body above grayish, edges of scales black, bases of those below lateral line rosy ; brownish-red wavy stripes radiat- ing from eye below ; oblique pale-blue stripes on dorsal, tips of row of smaller scales at base of anal blue, and 3 blotches on upper and 3 on lower ray of caudal ; a few scales at base of caudal with pale yellow ; iris yellow, pupil bordered narrowly with red; membranous edge of opercle black." (Evermann & Marsh, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., XX, Pt. I, 1900 (1902), p. 239.) This species was not taken by us. It is recorded from the West Indies and Brazil, but not from Panama. It is here described from 5 specimens, ranging from 200 to 360 mm. in length, from the West Indies. 541. Sparisoma distinctum (Poey). Scarus distinctus Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 423 (Havana). Sparisoma distinctum Jordan, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XV, 1887 750 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. (1891), 676; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1635. Head 3.2 to 3.5; depth 2.7 to 3.0; D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 9; scales 24 or 25. Body elongate, compressed; the back elevated; profile from tip of snout to posterior margin of eyes straight, from thence to dorsal slightly convex; head rather short; snout moderately pointed, its length 2.3 to 3.0 in head ; eye 3.5 to 5.0 ; interorbital space transversely flat or slightly concave; mouth small; upper jaw included; teeth coalesced, the cutting edges more or less uneven, median suture evident; upper jaw usually with a single canine above the cutting edge near angle of mouth, and sometimes with one or more small points in front on edges of median suture; gill-membranes united with the isthmus; scales large, 3 in advance of ventrals; cheeks and opercles scaly, the latter with a single row of 5 scales ; lateral line interrupted posteriorly, beginning again on next row of scales below, the pores with several branches ; dorsal with 9 pungent spines, all of about the same length as the soft rays ; caudal fin slightly rounded in very young, becoming slightly concave with age, the outer rays not prominently produced ; anal with 3 weak spines, the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal ; ventral fins moderate ; pectorals rather long, 1.22 to 1.3 in head. Color of old alcoholic specimens brownish above, pale below; sides with 2 pale streaks, the upper one extending from upper margin of eye to upper surface of caudal peduncle, the lower one extending from lower margin of eye to middle of base of caudal, these most distinct in young, the upper one indistinct or wanting in adult; margin of opercle and scales not black ; fins unmarked ; no black spot at base of upper rays of pectorals ; teeth pale. This fish was not taken by us. It is here described from specimens from Cuba, Nassau, and Biscayne Bay, Florida, ranging in length from 85 to 235 mm. Two of the specimens from Cuba are of Poey's own identification. The smallest specimen at hand is from Biscayne Bay, Florida, and is wrongly identified in the National Museum collection as Cryptotomus beryllinus. This appears to be the first record of this species from the U. S. coast. Ranging from Florida south to Brazil, but not recorded from Panama. 542. Sparisoma radians (Cuvier & Valenciennes). (Plate LXXIII, figs, i & 2.) 5 ^ E / JUf SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA, — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 751 Scarus radians Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIV, 1839, 206 (Brazil) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 211. Labrus radians Castelnau, Anim. Nouv. Rares Amer. Sud, 1855, 29. Scarus lacrimosus Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 422 (Havana). Scarus hoplomystax Cope, Trans. Amer. Philo. Soc. Phila., XIV, 1871, 462 (St. Martins). Sparisoma cyanolene Jordan & Swain, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1884, 98 (Key West). Sparisoma xystrodon Jordan & Swain, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1884, 99 (Key 'West, Florida) ; Bean, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., XV, 1888 (1900), 198; Jordan, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XV, 1887 (1891), 678; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1630. . Sparisoma hoplomystax Jordan, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XV, 1887 (1891), 677, PI. X; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1632, PI. CCXLIV, fig. 6n; Breder, Zoologica, IV, Pt. 4, 1925, 156 (Caledonia Bay). Sparisoma radians Jordan, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XV, 1887 (1891), 677; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1631. Head 3.05 to 3.56; depth 2.6 to 2.9; D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 9; scales 24 to 26. Body elongate, rather robust, compressed; the back moderately ele- vated; profile from snout to origin of dorsal evenly convex; ventral outline anteriorly rather strongly curved; head short and deep; snout blunt, its length 2.58 to 3.1 in head; eye 3.5 to 4.6; interorbital space convex; mouth small, failing to reach vertical from anterior margin of eye; upper jaw included; teeth in each jaw coalesced, forming contin- uous plates, the median suture not always very evident; upper jaw with i to 4 free canines on each side above its cutting ege, each indi- vidual, however, not always with the same number on both sides; gill- membranes attached to the broad isthmus; scales large, slightly en- larged on chest, 3 in advance of ventrals ; cheeks and opercles scaly, the former with a single row of 5 scales ; lateral line interrupted posteriorly, beginning again on next row of scales below, the pores with few or several branches; dorsal with 9 pungent spines, of about same length as soft rays; caudal rounded; anal with 3 weak spines, the first very small, hidden in the skin; ventrals moderate, slightly shorter than the pectorals, the latter 1.43 to 1.2 in head. Color of female in spirits grayish or brownish above, paler below; chin usually crossed by a distinct whitish band; a pale streak extend- 752 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. ing from eye to base of caudal sometimes present; no bluish green streak from eye to angle of mouth ; dorsal, caudal and anal all more or less spotted or barred with grayish or dusky ; the membrane between the first 2 spines of dorsal black ; ventrals usually plain, occasionally faintly spotted; pectorals plain greenish, their bases brown or dusky, never bluish black. The following notes were based on some fresh specimens : General color greenish olive; chest yellow, mottled with darker; sides with a light band, extending from above pectoral to caudal peduncle, where it fades into the ground color; chin with a pale band; dorsal yellowish green or red; caudal greenish yellow to red, faintly barred; anal red or yellow, more or less barred with brown; base of pectorals bluish green. The male differs from the female in being, as a rule, darker in color, and it has an evident narrow bluish green streak running from eye to angle of mouth; the white bar on chin is very faint or wanting. The fins are less spotted and barred, and the caudal and anal are often partly black. The pectorals always have a darker base, which is usually very deep bluish black. The following notes were based on a fresh male specimen, which was then thought to be a distinct species : General color greenish olive ; yellow below, this color most prominent on chest; chin with a black blotch; a narrow bluish green streak from eye to angle of mouth; dorsal reddish at base, with black margin; caudal yellowish green at base, the distal fourth black; anal black; base of pectorals black; teeth pale. Of this species there are 218 specimens, ranging from 40 to 140 mm. in length, in the present collection. The study of our large series has made it possible to unite under one name several nominal species based chiefly on color. The dissection of 50 specimens shows that all of those with the bluish green streak from eye to angle of mouth, and with the base of pectorals bluish black are males. All of the specimens with black on caudal and anal were found to be males, although some without black on these fins were also found to be males. The female has the vertical fins more or less spotted or barred. It lacks the bluish green streak from eye to angle of mouth, and the base of the pectorals is brown, never black. There is considerable variation in color even among individuals of the same sex, and when the extremes of the opposite sexes are compared, a prominent difference appears to exist. This difference in the color of the male and female, together with the large variation among indi- viduals of the same sex, has led to the description of several nominal species, of which S. xystrodon seems to represent the most highly col- ored male and S. cyanolene the most modest female. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 753 Known from Florida south to Brazil. Our specimens are from Fox Bay, Colon, and Porto Bello. The species is abundant among eel-grass, where it was taken in company with 6". flavescens. 543. Sparisoma chrysopterum (Bloch & Schneider). Scarus chrysopterus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, 286, PI. LVII (American Seas) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 211. Scarus Moris Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, 289 (Cuba). Scarus lateralis Poey, Memorias, II, 1860, 219 (Cuba). Sparisoma chrysopterum Jordan & Swain, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1884, 94; Jordan, Kept. U. S. Fish Comm., XV, 1887 (1891), 674; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1636; Evermann & Marsh, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., XX, 1900 (1902), 239. Head 3.1 to 3.3; depth 2.8 to 3.06; D. IX, 9 or 10; A. Ill, 9; scales 25. Body elongate, compressed; the back elevated; profile from tip of snout to anterior margin of eyes nearly straight, from eyes to dorsal slightly convex ; head deep, compressed ; snout moderately pointed, 2.05 to 2.35 in head; eye 5.0 to 5.2; interorbital space flat; mouth small; upper jaw included; teeth coalesced, the cutting edges more or less uneven, the median suture evident ; upper jaw with one or several canines on sides above the cutting edge, and one or two in front on edges of median suture ; gill-membranes united with the broad isthmus ; scales large, 3 in advance of ventrals ; cheeks and opercles scaly, the former with a single row of 5 scales ; lateral line interrupted posteriorly, beginning again on next row of scales below, the pores considerably branched ; dorsal with 9 pungent spines, of about the same length as the soft rays; caudal fin in adult deeply concave, the outer rays much produced; anal with 3 weak spines, the soft portion similar to that of dorsal; ventrals not much shorter than the pectorals, the latter 1.4 to 1.44 in head. Color of old alcoholic specimens at hand all faded, except a large, distinct black spot at base of upper rays of pectorals; the margin of the scales appear lighter than the rest of the scale. The life colors of a specimen, about a foot long, from Porto Rico are described by Ever- mann & Marsh (Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., XX, 1900 ( 1902) , p. 239) thus : "Rich greenish-blue or bluish-green above ; edges of scales greener, their bases darker ; under parts rich blue ; head greenish-blue, somewhat mottled; lower jaw and breast sky-blue; dorsal pale rose; anal pale blue at base, then broadly pale brick-red, then a very narrow pale-blue 754 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. border; caudal reddish at base, blue on outer rays extending to tips; abaft the red a pale crescent, then a broad blood-red one, and last a narrow bluish-green border; pectoral pale lemon, a black splotch at base above ; ventrals pale-greenish." This species was not taken by us. It is here described from 3 speci- mens, 255 to 320 mm. in length, from the West Indies. Ranging from the West Indies south to Brazil, but not recorded from Panama. 544. Sparisoma rhomaleum sp. nov. (Plate LXXIV, fig. i) Type No. 81777, U. S. N. M. ; length 225 mm.; Colon market, Panama. Head 3.33 to 3.7; depth 2.8 to 2.95; D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 9; scales 25. Body elongate, robust, moderately compressed; the back elevated; dorsal profile anteriorly rather strongly convex; head short and deep; snout very blunt, its length 1.97 to 2.2 in head; eye 5.0 to 5.25; interorbital space transversely strongly convex; mouth small; upper jaw included ; teeth coalesced, the cutting edge more or less uneven, the median suture evident; upper jaw with one very small point in front above cutting edge next to median suture, usually none on side (Our largest specimen has only one very small point developed near angle of mouth, on one side of jaw only) ; gill-membranes united with the broad isthmus ; scales large, 3 in advance of ventrals ; cheeks and opercles scaly, the former with a single row of 5 scales; lateral line interrupted posteriorly, beginning again on next row of scales below, the pores much branched, occupying nearly the entire row of scales ; dorsal with 9 pungent spines, all of about the same length as the soft rays ; caudal fin in adult about evenly concave, the outer rays not much produced; anal with 3 weak spines, the first one very small, the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal; ventral fins moderate, not much shorter than the broad pectorals, the latter 1.25 to 1.28 in head. Color in alcohol dark green to brownish above, pale green below; sides of body perfectly plain, without spots or bars; snout mostly dusky; opercles with an indistinct bluish blotch or bar; dorsal and anal bluish black or dusky; caudal with the inner rays pale, the outer rays deep green to bluish ; ventrals pale ; pectorals dusky, with a wide, pale margin, and a very prominent black spot at the base of the upper rays ; teeth with a greenish tinge. We have 3 specimens of this species, respectively 225, 280 and 320 mm. in length, which were secured in the Colon market. *! SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 755 This fish appears to become darker in color with age. Our largest specimen has only 6 soft rays in the dorsal, which must, however, be regarded as an abnormal development, since it agrees in every other respect with the other specimens. We are unable to identify our specimens with any known species. They agree admirably in the general shape and form of the body with S. flavescens, but differ very prominently from that species in color. Comparing adult specimens of like size, it is also evident that the caudal fin is much more deeply concave in the present species. 545. Sparisoma squalidum (Poey). Scarus squalidus Poey, Memorias, II, 1860, 218 (Cuba) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 212; Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XVI, 1883, 938. Sparisoma flavescens Jordan & Swain, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1884, 92 (in part) ; Jordan, Kept. U. S. Fish Comm., XV, 1887 (1891), 672 (in part) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1639 (in part). Head 3.35; depth 2.82; D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 9; scales 25. Body elongate, rather strongly compressed ; the back moderately elevated ; profile straight or slightly concave over snout, slightly convex from anterior margin of eyes to origin of dorsal ; head short, rather strongly compressed; snout rather long and pointed, its length 2.25 in head; eye 4.6; interorbital space transversely slightly concave, the skull broadened just in front of eyes; mouth small, failing to reach anterior margin of eye ; upper jaw included ; teeth fully coalesced, form- ing continuous plates, the anterior suture in each jaw quite evident; no free lateral canines; gill-membranes attached to the broad isthmus; scales large, not reduced on chest, 3 in advance of ventrals ; cheeks and opercles scaly, the former with a single row of 5 scales; lateral line interrupted posteriorly, beginning again on next row of scales below; dorsal with 9 pungent spines, of about the same length as the soft rays ; caudal concave, the middle rays of about equal length, the outer rays notably produced ; anal with 3 weak spines, the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal; ventrals moderate, somewhat shorter than the pectorals, the latter 1.28 in head. Color in alcohol uniform grayish olive above, pale below, probably mostly reddish in life; rows of scales on lower part of sides with pale or slightly bluish streaks ; dorsal grayish, with darker spots or indistinct bars; middle rays of caudal pale, the outer rays dusky, with 756 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. indistinct darker spots ; anal and ventrals pale ; pectorals greenish, with a very evident jet-black spot at the base of the upper rays: teeth pale. Of this species there is a single specimen, 220 mm. long, in the present collection. In the National Museum collection there are 4 specimens from Nassau, 200 to 355 mm. in length, and 2 from Curacao, 200 and 205 mm. long, all wrongly identified as S. flavescens, which, however, agree perfectly with our specimen. The largest of these have the interorbital space more strongly concave, and the outer rays of caudal more prominently produced. A specimen from Cuba, 340 mm. long, identified as 5". squalidus by Poey, agrees admirably with the original description of that species, and is quite certainly identical with our specimen. 6". squalidum is, therefore, not identical with S. flavescens as considered by recent authors. It may be distinguished from the latter by the more strongly compressed head and body, more sharply pointed snout, and by the transversely flat or slightly concave interorbital. Comparing specimens of like size, a very marked difference becomes evident in the shape of the caudal fin. In S. flavescens the outer rays of the caudal are never as prominently produced as in the present species. The color of preserved specimens of. S. squalidum is much paler, the fins have fewer spots and bars, and the very prominent jet-black spot at the base of the upper rays of the pectorals at once distinguish the two species. From 6*. brachiale, a Cuban species, which 5\ squalidum strongly resembles, it is distinguished by the absence of free lateral canines. 6". brachiale has by recent authors (Jordan & Swain, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1884, p. 93; Jordan, Kept. U. S. Fish Comm., XV, 1887 (1891), p. 673; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, p. 1641 ; Evermann & Marsh, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., XX, 1900 (1902), p. 242) been erroneously described as having no free lateral canines. Poey in the original description of the type, a specimen 240 mm. long, however, states that it has s'uch teeth, viz. : "Les dents sont blanches, ses granu- lations bien marquees sur le machoire inferieure; la superieure a son bord crenele, et porte en arriere deux ou trois pointes laterales tres petites." (Memorias, II, 1861, p. 345). In the National Museum col- lection is a specimen 300 mm. long, identified by Poey, himself, as this species, which has the canines as above described. Ranging from the Bahamas south to Venezuela. Our specimen was obtained in the Colon market. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 757 546. Sparisoma elongatum sp. nov. (Plate LXXIV, fig. 2.) Type No. 81504; U. S. N. M.; length 230 mm.; Panama City, Panama. Head 3.36; depth 3.13; D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 9; scales 25. Body elongate, rather slender, moderately compressed ; the back elevated ; profile straight over snout, gently convex from eyes to dorsal ; head rather short ; snout moderately produced, its length 2.33 in head ; eye 4.4 ; interorbital space flat ; mouth small, not reaching vertical from anterior margin of eye; upper jaw included; teeth fully coalesced, forming continuous plates, the cutting edges more or less uneven, the median suture evident ; upper jaw without free canines at side, and with only one minute point in front on edge of the median suture; gill- membranes connected with the isthmus ; scales large, 3 in advance of ventrals; cheeks and opercles scaly, the former with a single row of 5 scales; lateral line interrupted posteriorly, beginning again on the next row of scales below, the pores with several branches occupying most of one row of scales; dorsal with 9 pungent spines, all of about the same length as the soft rays; caudal fin about evenly concave, the outer rays not much produced; anal with 3 spines, the first one very small, the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal; ventrals nearly as long as the pectorals, the latter 1.25 in head. Color in alcohol dark green above, pale green below; no streaks of any kind on sides of body; head with a pale green streak, extending from lower margin of eye to angle of mouth, where it curves backward on lower margin of cheek; snout plain olivaceous; lips dusky; dorsal fin grayish green, without spots or bars; caudal with middle rays of white, the outer rays grayish dusky, fin margined with dusky ; anal pale at base, distal portion of fin more or less dusky ; ventrals pale, unmarked ; pectorals pale green, with a livid green area above axil and a very prominent black spot at base of upper rays. A single specimen of this species is present in the collection. It is 230 mm. in length, and was purchased in the Panama City market. It is the first species of this genus recorded from the Pacific coast. This fact leads one to wonder if it could have been brought across from the Atlantic coast. But inasmuch as the supply of fish on the Atlantic coast is much smaller than the demand, and that Pacific coast fish are frequently brought across to supply the Atlantic coast markets, this does not seem probable. During the two seasons spent on the Isthmus by the present writers, no Atlantic coast fish were seen, or, at any rate, recognized as such in the Panama City market. The specimen at hand was taken along with Trachinotus rhodopus, Caranx cabdlus, 758 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Paralichthys woolmani, Ancylopsetta dendritica, Azevia panamensis, and others, all distinctly Pacific coast fish. We, therefore, regard this record as genuine. Our specimen is rather closely related to the Brazilian fish, S. maschalespilos Bleeker, from which, however, it differs in the more elongate and less strongly compressed body, in the shape of the caudal, and in color. 547. Sparisoma flavescens (Bloch & Schneider). Scarus flavescens Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, 290 (Cuba). Callyodon flavescens Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XIV, 1839, 289. Sparisoma flavescens Jordan & Swain, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1884, 92 (in part); Jordan, Kept. U. S. Fish Comm., XV, 1887 (J&Ji), 672 (in part) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1639. Head 3.25 to 3.66; depth 2.64 to 3.2; D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 9; scales 24 to 26. Body elongate, robust, moderately compressed; the back elevated; profile over snout nearly straight, from eyes to origin of dorsal gently convex; ventral outline anteriorly strongly convex; head short and deep; snout very blunt, its length 2.4 to 3.34 in head; eye 3.55 to 5.2; interorbital space transversely strongly convex; mouth small, not reaching anterior margin of eye; upper jaw included; teeth fully coalesced, each jaw with an evident median suture; no lateral canines; gill-membranes joined to the broad isthmus; scales large, slightly enlarged on breast, 3 in advance of ventrals; cheeks and opercles scaly, the former with a single row of 5 large scales; lateral line slightly interrupted posteriorly, beginning again on next row of scales below, most of the pores with several branches ; dorsal with 9 pungent spines, of about the same length as the soft rays ; caudal rounded in young, becoming slightly truncate in specimens about 185 mm. long, notably concave with the angles somewhat produced in adults ; anal with 3 very weak spines, the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal ; ven- trals not much shorter than the pectorals, the latter 1 .23 to 1 .73 in head. Color olive-gray to brownish above, pale to orange below ; sometimes with one or more indistinct pale streaks along sides ; often more or less clouded with darker blotches or bars; lower jaw brownish or dusky, crossed by a pale band ; dorsal and caudal pale olivaceous, each barred and spotted with brown; anal red, with faint spots or bars of brown; ventrals nearly uniformly red, sometimes with faint brownish bars ; pectorals light orange-red ; teeth pale. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 759 Of this species 156 specimens, ranging from 35 to 250 mm. in length, were preserved. It was found to be the most abundant fish along shores lined with eel-grass, nearly every seine haul yielding considerable numbers. Known from Key West south to Rio de Janeiro. Our specimens are from Toro Point; Fox Bay, Colon; and Porto Bello. 548. Sparisoma frondosum (Cuvier). Scarus jrondosus (Cuvier MS.) Agassiz, in Spix, Pise. Brasil., 1831, 98, PI. LIV (Bahia) ; Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus, 1886, 542 (note on the type). Scarus aracanga Giinther, Cat. Fish Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 209 (Jamaica). Sparisoma aracanga Jordan, Kept. U. S. Fish Comm., XV, 1887 (1891), 674. Sparisoma frondosum Jordan, Kept. U. S. Fish Comm., XV, 1887 (1891), 673; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1642; Starks, Leland Stanford Jr. Univ. Pub., Univ. Ser., 1913,61. Head 3.7; depth 2.9; D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 9; scales 25. Body elongate, compressed; the back elevated; profile anteriorly gently convex; ventral outline anteriorly strongly convex; head rather short; snout moderate, scarcely as blunt as in 5*. flavescens, its length 2.37 in head; eye 4.37; interorbital space transversely flat; mouth small, failing to reach anterior margin of eye; upper jaw included; teeth fully coalesced, each jaw with an evident median suture; no lateral canines; gill-membranes united with the broad isthmus; scales large, 3 in advance of ventrals; cheeks and opercles scaly, the former with a single row of 5 scales; lateral line interrupted posteriorly, beginning again on next row of scales below ; dorsal with 9 pungent spines, all of about the same length as the soft rays ; caudal evenly and gently concave in specimens at hand ; anal with 3 weak spines, the soft portion similar to that of dorsal ; ventrals not much shorter than the pectorals, the latter 1.35 in head. Color in alcohol uniform brownish above, paler below ; rows of scales on lower part of sides with pale streaks; vertical fins rather distinctly spotted and barred; ventrals and pectorals pale; no black spot at base of pectorals. The life colors have been described as nearly uniform bluish violet. 760 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. This species was not taken by us. It is here described from a single specimen, 170 mm. long, from Bahia, Brazil. This fish differs from 5". flavescens in the slightly more pointed snout, in the flat interorbital space and in color. Comparing the specimen at hand with a specimen of S. flavescens of the same size, an evident difference in the shape of the caudal is noticed. The caudal in S. flavescens of this size (170 mm.) is still slightly rounded, while in the present species it is evenly and gently concave. Known from Jamaica to Brazil, but not recorded from Panama. Family LXIII. Ephippidae. THE SPADE-FISHES. Body very deep, much compressed; dorsal outline strongly arched, more so than the ventral ; head short and blunt ; mouth small, terminal, slightly protractile or not; maxillary short, no supplemental bone; nostrils double; gill-membranes broadly united with the isthmus; the rakers very short; branchiostegals 6 or 7; pseudobranchiae present; lateral line present, strongly arched; scales small, ctenoid; dorsal fins slightly disconnected or not, the anterior with 8 to 10 spines; the soft dorsal long, densely scaled at base, anteriorly elevated, sometimes much produced; caudal fin broad, with posterior margin straight or concave ; anal fin with 3 or 4 spines, the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal; ventrals thoracic, pectorals short. This is a rather small family, having a single representative on the Atlantic coast of Panama and two on the Pacific coast. KEY TO THE GENERA. a. Dorsal spines of unequal length, the third produced; mouth slightly protractile, a distinct transverse fold above upper lip; ventral fins rather large. Ch&todipterus, p. 760. aa. Dorsal spines very short and of about equal length; mouth not protractile, no transverse fold above upper lip ; ventral fins small. Parapsettus, p. 763. 197. Genus Chaetodipterus Lacepede. Chatodipterus Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 1803, 503 (type Chatodipterus plumierii Lacepede). Body very deep, much compressed ; the anterior profile very steep ; head short and blunt; mouth small, terminal; teeth small, more or less g£ O M in c s^ 2 o a '". ~ s CE g UJ C 3! (/) U 2 S o - c&sin SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 761 flexible, in narrow bands; preopercle finely serrate or nearly smooth; branchiostegals 6; scales small, ctenoid, present nearly everywhere on head, from 50 to 100 in a lateral series; dorsal fins scarcely separate, the first with about 9 spines, the third elongate ; anal with three spines, the second the longest; soft portion of dorsal and anal anteriorly elevated in adult ; ventrals long, I, 5, with a large accessory scale. Two species are known, one each on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of tropical and subtropical America. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Scales of moderate size, 50 to 60 in a lateral series, regularly arranged ; dorsal spines and the anterior part of soft dorsal and anal very strongly elevated. faber, p. 761. aa. Scales very small, from 75 to 100 in a lateral series, irregularly arranged; dorsal spines and the anterior part of soft dorsal and anal only moderately elevated. zonaius, p. 762. 549. Chaetodipterus faber (Broussonet). (Plate LXXV.) Chatodon faber Broussonet, Ichth. Sist. Pise., 1782, (19), PI. (VI). Chatodon plumieri Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, III, 1787, 104, PI. CCXI (Martinique). Zeus quadratus Gmelin, Syst. Nat., I, 1789, 1225 (Jamaica). Chatodipterus plumierii Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 1803, 503 (Jamaica; Carolina). Selene quadrangularis Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 1803, 564 (Jamaica). Ephippus gigas Cuvier, Regne Anim., Ed. II, II, 1829, 191 (America). Ephippus faber Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., II, 1860, 61. Ch&todipterus faber Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XVI, 1882 (1883), 613; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1668, PI. CCXLVII, fig. 619; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1917, 135 (Colon). Head 2.7 to 3.5; depth 1.15 to 1.4; D. VIII-I, 21 to 23; A. Ill, 17 to 19; scales 53 to 60. Body short and very deep, much compressed ; anterior profile steep, gently and evenly convex in young, somewhat swollen between the eyes, making the margin of snout concave in adult ; head short and very deep ; snout short, somewhat projecting, its length 2.2 to 2.6 in head ; eye 3 to 4.2; mouth small, terminal, only very slightly protractile, a transverse fold above upper lip; maxillary reaching nearly or quite to anterior 762 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. margin of eye, 3.1 to 3.35 in head; teeth very small, flexible, in narrow bands ; lateral line continuous, arched ; scales moderate, ctenoid, in regu- lar series on sides ; the fins all densely scaled in adult, only the soft dorsal and anal with many scales in young; dorsal fins scarcely separate, the spines of unequal length, the third the longest, notably longer than head in some of our specimens, in others notably shorter, often with a membrane posteriorly which exceeds the length of the spine; the soft dorsal anteriorly much elevated in the adult, the longest rays often reaching beyond the tips of the caudal; caudal fin nearly straight in young, gently concave in adult; anal fin with three spines, the second the largest, the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal; ventral fins moderate, longer than the pectorals, the outer ray filamentous in the young; pectoral fins short, 1.35 to 1.75 in head. Color grayish, with brassy reflections; chest and abdomen white; sides with 6 bars ; the first from above orbits through eye to throat ; the second just behind margin of opercle; the third a narrow half-bar extending from base of fourth and fifth dorsal spines to or slightly below middle of side; the fourth bar broad, extending from origin of second dorsal to origin of anal ; the fifth bar under middle of soft dorsal ; the sixth at base of caudal ; fins grayish green ; the ventrals and the membranes of spinous dorsal often very dark. Very young (35 mm.) dead leaf color, with paler spots and lines; the dark bars of the adult only faintly visible. This species is common on the Atlantic coast of Panama and is extensively used as food. We preserved 16 specimens, ranging from 35 to 385 mm. in length. Known from Massachusetts south to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Our specimens are from Toro Point, Mindi, Christobal, and Colon. 550. Chaetodipterus zonatus (Girard). (Plate LXXVI.) Ephippus zanatus Girard, (House of Repr. Ex. Doc. No. 91) Rept. Expl. & Surv. Miss. R. to Pac. O., X, Pt. IV, 1858, no (San Diego, California) . Choetodipterus zonatus Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1885, 385 ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1668; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 147 (Panama Bay) ; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, 411 (Panama Bay). Head 2.8 to 3.55; depth 1.25 to 1.57; D. VIII-I, 21 to 23; A. Ill, 1 8 to 20 ; scales about 75 to 90. LIBRARY OF THE .ra SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 763 Body moderately deep, strongly compressed; anterior profile steep, gently and evenly convex in young, swollen between the eyes in very large examples, making the anterior margin of snout nearly vertical, but not concave; head short and deep; snout little projecting, its length 2.5 to 3 in head ; eye 3.1 to 3.75 ; mouth small, terminal, only very slightly protractile, a transverse fold above upper lip; maxillary reaching opposite anterior margin of eye, 3.1 to 3.45 in head; teeth very small, flexible, in narrow bands; lateral line continuous, arched; scales very small, in irregular series, difficult to enumerate ; fins all densely scaled in adult, only the vertical fins with many scales in the young; dorsal fins scarcely separate, the spines of unequal length, the third the longest, varying greatly among individuals, sometimes not much longer than eye, occasionally as long as head without opercle; the soft dorsal anteriorly notably elevated, the longest rays reaching somewhat past base of caudal in large examples ; caudal fin gently concave in adult, round in very young; anal fin with 3 short spines, the soft portion similar to that of dorsal, ventral fins notably longer than the pectorals, the outer ray filamentous in young; pectoral fins short, 1.3 to 1.7 in head. Color silvery gray, with black bars arranged as in C. faber. Very young (30 mm.) brownish, with slightly darker marking; the dark bands of the adult only faintly visible. This species is common on the Pacific coast of Panama. It is used quite extensively as food. We preserved 16 specimens, ranging in length from 30 to 275 mm. It differs from C. faber, its Atlantic congener, very strikingly in the much smaller and more irregularly arranged scales. The shorter dorsal spines of the present species, an alleged difference, while generally true is not always a reliable character, due to much variation among individuals. When specimens of like size are compared, it will be seen that the Pacific coast representative has a more elongate body, less strongly projecting snout, and the produced portions of the dorsal and anal are shorter. Known from San Diego, California, southward to Guayaquil, Ecuador. Our specimens were taken at Taboga Island, Balboa, and in the Panama City market. 198. Genus Parapsettus Steindachner. Parapsettus Steindachner, (Sitzb. k. Ak. Wiss. Wien, LXXII) Ichth. Beitr., Ill, 1875, 50 (type Parapsettus panamensis Steindachner). 764 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. This genus differs from Chatodipterus principally in the much shorter dorsal spines which are shorter than pupil and all of about equal length. There is no transverse fold above the upper lip, the mouth is not protractile, and the ventral fins are much smaller. A single species of this genus is known. 551. Parapsettus panamensis Steindachner. Parapsettus panamensis Steindachner, (Sitzb. k. Ak. Wiss. Wien, LXXII) Ichth. Beitr., Ill, 1875, 51, PI. VII (Panama); Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1669; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 148 (Panama Bay) ; Starks, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1906, 798 (Guayaquil, Ecuador). Head 3.35 to 3.55; depth 1.25 to 1.35; D. IX (rarely VIII), 25 or 26; A. Ill, 22 to 24; scales 100 to no. Body short and deep, strongly compressed; anterior profile vertical on margin of snout, swollen between the eyes, straight or slightly concave above the eyes ; head short and deep ; snout very blunt, its length 4.35 to 4.95 in head; eye 3.5 to 4.6; mouth small; the lower jaw included; premaxillaries not protractile, without a transverse fold above upper lip; maxillary reaching opposite middle of eye, 3.15 to 3.35 in head ; teeth in the jaws very small, flexible, in narrow bands ; lateral line continuous, arched; scales very small, the series irregular and difficult to enumerate; vertical fins densely scaled at least at base; dorsal fin long, continuous, the spines very short and of about equal length, preceded by a small, antrorse, scarcely hidden spine, the soft portion anteriorly somewhat elevated but not filamentous; caudal fin slightly double concave, angulate at outer rays; anal fin with 3 very short spines, the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal ; ventral fins very small, notably shorter than pectorals, the outer ray filamentous; pectoral fins moderate, I to 1.15 in head. Color in alcohol silvery gray ; ventral fins dusky. This species, although reported not rare in the Panama market by Gilbert & Starks, was not seen by us. The above description is based on 5 specimens from the National Museum collection, ranging from 150 to 190 mm. in length, taken at Panama and Guayaquil, Ecuador. Known from Panama south to Guayaquil, Ecuador. Family LXIV. Chaetodontidae. THE BUTTERFLY-FISHES. Body short and deep, usually strongly compressed; head short; mouth small, terminal, protractile ; teeth numerous, slender, bristle-like, SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 765 in narrow bands, none on palatines or vomer; gill-membranes attached to the isthmus ; gill-rakers short ; pseudobranchiae large ; branchiostegals 6 or 7; scales rather small, ctenoid; lateral line concurrent with the back, not extending on caudal fin; dorsal fin single, continuous, the soft part usually elevated anteriorly, often filamentous, densely scaled; anal fin with 3 or 4 spines, the soft portion usually similar to that of the dorsal ; ventral fins thoracic, with I, 5 rays. This family consists of brilliantly colored fishes of the tropical seas, the young often being very different from the adult. Three genera are represented in the Panama fauna.* KEY TO THE GENERA. a. Preopercle without an enlarged spine; dorsal spines not gradu- ated, some of the anterior ones longer than the last ones. Chcetodon, p. 765. aa. Preopercle with an enlarged spine at its angle; dorsal spines graduated. b. Body very deep, much compressed ; interopercle unarmed ; scales small, unequal, not in regular series; dorsal fin with 8 to n spines. Pomacanthus, p. 772. bb. Body oblong, rather robust; interopercle armed with from I to 4 spines; scales rather large, in regular series; dorsal fin with 12 to 15 spines. Holacanthus, p. 777. 199. Genus ChaBtodon Linnaeus. Chcetodon Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 272 (type Chcetodon capistratus Linnaeus). Chcetodon Cuvier, Regne Animal, Ed. I, II, 1817, 333 (types Chcetodon striatus & capistratus, first restricted to this group). Rdbdophorus Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 211 (type Chcetodon ephippium Bloch) . Citharcedus Kaup, Archiv. Naturg., XXVI, 1860, 136 (type Chcetodon ornatissimus Solander). Linophora Kaup, Archiv. Naturg., XXVI, 1860, 137 (type Chcetodon auriga Forskal). Sarothrodus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1861, 99 (type Chcetodon capistratus Linnaeus ; offered as a substitute for Chcetodon, the latter name being transferred to Pomacanthus'}. *A fourth genus (one species, Angelichthys ciliaris') was recorded, since these pages were prepared, from Colon, by Fowler (Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1917, P- 135). 766 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Tholichthys Giinther, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist., Ser. 4, 1, 1868, 457 (type Tholichthys osseus Giinther). Tetragonopterus Bleeker, Versl. Ak. Amsterdam, 2 ser., II, 1868, 300 (type Chatodon capistratus Linnaeus). Body short, deep, much compressed; head short; snout pointed; mouth small, terminal; teeth in jaws slender, flexible, numerous, in bands ; preopercle without an enlarged spine ; lateral line much arched ; scales firm, ctenoid, present almost everywhere except on head; dorsal fin long, continuous, with about 12 or 13 spines, not graduated; caudal fin straight or rounded; anal fin similar to soft portion of dorsal, preceded by 3 strong spines ; ventral spine strong. This is a large genus of beautiful fishes, most of them being rather small. Five species are represented in the Panama collection. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Scales above axis of body running obliquely upward and back- ward, those below the axis running similarly downward and backward ; rows of scales marked by distinct dark streaks. b. Dorsal with 13 spines; a single band present, passing through eye; a large jet-black ocellus present on side below soft dorsal. (Very young with a dusky bar on sides from anterior dorsal spines to abdomen and a small ocellus on soft dorsal.) capistratus, p. 767. bb. Dorsal with 12 spines ; sides with 3 or 4 broad black bands ; no ocellus on sides below dorsal; young with a black ocellus on anterior rays of soft dorsal. striatus, p. 768. aa. Scales on upper part of sides running obliquely upward and backward, those on the lower parts becoming nearly horizontal ; rows of scales without definite dark streaks. c. Dorsal with XII, 24 or 25 rays; scales 45 to 56; lateral line present on caudal peduncle; a wedge-shaped bar from origin of dorsal to eyes, but not extending through the eyes. nigrirostris, p. 769. cc. Dorsal with XII or XIII, 18 to 21 rays ; lateral line extending under base of soft dorsal, not present on caudal peduncle; occular band present. d. Dorsal with 13 spines; sides of head and body with 3 or 4 black bands ; caudal fin with black bars in adult. humeralis, p. 770. dd. Dorsal with 12 spines; only the occular band present in the SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 767 adult; a more or less distinct dusky band on base of caudal in the young. ocellatus, p. 771. 552. Chaetodon capistratus Linnaeus-. Chest odon capistratus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 275 ("India"; based on specimen in Mus. Adolph Frederici) ; Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XVI, 1882 (1883), 940; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1677, PI. CCL, fig. 622; Fow- ler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1917, 135 (Colon). Sarothrodus capistratus Poey, Enumeratio, 1875, 62. Chcetodon bricei Smith, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., XVII, 1897 (1898), 102, with figure (Woods Hole, Mass.). Head 2.5 to 3.4; depth 1.35 to 1.7; D. XIII, 19 or 20; A. Ill, 16 to 18; scales 36 to 44. Body deep, strongly compressed; anterior profile slightly concave in adult, nearly straight in young; head short, deep; snout moderately pointed, 2.6 to 3.3 in head; eye 2.55 to 2.9; mouth small, terminal; teeth in the jaws slender, flexible, very numerous, in bands; gill- membranes attached to the isthmus, the rakers very short; lateral line arched, ending at base of last rays of dorsal ; scales moderate, reduced on head, chest and caudal peduncle, the rows on sides above axis of body running obliquely upward and backward, those below axis extending downward and backward ; vertical fins densely scaled ; dorsal fin long, its origin over margin of preopercle, the spines rather strong, the longest slightly longer than eye and snout; caudal fin with gently convex margin posteriorly ; anal fin with strong spines, the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal; ventral fins reaching slightly past origin of anal in young, to vent in adult ; pectoral fins inserted over or a little in advance of ventrals, i.i to 1.5 in head. Color brownish, with more or less yellow on lower parts; rows of scales on sides marked with very distinct black streaks; a jet-black band, edged with white on sides, extending from nape through eye to throat; young with a broad dusky band from anterior dorsal spine to abdomen, passing behind base of pectorals, wanting in adult; very young with two black ocelli, a small one not much larger than pupil on the anterior rays of dorsal and one larger than eye on side below base of posterior rays of dorsal, the one on the dorsal disappearing with age, sometimes remaining faintly visible in specimens 30 mm. in length, but disappearing wholly in larger ones ; the large ocellus on body below dorsal persisting; dorsal, caudal and anal each with a brown band, becoming dark on each edge, bounded on outer side on 768 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. dorsal and anal by a narrow white line, on the caudal by broad pale band on each side ; the margin of the vertical fins plain translucent. This is a common species on the Atlantic coast of Panama. We preserved 82 specimens, ranging in length from 25 to 105 mm. It was found on rocky bottom as well as on soft bottom which supported vegetation. Known from Massachusetts south to Trinidad. Our specimens are from Colon and Porto Bello. 553. Chaetodon striatus Linnaeus. • Choetodon striatus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 275 (India); Eigenmann & Horning, Ann. N. Y. Ac. Sci., IV, 1887, 8; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1677. Sarothrodus striatus Poey, Syn. Pise. Cub., 1868, 352. Head 2.4 to 2.85; depth 1.4 to 1.6; D. XII, 19 to 21; A. Ill, 16 to 18; scales 39 to 44. Body very deep, strongly compressed; anterior profile concave, except in very young; head short; snout pointed, 2.7 to 3.1 in head; eye 2.5 to 3.1 ; mouth very small, terminal ; teeth in the jaws slender, flexible, in bands; gill-membranes attached to isthmus, the rakers rudimentary; lateral line strongly arched, ending at base of last rays of dorsal ; scales moderate, ctenoid, those on the head reduced, rows on sides above axis running obliquely upward and backward, those below the axis running downward and backward; vertical fins densely scaled, except in very young; dorsal fin long, its origin over or slightly in advance of posterior margin of opercle, the spines moderate, the longest equal to the distance from end of snout to preopercular margin ; caudal fin with straight or slightly rounded margin; anal fin with rather strong spines, the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal but slightly shorter ; ventral fins reaching to or slightly beyond origin of anal in young, to vent in adult; pectoral fins inserted over base of ventrals, i.i to 1.5 in head. Color pale greenish; the rows of scales on sides marked by dark streaks ; a black band from nape through eye to throat ; a broader band from anterior spines of dorsal to abdomen, passing just behind base of pectorals and ventrals; another broad band extending from tips of last spines of dorsal to tips of anterior rays of anal; a fourth band usually present on posterior part of soft dorsal and anal, crossing caudal peduncle ; this bar indefinite in some specimens and represented by a small ocellus on the caudal peduncle in one (32 mm.) ; anterior rays of soft dorsal with a distinct ocellus in young, only slightly smaller than eye, becoming a mere blotch and disappearing when the fish reaches a SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 769 length of about 55 mm. ; dorsal and anal each with pale margin pos- teriorly; caudal fin with alternating black and pale bars; ventral fins mostly black ; pectorals plain translucent. This species is not abundant on the coast of Panama. We have ten specimens, ranging in length from 25 to 55 mm. The smallest one was taken from a tide pool and the others were seined from among eel-grass. Known from the West Indies to Brazil. Our specimens are from Toro Point, Colon and Porto Bello. 554. Chaetodon nigrirostris (Gill). Sarothrodus nigrirostris Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1862, 243 (Cape San Lucas). Chatodon nigrirostris Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882, 365; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1673, PI. CCXLVIII, fig. 620; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 148, PI. XXIV, fig. 47 (Panama Bay) ; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 142 ( Acapulco ; Perico Island, Panama Bay). Chcetodon capistratus Boulenger, Boll. Mus. Zool. Anat. Torino, XIV, No. 346, 1899, 3 (Darien, Panama; not of Linnaeus). Head 2.55 to 3; depth 1.2 to 3.45; D. XII, 24 or 25; A. Ill, 18 or 19; scales 45 to 56. Body very deep, strongly compressed; anterior profile deeply con- cave ; head short ; snout pointed, 2.65 to 2.85 in head ; eye 2.9 to 3.45 ; mouth very small, terminal ; maxillary slipping under preorbital, about three- fourths the length of eye; teeth in the jaws pointed, flexible, in bands ; gill-membranes attached to the isthmus, the rakers obsolete ; lateral line much arched, becoming straight on caudal peduncle ; scales ctenoid, reduced on head (except cheek) and caudal peduncle, the rows running obliquely upward and backward above median line of side, nearly horizontal on lower parts; vertical fins densely scaled, except on margins ; dorsal fin long, its origin only slightly behind vertical from posterior margin of eye, the spines very strong, the longest one a little longer than eye and snout; margin of caudal fin straight or slightly convex ; anal fin with strong spines, the soft portion similar to that of dorsal, but shorter and with a somewhat more strongly convex margin; ventral fins moderate, equal to or somewhat longer than pectorals, reaching past origin of anal in young, to vent in adult; pectoral fins inserted slightly in advance of ventrals, i to 1.2 in head. 770 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Color of a fresh specimen 160 mm. in length: Ground color of head pale ; body and fins yellowish green ; upper part of snout mostly jet-black ; a dark blotch above each eye ; a wedge-shaped bar beginning at origin of dorsal, extending toward orbits, bordered posteriorly by a pale yellow bar ; margin of opercle jet-black ; a narrow black bar above and behind upper angle of gill-opening; upper part of base of pectoral black; a broad jet-black bar extending from fourth dorsal spine across base of dorsal and caudal peduncle. In the young the black margin of opercle, the bar above and behind upper angle of gill-opening and the black base of pectorals are all united in one broad bar. This apparently rare species is represented in the Panama collec- tion by only two specimens, respectively 150 and i6omm. in length. These were secured by the use of dynamite off the shores of a small island near Balboa. We have the "type specimens" for comparison. Known from Cape San Lucas to the Galapagos Islands. Our specimens are from Balboa. 555. Chaetodon humeralis Giinther. Chcetodon humeralis Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., II, 1860, 19 (? "Sandwich Islands"; probably Panama); Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1866, 419, PI. LXV, fig. 3; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1674; Boulenger, Boll. Mus. Zool. Anat. Torino, XIV, No. 346, 1899, 3 (Darien, Panama) ; Gil- bert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 149 (Panama Bay) ; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 142 (Acapulco; Perico and Taboguilla islands, Panama Bay); Fow- ler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, 411 (Panama Bay). Head 2.3 to 3.1 ; depth 1.3 to 1.55; D. XIII, 18 to 20; A. Ill, 15 to 17; scales 35 to 40. Body deep, strongly compressed ; anterior profile concave in adult, straight or even slightly convex in very young; head short and deep; snout moderately pointed, 2.8 to 3.7 in head ; eye 2.6 to 3.35 ; mouth very small, terminal; maxillary mostly exposed, about ^. the length of eye ; teeth in the jaws very numerous, flexible, bristle-like, in bands ; gill-membranes attached to the isthmus, the rakers obsolete; lateral line strongly arched, ending at base of last rays of dorsal, not present on caudal peduncle; scales large on anterior part of sides, notably reduced on head, the rows running obliquely upward and backward on upper part of sides, becoming nearly horizontal on lower parts ; vertical fins densely scaled; dorsal fin long, its origin over margin of opercle, the spines strong, the longest equal to distance from end of snout to margin of preopercle ; caudal fin straight or slightly rounded ; SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 771 anal fins with rather strong spines, the soft portion similar to that of dorsal ; ventral fins moderate, reaching beyond origin of anal in young, sometimes failing to reach vent in adult ; pectoral fins inserted slightly in advance of base of ventrals, i.i to 1.5 in head. Color of adult in life yellowish; tip of upper jaw black; a dark band from nape through eye to lower margin of opercle; a broader band, about equal to length of eye, from base of first dorsal spines to and across base of pectoral; another broad black band from tips of last dorsal spines to base of anterior rays of anal; a narrow black band at base of caudal and two on caudal fin; soft dorsal and anal with a broad intramarginal band and with a narrow yellowish margin ; very young similar to adult, but the rows of scales on sides marked with more or less distinct dark stripes; and the caudal fin without black bars. This is a common species on the Pacific coast of Panama. We preserved 72 specimens, ranging in length from 33 to 130 mm. It is occasionally seen in the markets and is used as food to a limited extent. It is common in rocky tide pools and on the shores of the small islands near Panama City. Known from Guaymas to Panama. Our specimens are from Taboga Island, Naos Island, tide pools at Balboa and Panama. 556. Chaetodon ocellatus Bloch. Chatodon ocellatus Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, III, 1787, 105, PI. CCXI, fig. 2 ( ?East Indies) ; Eigenmann & Horning, Ann. N. Y. Ac. Sci., IV, 1887, 7 ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1674, PI. CCXLIX, fig. 621; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1917, 135 (Colon). Chatodon bimaculatus Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, IV, 1790, 9, PI. CCIX, fig. i (? East Indies). Sarothrodus maculo-cinctus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1861, 99 (Newport, R. I.; young). Sarothrodus amplexicollis Poey, Enumeratio, 1875, 63 (Cuba; young). Chcetodon maculocinctus Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XVI, 1882 (1883), 615. Head 2.5 to 3; depth 1.35 to 1.6; D. XII, 19 to 21 ; A. Ill, 16 to 18; scales 27 to 35. Body very deep, strongly compressed; anterior profile notably concave, except in very young; head short and deep; snout pointed, 2.5 to 2.85 in head; eye 2.5 to 3.5; mouth very small, the lower jaw slightly in advance of the upper; maxillary slipping under preorbital, 772 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. its length somewhat less than the diameter of the eye; teeth in the jaws slender, flexible, in bands; gill-membranes attached to isthmus, the rakers rudimentary; lateral line running high, and ending under the posterior rays of the soft dorsal; scales ctenoid, large on sides, reduced on caudal peduncle and on head, the rows running obliquely upward and backward on upper portion of sides and becoming nearly horizontal below; vertical fins densely scaled; dorsal fin long, its origin over upper angle of gill-opening, the spines strong, the longest one about equal to length of eye and snout; caudal fin with straight or slightly rounded margin; anal fin with strong spines, the soft portion similar to soft dorsal; ventrals moderate, nearly as long as pectorals, reaching past origin of anal in young, not quite to vent in adult; pectoral fins inserted slightly in advance of base of ventrals, 1.3 to 1.45 in head. Color in life of a specimen 140 mm. in length: Body gray on sides, base of each scale pale; lower parts yellowish; a yellow streak from angle of mouth backward to eye; a jet-black bar, about three-fourths the width of eye, extending from origin of dorsal through eye to lower margin of opercle, this bar with a yellow margin posteriorly above eye; membranous margin of opercle, base of pectorals, and caudal peduncle orange; fins all orange; dorsal with pale margin and a jet- black quadrate spot at the tips of the longest rays ; caudal fin with a pale margin and pale band across distal third; anal fin with pale streaks. In the young a black bar extends from the base of the soft dorsal to the base of the anal, the bar being broadest and most distinct on base of dorsal, where a dark blotch is evident even in moderately large examples (120 mm.) ; the soft dorsal of the young with an intra- marginal black line broadened on the longest rays, later giving rise to a quadrate blotch ; this dark marking on the distal part of the dorsal wholly wanting in our smallest individuals (32 mm.). This fish is apparently rather rare on the coast of Panama. We secured only 8 specimens, ranging in length from 32 to 140 mm. The range of this species reaches from Massachusetts to Trinidad. Our specimens were taken at Toro Point ; Fox Bay, Colon ; and Porto Bello. 200. Genus Pomacanthus Lacepede. Pomacanthus Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 1803, 517 (type Ch&todon arcuatus Linnaeus). Pomacanthodes Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1862, 244 (type Poma- canthodes zonipectus Gill). SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 773 Body very deep, much compressed; head short, blunt; preopercle slightly serrate or entire, a very strong spine at its lower posterior angle; interopercle unarmed; scales small, unequal; dorsal and anal densely scaled ; dorsal with 8 to 1 1 graduated spines, the soft portion usually much elevated in front in the adult; caudal fin with straight or rounded margin; anal fin with 3 strong graduated spines, the soft portion usually similar to that of dorsal. The individuals vary much with age and the species are often difficult to define. Only three species, two on the Pacific and one on the Atlantic, were taken. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Dorsal fin with 9 spines; caudal fin with straight or slightly concave margin, angulate at outer rays; soft dorsal and anal anteriorly much elevated in adult; each scale on side with pale margin; caudal fin with a broad pale margin. arcuatus, p. 773. aa. Dorsal fin with 10 spines; caudal fin convex, not angulate at outer rays; soft dorsal and anal anteriorly much elevated in adult; only a part of the scales on sides with white margins; caudal fin with a very narrow pale margin. paru, p. 775. aaa. Dorsal fin with II spines; caudal fin convex, not angulate at outer rays ; soft dorsal anteriorly moderately elevated ; anal fin with convex margin, never angulate or elevated; some of the scales on sides with black bases and pale blue margins. zonipectus, p. 776. 557. Pomacanthus arcuatus (Linnaeus). Ch&todon arcuatus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 273 ("India"; from specimen in Mus. Adolph Frederici). Chatodon aureus Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, III, 1787, 49, PI. CXCIII, fig. i (Martinique; on a drawing by Plumier). Chetodon lutescens Bonnaterre, Tableau Encyclo., Ichth., VI, 1788, 82 (Jamaica; after Browne). Pomacanthus aureus Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 1803, 518. Pomacanthus balteatus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VII, 1831, 208 (Porto Rico). Pomacanthus cingulatus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VII, 1831, 209, PI. CLXXXV (West Indies; probably Porto Rico). Pomacanthus quinquecinctus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VII, 1831, 210 (West Indies; probably Porto Rico). Pomacanthus paru Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., II, 1860, 55 (in part). 774 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Chcetodon littoricola Poey, Syn. Pise. Cub., 1868, 351 (Cuba). Pomacanthus arcuatus Jordan & Rutter, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1897, 125; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1679, PI. CCLI, fig. 623; Starks, Leland Stanford Jr. Univ. Pub., Univ. Ser., 1913, 62; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, 405 (Colon) ; Breder, Zoologica, IV, Pt. 4, 1925, 156 (Caledonia Bay). Head 3.3 to 3.85; depth 1.3 to 1.4; D. IX, 32 or 33; A. Ill, 23 to 25 ; scales about 80. Body deep, strongly compressed; anterior profile rather steep, straight or gently convex; head very short, deep; snout blunt, 2.1 to 2.9 in head; eye 3 or 4; mouth small, oblique, the lower jaw in advance of the upper; teeth in the jaws numerous, slender, flexible, in bands; preopercular margin smooth in adult, crenate in young, the spine at lower angle large, flattened, with a sharp point and cutting edges ; gill- membranes attached to the isthmus, the rakers short; lateral line arched, continuous; scales ctenoid, much reduced on head and chest, irregular on sides, lateral series difficult to enumerate; vertical fins densely scaled; dorsal fin long, its origin over or a little behind pos- terior margin of opercle, the spines graduated, the longest one not much shorter than head, a few of the anterior rays of the soft dorsal much produced in adult, filamentous; caudal fin straight or slightly concave, angulate at outer rays (this condition not evident in young of less than 90 mm.) ; anal fin preceded by 3 strong graduated spines, the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal ; ventral fins long, the outer rays filamentous; pectoral fins rather short, i.i to 1.25 in head. Color of adult in alcohol brownish, each scale on sides with a pale margin; fins dark brown, the caudal with a broad pale margin; young much darker; very young nearly black; a white bar on snout at angle of mouth; another white bar from nape across preopercular margin to chest; a third bar curved forward from tips of last dorsal spines across body to origin of anal ; a fourth bar from middle of soft dorsal, curved forward and ending on tips of middle anal rays; a white circle around caudal fin in very young; this circle forming 2 bars when the fish reaches a length of about 90 mm., one at base of caudal and one on the margin of the fin, the latter being the only bar persisting in the adult. This species was not seen by us at Panama. It is here described from specimens from the Bahamas, West Indies and Brazil, ranging in length from 70 to 280 mm. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 775 Known from New Jersey to Brazil. It is recorded from Panama by both Fowler and Breder. 558. Pomaeanthus paru (Bloch). Chcetodon paru Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, III, 1787, 57, PL CXCVII, fig, i (Brazil). Pomaeanthus arcuatus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VII, 1831, 211 (not of Linnaeus). Pomaeanthus paru Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., VII, 1831, 205; Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., II, 1860, 55 (in part) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1680; Starks, Leland Stanford Jr. Univ. Pub., Univ. Ser., 1913, 61 (Natal, Brazil). Head 3.1 to 3.6; depth 1.25 to 1.45; D. X, 29 to 33; A. Ill, 22 to 24; scales about 90. Body very deep, strongly compressed ; anterior profile rather steep, gently convex; head .short, very deep; snout blunt, 2.35 to 2.8 in head; eye 2.45 to 3.6; mouth small, oblique, the lower jaw slightly in advance of the upper ; teeth numerous, slender, flexible, in bands ; preopercular margin slightly crenate in young, nearly straight in adult, the spine at lower angle broad, flat, with sharp point and cutting edges ; gill- membranes attached to the isthmus, the rakers very short; lateral line arched, continuous ; scales ctenoid, much reduced on head and anterior part of body, irregular on sides, lateral series difficult to enumerate ; vertical fins densely scaled; dorsal fin long, its origin slightly behind posterior margin of opercle, the spines graduated, the longest one only slightly shorter than head ; a few anterior rays of soft dorsal produced, filamentous in adult ; caudal fin rounded at all ages ; anal fin preceded by 3 strong spines, the soft portion similar to that of dorsal but the anterior rays not as prominently produced ; ventral fins long, the outer rays more or less filamentous; pectoral fins short, i.i to 1.33 in head. Color of a fresh specimen 190 mm. long: Very dark; a part of the scales on sides with yellow margins, making it appear as if the scales were much larger than they prove to be upon closer examination ; a yellow bar from eye to nostrils; a faint yellowish bar at base of pectorals; margin of opercle and preopercular spine yellow; a faint pale band from produced rays of dorsal across body to vent ; fins mostly black ; produced rays of dorsal yellow ; dorsal, caudal and anal posteriorly with very narrow white margins; pectoral fins with a broad pale margin. A small specimen, 60 mm. in length, is jet-black, with yellow cross-bars as follows : one on snout across angle of mouth, 776 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. the second from nape across preopercular margin to chest, the third from tips of anterior rays of soft dorsal running forward across body to vent, the fourth from tips of soft dorsal, forward and across body to tips of middle rays of anal ; and a yellow ring encircling the caudal fin. Our largest specimen is without bars except for a short one from eye to nostrils and one across base of pectoral, and the ground color of body is dark brown. This is a rather rare species on the coast of Panama where only four specimens were secured, ranging from 60 to 21 5 mm. in length. Our specimens were taken on coral reefs by the use of dynamite. Known from the West Indies southward to Brazil. It is also re- corded from Ascension Island. Our specimens were taken at Toro Point, Colon Reef and Porto Bello. 559. Pomacanthus zonipectus (Gill). Pomacanthodes zonipectus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1862, 244 (San Salvador). Pomacanthus crescentalis Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1 88 1, 358 (Mazatlan; young). Pomacanthus zonipectus Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882, 376; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1681, PI. CCLII, fig. 624; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 150 (Panama Bay) ; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 143 (Perico Island, Panama Bay) ; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, 411 (Panama Bay). Head 3.3 to 3.7; depth 1.25 to 1.43; D. XI, 24 or 25; A. Ill, 20 to 22 ; scales about 85. Body very deep, strongly compressed; anterior profile uneven, with more or less of a hump at the nape ; head short and deep ; snout very blunt, 2.4 to 3 in head; eye 2.8 to 4; mouth small, the lower jaw slightly in advance of the upper; teeth numerous, slender, flexible, in bands; preopercular margin slightly crenate, the spine on lower pos- terior angle large, with sharp point and cutting edges; gill-membranes attached to the isthmus, the rakers very short; lateral line arched, complete ; scales ctenoid, much reduced on anterior part of body and head, the rows irregular on sides ; vertical fins densely scaled ; the dorsal fin long, its origin over posterior margin of opercle, the spines graduated, the longest about equal to the distance from end of snout to margin of preopercle, the anterior portion of soft dorsal produced in adult, but not as much so as in related species ; caudal fin posteriorly straight or slightly rounded; anal fin preceded by 3 strong spines, the SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 777 soft portion similar to that of dorsal, except that the anterior rays are never produced, the outline convex not angulate ; ventral fins very long, the outer rays produced; pectoral fins short, I to 1.22 in head. Color of a specimen 250 mm. in length: Dark brown; scales on sides irregularly with black bases and pale blue margins ; a curved pale band bounded fore and aft with black extending from middle of spinous dorsal to vent; fins very dark, the pectorals with pale spots. Color of the young (45 mm.) as in P. paru, except that the yellow bars are apparently slightly narrower and more numerous, there being 6 instead of 4; the anterior 4 situated as in P. paru, but the fifth bending forward from the end of the posterior rays of soft dorsal across body to end of posterior rays of anal; the sixth bar on the middle of the caudal fin. This species, although reported rare by Gilbert & Starks, was found to be fairly common. We preserved 23 specimens ranging from 100 to 255 mm. in length. Besides these we have examined small speci- mens from Nicaragua and Perico Island, Panama Bay. It is used as food to a limited extent. Known from Mazatlan to Panama. Our specimens are from Taboga Island, Balboa and the Panama City market. 201. Genus Holacanthus Lacepede. Holacanthus Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 1803, 525 (type Chceto- don tricolor Linnaeus). Genicanthus Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 212 (type Holacanthus lamarckii Cuvier). Centropyge Kaup, Archiv. Naturg., XXVI, 1860, 140 (type Centropyge tibicen Kaup). Acanthochatodon Bleeker, Arch. Neerl. Sci. Nat., XI, 1876, 308 (type Holacanthus annularis Lacepede). Body oblong, rather robust; back not compressed; head short and blunt; preopercle serrate, with a large spine at its lower posterior angle, this spine often preceded by I or 2 short spines on lower margin of preopercle; interopercle with from I to 4 short spines; preorbital anteriorly with 2 or more large serrse; scales firm, strongly ctenoid, small accessory scales often present; dorsal with 12 to 15 spines, usually graduated; soft dorsal and anal anteriorly elevated or not; color unusually brilliant. The species are common in all tropical seas. A single species is known from Panama (west coast). We, however, have included in our discussion the single known species from the 778 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Atlantic coast of America which has been recorded from localities both north and south of the Isthmus. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Scales on sides each with several accessory scales on base; caudal fin with convex margin, the outer rays never produced nor angulate ; head and trunk black ; sides with a white bar (young also with several narrow bluish bars) . passer, p. 778. aa. Scales on sides each with a single accessory scale on base or none; outer rays of caudal produced in adult, merely angulate in young; head and anterior part of trunk yellow, the rest of body black. tricolor, p. 779. 560. Holacanthus passer Valenciennes. Holacanthus passer Valenciennes, Voy. Venus, Zool., Poiss., 1846, PL VI, text, 1855, 327 (Galapagos Islands). Holacanthus strigatus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1862, 243 (Cape San Lucas). Pomacanthus passer Eigenmann & Horning, Ann. N. Y. Ac. Sci., IV, 1887, 14. Holacanthus passer Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1682 ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 150 (Panama Bay) ; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 143 (Acapulco; Taboguilla Island, Panama Bay; Chatham Island). Head 3.25 to 4; depth 1.45 to 1.65; D. XIV, 18 to 20; A. Ill, 17 to 19; scales 46 to 53. Body rather deep, moderately compressed ; anterior profile concave in adult, a slight nuchal hump present ; head short, deep ; snout blunt, 2.4 to 2.5 in head; eye 4 to 4.95; mouth small, terminal; teeth numerous, slender, flexible, in bands; posterior margin of preopercle serrate, the spine at lower angle extremely large, preceded by 2 or 3 short spines on lower margin of the preopercle, these» becoming obsolete in very large examples; interopercle with from I to 3 short spines ; gill-membranes narrowly attached to the isthmus, the rakers very short; lateral line arched, becoming horizontal only on caudal peduncle; scales very strongly ctenoid, reduced on head, in regular series on sides, the large scales with several small accessory scales at base; vertical fins densely scaled; dorsal fin long, the spines strong, graduated, the longest slightly exceeding the length of snout, the soft dorsal anteriorly much elevated in adult; caudal fin slightly convex at SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 779 all ages, the outer rays never produced nor angulate; anal fin with 3 strong spines, the soft portion similar to that of dorsal ; ventral fins long, the outer rays more or less produced ; pectoral fins rather short, i.i to 1.4 in head. Color of adult satin-black; a white bar with its origin under fifth and sixth dorsal spines extending down sides and ending under tips of pectorals ; scales on sides behind the white bar with greenish margins ; angle of mouth yellow ; a greenish yellow region about the base of pectorals; a purple bar from eye to eye; lining of gill-covers yellow; dorsal and anal mostly satin-black ; the spinous dorsal deep orange ; the soft dorsal with a narrow orange intramarginal band and a blue margin ; anal with streaks of red, becoming broadest on distal part of the rays, the margin blue ; caudal fin orange, with a narrow yellow band at base and a very narrow dark blue margin; ventrals pale yellow; pectorals uniform orange. Young with 2 distinct blue bands on head, one just anterior to eyes, the other just back of eyes ; 4 indistinct bluish bars be- tween the white bars on side and base of caudal. This species, although reported as common in the rocky pools about Panama City by Gilbert & Starks, was rarely seen by us. We secured only 7 specimens, ranging from 140 to 305 mm. in length. We have for comparison the type of H. strigatus Gill, a specimen 85 mm. in length, upon which we base the color description of the young. A comparison of specimens of this species and H. tricolor shows that the present species possesses more numerous accessory scales at the base of the large scales, the caudal fin is always rounded, never angulate, and the color is very strikingly different. Known from Acapulco south to the Galapagos Islands. Our speci- mens are from Taboga Island and Balboa. 561. Holacanthus tricolor (Bloch). Chatodon tricolor Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, IX, 1795, 103, PL CCCCXXVI. Holacanthus tricolor Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 1803, 525; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1684, PI. CCLIII, fig. 625 ; Fowler, Proc. Ac, Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, 405 (Colon). Genicanthus tricolor Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 212. Pomacanthus tricolor Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XVI, 1882 (1883), 941. Head 3.5 to 3.9; depth 1.45 to 1.95; D. XIV (rarely XV), 17 or 18; A. Ill, 17 to 19; scales 44 to 48. 780 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Body moderately elongate, compressed; anterior profile gently convex; head short; snout blunt, 2.2 to 2.75 in head; eye 3.1 to 4.4; mouth small, terminal; teeth in the jaws numerous, slender, flexible, in bands; posterior margin of preopercle serrate, with an excessively large spine at lower angle, preceded by a small spine on lower margin of preopercle; interopercle with 2 or 3 short spines; gill-membranes narrowly attached to the isthmus, the rakers short ; lateral line arched, becoming straight on caudal peduncle ; scales strongly ctenoid, reduced on head, in regular series on sides, the large scales with a single accessory scale at base or none ; vertical fins densely scaled ; dorsal fin long, the spines strong, graduated, the longest equal to length of eye and snout, the soft portion anteriorly produced in adult, filamentous; caudal fin convex, with the outer rays produced in adult, simply convex in young ; anal fin with 3 strong spines, the soft portion similar to that of the dorsal ; ventral fins moderate the outer rays more or less produced; pectoral fins rather short, i.i to 1.4 in head. Color in spirits : Head, anterior part of trunk, caudal, ventrals and pectorals pale (golden yellow in life; ; the rest of the body and lips black; dorsal and anal posteriorly with pale margin (scarlet in life). This species was not taken b> us, but it has been recorded from Panama by Fowler. It is here described from specimens from the West Indies, ranging from 100 to 190 mm. in length. Known from Bermuda south to Bahia, Brazil. Family LXV. Acanthuridae.* SURGEON-FISHES. Body ovoid or oblong, compressed; head short; snout long; eye placed high; preorbital broad; nostrils double; mouth small, terminal; teeth in a single series in each jaw; gill-opening restricted, the mem- branes attached to the isthmus ; gills 4, a slit behind the fourth ; gill- rakers rudimentary; pseudobranchiae large; scales small; sides of caudal peduncle armed with one or more spines or bony plates ; lateral line complete ; pelvic bones long and narrow ; air bladder large ; intes- tinal canal long; pyloric caeca few; dorsal fin single, very long, the spinous part shorter than the soft part; anal fin similar to soft portion of dorsal ; ventral fins present, thoracic, with 5 soft rays and one spine. Fishes of tropical or subtropical waters. Two genera are represented on the coasts of Panama. *This family is given under the name Hepatida in the "Key to the Families" in Part I, p. 22, of the present work. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 781 KEY TO THE GENERA. a. Caudal peduncle armed with a single sharp-edged spine, cap- able of being erected from a groove. Acanthurus, p. 781. aa. Caudal peduncle armed with immovable spines, tubercles or plates. Xesurus, p. 785. 202. Genus Acanthurus Forskal. Acanthurus Forskal, Descr. Animal., 1775, 59 (type Chatodon sohal Forskal). Aspisurus Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 1803, 556 (type Chcetodon sohar Forskal). The caudal peduncle of this genus is armed with a single sharp movable spine, which is capable of being erected from a groove; teeth strong, incisor-like, fixed; ventral rays I, 5; dorsal spines usually 9; anal spines 3. The species of this genus, owing to the marked changes taking place with age, are difficult to define in a key. In order to under- stand the relationship, it is necessary to compare specimens of like size. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Body deep, rhomboid, the depth 1.55 to 1.75 in length; snout 1.25 to 1.5 in head; longest dorsal spine shorter than snout; dorsal rays IX, 25 to 27; anal rays III, 24 to 26; caudal spine rather large, more than half the length of the eye in adult (160 mm.) ; color deep bluish black; base of caudal not paler than rest of body. cceruleus, p. 782. aa. Body more elongate, at least when specimens of like size are compared; color lighter, brownish; base of caudal paler than rest of body, this condition most evident in young. b. Longest dorsal spine equal to length of snout; anal rays III, 24 to 27; snout 1.5 to 2 in head; caudal spine very small, not more than half the length of eye in adult (160 mm.). crest onis, p. 782. bb. Longest dorsal spine somewhat shorter than snout; anal rays III, 21 to 23; caudal spine large, exceeding half the length of eye in adult (160 mm.) c. Caudal fin deeply concave, the upper lobe notably produced in adult; color uniform, without vertical bars in young; concave portion of caudal fin with a broad white margin. bahianus, p. 783. cc. Caudal fin only moderately concave, the upper lobe not produced and not much longer than the lower ; young with narrow vertical 782 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. bars; concave portion of caudal fin with a very narrow white margin or none. hepatus, p. 784. 562. Acanthurus coeruleus Bloch & Schneider. Acanthurus coeruleus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, 214 (Caro- lina; Havana; Jamaica). Acanthurus broussonetii Desmarest, Mem. Soc. Linn. Paris, II, 1823, 26 (Cuba). Acanthurus brevis Poey, Memorias, II, 1860, 207 (Antilles; Havana). Acronurus coeruleatus Poey, Enumeratio, 1875, 69 (Cuba; young). Teuthis coeruleus Meek & Hoffman, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1884, 228; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1691. Hepatus coeruleus Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, 405 (Colon). Head 3.2 to 3.5; depth 1.55 to 1.75; D. IX, 25 to 27; A. Ill, 24 to 26; scales about 160. Body deep, compressed; anterior profile steep, straight or concave over snout; head short, deep; snout moderately in advance of forehead, its length 1.2 to 1.5 in head; eye 3 to 4.5; mouth small, terminal; teeth broad, with large serrae; scales very small, ctenoid; caudal spine variable in length, longer than eye in some specimens and notably shorter in others of like size; lateral line complete, curved with the back ; dorsal fin long, the spines graduated, the longest somewhat shorter than snout; caudal fin deeply concave, both lobes produced, the upper only slightly longer than the lower; anal fin similar to soft part of the dorsal, the spines strong, the first more or less embedded, the third somewhat shorter than the longest dorsal spine; ventral fins reaching past origin of anal to base of first soft ray; pectoral fins moderate, equal to length of head. Color deep bluish black, brownish on chest and abdomen; faint pale longitudinal lines noticeable on a few specimens ; all the fins except pectorals bluish black; dorsal and anal with a narrow blue margin; caudal with a very narrow white margin; pectorals dusky at base, the distal parts yellowish ; caudal spine orange. We have over 50 specimens, ranging from 35 to 285 mm. in length. It is a food fish of some importance, living mostly on rocky bottom. Known from Florida south to Brazil. Our specimens were taken at Toro Point, Colon and Porto Bello. 563. Acanthurus crestonis (Jordan & Starks). Teuthis crestonis Jordan & Starks, in Jordan, Proc. Cal. Ac. Sci., 2nd Ser., V, 1895, 485, PI. XLVII (Mazatlan) ; Jordan & Evermann, SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 783 Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1692, PL CCLVI, fig. 628; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 151 (Panama Bay) ; Evermann & Goldsborough, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XXII, 1909, 103 (Taboga Island). Head 2.7 to 3.7; depth 1.65 to 2.2; D. IX, 24 to 27; A. Ill, 23 to 26; scales about 150. Body deep, compressed; anterior profile steep, convex; head short, deep; snout not greatly in advance of forehead, its length 1.5 to 2 in head ; eye small, 2.75 to 4 ; mouth small, terminal ; teeth broad, cutting edges and sides with prominent serrae; scales small, ctenoid; caudal spine small, half the eye in adult, proportionately shorter in young; lateral line curved like the back; dorsal fin long, the spines pungent, graduated, the longest equal to length of snout; caudal fin rather strongly concave, the upper lobe the longer, exceeding the length of head in adult; anal fin similar to soft dorsal, the spines strong, the first one very .short, embedded in the skin ; ventral fins shorter than the pectorals, the outer rays somewhat produced; pectoral fins moderate, equal to length of head. Color in spirits dark brown, more or less blotched; base of caudal paler; dorsal, anal and ventrals very dark; caudal somewhat lighter, with a very narrow pale margin or none ; distal three-fourths of pectorals pale (yellow in life). This species is represented by 40 specimens, ranging from 40 to 155 mm. in length. It is very common in the rocky tide pools about Panama City. A. crest onis is very closely related to A. matoides recorded from the Hawaiian Islands and other points of the Western Pacific, from which it, however, seems to differ in the somewhat smaller caudal spine and in color. In 3 specimens of A. matoides from Honolulu pale longitudinal streaks appear on the upper part of sides, a condition which is not evident in our large series. It is used as food to a limited extent. Known from Mazatlan to Panama. Our specimens were taken in tide pools at Naos Islands, Balboa and Panama and in the Panama City market. 564. Acanthurus bahianus Castelnau. Acanthurus bahianus Castelnau, Anim. Nouv. Rares Amer. Sud, 1855, 24, PI. XI, fig. i (Bahia). Acanthurus tractus Poey, Memorias, II, 1860, 208 (Cuba). Acromirus nigriculus Poey, Enumeratio, 1875, 69 (Cuba; larval form). 784 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Acanthurus matoides Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882, 626 (not of Cuvier & Valenciennes). Teuthis tractus Meek & Hoffman, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1884, 229. Teuthis bahianus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1693, PL CCLVI, fig. 629; Breder, Zoologica, IV, Pt. 4, 1925, 156 (Caledonia Bay), Hepatus bahianus Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, 405 and I9J7» 135 (Colon). Head 3.2 to 3.6; depth 1.8 to 2.1 ; D. IX, 24 to 26; A. Ill, 21 to 23; scales about 150. Body elongate, compressed; anterior profile moderately steep, con- vex ; head short and deep ; snout well in advance of forehead, its length 1.3 to 1.75 in head; eye 2.9 to 3.7; mouth small, the lower jaw slightly included; teeth broad, the entire margin with prominent serrae; scales small, ctenoid ; caudal spine moderate, about three-fourths length of eye ; lateral line curved with the back; dorsal fin long, the spines graduated, the longest slightly shorter than snout; caudal fin deeply concave, the upper lobe notably produced in adult but scarcely filamentous as described in current works; anal fin similar to soft portion of dorsal, the first spine very small, embedded, the other two very strong, the third one somewhat shorter than the longest dorsal spine; ventral fins mod- erate, reaching past origin of anal; pectoral fins rather long, equal to or slightly shorter than head. Color uniform dark brown ; the young with a somewhat lighter area at base of caudal ; dorsal, anal and ventrals very dark ; caudal somewhat lighter, with a white margin, broadest and most conspicuous on the shortest rays; pectoral fins yellowish in life. This species is the rarest of the three which were taken on the Atlantic coast of Panama. We have 30 specimens ranging from 45 to 215 mm. in length. The young are separated from the young of A. cceruleus with difficulty. It inhabits rocky shores. Known from North Carolina south to Brazil. Our specimens are from Toro Point, Colon and Porto Bello. 565. Acanthurus hepatus (Linnseus). Teuthis hepatus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. XII, 1766, 507 (Carolina) ; Meek & Hoffman, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1884, 229; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1691. Chatodon chirurgus Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, III, 1787, 99, PI. CCVIII (Martinique; on a drawing by Plumier). SEPT. 1928. FISHES OP PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 785 Acanthurus hepatus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, 211 (in part). Acanthurus chirurgus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss, X, 1835, 168. Acanthurus phlebotomus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss, X, 1835, 176 (Martinique, Brazil, Havana, New York). Acronurus fuscus Gronow, Cat. Fish, 1854, 191 (same type as T. hepatus Linnaeus) . Acronurus carneus Poey, Syn. Pise. Cub., 1868, 350 (Cuba). Acanthurus nigricans Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XVI, 1882 (1883), 941 (not Chcetodon nigricans Linnaeus). Hepatus hepatus Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, 405 and I9I7. 135 (Colon). Head 2.8 to 3.6; depth 1.75 to 2.1 ; D. IX, 23 to 25; A. Ill, 22 or 23 ; scales about 140. Body moderately elongate, compressed; the anterior profile rather steep, gently convex; head short, deep; the snout well in advance of forehead, its length 1.4 to 1.75 in head; eye 2.5 to 4; mouth small, the lower jaw included; teeth broad, the entire margin strongly serrate; scales small, ctenoid; caudal spine rather large, equal to diameter of eye in adult (220 mm.), proportionately shorter in young; lateral line curved with the back ; dorsal fin long, the spines graduated, the longest one a little shorter than the snout ; caudal fin only moderately concave, the upper lobe not much longer than the lower ; anal fin similar to soft part of dorsal, the spines strong, the first short but scarcely embedded, the third only slightly shorter than the longest dorsal spine ; ventral fins reaching well beyond origin of anal, nearly to base of first soft ray; pectoral fins moderate, equal to length of head. Color in adult uniform brownish; young often with narrow dark cross-bars, and the base of caudal yellowish green ; a bluish black blotch surrounding caudal spine ; dorsal, anal and ventrals bluish black ; caudal somewhat lighter, with a very narrow yellowish margin ; pectoral yellow, except at base which is dusky. This species, although its size is rather small, is frequently seen in the market. We have at hand over 100 specimens, ranging from 35 to 220 mm. in length, taken mainly on rocky bottom. Our 220 mm. speci- men is one of the largest seen. Known from Massachusetts south to Brazil. The species is also recorded from Ashantee, West Africa. Our specimens are from Toro Point, Colon and Porto Bello. 786 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. 203. Genus Xesurus Jordan & Evermann. Xesurus Jordan & Evermann, Rept. U. S. Fish Comrn., XXI, 1895 (1896), 421 (type Prionurus punctatus Gill). This genus has the caudal peduncle armed with 3 immovable bony shields, placed in a straight line; teeth each 5-lobed. A single species of this genus is known from Panama. The species is based on 2 large specimens obtained at Panama City by Prof. C. H. Gilbert and assistants in 1896. It was not seen by us. The original description follows : 566. Xesurus hopkinsi Gilbert & Starks. Xesurus hopkinsi Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 155, PL XXV, fig. 48 (Panama Bay). "The outlines of the body are evenly curved. The snout projects but slightly as compared with the other species, and the upper anterior outline is shallowly concave. From before eye to dorsal, the profile is regularly rounded and without a projection at nape. "Dorsal VIII, 26 or 27; anal III, 23. The head is smaller than in the other species, 26 or 27 hundredths of the length. In seven specimens of X. punctatus, the head averages 31 1/7 hundredths of the length; in three specimens of laticlavius, 31^3 hundredths; in clarionis, 30 hundredths. The mouth is smaller; the maxillary forms but 6% hun- dredths of the length (in punctatus, 7 5/7 hundredths ; in latidavius ; 8^5 hundredths ; in clarionis, 8 hundredths) . The teeth are much smaller, though they number the same as in the other species, 8 or 9 on each side of the upper jaw. The eye is smaller, 4 or 4^2 in the snout, 5 hundredths of the length (in punctatus 6 5/7 hundredths ; in latidavius, js/b hundredths; in clarionis, 6^2 hundredths). "The pectoral is broad and rounded at its tip, reaching to above the base of the second anal spine, when forced into a horizontal position. It seems to incline obliquely upward in its normal position. The ventrals nearly reach the first anal spine, and are about two-thirds the length of the pectorals. The dorsal and anal are as in related species. In the larger specimen, the first dorsal spine has become almost entirely con- cealed beneath the skin, the first anal spine wholly concealed. "The posterior part of the body is rather thickly covered with sharp spines, the bases of which are expanded as rough plates. The spines are somewhat inclined forward and are occasionally bifid (some speci- mens of other species have scattered rough plates which sometimes bear low sharp keels, but never high spines). The three bony shields on the caudal peduncle bear thick blunt spines, their points broad and smooth, as though worn. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 787 "Color light slaty on lower parts, dark above. One specimen is faintly spotted with black on nape and opercles." This species is known only from 2 large specimens taken at Panama City, respectively 410 and 430 mm. in length, upon which the above description by Gilbert & Starks is based. Family LXVL Balistidae. THE TRIGGER-FISHES. Body usually more or less ovate, considerably compressed; snout long ; eye small, placed high ; mouth small, usually terminal ; jaws short but strong ; teeth in the jaws in a single series, more or less incisor-like ; gill-openings mere slits ; preopercular bones externally not evident ; body covered with modified scales, more or less plate-like in structure and bearing spines or bony tubercles ; skin leathery ; dorsal fins 2, the first spine highest, very strong; ventral fins replaced by a single stout spine attached to the enlarged pubic bone. Only 2 genera are represented in the waters of Panama. KEY TO THE GENERA. a. Several enlarged bony plates behind gill-slit. Balistes, p. 787. aa. Gill-slit surrounded by ordinary scales, not as above. Canthidermis, p. 793. 204. Genus Balistes Linnaeus. Balistes Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 327 (type Balistes vetula Linnaeus). Capriscus Klein, Neuer Schauplatz, etc., V, 1777, 427 (type Balistes capriscus Gmelin). Pachynathus Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 326 (type Pachynathus triangularis Swainson; name preoccupied). Chalisoma Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 325 (type Balistes pulcherrimus 'Lesson=Balistes vetula Linnaeus). Sufflamen Jordan, Copeia, Apr. 12, 1916, 27 (type Balistes capistratus Shaw; substitute for Pachynathus, preoccupied). Body usually deep, compressed ; snout long ; eye small, placed high ; mouth small, usually terminal ; gill-opening an oblique slit, with enlarged bony scutes behind it; teeth in the jaws irregular, usually notched and the anterior cusp enlarged ; lateral line more or less developed, undulat- ing, often obsolete in adult ; scales plate-like, rough, usually bearing spinules; first dorsal with 3 spines, the anterior one much enlarged, which sets stiff and erect when the second spine is erect, but which may 788 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. be laid back, if the second is deflexed, hence the name "trigger fishes" ; second dorsal and anal long, usually similar; the ventral fins repre- sented by a spine, attached to the abdomen by a spinous flap. Four species of this genus occur in the Panama collection, but several others will doubtless be taken there in time. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Cheeks with several short, horizontal rows of enlarged scales; D. 111-30 to 33 ; A. 27 to 29 ; scales 60 to 64. verres, p. 788. aa. Cheeks with oblique rows of scales which are not enlarged; second dorsal usually with fewer than 30 rays. b. Scales small, 65 to 76 in lateral series ; D. 111-26 to 28 ; A. 24 to 26. polylepis, p. 790. bb. Scales larger, fewer than 65 in a lateral series. c. A naked area about the mouth, small in young but large in adult ; scales below pectoral fins not enlarged ; preorbital groove poorly developed ; D. 111-25 to 27 ; A. 23 to 25 ; scales 57 to 60. naufragium, p. 790. cc. Naked area about mouth wanting, the snout closely scaled; preorbital groove well developed. d. Head without prominent bands or stripes ; sides and fins without conspicuous roundish blue black spots ; scales below pectoral fins more or less enlarged; outer caudal rays not greatly produced, never filamentous ; D. 111-27 to 29 ; A. 23 to 26 ; scales 54 to 62. carolinensis, p. 791. dd. Head with prominent dark bars and stripes; the outer caudal rays much produced in adult, filamentous ; D. 1 1 1-29 or 30 ; A. 26 to 28; scales 60 to 62 vetula p. 792. ddd. Body and dorsal and anal fins covered with roundish blue black spots. forcipatus, p. 793. 567. Balistes verres Gilbert & Starks. Pachynathus capistratus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1704 (in part) ; Jordan & McGregor, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XXIV, 1898 (1899), 280 (Clarion and Socorro islands; not of Shaw). Balistes verres Gilbert & Starks,, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 153, PI. XXVI, fig. 49 (Panama Bay) ; Snodgrass & Heller, Proc. Wash. Ac. Sci., VI, 1904 (1905), 406 (Galapagos Islands). Balistes capistratus Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 163 (Acapulco; Perico and Taboguilla islands). SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 789 Head to upper angle of gill-opening 2.7 to 2.9; depth 1.7 to 2; D. III-3O to 33 ; A. 27 to 29 ; scales 60 to 64. Body deep, compressed ; profile straight or slightly concave in advance of eyes; snout long, 1.2 to 1.4 in head; eye 4.8 to 6.15; pre- orbital groove present; mouth small, terminal; gill-opening about 2 times length of eye in adult (265 mm.), equal to length of eye in young; teeth in jaws moderate, notched, with sharp, oblique margins; body closely scaled, no naked area about the mouth, 6 longitudinal series of scales on cheeks, scales on sides and posterior part of the body each with a small antrorse spine; an irregular row of pores extending from eye backward nearly to soft dorsal; ventral spine broad, movable, provided with spinules at apex; first dorsal with 3 spines, the first one strong, with upward projecting barbs on anterior margin, its length 1.75 to 1.8 in head ; second dorsal and anal similar in young ; the former slightly elevated in adult, the lobes not produced, with nearly straight margin in young; pectoral fins short, 3.1 to 3.2 in head. Color of preserved specimens, dark above, yellowish below; a scarcely discernable pale streak from angle of mouth backward across the cheek present in one of our specimens, wholly wanting in others. This streak is very evident on some specimens from the west coast of America, which we have examined in the National Museum. Dorsal, anal and pectorals plain or dusky ; caudal fin very dark. This species is represented by 8 specimens, ranging from 145 to 165 mm. in length. We have for comparison several specimens from the Hawaiian Islands, and from Acapulco, and the Galapagos Islands. We have also examined specimens from Panama Bay identified as B. capistratus by Kendall & Radcliffe. We find that all the specimens taken on or off the American coast can be readily distinguished from the Hawaiian specimens by the smaller scales, there being from 60 to 64 in a lateral series in the former, while in the latter there are only 49 to 54. In the adult of the American specimens the dorsal fin is ante- riorly somewhat elevated, which is not true of the Hawaiian repre- sentatives. In comparing specimens of like size, it will also be seen that the margin of the caudal fin in the American specimens is more deeply concave. It is, therefore, quite certain that all records of B. capistratus based on American specimens should be referred to B. verres. Known from Mazatlan south to Panama Bay and the Galapagos Islands. Our specimens are from the rocky shores of small islands near the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. 79° FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. 568. Batistes polylepis Steindachner. Batistes polylepis Steindachner, (Sitzb. k. Ak. Wiss. Wien, LXXIV) Ichth. Beitr., V, 1876, 21 (Magdalena Bay, Mazatlan; Acapulco) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1700; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 152 (Panama Bay). Head to upper angle of gill-slit 2.7 to 2.95; depth 1.6 to 1.9; D. 111-26 to 28; A. 24 to 26; scales 65 to 76, difficult to enumerate in small specimens. Body deep, proportionately deeper in young than in adult ; anterior profile straight or slightly concave over snout; the interorbital region somewhat swollen; snout long, 1.25 to 1.6 in head; eye 2.9 to 5.6; pre- orbital groove strongly developed; mouth small, terminal; gill-opening 1.75 times the length of the eye in specimens 430 mm. in length, equal to diameter of eye in specimens 70 mm. in length ; teeth strong, notched, the anterior cusp very large ; body closely scaled ; no naked area about the mouth; a patch of short spines behind angle of mouth; the young rougher than the adult ; young with a row of pores beginning at angle of mouth extending to under posterior part of eye there meeting a branch having its origin on the chin, from thence continued as a single row run- ning upward back of the eye there meeting two other branches, one from the upper lip backward over eye, and the other crossing nape just in front of dorsal spine, the row then continued nearly to origin of second dorsal then curving abruptly downward and backward to below median line of body, then again curving upward to median line of caudal peduncle ; these lines obsolete in adult (430 mm. in length) ; ventral spine strong, provided with spinules; first dorsal with three spines, its origin just behind eye, the first spine strong, only moderately rough on anterior margin, 1.25 to 1.95 in head; dorsal and anal similar, anteriorly elevated in adult ; caudal fin rounded in young, deeply concave with the outer rays much produced in adult; pectoral fins short, 2.3 to 2.65 in head. Color in alcohol dusky or brownish; very young, of 40 mm. and less in length, with dark spots on sides; fins unmarked, usually light brown in adult, pale in young. This species is represented by 73 specimens ranging from 20 to 430 mm. in length. It is used as food only to a very limited extent. Known from Lower California to Peru. Our specimens are from Chame Point, Taboga Island, Balboa and the Panama City market. 569. Balistes naufragium Jordan & Starks. Balistes naufragium Jordan & Starks, Proc. Cal. Ac. Sci., 2nd Ser., V, SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 791 1895, 488 (Mazatlan) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1700; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 152 (Panama Bay) ; Starks, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1906, 798 (Guayaquil, Ecuador) ; Evermann & Goldsborough, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XXII, 1909, 103 (Taboga Island) ; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 163 (Perico Island, Panama Bay). Head to upper angle of gill-slit 2.55 to 3 ; depth 1.7 to 1.9; D. 111-25 to 27 ; A. 23 to 25 ; scales 57 to 60. Body deep, moderately compressed; anterior profile nearly straight over snout, convex over eyes, very large specimens (550 mm.) with nuchal hump ; snout long, 1.2 to 1.3 in head ; eye 4.45 to 6.75 ; preorbital groove poorly developed; mouth terminal;, the lips thickened in adult; gill-slit 2 times length of diameter of the eye in adult (550 mm.), pro- portionately much shorter in young; teeth very strong, notched, the anterior cusp much enlarged; body with rather large scales; a naked area about the mouth which increases in size with age; lateral line in young as in B. polylepis, obsolete in adult (550 mm.) ; ventral spine very strong, rough; origin of the first dorsal just behind vertical from pos- terior margin of eye, the first spine very strong, with prominent tubercles, its length 1.5 to 2.1 in head; second dorsal and anal dissimilar, the former anteriorly more elevated than the latter; caudal fin in small specimens (195 mm.) double concave, with the lower rays shorter than the middle rays, the outer rays more strongly produced, the lower ones longer than the middle rays in adult; pectoral fins short, 2.15 to 2.5 in head. Color in alcohol very dark brown, the fins only slightly paler than the body. This species is represented in the present collection by 12 specimens, ranging from 195 to 550 mm. in length. It is used as food to a very limited extent. Known from Mazatlan, Mexico, south to Guayaquil, Ecuador. Our specimens are from Naos Island, Balboa and the Panama City market. 570. Balistes carolinensis Gmelin. Batistes carolinensis Gmelin, Syst. Nat., I, Part III, 1789, 1468 (Caro- lina) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1701, PL CCLVIII, fig. 632. Balistes capriscus Gmelin, Syst. Nat., I, Part III, 1788, 1471 (Indian and American oceans). 792 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Batistes caprinus Valenciennes, in Webb & Berthelot, Hist. Nat. lies Canaries, II, Pt. II, 1844, 94, PI. XVI (Canaries). Batistes fuliginosus De Kay, Fauna N. Y., Fishes, 1842, 339, PI. LVII, fig. 1 88 (New York). Head to upper angle of gill-slit 2.8 to 3.1; depth 1.7 to 2.25; D. 111-27 to 29; A. 23 to 26; scales 54 to 62. This species was not seen at Panama. It is rather closely related to B. polylepis, from which it differs in having larger and rougher scales. In comparing specimens of like size, it will also be seen that the anal fin in the present species is less strongly elevated. From B. naufragium it may readily be distinguished by the enlarged scales below and behind the pectorals and by having the snout com- pletely scaled, while in B. naufragium there is a larger naked area about the mouth. A widely distributed species, known from both shores of the warmer waters of the Atlantic ; also recorded from the Indian Ocean. 571. Balistes vetula Linnaeus. Batistes vetula Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 329 (Ascension Islands ; after B. vetula of Osbeck) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1703; Starks, Leland Stanford Jr. Univ. Pub., Univ. Ser., 1913, 63 (Natal, Brazil) ; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, 411 (Panama). Balistes bellus Walbaum, Artedi Piscium, III, 1792, 467 (West Indies). Chalisoma velata Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 325. Balistes equestris Gronow, Cat. Fish, 1854, 31 (American Seas). Head to upper angle of gill-slit 2.6 to 2.75; depth 1.7 to 2; D. 111-29 or 30 ; A. 26 to 28 ; scales 60 to 62. Body deep, compressed; anterior profile nearly straight over snout, convex over eyes; snout long, 1.35 to 1.45 in head; eye 3.5 to 4.7; preorbital groove present ; mouth terminal ; the lips not thickened ; gill- slit equal to diameter of eye in adult (250 mm.), shorter than eye in young; teeth moderate; scales of moderate size, no naked area about mouth; lateral line in young as in B. polylepis, obsolete in adult (250 mm.) ; ventral spine broad, with many spinules ; origin of first dorsal just behind vertical from posterior margin of eye, the first spine 1.7 to 1.95 in head; second dorsal and anal more or less dissimilar, the former being more strongly elevated anteriorly than the latter; caudal fin deeply concave, the outer rays notably produced, even in small SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 793 specimens (no mm.), filamentous in adult (250 mm.); pectoral fins short, 2.3 to 2.7 in head. Color in alcohol brownish ; sides of head below eye with two heavy dark bands, the lower extending from upper lip to the throat, the upper from above the snout to below base of pectoral; a narrow dark line curved like the bands extending from above snout to above base of pec- toral ; several similar lines radiating from eye ; fins unmarked in spirits. This species was not seen by us at Panama, but it is recorded from there by Fowler (I.e.) and more recently from Caledonia Bay by Breder (Zoologica, IV, Pt. 4, 1925, 156). It is here described from speci- mens, ranging in length from no to 250 mm., from Cuba, Jamaica and Bahia, Brazil. Known from Massachusetts south to Brazil; also recorded from the Azores and Ascension Island. 572. Batistes forcipatus Gmelin. Batistes forcipatus Gmelin, Syst. Nat., I, Pt. Ill, 1789, 1472 (Brazil) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1702. Balistes punctatus Gmelin, Syst. Nat., I, Pt. Ill, 1789, 1472. Batistes spilotopterygius Walbaum, Artedi Piscium, III, 1792, 455 (Brazil). Balistes guttatus Walbaum, Artedi Piscium, III, 1792, 467 (St. Vin- cent) . Balistes ciliaris Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, 471 (Brazil). Balistes liberiensis Steindachner, (Sitzb. k. Ak. Wiss. Wien, LV) Ichth. Notizen, IV, 1867, 9 (Monrovia). Balistes powellii Cope, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1870, 120 (Newport, R. I.; young). Balistes moribundus Cope, Trans. Amer. Philo. Soc. Phila., XIV, 1871, 479 (St. Martins; young). This species was not seen by us. It apparently differs from B. carolinensis only in coloration, having the body and the dorsal and anal fins covered with roundish blue black spots. Known from both coasts of the tropical Atlantic. The species is included because it is recorded from localities both north and south of Panama, thus coming within the scope of the present work. 205. Genus Canthidermis Swainson. Canthidermis Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 325 (type Balistes angulosus Quoy & Gaimard). 794 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Body somewhat elongate ; head completely scaled ; a preorbital groove present; gill-opening surrounded by ordinary scales, there being no enlarged bony scutes behind it as in Batistes; dorsal spines 3. A single species, which is from the Pacific coast, occurs in the Panama collection. We have included in our discussion C. maculatus from the Atlantic Ocean, which probably comes within the scope of the present work, but the relationship of which we do not understand and, there- fore, no attempt is being made to give a key to the species. 573. Canthidermis rotundatus (Marion de Proce). Batistes rotundatus Marion de Proce, Bull. Soc. Philo. Paris, 1822, 130 (Manila). Batistes azureus Lesson, Voy. Coquille, Zool., II, 1831, 121, PI. X, fig. 2. Batistes angulosus Quoy & Gaimard, in Freycinet, Voy. Uranie et Physicienne, Zool., 1824, 210 (Hawaiian Islands). Batistes ocutatus Gray, Illus. Ind. Zool., I, 1832, PL XC, fig. I (India). Batistes senticosus Richardson, in Adams, Zool. Voy. Samarang, Fish., 1848, 23, PI. IX, figs. 5-8 (China Sea). Batistes maculatus Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., VIII, 1870, 213 (Cape of Good Hope, Pinang, Borneo, Sandalwood Island, China, Japan; in part, not of Bloch). Canthidermis rotundatus Jordan & Fowler, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1903, 260. Canthidermis angulosus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., XXIII, Pt. I, 1903 (1905), 415; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 164 (Lat. 7°, 15' N.; Long. 82°, 8' W. & Lat. 17°, 20' N.; Long. 101°, 32' W.). Head to upper angle of gill-slit 2.35 to 2.75; depth 1.5 to 1.95; D. III-2O to 24; A. 20 to 22; scales 41 to 46. Body deep, moderately compressed; profile slightly concave over snout, convex at nape ; snout moderate, 1.75 to 2 in head ; eye 2.8 to 3.7 ; preorbital groove present; interorbital region broad, with prominent ridges over eyes in young; mouth small, terminal; gill-slit notably shorter than the eye; teeth notched, with rather sharp cutting edges; scales moderate, rough, posteriorly slightly keeled ; no naked area about the mouth ; lateral line present but indistinct ; ventral spine strong, pro- vided with spinules; origin of first dorsal over gill-opening, the first spine strong, rough on the anterior margin, 1.9 to 2.4 in head; second dorsal and anal of equal length, the latter more strongly elevated ante- riorly; caudal fin very short, rounded; pectoral fins short, 2.75 to 3 in head. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 795 Color brownish to black; sides usually with white spots; fins in very small examples colorless; colored like the body in larger speci- mens, but without white spots. The Panama collection contains 19 specimens, ranging from 17 to 72 mm. in length. Besides these there are three other small specimens from Panama at hand, belonging to the U. S. National Museum, one from Taboga Island, taken by August Busck, and two specimens taken by the Albatross off the coast of Panama. We also have at hand three specimens from Japan with which our material agrees perfectly. For this reason we are using the older name, rotundatus, given to a specimen from Manila, believing that the East Indian, Hawaiian and American representatives are all identical. This species, as here understood, is widely distributed throughout the warm parts of the Pacific and Indian oceans, having been recorded from the western Pacific, from the Hawaiian Islands and Panama, and also from, Peru, if Balistes adspersus Tschudi too proves to be identical with the present species. Our specimens were collected at Chame Point by Robert Tweedlie. 574. Canthidermis maculatus (Bloch). Balistes maculatus Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, II, 1786, 25, PI. CLI (West Indies) ; Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., VIII, 1870, 213 (in part) ; Day, Fishes of India, 1878, 688 (in part). Balistes americanus Gmelin, Syst. Nat., I, Pt. Ill, 1789, 1473 (America). Balistes macropterus Walbaum, Artedi Piscium, III, 1792, 465 (Amer- ica). ? Balistes oculatus Gray, Illus. Ind. Zool., I, 1832, PI. XC, fig. i (India). Balistes rufus Gronow, Cat. Fish, 1854, 36 (American Ocean) . Balistes longus Gronow, Cat. Fish, 1854, 37 (American Ocean). Balistes melanopterus Cope, Trans. Amer. Philo. Soc. Phila., XIV, 1871, 478 (Darien). Canthidermis maculatus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1706. There are no specimens of this species available, and we are unable to understand the affinities of the species from the scant descrip- tions which are at hand. If Bloch's figure is accurate, the spots on sides are much larger in the present species than in C. rotundatus. Bloch's figure represents the dorsal as being higher than the anal, while in the specimens of C. rotundatus which are at hand the reverse is true. The caudal fin is represented as angulated, while in specimens at hand 796 FIELD M^USEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. it is rounded. Some of these differences may be due to age, i. e., Bloch's figure may be based on a large specimen, while we have only small specimens of C. rotundatus. It is not unlikely that Giinther (Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., VIII, 1870, p. 213) was right in combining this species with C. rotundatus. We follow Jordan & Evermann in placing in the synonomy of this species Balistes melanopterus Cope, type locality Darien. While Cope does not state whether his specimen was from the Atlantic or the Pacific side of the Isthmus, we infer that it was from the former, because other material upon which he reported in the same paper was from the Atlantic side. This species, as here understood, is known from the warmer waters of the Atlantic ; on the American side from the West Indies to Darien, the Panama record being based upon Balistes melanopterus Cope. Family LXVII. Monacanthidae. THE FILE-FISHES. Body much compressed, rather deep ; mouth small, usually terminal ; teeth incisor-like, in 2 series in upper jaw; gill-opening a mere slit; lateral line absent ; scales rudimentary, bearing spines ; first dorsal com- posed of a single spine, or occasionally of a rudimentary spine behind the first; second dorsal and anal similar; caudal fin long or short, pointed or rounded ; ventral fins represented by a fixed or movable spine attached by the pelvic bone or entirely wanting. Herbiverous fishes, with rough skin. Most of the species are small and none are of value as food. KEY TO THE GENERA. a. Pelvic bone with a terminal spine projecting through the skin; gill-opening short, equal to or shorter than eye in small or medium sized specimens. b. Dorsal spine situated over posterior part of eye, posteriorly armed with 2 series of barbs. Monacanthus, p. 796. bb. Dorsal spine situated over or slightly in advance of middle of eye, without barbs. Cantherines, p. 800. aa. Pelvic bone without a terminal spine ; dorsal spine without barbs. Alutera, p. 801. 206. Genus Monacanthus Oken. Monacanthus Oken, Isfs, 1817, 1183 (type Balistes chinensis Bloch). SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 797 Trichoderma Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 32& (type Batistes scapus Lacepede). Stephanolepis Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1861, 78 (type Mona- canthus setifer Bennett). Body short, deep, and much compressed ; snout long ; mouth small ; teeth broad, with sharp cutting edges, a double series in upper jaw; gill-opening an oblique slit, scarcely as long as eye; a strong ventral spine present, projecting through the skin and attached to the abdomen by a flap ; first dorsal composed of a single spine, bearing two series of barbs posteriorly and situated over part of eye; caudal fin not longer than head, rounded. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Body short and deep, the depth at vertical from vent usually less than 2 in length to base of caudal ; ventral flap never extend- ing beyond tip of ventral spine; caudal peduncle at sides with small spines like the rest of the body, not with prominent recurved spines and bristles. b. Dorsal with 31 to 35 rays ; anal with 31 to 35 rays ; color variable from plain grass-green to very dark green and marbled with black. hispidus, p. 797. bb. Dorsal with 27 to 29 rays ; anal with 27 to 29 rays ; color green mottled with black; sides with elongate black spots so arranged as to form more or less distinct longitudinal lines. oppositus, p. 798. aa. Body somewhat more elongate, the depth at vertical from vent usually more than 2 in length to base of caudal; ventral flap usually extending beyond tip of ventral spine; caudal peduncle at sides with the spines less closely placed, enlarged and recurved in the adult. ciliatus, p. 799. 575. Monacanthus hispidus (Linnaeus). Batistes hispidus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. XII, 1766, 405 (Carolina). Batistes broccus Mitchill, Trans. Lit. & Philo. Soc. N. Y., I, 1815, 467 (New York). Monacanthus filamentosus Valenciennes, in Webb & Berthelot, Hist. Nat. lies Canaries, II, Pt. II, 1844, 95 (Canaries; adult). Monacanthus gallinula Valenciennes, in Webb & Berthelot, Hist. Nat. lies Canaries, II, Pt. II, 1844, 95 (Canaries; young). Monacanthus varius Ranzani, Novi Comment. Ac. Sci. Inst. Bonon., V, 1842, 6, PI. II (Brazil). 798 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Monocanthus (!) massachusettensis De Kay, Fauna N. Y., Fishes, 1842, 336, PI. LVII, fig. 187 (Massachusetts Bay). Monocanthus ( !) setifer De Kay, Fauna N. Y., Fishes, 1842, 337, PI. LIX, fig. 194 (New York Harbor; not of Bennett). Monacanthus signifer Storer, Memoir. Amer. Ac., New Ser., II, 1846, 245 (Massachusetts; substitute for setifer, preoccupied). Monacanthus auriga Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1850, 253 (Madeira). Stephanolepis setifer Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1861, 78. Monacanthus broccus Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XVI, 1882 (1883), 856. Monacanthus hispidus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1715, PI. CCLIX, fig. 635; Starks, Leland Stanford Jr. Univ. Pub., Univ. Ser., 1913, 63 (Natal, Brazil). This fish was not taken at Panama, but it doubtless occurs there, as it is recorded from localities both north and south of the Isthmus. The difference between this species and M. oppositus is shown in the key to the species of this genus. Known from Massachusetts south to Brazil. . 576. Monacanthus oppositus Poey. Monacanthus oppositus Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 331 (Cuba) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1716. Head to upper angle of gill-slit 2.7 to 3 ; depth at vertical from vent 1.75 to 2 ; D. 27 to 29 ; A. 27 to 29. Body short and deep ; profile straight or slightly concave in advance of eyes; snout long, 1.35 to 1.65 in head; eye placed high, 2.6 to 3.6; mouth small, terminal ; gill-opening a small oblique slit, equal to or shorter than eye; teeth in the jaws broad, with sharp cutting edges; body densely covered with small clusters of bristles ; a prominent ven- tral spine present, beyond which the ventral flap does not extend ; first dorsal composed of a single spine, placed over posterior part of eye and bearing a double row of barbs posteriorly, its length scarcely exceeding the length of snout; second dorsal and anal similar, and of equal length ; caudal fin convex ; pectoral fin small, 2.25 to 2.85 in head. Color in life green, mottled with black; sides with elongate black spots, forming more or less distinct longitudinal lines; dorsal and anal plain translucent, or slightly tinged with yellow; middle caudal rays dark green, the outer rays yellowish. This species is common on the Atlantic coast of Panama. Our col- lection contains over 200 specimens, ranging from 25 to 90 mm. in SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 799 length. It is closely related to M. hispidus, from which it differs in the shorter dorsal and anal fins and in color. Previously recorded only from Cuba and Cartagena, Colombia. Our specimens are all from Fox Bay, Colon. 577. Monacanthus ciliatus (Mitchill). Batistes ciliatus Mitchill, Amer. Monthly Mag., II, 1818, 326 (Bahama Straits). Monacanthus piraaca Kner, Reise Fregatte Novara, Fische, 1867, 396 (Rio de Janeiro). Monacanthus occidentalis Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., VIII, 1870, 237 (Puerto Cabello). Monacanthus davidsonii Cope, Trans. Amer. Philo. Soc. Phila., XIV, 1871, 476 (Florida Reef). Monacanthus ciliatus Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1884, 145 ; Jor- dan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1714, PL CCLIX, fig. 634; Starks, Leland Stanford Jr. Univ. Pub., Univ. Ser., 1913, 63 (Natal, Brazil) ; Breder, Zoologica, IV, Pt. 4, 1925, 157 (Caledonia Bay). Head to upper angle of gill-slit 2.9 to 3.4; depth at vertical from vent 1.95 to 2.6; D. 30 to 34; A. 30 to 33. Body strongly compressed, of moderate depth; profile over snout notably concave; snout long, 1.3 to 1.5 in head; eye placed high, 3.3 to 3.8; mouth slightly superior, the lower jaw a little longer than the upper ; gill-opening a small oblique slit, shorter than eye ; teeth in the jaws broad, with sharp cutting edges; body covered with short spines, these less numerous at base of caudal; adult with recurved spines and bristles at base of caudal ; a prominent ventral spine present ; ventral flap variously developed, usually extending beyond the spine even in young ; first dorsal composed of a single spine placed over posterior part of eye and bearing two series of barbs posteriorly, its length about equal to snout; second dorsal and anal similar; caudal fin not longer than snout, convex at all ages ; pectoral fins short, 2.7 to 3.3 in head. Color in life of a specimen 84 mm. in length, green, sides with four (2 distinct) dark longitudinal bands ; ventral flap green, with an orange margin; dorsal and anal red; caudal dark green, with 2 black cross-bars. The color is variable and the dark longitudinal bands de- scribed in the above specimen are usually not present. This species is represented in the Panama collection by 14 speci- mens, ranging from 30 to 85 mm. in length. The development of the ventral flap is variable. In some specimens even of small size, 50 mm. 8oo FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. in length, it is well developed and extends much beyond the ventral spine, in others much longer it is often less strongly developed. The development of the bristles on caudal peduncle is also very variable among individuals. This species differs from M. hispidus: a. In the shallower and less robust body, a difference which is, however, only apparent when specimens of like size are compared, b. The greater development of the ventral flap, in the present species, usually distin- guishes the two quite readily, but at times this variable character also fails among the young, c. The longer and less densely placed spines on the caudal peduncle. Although this character also varies, it appears to be of value. In very young this character is often evident only as a bare area at the base of the caudal. It is from this area that later the largest and strongest recurved spines arise. Recorded from North Carolina, Florida, the West Indies, Caledonia Bay, and south to Brazil. Our specimens are from Fox Bay, Colon. 207. Genus Cantherines Swainson. Cantherines Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II 1839, 327 (type Monacanthus nasutus Quoy & Gaimard). Liomonacanthus Bleeker, Nederl. Tijdsch. Dierk., Ill, 1866, 13 (type Monacanthus pardalis Riippell). This genus is distinguished from Monacanthus by the absence of barbs on the dorsal spine and by the more anterior position of the dorsal spine, which is placed over or slightly in advance of middle of eye. 578. Cantherines pullus (Ranzani). Monacanthus pullus Ranzani, Novi Comment. Ac. Sci. Inst. Bonon., V, 1842,4, PI. I (Brazil). Monacanthusmacrocerus'H.otta.Td, Ann. Sci. Nat., 4th Ser., II, 1854, 327, PI. XII, fig. i (Bahia). Monacanthus ruppelii Castelnau, Anim. Nouv. Rares Amer. Sud, 1855, 97, PI. XLVII, fig. 2 (Bahia). Monacanthus stratus Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 329 (Cuba). Monacanthus irroratus Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 330 (Cuba). Monacanthus parraianus Poey, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1863, 185 (Cuba). Monacanthus punctatus Poey, Syn. Pise. Cub., 1868, 437 (Cuba). Monacanthus pardalis Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., VIII, 1870, 230 (in part). SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 801 Cantherines pullus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1713. Head to upper angle of gill-opening 2.85 to 3.25 ; depth at vertical from vent 2.1 to 2.3 ; D. 35 or 36; A. 32 to 34. Body moderately deep; profile concave in advance of eyes; snout long, 1.2 in head; eye placed high, 3.6 to 4.5; mouth small, terminal or slightly superior; gill-opening an oblique slit, equal to or longer than eye in specimens 100 mm. or more in length ; teeth in the jaws rather broad, with sharp cutting edges ; body densely covered with small bristles ; a prominent ventral spine present, beyond which the flap does not extend; first dorsal composed of a single spine, situated over or slightly in advance of middle of eye, equal to length of snout and bearing no barbs posteriorly; dorsal and anal similar; caudal fin shorter than snout, its margin convex; pectoral fins short, 2.6 to 2.8 in head. Color -greenish, variable, usually with a white spot on caudal pe- duncle just behind last rays of dorsal ; sides of head with wavy bluish streaks ; sides of tail often with pale longitudinal bands. This species was not seen at Panama, but is here included be- cause it is known from localities both north and south of the Isthmus and it doubtless in time will be taken on the coast of Panama. It is here described from specimens from the West Indies and Brazil, ranging from 90 to 170 mm. in length. This fish is said to reach a weight of 6 pounds. Known from the coast of Florida, West Indies and Brazil. 208. Genus Alutera Oken. Alutera Oken, Isis, 1917, 1183 (type Batistes monoceros Linnaeus). Ceratacanthus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1861, Suppl., 57 (type Batistes aurantiacus Mitchill). Osbeckia Jordan & Evermann, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XXI, 1895 (1896), 424 (type Batistes scriptus Osbeck). Body more or less elongate, strongly compressed; mouth small, oblique, lower jaw projecting; gill-slit oblique, longer than eye; dor- sal spine long, slender, without barbs ; caudal fin quite long, more or less pointed ; pelvic bone not surmounted by a spine. A single species was taken at Panama. We, however, include A. scripta, a widely dis- tributed species, which will doubtless sooner or later be taken on one or both coasts of Panama. 802 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Body rather deep; dorsal fin with 35 to 38 rays; anal rays 39 or 40; sides of head with or without small black spots, no bluish wavy streaks. schcspfii, p. 802. aa. Body not very deep; dorsal fin with 45 to 47 rays; anal rays 48 to 50; sides of head with prominent black spots and with bluish wavy streaks. scripta, p. 803. 579. Alutera schoepfii (Walbaum). Batistes schoepfii Walbaum, Artedi Piscium, 1792, 461 (Long Island). Batistes aurantiacus Mitchill, Trans. Lit. & Phil. Soc. N. Y., I, 1815, 468 (New York; adult). Alutera punctata Agassiz, in Spix, Pise. Brasil., 1829, 137, PI. LXXVI (Brazil); Jordan &Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1718; Starks, Leland Stanford Jr. Univ. Pub., Univ. Ser., 1913, 63 (off coast of Brazil) ; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1917, 135 (Colon). Aluteres cuspicauda De Kay, Fauna N. Y., Fishes, 1842, 338 (New York ; young) . Aluterus holbroocki Hollard, Ann. Sci. Nat., 4th Ser., IV, 1855, 7 (North America). Aluterus cultrifrons Hollard, Ann. Sci. Nat., 4th Ser., IV, 1855, 8, PI. IV, fig. 2 (New York and Bahia). Ceratacanthus aurantiacus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1861, Suppl., 57- Alutera schcepfii Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1718, P. CCLX, fig. 636. Head to upper angle of gill-slit 3 to 3.4; depth 2.3 to 2.7; D. 35 to 38; A. 39 or 40. Body elongate, strongly compressed ; dorsal profile concave over snout, convex over eyes; head poorly differentiated; snout long, i.i to 1.18 in head; eye 4 to 5; mouth small; lower jaw projecting; gill- slit oblique, twice as long as eye in adult, not more than \y2 times the length of eye in small specimens; teeth broad, with triangular cutting edges, those in upper jaw in two series ; body covered with rough spines, each of which with a separate base and expanded at the tip; first dorsal composed of a single spine, situated slightly behind mid- dle of eye, usually not as long as head, posteriorly rough, but without distinct barbs; second dorsal and anal similar; caudal fin extremely SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 803 long in young, proportionately shorter in adult, from J4 to V* the total length ; pectoral fins short, 3.3 to 4 in head. Color of specimens at hand dark brown; sides with dark round spots, these most numerous in our largest example and fewest in the smallest one ; caudal fin very dark ; other fin plain translucent. There are only 4 specimens, ranging from 120 to 172 mm. in length, in the present collection. We have compared our specimens with others from North Carolina and Jamaica with which they essen- tially agree. The species apparently is not distinct from A. punctata. Known from Massachusetts south to Brazil. Our specimens are from Fox Bay, Colon. 580. Alutera scripta (Osbeck). Batistes scriptus Osbeck, Reise Ostind. China, Ed. II, 1765, p. 145. Batistes monoceros var. scriptus Gmelin, Syst. Nat., I, Pt. Ill, 1789, 1463 (after Osbeck). Balistes Icevis Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, IX, 1795, 82, PI. CCCCXIV (Morocco; Tranquebar). Balistes ornatus Marion de Proce, Bull. Soc. Philo. Paris, 1822, 131. Monacanthum proboscidcum Ranzani, Novi Comment. Ac. Sci. Inst. Bonon., V, 1842, 8 (Brazil). Aluterus venosus Hollard, Ann. Sci. Nat., 4th Ser., 1855, 14, PI. IV, fig. 3 (New Ireland, Bismarck Archipelago). Alutera picturata Poey, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1863, 178 (Cuba). Monacanthus scriptus Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., VIII, 1870, 252. Alutera scripta Jordan & Evermann, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XXI, 1895 (1896), 424; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1719, PI. CCLX, fig. 637 (figure wrong, probably young of A. schcepfii} ; Breder, Zoologica, IV, Pt. 4, 1925, 157 (Caledonia Bay). Osbcckia scripta Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Fish. Comm., XXIII, 1903 (1905), 422, fig. 184 (after Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1900, PI. CCLX, fig. 637, which is not scripta). Head to upper angle of gill opening 3.15 to 4.6; depth 2.65 to 4; D. 47 to 49; A. 48 to 51 ; eye 3.25 to 5 in head; snout i.i to 1.3; pec- toral 3.2 to 3.4. This species differs from A. schcepfii in the more elongate body, smoother skin, longer dorsal and anal fins, shorter caudal fin and in color. Comparing young of about 100 mm. in length, the most strik- ing difference is the length of the caudal fin. In A. schcepfii the caudal fin is long and narrow, being more than one-half the length of body, 804 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. while in the present species it is broad and very notably less than half the length of body. The color in the present species is variegated, the sides of head and body bearing prominent markings. In our small specimens from the west coast of Panama the entire head and sides are reticulated and marbled, the ground color being very dark, in spirits, and the reticu- lations pale. Dark bars extend across the pale chest and abdomen and to the base of the dorsal and anal fins, which are colorless; caudal fin dark, with a pale margin and black cross-bars. Large specimens from the West Indies have prominent dark spots on sides, and in front and below the eye there are bluish, wavy longitudinal stripes. There are 3 specimens, ranging from 70 to 105 mm. in length, in the Panama collection, taken on the Pacific coast at Chame Point by Mr. Robert Tweedlie. It was not seen on the Atlantic coast of Panama. The species is recorded from South Carolina, southward to the West Indies and Brazil, from Ascension Island and also from the East Indies, Hawaiian Islands and on the Pacific coast of America from Mazatlan, Clarion, Sacorro, and the Revillagigedo Islands. It recently has been recorded by Breder from Caledonia Bay on the east coast of the Isthmus. Family LXVIII. Ostraciida. THE TRUNK-FISHES. Body short, cuboid, 3, 4 or 5 angled, covered by a hard box-like shell, composed of more or less definitely defined polygonial plates, wanting only on caudal peduncle, about the mouth and bases of the fins ; caudal peduncle long; mouth small, terminal; a single row of pointed teeth in each jaw; gill-opening a short, nearly vertical slit below and posterior to eye; dorsal fin small, inserted far backward, composed of soft rays only; caudal fin with 10 rays, its posterior margin square or rounded; anal fin similar to the dorsal and nearly opposite it; ventral fins wanting; pectoral fins short. 209. Genus Lactophrys Swainson. Lactophrys Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 324 (type Ostracion trigonus Linnaeus). Rhinesomus Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 324 (type Ostracion triqueter Bloch). SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 805 Acanthostracion Bleeker, Nederl. Tijdsch. Dierk., Ill, 1866, 15 (type Ostracion quadricornis Linnaeus). Chapinus Jordan & Evermann, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XXI, 1895 (1896), 424 (type Ostracion bicaudalis Linnaeus). This genus consists of trunk-fishes which have the carapace 3-angled, the ventral surface being flat or concave. The carapace is closed behind the anal fin and it may or may not have frontal or lateral ventral spines. The dorsal fin consist of 9 or 10 rays and the caudal fin always has 10 rays. Four American species are known from the Atlantic coast, all of which are included in the following pages. The genus has not yet been found on the Pacific coast of America. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Carapace without spines anywhere. triqueter, p. 805. aa. Carapace with spines, at least on the ventral ridges. b. Frontal spines wanting ; a single spine on each side of the ven- tral ridge. c. Carapace closed behind the dorsal fin; body everywhere with round dark spots. bicaudalis, p. 806. cc. Carapace open behind the dorsal fin ; body mottled with pale areas and with a dark area behind gill-opening and another one on the side. trigonus, p. 806. bb. A strong spine in front of each eye; a spine on each side on ventral ridge. tricornis, p. 807. 581. Lactophrys triqueter (Linnseus). Ostracion triqueter Linnseus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 330 (India). Ostracion concatenatus Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, I, 1785, 101, PI. CXXXI (Martinique; on a drawing by Plumier). Lactophrys triqueter Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1722, PI. CCLXI, fig. 638. Head 2.8; depth at nape 1.7; D. 10; A. 10. Body short and deep, sharply 3-angled ; no spines anywhere ; dorsal ridge sharply compressed, beginning between posterior part of eyes and extending to dorsal fin; the carapace closed behind dorsal fin; head short; the anterior profile concave; snout projecting, 1.35 in head; eye 2.4; interorbital deeply concave, 1.45; mouth small, terminal; teeth in the jaws rather strong, pointed; dorsal fin highest anteriorly; caudal fin rather long, rounded ; anal fin similar to the dorsal, its origin under about middle of dorsal ; pectoral fins broad, the upper rays longest, 1.55 in head. 806 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Color in life dark green above ; ventral surfaces nearly black ; sides with small greenish blue spots; bases of dorsal, caudal and pectorals black ; the distal part of caudal fin black ; the fins otherwise plain. A single small specimen, 58 mm. long, upon which the above descrip- tion is based, was taken. The adults are proportionately longer and more slender, the head is longer, and the angles of the body are less prominent. The species is not common on the Atlantic coast of Panama. Known from North Carolina southward to Bahia, Brazil, occasion- ally straying northward as far as Woods Hole, Mass. Our specimen was taken at Porto Bello. 582. Lactophrys bicaudalis (Linnaeus). Ostracion bicaudalis Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 330 (India) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., VIII, 1870, 257. Lactophrys trigonus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1723 (in part). Lactophrys bicaudalis Breder, Zoologica, IV, Pt. 4, 1925, 157 (Caledonia Bay). This fish was not seen by us, but it is readily separated from L. trigonus, its nearest relative, by the closed carapace behind the dorsal fin and by the many small dark spots on the body and caudal. Known from the West Indies south to Ascension Island; recently recorded by Breder from Caledonia Bay on the Atlantic coast of Panama. 583. Lactophrys trigonus (Linnaeus). Ostracion trigonus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 330 (India; after Artedi). Ostracion yalei Storer, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., I, 1837, 353, PL VIII (Holmes Hole, Martha's Vineyard). Ostracion oviceps Kaup, Archiv. Naturg., XXI, 1855, 218. Ostracion trigonum Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 362. Ostracion undulatus Poey, Syn. Pise. Cub., 1868, 441 (Havana). Ostracion expansum Cope, Trans. Amer. Philo. Soc. Phila., 1871, 474, figs. 9 & 10 (St. Martins, West Indies). Lactophrys trigonus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1723, PI. CCLXIII, figs. 641 & 6413; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1917, 136 (Colon). Head 3.8; depth at nape 2.65 to 2.8; D. 10; A. 10. Body sharply 3-angled ; no spine before eye ; each ventral ridge with a large flat spine situated somewhat in advance of vent; dorsal ridge sharply compressed, more or less notched in adult ; the carapace open SEPT. 1928, FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 807 behind dorsal, followed by one or two separate scutes ; head very deep ; the snout not much in advance of forehead, 1.15 to 1.25 in head; eye 2.3; interorbital concave, 1.65; mouth small, terminal; teeth in the jaws strong, canine-like; dorsal fin small, with convex margin; caudal fin truncate; anal fin similar to the dorsal, its origin at vertical from base of last dorsal ray; pectoral fins broad, the upper rays longest, 1.5 to 1.6 in head. Color in alcohol greenish gray, the center of the plates somewhat lighter ; black lines back of the gill-opening, forming more or less distinct circles, similar markings further back on side at level of eye and above and somewhat in advance of spines on ventral ridges; fins plain trans- lucent. We have 3 adult specimens at hand, ranging in length from 160 to 190 mm., upon which the above description is based. We also have a young individual, 53 mm. long, which differs so essentially from the adult that it seems advisable to call attention to these differences which do not appear to have been described previously. The head in the young is proportionately much larger (2.7 in body) ; the body is notably shorter and deeper (the depth at nape 1.7 in length) ; the dorsal ridge is notably higher ; and the ventral spines are much smaller, being mere points, scarcely as long as pupil. The species is used as food to a limited extent. Known from Massachusetts to Bahia, Brazil. Our specimens are from Colon. 584. Lactophrys tricornis (Linnaeus). Ostracion tricornis Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 331 (no locality given). Ostracion quadricornis Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 331 (no locality given). Ostracion lister Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., I, 1798, 468, PI. XXIII, fig. 2 (no locality given). Ostracion sexcornutus Mitchill, Amer. Monthly Mag., II, 1818, 328 • (mouth of Mississippi River). Ostracion maculatus Hollard, Ann. Sci. Nat., 4th Ser., VII, 1857, 149. Ostracion guineensis Bleeker, Nederl. Tijdsch. Dierk., II, 1865, 302 (Guinea). Ostracion gronovii Bleeker, Nederl. Tijdsch. Dierk., II, 1865, 302. Acanthostracion polygonius Poey, Enumeratio, 1876, 175 (Cuba). 808 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Ostracium quadricorne Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XVI, 1882 (1883), 854. Lactophrys tricornis Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1724, PI. CCLXI, fig. 639; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1917, 136 (Colon). Head 2.95 to 3.1 ; depth at nape 1.75 to 2; D. 9 or 10; A. 10. Body sharply 3-angled; a prominent, horn-like spine before each eye; each ventral ridge with a prominent spine, situated somewhat in advance of anal; dorsal ridge sharply compressed; the carapace closed behind the dorsal fin; head deep; snout little in advance of forehead, 1.15 to 2 in head; eye 2.1 to 2.4; interorbital deeply concave, 1.05 to 1.15; mouth very small, terminal; teeth in the jaws rather strong, pointed ; dorsal fin small, the anterior rays longest ; caudal fin quite long, rounded; anal fin similar to the dorsal, its origin notably behind base of last dorsal ray ; pectoral fins rather broad, the upper rays the longest, 1.25 to 1.45 in head. Color in alcohol brownish, the abdomen paler; body everywhere spotted with black ; the fins plain translucent. This species is represented by 3 small specimens ranging in length from 35 to 45 mm. It does not appear to be common on the Atlantic coast of the Isthmus of Panama. Known from Massachusetts southward to Natal, Brazil, also rang- ing eastward to the Cape of Good Hope. Our specimens are from Colon. Family LXIX. Tetraodontidae. THE PUFFERS. Body oblong or elongate ; the belly usually capable of great inflation either with air or water; head large; mouth small, terminal; teeth in each jaw fused into a kind of beak with a median suture ; gill-slits small, situated immediately in front of pectorals; scales usually absent; the skin often covered with prickles; lateral line conspicuous or not; air- bladder present; spinous dorsal and ventral fins absent; dorsal fin inserted posteriorly, short, consisting of soft rays only ; caudal fin various in shape; anal fin similar to the dorsal and opposite or slightly behind it ; pectoral fins short and broad. The members of this family are for the most part restricted to the warmer coastal waters. They are slug- gish swimmers and when inflated they float on the back at the surface. Inflation usually takes place when the animal is disturbed and it is SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEE£ AND HILDEBRAND. 809 doubtlessly a means of protection, for the body is thereby greatly enlarged and the prickles on the skin, when the abdomen is inflated, project much more strongly. Five genera are represented in the Panama collection. KEY TO THE GENERA. a. Nostrils with 2 distinct openings on each side, usually with a more or less distinct tube. b. Olfactory organ consisting of a single short canal on each side, with 2 small openings; the canal without cup-shaped pits, the inner surface usually being smooth or provided with one or a few folds of skin. c. Body comparatively elongate; dorsal and anal fins rather long, each with 12 to 15 rays; lower sides of tail with a cutaneous fold. Lagocephalus, p. 809. cc. Body oblong, plump ; dorsal and anal fins small, consisting of 6 to 8 rays each; lower sides of tail without a distinct cutaneous fold. Sphceroides, p. 8n. bb. Olfactory organ consisting of a transverse tube, open at each end to its full diameter; the inner surface of the tube closely covered with cup-shaped pits visible to the naked eye. Guentheridia, p. 82 1 . aa. Nostrils with a single opening on each side, without a tube, and with or without a bifid tentacle. d. Each nostril with a bifid tentacle; the body rather broad, the back not compressed. Tetraodon, p. 822. dd. Nostrils without a distinct tube or tentacle, with a single small opening on each side; the back compressed and produced into a short prominence over the pectoral fins. Canthig aster, p. 825. 210. Genus Lagocephalus Swainson. Lagocephalus Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 328 (type Tetraodon stellatus Donovan). Physogaster Miiller, Abh. k. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, 1839, 252 (type Tetra- odon lunaris Bloch & Schneider; name preoccupied). Gastrophysus Miiller, Achiv. Naturg., IX, 1843, 33° (type Tetraodon lunaris Linnaeus; substitute for Physogaster, preoccupied). Body comparatively elongated; skin smooth or variously prickly, prickles most strongly developed on abdomen ; nostrils without distinct papillae, each with two distinct openings ; lower sides of tail with a 8 io FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. cutaneous fold; dorsal and anal fins long, falcate, each with 12 to 15 rays; caudal fin deeply lunate. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Body rather robust, the depth 3.1 to 3.3 in length; head 2.6 to 2.7. pachycephalus, p. 810. aa. Body rather elongate, the depth 4.3 to 4.5 in length; head 3.25 to 3.3. l&vigatus, p. 811. 585. Lagocephalus pachycephalus (Ranzani). Tetrodon pachycephalus Ranzani, Novi Comment. Ac. Sci. Inst. Bonon., IV, 1840, 73, PI. XI, fig. 2 (Brazil). Lagocephalus pachycephalus Jordan & Rutter, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1897, 128; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1728; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1917, 136 (Colon). Head 2.6 to 2.7; depth 3.1 to 3.3; D. 13 or 14; A. 13. Body rather robust; head large; snout blunt, 5.15 to 5.25 in head; eye 3-3 to 341 interorbital (bone) 3.2 to 3.7; mouth small, terminal, the lips with dermal folds; the skin smooth above and on sides, the chest and abdomen with rather strong prickles, a slight fold of skin along lower part of side of tail ; lines of mucous pores distinct, four short lines inclosing a quadrangular area back of eye, a line surround- ing the eye extending from the anterior corners, the lateral line extend- ing from the posterior angle directly backward nearly to origin of dorsal, then downward to middle of side of caudal peduncle; dorsal fin rather long, highest anteriorly, its origin somewhat nearer anterior margin of eye than tip of caudal; caudal fin rather long, its posterior margin rather deeply lunate, the upper lobe longest ; anal fin similar to the dorsal and opposite it; pectoral fins short and broad, the upper rays longest, 2.05 to 2.25 in head. Color in alcohol light grayish above; sides bright silvery; lower surface plain white ; interorbital area somewhat darker than the ground color; dark bar crossing the back about midway between the eyes and the origin of the dorsal ; a second dark bar under the base of the dorsal and a third one on the caudal peduncle; the anal fin plain translucent; all the other fins more or less dusky. . This species is probably quite rare on the coast of Panama. Only 2 small specimens, each 113 mm. in length, were seen. Known from the West Indies to Brazil. Our specimens are from Hindi Cut, Canal Zone. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 811 586. Lagocephalus laevigatus (Linnaeus). Tetraodon lavigatus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. XII, 1766, 411 (Charles- ton, S. C.). Tetrodon curvus Mitchill, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. N. Y., I, 1815, 472 (New York). Tetrodon mathematicus Mitchill, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. N. Y., I, 1815, 474 (New York). Holocanthus melanothos Gronow, Cat. Fish, 1854, 24 (Carolina). Tetrodon lineolatus Poey, Syn. Pise. Cub., 1868, 432 (Cuba). Lagocephalus lavigatus Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XVI, 1882 (1883), 860; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1728, PI. CCLXIII, fig. 642. Head 3.25 to 3.3; depth 4.3 to 4.5; D. 13 or 14; A. 12 or 13. Body rather elongate, slender; head large; snout blunt, 2.1 in head; eye 4.8; interorbital 2.3; skin of back and sides smooth; chest and abdo- men with depressible spines ; lower edge of caudal peduncle with a fold of skin; mucous lines as in L. pachycephalus; dorsal and anal fins large and falcate, the last rays rapidly shortened ; caudal fin deeply lunate. Color in alcohol purple above to nearly black; sides dirty silvery; belly white. The young have 3 broad, dark, transverse bands on back of trunk, I on caudal peduncle and similar narrower bands on top of head. This species comes within the scope of the present work, but it was not seen by us. The above description is compiled from published accounts. This fish is said to be sluggish and to reach a length of 2 feet. It appears to be of no value for food. Known from Massachusetts to Brazil; not as yet recorded from Panama. 211. Genus Sphceroides Dumeril. Les spheroides Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 1800, 22 (type French name only, "Le spheroide tubercule"). Spheroides Dumeril, Zool. Analy., 1806, 108 and 342 (type "Le spheroide tubercule" Lacepede). Cirrhisomus Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 328 (type Tetrodon spengleri Bloch). Orbidus Rafinesque, Analyse Nat., etc., 1815, 90 (substitute for "Les spheroides Lacepede). Chelichthys Miiller, Abhand. k. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, 1839, 252 (type Tetraodon testudineus Linnaeus). 812 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Holocanthus Gronow, Cat. Fish, 1854, 23 (type Holocanthus leionothos Gronow; name preoccupied). Anchisomus Kaup, in Richardson, in Forbes, Zool. Voy. Herald, 1854, I56( type Tetrodon spengleri Bloch). Body oblong, plump, capable of considerable inflation ; a single short nasal canal on each side with two openings near its tip; skin often largely smooth, sometimes with more or less distinct scale-like dermal development, usually also with prickles at least on a portion of the back and abdomen, and not infrequently with dermal cirri; dorsal and anal fins similar, small, consisting of 6 to 8 rays each; caudal fin moderate, usually with straight or convex margin, but occasionally slightly con- cave. This genus consists of many species, mostly American, which inhabit warm seas. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Caudal fin slightly rounded posteriorly or nearly straight, never concave. b. Body with evident membranous (not ossified) scales on sides, having free margins and being arranged in more or less definite series like normal scales. marmoratus, p. 813. bb. Body without well developed membranous scales, small, if present, and without free margins. c. Sides with a row of round black spots bounding the dark area of the back and the white of the abdomen ; no pale lines or retic- ulations on back and sides ; snout long, 1.8 to 2.1 in head. d. Skin of body mostly prickly, spines present from eyes to origin of dorsal, also on snout and abdomen; body robust, the depth at nape 3 to 3.5 in length ; origin of anal a little behind vertical from base of last ray of dorsal ; pectoral fins rather long, 2 to 2.4 in head. lobatus, p. 814. dd. Skin of body largely smooth, a prickly area on back extending from nape about half way to dorsal ; abdomen with prickles ; no prickles on snout; body rather slender, the depth 3.6 to 5.1 in length ; origin of anal under middle of base of dorsal ; pectoral fins short, 2.75 to 3 in head. spengleri, p. 815. cc. Sides without a definite row of black spots bounding the line of the abdomen ; snout convex, of moderate length, about 2 to 2.5 in head (except in 5". angusticeps in which it is long and con- cave, 1.5 in head). e. Back usually with pale or yellowish lines or reticulations; body robust; width of head just anterior to gill-openings 1.15 to 1.25 in its length ; profile of snout convex ; back and abdomen prickly ; *-i •£ THE LfBfWmr OF TH£ • SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 813 f. Interorbital bone usually convex, very broad, about 4 in head in specimens 100 mm. long, 3.2 in specimens 150 mm. long; color of back dark brownish, with more or less definite light yellow lines, inclosing circular and elliptical areas, the ellipses occupying a longitudinal position on the back, a small ellipse inclosed in a larger one (the light yellow lines wanting in large specimens); no evident reticulations on sides; black spots on sides, if present, very small. annulatus, p. 816. f f. Interorbital bone more or less concave, narrow, about 6.5 in head in specimens 100 mm. long, 4.6 in specimens 150 mm. long; color of back very dark brown, with light lines inclosing circular and elliptical areas and forming reticulations on sides, the ellipses occupying a transverse position on back; black spots on sides large and distinct. testudineus, p. 817. ee. Back without lines or reticulations ; sides with few small spots or none; body elongate, rather slender; width of head just anterior to gill-opening 1.35 to 1.4 in its length; back and abdomen smooth, with or without pores. g. Snout moderate, its profile convex, 2.05 to 2.2 in head; inter- orbital bone of moderate width, convex, 3.85 to 4.15 in head in specimens 180 to 190 mm. long; skin without dermal tentacles. kendalli sp. nov., p. 819. gg. Snout very long, its profile convex, i .5 in head ; interorbital concave, 8 in head in a specimen 255 mm. in length ; a pair of dermal flaps, about an eye's diameter apart, situated on back at vertical from base of pectorals. angusticeps, p. 820. aa. Caudal fin posteriorly moderately concave; snout short, 2.6 to 3.3 in head ; color brownish above, the back with large dark blotches nearly as broad as the back ; fins all colorless. furthii, p. 821. 587. Sphoeroides marmoratus (Ranzani). Plate LXXVII.) Tetrodon marmoratus Ranzani, Novi Comment. Ac. Sci. Inst. Bonon., IV, 1840, 73, PI. X, fig. i (Brazil). Spheroides marmoratus Jordan & Rutter, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1897, 129; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1733. Head 2.5 to 2.8; depth 3.1 to 3.8; D. 7 or 8; A. 6 or 7. Body moderately robust; head rather large; snout moderate, 2 to 2.15 in head; eye 3.6 to 5.3; interorbital (bone) 5.1 to 8; skin with prickles from interorbital nearly to origin of dorsal, and on chest and 8i4 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. abdomen; sides of head and body with distinct membranous scales, arranged in more or less definite series like normal scales but not ossified ; the edge of abdomen with a few cirri ; lateral line very distinct; dorsal fin rather high, inserted posteriorly, about equidistant from anterior margin of eye and tip of caudal; caudal fin moderate, its posterior margin slightly convex; anal fin similar to dorsal, but some- what lower, its origin under or slightly behind middle of base of dorsal; pectoral fins rather short and broad, the upper rays longest, 2.1 to 2.3 in head. Color in alcohol dark grayish brown above, with many dark spots varying in size among specimens, largest on sides of back ; some speci- mens with pale reticulations on sides and occasionally on back; lower parts pale ; caudal fin dusky, but without an indication of bars ; other fins colorless. There are 8 specimens of this rather rare species in the Panama collection, ranging in length from 50 to 95 mm. We have had for comparison specimens from Porto Rico and San Domingo which had been identified by previous workers. Much variation in color, size of eye, and the size of the prickly areas is evident. The one character, however, that readily separates this species from all others examined by us, is the distinctness of the scale-like dermal development on sides of head and body. This character is not mentioned in current descriptions, but it certainly is worthy of consideration. Known from the West Indies to Brazil. Our specimens are all from Fox Bay, Colon. 588. Sphceroides lobatus (Steindachner). Canthogaster lobatus Steindachner, (Sitzb. k. Ak. Wiss. Wein, LXL) Ichth. Notizen, X, 1870, 18, PL V, fig. 3 (Altata). Spheroides lobatus Jordan, Proc. Cal. Ac. Sci., 2nd Ser., V, 1895, 490; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1731 ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 156; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 165 (Taboguilla Island, Panama Bay). Head 2.4 ; depth 3 to 3.5 ; D. 8 ; A. 6. Body comparatively elongate; head rather narrow; snout long, 1.9 in head; eye 3.8 to 4.6; interorbital (bone) 5.1 to 7.6; the skin of the body mostly rough; spines present from eyes to dorsal, also spines on snout, and rather prominent ones on the abdomen; no dorsal cirri present ; dorsal fin far back, its origin about equidistant from middle of eye and tip of caudal ; caudal fin rather long, rounded ; anal fin similar SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 815 to the dorsal, its origin a little behind vertical from base of last ray of dorsal ; pectoral fins rather broad, 2 to 2.4 in head. Color in alcohol very dark gray above, pale below; the back with small round black spots; a row of larger black spots on sides of the pale abdomen; a dark cross-bar between eyes; caudal fin with a dark bar at base, the distal third black; other fins pale. This rare species is represented by 2 small specimens, respectively 43 and 57 mm. in length. We compared our specimens with one 90 mm. in length from Mazatlan and find them identical. Known from the Gulf of California to the Galapagos Islands. Our specimens are from Chame Point and Naos Island. 589. Sphceroides spengleri (Bloch). Tetrodon spengleri Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, I, 1785, 135, PI. CXLIV (East Indies). Tetrodon .plumieri Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, 509 (Marti- nique). Tetrodon turgidus Poey, Syn. Pise. Cub., 1868, 432 (Cuba). Spheroides spengleri Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1732, PI. CCLXIV, fig. 644. Head 2.2 to 3.1 ; depth 3.6 to 5.15 ; D. 7 or 8; A. 6 or 7. Body rather slender ; head narrow, compressed ; snout long, i .85 to 2.2 in head; eye 4 to 5.5; interorbital (bone) 7 to 12, varying with age; skin of back from nape backward half way or more to dorsal with small prickles ; chest and abdomen with smaller prickles ; snout, sides and tail smooth ; lateral line evident ; dorsal fin not very high, its origin about equidistant from tip of tail and posterior margin of eye ; caudal fin mod- erate, the margin convex; anal fin similar to the dorsal and of about the same height, its origin under middle of base of dorsal ; pectoral fins rather short and broad, 2.75 to 3 in head. Color of fresh specimen : Back dark green, with more or less blue on interorbital and nape ; a row of poorly defined black spots from below eye to base of caudal; a row of large well defined black spots from mandible to base of caudal; lower parts pale; iris bright red; caudal fin with a dark bar at base and one on distal part of fin; fins otherwise colorless. The color is fairly uniform in all specimens at hand. In alcohol the back is grayish brown above and more or less irregularly speckled with dark points and spots. This species is represented by a series of 34 specimens, ranging in length from 30 to TOO mm. It is not as rare on the Atlantic coast of Panama as S. marmoratus but much less common than S. testudineus. 8i6 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Known from Massachusetts to the West Indies; also recorded from the French Congo. The range is now extended southward to the Atlantic coast of Panama. Our specimens are from Colon and Porto Bello. 590. Sphceroides annulatus (Jenyns). (Plate LXXVIII, fig. i.) Tetrodon annulatus Jenyns, in Darwin, Zool. Voy. Beagle, Pt. IV, Fish, 1842, 153 (Chatham Island, Galapagos Archipelago). Anchisomus geometricus Kaup, in Richardson, in Forbes, Zool. Voy. Herald, 1854, 156, PI. XXX (Galapagos Islands; not of Bloch & Schneider). Tetraodon politus Girard, (House of Repr. Ex. Doc. No. 91) Rept. Expl. & Surv. Miss. R. to Pac. O., X, Pt. IV, 1858, 340 (San Diego, Cal.). Tetrodon heraldi Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., VIII, 1870, 283 (Galapagos Islands and Panama; after Richardson's specimen). Tetrodon geometricus Giinther, Trans. Zool. Soc. London, VI, 1869, 489. Sphceroides testudineus var. annulatus Jordan & Edwards, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 240. Spheroides politus Jordan & Bollman, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1889 (1890), 183 (Panama Bay). Spheroides annulatus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1735; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 157 (Panama) ; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 165 (Perico Island, Panama Bay) ; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, 411 (Panama). Head 2.5 to 3; depth 3.3 to 4; D. 8; A. 6 or 7. Body robust, nearly round in cross section when not inflated; head rather flat above; snout moderately blunt, 2.2 to 2.5 in head; eye 3.5 to 6.3; interorbital broad, flat, increasing notably in width with age, the bone 2.9 to 5 in head; dorsal surface from interorbital to dorsal fin covered with small sharp spines, the spines also covering skin of sides behind base of pectorals and the entire belly ; dorsal fin placed far back, its origin about equidistant from tip of caudal and posterior margin of eye ; caudal fin very slightly rounded ; anal fin similar to dorsal, but somewhat smaller, its origin under or just behind the base of the last ray of dorsal ; pectoral fins rather broad, 1.7 to 2.45 in head. Color above dark brownish, the ventral surface pale ; the color mark- ings of the back vary; usually a yellowish line across snout in advance of the nostrils ; 2 yellow cross lines behind eyes, the anterior one extend- I! Ji co £ TBE OF IB* UHIVEBSIH Or I SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 817 ing downward and backward to gill-opening, the posterior one running parallel with the anterior one and extending on sides behind base of pectorals. In some specimens there is a short line on middle of head connecting the two. Then there is a yellow line enclosing an oblong area on back which extends from an eye's diameter back of the second cross stripe, described above, to origin of dorsal. Inside of the area thus enclosed is another yellow line which encloses a smaller oblong or elliptical area which, however, in an occasional specimen is almost per- fectly round. Frequently a line on middle of back extends forward from the small ellipse, or circle, to the large ellipse. The back and sides usually with dark spots; these vary in size, number and intensity on different specimens and on an occasional specimen they are entirely wanting. The fins are yellowish in life ; the caudal usually with a dark bar at base and the distal third black. The pale lines (yellowish in life) on back, while varying in intensity among specimens, are narrower and more distinct in the young than in the adult. Specimens about 240 mm. in length have broad and rather indistinct pale lines on the back and our largest specimen 305 mm. long has no trace of pale lines. The dark spots, however, become more numerous with age, specimens of 240 mm, and upward in length being profusely spotted on sides and back. This puffer is extremely abundant on the Pacific coast of Panama, ascending tide streams to fresh water. We preserved 84 specimens ranging in length from 15 to 305 mm. Gilbert & Starks (1904) report that the species frequently appeared in the Panama City market. We, however, did not see it in the market and did not learn that it was of any economic value. Known from California to Peru and also from the Galapagos Islands. Our specimens are from Chame Point, Taboga Island, Corozal and Balboa. 591. Sphceroides testudineus (Linnaeus). (Plate LXXVIII, fig. 2.) Tetraodon testudineus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 332. Tetrodon geometricus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, 508 (Virginia). Tetraodon ammocryptus Gosse, Naturalist's Sojourn in Jamaica, 1851, 287 (Jamaica). Anchisomus reticularis Kaup, in Richardson, in Forbes, Zool. Voy. Herald, 1854, 161, PI. XXXI (not Tetrodon reticularis Bloch & Schneider) . Holocanthus leionothos Gronow, Cat. Fish, 1854, 24 (American Ocean). Tetrodon testudineus Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., VIII, 1870, 282. 8:8 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Spheroides testudineus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1734, PI. CCLXV, figs. 646 and 6463; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, 405 and 1917, 136 (Colon) ; Breder, Zoologica, IV, Pt. 4, 1925, 142 and 157 (Gatun Spillway and Cale- donia Bay). Head 2.4 to 2.8 ; depth 3.3 to 4 ; D. 7 or 8 ; A. 6 or 7. Body robust ; head rather broad ; snout moderate, 2 to 2.8 in head ; eye 3.85 to 6.1 ; interorbital (bone) 4.6 to 8, getting proportionately broader with age, more or less concave, or at least with a slight ridge over orbit ; the skin with small prickles on back from interorbital nearly to dorsal, and extending down on sides under and behind tip of pectorals; chest and abdomen also prickly; snout and tail smooth; no cirri present; lateral line evident; dorsal fin inserted posteriorly, its origin about equidistant from anterior margin of eye and tip of tail; caudal fin rather long, slightly convex; anal fin similar to the dorsal, but smaller, its origin under base of posterior ray of dorsal; pectoral fins short and broad, 2 to 2.5 in head. Color of a fresh specimen : Ground color of back nearly uniformly dark brown, breaking up on sides and becoming lighter; sides with black spots, increasing in number with age; the back with narrow light lines (rarely yellowish in life), forming reticulations on all speci- mens at hand ; two pale lines between eyes, inclosing interorbital area ; the posterior line with a median backward extension, meeting an ellipse on occiput ; another line extending backward on median line of back from this ellipse to a circular area on middle of back ; another irregular pale line crossing the back just in advance of dorsal and 2 behind the dorsal ; these lines connecting with other reticulating lines on sides ; belly pale ; caudal fin sometimes wholly dusky but more usually with a dusky bar at base and the distal fourth of the fin dusky ; other fins pale greenish, unmarked. This species is extremely abundant on the Atlantic coast of Panama and, like its near relative 5. annulatus from the Pacific, it ascends streams. We preserved 150 specimens, ranging in length from 40 to 215 mm. 6". testudineus is rather closely related to 5". annulatus but the interorbital is somewhat narrower, a difference which is evident only when specimens of like size are compared, as this character varies greatly with age in both species. The interorbital in all Atlantic specimens at hand is more or less concave, with at least a slightly elevated ridge over orbit which can readily be detected under the skin through touch. None of our Pacific specimens have a concave inter- orbital and usually the bone is slightly convex. The young of S. Of iv&Vrt SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 819 annulatus, at least, may be readily distinguished by the fewer lines on back and sides and by the large ellipses, the smaller one inside of the other, the larger one, and usually the smaller one, being notably longer than broad. In 5". testudineus the areas surrounded by pale lines are broader than long, i.e., the ellipses occupy a transverse position on .the back. The species is of no economic value. Known from Woods Hole, Mass., to Natal, Brazil. Generally common from the West Indies southward. Our specimens are from Mindi, Toro Point, Colon and Porto Bello. 592. Sphceroides kendalli sp. nov. (Plate LXXIX.) Spheroides testudineus Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 156 (Panama Bay; not of Linnaeus). Type No. 80952, U. S. N. M.; length 190 mm.; Panama Bay, Balboa, Canal Zone. Head 2.95 to 3.05; depth 3.75 to 5; D. 8; A. 7. Body rather elongate; head compressed, notably deeper than broad, its width just in advance of gill-opening 1.35 to 1.4 in its length; snout moderate, its profile convex, 2.05 to 2.2 in head; eye 4.9 to 5.6; inter- orbital moderately broad, slightly convex, 3.85 to 4.15 in head; back and abdomen with pores in the skin but without prickles or cirri; dorsal inserted about equidistant from tip of caudal and anterior margin of eye; caudal fin slightly rounded; anal fin similar to dorsal, but somewhat smaller, inserted at vertical from base of last dorsal ray; pectoral fins short and broad, 1.9 in head. Color of the type grayish above, white below; no traces of pale or yellowish lines on sides or back; small dark spots on sides from pectorals to caudal ; the fins pale greenish ; the distal part of the caudal fin dusky. Our other specimen agrees with the type in color pattern, but the back and upper parts of the sides are very much darker, being dark brown. We have at hand 2 specimens, respectively 180 and 190 mm. long, which appear to represent a new species. Gilbert & Starks (1904) provisionally referred 4 specimens of their collection from Panama Bay to 6". testudineus and it is believed that those specimens, too, belong to the species here described. The species differs from both 5". testudineus and S, annulatus in having no pale or yellowish markings on the back and sides, no evident prickles on the skin, and in the less robust head and body. The width of the interorbital bone, as shown by a comparison of specimens of even size of all 3 species, is intermediate, i.e., it is broader than in S. testudineus and narrower than in S. annulatus. 82o FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Our specimens are from Chame Point and Balboa. The species is named for Dr. William C. Kendall, of the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, in recognition of his many valuable contributions to our knowledge of American ichthyology. 593. Sphoeroides angusticeps (Jenyns). Tetrodon angusticeps Jenyns, in Darwin, Zool. Voy. Beagle, Pt. IV, Fish, 1842, 154, PI. XXVIII (Galapagos Islands) ; Jordan & Gil- bert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882, 631 (Panama). Anchisomus angusticeps Richardson, in Forbes, Zool. Voy. Herald, 1854, 159. Spheroides angusticeps Jordan & Bollman, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1889, 183 (Panama) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1731 ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 156. "Head 2^; depth 3^ (when not inflated). D. 8; A. 7. Body comparatively elongate, the snout very long, concave in profile, a little longer than rest of head; eye large, 2 to 3 in snout. A well-marked pair of small dermal flaps, black in color, i on each side of median line of back, behind the occiput, and just behind gill opening, the two close together; interorbital area very narrow, deeply concave, channel-like, not so broad as eye, the width of its bony part 6*/2 in snout, about 12 in head ; supraorbital bone prominent. Sides with a few small whitish dermal cirri or flattish flaps, irregular in size and position, sometimes wanting; our adult examples (Galapagos Islands) entirely smooth, the skin everywhere rough velvety ; nostrils tubular, with 2 lateral openings near the summit. Caudal gently rounded, the middle rays longest; a slight trace of fold on caudal peduncle; pectoral broad, rounded, the upper rays longest. Skin on back and sides tending to form oblique lengthwise wrinkles. Color of adult, dark smoky gray, nearly uniform, the belly scarcely pale; base of fins dusky; no trace of lateral blotches. Pacific coast, from La Paz to the Galapagos Islands ; rather rare. Here described from 2 adult examples (9 and 10 inches long) from Chatham Island of the Galapagos. One of these has the eye larger, the snout shorter, and the interorbital space much deeper than the other, a difference perhaps sexual. Both are uniformly colored and without prickles." (Jordan & Evermann.) This species has not been taken in Panama Bay by recent collectors. We have examined a specimen 255 mm. in length from the Galapagos Islands. The extremely long snout, with the notably concave upper SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 821 profile, and the narrow and deeply concave interorbital readily separate this species from all others occurring on the coasts of Panama. Known from Lower California to Panama Bay and from the Galapagos Islands. 594. Sphoeroides fiirthii (Steindachner). Tetrodon fiirthii Steindachner, (Sitzb. k. Ak. Wiss. Wien, LXXIV) Ichth. Beitr., V, 1876, 22 (Panama). Tetrodon furthi Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1885, 393 (Panama). Spheroides furthi Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1737; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 158. Head 2.3 to 2.5 ; depth 2.5 to 2.95 ; D. 8 ; A. 6. Body moderately robust ; head short ; snout blunt, 2.6 to 3.3 ; eye 2.7 to 3.3; interorbital (bone) 5.25 to 5.7; skin on dorsal surface from interorbital nearly to origin of dorsal prickly, the chest and abdomen also rough, the rest of the body smooth; dorsal fin far back, its origin about equidistant from anterior margin of eye and tip of upper lobe of caudal ; caudal fin moderate, its posterior margin concave, the upper lobe slightly the longer; anal fin similar to the dorsal, its origin under base of last ray of the dorsal; pectoral fins broad, the upper rays longest, 2 to 2.1 in head. Color in alcohol: Back rather brownish, with large dark blotches nearly as wide as the back; the sides light brown; the abdomen pale; the fins all colorless. There are 3 specimens of this rare species at hand, respectively 33, 34 and 41 mm. in length, collected by Mr. Robert Tweedlie at Chame Point. This species is characterized by the short snout, narrow inter- orbital and the concave caudal fin. Known from Panama to Guayaquil, Ecuador. Our specimens are from Chame Point. 212. Genus Guentheridia Gilbert & Starks. Guentheridia Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 158 (type Tetrodon formosus Giinther). This genus differs from Sphoeroides in the structure of the olfactory organ, which is a transversely placed tube, open at each end to its full diameter. The outer end is squarely, the inner obliquely, truncate, making the upper margin of the tube very narrow. The inner surface of the tube is closely covered with Cup-shaped pits, visible to the naked eye. 822 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. 595. Guentheridia formosa (Giinther). Tetrodon formosus Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., VIII, 1870, 283 (South America). Spheroides formosus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1736; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 165 (Perico Island, Panama Bay). Guentheridia formosa Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 159 (Panama). Head 2.65 to 3 ; depth normally 3.1 to 4.2; D. 7 or 8; A. 6. Body robust; head low and broad, notably broader than deep; snout rather short, 2.55 to 2.7 in head; eye 5.1 to 7.1; interorbital (bone) broad, convex, 2.5 to 3.6; skin on back and abdomen with prickles, these much more prominent on some specimens than on others ; no cirri ; dorsal fin inserted about an eye's diameter nearer tip of caudal than eye ; caudal fin nearly straight posteriorly, the lower lobe rounded; anal fin similar to the dorsal, inserted just behind vertical from base of last ray of dorsal; pectoral fins broad, 2 to 2.3 in head. Color very dark on back; lower parts pale or dusky; the yellowish markings on the back variable; the smaller specimens with cross- lines on head and concentric rings, inclosing smaller rings on back and more or less definite reticulations on sides. In some of our larger specimens these lines are broken up into spots, with only a slight indication of concentric arrangement. The pale yellow color predomi- nates in the largest specimens on which the ground color as well the lines are broken up into spots. The caudal fin is mostly or entirely dusky; the other fins are plain greenish. Fifteen specimens of this rather common species were preserved. No young were seen. Our specimens range in length from 158 to 265 mm. This species is most like 5*. annulatus, from which it, how- ever, may be distinguished by the different nasal development, broader and lower head, shorter snout, and the broader and notably convex interorbital. Known from "South America" and Panama. Two of our speci- mens are from Chame Point, the others from the rocky islands near Balboa and Panama City. 213. Genus Tetraodon Linnaeus. Tetraodon Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 332 (type Tetraodon lineatus Linnaeus). SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 823 Ovoides Cuvier, Lee. d'Anat. Comp., I, 1800, Tabl. 4 (type Ovoides fasciatus Lacepede). Body rather robust; nostril on each side with a tentacle, bifid to the base, its tips without opening, the branches of the large olfactory nerve ending in cup-like depressions along the inner edges of the 2 flattish lobes ; skin usually more or less prickly ; dorsal and anal fins rounded, each with 7 to 14 rays ; dorsal more or less in advance of anal ; caudal rounded. The genus is distinguished from Sphceroides by the bifid nasal tentacle. It is represented in Panama Bay by a single species which is of wide distribution. 596. Tetraodon hispidus Linnaeus. Tetraodon hispidus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 333 (India) ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 159 (Panama Bay) ; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 165 (Naos Island, Panama Bay). Tetraodon perspicillaris Ruppell, Atlas Reise Nord. Afrika, Fische, 1828,63 (Red Sea). Tetrodon implutus Jenyns, in Darwin, J2ool. Voy. Beagle, Pt. IV, Fish, 1842, 152 (Keeling Island). Tetrodon laterna Richardson, in Hinds, Voy. Sulphur, Ichth., 1845, I24» PI. LXI, fig. 2. Arothron erethizon Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882, 631 (Panama). Ovoides erethizon Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1739- Head 2.25 to 2.8; depth 2 to 2.85; D. 9 to n ; A. 9 or 10. Body rather stout, compressed; head large; snout moderate, 2 to 2.6 in head; eye 3.1 to 3.75; interorbital (bone) concave, 2.35 to 3.45; mouth quite small, terminal ; lips more or less thickened in adult, papillose or plicate ; jaws beak-like, each with a median suture ; gill- slit equal to or longer than longest diameter of eye; body with or without spines or prickles, their number and length variable, prominent when the belly is inflated, when retracted their position is indicated only by pores in the skin ; very young (20 mm.) with numerous dermal tentacles, these apparently replaced by spines with age; dorsal and anal similar, the origin of the anal immediately behind base of dorsal; caudal fin slightly convex, equal to or longer than snout ; pectoral fins short and broad, the posterior margin convex, the upper part of fin longest, 2.1 to 2.8 in head. 824 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Color of our smallest specimen (20 mm.) black, no pale spots above, the belly with white spots. A larger specimen (50 mm.) is also black, but it has pale, lengthwise streaks, slightly broader than the black interspaces on the abdomen ; caudal fin black, the other fins pale green. Large specimens (230 to 330 mm.) are dark brown above, some of them having the upper parts spotted with white from the tip of the snout to the end of the caudal fin, others have the white spots wanting on the head and still others have spots only on the posterior part of the body and not extending on the caudal fin. The lower parts are pale and in a few specimens without markings, others have indications of dusky streaks and still others have definite dark longitudinal bands. The dorsal and anal are greenish and in the profusely spotted specimens they usually bear a few white spots on the base ; caudal fin of about the same color as the upper part of body, with or without white spots; pectorals greenish, the basal portion dusky or black, inserted in a large black area which usually is more or less definitely surrounded by i and rarely 2 white circles. Sixteen specimens, ranging in length from 20 to 330 mm., were preserved. The species is not uncommon about the rocky islands near Balboa and Panama City. A large amount of variation relative to the abundance and size of the spines on the body appears to prevail. Gilbert and Starks (1904) state: "The long quill-like spines protrude only when the fish is inflated. When retracted, the position of the spines is indicated by the pores in the skin." This is true of specimens ihaving spines, but we have 2 individuals that are inflated and yet perfectly smooth, without indications of spines, except in advance of vent. It is probable that the presence or absence of spines is corre- lated with sex, as indicated by a limited number of dissections, the spineless individuals being females. Much variation in color is also evident and these differences do not seem to be as closely correlated with age and size as stated in published accounts. Our largest speci- men (330 mm.), for example, has rather definite indications of dark lengthwise streaks on lower part of sides and it has white spots only on the posterior part of the body. Another specimen (275 mm.) has definite longitudinal bands on the abdomen, and on back and sides it is rather profusely spotted. Still another specimen (270 mm.) has no lengthwise streaks below, and on the back and sides it is profusely spotted. Molluscs form, at least, a part of the food of this fish which, because of the strong jaws, it is well able to crush. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 825 A widely distributed species, occurring in the Indian Ocean and the tropical Pacific. Our specimens were taken about the rocky islands near Balboa. 214. Genus Canthigaster Swainson. Canthigaster Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 194 (type Tetrodon rostratus Bloch). Eumycterias Jenkins, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., XIX, 1899 (1901), 399 (type Eumycterias bitceniatus Jenkins). Body moderately elongate ; the back compressed and produced into a short prominence about midway between the eyes and origin of dorsal; snout quite long and pointed; nostrils with a single opening on each side. A single species is known from Panama. 597. Canthigaster punctatissimus (Gunther). Tetrodon punctatissimus Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., VIII, 1670, 302 (Panama). Tetrodon oxyrhynchus Lockington, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1881, 116 (Gulf of California). Psilonotus punctatissimus Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882 (1883), 370. Canthigaster punctatissimus Jordan & Edwards, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 246; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1741. Eumycterias punctatissimus Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 160, PI. XXIII, fig. 46; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 166 (Taboguilla Island; Perico Island, Panama Bay; and Acapulco and Chatham islands). Head 2.5 to 2.6; depth 2.3 to 2.8; D. 9 or 10; A. 9. Body moderately elongate, the back elevated; profile a little concave over snout; head rather large; snout slender, 1.55 to 1.65 in head; eye 3.8 to 4.15; interorbital (bone) 3.5 to 3.8; mouth very small, terminal ; the skin of snout, chin and interorbital more or less prickly, one specimen only with prickles on back to dorsal fin, skin otherwise smooth ; dorsal fin situated posteriorly, its origin a little nearer anterior margin of eye than tip of tail, its margin round; caudal fin rather short, moderately convex ; anal fin similar to dorsal, its origin slightly behind vertical from base of last ray of dorsal; pectoral fins short, with emarginate margin, the upper rays longest, 2.3 to 2.4 in head. 826 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Color grayish brown above, somewhat paler below ; sides with many round, green spots nearly as large as pupil ; these spots becoming smaller on the back where they are bright blue; abdomen unspotted; fins all plain. This fish, reported not rare by Gilbert & Starks (1904), is repre- sented in the present collection by only 3 small specimens, respectively, 55, 60 and 64 mm. in length. It is a very pretty little fish and it is readily distinguished by the bright green and blue spots on the body. It lives among the rocky islands in Panama Bay. Known from Acapulco, Chatham Island and Panama Bay. Our specimens are from Taboga Island and Balboa. Family LXX. Diodontidae. THE PORCUPINE FISHES. Body short, depressed above; belly moderately inflatable; mouth moderate, terminal; jaws with bony plate like the beak of a bird, these not divided in middle by suture; nostril on each side forming a short tentacle, usually with 2 openings ; gill-opening moderate, placed immediately in front of pectoral; body everywhere with bony spines except on snout, chin and caudal peduncle ; dorsal and anal fins placed posteriorly, similar and nearly opposite each other; ventral fins want- ing; pectoral fins short and broad. The species of this family are sluggish fishes, living among weeds and sometimes among rocks and corals in the warm seas. They are capable of inflating themselves either with air or water and when inflated the spines are all directed outward. In such a condition even a small porcupine fish could not easily be devoured by a moderately large predacious fish. KEY TO THE GENERA. a. Dermal ossifications consisting of slender, stiff, pointed, mov- able spines. Diodon, p. 826. aa. Dermal ossifications consisting of short, stiff, immovable spines. Chilomycterus , p. 83 1 . 215. Genus Diodon Linnaeus. Diodon Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 334 (type Diodon hystrix Linnaeus ) . Paradiodon Bleeker, Nederl. Tijdsch. Dierk., II, 1865, 271 (type Diodon hystrix Linnaeus). SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 827 Body robust, the belly moderately inflatable; head short, broad; both jaws entire ; nasal tube simple, with 2 lateral openings ; body everywhere with strong, stiff dermal spines ; dorsal and anal similar, posteriorly inserted ; caudal fin rounded ; ventral fins wanting ; pectoral fins broad, the posterior margin truncate, the upper lobe longest. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Spines of moderate length, the frontal spines equal to or shorter than the post-pectoral ones. hystrix, p. 827. aa. Spines longer, the frontal spines longer than the post-pectoral ones. holacanthus, p. 829. 598. Diodon hystrix Linnaeus. Diodon hystrix Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 335 (India) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., VIII, 1870, 306; Jordan & Ever- mann,.Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1745, PI. CCLXVI, fig. 648; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, 411 (Panama). Diodon atinga Bloch, Naturg. Ausl. Fische, I, 1785, 67, PI. CXXV (not of Linnaeus). Diodon brachiatus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, 513 (Cuba; after Parra). Diodon punctatus Cuvier, Memoir. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, IV, 1818, 132 (no locality given) . Diodon echinus Rafinesque, in Bonaparte, (Cat. Met. Pesci Eur.) Atti Sci. Ital., 1845, 87 (Mediterranean Sea). Head 2.2 to 2.4; depth 2.45 to 3; D. 13 or 14; A. 12 or 13. Body robust, normally (when not inflated) rather broader than deep; head depressed, notably broader than deep; snout very short, not greatly in advance of forehead, 2.8 to 3.1 in head ; orbit 2.85 to 3.45 ; interorbital very broad, gently concave, 1.4 to 1.5 ; mouth rather broad; lips thick, especially in adult, plicate; jaws entire, with notches and tubercles on margins; gill-slit not longer than eye; spines moderate, the free portion proportionately shorter in the adult than in the young, the embedded portion longer, usually exceeding in length the free part, the postpectoral spines greatly exceeding in length the frontal spines (Our largest specimen has spines on the caudal peduncle; one pair well beyond the base of the anal and 2 pairs and an odd one on upper surface of the peduncle, the latter reaching nearly to base of caudal. These spines are wanting in other specimens examined.) ; spines distinctly 3-rooted and movable; dorsal and anal fins similar, placed far back ; the dorsal inserted a little in advance of the anal, the 828 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. origin of the latter falling under the middle of the base of the former ; these fins about equally elevated, the longest rays about equal to the longest rays of pectoral ; caudal fin scarcely longer than pectorals, rounded ; pectoral fins broad, slightly truncate posteriorly, the upper lobe the longest, 1.65 to 2.33 in head, rays 20 or 21. Color of our largest specimen (362 mm.) in alcohol olivaceous above, pale below ; back, sides, snout and fins everywhere with round black spots, these smallest on snout ; a dusky bar across chin and extending backward on each side to below base of pectorals. A smaller specimen (170 mm.) has a broad black bar across interorbital and continued a short distance below eye, another broad bar across occiput ; a large black blotch above and behind base of each pectoral ; a still larger black blotch on middle of back, situated a little posterior to the blotches above and back of base of pectorals ; another large black blotch in front of and around base of dorsal ; an irregular black blotch on side behind tips of pectoral rays; a few small round black spots on snout and larger black spots behind the spines, both above and on belly ; no spots on fins, the dorsal and caudal each with a dusky intramarginal band. The above description is based on 2 specimens, 170 and 362 mm. in length, taken at Taboga Island. As indicated in the foregoing de- scription, these specimens are neither identical in color, nor wholly alike in the length and position of the1 spines. From an examination of published accounts and specimens in the National Museum collection, it is apparent that these specimens represent the form or forms which recent ichthyologists, at least, have regarded as hystrix. We also have 21 specimens from the Atlantic coast of Panama, ranging in length from 80 to 140 mm., which do not appear to be identical with the Pacific specimens already described, but which we are unable to place with any other known form. The genus stands in need of thorough study and revision and, to add another name to the numerous ones which have already been applied to the various forms of the genus from all over the world, would merely add to the confusion. We, therefore, refer these specimens to the present species with the following characterization of the specimens : Head 2.3 to 2.55; depth 2.5 to 2.95; D. n or 12; A. n or 12. Body normally (when not inflated) broader than deep; head quite broad, depressed: snout short, little exserted, 3.25 to 3.9 in head; eye 2.5 to 2.9; interorbital broad, slightly concave, 1.9 to 2.4; mouth rather broad, terminal ; lips thickened, plicate ; jaws entire, the margins slightly notched ; gill-slit a little shorter than eye ; spines of moderate SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 829 length, distinctly 3-rooted and movable ; the frontal and postpectoral spines usually of equal length or the latter slightly longer ; no spines on caudal peduncle; few dermal flaps variously distributed over back and sides of body ; dorsal and anal similar, placed far back ; the origin of the anal under about the middle of the base of dorsal; the dorsal fin slightly longer and higher, the longest rays about equal to the length of the longest rays of the pectoral; caudal fin distinctly rounded, slightly longer than the pectorals; pectoral fins broad, the posterior margin straight or slightly concave, the upper lobe longest, 1.8 to 1.95 in head, rays 19 to 22. Color pale to dark olivaceous above, white or dusky below ; a black bar on interorbital extending across eye to cheek, this bar often in- terrupted on median line ; another black bar at occiput ; a large black blotch above and behind base of each pectoral; a large black cross- blotch on middle of back posterior to the black blotches above and behind base of pectorals; another large black blotch in front and around base of dorsal ; usually also with a black blotch behind tips of pectorals. The back and sides are covered with small round spots that are variously distributed and that do not always occur in the axil of the spines and not at all on the chest and abdomen. The spots vary in number and size among individuals, usually being most numer- ous on the lighter colored specimens ; fins all pale green, unmarked. It will be noticed from the foregoing descriptions that the Atlantic coast specimens have the frontal spines longer in comparison with the postpectoral spines, the dorsal fin appears to be composed of fewer rays, and there is a difference in color which, however, may not be of any specific value. We do not find that the proportionate length of the spines varies greatly with age or that the frontal spines become proportionately shorter with age when compared with the postpectoral ones. The free part of the spines, however, is shorter and the em- bedded portion longer in the adult. Recorded from all warm seas. Our specimens from the Pacific are from Taboga Island and our Atlantic specimens are from Colon. 599. Diodon holacanthus Linnaeus. Diodon holocanthus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 335 (India; based on Ostracion oblongus holocanthus Artedi ; misprint for holacanthus) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1746; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 160 (Panama). 830 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Erizo guanabana Parra, Desc. Piezas de Hist. Nat., 1787, 62, PI. XXIX, fig. 3 (Havana). Diodon liturosus Shaw, Gen. Zool., V, Part II, 1804, 436 (after Diodon tachete Lacepede). Diodon spinosissimus Cuvier, Memoir. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, IV, 1818, 134 (no locality). Diodon novemmaculatus Cuvier, Memoir. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, IV, 1818, 136, PI. VI (no locality). Diodon sexmaculatus Cuvier, Memoir. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, IV, 1818, 136, PI. VII (no locality). Diodon multimaculatus Cuvier, Memoir. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, IV, 1818, 136 (no locality). Diodon quadrhnaculatus Cuvier, Memoir. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, IV, 1818, 137, PI. VI (Otaiti). Diodon melanopsis Kaup, Archiv. Naturg., XXI, Pt. I, 1855, 228. Paradiodon quadrimaculatus Bleeker, Nederl. Tijdsch. Dierk., II, 1865, 271. Diodon mactdatus var. a, Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., VIII, 1870, 307 (St. Croix, Jamaica, Panama, South America, Sandwich Islands, China, Sooloo Sea, Indian Ocean; based on Diodon tachete La- cepede). Head 2 to 2.55 ; depth 2.2 to 2.9; D. 13 or 14; A. 1 1 or 12. Body normally (when not inflated) notably broader than deep; head broad, depressed ; snout little exserted, 2.55 to 4.05 in head ; eye 2.45 to 4.05; interorbital broad, gently concave, 1.45 to 1.7; mouth rather broad ; jaws entire, the margins more or less notched ; lips rather thick, slightly plicate; gill-slit scarcely as long as eye; spines long, 3-rooted and movable; the frontal spines very long, much longer than the postpectoral ones; dorsal and anal fins similar, placed far back; the origin of the anal under middle of base of dorsal; these fins about equally elevated, the longest rays scarcely as long as the longest pectoral rays; caudal fin rounded, a little longer than the pectorals; pectoral fins broad, the posterior margins truncate, the Upper lobe the longer, 1.6 to 2.05 in head, rays 21 to 23. Color in alcohol pale to dark olivaceous above, white or dusky below ; a black bar on interorbital, extending below eye on cheek, usually pres- ent ; this bar rarely continuous, being more often broken on median line of head ; a second black cross-bar at occiput ; a large black blotch above and behind base of pectorals; another black cross-blotch farther pos- teriorly on back and a large black blotch in front and around base of dorsal; some specimens with the snout or the lower parts or both un- SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 831 spotted ; more usually the body, except head and chest, covered with black spots, smallest on the snout, occurring most frequently in the axil of the spines on the lower parts ; the spots largest behind pectoral fins, there on some individuals becoming confluent and forming an irregular blotch ; the fins pale greenish, unspotted. This species is represented by 59 specimens, ranging in length from 80 to 175 mm. This fish was not seen often, but on February 5, 1912, it was extremely abundant around Naos Island and numerous specimens were taken in every seine haul. The fish occurring in this "school" ranged in length from 80 to 135 mm., and, while they varied considerably in color, they were quite uniform in other respects. The spines are very long, the frontal spines greatly exceeding in length the postpectoral spines. The specimens taken at Naos Island appear to represent the extreme type of those forms which have been referred to holacanthus. We have another lot of specimens taken near Balboa, ranging in length from 80 to 175 mm., which have somewhat shorter spines, the frontal spines being only a little longer than the postpectoral ones. These specimens, with respect to the development of the spines, approach our Atlantic coast specimens which we have provision- ally referred to D. hystrix. The Pacific specimens, however, all appear to be uniform in having one more ray in the dorsal fin and in having a somewhat broader interorbital than the Atlantic specimens. Known from all warm seas. Our specimens are from Naos Island and Balboa. 216. Genus Chilomycterus Bibron. Chilomycterus Bibron, in Brisout de Barneville, Revue Zoologique, 1846, 140 (type Diodon reticulatus Linnaeus). Cyclichthys Kaup, Archiv. Naturg., XXI, 1855, 231 (type Diodon orbic- ularis Bloch). Cyanichthys Kaup, Archiv. Naturg., XXI, 1855, 23J (tyPe Cyanichthys cceruleus Kaup). Body broad, depressed, more or less inflatable; nasal tube simple, with 2 lateral openings; dermal spines 3-rooted, immovable, and tri- angular; caudal peduncle short; teeth on jaws without median suture. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Supraorbital ridge little elevated; a prominent spine on middle of forehead; a large prominent black spot on nape; a large black spot at origin of dorsal, involving a part of the base of fin. antennatus, p. 832. 832 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. aa. Supraorbital ridge notably elevated ; prominent spine on middle of forehead wanting; no blotch on nape; a large black spot behind pectoral, and one on each side of dorsal, spinosus, p. 832. 600. Chilomycterus antennatus (Cuvier). Diodon antennatus Cuvier, Mem. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, IV, 1818, 131, PL VII. Chilomycterus antennatus Kaup, Archiv. Naturg., XXI, 1855, 232; Gtinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., VIII, 1870, 311; Jordan & Ever- mann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1750; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1917, 136 (Colon). Chilomycterus puncticulatus Poey, Anal. Soc. Espafi. Hist. Nat., X, 1881, 346 (Porto Rico). Head 2.05 to 2.5; depth 1.9 to 2.6; D. 10 to 12; A. 10 or n. Body oblong, depressed ; head notably broader than deep ; snout very short, not much in advance of the forehead, 3 to 4.5 in head; eye 2.9 to 3.65; interorbital (bone) 1.95 to 3.55 in head; mouth small, transverse; the spines of the back strong, fixed, those of the abdomen more or less retractile ; 2 spines on supraorbital with a long dermal tentacle between them ; a short stiff spine on middle of forehead ; a row of tentacles along lower lateral margin of head and 2 on each side somewhat in advance of vent; dorsal and anal fins similar and opposite each other, each with strongly convex margin; caudal fin moderate, rounded ; pectoral fins broad, slightly emarginate, the upper rays longest, 2 to 2.6 in head. Color of fresh specimens : Back olive-green ; abdomen deep red to brownish; a large black spot in middle of nape; a large elongate spot above base of pectoral ; a large black spot before and along anterior part of base of dorsal ; head and chest usually with many black dots ; the black dots in some specimens much more numerous than in others, covering nearly the entire body ; the fins all yellowish green. This species is represented by 17 specimens, ranging in length from 40 to 1 55mm.; all taken in a shallow, grassy bay near Colon. It is not abundant and was not seen elsewhere. A rather unique, pretty fish, which is of no value as food. Known from the West Indies southward ; previously recorded from Porto Rico, Jamaica, St. Croix, Trinidad and the Cape of Good Hope. Our specimens are from Fox Bay, Colon. 601. Chilomycterus spinosus (Linnaeus). Diodon spinosus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 335 ("India"). SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 833 Diodon geometricus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, 513, PI. XCVI (America). Cyclichthys cornutus Kaup, Archiv. Naturg., XXI, 1855, 231 (Bahia). Chilomycterus geometricus var. y, Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., VIII, 1870, 311 (type of Cyclichthys cornutus Kaup). Chilomycterus spinosus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1749. This species was not seen by us, but its distribution indicates that it may be expected on the Atlantic coast of Panama. Its relationship is imperfectly understood, but it seems to be distinguished from C. antennatus by the strongly elevated supraorbital ridge; by the large spot behind the pectoral ; by 2 large black spots, one on each side of the dorsal ; and by the absence of a large black spot on middle of nape. In structure it is said to agree with C. schcepfi, a more northern species, which, however, has a series of undulating blackish stripes running from the nape backward. Recorded from the West Indies and from the coast of Brazil. Family LXXI. Scorpaenidae. THE ROCK-FISHES. Body oblong, more or less compressed; head large, with one or more ridges above, terminating in spines ; mouth terminal, usually large ; teeth villiform, present on jaws and vomer and sometimes on palatines; premaxillaries protractile; maxillary broad, with a supple- mental bone ; gill-openings wide, the membranes free from the isthmus ; scales rather small, ctenoid or cycloid; lateral line single, concurrent with the back ; a narrow bony stay on cheek ; dorsal fin continuous, sometimes quite deeply notched, with 8 to 16 spines and about an equal number of soft rays ; anal fin with 3 spines and 5 to 10 soft rays ; ventral fins thoracic, composed of I, 5 rays. Two genera are repre- sented in the Panama collection. KEY TO THE GENERA. a. Dorsal spines normally 12; villiform teeth on palatines. Scorpcena, p. 833. aa. Dorsal spines normally 1 3 ; no teeth on palatines. Scorpcenodes, p. 845. 217. Genus Scorpaena Linnaeus. SCORPION FISHES. Scorpana Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 266 (type Scorpana porcus Linnaeus). 834 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Body oblong, somewhat compressed ; head large, usually not much compressed, more or less uneven with spines, mostly scalelesSj some- times with dermal flaps; mouth large, with bands of villiform teeth on jaws, vomer and palatines ; scales moderate or small, ctenoid or cycloid, often with dermal flaps ; dorsal fin normally with 12 strong spines ; the anal with 3 strong spines ; ventrals inserted behind pectorals ; pectoral fins large, the base with procurrent rays, some or all of the upper rays normally divided. The dorsal spines are capable of inflicting a painful sting-like wound, not unlike that of a scorpion, hence the name scorpion fishes. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Occipital pit large, well developed. b. A distinct pit below anterior margin of eye ; head broad, quite as broad as deep. c. Interorbital area broad, 4.2 to 5 in head; occipital pit very deep, prominent; axil usually black, with small white or pale blue spots. plumieri, p. 835. cc. Interorbital area somewhat narrower, 5.28 to 8.25 in head; occipital pit shallow; axil brownish, usually with a large black spot and no pale spots. mystes, p. 836. bb. No distinct pit under anterior margin of eye ; head not broader than deep. d. Suborbital stay with 2 or 3 distinct spines; axil of pectoral either with dark or pale bluish spots. e. Anal spines graduated, the third anal spine longer but not stronger than the second ; occipital pit open at sides ; scales small, 55 to 60; axil of pectoral pale, with small round dark spots. brasiliensis, p. 837. ee. Anal spines not graduated, the second spine longer and stronger than the third ; occipital pit more or less closed at sides ; supra- orbital tentacles very long, always longer than eye; scales larger, 41 to 45 ; axil of pectoral gray, with very small bluish spots enclosed in black rings. grandicornis, p. 838. dd. Suborbital stay without spines or merely ending in a spine posteriorly; no distinct spines on the stay under the eye; axil of pectoral pale or cloudy, not spotted. f . Suborbital stay ending in a spine posteriorly ; a large dermal flap present above base of pectoral ; scales moderate, 43 on sides, many of them bearing dermal flaps. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 835 g. Pectoral rays 19 in number, the lowest 8 simple, the next 10 branched, the uppermost one simple; maxillary not reaching posterior margin of eye, 2.25 in head ; ventral rays reaching only to vent ; a distinct dark spot on side behind opercular flap. pannosa, p. 839. gg. Pectoral rays 20 in number, the lowest n or 12 simple, the next 7 or 8 branched, the uppermost simple ; maxillary reaching beyond posterior margin of eye, 2 in head ; ventral rays reach- ing beyond vent ; no distinct dark spot on side behind opercular flap. histrio, p. 840. ff. Suborbital stay entirely without spines; dermal flap above base of pectoral obsolete; scales rather small, 47; dermal flaps present on lateral line; pectoral rays 18, lower 10 simple, the next 7 branched, the upper one simple. isthmensis sp. hov., p. 842. aa. Occipital pit scarcely developed, represented only as a slight quadrate depression. h. Pectoral fins with 21 rays, the lower 14 simple, the next 6 branched, the uppermost one simple; longest dorsal spine not as high as the longest soft rays ; head and occiput without dermal flaps. russula, p. 843. hh. Pectoral fins with 19 rays, the lower 16 simple, the next 2 branched and the uppermost one simple; longest dorsal spine a little higher than the longest soft rays; head and occiput bearing numerous dermal flaps. colonensis sp. nov., p. 844. 602. Scorpaena plumieri Bloch. Scorpczna plumieri Bloch, K. Vet. Ac. Nya Handl., X, 1789, 234 (Mar- tinique) ; Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., II, 1860, 113; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1848. Scorpcena bufo Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 1829, 306 (Martinique). Scorpana rascacio Poey, Syn. Pise. Cub., 1868, 303 (Havana). Head 2.2 to 2.5; depth 2.4 to 2.9; D. XII, 9 or 10; A. Ill, 5 or 6; scales 43 to 47. Body elongate, moderately compressed ; the back somewhat elevated ; head large, usually quite as broad as deep; snout short and blunt, 3.2 to 3.8 in head; eye 3.6 to 5.5; interorbital 4.2 to 5; supraorbital with high ridge, bearing 3 short spines and usually, although not always, a. fringed tentacle about as long as eye behind the second spine; a large quadrate pit at occiput ; a small pit below and in front of eye ; 836 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. suborbital stay continuous or with spines; preorbital with 2 divergent spines; a small spine slightly above and behind each anterior nostril; occiput with two series of spines ; preopercle with 4 or 5 spines ; opercle with 2 strong spines; mouth broad, oblique; maxillary broad, reaching beyond middle of eye, 1.85 to 1.95 in head; teeth in villiform bands on jaws, vomer and palatines; gill-rakers short and coarse, about 7 developed on the lower limb of first arch; scales rather small, present on part of opercles and on part of cheeks ; breast fully scaled ; lateral line complete, many of the pores with short dermal flaps; dorsal fin continuous, somewhat notched, its origin slightly in advance of upper anterior angle of gill-opening, the spines strong, the fourth the longest, longer than the soft rays ; caudal fin moderate, with rounded margin ; anal fin with 3 strong spines, the second the largest, longer and stronger than the largest dorsal spine ; ventral fins inserted a little behind base of pectorals, reaching beyond vent ; pectoral fins rather large, with broad bases, the lower rays decreasing rapidly in length, 1.4 to 1.7 in head. Color dark brown above, paler below (chest and belly red in life) ; sides with large dark blotches, forming more or less distinct bars, the last one on base of caudal being narrow, quite distinct and forked on lower half of peduncle; the fins dark, with pale spots; the soft dorsal, caudal and anal with bars ; axil of pectoral usually black, with white or pale blue spots. This species is represented by 23 specimens, ranging in length from 75 to 260 mm. It is not abundant, although rather common, and it lives in shallow water usually where there is some vegetation. The junior author, while collecting at Porto Bello, had the misfortune of being "finned" by one of these fish. The poison which it injects is of a rather violent nature, as the spines piercing the thumb caused swelling of the entire hand and forearm, accompanied by severe pains throughout the hand and arm. The pain, however, lasted only a few hours and within 12 hours the swelling had gone down and, except for a little soreness in the wound on the thumb, no evil effects were apparent. This fish is occasionally seen in the Colon fish market but its commercial value is small, because of the small size attained and because it is not abundant. Known from Massachusetts southward to Brazil. Our specimens are from Colon and Porto Bello. 603. Scorpaena mystes Jordan & Starks. Scorpcena mystes Jordan & Starks, Proc. Cal. Ac. Sci., 2nd Ser., V, SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 837 1895, 491, PI. LII (Mazatlan) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1849, PI. CCLXXVII, fig. 671 ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 161 (Panama Bay) ; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, 411 (Panama). Head 2.25 to 2.4 ; depth 2.6 to 3.2 ; eye 3 to 5.6 in head ; snout 3.4 to 4.75 ; interorbital 5.25 to 8.25 ; maxillary 1.9 to 2.1 ; D. XII, 10; A. Ill, 5 ; gill-rakers on lower limb of first arch about 5, besides 4 or 5 rudi- ments ; scales 44 to 49. This species is closely related to S. plumieri, from which it is distinguished with difficulty. The interorbital area, however, appears to be a little narrower and the quadrate pit at occiput is notably shallower. The axil is not wholly black, and it usually has only a large black spot. The small white spots in axil are much less numerous or frequently wanting. The tentacle above eye is variously developed or absent and is of no specific value. The species is represented by 20 specimens, ranging in length from 40 to 270 mm. It is not infrequent in tide pools. Known from Guaymas to Panama. Our specimens are from Taboga Island, Naos Island and Panama. 604. Scorpaena brasiliensis Cuvier & Valenciennes. Scorpcena brasiliensis Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 1829, 305 (Brazil) ; Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., II, 1860, 112; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1842, PI. CCLXXVII, fig. 670. Scorpcena stearnsii Goode & Bean, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882, 421 (Pensacola, Fla.). Head 2.5 to 2.8; depth 2.6 to 3.15; D. XII, 10; A. Ill, 5; scales 55 to 60. Body moderately compressed; the back elevated; head notably deeper than broad; snout rather blunt, 4 to 4.35 in head; eye 3.15 to 3.7 ; interorbital 5.5 to 7.4 ; supraorbital stay elevated, bearing 3 spines ; a shallow quadrate pit at occiput, the ridges on sides of it not complete, leaving the pit open laterally; no pit below eye; preorbital with 2 divergent spines ; a small sharp spine slightly above and behind each anterior nostril; occiput with 2 series of spines; preopercle with 4 spines ; opercle with 2 strong spines ; mouth moderate, slightly oblique ; maxillary reaching a little beyond middle of eye, 1.9 to 2 in head; teeth in villif orm bands on jars, vomer and palatines ; gill-rakers very short, about 7 more or less developed on lower limb of first arch ; scales small, present on chest, part of cheeks and most of opercles as 838 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. well as on body; lateral line complete, with few short dermal flaps; dorsal fin rather deeply notched, its origin over upper anterior angle of gill-opening, the spines moderate, the fourth or fifth the longest, higher than the soft rays ; caudal fin slightly rounded ; anal fin with 3 graduated spines, the second stronger than the third, the third spine shorter than the longest dorsal spine; ventral fins inserted a little behind base of pectorals, reaching beyond vent in young, proportion- ately much shorter in adult ; pectoral fins rather large, the lower rays decreasing rapidly in length, 1.2 in head. Color in alcohol pale brownish, paler below, some indistinct dark blotches on upper part of sides ; the posterior part of each scale darker ; axil of pectoral pale, with small round dark spots, these also present on lower part of side behind pectoral ; dorsal and anal irregularly marbled ; caudal with a median and terminal blackish band ; ventrals pale at base, bluish black at tips ; pectorals mottled, faintly banded. This species was not taken by us on the coast of Panama. It is here described from specimens in the National Museum collection from Key West, Florida, and Bahia, Brazil, ranging in length from 70 to 135 mm. Known from North Carolina to Brazil; not recorded from the Isthmus of Panama. 605. Scorpaena grandicornis Cuvier & Valenciennes. Scorpana grandicornis Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 1829, 309 (Martinique; Porto Rico; Havana; San Domingo); Meek & Newland, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1885 (1886), 396, 401 ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1850, PI. CCLXXVIII, fig. 672. Head 2 to 2.6; depth 2 to 2.6; D. XII, 9 or 10; A. Ill, 5 or 6; scales 41 to 45. Body elongate, rather strongly compressed; the back elevated; head rather narrow, somewhat deeper than broad; snout blunt, 3.2 to 4.4 in head ; eye 3 to 3.85 ; interorbital 5.5 to 6.3 ; supraorbital greatly elevated, bearing 3 spines; a long fringed dermal tentacle behind the second spine, the tentacle varying in length among specimens, but always notably longer than eye, none as long as in specimens examined from Key West; a quadrate pit at occiput; no distinct pit below and in front of eye; suborbital stay usually with processes; preorbital with 2 blunt divergent spines ; a small spine slightly above and behind each anterior nostril; occiput with several spines on each side; pre- opercle with 4 or 5 spines ; opercle with 2 strong spines ; mouth rather SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 839 broad, oblique; maxillary reaching a little beyond middle of eye, 1.9 to 2.1 in head; teeth in villiform bands, present on jaws, vomer and palatines; gill-rakers short and blunt, with many spinules, about 6 developed on the lower limb of the first arch; scales rather small, present on part of opercle and on part of cheek; lateral line complete, with a series of dermal flaps equal to or longer than half the eye; dorsal fin continuous, somewhat notched, its origin a little in advance of gill-opening, the spines strong, the third or fourth the longest, higher than the soft rays ; caudal fin round ; anal fin with 3 strong spines, the second the longest, also somewhat longer than the longest dorsal spine ; ventrals inserted nearly half an eye's diameter behind base of pectorals, reaching well beyond vent; pectoral fins large, with broad bases, the lower rays decreasing in length rather less abruptly than in S. plumieri, i.i to 1.25 in head. Color grayish brown above, paler below ; a dark vertical band below eye extending over interorbital ; dark band extending across base of pectoral and across spinous dorsal; a third band on tips of pectorals to last spines of dorsal; a fourth dark band from base of second anal spine to near middle of soft dorsal ; a fifth bar on caudal peduncle ; a faint dark bar at base of spinous dorsal back to fifth spine; soft dorsal with 2 bars ; caudal fin with 2 dark bars ; anal with 3 dark bars ; ventrals with black tips; pectorals very dark, with 3 black bars, the axil gray, with very small bluish spots enclosed in black rings ; the lower surface of head and chest usually with pale spots. Twenty-two specimens, ranging in length from 50 to 135 mm., were preserved. This species is a little less common than 5". plumieri but it is usually found in company with the latter. Known from Massachusetts to Brazil. Our specimens are from Colon and Porto Bello. 606. Scorpaena pannosa Cramer. Scorpeena pannosa Cramer, in Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1897, 446, PL LII (Panama) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1845 J Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 161. Head 2.25 ; depth 3 ; D. XII, 10; A. Ill, 5 ; scales 43. Body compressed ; head about as wide as d«ep ; eye placed high, 4.2 in head ; interorbital space narrow, deeply concave, 2 in eye ; supra- ocular ridges thin, with blunt spines ; occipital pit of moderate depth, continuous on each side; spines at anterior nostrils sharp and strong; no pit under eye; preorbital with two spines, one directed forward, 840 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. the other downward ; suborbital stay with 3 or 4 points ; preopercle with 5 spines, the upper one largest; opercle with two diverging spines; mouth large, nearly horizontal; maxillary reaching about to posterior margin of pupil, 2.25 in head ; teeth in broad bands on jaws, vomer and palatines ; gill-rakers very short, with many minute points, about 6 developed on lower limb of first arch; scales moderate, present on lower part of cheeks and on base and flap of opercle, many of them with dermal flaps; dorsal fin not deeply notched, its origin over upper anterior angle of gill-opening, the third and fourth spines longest, scarcely longer than the longest soft rays ; caudal fin truncate or very slightly rounded ; anal with 3 spines, the second one the largest, not quite as long as the longest soft rays, the soft rays not quite reach- ing the base of caudal ; ventral fins reaching vent ; pectoral fins large, reaching nearly to origin of anal, rays 19, the lower 8 simple, the next 10 branched, the upper one simple ; a broad flap above base of pectoral, with tattered margin. Color probably scarlet in life; no white spots on side of body; cheeks mottled with small, dark, mostly round spots ; 2 narrow dark bars on side under spinous dorsal and a broader one under soft dorsal ; no trace of dark bar on caudal peduncle; a large dark spot on side behind opercular flap; dorsal and pectorals pale, with slight cloudings of dark spots; axil of pectorals pale, with 3 or 4 dark spots; caudal fin with 2 faint cross-bars or dark spots, faint white spots on the lighter bands. This species was not secured by us. The above description is based on the type, a specimen 190 mm. in length, which we have examined, and which appears to be the only specimen known. Recorded only from Panama Bay where it was taken by the Albatross. 607. Scorpaena histrio Jenyns. Scorpcena histrio Jenyns, in Darwin, Zool. Voy. Beagle, Pt. IV, Fish, 1842, 35, PI. VIII (Chatham Island, Galapagos Archipelago) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., II, 1860, 115; Jordan & Bollman, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1889, 182 (Panama) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 1843; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 161. Head 2.15; depth 3.1 ; D. XII, 10; A. Ill, 5; scales 43. Body elongate, compressed; head large, its depth and width equal; interorbital narrow, 2 in orbit; supraocular ridges thin, high, with very blunt spines; preopercular ridges very thick, prominent, with SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 841 strong spines ; postocular spines on rim of orbit, external and posterior to supraoculars ; another small spine on rim of orbit below and a little behind postocular; the bifid spine a little behind middle of posterior margin of orbit, and behind this a small exoccipital spine; a pair of sharp "coronal" spines with small pits in front of them; thin, rather high parietal and nuchal ridges with blunt spines; occiput with a moderate pit, continuous on each side between "coronal" spine and parietal ridge, with a pit behind superior posterior border of orbit ; nasal spines strong; preorbital very wide, with 2 or 3 small spines; no pit under orbit, but a broad shallow depression under whole length of orbit; uppermost preopercular spine longest, with a small spine above its base, the second, third and fourth spines successively smaller, the fifth obsolete; ope'rcle with two strong spines; mouth very large, nearly horizontal; maxillary reaching beyond posterior edge of orbit, 2 to 2.1 in head; broad bands of teeth on jaws, vomer and palatines; gill-rakers, very short, broad, about 8 developed; scales moderate, mostly cycloid; small embedded scales behind orbit on base of opercle and below suborbital stay; many of the scales on sides with dermal flaps ; dorsal fin somewhat notched, its origin opposite upper angle of gill-opening; third and fourth spines equal, the longest twice as long as first; longest soft rays about equal to longest spine; caudal truncate; second anal spine longest; ventrals reaching a little beyond vent; pectorals reaching nearly to anal, the uppermost ray simple, the next 8 or 9 branched, the lower n or 12 simple; a broad flap above base of pectoral, its edge nearly smooth. Color in alcohol : Top of head and sides dark brown, with a slight wash of cherry-red; belly white; cheeks under eyes mottled with light and dark; soft dorsal dark; membrane of spinous dorsal and base of soft dorsal strongly washed with cherry-red; a dark spot on opercular flap ; some of the flaps on the sides of the same color, others white; pectorals with 3 dark bars, alternating with lighter; axil cloudy; caudal with 2 broad dark bars, the lighter bands much mottled with white; posterior part of sides with several white spots; a narrow black band across top of peduncle just in front of caudal. This species was not secured by us but it has been taken in Panama Bay by the Albatross. The description here given is based upon pub- lished accounts and upon a few large specimens which we have exam- ined in the National Museum. Known from Juan Fernandez, Galapagos Archipelago, Chinchas Island, Panama Bay, and southward to Peru. 842 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — - ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. 608. Scorpaena isthmensis sp. nov. (Plate LXXX.) Type No. 81617, U. S. N. M.; length 90 mm.; Porto Bello, Panama. Head 2.5 ; depth 2.7 ; D. XII, 10 ; A. Ill, 5 ; scales 47. Body rather robust; head somewhat deeper than broad; snout broad, 3.4 in head ; eye 3.4 ; interorbital deeply concave, 7.7 ; suborbital stay evident, bearing no spines; the rest of the armature of the head identical with 5. brasiliensis; mouth rather large, slightly oblique ; maxil- lary reaching nearly to posterior margin of eye, 1.8 in head; teeth minute, in bands on jaws, vomer and palatines; gill-rakers very short and blunt, with strong bristles, 5 somewhat developed on lower limb of first arch ; scales moderate, present on chest, part of the cheeks and opercles as well as on body; lateral line with few short dermal flaps, none on scales elsewhere; dorsal fin deeply notched, the membrane attached to less than a third of the last spine, the spines moderate, the third or fourth the longest, about equal to the longest soft rays ; caudal fin nearly square posteriorly, notably longer than snout and eye; ventral fins rather long, reaching past vent; pectoral fins large, the upper ray simple, the next 7 branched and the lower 10 simple, the longest rays 1.2 in head; a very small flap above base of pectoral, its margin adnate and entire. Color in alcohol dark brown above, paler brown on lower part of sides ; chest and abdomen pale ; many of the scales on sides with small black spots; a trace of a dark bar from base of pectoral across spinous dorsal ; a second dark bar on anterior part of anal, across body and extending on anterior soft rays of dorsal; a third dark bar at base of caudal, another dark bar on median portion of caudal and one on the distal portion; lower part of sides with faint pale spots; lower surface of head speckled with white ; ventral fins pale brown at base, the distal parts black; axil of pectoral pale brownish, unspotted, the fin exteriorly with indications of a black bar at base and another on median portion, the rays with pale markings. We have a single specimen, 90 mm. long, which appears to represent a new species. Its relationships are with S. histrio and S. pannosa, from which it differs in having a smooth suborbital stay which does not end in a spine posteriorly ; flap above base of pectoral small, adnate, with smooth margin; no dermal flaps on scales, except along lateral line; scales somewhat smaller; color somewhat darker, many of the scales on sides with black spots. From S. bergii Evermann & Marsh (Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., XX, Pt. I, 1900 (1902), p. 276, fig. 83) it differs in having one more spine in the dorsal ; the anal spines are gradu- * PI- IV, figs. 2 & 2a (Panama). Gymneleotris seminudus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2204; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 170; Kendall & RadclifTe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 146 (Acapulco, Mex.). "Head 3^. D. VII-n ; A. 9. Head depressed, broader than high, flat above. Snout rather obtuse, longer than eye, lower jaw somewhat prominent; cleft of mouth extending to below anterior margin of orbit. Teeth in upper jaw in a narrow band, the lower having 4 somewhat larger and recurved teeth in front, appearing to form a single series; palate toothless. None of the fin rays prolonged; pectoral not quite extending to origin of second dorsal ; ventral much shorter than pectoral, 864 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. its inner ray the longest, the others gradually decreasing in length out- ward; caudal fin rounded. Head and trunk naked; tail covered with small scales. Brown, with numerous well defined white cross-stripes on head as well as on body ; vertical fins black." This species is known from the type, a specimen about 45 mm. in length, taken at Panama, and from a specimen about 33 mm. in length from Acapulco, Mexico. The above description is copied from Jordan & Evermann (Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, p. 2204). 222. Genus Erotelis Poey. Erotelis Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 272 (type Erotelis valenciennesi Poey = Eleotris smaragdus Cuvier & Valenciennes). Alexurus Jordan, Proc. Cal. Ac. Sci., 2nd Ser., V, 1895, 511 (type Alexurus armiger Jordan). Body elongate; preopercle with a broad concealed hooked spine at its angle ; scales small, cycloid ; caudal fin broad, with many procurrent rays at base; ventral fins separate. Two apparently closely related species are known. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Second dorsal with 13 rays; anal n ; maxillary reaching below middle of eye. armiger, p. 864. aa. Second dorsal with 1 1 rays ; anal 10 ; maxillary reaching anterior margin of eye. smaragdus, p. 865. 623. Erotelis armiger (Jordan). Alexurus armiger Jordan, Proc. Cal. Ac. Sci., 2nd Ser., V, 1895, 511, PI. LXVIII (La Paz, Lower California) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2203; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 170 (Panama Bay). Head 3.9; depth 7.3; D. VI-I3; A. II, 9; scales about 102. Body long and low, compressed posteriorly, depressed anteriorly; head broad and flat; snout short, 6.5 in head; eye small, high up, 8 in head; mouth moderate, very oblique, the lower jaw heavy, projecting; maxillary reaching middle of eye, 3.25 in head; teeth in the jaws in broad villiform bands, the outer one in each jaw enlarged, those in the upper jaw increasing in size laterally, those in the lower jaw present only anteriorly; preopercle with a concealed hook at its angle; gill- membranes rather narrowly attached to the isthmus; scales small, cycloid ; top of head, cheeks and opercle with very small scales, some of SEPT. 1928. FISHES OP PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 865 them partly embedded ; first dorsal rays low, slightly filamentous ; second dorsal low, its last ray longest; caudal long, bluntly pointed, with strongly procurrent rays both above and below; anal fin similar to sec- ond dorsal; ventral fins short, inserted under base of pectorals; pec- toral fins short, 1.3 in head. Color brownish, dusky above, paler below, but everywhere covered with fine black dots ; both dorsals with pale membranes, the rays barred with black; caudal dusky brown; anal, ventrals and pectorals speckled, the pectorals with dusky base. This species is represented by a single specimen, 63 mm. long, sent by Mr. Robert Tweedlie. This appears to be the second specimen taken on the coast of Panama. The previous Panama record was based on a specimen secured in 1896 by Prof. C. H. Gilbert and associates. Known from Lower California to Panama. The specimen at hand was taken at Chame Point. 624. Erotelis smaragdus (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Eleotris smaragdus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XII, 1837, 231 (Cuba). Erotelis valenciennesi Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 273 (Cuba). Erotelis smaragdus Jordan & Eigenmann, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 484; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2204, PI. CCCXXV, fig. 785; Starks, Leland Stanford Jr. Univ. Pub., Univ. Ser., 1913, 66 (Natal, Brazil). Head 4.3 to 5.5; depth 8 to 12; D. VI-n ; A. 10; scales 100. Body very long and slender, compressed posteriorly ; head depressed, flat above ; eyes mostly superior ; interorbital area more than 2 times as wide as eye, with a knob near its middle ; mouth very oblique, the lower jaw much projecting; maxillary reaching anterior margin of eye; teeth small, in bands ; scales very small, cycloid ; dorsal spines lower than the rays of second dorsal; second dorsal rather high, the longest rays 1.2 in head; caudal fin lanceolate, longer than head; ventral fins separate, 2 in head. Color very dark green, almost black, with some dark markings about the eye; fins mostly bluish, the dorsal with brown lines, the pectoral with dark markings on base. This species was not taken on the Panama coast, but its range places it within the scope of the present work. According to Starks (Leland Stanford Jr. Univ. Pub., Univ. Ser., 1913, p. 66) this species and E. armiger from the Pacific coast are closely related, if not in fact identical. We have not seen specimens of E. 866 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. smaragdus and our description has been compiled from published accounts. Known from Florida to Brazil. 223. Genus Lophogobius Gill. Lophogobius Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1862, 240 (type Gobius cristagalli Cuvier & Valenciennes = Gobius cyprinoides Pallas). Body short, rather deep, compressed; teeth in the jaws in bands; scales large ; a prominent fleshy median crest, extending from interorbital area to origin of dorsal; dorsal fins distinct, the anterior with slender filamentous spines ; caudal fin rounded ; ventral fins fully united, form- ing a sucking disk, free from abdomen. 625. Lophogobius cyprinoides (Pallas). Gobius cyprinoides Pallas, Spicil. Zool., I, Fasc. 8, 1770, 17, PI. I, fig. 5 ("Amboina"; probably from the West Indies). Gobius crista galli Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XII, 1837, 130 (Havana). Lophogobius cyprinoides Poey, Repertorio, II, 1868, 393 ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2209, PI. CCCXXVI, fig. 786. Head 3; depth 2.88; D. VI-io; A. 9; scales 27. Body rather robust, short, compressed; the back elevated; head short, rather broad ; snout short, bluntish, 4.45 in head ; eye large, 3.35 in head ; interorbital scarcely half as wide as eye ; mouth oblique ; the lower jaw slightly projecting; maxillary reaching vertical from anterior margin of pupil, 2.68 in head ; teeth in the jaws in broad villiform bands, the outer series in each jaw somewhat enlarged ; opercle and preopercle unarmed ; gill-openings restricted to the sides, broader than base of pec- torals, the membranes attached to the isthmus, forming a fold across it; scales large, ctenoid, wanting on head and on median line of nape; a prominent fleshy crest extending from interorbital to origin of dor- sal; dorsal fins separate, the first one with slender filamentous spines, the median ones longest, shorter than head ; second dorsal rather high, the last rays reaching slightly past base of caudal ; caudal fin rounded, about as long as head; anal fin similar to second dorsal; ventral fins fully united, forming a sucking disk, wholly free from abdomen; pec- toral fins large, slightly pointed, the median rays longest, reaching beyond origin of anal, slightly longer than head. Color in alcohol uniform dark brown, lower parts a little paler; spinous dorsal black ; the other fins slightly lighter than the body. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND 867 We have a single, poorly preserved specimen, 48 mm. in length, upon which we base the foregoing description. Our specimen appears to be deeper, with a more strongly elevated back, than Cuban specimens with which we compared it. Fin and scale counts, however, agree per- fectly. Previously recorded from Florida and the West Indies. Our speci- men was taken at Porto Bello. 224. Genus Bathygobius Bleeker. Bathygobius Bleeker, Arch. Neerl. Sci. Nat., XIII, 1878, 54 (type Gobius nebula punctatus Cuvier & Valenciennes). Mapo Smitt, 5fv. K. Vet.-Ak. Forh., 1899, 551 (type Gobius separator Cuvier & Valenciennes). Body moderately elongate ; head rather broad, depressed ; the skull with a low median crest; snout bluntly rounded; eyes large, close together; opercle unarmed; mouth moderate, nearly horizontal; teeth in the jaws conical, in bands, no canines ; tongue with a distinct notch anteriorly ; scales moderate, ctenoid, wanting on cheeks and opercles ; dorsal fins 2, the first with 6 or rarely with 7 spines ; caudal fin rounded, not produced ; ventral fins fully united, free from the abdomen ; pectoral fins with free, silk-like rays above. 626. Bathygobius soporator (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Gobius soporator Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XII, 1837, 56 (Martinique) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2216; Boulenger, Boll. Mus. Zool. Anat. Torino, XIV, No. 346, 1899, 3 (Rio Tuyra, Darien; Flamenco Island, Panama Bay) ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 171 (Panama Bay) ; Breder, Zoologica, IV, Pt. 4, 1925, 157 (Caledonia Bay). Gobius catulus Girard, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1858, 169 (St. Joseph Island, Texas). Gobius mapo Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 277 (Cuba). Gobius lacertus Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 278 (Cuba). Gobius caroliniensis Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1863, 268 (Charles- ton, S. C). Gobius andrei Sauvage, Bull. Soc. Philo. Paris, 7 ser., IV, 1880, 44 (Rio Guayas, Ecuador). Evorthodus catulus Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XVI, 1882 (1883), 632. 868 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Gobius arundelii Garman, Proc. N. E. Zool. Club, I, 1899, 63 (Clipper- ton Island). Mapo fuscus Evermann & Goldsborough, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XXII, 1909, 103 (Taboga Island). Mapo soporator Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 147 (Perico Island, Panama Bay) ; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, 405 and 411 (Colon and Panama). Head 2.95 to 3.45; depth 3.7 to 5.3; D. VI-I, 8 or 9; A. I, 8; scales 35 to 40. Body elongate, compressed posteriorly; head broader than deep; snout short and blunt, 3 to 4.15 in head ; eye 3.5 to 4.9 ; mouth moderate, terminal, slightly oblique, the gape reaching anterior margin of pupil; teeth in the jaws in broad bands, pointed, the outer ones more or less enlarged; opercle and preopercle without spines or serrations; gill- membranes broadly joined to the isthmus; scales rather large, ctenoid, wanting on head, more or less embedded at nape and on chest and abdomen; dorsal fins well separated, the first with flexible spines, the second longer, the rays all of about equal length; caudal fin round; anal fin similar to second dorsal, but slightly smaller ; ventral fins form- ing a large sucking disk ; pectoral fins broad, rounded, the middle rays the longest, the upper rays with free ends, i.i to 1.4 in head. Color various, from plain dark brown to pale or straw color; the pale specimens with dark spots or more or less distinct dark cross-bars ; dorsal and caudal with dark spots or cross-bars; anal fin dusky or at least with an intramarginal dark bar and pale margin ; ventrals pale or dusky; pectorals pale or slightly dusky at base. This species is abundant on both coasts of Panama and is represented by numerous specimens, ranging in length from 27 to 145 mm. We are unable to find any difference whatever in the representatives from the opposite coasts, except that the Pacific coast representatives are usually somewhat darker in color. On the other hand we have one lot from the Pacific that is quite as light in color as any from the Atlantic. This fish, although occurring almost everywhere along the coasts, is most abundant on rocky bottom. Known from all tropical seas. Our specimens from the Atlantic coast are from Toro Point, Colon and Porto Bello. Those from the Pacific coast are from Taboga Island, Chame Point, Naos Island, Balboa, Corozal and Panama City. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 869 225. Genus Tyntlastes Giinther. Tyntlastes Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1862, 194 (type Amblyopus sagitta Giinther). Body elongate, compressed; head quadrangular; eye very small or rudimentary; mouth wide, oblique, the lower jaw projecting; teeth in a single series, none on vomer or palatines; dorsal fin single, continuous, with 6 to 8 spines ; caudal fin pointed, more or less joined to the dorsal and anal; ventral fins united. A single very rare species is known from the Pacific coast of Panama. 627. Tyntlastes brevis (Giinther). Amblyopus brevis Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1864, 151 (Panama). Tyntlastes brevis Jordan & Eigenmann, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 512; Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1890, 451 (Panama) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2262; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 180. Head 4.5; depth 8; D. VIII, 14; A. 15. Body elongate, compressed; teeth long, wide set, in a single series. Caudal fin black. This fish was not seen by recent investigators. The above brief description is from the meagre accounts of the species which is known only from the type, and from 2 partly digested specimens removed from the stomach of a Centropomus which was taken on the Pacific coast of Panama. 226. Genus Evorthodus Gill. Evorthodus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1859, 195 (type Evorthodus breviceps Gill). Body moderately elongate; head short; isthmus moderate or rather broad ; teeth in each jaw in a single series, more or less flattened, incisor-like or emarginate; scales moderate, posteriorly ctenoid, becoming smooth anteriorly, present on most of head; first dorsal with 5 or 6 spines ; ventral fins united, free from the abdomen. To this genus we refer the species which agree with the type in having only a single series of teeth in each jaw. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Teeth deeply notched; the spinous dorsal conspicuously barred with black. breviceps, p. 870. aa. Teeth more or less incisor-like, not notched ; the spinous dorsal 870 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. not barred, with a conspicuous black spot at base and the tips of the longest rays black. minutus sp. nov., p. 870. 628. Evorthodus breviceps Gill. Evorthodus breviceps Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1859, J95 (Trinidad) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2208. Head 4.5 ; depth 4.5 to 4.75 ; D. VI-n ; A. 12 ; scales 28 to 30. Body robust, compressed posteriorly; head thick and short; snout blunt and rounded; eye moderate, 3 in head; mouth horizontal; maxillary reaching below middle of eye; teeth in the jaws small, in a single series, deeply notched at tips; scales ctenoid, of moderate size, those on abdomen small ; nape, occiput and opercles scaled ; cheeks apparently with a number of embedded scales; dorsal spines not produced, shorter than head; second dorsal and anal similar, the rays about as long as longest dorsal spine; caudal fin slightly acute, a little longer than head; ventral disk moderate, free from the abdomen; pectorals extending slightly beyond ventral disk, but failing to reach vent. Color in alcohol brown, darkest above ; sides irregularly spotted and blotched ; the larger blotches of the sides meeting on the back and form- ing irregular cross-bars ; caudal peduncle with a single dark spot ; base of caudal with 2 dark spots; spinous dorsal conspicuously barred with black ; soft dorsal and caudal barred or checkered with black ; anal and ventrals nearly plain translucent; pectoral slightly barred with dusky. This little goby, which enters fresh water, was not taken by us, but since it comes within the range of the present work it has been here included. The above description is compiled from published accounts of the species. Recorded from Tampico, Mexico; Trinidad; and Surinam. 629. Evorthodus minutus sp. nov. (Plate LXXXIV.) Type No. 81847, U. S. N. M. ; length 30 mm. ; Corozal, Canal Zone. Head 4; depth 4 to 5; D. V or VI-n or 12; A. n or 12; scales 28 to 30. Body compressed throughout; head deeper than wide; snout short and very blunt, 4.15 to 6 in head; eye 3 to 3.45; interorbital about .75 width of eye; mouth small, horizontal, terminal or slightly inferior; maxillary reaching slightly past vertical from middle of eye, 3 to 3.25 in head; teeth in the jaws minute, slightly flattened, incisor-like, in a single series in each jaw ; gill-openings extending only slightly above SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 871 base of pectorals; isthmus broad; pores on cheeks very inconspicuous; scales rather large, present on entire body and head except on snout and mandible, ctenoid posteriorly, becoming smooth anteriorly; dorsal fins well separated, the rays all short, none of them as long as head ; caudal fin round, equal to length of head ; anal fin similar to second dorsal ; ventral disk short, failing to reach vent; pectoral fins reaching beyond the tips of ventrals, i.i to 1.3 in head. Color in alcohol brownish abo^e, paler below; sides with irregular dark blotches, forming more or less distinct cross-bars ; base of caudal with 2. dark spots, the upper one being most distinct; first dorsal with a round dark spot at base, and with the tips of the longest rays black ; second dorsal spotted with dark ; caudal fin plain translucent or slightly barred with dusky; anal, ventrals and pectorals pale in spirits. In life the second dorsal and anal are bright red and the side between these fins is dull red. This fish is represented by 3 specimens, ranging in length from 27 to 30 mm., taken in a muddy tide stream at Corozal. 227. Genus Microgobius Poey. Microgobius Poey, Anal. Soc. Espan. Hist. Nat., V, 1876, 168 (type Microgobius signatus Poey) . Zdypnus Jordan & Evermann, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XXI, 1895 (1896), 459 (type Gobius emblematicus Jordan & Gilbert). Body more or less compressed; mouth large, very oblique or vertical ; teeth rather strong, mostly in 2. series, the outer ones more or less canine-like; no barbels about the mouth; scales of small or moderate size, usually wanting in advance of first dorsal ; dorsal spines 7 or 8 ; with or without a median cutaneous fold in advance of dorsal. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Scales small, about 70 to 85 in lateral series; a prominent cutaneous fold extending from back of the eyes to origin of first dorsal. emblematicus, p. 872. aa. Scales comparatively large, from 44 to 48 in a lateral series; with or without a slight cutaneous fold in advance of first dorsal. b. Mouth oblique; maxillary reaching vertical from posterior margin of eye ; eye rather small, 3.6 in head. miraflorensis, p. 873. bb. Mouth vertical ; maxillary reaching anterior margin of eye ; eye large, 3.3 in head. tabogensis sp. nov., p. 873. 872 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. 630. Microgobius emblematicus (Jordan & Gilbert). Gobius emblematicus Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., I, 1881 (1882), 330 (Panama Bay). Lepidogobius emblematicus Jordan & Eigenmann, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 505. Microgobius cyclolepis Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1890, 74 (Albatross Station 3020, Lower California) . Zalypnus emblematicus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2247. Microgobius emblematicus Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 174 (Panama Bay). Head 3.6 to 3.8; depth 3.7 to 5.75; D. VII-I7 or 18; A. 16 to 18; scales 72 to 83. Body compressed throughout ; head deeper than broad ; snout short, 3.55 to 4.7 in head; eye 3.55 to 4.35; interorbital very narrow, not broader than pupil; a prominent cutaneous fold extending from back of eyes to origin of dorsal; mouth large, very oblique, the lower jaw in advance of the upper ; maxillary reaching posterior margin of pupil, 1.75 to 2.4 in head; teeth in the jaws mainly in 2 series, the outer series in upper jaw laterally wanting, composed of rather large, strongly recurved teeth, the second series of small villiform teeth; the mandibular teeth like those of the upper jaw, except that the second series laterally is composed of enlarged recurved teeth; scales very thin and small, difficult to enumerate, usually wanting in advance of base of fifth dorsal spine; dorsal fins close together, the median spines sometimes slightly produced, rarely as long as head ; second dorsal of about equal height throughout, the posterior rays reaching base of caudal; caudal fin pointed, somewhat longer than head; anal fin similar to second dorsal ; ventral disk rather long, usually reaching to vent and occasionally to origin of anal; pectoral fins failing to reach the tip of ventral disk, 1.15 to 1.5 in head. Color in alcohol pale brown, some individuals with a round dark brown spot on shoulder, above and behind the base of pectorals ; fins plain translucent or slightly dusky. Color in life of a specimen 55 mm. in length : Body bright green above to pale green below ; head and body in advance of about the fifth ray of second dorsal with alternating streaks and spots of sky-blue and orange ; dorsals, caudal and anal pink ; anal fin with an orange stripe across base, extending along lower edge of caudal peduncle and on the lower rays of the caudal fin ; other fins pale. This species is represented by 19 specimens, ranging in length from 38 to 65 mm. It is rather common in the tide pools at Panama City. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 873 Known only from Lower California and from Panama. Our specimens are from Balboa and Panama City. 631. Microgobius miraflorensis Gilbert & Starks. Microgobius miraflorensis Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 176, PI. XXIX, fig. 54 (Pacific coast of Panama) ; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, 412 (Panama). Head 3.3 to 3.65; depth 4.25 to 4.85; D. VII-i?; A. 17; scales 44 to 49. Body elongate, rather strongly compressed ; head notably deeper than broad ; snout short, 4.5 to 4.75 in head ; eye 3.6 to 3.7 ; interorbital not broader than pupil; no cutaneous fold in advance of dorsal; mouth large, quite oblique, the lower jaw projecting; maxillary reaching vertical from posterior margin of eye, 1.75 to 2 in head; teeth in the jaws in 2 series, the outer series in each jaw enlarged, composed of recurved canines and wanting laterally where the second series is somewhat enlarged ; scales rather large, ctenoid, wanting in advance of about third dorsal spine and on a narrow strip on median line of abdomen ; dorsal spines more or less produced, the median ones filamentous, usually somewhat longer than head; second dorsal lower, of about equal height throughout; caudal fin pointed, notably longer than head; anal fin similar to second dorsal; ventral disk moderate, scarcely reaching vent; pectoral fins reaching slightly beyond tip of ventrals, 1.15 to 1.25 in head. Color in alcohol light grayish olive; sides with 4 or 5 narrow dark lines, the anterior one broadest and most distinct and situated below the base of the anterior dorsal spines ; the outer margin and produced spines of first dorsal dusky; the second dorsal plain translucent, with dusky punctulations, forming more or less distinct longitudinal bands; caudal fin pale, with indefinite V-shaped bars at base; anal fins dusky, or at least with dark margins ; ventrals and pectorals plain translucent. Only 4 specimens of this species, which are all of equal length (45 mm.), were secured. It differs from M. emblematicus principally in having much larger scales, in the absence of a cutaneous fold in advance of first dorsal fin, and in color. This fish is recorded only from the Pacific coast of Panama. Our specimens are from Rio Culebra, tributary of the Rio Bayano, a very muddy and slightly brackish tide stream. 632. Microgobius tabogensis sp. nov. (Plate LXXXV.) Type No. 81844, U. S. N. M.; length 45 mm.; Taboga Island, Panama. 874 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Head 3.77; depth 4.7; D. VII-I7; A. 18; scales about 48. Body compressed throughout ; head much deeper than broad ; snout very short, 5 in head; eye 3.33; interorbital about half the width of eye; a slight cutaneous fold from nape to origin of dorsal; mouth moderate, vertical, the lower jaw in advance of the upper; maxillary reaching vertical from anterior margin of pupil, 2.25 in head ; teeth in the jaws in two series, the outer series enlarged and wanting laterally where the second series is somewhat enlarged ; scales rather large, cycloid, extending forward nearly or quite to base of pectorals, leaving a naked area about base of first dorsal; head and chest naked; abdomen fully scaled; the median dorsal spines somewhat produced, but scarcely as long as head; second dorsal increasing in height posteriorly, the last rays reaching base of caudal ; caudal fin pointed, longer than head ; anal fin similar to second dorsal; ventral disk short, failing to reach vent ; pectoral fins rather long, reaching well beyond the tip of ventrals, nearly or quite to origin of anal, 1.05 in head. Color in alcohol plain light brown, wholly without spots or bars ; fins all plain translucent. This species is represented by a single specimen, 45 mm. in length, taken at Taboga Island. It differs from M. miraflorensis principally in having the mouth vertical, a larger eye, broader interorbital, in the presence of a cutaneous fold in advance of dorsal, smooth scales, and in the more elongate caudal fin. From M. emblematicus it may readily be distinguished by the much larger scales and the vertical mouth. 228. Genus Euctenogobius Gill. Euctenogobius Gill, Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y., VII, 1859, 45 (type Euctenogobius badius Gill). This genus, as here understood, differs from Gobionellus only in the dentition. The teeth in the upper jaw in a single series; those in the lower jaw in a very narrow band, with the outer series slightly enlarged. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Scales ctenoid posteriorly, wanting on nape and head, 28 to 35 in lateral series. panamensis sp. nov., p. 874. aa. Scales all cycloid, present on nape, opercles and cheeks, 77 to 87 in lateral series. liolepis sp. nov., p. 875. 633. Euctenogobius panamensis sp. nov. (Plate LXXXVI.) Type No. 81839, U. S. N. M. ; length 95 mm. ; Rio Culebra, Panama. Head 3.8 to 4.2; depth 4.65 to 5.45; D. VI-I3; A. 13; scales 28 to 35- SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 875 Body elongate, compressed throughout; head a little deeper than broad; snout very obtuse, 2.65 to 3.1 in head; eye 3.9 to 4.65; inter- orbital space about half the width of eye ; mouth very nearly horizontal, slightly inferior; maxillary reaching anterior margin of pupil, 2.5 to 2.8 in head ; teeth small, in a single series in the upper jaw, in a band in the lower jaw, the outer series enlarged and separated from the very narrow band of minute teeth by an interspace; gill-openings extending well below the base of pectorals; isthmus rather narrow; scales moderate, ctenoid, wanting on nape, head and chest; dorsal fins well separated ; the anterior rays of the first dorsal with short filaments ; the second dorsal of about equal height throughout, none of the rays much more than half the length of head ; caudal fin lanceolate, twice the length of head in adults ; anal fin similar to second dorsal ; ventral disk short, failing to reach vent; pectoral fins reaching somewhat beyond the ventral disk, i.i to 1.3 in head. Color olivaceous ; median line of side with a row of dark blotches, these often more or less elongate and forming short cross-bars; the back with irregular dark markings ; the nape occasionally with 2 narrow cross-bars; side of head with 2 longitudinal stripes, one of these just below eye and the other slightly above the angle of the mouth to margin of opercle, these partly or wholly joined by a short oblique bar below eye; dorsals and caudal with a small dark spot, the short filaments of spinous dorsal black; anal fin and ventral disk pale or slightly dusky; pectorals plain translucent, with a large jet-black spot at the base of the upper rays. This species is represented by 8 specimens, ranging in length from 80 to 115 mm. All were taken in brackish muddy water in the Rio Bayano Basin ; seven in the Rio Culebra and one near the mouth of the Rio Mamoni. 634. Euctenogobius liolepis sp. nov. (Plate LXXXVII.) Type No. 81836, U. S. N. M.; length no mm.; Beach, Balboa, Canal Zone. Head 4.85 to 5.25; depth 5.45 to 6.1; D. VI-I5; A. 15; scales 77 to 87. Body elongate, compressed, deeper than broad throughout ; head moderate; snout rather short, 3.7 to 4.35 in head; eye 4.8 to 5-35; interorbital not more than half the width of eye; mouth terminal, notably oblique, the lower jaw very weak; maxillary reaching middle of eye, 2.15 to 2.6 in head; teeth small, the upper jaw with a single series, lower jaw with a band of minute teeth ; scales small, all cycloid, 876 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. extending forward nearly to eyes, present also on opercles, cheeks and chest, more or less embedded on the latter two; dorsal fins separate; the first of weak spines; the second dorsal long, its posterior rays the longest ; caudal fin pointed, the median rays much longer than the head ; anal fin similar to the second dorsal ; ventral fins forming a broad sucking disk, free from the abdomen ; pectoral fins rather short, reaching little if any beyond the ventral disk, 1.05 to 1.3 in head. Color olivaceous, the scales above with dusky punctulations, and dark edges ; median line of sides with a row of small dark spots ; larger dark spots present along the back, forming more or less distinct saddle- like bars posteriorly ; dorsals and caudal more or less spotted or barred ; other fins plain translucent. This species is represented by 15 specimens, ranging in length from 80 to no mm. ; all taken on the same date along a sandy beach near Balboa. 229. Genus Gobionellus Girard. Gobionellus Girard, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1858, 168 (type Gobi- onellus hastatus Girard). Body elongate, rather slender; head moderate, not depressed; teeth in the jaws in narrow bands, the outer series in upper jaw separated from the others by an interspace; scales ctenoid, at least posteriorly, usually wanting on head; dorsal fins 2, the first with 6 or rarely 7 spines ; caudal fin lanceolate or rounded ; ventral disk free from the abdomen. This genus, as here understood, includes those species which have the teeth in the jaws in villiform bands and the outer series in upper jaw separated from the others by an inter- space. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Scales small, more than 55 in a lateral series; dorsal and anal each with 13 to 15 rays. b. Scales very small, 64 to 75 in lateral series; anterior dorsal spines filamentous. c. Opercle with a patch of scales; color plain grayish brown; a single dark spot below base of spinous dorsal; dorsals and caudal without dark cross-bars. oceanicus, p. 877. cc. Scales wanting on opercle; color light olivaceous; sides with a stripe or dark blotches ; a narrow black stripe extending back- ward from eye; dorsals and caudal faintly barred with black. microdon, p. 879. bb. Scales 58 to 65 in lateral series ; teeth in the jaws fixed ; none j\ -\ £&£>*&$>• 3 /. x\\ cSr^t A K:.V\\ fe^: ••"i /V-7-. v«-V^P >•«•- ••••'••$/.••' •• -••'•• I 52 E Q. C in C O ~ CD V o .5 THE Ot l HE Of SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 877 of the dorsal spines filamentous ; sides with a series of irregular dark spots; a round spot just behind upper angle of gill- opening; dorsals, caudal and pectorals with dark wavy cross- bars, sagittula, p. 879. aa. Scales larger, usually fewer than 45 in a lateral series ; second dorsal and anal each with from 9 to 13 rays. d. Caudal fin lanceolate, notably longer than head in adult; species of moderate size. e. Small scales present on nape, chest and abdomen, 29 to 32 in lateral series ; anterior spines of first dorsal produced in adult male, reaching nearly or- quite to base of caudal ; caudal fin trans- lucent, with faint bars in female, darker in male, with a longi- tudinal white stripe on each lobe. lyricus, p. 880. ee. Scales wanting in advance of first dorsal (not verified in G. smaragdus} ; none of the dorsal spines greatly produced, shorter than head, reaching to or slightly past origin of second dorsal. f . Scales moderate, 39 to 42 in lateral series ; mouth large, slightly oblique, upper jaw slightly projecting; maxillary reaching below pupil or to posterior margin of eye, 2.1 to 2.35 in head. smaragdus, p. 882. f f . Scales large, fewer than 39 in lateral series ; mouth moderate, horizontal or slightly oblique; maxillary reaching nearly or quite to middle of eye, 2.5 to 3.15 in head. g. Head large, 3.5 to 3.9 in length; scales 34 to 38 in lateral series ; caudal fin with dark cross-bars in both sexes ; pectoral fins plain translucent. stigmaticus, p. 882. gg. Head slightly smaller, 3.95 to 4.3 in length ; scales 31 to 35 in lateral series ; caudal fin with dark cross-bars in female, the male with a white horizontal stripe on upper and lower half of caudal fin. manglicola, p. 883. dd. Caudal fin rounded or slightly pointed, equal to or shorter than head; species of small size. h. First dorsal with 6 spines ; anal fin with 12 rays ; scales 33 to 36 in lateral series. encceomus, p. 884. hh. First dorsal with 7 spines ; anal with 9 or 10 rays ; scales 27 to 28 in lateral series. boleosoma, p. 885. 635. Gobionellus oceanicus (Pallas). Gobius oceanicus Pallas, Spicil. Zool., I, Fasc. VIII, 1770, 4 (locality 878 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. unknown ; after Gronow) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2230, PI. CCCXXVII, figs. 789 and 789^ Gobius lanceolatus Bloch, Oec. Naturg. Fische Deutschl., II, 1783, 8, PI. XXXVIII, fig. i (Martinique; figure probably from Plumier). Gobius bacalaus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XII, 1837, 119 (Surinam; Cayenne; Cuba). Gobionellus oceanicus Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882 (1883), 613. Head 3.75 to 5.1; depth 5.3 to 7.15; D. VI-I4; A. 15; scales 64 to 75- Body very elongate, compressed ; head notably deeper than wide ; snout short, blunt, 3 to 4.25 in head; eye placed high, 3.6 to 4.35 in head ; interorbital narrower than eye ; mouth rather large, terminal, a little oblique; maxillary reaching to or past middle of eye, 1.9 to 2.4 in head; teeth in the jaws movable, in villiform bands, the outer series in upper jaw enlarged and separated from the others by a narrow interspace; opercle and preopercle without spines or serrations; gill- membranes broadly attached to the isthmus; pores present about the head; no lateral line; scales on anterior part of body small, cycloid, more or less embedded, notably larger posteriorly and strongly ctenoid ; a patch of scales, apparently varying in size among individuals, present on upper part of opercle; dorsal fins well separated, the spines of the first dorsal filamentous; the second dorsal long, of about equal height throughout; caudal fin long, pointed, the middle rays filamentous, sometimes nearly half the length of rest of body; anal fin similar to second dorsal ; ventral fins forming a large sucking disk ; pectoral fins without partly detached silky rays, I to 1.2 in head. Color in alcohol grayish brown ; opercle with a dark bluish blotch ; another dark blotch, equal to or larger than eye, on side under spinous dorsal ; sides with a rather faint median dark stripe, often more or less broken up into dark spots ; a small caudal spot always present ; dorsal fins more or less dusky ; anterior spine of first dorsal with from 2 to 4 black spots on anterior margin, or rarely with a continuous black stripe ; first ray of second dorsal either with dark spots on anterior margin or with a continuous dark margin; other fins without definite markings, much darker in some specimens than in others ; margin of sucking disk pale in specimens having a dark disk; base of tongue with an emerald spot on each side. This species is represented by more than 100 specimens, ranging in length from 45 to 200 mm. It is very probable that this species and G. hastatus are identical. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 879 Known from South Carolina to Texas and the West Indies. Now for the first time recorded from as far south as Panama. Our specimens are from Toro Point, Hindi and Colon. 636. Gobionellus microdon (Gilbert). Gobius microdon Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1891, 554 (San Juan Lagoon, Mexico) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2227. Gobionellus microdon Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 171, PL XXVIII, fig. 51 (Miraflores, Canal Zone, Panama). Head 4 to 4.1; depth 4.95 to 5.8; D. VI-I3; A. 13 or 14; scales 63 to 72. Body elongate, compressed throughout, everywhere deeper than broad; head moderate; snout short, 3.34 to 4.25 in head; eye 3.55 to 4.2 ; interorbital very narrow, scarcely as wide as pupil ; mouth terminal, nearly horizontal, the lower jaw very weak; maxillary reaching under middle of eye, 2.3 to 2.5 in head; teeth very small, in a weak band in each jaw; scales extending forward to nape; a naked area on median line of back in advance of first dorsal; sides of head and chest wholly naked ; scales on sides behind spinous dorsal strongly ctenoid ; dorsal fins separate, the first of weak spines, the anterior spines fila- mentous, varying in length, but always reaching past the origin of the second dorsal; the second dorsal rather long, of about equal height throughout; caudal fin pointed, the median rays produced, much longer than the head ; anal fin similar to the second dorsal ; ventral fins forming a rather long narrow sucking disk, free from the abdo- men; pectoral fins moderate, reaching opposite vent, I to 1.2 in head. Color light olivaceous; sides with a more or less broken stripe and irregular dark spots ; a short dark stripe back of eye and a dark area on opercle; dorsals and caudal slightly barred with black; other fins plain translucent. This species is represented by 10 specimens, ranging in length from 22 to 60 mm. ; all taken in a slightly brackish stream. Known from San Juan Lagoon, Mexico, south to Pamana. Our specimens are from the Rio Juan Diaz, 6 to 8 miles southeast of Panama City. 637. Gobionellus sagittula (Giinther). Euctenogobius sagittula Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1861, 371 (West coast of Central America). 88o FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Gobius sagittula Jordan & Eigenmann, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 497; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2228. Gobius longicaudus Jenkins & Evermann, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1888, 146 (Guaymas). Euctenogobius saggitula Boulenger, Boll. Mus. Zool. Anat. Torino, XIV, No. 346, 1899, 3 (Rio Cucunati, Darien). Gobionellus sagittula Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 171. Head 3.7 to 4.45; depth 5.8 to 8.3; D. VI-I3 or 14; A. 14; scales 58 to 65. Body elongate, compressed posteriorly, anteriorly as wide as deep; head rather short; snout blunt, 3.15 to 3.85 in head; eye small, placed high, 3.85 to 4.75 ; mouth broad, the upper jaw slightly in advance of the lower; maxillary reaching about middle of eye, 2.7 to 3.15 in head; teeth pointed, in villiform bands, the outer ones in upper jaw somewhat enlarged and well separated from the others ; gill-membranes rather broadly connected with the isthmus ; scales reduced in advance of dorsal, increasing in size posteriorly where they become strongly ctenoid; dorsal fins well separated, the first with 6 short flexible spines; second dorsal long and of nearly uniform height throughout; caudal fin pointed, about equal to length of head in very young, increasing in proportionate length with age ; anal fin similar to second dorsal; ventral fins forming a rather small sucking disk; pectoral fins moderate, more or less pointed, 1.2 to 1.45 in head. Color in alcohol light yellowish ; upper parts with irregular brownish specks or punctulations ; median line of sides with 5 irregular dark brown spots; a roundish dark spot on shoulder just above base of pectorals; upper parts of head with small dark spots; side of head with two horizontal dark stripes ; dorsals, caudal and pectorals spotted or barred with dark; the other fins colorless. Twelve specimens of this species, ranging in length from 30 to 90 mm., were taken by us, and Mr. Robert Tweedlie later sent 5 addi- tional specimens. This is a rather rare fish frequenting muddy pools and tide streams. Known from the Gulf of California south to Ecuador. Our speci- mens are from Chame Point and Corozal. 638. Gobionellus lyricus (Girard). Gobius lyricus Girard, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1858, 169 (Brazos SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA -^ MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 881 Santiago, Texas) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2224. Gobius wurdemanni Girard, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1858, 169 (Brazos Santiago, Texas; female). Smaragdus costalesi Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 280 (Havana). Euctenogobius lyricus Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XVI, 1883, 633. Head 3.65 to 4.15 ; depth 4.3 to 5 ; D. VI-n, rarely 10 or 12; A. n or 12; scales 29 to 32. Body rather robust, compressed ; head as wide as deep ; snout very short and blunt, 3.8 to 5 in head ; eye moderate, 2.9 to 3.5 ; interorbital not much broader than pupil; mouth inferior, nearly horizontal; maxil- lary reaching below middle of eye, 2.2 to 2.8 in head; teeth minute, the outer series in each jaw somewhat enlarged and separated from a band of very min'ute teeth by an interspace, the outer series of lower jaw anteriorly followed by 3 or 4 enlarged cusps ; scales rather large, ctenoid on body, cycloid and reduced on nape, chest and abdomen; dorsal fins separate, the anterior 3 or 4 spines much produced, fila- mentous in adult male, reaching nearly or quite to base of caudal, more than half the length of body; the second dorsal high, with the posterior rays reaching to or beyond base of caudal in adult male, the fins low and without produced rays in the female; caudal fin lanceolate, 2.5 in body in adult males, shorter in females; anal fin similar to second dorsal; ventral disk rather small, failing to reach vent; pectoral reaching well beyond the ventral, usually about equal to length of head. Color olivaceous ; sides usually with 4 or 5 faint dark bars and with irregular dark blotches ; spinons dorsal with dark dots, the produced rays in the male dusky ; second dorsal in female merely with dark dots, in male with dark dots on the anterior rays and a black bar at base extending on posterior ray; caudal fin in females trans- lucent, slightly barred with dusky, dark in males, with 2 longitudinal white stripes, one on the upper lobe and one on the lower; anal fin and ventral disk in female pale, dusky in male ; pectoral fins nearly plain translucent in female, dusky in male, and with pearly spots forming cross-bars. This species is represented by 12 specimens, ranging in length from 35 to 85 mm. Known from Texas to the Lesser Antilles, and now for the first time recorded from the Atlantic coast of Panama. Our specimens are all from very muddy, brackish pools at Mindi, Canal Zone. 882 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. 639. Gobionellus smaragdus (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Gobius smaragdus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XII, 1837, 120 (Cuba) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2227. Smaragdus valenciennesi Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 280 (Cuba). Gobionellus smaragdus Poey, Syn. Pise. Cub., 1868, 394. Head 4; depth 5.25 to 5.9; D. VI-n or 12; A. n or 12; scales 39 to 42. Body moderately elongate, compressed; head not compressed; snout short; eye moderate, 4 to 5 in head; mouth large, slightly oblique; lower jaw slightly the shorter; maxillary reaching below pupil or to posterior margin of orbit, 2.1 to 2.35 in head; teeth in bands, the outer row in upper jaw enlarged and separated from the narrow succeeding band by an interspace ; scales posteriorly ctenoid, becoming cycloid anteriorly ; caudal fin produced, 2.25 to 2.5 in body. Color of male light olive, with dark olive blotches ; body and head with many conspicuous round, cream-colored spots, each surrounded by a dusky ring, these smaller than pupil and most distinct on head ; snout with dusky streaks ; dorsal and caudal plainly barred ; pectorals crossed with dark wavy lines, dusky at base ; anal and ventrals dusky ; a small dark spot at base of caudal; a bright deep green spot inside of mouth in life. Female nearly plain olivaceous. This species was not seen by us and is not recorded from Panama, but it may be expected there, since it has been taken at localities both north and south of the Isthmus. The above description is compiled from published accounts. Known from South Carolina to Rio de Janeiro. 640. Gobionellus stigmaticus (Poey). Smaragdus stigmaticus Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 281 (Cuba). Gobionellus stigmaticus Poey, Syn. Pise. Cub., 1868, 394. Gobius stigmaticus Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 49; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2224, PI. CCCXXVI, fig. 787. Head 3.5 to 3.9; depth 5.5 to 6.6; D. VI-n or 12; A. 12 or 13; 34 to 38 oblique series of scales on sides. Body elongate, compressed; head as broad as deep; snout short, blunt, 4 to 4.65 in head; eye large, 3.55 to 4; interorbital narrow, less than half the width of eye; mouth terminal, horizontal; maxillary scarcely reaching middle of eye, 2.45 to 3.15 in head; teeth in the jaws in bands, the outer series in each jaw enlarged, the enlarged series in SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 883 upper jaw separated from the others by an interspace; scales rather large, ctenoid, somewhat reduced anteriorly, wanting on head, nape and chest; dorsal fins well separated, all the rays shorter than head, the spines sometimes slightly filamentous; caudal fin pointed, notably longer than head in adult; anal fin similar to second dorsal; ventral disk moderate, reaching vent ; pectoral fins rather long, pointed, reach- ing slightly past tip of ventrals, I to 1.35 in head. Color brownish; median line of sides with a series of 5 more or less elongate dark spots ; body elsewhere with irregular dark markings, formed by punctulations ; nape sometimes with indistinct cross-bars ; dorsal and caudal fins barred with dark; anal fin pale, with series of dark spots on base and a slightly dusky intramarginal band; ventral disk dusky, with a broad pale margin; pectoral fins plain translucent. This species was taken only in brackish water. We have at hand 25 specimens, ranging in length from 25 to 65 mm. Known from North Carolina to Rio de Janeiro. Our specimens are from Mindi and Porto Bello. 641. Gobionellus manglicola (Jordan & Starks). Gobius manglicola Jordan & Starks, in Jordan, Proc. Cal. Ac. Sci., 2nd Ser., V, 1895, 495 (Mazatlan) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2220. Head 3.95 to 4.3; depth 5 to 6; D. VI-I2; A. 13; scales 31 to 35. Body elongate, anteriorly as broad as deep, posteriorly compressed ; head short, quite as broad as deep; snout very blunt, short, 3.5 to 5.15 in head ; eye small, superior, 3.5 to 4.2 in head ; interorbital very nar- row, furrowed ; mouth terminal, slightly oblique ; maxillary reaching middle of eye, 2.5 to 2.6 in head; teeth in jaws pointed, the upper jaw with an enlarged outer series well separated from an irregular series or narrower band of minute teeth; lower jaw with a band of pointed teeth, the outer ones enlarged but not as much so as in upper jaw; gill-membranes broadly attached to the isthmus; scales rather large, ctenoid, wanting on back in advance of dorsals and on head and chest ; dorsal fins well separated, none of the spines of the anterior dorsal produced, shorter than head ; second dorsal low, the posterior rays failing to reach the base of caudal; caudal fin pointed, about 1.5 times the length of head; anal fin similar to second dorsal; ventral fins forming a rather broad disk, free from abdomen; pectoral fins rather short, not reaching beyond ventral disk, 1 .28 to i .4 in head. Color olivaceous above, paler below ; sides and back with irregular brownish markings, largest and most distinct along median line of 884 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. side; a caudal spot present; dorsal, caudal and pectorals more or less distinctly barred with brownish spots; spinous dorsal in male with a jet-black membrane between the fourth and fifth spines and a fairly distinct whitish bar at base; caudal fin in male less distinctly barred than in female, with a white horizontal bar on upper half of fin; anal fin pale or slightly dusky ; ventral disk pale, with a broad black margin in male specimens, dusky, with broad pale margin in the female. We have 3 specimens, 2 males and I female, ranging in length from 40 to 42 mm., which, in the absence of material for comparison, we refer somewhat doubtfully to this species. The scales in our speci- mens do not become smooth posteriorly and the lower jaw does not protrude as described in the type. Previously recorded only from Mazatlan. Our specimens are from tide pools at Panama City. 642. Gobionellus encaeomus (Jordan & Gilbert). Gobius encaomus Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882 (1883), 611 (Charleston, South Carolina) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2223. Head 3.75 ; depth 5.7 ; D. VI-ii ; A. 12 ; scales 33 to 36. Body elongate, notably compressed; head quite as broad as deep; snout very short and blunt, 4.5 to 6 in head ; eye partly superior, 3.75 to 4 ; interorbital narrow, not much wider than pupil ; cheeks swollen ; mouth rather small, terminal, nearly horizontal; maxillary reaching opposite middle of eye, 2.6 in head ; teeth in the jaws well developed, in bands, curved inward, the outer series in upper jaw somewhat enlarged and well separated from the others; isthmus broad; scales ctenoid, wanting in advance of first dorsal and on median line of abdomen ; dorsal fins well separated, the first with low, slender spines, shorter than the head; second dorsal highest posteriorly, the last rays reaching nearly to base of caudal; caudal fin scarcely pointed, only slightly longer than head; anal fin similar to second dorsal; ventral disk rather long, reaching vent (male) ; pectoral fins reaching tip of ventrals, 1.15 to 1.2 in head. Color dark i^ivaceous ; median line of sides with a series of 5 elongate dark spots, two or three of them on middle of sides with upward projections, forming V-shaped bars (in male) ; a black spot, slightly larger than the pupil, above and behind the upper angle of gill-opening; dorsals and caudal with dark dots, forming cross-bars; anal fin pale, with an indication of a dark longitudinal intramarginal SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 885 bar; ventral disk dusky or with a broad pale margin; pectoral fins pale translucent. We have 2 specimens, 30 and 40 mm. long, which we doubtfully refer to this species. Heretofore known from South Carolina to the Florida Keys. Our specimens were taken in a brackish drainage ditch at Colon. 643. Gobionellus boleosoma (Jordan & Gilbert). Gobius boleosoma Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882, 295 (Laguna Grande, Pensacola, Florida) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2221. Ctenogobius boleosoma Starks, Leland Stanford Jr. Univ. Pub., Univ. Series., 1913,68 (Natal). Head 3.45 to 3.7; depth 4.35 to 5.25; D. VII-n or 12; A. 9 or 10; scales 27 or 28. Body compressed ; head quite as broad as deep ; snout very short and blunt, 5.5 to 6.5 in head; eyes rather large, 3.05 to 3.8 in head; interorbital space about half the width of eye; mouth rather small, terminal, oblique ; maxillary reaching anterior margin of pupil, 2.6 to 2.75 in head; teeth moderate, in bands in each jaw, the outer ones enlarged, those of the upper jaw separated from the others by an interspace ; isthmus broad ; scales ctenoid, wanting on back in advance of second dorsal, head, chest and abdomen ; dorsal fins low, well separated, none of the rays as long as head ; caudal fin broadly rounded, shorter than head ; anal fin similar to second dorsal ; ventral disk rather short, failing to reach vent ; pectorals moderate, reaching opposite vent, i to 1.2 in head. Color grayish, sides with dark markings, forming indistinct cross- bars ; base of caudal with 2 small irregular spots ; fins mostly plain translucent; the anal fin and ventral disk dusky; pectoral fins with an indication of a dark bar on base. We have 3 specimens, respectively 23, 27 and 30 mm. in length, which we somewhat doubtfully refer to this species. Typical speci- mens of G. boleosoma have 6 dorsal spines and the caudal fin produced, lanceolate, in adult males. Previously recorded only from Pensacola, Florida, and Natal, Brazil. Our specimens are from a brackish creek near Mindi and from tide pools at Colon. 230. Genus Bollmannia Jordan. Bollmannia Jordan, in Jordan & Bollman, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1889, 164 (type Bollmannia chlamydes Jordan). 886 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Body elongate, more or less compressed; interorbital narrow and without trace of a median keel ; no fleshy processes on inner edge of shoulder girdle ; teeth in the jaws in several series ; scales large, ctenoid, not much reduced anteriorly, present on nape and cheeks. 644. Bollmannia chlamydes Jordan. Bollmannia chlamydes Jordan, in Jordan & Bollman, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1889, 164 (Albatross Stations 2800, 2802, 2803, 2804 and 2805; Panama Bay, 7 to 51^ fathoms) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2238, PI. CCCXXVIII, fig. 791 ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 174. Head 3.5; depth 4.5; D. VII-I5; A. 15; scales about 28. Body rather robust, compressed; head large and heavy, its profile evenly curved ; eye longer than snout, 3.75 to 4 in head ; interorbital very narrow, concave, its least width about one-third of eye ; mouth very large, oblique, the lower jaw projecting; maxillary reaching to opposite pupil, 2.2 to 2.3 in head ; teeth in the jaws small, sharp, in several series, the outer one, especially in the lower jaw, somewhat enlarged ; scales very large, ctenoid, little reduced on breast and nape, about 8 in advance of dorsal ; top and sides of head with large scales ; cheeks with four rows, opercles with 2 rows of scales above ; dorsal spine slender, filamentous, the fifth the longest, 1.2 in head; first ray of soft dorsal 2.4 in head ; caudal fin long, the median rays somewhat more than half the length of body; first anal ray equal to snout; ventrals 1.33 in head; pectorals 1.2. Color olivaceous, darker above ; scales with a few black dots, some of the posterior ones occasionally dark edged ; sides with 8 to 10 obscure vertical dusky bars, narrower than the interspaces, and in some speci- mens wholly wanting; snout bluish; opercles with a dark shade; lips, gular region, and anterior branchiostegals very dark in males; upper part of spinous dorsal darkest, with a few lighter dark edged oval spots ; a well marked black blotch between the last two spines ; soft dorsal dusky, usually with about 3 well developed rows of lighter dark edged oval spots ; anal dusky, crossed by 2 narrow bluish streaks ; caudal, pectorals and ventrals dusky, tinged with blue; ventrals edged with pale. This species was not taken by us. It is known only from speci- mens taken in Panama Bay by the Albatross. This fish apparently does not occur in shallow water along the shore. The above descrip- tion is compiled from published accounts of the species. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 887 231. Genus Aboma Jordan & Starks. Aboma Jordan & Starks, in Jordan, Proc. Cal. Ac. Sci., 2nd Ser., V, 1895, 497 (type Aboma etheostoma Jordan & Starks). Body more or less compressed posteriorly; head depressed, rather long, somewhat pointed; mouth moderate, not very oblique; teeth in narrow bands, rather strong, the outer and inner series in each jaw enlarged; no flaps on shoulder girdle; scales large, ctenoid, wanting on head ; dorsal spines short, not filamentous, more than 6 in number ; soft dorsal and anal short, each with 10 to 12 rays; ventral fins united. 645. Aboma lucretise (Eigenmann & Eigenmann). Gobius lucretice Eigenmann & Eigenmann, Proc. Cal. Ac. Sci., 2nd Ser., I, 1888, 57 (Pearl Island, Panama Bay). Aboma lucretice Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2241 ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 174. Head 3.5; depth 5.33; D. VII-io; A. 12; scales 28. Body slightly compressed posteriorly; head little wider than deep; eye placed high, equal to length of snout, 4.5 in head ; mouth large, oblique; maxillary extending beyond posterior margin of eye, 2 in head; teeth in the jaws in narrow bands, recurved, the outer and inner series enlarged, largest in front; scales large, weakly ctenoid, becoming cycloid and very much crowded above and below pectoral ; head, breast and anterior part of nape naked ; dorsal spines slender, not filamentous ; caudal fin pointed, 3 in length of body; ventrals 1.25 in head; pectorals longer than head. Color light brown, with 4 oblique dark cross-bars as wide as the interspaces; 4 narrower transverse bars on nape and back; a large dusky spot at base of caudal; upper half of base of pectoral black; a black spot on opercle, margined above and behind with silvery; fins dusky. This species was not seen by us. It is known from a single specimen taken at Pearl Island, Panama Bay. The above description is compiled from published accounts of the species. 232. Genus Enypnias Jordan & Evermann. Enypnias Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2233 (type Gobius seminudus Giinther). This genus differs from Garmannia principally in the presence of 4 barbels about the mouth. Two of these are inserted on edge of upper jaw just behind the lip, somewhat below anterior nostril. The 888 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. other 2 are on the chin, arising from the median frenum of the lower lip. Both nostrils, unlike in Garmannia, end in a short tube. Scales present on posterior part of body only ; dorsal spines 6 or 7. 646. Enypnias seminudus (Giinther). Gobius seminudus Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1861, 372 (West coast of Central America). Garmannia setninuda Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2233. Enypnias seminudus Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 173, PI. XXIX, fig. 53 (Panama Bay). Head 3.25 to 3.4; depth 4 to 4.8; D. VII-I4 to 16; A. 10 or n; scales 50 to 60. Body moderately robust, posteriorly compressed ; head broader than deep ; snout short, blunt, 3.75 to 4.6 in head ; eye 4 to 5 ; interorbital a little more than half the width of eye; mouth rather large, terminal, oblique ; maxillary reaching nearly to vertical from posterior margin of eye, 2.1 to 2.7 in head; teeth in bands, the outer series in each jaw and the inner series in the lower enlarged; both nostrils ending in a short tube ; a short barbel just behind margin of upper lip below anterior nostril; chin with 2 barbels, spring-ing laterally from the median frenum of the lower lip; upper surface of head with about 12 very large open pores; scales minute, ctenoid, wanting on back in advance of first dorsal, head, chest and median line of abdomen; first dorsal very low, none of the spines produced; second dorsal somewhat higher; caudal fin broadly rounded, shorter than head ; anal fin similar to second dorsal but somewhat shorter ; ventral disk short, failing to reach vent ; pectoral fins moderate, reaching well beyond tip of ventral disk, 1.2 to 1.55 in head. Color brownish, variable ; males usually with broad black cross-bars ; females usually speckled with pale spots; some specimens uniformly brown, others slightly marbled with black ; fins often all dark, with pale margins; second dorsal and caudal spotted in the lighter colored speci- mens. This fish is represented in the Panama collection by 9 specimens, ranging in length from 27 to 52 mm. The wide variation in color is striking, making the extreme phases appear as distinct species. Our specimens, taken in March, are in spawning condition. Known only from the Pacific coast of Panama. The specimens are from Chame Point and from tide pools at Panama City. ? E <=> 2 tr £ SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 889 233. Genus Gerhardinus gen. nov. Type Gerhardinus nudus sp. nov. This genus differs from Enypnias principally in having the body entirely naked. We take pleasure in naming this genus for William J. Gerhard, Associate Curator of the Division of Insects, Field Museum of Natural History, whose untiring efforts on the proofs of the present work have added much to its uniformity, accuracy and usefulness. 647. Gerhardinus nudus sp. nov. (Plate LXXXVIII.) Type No. 81834, U. S. N. M. ; length 36 mm.; tide pools, Panama City. Head 3.15 to 3.6; depth 3.65 to 4.8; D. VI or VII-I2 or 13; A. 10. Body compressed posteriorly; head somewhat broader than deep; snout short and blunt, 4.25 to 5.55 in head ; eye 3.6 to 4.35 ; interorbital about half the width of eye ; mouth moderate, terminal, slightly oblique ; maxillary reaching nearly or quite to vertical from posterior margin of eye, 2.25 to 2.5 in head ; teeth in the jaws in bands, the outer series in each jaw and the inner series in the lower jaw somewhat enlarged ; both nostrils ending in a very small tube ; a minute barbel behind upper lip and below anterior nostril ; chin with 2 small barbels ; scales wanting ; first dorsal low, none of the spines produced ; second dorsal somewhat higher; caudal fin broadly rounded; anal fin similar to second dorsal but shorter; ventral disk small, failing to reach vent; pectoral fins reaching well beyond the tip of the ventral disk, 1.2 to 1.65 in head. Color grayish brown; sides with or without small white dots and with narrow white cross-bars; median line of sides often with a row of black dots ; first dorsal dusky, or merely with a black spot ; second dorsal paler, more or less spotted with dusky ; caudal plain translucent, with a dark line across base ; anal fin dusky or black ; ventral disk plain translucent, wholly black or pale, with a dark margin; pectoral fins pale. The sexes seem to be similarly colored. We have 13 specimens of this little fish, ranging from 22 to 36 mm. in length. These specimens were all taken during March and most of them are gravid. Our smallest female, only 22 mm. in length, has the ovaries well distended with eggs. Our specimens are all from tide pools at Balboa and Panama City. 234. Genus Garmannia Jordan. Garmannia Jordan, Proc. Cal. Ac. Sci., 2nd Ser., V, 1895, 497 (type Gobius paradoxus Giinther) . 890 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Body moderately robust, compressed; no barbels about the mouth; teeth in the jaws in bands, the outer series enlarged, canine-like ; scales ctenoid, present only on posterior half of body; dorsal spines 6 or 7. 648. Garmannia paradoxa (Giinther). Gobius paradoxus Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1861, 372 (West coast of Central America). Garmannia paradoxa Jordan, Proc. Cal. Ac. Sci., 2nd Ser., V, 1895, 496, PI. XLIX; Jordan & Evermann, Bull.. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2232, PL CCCXXVII, fig. 790; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 172, PL XXVIII, fig. 52; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, 412 (Panama). Head 3.5 to 3.75; depth 3.85 to 5; D. VI or VII-I2; A. 9 or 10. Body compressed ; head compressed, broader than deep ; snout short, obtuse, 4.8 to 6.1 in head ; eye 4.15 to 5.6; interorbital not much broader than pupil; chin without barbels; mouth terminal, oblique; maxillary reaching nearly opposite posterior margin of eye, 2.15 to 2.6 in head; teeth in the jaws in bands, the outer series in each jaw enlarged and more or less separated by an interspace from the other teeth; gill- openings small, not longer than base of pectoral ; scales ctenoid, present only on posterior part of body, i.e., behind vertical from origin of second dorsal, 16 to 19 series developed ; dorsal fins separate, the rays all short in the female, the first spine filamentous in the male, reaching well beyond origin of the second dorsal; caudal fin broadly rounded; not produced in male, always shorter than head ; anal fin similar to second dorsal; ventral disk small, failing to reach vent; pectoral fins reaching well beyond the ventrals, 1.25 to 1.55 in head. Color of the male nearly uniform dark brown, the lighter colored specimens with indications of dark bars on back and a series of dark lateral spots ; fins of about the same color as the body, except the ventral disk which is darker ; pectorals often somewhat lighter ; filamentous ray of the first dorsal and the margin of both dorsals white in spirits; the ground color of the female somewhat paler and the entire head and body, except the abdomen, which is usually wholly pale, speckled with pale spots ; some specimens with more or less distinct cross-bars on back ; dorsal and caudal fins densely speckled with black; anal and ventrals dusky, each with pale margin ; pectorals slightly speckled or plain trans- lucent. This goby is the most abundant fish in the rocky tide pools at Panama City where numerous specimens, ranging from 20 to 52 mm. in length, were collected. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 891 Known from Mazatlan to Panama. Our specimens are from tide pools at Balboa and Panama City. 235. Genus Gobiosoma Girard. Gobiosoma Girard, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1858, 169 (type Gobiosoma molestum Girard). Body compressed posteriorly; head more or less depressed; snout blunt ; mouth moderate, horizontal ; teeth in the jaws in several series or in bands, the outer row enlarged, no canines; barbels wanting; scales entirely wanting; shoulder girdle without flaps; dorsal spines usually 7, rarely 5 or 6; second dorsal and anal each with n to 14 rays. 649. Gobiosoma molestum Girard. Gobiosoma molestum Girard, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1858, 169 (Indiahola, Texas) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2258. Gobiosoma alepidotum Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882, 297 (Laguna Grande, Pensacola, Florida). Head 3.2 to 3.5; depth 4 to 4.5; D. VII-I2 or 13; A. 12. Body rather short and chubby ; head depressed, more or less rounded above ; mouth horizontal ; maxillary reaching posterior margin of orbit ; teeth in the jaws in several series, the outer ones somewhat enlarged. Color olivaceous, with dark points ; sides with narrow alternating light and dark bars; a row of small dark spots along middle of sides; breast with many well defined spots ; a dark line running forward and downward from eye to angle of mouth, another extending straight downward from eye; a black bar on edge of preopercle, and a black spot on upper edge of opercle; first dorsal with 3 oblique dark bars; second dorsal, caudal and pectorals finely barred ; base and edge of anal light, middle dark. This fish was not taken on the coast of Panama but may be expected there, because it is recorded from localities both north and south of the Isthmus. The above description is compiled from published accounts. Known from the Gulf coast of the United States south to Bahia, Brazil. 236. Genus Evermannia Jordan. Evermannia Jordan, Proc. Cal. Ac. Sci., 2nd Ser., IV, 1895, 592 (type Gobiosoma zosterurwn Jordan & Gilbert). 892 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Body slender, compressed behind ; head long, slender, snout pointed ; maxillary more or less produced backward; teeth small, slender, in narrow bands in each jaw, the outer ones in upper jaw slightly enlarged ; a rather long flexible dermal flap on shoulder-girdle ; scales very small, embedded, visible only under strong magnification; first dorsal with 4 spines; second dorsal and anal each with about 13 to 16 rays; caudal fin lanceolate; ventral fins united. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Second dorsal with 15 rays; second dorsal, caudal and anal in male with black bands; second dorsal and anal in female checkered, but without black bands. sosterura, p. 892. aa. Second dorsal with 16 rays; second dorsal and caudal in male mostly translucent, without black bands, the anal fin black at base, its upper half plain translucent; second dorsal and caudal in female more or less dusky, with plain translucent membranes, the anal fin with dusky base, the marginal third translucent or whitish. panamensis, p. 893. 650. Evermannia zosterura (Jordan & Gilbert). Gobiosoma zosterurum Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1881, 361 (Mazatlan). Evermannia sosterura Jordan, Proc. Cal. Ac. Sci., 2nd Ser., V, 1895, 498, PI. LI (Mazatlan) ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 178 (Panama Bay). Head 3.25; depth 5 or 6; D. IV-I5; A. 14 or 15. Body long, compressed; head rather long; snout not very blunt, about 5 in head; eye placed high, equal to length of snout; mouth oblique, terminal; maxillary reaching posterior margin of eye; teeth small, in villif orm bands, the outer ones in upper jaw slightly enlarged ; shoulder girdle with a single rather long flexible appendage; scales few in number, embedded, visible only when detached portions of the skin are placed under high magnification; spinous dorsal high in male, the first spine filamentous, reaching to middle of soft dorsal, notably lower in female; caudal fin shorter than head; ventral fins rather long, united ; pectoral fins shorter than ventrals, 2 in head. Color of male olivaceous, sometimes vaguely barred with traces of 8 olive cross-bands; dorsal and anal yellowish at base, then a broad median band of jet-black, then a broad white margin ; middle of caudal yellow to tip, with a black longitudinal band above and below, with white margin above and below; pectorals and ventrals dusky; female SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 893 with dorsals and anal plainly checkered with black; caudal fin faintly barred ; all vertical fins with pale margins but without the black stripes of the male. This species was not seen by us. The above description is compiled from published accounts. The species is known from Mazatlan and Panama. The Panama records are based on 7 specimens secured by Prof. C. H. Gilbert and associates in 1896. 651. Evermannia panamensis Gilbert & Starks. Evermannia panamensis Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 179, PI. XXX, fig. 55 (Panama). Head 3.2; depth 5.5; D. IV-i6; A. 14. Body slender, compressed, tapering little posteriorly; head rather long; eye small, 6.5 in head; interorbital narrow, less than half the diameter of eye; mouth large, slightly oblique, the lower jaw included; maxillary reaching an eye's diameter beyond eye, about 2 in head ; teeth minute, in a narrow band on edge of each jaw, the outer ones slightly enlarged ; shoulder-girdle with a rather long flexible appendage ; scales small, cycloid, partially embedded, not easily distinguishable ; the anterior dorsal spines produced, the first filamentous in the male; second dorsal and anal similar; caudal fin lanceolate; ventral fins united, rather long; pectorals short, failing to reach beyond tip of ventrals. Color of male in alcohol dusky brown, somewhat lighter on median line of abdomen ; a faint vertical dark line below the eye ; dorsal, pectorals, ventrals and upper half of caudal with translucent membranes and dusky rays ; lower half of caudal black ; base of anal black, its upper half translucent. Color of female lighter and the pattern less uniform ; the ground color light olive; the upper parts of head and back finely mottled with brown; sides of body with narrow streaks; upper half of caudal plain or faintly cross-banded, the lower half translucent or faintly shaded, the two halves never strongly contrasting as in the male ; basal two-thirds of anal fin dusky, the marginal third translucent or whitish. This species was not seen by us. The above description is compiled from the original. The species is said to differ from E. sosterura in being more extensively scaled, in having one or two more soft rays in the dorsal and anal fins, and in coloration. This fish is known only from Panama reef, where Prof. C. H. Gilbert and associates took 40 specimens in tide pools in 1896. Although the tide pools on this reef were thoroughly fished by us in 1912, the species was not taken. 894 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. 237. Genus Gobioides Lacepede. Gobioides Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 1800, 576 (type Gobius broussonnetii Lacepede). Plecopodus Rafinesque, Analyse Nat., etc., 1815, 87 (substitute for Gobioides, regarded as objectionable). Ognichodes Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 183 and 278 (type Gobioides broussonnetii Lacepede; a needless substitute). Body very elongate, compressed posteriorly; head small; eyes very small; mouth large, oblique, the lower jaw projecting; teeth in the jaws in bands, the outer series much enlarged; scales very minute; dorsal rays V to VII, 15 to 23; anal 16 to 23; dorsal fin low, continuous; soft dorsal and anal joined to base of caudal ; ventrals united in a disk, free from abdomen. 652. Gobioides broussonnetii Lacepede. Gobioides broussonnetii Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 1800, 580, PL XVII, fig. i (probably from Surinam, "given by Holland to France") ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2263. Amblyopus brasiliensis Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, 69 (Bra- , zil ; on a drawing made by Prince Maurice) . Gobius oblongus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, 548 (based on Lacepede). Gobioides barreto Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 282 (Cuba). Amblyopus mexicanus O'Shaughenessy, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist., 4th Ser., XV, 1875, 147 (Mexico). Gobioides broussoneti Jordan & Eigenmann, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 512. Head 5.25 to 7; depth 14; D. VI or VII, 15 to 17; A. 16 or 17. Body elongate, compressed ; eye small, but evident, 7 to 10 in head ; mouth oblique; maxillary extending beyond eye; teeth in the jaws in bands, the outer series enlarged; scales larger than in related species, becoming smaller anteriorly, not imbricated. Color brownish, violet bars extending downward and forward on upper part of body, sometimes with a lighter or darker dot at the end of each bar; head marbled or spotted with dark violet or brown. This fish was not seen by us. The above description is compiled from published accounts. It has been recorded from New Orleans, La., to Brazil, and may, therefore, be expected on the Panama coast. This species is said to reach a length of about 500 mm. or more. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 895 Family LXXV. Echeneididae. THE REMORAS. Body elongate or slender; head depressed above, with a large oval disk consisting of crosswise partitions or laminae and a single length- wise septum; lower jaw projecting beyond upper; mouth wide; teeth villiform, present on jaws, vomer, palatines and usually on tongue ; gill- arches 4; gill-membranes free from the isthmus; branchiostegals 7; scales minute, cycloid; air-bladder wanting; dorsal and anal fins long and low; ventral fins thoracic; pectoral fins placed high. Four genera are represented in American waters, only two of which have as yet been recorded from Panama but a third one may be expected there. The fishes of this family are instantly recognized by the presence of the large oval sucking disk on the head, by means of which they adhere firmly to sharks and other fishes as well as to turtles, boats and other objects. The sucking disk is regarded by ichthyologists as a modified spinous dorsal fin. KEY TO THE GENERA. a. Body long and slender; ventral fins narrowly adnate to the abdomen; lower jaw produced in a flap. b. Laminae 10. Phtheirichthys, p. 895. bb. Laminae 20 to 28. Echeneis, p. 896. aa. Body rather robust ; ventrals rather broadly adnate to abdomen ; lower jaw not produced as a flap; laminae 13 to 18. Rewiora, p. 897. 238. Genus Phtheirichthys Gill. Phtheirichthys Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1862, 239 (type Echeneis lineata Menzies). Body very elongate; disk with only 10 laminae; other characters mostly as in Echeneis. A single species is known. 653. Phtheirichthys lineatus (Menzies). Echeneis lineata Menzies, Trans. Linn. Soc. London, I, 1791, 187, PI. XVII, fig. i (Pacific Ocean, between the tropics). Echeneis tropica Euphrasen, Handl. K. Sven. Vet.-Aked., XII, 1791, 317 (Atlantic, between the tropics). Echeneis apicalis Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 254 (Cuba). Echeneis sphyrcenarum Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 255 (Cuba; on Barracudas). Phthirichthys lineatus Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XVI, 1882 (1883), 969. 896 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Phtheirichthys lineatus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2268. This species was not seen by us. The following description is copied from Jordan & Evermann (1898) : "Head 5 ; disk twice as long as broad, its length 4^/2 m body. D. X~33; A. 33. Lower jaw very narrow, much projecting. Body blackish, with 2 whitish lateral bands ; all the fins white-margined." A widely distributed species, inhabiting tropical seas. It is not recorded from Panama but it may be expected there. 239. Genus Echeneis Linnaeus. Echeneis Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 260 (type Echeneis naucrates Linnaeus). Leptecheneis Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1864, 60 (type Echeneis naucrates Linnaeus). Body slender, fusiform ; disk long, with 20 to 28 laminae ; soft dorsal with numerous short rays; anal similar, the anterior rays somewhat elongate; caudal slightly concave behind; ventrals long, the inner rays narrowly adnate to abdomen; pectorals pointed, the rays soft and flexible. 654. Echeneis naucrates Linnaeus. Echeneis neucrates (misprint for naucrates) Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 261 ("in Pelago Indico") ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2269, PL CCCXXIX, fig. 796; Boulenger, Boll. Mus. Zool. Anat. Torino, XIV, No. 346, 1899, 3 (Gulf of Panama) ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 180. Echeneis albacauda Mitchill, Amer. Monthly Mag., II, 1818, 244 (New York). Echeneis lunata Bancroft, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, I, 1831, 134 (Ja- maica)* Echeneis vittata Riippell, Neue Wirbelthiere, 1835, 82 (Red Sea). Echeneis fusca Gronow, Cat. Fish, 1854, 92 (after E. naucrates Lin- nseus). Echeneis guaican Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 248 (Cuba). Echeneis metallica Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 252 (Cuba). Echeneis verticalis Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 253 (Cuba). Leptecheneis naucrates Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1864, 61. Head 4.8 to 5.25 ; depth 12.3 to 14.6; D. 31 to 35 ; A. 30 to 34. Body slender; head depressed, bearing a sucking disk composed of 23 or 24 laminae; length of disk 3.5 to 3.9 in head; snout broadly SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 897 angular, notably shorter than the broad flap-like lower lip, its length 1.95 to 2.45 in head; eye 4.2 to 5.8; interorbital 1.9 to 2.3; mouth moderate, oblique; maxillary 2.9 to 3.3 in head; teeth in villiform bands, present on jaws, tongue and on practically the entire roof of mouth; gill-rakers small, scarcely half the length of eye, about 15 on lower limb of first arch ; scales minute ; dorsal fin rather low, some- what elevated anteriorly ; caudal fin long, the median rays produced, filamentous in the smallest specimen at hand; anal fin a little higher anteriorly than dorsal, its origin under that of the dorsal, and coter- minal with it; ventral fins rather long, pointed, as long as pectorals, the inner rays adherent to abdomen at base ; pectoral rays more or less pointed, 1.4 to 1.8 in head. Color dark brown above and below; sides of head with a black stripe extending from snout through eye ; dorsal and anal dark brown, the distal parts of the anterior rays pale; caudal fin black, with the outer rays pale; ventral and pectoral fins mostly dark brown in our darkest specimens, largely pale in the lighter colored ones. There are 6 specimens of this species at hand, ranging in length from 62 to 165 mm. This species adheres to larger fish apparently regardless of species and is carried about by them, but they occasionally forsake their host and are taken separately. One of our specimens was taken separately, one adhering to a shark and four of them, taken by H. Pittier, are reported to have adhered to "Picudo" (bar- racuda) fishes. Known from all warm seas. Recorded from the Gulf of Panama by Boulenger. Our specimens are all from the Atlantic coast, viz., Mindi Cut, Porto Bello and Alligandi on the San Bias coast. The specimens from Alligandi were collected by H. Pittier. 240. Genus Remora Gill. Remora Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1862, 239 (type Echeneis remora Linnaeus). Remoropsis Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1863, 88 (type Echeneis brachypterus Lowe). Remorina Jordan & Evermann, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XXI, 1895 (1896), 490 (type Echeneis albescens Temmick & Schlegel). Body comparatively stout; disk relatively short, with 13 to 18 laminae ; soft dorsal with 22 to 32 rays ; anal rays 22 to 30 ; caudal with straight or slightly concave margin ; ventrals rather short, broadly adnate to abdomen; pectorals short, rounded. 898 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Laminae about 18: dorsal rays 23. remora, p. 898. aa. Laminae 13 to 16. b. Dorsal rays 22; laminae 13. albescens, p. 898. bb. Dorsal rays 29 to 32; laminae 14 to 16. brachyptera,p.8gg. 655. Remora remora (Linnaeus). Echeneis remora Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 260 ("in Pelago Indico"). Echeneis squalipeta Daldorf, Skriv. Nat. Selskab. Kjob., II, 1793, 157 Echeneis jacobcea Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1839, 89 (Madeira). Echeneis parva Gronow, Cat. Fish, 1854, 92 (no locality; after E. remora Linnaeus). Echeneis postica Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 255 (Havana). Remora jacobcea Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1862, 240. Remora remora Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1885, 372 (Panama) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2271 ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 180. Head 4; depth about 6.6; D. 23; A. 25. Body comparatively robust, compressed behind ; head rather broad, depressed ; lower jaw not produced into a flap ; maxillary reaching anterior margin of eye; disk longer than the dorsal or anal fin, consisting of about 18 laminae; vertical fins rather high; caudal fin rather broad, with posterior margin concave; ventral fins joined to abdomen by more than half the length of the inner rays; pectoral fins short, broad, rounded, 1.6 in head. Color nearly uniform dark brown. This species was not taken by us, but it is recorded from the Pacific coast of Panama by Jordan, 1885. This remora is usually observed attached to large sharks. A widely distributed species, occurring in the warm seas, and on both coasts of America, as far north as Woods Hole, Mass., on the Atlantic coast, and San Francisco on the Pacific. 656. Remora albescens (Temmick & Schlegel). Echeneis albescens Temmick & Schlegel, in Siebold, Fauna Japon., Pisces, 1850, 272, PI. CXX, fig. 3 (Japan) ; Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., II, 1860, 377. Remora albescens Jordan, Kept. U. S. Fish Comm., XIII, 1885 (1887), 854 ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2272. This species was not seen by us. It is characterized by the short SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 899 disk which consists of about 13 laminae and the short dorsal fin which has only about 22 rays. Its color is uniform grayish brown. This remora inhabits the tropical Pacific, occasionally straying to the coast of America. It is not recorded from Panama, but it may be expected there. 657. Remora brachyptera (Lowe). Echeneis brachyptera Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1839, 89 (Madeira). Echeneis sex-decim lamellata Eydoux & Gervais, Mag. Zool., 1837, Cl. IV, i, PI. XVI (Indian Ocean?). Echeneis quatuordecimlaminatus Storer, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., II, 1839, 496 (Holmes Hole). Echeneis pallida Temmick & Schlegel, in Siebold, Fauna Japon., Pisces, 1850, 271, PI. CXX, figs. 2 & 3 (Japan). Remoropsis brachypterus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1864, 60. Remora brachyptera Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2272, PL CCCXXX, figs. 797 and 797a. This remora was not taken by us. It is characterized by the short disk which consists of 14 to 16 laminae and by the long dorsal fin which has 29 to 32 rays. The color is light brown above and darker below. A widely distributed species, occurring in warm seas. It is not recorded from Panama but it may be expected there. Family LXXVI. Opisthognathidae. THE JAW-FISHES. Body oblong or elongate, low, moderately compressed ; head large, naked, the anterior profile decurved, no ridges, spines, or crests ; mouth wide, terminal, horizontal ; premaxillaries protractile ; supplemental maxillary present; teeth pointed, in bands on jaws, usually one or a few on vomer; opercles unarmed; pseudobranchise present; gills 4, a slit behind the fourth ; gill-membranes somewhat united ; branchi- ostegals 6; dorsal and anal long and low, the spines of the dorsal flexible and passing gradually into the soft rays ; ventral fins jugular, I, 5 rays. A single genus and 2 species are known from the Pacific coast of Panama. 9OO FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. 241. Genus Opisthognathus Cuvier. Opistognathus Cuvier, Regne Animal, Ed. I, II, 1817, 252 (type Opistognathus sonnerati Cuvier; Opisthognathus intended?). Gnathypops Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1862, 241 (type Opistho- gnathus maxilloisus Poey). Body oblong or elongate, compressed posteriorly at least; head large, with no spines, ridges or crests; mouth terminal, horizontal, wide; the maxillary moderate, truncate in female, greatly produced in the male; teeth pointed, in bands on the jaws; gill-rakers rather long, slender. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Anterior part of dorsal fin with a large black ocellus and with pale spots ; caudal fin with 2 large pale spots at the base ; scales 135 to 155. scops, p. 900. aa. No black blotch or ocellus on dorsal fin, posterior part of dorsal fin with white ocelli ; the caudal fin without 2 large pale spots at base; scales about 125. punctata, p. 901. 658. Opisthognathus scops (Jenkins & Evermann). Gnathypops scops Jenkins & Evermann, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1888, 152 (Guaymas) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2283. Opisthognathus ommata Jenkins & Evermann, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1888, 153 (Guaymas). Opisthognathus ommatum Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2282. Head 3 to 3.3; depth 3.4 to 3.75; D. 27 or 28; A. 19 or 20; scales 135 to 155. Body rather robust anteriorly, compressed, tapering posteriorly; head large, not quite as broad as deep; snout very short, 5 to 6 in head; eye very large, 2.75 to 3.1 in head; interorbital n to 14; mouth large, horizontal; jaws subequal; maxillary moderate in female, trun- cate, failing to reach margin of preopercle, 1.5 to 1.7 in head, produced in a flexible, pointed flap in the male, reaching the bony margin of opercle, nearly or quite equal to length of head; teeth pointed, in bands on jaws, the outer series on upper jaw enlarged, a single pointed tooth on vomer ; gill-membranes connected at isthmus ; gill- rakers slender, scarcely half the length of the eye, 25 to 30 on the lower limb of first arch; scales small, wanting on head; lateral line present on anterior half of body only ; head with many pores ; dorsal fin long and low; caudal fin rounded; anal fin similar to dorsal, but shorter SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 901 and coterminal with it ; ventral fins narrow, quite as long as the pectorals, inserted in advance of pectorals; pectoral fins broad, the posterior margin round, 1.7 to 2 in head. Color brown, irregularly mottled with dark; head with small blackish spots, smaller than on body; the maxillary with cross-bars, with black on lower margin near angle of mouth, the lower margin and inner surface of the produced flap in male whitish; dorsal fin blackish, with pale spots; a large elongate black ocellated spot on anterior rays of dorsal ; caudal fin dark, with 2 large pale spots at base and smaller ones on distal parts of fin ; anal fin black, with pale brown base; ventral fins brownish black; pectoral fins pale brown, with small pearly spots at base. This species is represented by 4 specimens, ranging in length from 75 to i6omm. Our specimens show that Gnathypops scops Jenkins & Evermann is the female of Opisthognathus ommata Jenkins & Evermann, We have examined the type specimens of these nominal species, and it seems quite probable that all the species of Gnathypops are based on females and that all species of Opisthognathus are based on males. The genus Gnathypops Gill, therefore, becomes untenable. Previously recorded only from Guaymas. Our specimens are all from Balboa, taken on rocky bottom by the use of dynamite. 659. Opisthognathus punctata Peters. Opisthognathus punctatus Peters, Monatsb. k. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, 1869, 708 (Mazatlan). Opisthognathus punctata Jordan, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1883 (1884), 290; Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1885, 389 (Panama). Opisthognathus punctatum Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2281 ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 1 80. This species is recorded from Panama by Jordan (1885), the record being based on a specimen taken by Gilbert. The species has not been seen by other collectors. We quote below the description from Jordan & Evermann which the authors state is based on the original specimen from Mazatlan. "D. 28; A. 18. Body moderately elongate; scales very small, about 125 in lateral line. Dorsal spines continuous with the soft rays. No vomerine teeth. Maxillary very long, extending slightly beyond head. Head everywhere finely speckled with black, the body more coarsely and irregularly spotted ; pectoral finely and closely speckled, its edge plain ; ventral fin dusky, similarly marked ; dorsal without large black 902 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. blotch, finely spotted, the spots behind gradually forming the boundaries of white ocelli, the base of the fins having rings of white around black spots, the upper part with dark rings around pale spots ; caudal with pale spots, its edge, like that of the dorsal, somewhat dusky, not black; anal with a broad, blackish edge, and with dark spots, those near the base of the fin largest; lining membrane of maxillary with the usual bands of white and inky black." Known from Mazatlan and Panama. Family LXXVII. Dactyloscopidae. THE SAND STAR-GAZERS. Body elongate, compressed posteriorly; head oblong, usually large, nearly plain above; eyes small, superior, well forward; suborbital without a bony stay ; nostrils double ; opercles more or less fringed ; mouth nearly vertical; premaxillaries protractile, not forming the entire edge of upper jaw; lips fringed; gill-openings very broad, the membranes separate, free from the isthmus; pseudobranchiae present or obsolete; dorsal fin long, divided or continuous, the anterior rays spinous ; ventral fins jugular, I, 3. The fishes of this family are small and live on sandy shores of tropical America. KEY TO THE GENERA. a. Dorsal fin continuous. b. Dorsal fin beginning on nape, in advance of origin of anal; pseudobranchiae well developed. Dactyloscopus, p. 902. bb. Dorsal fin beginning behind nape, a little behind origin of anal ; pseudobranchiae well developed. Dactylagnus, p .904. aa. Dorsal fin divided, the first dorsal consisting of 4 free spines, free or connected by membrane. Cokeridia gen. nov., p. 905. 242. Genus Dactyloscopus Gill. Dactyloscopus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1859, J32 (tvPe Dacty- loscopus tridigitatus Gill). Esloscopus Jordan & Evermann, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XXI, 1895 (1896), 465 (type Dactyloscopus zelotes Jordan & Gilbert). Body moderately elongate ; head cuboid ; eyes small ; mouth nearly vertical; lower jaw projecting, without barbels; pseudobranchiae very small or obsolete ; origin of dorsal on nape in advance of origin of anal, the fin continuous. Four species of this genus are recognized. However, only a single one comes within the scope of the present work. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 903 KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Dorsal rays XII, 28; A. II, 32; scales about 45. tridigitatus, p. 903. aa. Dorsal rays VI, 38; A. II, 37; scales about 51. zelotes, p. 903. 660. Dactyloscopus tridigitatus Gill. Dactyloscopus tridigitatus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1859, 132 (Barbados) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2301 ; Starks, Leland Stanford Jr. Univ. Pub., Univ. Ser., I9I3> 71 (Natal, Brazil). Head 5 in total length; depth 7; D. XII, 28; A. II, 32; scales 45. Body slender, much compressed posteriorly; opercular fringe consisting of 15 separate filaments; pseudobranchise very small; origin of dorsal over lower angle of base of pectorals, or immediately before the margin of opercle, the distance from snout 5 in total length of body. Color in life that of pale sand above, whitish below; 12 narrow cross-bands of whitish on back, not extending down far on sides ; head mottled above ; fins all pale. Known from Key West and the West Indies ; recorded from Natal, Brazil, by Starks (1913) who says, "In life they are of a transparent flesh-color. When frightened they bury themselves in the sand." This species was not seen by us and is not recorded from Panama, but its range brings it within the scope of the present work. 661. Dactyloscopus zelotes Jordan & Gilbert. Dactyloscopus zelottes Jordan & Gilbert, in Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2303 (Panama) ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 181. Head 4.5; depth 6.6; D. VI, 38; A. II, 37; scales 51. Body slender, compressed; head narrow, cuboid, compressed; snout very short, about equal to length of eye ; eyes small, superior, with little lateral range, about 6.6 in head ; mouth nearly vertical ; the lower jaw projecting; the lips fringed; subopercle and interopercle very wide and flexible, overlapping throat and base of ventral and pectoral fins ; the opercle posteriorly with a membranous fringe ; teeth present on jaws only, in narrow villif orm bands ; lateral line running near the back through 12 scales, then obliquely downward to middle of side; origin of dorsal on the nape, at a point from snout equal to depth of body, the first 6 rays of fin shorter than those following and not con- nected by membrane ; caudal distinct, narrow, short ; origin of anal 904 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. under fourth dorsal spine; ventrals inserted under anterior margin of preopercle; pectorals short, 1.25 in head. Color in spirits light olivaceous ; the edgings of the scales, some vermiculations on top of head, and the labial fringe clear brown; fins translucent ; the caudal with a brown bar at base. This species was not seen by us. It is known only from the type taken at Panama City by Captain J. M. Dow. The above account of the species is taken from the original description of the type. Known only from Panama City. 243. Genus Dactylagnus Gill. Dactylagnus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1862, 504 (type Dactyl- agnus mundus Gill). Body elongate ; head cuboid ; eye small, directed upward ; mouth very oblique or nearly vertical ; lower jaw projecting, without barbels ; pseudobranchiae well developed; dorsal fin entire, its origin a little behind origin of anal; base of anal fins slightly longer than the base of dorsal. A single species is known. 662. Dactylagnus mundus Gill. Dactylagnus mundus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1862, 505 (Cape San Lucas) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2304 (Carmen Island, Gulf of California). Head 4.75 to 5; depth 5.6 to 7.1 ; D. 41 to 43; A. 40 or 41 ; scales 47 to 51. Body elongate, compressed, tapering posteriorly ; head robust, nearly as broad as deep ; snout short, 6.3 to 6.7 in head ; eyes wholly superior, looking upward, 5.9 to 7.2 in head; interorbital narrow, concave, 8.6 to 10 in head; mouth nearly vertical, with labial fringes; the lower jaw strongly projecting; maxillary truncate, 2.5 to 2.9 in head ; preopercle unarmed ; upper angle of opercle with fringes, the lower margin with a broad membranous border; teeth pointed, not uniform in size, in very narrow bands, wanting on vomer and pala- tines; gill-rakers undeveloped; lateral line running near the back through 13 or 14 scales, then abruptly deflected to middle of side to base of caudal; scales moderate, cycloid, wanting on head; dorsal fin long and low, continuous, its origin a little behind base of pectorals, the spines gradually merging into the soft rays, the last rays reaching base of caudal; caudal fin very gently rounded, about as long as the postorbital part of head ; anal fin long, its origin a little in advance of v«t SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 905 of that of dorsal and coterminal with it, the spines merging into soft rays; ventral fins jugular, inserted under or slightly in advance of preopercular margin, consisting of a very short spine and 3 rays, reaching origin of anal ; pectoral fins large and broad, the third to sixth rays from above longest, equal to or longer than head, 3.9 to 4.8 in body. Color light brown above, pale below; upper surface of head and nape with dark brown spots and more or less definite rings ; numerous small dark brown spots along the back in the larger examples, the smallest specimen with indistinct quadrate blotches on back; dorsal and caudal with small dark spots ; the other fins colorless. There are 3 specimens of this species in the Panama collection, ranging in length from 56 to 112 mm. They were taken on a sandy beach at Taboga Island from May 12 to 15, 1911. One of the large specimens had attached to its abdomen a cluster of eggs containing well developed embryos which encircled the eggs and had well devel- oped eyes with lenses. It is unlikely that the eggs were extruded under accidental pressure when the fish was caught in a minnow seine, as there was not an egg inside the specimen when dissected and the sexual organs appeared to be completly collapsd. It, therefore, is probable that this fish carries the eggs externally until hatched, although there is no special pouch provided for retaining them, the eggs being held together by gelatinous threads. Known from the Gulf of California and now for the first time recorded from Panama Bay. Our specimens are from Taboga Island. 244. Genus Cokeridia gen. nov. Type Cokeridia crossota sp. nov. Body elongate, compressed ; head compressed ; eyes superior ; mouth nearly vertical ; both lips with evident fringes ; teeth in jaws in bands ; lateral line descending abruptly, the dorsal portion much shorter than the median one ; a separate dorsal fin at nape, composed of 4 short well separated spines. This gen'us bears some relationship to Gillellus, es- pecially in the presence of a separate spinous dorsal fin. The genus is named for Dr. Robert E. Coker, professor of biology with the University of North Carolina, formerly chief of the Division of Scientific Inquiry, U. S. Bureau of Fisheries, to whom we are indebted for many suggestions and for encouragement while this work was in the course of preparation. 906 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. 663. Cokeridia crossota sp. nov. (Plate LXXXIX.) Type No. 81784, U. S. N. M. ; length 85 mm. ; Chame Point, Panama. Head 4.7 ; depth 5.5 ; D. IV-VIII-26 ; A. II, 30 ; scales 40. Body elongate, compressed, tapering toward the tail; head rather deep, compressed ; snout very short, 1 1 in head ; eyes small, superior, 8.3; interorbital narrow, 13; mouth nearly vertical, rather small maxil- lary broad, 3 in head ; lips with fringes, the median ones on upper lip very short; teeth in the jaws small, in bands; upper part of opercular mar- gin with fringes, 14 or 15 in number; origin of lateral line at upper anterior angle of gill-opening, running slightly upward and backward anteriorly on 9 or 10 scales, curving abruptly downward to median line of side under tip of pectoral ; scales moderate, very thin, cycloid ; origin of dorsal slightly behind vertical from preopercular margin, preceded by 4 short, separate spines, not exceeding in length the diam- eter of eye and separated from each other by spaces slightly greater than the length of the spines, the rest of the fin consisting of two separate parts, 8 connected inarticulated rays and 26 articulated rays ; caudal fin separated from the dorsal and anal by a very short peduncle, the fin round ; anal fin similar to dorsal, the first 2 rays inarticulated ; ventral fins inserted in advance of base of pectorals, consisting of 3 connected rays ; pectoral fins broad at base, the upper and lower rays short, the median ones longest, 1.2 in head. Color in alcohol pale brownish, with dark brown punctulations on sides, most numerous and darkest above lateral line; back of head and body with quadrate dark brown spots, largest on head and diminish- ing in size posteriorly, the last one a small dark spot at base of upper rays of caudal ; fins all pale, the dorsal with dark spots on base of rays. A single specimen, 85 mm. long, was obtained at Chame Point and it represents the type of a new genus and species. Family LXXVIII. TJranoscopidae. THE STAR-GAZERS. Body elongate, conic, more or less compressed, widest and usu- ally deepest at occiput; head large, broad, partly covered with bony plates ; eyes small, superior, placed anteriorly ; mouth vertical ; teeth moderate, present on jaws, vomer and palatines; premaxillary pro- tractile; maxillary broad, without a supplemental bone; gill-openings wide ; gill-membranes nearly separate, free from the isthmus ; gills 3^2, a slit behind the last; pseudobranchia? present; branchiostegals 6; scales, if present, small; spinous dorsal small or wanting, the soft SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 907 dorsal long; caudal fin not forked; anal fin large; ventral fins jugu- lar, close together, with I, 5 rays ; pectoral fins large, broad, with oblique bases, the lower rays rapidly decreasing in length. Two gen- era of this family come within the scope of the present work. KEY TO THE GENERA. a. Spinous dorsal present, consisting of 4 or 5 well developed, pungent spines; scales well developed in adult. Astroscopus, p. 907. aa. Spinous dorsal obsolete ; scales wanting. Kathetostoma, p. 909. 245. Genus Astroscopus Brevoort. Astroscopus Brevoort, in Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1860, 20 (type Uranoscopus anoplos Cuvier & Valenciennes). Agnus Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., II, 1860, 229 (type Urano- scopus ano plots Cuvier & Valenciennes). Upselonphorus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1861, 113 (type Urano- scopus y-grcecum Cuvier & Valenciennes). Body robust; upper surface of head not entirely covered with bone, the occipital plate ceasing far behind eyes; a bony Y-shaped process on head, the forks of the Y reaching forward to interorbital, the vertical limb extending backward to occipital plate; the area be- tween the forks of the Y and extending forward to upper lip covered by naked skin ; a somewhat triangular naked area present on each side of the Y serving as a covering for the electric organs ; head without spines in the adult; young individuals with the head largely covered with bone and with spines ; anterior nostril round, situated in front of eye, fringed; posterior nostril represented externally as a crescent-shaped groove, terminating behind eye, fringed; lips fringed; back and sides covered with close-set scales in adult ; first dorsal with 4 or 5 short pungent spines, connected with the long soft dorsal by membrane. 664. Astroscopus zephyreus Gilbert & Starks. Astroscopus zephyreus Gilbert & Starks, in Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1896, 453, PI. LIII, fig. 2 & PI. LIV (Magdalena Bay, L. C.) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XL VII, 1898, 2309. Head 2.86; depth 4; D. V, 14; A. 12; scales about 89. Body robust, subcylmdrical anteriorly, compressed posteriorly; head large, depressed, broader than deep; snout short, 5.3 in head; eyes small, superior, 12 ; interorbital broad, 3.35 ; mouth large, verti- cal, the lower jaw much in advance of the upper; the lips with fringes, 908 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. some of them longer than eye; maxillary very broad, 2.25 in head; anterior nostril round, fringed, the posterior nostril long, crescent- shaped, curved abruptly forward posteriorly; the forked portion of the Y on the head shorter than the vertical limb ; a large naked area between the forks, and larger naked triangular areas over the elec- tric organs situated behind the elongate posterior nostrils and along sides of the Y ; head entirely scaleless, but with coarsely rugose areas ; belly naked below a line drawn from the origin of the anal to middle of base of pectoral; the median line of belly with a prominent mem- branous fold; the rest of body with small and nearly square scales, grown together and forming oblique plates, running downward and backward; fins all naked; dorsal fins separate; origin of first dorsal somewhat nearer tip of snout than end of base of dorsal, the soft fin much higher than the spines ; caudal fin broadly rounded ; anal fin similar to the soft dorsal but scarcely as high; ventral fins inserted in advance of pectorals, nearly at symphysis of the isthmus, reaching nearly to end of base of pectorals, the inner rays much the longest; pectoral fins with broad bases, the lower rays short, graduated, the Upper rays longest, reaching a little beyond origin of soft dorsal. Color brownish above, paler below; upper parts with many small white spots, edged with dark brown ; spinous dorsal black ; soft dorsal pale brownish at base anteriorly, with alternating black and pale brown vertical bands ; caudal fin with alternating brownish and black longi- tudinal bars ; anal and pectorals nearly uniform dark brown ; ventral fins pale, with few dusky punctulations and an elongate black spot on the membrane between the first and second inner rays near the tip of fins. Two specimens of this species, 36 and 300 mm. in length, are at hand. The above description is based on the large specimen, from which the smaller specimen differs so greatly that it appears advis- able to mention the differences which quite certainly are due only to age. We would have been unable to identify the small specimen with the larger one with any degree of certainty, had we not had the op- portunity of examining a large series, including various sizes, of the more common form, A. y-gracum, of the Atlantic coast of our south- ern states, which undergoes similar changes with age. The small specimen is proportionately much more robust than the large one, the depth being contained 2.7 in the length; the eyes are proportion- ately very much larger, 5.5 in head; the Y on the head is undevel- oped; the naked areas where the electric organs are situated are not present ; a high bony ridge lies near the eye and the elongate posterior SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 909 nostril is situated between this bony ridge and the orbit, running very close to the orbit posteriorly, whereas in the adult it is somewhat distant from the orbit posteriorly; there are 2 blunt spines at occiput and one on each shoulder at upper angle of gill-opening; an evident pore is present at the base of each spine on occiput; scales apparently are entirely wanting. The color is uniform blackish above, the belly and lower parts of head pale ; the spinous dorsal is black, and the other fins are colorless. Known from the Pacific coast of Mexico; apparently rather rare. Previously not recorded from Panama. The specimens at hand were taken at Chame Point by Mr. Robert Tweedlie. 246. Genus Kathetostoma Giinther. Kathetostoma Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., II, 1860, 231 (type Uranoscopus lazvis Bloch & Schneider). Body, robust, formed as in Astroscopus and Uranoscopus; some of the bones of head armed; gill-cavity without superior opening; scales wanting; pseudobranchise present; branchiostegals 6; air bladder wanting; dorsal fin continuous, without spines; ventrals jugular, not adnate to abdomen; pectoral rays branched. A single species is known from Panama waters. 665. Kathetostoma averruncus Jordan & Bollman. Kathetostoma averruncus Jordan & Bollman, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1889, 163 (Albatross Station 2800, Panama Bay, 7 fathoms) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2311; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 181. Head 2.66; depth 3.75; D. 13; A. 13. Body short and robust, its width behind base of pectorals equal to length of top of head; head very large; snout 1.4 in eye; eye rather small, 5 in head; mouth large, vertical; maxillary 2 in head; teeth of lower jaw largest, inner row of each jaw enlarged and movable; vomer and palatines with a few large, conical teeth; lower jaw with- out tentacle; preorbital with 3 spines in front, directed forward and downward; preopercle with 3 spines below angle, directed forward and downward; mandible with 2 antrose spines and two spines on chest before ventrals ; top of head coarsely granular ; occipital region with radiating ridges, starting from 2 points; base of dorsal and anal of equal length, 1.4 in head; ventral fins reaching more than half way to vent, equal to length of top of head ; pectorals half the diam- eter of the eye longer than the ventrals. QIO FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Color blackish brown, mottled with paler; lower parts pale, dusted with brown; lips and gular region black; dorsal dusky, with 5 indis- tinct, partly confluent, whitish spots along the base ; caudal with 3 irregular dark bars; anal anteriorly pale, posteriorly thickly dusted with blackish, the tips of rays pale ; ventrals pale ; pectorals blackish, faintly barred, the axil dusted outside, inner parts very pale. Known only from the Pacific coast of Panama from a single speci- men, 120 mm. long, dredged at a depth of 7 fathoms, by the "Alba- tross." Not seen by us. i Family LXXIV. Batrachoididae. THE TOAD-FISHES. Body depressed anteriorly, compressed posteriorly; head large, de- pressed ; mouth large ; teeth usually strong ; premaxillaries protractile ; gills 3, a slit between the last; gill-openings restricted to the side, the membranes broadly united to the isthmus ; pseudobranchiae none ; branchiostegals usually 6; gill->rakers present, moderate; suborbital without a bony stay ; post -temporal bone simple, undivided ; scales small or wanting ; dorsal fins 2, the first with 2 or 3 low, strong spines ; soft dorsal long and low; anal similar, but shorter; pectorals broad, at least at base; caudal fin rounded; vertebrae 32 to 45. KEY TO THE GENERA. a. Dorsal spines 3 ; opercle with 2 strong diverging spines ; sub- opercle with one or two stiff spines. b. Body covered with small striated scales ; subopercular spines 2, strong and diverging, similar to opercular spines. Batrachoides, p. 911. bb. Body scaleless ; subopercle with only one strong spine. c. Axil of pectoral with a prominent foramen. Opsanus, p. 917. cc. Axil of pectoral without a foramen, but with numerous glan- dular folds. Amphichthys , p. 918. aa. Dorsal spines 2 ; opercle with a single strong spine ; subopercle feebly developed, without a spine; body scaleless. d. Opercular and dorsal spines hollow, connected at base with venom glands ; lateral line single ; no canine teeth. Thalassophryne, p. 919. dd. Opercular and dorsal spines solid, not connected with venom glands; lateral lines 4; some of the teeth canine-like. Porichthys, p. 922. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 911 247. Genus Batrachoides Lacepede. Batrachoides Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 1800, 451 (type Ba- trachoides tau Lacepede). Batrachus Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, 42 (type Batrachus surinamensis Bloch & Schneider). Batrichtius Rafinesque, Analyse Nat., etc., 1815, 82 (substitute for Batrachoides). Body subcylindrical anteriorly, compressed posteriorly ; head broad, strongly depressed ; pores about mouth and in lateral line accompanied by dermal flaps and fringes ; dorsal spines 3 ; opercle and subopercle each with 2 solid diverging spines ; no poison glands ; body covered with small striated scales, more or less embedded, at least anteriorly. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Dorsal with 111-24 to 26 rays; anal with 21 to 23 rays. b. A, conspicuous glandular pocket in axil of pectoral; vomerine, palatine and lateral mandibular teeth very strong and blunt; vomerine teeth in a single row. pacifici, p. 912. bb. Axil of pectoral without a glandular pocket; vomerine, pala- tine and lateral mandibular teeth moderate, or rather small and pointed. c. Eye rather large, 2.1 in interorbital space in specimens 265 mm. in length; lower jaw strongly projecting, exposing the teeth near mandibular symphysis when the mouth is closed; vomerine teeth in 2 rows; outer teeth at mandibular symphysis enlarged; a distinct pore 'at base of each interradial membrane of pectoral on inner side of fin, these continued on fin as canals. goldmani, p. 913. cc. Eye small, 3 in interorbital space in specimens 265 mm. in length; lower jaw only slightly projecting, none of the teeth exposed when the mouth is closed; vomerine teeth in a single row ; outer teeth at mandibular symphysis not enlarged ; a small pore at base of only the upper interradial membranes of pectoral on inside of fin, these not extended on fin as canals. gilberti sp. nov., p. 914. aa. Dorsal with 111-28 or 29 rays ; anal with 25 or 26 rays. d. Pores present at base only of the upper interradial membranes of pectoral on inner side of fin; scales extending forward to a line connecting posterior end of maxillaries; cirri about mouth numerous ; upper lateral line interrupted slightly behind middle of base of dorsal, reappearing on extreme base of this fin, 912 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. there forming n or 12 pores; fins with dark and whitish bars and streaks. snrinamensis,p.gi$. dd. A conspicuous pore present at base of each interradial mem- brane of pectoral on inner side of fin; scales extending for- ward to a line connecting the base of upper opercular spines ; cirri about mouth rather few; upper lateral line interrupted at beginning of posterior third of base of dorsal, reappearing on the extreme base of this fin, there forming 7 or 8 pores; fins plain, of the same color as the body. boulengeri, p. 916. 666. Batrachoides pacifici (Giinther). Batrachus pacifici Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., Ill, 1861, 173 (Panama). Batrachoides pacifici Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1863, 170; Jor- dan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2314; Gil- bert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Acad. Sci., IV, 1904, 181 (Panama) ; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 159; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, 412 (Panama). Head 2.7 to 3; depth 4.8 to 6.6; D. III-2S or 26; A. 21 or 22. Body elongate; head strongly depressed, its width 1.06 to 1.2 in its length; snout very broad, 3.9 to 5 in head ; eye larger than in related species, 1.7 to 2.4 in interorbital space, 4.3 to 8 in head; lower jaw projecting; mouth large, the maxillary reaching past eye, 1.35 to 1.75 in head ; opercle and subopercle each with 2 strong, diverging spines ; premaxillary teeth in a narrow villiform band tapering laterally to a point ; strong conical canine-like teeth on vomer, palatine and laterally on mandible, those near mandibular symphysis in a broad cardiform patch, with the outer ones enlarged ; head and chest naked, the rest of the body covered with small, partly embedded, cycloid scales; lat- eral lines 2 ; the upper one on a level with the upper opercular spine, in- terrupted slightly anterior to middle of base of dorsal, reappearing along the base of the dorsal, again interrupted near the .last rays of the fin, then assuming its former level on the caudal peduncle; the lower lateral line curving upward around the base of pectorals, inter- rupted at about the beginning of the second third of the base of the anal, and again posteriorly, similar to the upper one; the interrup- tion of these lateral lines not always very evident, sometimes with in- termediate pore, then being curved rather than interrupted; alimentary canal much shorter than body; air bladder short and broad, divided into 2 compartments by a longitudinal partition; dorsal fins separate, the first with 3 strong spines ; the spines flattened, with a cutting edge ; C Q. — O C . Ml yfl SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDBERAND. 917 This fish when captured fights vigorously, not only using its sharp dorsal, opercular, and subopercular spines, but snapping at any- thing coming near it. When the writers found it almost impossible to pick this fish up with the hand, its habit of snapping was taken ad- vantage of by giving it a stick to catch with its teeth, which it held so tightly that it in this way could be very easily transferred to the collecting can. With the material at hand it is difficult to find characters upon which to separate this species from the Atlantic representative, B. surinamensis. Only a few minor differences were noted, and these may prove to be only individual variations when a larger series can be compared. More specimens from each coast are much desired. Known only from the Pacific coast of Panama. Our specimens are from tide streams at Corozal and from the Panama City market. 248. Genus Opsanus Rafinesque. Opsanus Rafinesque, Amer. Monthly Mag., II, 1818, 203 (type Opsanus cerapalus Rafinesque = Gadus tau Linnaeus). Body subcylindrical anteriorly, compressed posteriorly ; head broad, strongly depressed ; dorsal spines 3 ; opercle with 2 diverging spines, subopercle with one strong spine only, these spines hidden in the skin ; no poison glands; body naked; axil of pectoral with a conspicuous foramen. 671. Opsanus barbatus sp. nov.* (Plate XCI). Type No. 81009, U. S. N. M. ; length 390 mm. ; Colon Reef. Head 3.25; depth 4.1 ; D. 111-32; A. 27. Body robust anteriorly, subcylindrical, strongly compressed pos- teriorly ; head much depressed, its width nearly as great as its length ; eye moderate, 1.35 in interorbital space, 5.5 in head; a small cirrus on its inner posterior margin; snout rather narrow, tapering, 4.7 in head; lower jaw projecting; a row of long fringed dermal flaps on margin of chin, another prominent row beginning below eye and ex- tending to subopercular spine, besides numerous smaller cirri on head and predorsal region; mouth moderate, the maxillary reaching pos- terior margin of eye, 1.85 in head; opercle with 2 strong diverging spines, subopercle with one spine, these spines hidden in the skin; premaxillary teeth small, in 2 irregular rows ; small conical canine teeth *Since this description was written, C. M. Breder, Jr., (Amer. Mus. Novit, No. 188, 1925, pp. i and 2, fig. i) has described another new species, Opsanus hilde- brandi, which was obtained in the Colon market. 918 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. present on vomer, palatine and mandible, those on vomer and near mandibular symphysis in 2 rows ; body naked ; lateral lines 2, con- tinuous, each pore accompanied by cirri; dorsal fins separate, the first composed of 3 strong spines, hidden in the skin, the second long and low, the rays much enveloped in the loose skin of the body and diffi- cult to enumerate; anal long and very low, the anterior rays mostly separate; pectorals short and broad, a prominent foramen in axil; no pores at base of interradial membranes. Color uniform brown above, paler below ; base of caudal with one black ocellus on one side and 3 on the other, fins otherwise of uni- form coloration like the body. Our only specimen, 390 mm. long, was taken on the Colon Reef. It differs from O. tau chiefly in the longer and much lower vertical fins, smaller teeth, the more numerous and much longer cirri on head and predorsal region, and in the uniform coloration. 249. Genus Amphichthys Swainson. Amphichthys Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839,282 (type Batrachus rubigenes Swainson). Marc gravia Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 546 (type Batrachus cryptocentrus Cuvier & Valenciennes). Marcgravicthys Ribeiro, Arch. Mus. Nac. Rio de Janeiro, XVII, 1915, 3 (type Batrachus cryptocentrus Cuvier & Valenciennes). Body subcylindrical anteriorly, compressed posteriorly; head broad, strongly depressed; dorsal spines 3; opercle with 2 diverging spines, subopercle with one spine only, these spines hidden in the skin; no poison glands; body naked; axil of pectoral without a foramen, but with numerous glandular folds of skin. 672. Amphichthys cryptocentrus (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Batrachus cryptocentrus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XII, 1837,485 (Bahia, Brazil). Batrachus tau cryptocentrus Meek & Hall, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1885, 60. Marcgravia cryptocentra Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 546. Head 2.85 to 3.15 ; depth 4.1 to 5.3 ; D. 111-28 or 29; A. 24 or 25. Body elongate; head strongly depressed, its width 1.04 to 1.15 in its length; snout rather narrow, 4.8 to 5.3 in head; eye large, its longest diameter about equal to interorbital width, 4.6 to 5.5 in head ; a promi- nent cirrus on its inner posterior margin ; lower jaw projecting ; mouth moderate; the maxillary reaching posterior margin of eye, 1.8 to 1.95 SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 919 in head; opercle with 2 strong diverging spines; stibopercle with one spine; premaxillary teeth in a very narrow villiform band, reduced to a single row laterally; vomerine, palatine and mandibular teeth strong and very blunt, an outer row of smaller teeth near mandibular symphysis; body naked; lateral lines 2, continued to opposite the last ray of dorsal and anal respectively, each pore accompanied by 2 dermal flaps; dorsal fins separate, the first with 3 spines, partly hidden in the skin; pectorals broad, axil covered with numerous glandular folds, but without a foramen. Color dark brown above, paler below ; young with evident dark cross- bars; chin and chest often indistinctly reticulated with whitish lines; each pore in lower lateral line in a white spot; fins plain, with narrow white margins. Of this species 5 specimens, ranging from 180 to 320 mm. in length, were secured. Heretofore known only from Brazil. Our specimens are from the Colon market, Colon Reef and Fox Bay, Colon; mostly taken on rocky bottom. 250. Genus Thalassophryne Giinther. Thalassophryne Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., Ill, 1861, 174 (type Thalassophryne maculosa Giinther). Doctor Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2325 (type Thalassophryne dowi Jordan & Gilbert). Body elongate; head depressed; lower jaw projecting; opercle with a strong hollow spine ; subopercle feebly developed, not ending in a spine ; teeth conic or incisor-like, no canines ; body without scales ; lateral line single; dorsal spines 2, hollow, and like the opercular spines, connected with venom glands ; pectorals broad, without foramen in axil. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Dorsal and anal long, each with 25 rays or more; teeth conic, or slightly flattened at tips. b. Head much wider than deep, its length 2.8 to 3.2 in body ; dorsal and anal free from caudal, the former with 11-26 to 28 rays, the latter with 25 or 26 rays ; body and fins with conspicuous reticu- lations of whitish lines. reticulata, p. 920. bb. Head scarcely wider than deep, its length 3.6 to 3.8 in body; dorsal and anal joined to caudal, the former with II-3O to 32 rays, the latter with 29 or 30 rays; body without reticulations, mostly dark brown or black above, pale below. dowi, p. 920. aa. Dorsal and anal of moderate length, free from caudal, the 92O FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. former with II-i8 rays and the latter with 17 rays; teeth broad, incisor-like. megalops,p.()2i. 673. Thalassophryne reticulata Giinther. Thalassophryne reticulata Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1864, 150 & 155 (Panama) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2325 ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 186 (Panama) ; Bean & Weed, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1911, 522. Head 2.8 to 3.2 ; depth 4.4 to 6.1 ; D. 11-26 to 28 ; A. 25 or 26. Body elongate, compressed ; head depressed, much wider than deep, its width 1.05 to 1.15 in its length; snout very broad, and not much longer than eye, its edge with several dermal flaps; eye small, wholly superior, 9.7 to 1 1 in head ; mouth very wide ; lower jaw strongly project- ing; maxillary reaching posterior margin of eye, 2.3 to 2.5 in head; opercle with a single, stiff, hollow spine; teeth present on both jaws, vomer and palatines, conic, more or less flattened at tips ; body naked ; head with short cirri above; lateral line single, receiving several short side branches on head ; dorsal fins separate, the first with 2 hollow spines ; the second dorsal long and low, free from the caudal ; caudal fin rounded ; anal similar to second dorsal, and free from caudal ; pectorals reaching past origin of anal, i to 1.15 in head. Color dark gray, with reticulations of whitish lines, the reticulations smaller anteriorly than posteriorly; chest and abdomen pale; spinous dorsal black; other fins mostly with reticulations similar to body, their margins pale. Of this species we have 8 specimens, ranging from 50 to 300 mm. in length. Known only from Panama Bay. Our specimens are from Balboa and Panama. 674. Thalassophryne dowi Jordan & Gilbert. Thalassophryne dowi Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1887, 388 (Punta Arenas) ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Nat. Sci., IV, 1904, 187 (Panama) ; Bean & Weed, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1911, 514. Doctor dowi Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2325- Head 3.6 to 3.8 ; depth 4.8 to 5.75 ; D. 11-30 to 32 ; A. 29 or 30. Body elongate, compressed; head depressed, slightly wider than deep, its width 1.2 to 1.4 in its length; snout very broad, and not much longer than eye, with 4 short barbels on edge behind premaxillary ; eyes very small, wholly superior, 10 to 11.5 in head; mouth very wide, the SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 921 gape much wider than deep; lower jaw strongly projecting; maxillary reaching beyond eye, 2.25 to 2.5 in head ; opercle not greatly developed, with a strong hollow spine ; teeth present on both jaws and on palatines, the latter the largest, conic, some of them slightly canine-like; body naked; lateral line single, lying close to the back; dorsal fins separate, the first composed of 2 short hollow spines; second dorsal long and low, joined to the caudal ; caudal round ; anal similar to second dorsal, joined to caudal; pectorals wide, 1.3 to 1.55 in head. Color dark brown or black above, with more or less white irregu- larly intermixed; white below; lateral line in a pale streak; spinous dorsal black; soft dorsal and caudal pale at base, with bluish black margin; posterior rays of anal usually with a dark margin, fin other- wise pale ; ventrals pale ; pectorals more or less dusky at base. The present collection contains 5 specimens, ranging in length from 130 to 160 mm. Besides these we have examined 3 specimens from the National Museum collection which range from 105 to 125 mm. in length, taken by the Albatross in Panama Bay. Known from Punta Arenas to Panama Bay. Our specimens are from Chame Point and Balboa. Two of the Balboa specimens were seined along a sandy beach, and one was taken in a muddy tide stream. The species apparently is rare. 675. Thalassophryne megalops Bean & Weed. Thalassophryne megalops Bean & Weed, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1911, 523 (Gulf of Darien). Head 2.5 to 2.6; depth 3.6 to 3.9; D. II-i8; A. 17. Body rather robust ; head large, strongly depressed, much wider than deep, its width 1.15 to 1.18 in its length; eye small, superior, 5.35 to 5.7 in head; snout broad, not longer than eye, with 2 prominent dermal flaps at its tip back of premaxillary ; mouth large, oblique; lower jaw strongly projecting; maxillary reaching posterior margin of eye, 2 to 2.3 in head ; opercle with a single, stiff, hollow spine ; broad, flat, incisor- like teeth present on both jaws, vomer, and palatines ; body scaleless ; head without cirri above ; lateral line indistinct ; dorsal fins separate, the first with 2 hollow spines; the second of moderate length, free from caudal; caudal fin rounded; anal similar to second dorsal, free from caudal; pectorals reaching past origin of anal, 1.45 to 1.5 in head. Preserved specimens at hand colorless, except for some black at base of spinous dorsal. This species was not taken by us. The above description is based on the only specimens known, the type 66 mm. long and the paratype 51 922 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. mm. long, both dredged by the Albatross in the Gulf of Darien, in 45 fathoms of water. 251. Genus Porichthys Girard. Porichthys Girard, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1854, 141 (type Porich- thys notatus Girard). Nautop&dium Jordan, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1918 (1919), 342 (type Porichthys plectrodon Jordan & Gilbert = Batrachus porosis- simus Cuvier & Valenciennes). Body elongate; head depressed; the lower jaw projecting; opercle small, with a strong, solid spine; subopercle feebly developed, without a spine; canine teeth present, sometimes very small; branchiostegals 6; body without scales ; several rows of pores and spots on head and body, some of these accompanied by cirri; dorsal spines 2, stiff and solid; no foramen in axil of pectoral; air bladder more or less deeply divided into 2 lateral parts; vertebrae 12 -J- 31. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Dorsal and anal free from caudal; pectoral fin pointed, the middle rays produced. b. Head moderately depressed, its width 1.35 to 1.55 in its length; third lateral line continued to opposite last rays of anal; series of pores on branchiostegals with a forward projection, forming an acute angle anteriorly. porosissimus, p. 922. bb. Head strongly depressed, its width 1.07 to 1.3 in its length; third lateral line continued to opposite the beginning of the posterior third of anal; series of pores on branchiostegals without a for- ward projection, forming an obtuse angle anteriorly. margaritatus, p. 923. aa. Dorsal and anal joined to the caudal ; pectoral fin rounded, the middle rays not produced. greenei, p. 924. 676. Porichthys porosissimus (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Batrachus porosissimus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XII, J837, 501 (St. Catherine, Cayenne, Surinam, Rio de Janeiro). Porichthys porosissimus Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., Ill, 1861, 176; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2319, PI. CCCXXXV, fig. 811. Porichthys plectrodon Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882, 291 (Galveston, Texas). Head 3.4 to 3.8; depth 4.9 to 6.2; D. 11-32 to 37; A. 31 to 33. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 923 Body elongate; head depressed, slightly wider than deep, its width 1.35 to 1.55 in its length; snout broad, not longer than eye, with 2, dermal flaps and a row of small cirri on margin back of premaxillary ; eye moderate, superior, 4.25 to 6.3 in head ; lower jaw projecting; mouth large; the maxillary reaching past eye, 1.8 to 2 in head; opercle with a single stiff spine; teeth present on both jaws, vomer and palatines, those on upper jaw very small; vomer with a pair of canines on each side; some of the lateral teeth on lower jaw enlarged, forming canines; body naked ; sides with 4 lateral lines, besides several series of dots and pores on head, chest and abdomen; the third lateral line continued to near last ray of anal ; the series of pores on branchiostegals curved and projecting forward toward chin, forming an acute angle anteriorly; dorsal fins separate, the first with 2 solid spines; the second long and low, free from the caudal; caudal fin rounded; anal similar to second dorsal, free from caudal; pectorals wide at base, pointed, the middle rays produced, 1.2 to 1.4 in head, each interradial membrane with a pore at its base on inner side of fin. Color light to dark brown above, paler below, golden or silvery on sides ; back with 7 or 8 saddle-like blotches which are more or less con- fluent with blotches along sides; some of the pores marked by shining dots; fins mostly plain; anal occasionally with a brownish margin; dorsal sometimes with irregular brownish markings. Known from North Carolina to Argentina. This species was not taken by us and there are no Panama records. It is here described from 9 specimens, ranging from 55 to 160 mm. in length, from the U.S.N.M. collection. Specimens examined are from Florida, Texas and from 33° 20' N., 70° 05' W., dredged by the Albatross. 677. Porichthys margaritatus (Richardson). Batrachus margaritatus Richardson, in Hinds, Zool. Voy. Sulphur, Ichth., 1844, 67, PI. XXXVIII, figs. 2, 3 and 4 (Pacific coast of Central America). Porichthys nautopadium Jordan & Bollman, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1889, 171 (Panama Bay, Albatross Station 2802). Porichthys margaritatus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2322; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 184 (Panama). Porichthys notatus Boulenger, Boll. Mus. Zool. Anat. Torino, XIV, No. 346, 1899, 3 (Rio Tuyra, Darien ; not of Girard) . Head 3.25 to 4.1 ; depth 5 to 5.8; D. 11-34 to 37; A. 32 to 36. Body elongate ; head broad, strongly depressed, wider than deep, its 924 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. width 1.07 to 1.3 in its length; eye rather small, superior, 3.9 to 6.3 in head ; snout short and broad, with 2 dermal flaps and a row of fringes on margin back of premaxillary ; lower jaw projecting; mouth large; the maxillary reaching past posterior margin of eye, 1.7 to 2.05 in head ; opercle with a single solid spine ; teeth on both jaws, vomer and palatines, those on upper jaw very small; vomer with a pair of canines on each side; some of the lateral teeth in lower jaw enlarged, forming canines; body naked ; sides with 4 lateral lines, besides several series of pores on head, chest and abdomen ; third lateral line ending opposite the posterior third of anal; the series of pores on branchiostegals in straight lines, forming an obtuse angle anteriorly; dorsal fins separate, the first with 2 stiff, solid spines ; the second long and low, free from the caudal ; caudal fin round ; anal similar to second dorsal, free from caudal ; pec- torals long and pointed, i.i to 1.5 in head; a distinct pore at base of each interradial membrane on inner side of pectoral fins. Color brownish above, pale below, golden or silvery on sides; pre- served specimens at hand without cross-bars ; pectorals with alternating whitish and brownish bars ; dorsal with indistinct dark bars ; caudal and anal with dark margins. This species was taken in Panama Bay by the Albatross, at Station 2802, in 16 fathoms of water. It is also reported by Boulenger from the Rio Tuyra, Darien (as P. notatus). Known from the Pacific coast of Tropical America. This species is closely related to P. porosissimus. 678. Porichthys greenei Gilbert & Starks. Porichthys greenei Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 184 (Panama Bay). Head 3.9 to 4.3 ; depth 4.8 to 6.5 ; D. 11-36 to 39 ; A. 32 to 36. Body elongate; head depressed, its width greater than its depth, 1.15 to 1.4 in its length; eyes very small, wholly superior, rather close together, 6.2 to 6.6 in head; snout broad, not much longer than eye, with 2 dermal appendages near tip back of premaxillary; lower jaw projecting; mouth moderate; the maxillary reaching past eye, 2 to 2.3 in head, its posterior membranous border fringed; opercle with a single stiff spine; teeth present on both jaws, vomer and palatines, those on upper jaw very small; vomer with a pair of canines on each side; some of the lateral teeth on lower jaw enlarged, canine-like; body naked ; sides with 4 lateral lines, besides several series of pores on head, chest and abdomen ; third lateral line ending near beginning of pos- terior third of base of anal; series of pores on branchiostegals without SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 925 a forward projection, forming an obtuse angle anteriorly; dorsal fins separate, the first with 2 solid spines ; the second long and low, joined to upper rays of caudal ; caudal fin round ; anal similar to second dor- sal, joined to lower rays of caudal; pectorals round, the middle rays not produced, i.i to 1.33 in head, each interradial membrane with a pore and canal on inner side of fin. Color bright golden in life; a dark brown band on head, back of eyes ; back with 6 distinct, dark brown, saddle-like blotches. Fins plain golden in life, mostly pale in spirits; vertical fins sometimes slightly dusky. This species is represented by 12 specimens in the present collec- tion, ranging from 70 to 85 mm. in length. Known from the Pacific coast of Panama. Our specimens are from Balboa and Panama ; mostly from rocky tide pools. Family LXXX. Gobiesocidae. THE CLING-FISHES. Body rather elongate, broad and depressed m front; mouth mod- erate; upper jaw protractile; teeth usually rather strong, the anterior ones conical or incisor-like; no bony stay across cheek; opercle re- duced to a spine-like projection, concealed in the skin and sometimes obsolete; pseudobranchiae small or wanting; gills 2^ or 3; gill-mem- branes broadly united, free or united with the isthmus; scales en- tirely wanting ; dorsal and anal similar, situated on posterior part of body and nearly or quite opposite each other, consisting of soft rays only ; ven- tral fins far apart, each with I concealed spine and 4 or 5 soft rays; a large sucking disk present between the ventrals, the fins usually forming a part of it. This family is composed of small fishes which live chiefly in warm seas, clinging to stones and other objects by means of the sucking disk. KEY TO THE GENERA. a. Incisors of lower jaw with entire edges. Gobiesox, p. 925. aa. Incisors of lower jaw tricuspid or serrate. Arbadosa, p. 926. 252. Genus Gobiesox Lacepede. Gobiesox Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., II, 1800, 595 (type Gobiesox cephalus Lacepede). Megaphalus Rafinesque, Analyse Nat., etc., 1815, 86 (substitute for Gobiesox, regarded as objectionable). 926 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Sicyases Muller & Troschel, in Miiller, Archiv. Naturg., IX, 1843, 29& (type Sicyases sanguineus Miiller & Troschel). Tomicodon Brisout de Barneville, Rev. Zool., 1846, 144 (type Tomi- codon chilensis Brisout de Barneville). Sicyogaster Brisout de Barneville, Rev. Zool., 1846, 144 (type Gobie- so\x marmoratus Jenyns). Body anteriorly very broad and depressed, posteriorly slender; head large, rounded; mouth terminal; lower jaw with a series of strong incisors in front, their edges rounded or truncate; upper jaw with a series of strong teeth, sometimes followed by smaller teeth; no teeth on vomer or palatines ; gills 3 ; gill-membranes broadly united, free from the isthmus ; sucking disk large. Small fishes which cling to rocks or other objects near the shore, living mostly in the tropics. A single species is known from Panama.* 679. Gobiesox rhodospilus Giinther. Gobiesox rhodospilus Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1864, 25 (Panama) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2335; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 189. This species is known from Panama (Pacific coast) from 2 speci- mens, each about 32 mm. in length, collected by Captain Dow. It has not been seen by later collectors. The following description is after Giinther : D. 6; A. 5; C. 8 or 9; P. 17. A vertical fold of skin along lower half of base of pectoral. Distance from front of dorsal to caudal 2^3 in its distance from snout; anal above third dorsal ray. A very nar- row band of short conical teeth in upper jaw, I lateral tooth larger than the others, recurved, canine-like; lower jaw with I series of teeth, the anterior narrow incisors, the outer distinctly canine, like the outer above. Rose-colored with rose-red transverse spots, each with an edge of deep red dots. Known from Panama and Santa Helena Bay near Guayaquil. The species was not seen by us. 253. Genus Arbaciosa Jordan & Evermann. Arbaciosa Jordan & Evermann, in Jordan, Proc. Cal. Ac. Sci., 2nd Ser., VI, 1896, 230 (type Gobiesox humeralis Gilbert). This genus differs from Gobiesox chiefly in the character of the *Since these pages were prepared a second species, G. micro spilus, was de- scribed from Panama Bay by Fowler (Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, p. 412). SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 927 incisors on the lower jaw, which are strongly notched or tricuspid. The species are small in size and the dorsal and anal fins are short. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Dorsal fin with 6 rays ; anal fin with 5 or 6 rays ; opercular spine evident. zebra, p. 927. aa. Dorsal fin with 5 rays ; anal fin with 4 rays ; opercular spine obsolete. minuta sp. nov., p. 928. 680. Arbaciosa zebra (Jordan & Gilbert). Gobiesox zebra Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1881 (1882), 359 (Mazatlan, Mexico). Arbaciosa zebra Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2341 ; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 160 (Taboguilla Island, Panama Bay). Head 3.25 to 3.8 ; depth 7.7 to 9.75 ; D. 6 ; A. 5 or 6. Body anteriorly broad, depressed, posteriorly compressed; head low and broad, its width 4.5 to 4.75 in length; snout slightly acute, 3.35 to 4.2 in head ; eye moderate, 4.2 to 4.3 ; interorbital 3 to 4 ; mouth small, slightly inferior, the upper lip protruding ; teeth in lower jaw broad, distinctly notched; gill-membranes broadly united, free from the isthmus; opercular spine evident; ventral disk moderate, its width about 1.5 in head; dorsal fin rather small, inserted a little nearer tip of caudal than margin of opercle; caudal fin round; anal fin rather short, its origin under middle of base of dorsal; ventral fins short, posteriorly free from the disk; pectoral fins short and broad, 2.5 to 3 in head. The color is described in the original description by Jordan & Gil- bert as follows : "Back with five dark cross-bars about as wide as the interspaces, three of them in front of the dorsal fin, the two anterior much broader and more distinct than the others ; these bars are all dis- tinct on the back, fading on the sides, which are often vaguely clouded with dark; the color of these dark bars varies from reddish-brown to black, and that of the interspaces from olivaceous to light pink and bright rose-red ; top of head bright red, marbled with light slaty-bluish ; a black blotch on opercle, and two very distinct black cross spots, one on each side of median line, forming the front of first dorsal bar; sometimes cheeks with two or three pale bluish streaks ; dorsal, pectoral, and caudal more or less shaded with dusky ; lower fins pale ; usually a dark bar at base of caudal and one across middle of the fin." It was later pointed out that a large variation in color exists in the species. The preserved 928 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. specimens at hand are brownish, the upper parts with irregular darker markings. There are indications of dark bars on the back of only I of 5 specimens examined. This species was not taken by us, but we have examined 5 speci- mens from Taboguilla Island, collected by the Albatross and recorded by Kendall & Radcliffe (1912). Known from Lower California to Panama Bay. 681. Arbaciosa minuta sp. nov. (Plate XCII.) Type No. 81523, U. S. N. M. ; length 22 mm. ; tide pools, Colon. Head 3.6 ; depth 7.2 ; D. 5 ; A. 4. Body anteriorly much depressed, broad and low, the depth equal to about half the width at base of pectorals, compressed posteriorly; head low and broad; snout rounded, about as long as eye; eye mod- erate, 3.8 in head; interorbital rather broad, 2.5 in head; mouth hori- zontal, nearly terminal; the upper jaw slightly protruding; teeth an- teriorly in the jaws broad, notched, tricuspid, smaller and narrow at sides; gill-membranes broadly united, free from the isthmus; a fold of skin along lower lateral margin of head ; opercular spine obsolete ; side of head behind eye with a concealed antrorse spine; ventral disk large, i.i in head, 4 in body; dorsal fin small, inserted about equi- distant from margin of opercle and tip of caudal; caudal fin rather long, rounded; anal fin very short, its origin under middle of base of dorsal; ventral fins shorter than head, inserted under margin of opercle, that part of disk situated between and in advance of ventrals united with the base and outer rays of fins ; pectoral fins broad, rounded, the median rays longest. Color in alcohol brownish above, pale below ; top of head and back with indefinite dark spots, forming 2 indefinite H-shaped mark- ings on anterior part of back; dorsal fin dark brownish; the caudal fin somewhat paler, with 2 rather distinct dark cross-bars; pectoral and ventral fins pale. A single specimen, 22 mm. long, of- this little fish occurs in the Panama collection. It is characterized by the obsolete opercular spine, and by the very short dorsal and anal fins. Our specimen was taken in a tide pool at Colon. Family LXXXI. Blenniidae. THE BLENNIES. Body elongate; mouth large or small; teeth various; gill-mem- branes free from the isthmus or attached to it; lateral line variously developed, often wanting, sometimes duplicated or branched; scales a « g THE LIBRARY OF 1HE '..JVfcliit llf ti ILLINOIS SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 929 moderate or small, or wanting; dorsal fin with spines, at least an- teriorly, with or without soft rays; caudal fin well developed; anal fin long, similar to soft dorsal; ventral fins, if present, jugular or sub- thoracic, consisting of i spine and I to 3 soft rays. This is a large family of small or moderate sized fishes, living mostly near the shore in tropical, temperate and arctic seas. Few if any of them are of commercial value. KEY TO THE GENERA. a. Body partly or entirely covered with scales. b. Dorsal fin composed wholly of spines or with one soft ray only, a notch between the third and fourth spines. Auchenopterus, p. 930. bb. Dorsal fin composed of numerous spines and soft rays. c. No dermal tentacles present over eyes or at nape. Mnierpes, p. 933. cc. Dermal tentacles present over eyes and at nape. d. Teeth in the jaws in more than one series, usually an enlarged outer series with a band of villiform teeth behind it. e. Cornea divided by an oblique pigmented band into an anterior lower and posterior upper half ; nape on each side with a single short tentacle. Dialommus, p. 934. ee. Cornea normal ; nape with a tuft or series of tentacles. Labrisomus, p. 935. dd. Teeth in the jaws in a single series ; vomer with a few teeth or none; a comb of fine tentacles at nape. Malacoctenus, p. 938. aa. Body entirely scaleless. f. Teeth in the jaws in a single series. g. Teeth all fixed, attached to the bone of the jaw, not movable, h. One or both jaws with a pair of stout fang-like canines on each side; gill-membranes free from the isthmus, or at least forming a fold across it. Blennius, p. 940. hh. No canines in jaws ; gill-membranes fully united with the isthmus ; the gill-openings restricted to the sides, i. Ventrals with i short spine and 3 simple rays ; mouth small. Hypsoblennius, p. 942. ii. Ventrals with i spine and 4 simple rays ; mouth rather large. Homesthes, p. 947. gg. Teeth on front of jaws implanted on lips, all movable, j. One or both jaws posteriorly with a pair of strong fang-like canines. 930 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. k. Vomer toothless ; dorsal fin continuous. Rupiscartes, p. 948. kk. Vomer with a single series of conical teeth; dorsal fin rather deeply notched. Salarichthys, p. 949. jj. No canines in jaws. Salarias, p.. 951. ff. An enlarged series of teeth on margin of each jaw, with a band of villiform teeth behind it on anterior part of jaws; no canines; vomer and palatines each with a single series of strong teeth; the vomerine teeth separated from the palatine teeth by a slight interruption ; no cirri at nape ; no lateral line. Emblemaria, p. 952. 254. Genus Auchenopterus Giinther. Auchenopterus Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., Ill, 1861, 275 (type Auchenopterus monophthalmus Giinther). Cremnobates Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1861, 374 (type Au- chenopterus monophthalmus; substitute for Auchenopterus, re- garded as preoccupied on account of its similarity to Auchenipterus, a genus of Siluridce). Body elongate, compressed ; head rather short ; snout pointed ; mouth moderate, oblique ; teeth in the jaws anteriorly in bands ; vomer with one or more series of teeth; palatines toothless; gill-membranes united, free from the isthmus ; lateral line complete, anteriorly with a long arch ; upper surface of head with tentacles ; scales moderate, cycloid, wanting on head ; dorsal fin with more or less of a notch between the third and fourth spines, usually with one soft ray only; anal fin low, with 2 short spines ; pectoral fins broad ; ventrals jugular. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Scales in lateral series 30 to 34; 4 scales in an oblique series between the beginning of the straight portion of the lateral line and the base of dorsal; anal formula II, 18 or 19; the last ray of dorsal a distinct spine. affinis, p. 930. aa. Scales in lateral series 35 to 38; 5, or rarely 4^2, scales in an oblique series between the beginning of the straight portion of lateral line and base of dorsal; anal formula II, 20, rarely II, 19; the last ray of dorsal soft. monophthalmus, p.. 932. 682. Auchenopterus affinis (Steindachner). (Plate XCIII, fig. i.) Cremnobates affinis Steindachner, (Sitzb. k. Ak. Wiss. Wien) Ichth. Beitr., V, 1876, 178 (St. Thomas) ; Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1884, 142 (Key West, Florida). SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 931 Auchenopterus affinis Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2371. Head 3.5 to 3.9; depth 3.6 to 4.25; D. III-XXV or XXVI; A. II, 1 8 or 19; scales 30 to 34. Body elongate, compressed ; head deeper than broad ; snout pointed, 3.55 to 4 in head ; eye 3.7 to 4.5 ; interorbital a little narrower than eye ; mouth moderate, terminal, oblique ; maxillary reaching opposite or slightly beyond middle of eye, 1.8 to 2.25 in head; teeth in the jaws anteriorly in broad villiform bands, reduced to a single series at sides, wanting posteriorly; vomer with a horseshoe-shaped band of villi- form teeth; opercle with a short spine at upper angle; preopercle un- armed; gill-membranes broadly connected, free from the isthmus; lateral line with a long arch anteriorly, the arched portion about ^4 the length of the straight part ; a pair of fringed tentacles over eye and another pair at occiput; scales moderate, cycloid, 4 in an oblique series between the beginning of the straight part of lateral line and base of dorsal; dorsal fin composed of spines only, the notch between the third and fourth spines various, rather deep or very shallow, the membrane of the last spine attached to base of caudal; caudal fin rounded, notably shorter than head; anal fin moderate, not as high as the dorsal, its base equal to half the length of body without snout and eye; ventral fin inserted under the free edge of gill-membrane, with only 2 rays; pectoral fins rather broad, 1.05 to 1.4 in head. Color in life of a specimen 39 mm. long : Body and eyes dark red ; dorsal and anal deep red, with pale margin; the second dorsal with a black ocellated spot between the nineteenth and twenty-first spines ; caudal fin with a black base, the rest of fin pale red, with brownish markings ; ventrals and pectorals light red with brownish bars. The specimen on which the above color description was based is much lighter in alcohol than our other specimens, most of which have rather distinct brownish cross-bars on sides and brown markings, forming cross-lines on the lower surface of the head. In these specimens the fins are all spotted and barred with dark brown. One specimen is dark brown, with the dorsal and anal fins nearly black. This fish is represented by 7 specimens in the present collection, ranging in length from 40 to 50 mm. Our specimens seem to differ somewhat from published descriptions in having a slightly shorter dorsal fin, the formula given in current descriptions being III-XXVII, i ; the original description gives III-XXVIII, stating specifically that the last spine (not ray) is attached to the base of the caudal by a 932 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. membrane. Later authors state that the dorsal has one soft ray, which is not true of our specimens, and evidently not of the type. Recorded from Key West and the West Indies and now for the first time from the coast of Panama. Our specimens are all from Fox Bay, Colon. 683. Auchenopterus monophthalmus Giinther. ( Plate XCIII, fig.2.) Auchenopterus monophthalmus Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., Ill, 1861, 275 (Panama) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2372; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 189 (tide pools, Panama). Cremnobates monophthalmus Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1861, 374- Auchenopterus monopthalmus Kendall & RadclifFe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 152 (Perico Island, Panama Bay). Head 3.6 to 4.1 ; depth 3.9 to 5; D. III-XXV or XXVI, i ; A. II, 20, rarely II, 19; scales 35 to 38. Body elongate, compressed; head low, a little deeper than wide; snout pointed, 3.4 to 4.4 in head; eye 3.25 to 4.45; interorbital about half the width of eye; mouth rather large, terminal, or the lower jaw slightly projecting, oblique; maxillary reaching posterior margin of pupil or beyond, 1.9 to 2.4 in head; teeth in the jaws anteriorly in broad villiform bands, reduced to a single series at sides, wanting posteriorly; vomer with a horseshoe-shaped band of villiform teeth; opercle with a short spine at upper angle; preopercle unarmed; gill- membranes broadly connected, free from the isthmus; lateral line anteriorly with a long arch, the arched portion about %. the length of the straight part; a pair of fringed tentacles over eye and another small pair at occiput; scales rather small, cycloid, 5 or rarely 4l/2 scales in an oblique row between the beginning of the straight part of the lateral line and the base of dorsal ; dorsal fin with a single soft ray, the notch between the third and fourth spines pronounced, ex- tending nearly or quite to base of fin, the soft ray attached to base of caudal by a membrane; caudal fin rounded, notably shorter than head ; anal fin not as high as the dorsal ; ventral fins inserted under or just back of margin of gill-membranes, composed of 2 rays ; pectorals rather broad, 1.15 to 1.45 in head. Color dark brown above, paler below ; sides sometimes with irregu- lar dark markings; lower surface of head with dark spots, forming more or less distinct cross-bars in female; these parts plain in the male ; the dorsal and anal uniform dark brown, with a pale margin, Sept. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 933 or pale, with dark cross-bars ; a black ocellus between the eighteenth and twenty-first spines ; caudal fin with a black bar at base, the rest of the fin variously marked, plain dusky, or with the lower fourth of fin black and the upper part pale with dark markings, or simply pale, with black spots sometimes forming distinct cross-bars; caudal fin Uniform pale brown in female, with dark spots or other markings in the male ; ventrals and pectorals with black spots, forming more or less distinct bars in female, usually plain brown to pale in the male. This is a very common fish in the tide pools on the coral reef at Panama City. The sexes may be distinguished by the color as already pointed out, also by the size of the mouth, the male having a notably larger mouth, with the maxillary extending opposite posterior margin of eye. The Panama collection contains 78 specimens, ranging from 35 to 72 mm. in length. This fish is closely related to A. affinis from the Atlantic coast, from which it may, however, be distinguished by the slightly more numerous scales in a lateral series, as well as in the number of rows of scales above the straight part of the lateral line. The anal fin nor- mally has one or two soft rays and the dorsal has the last ray soft, which in A. affinis is a distinct spine. Known from the Gulf of California to Panama. Our specimens are all from tide pools at Balboa and Panama City. 255. Genus Mnierpes Jordan & Evermann. Mnierpes Jordan & Evermann, Kept. U. S. Fish Comm., XXI 1895 (1896), 468 (type Clinus macrocephalus Giinther). Body very elongate ; the head low and broad ; upper lip thickened ; no dermal tentacle over eye or at nape ; teeth in the jaws in villif orm bands, with an enlarged outer series ; a band of pointed teeth on vomer, none on palatines ; scales small, cycloid ; dorsal spines numerous, about 22, soft rays about 12. A single species of the genus is known. 681. Mnierpes macrocephalus (Giinther). Clinus macrocephalus Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., Ill, 1861, 266 (Pacific coast of Central America) ; Boulenger, Boll. Mus. Zool. Anat. Torino, XIV, No. 346, 1899, 4 (Flamenco Island, Panama Bay). Labrosomus macrocephalus Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1885, 389. Mnierpes macrocephalus Jordan & Evermann, Kept. U. S. Fish Comm., XXI, 1895 (1896), 468; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., 934 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. XLVII, 1898, 2364; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 189; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 152 (Perico and Taboguilla islands, Panama Bay). Head 4.4 to 5.05; depth 5.65 to 7.3; D. XXII, 12 or 13; A. II, 24 or 25 ; scales about 75. Body elongate, compressed ; head broader than deep ; snout short, 3.6 to 4.1 in head; eye 3.35 to 3.8; mouth horizontal, upper lip protruding; maxillary reaching nearly to posterior margin of eye, 2.1 to 2.45 in head ; teeth in jaws in villiform bands, the outer series slightly en- larged; vomer with a narrow band of pointed teeth; anterior nostril with a very short fringed tentacle ; no tentacles over eye or at nape ; gill-membranes connected, free from the isthmus; lateral line arched anteriorly, becoming straight under middle of spinous part of dorsal; scales small, difficult to enumerate, cycloid, covering entire body except head and chest; dorsal fin long, with a slight indentation between the spinous and soft parts, its origin over margin of preopercle ; caudal fin round ; anal fin moderate, with 2 very short spines ; ventrals short ; pectorals moderate, I to 1.33 in head. Color dark gray above; under parts pale; sides with more or less distinct dark blotches and with indefinite pale spots, the latter distinct on sides of head and on snout ; fins rather pale, the rays usually with more or less distinct brown spots. This species, although taken at Panama several times, does not occur in our collection. 'We have examined 6 fine specimens from Perico Island, Panama Bay, taken by the Albatross, and now deposited in the U. S. National Museum. These specimens range in length from 70 to io8mm. and form the basis for the above description. The species appears to have been recorded only from the west coast of Panama. 256. Genus Dialommus Gilbert. Dialommus Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1890, 452 (type Dialommus fuscus Gilbert). Body elongate, slender; head low and short; teeth in the jaws in narrow bands ; vomer with a single series of teeth, none on palatines ; the cornea divided by an oblique pigmented band into an anterior lower and a posterior upper half ; posterior nostril with a short fringed tentacle ; upper margin of eye ball with one or more slender tentacles ; each side of nape with a single short tentacle; scales rather small; SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 935 dorsal fin very long, without notch, composed of numerous spines and soft rays ; ventral fins short, with I, 3 rays. A single species of this genus is known. 682. Dialommus fuscus Gilbert. Dialommus fuscus Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1890, 452 (Galapagos Islands); Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2868 ; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Com. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 153 (Chatham Island and Perico Island). Head 5 to 6; depth 6 to 7; D. XXV, 13 to 15; A. I, 28; scales about 60. Body elongate, slender ; head very short, broader than deep ; snout very short, 3.5 to 4 in head; eye 2.7 to 3.15; mouth horizontal, the upper lip protruding; maxillary reaching nearly to vertical from posterior margin of eye, 2.4 to 2.65 in head; teeth in bands in the jaws, the outer series enlarged; vomer with a single series of teeth; palatines toothless ; gill-membranes united, free from the isthmus ; anterior nostril with a short fringed tentacle; i to 3 short tentacles on upper margin of eye ball and a single tentacle on each side at nape ; lateral line anteriorly with a short arch ; scales rather small and thin ; dorsal fin very long, not notched, its origin a little in advance of opercular margin; caudal fin round, a little longer than head; anal fin long, with a single very short spine; ventral fins notably shorter than head : pectoral fins equal to or longer than head. Color brownish above and on sides ; under parts pale ; the back with traces of black cross-bars, extending on base of dorsal fin ; sides in some specimens with pearly spots ; ventral fins pale ; the other fins all dusky, with more or less distinct dark spots. This fish is recorded by Kendall & Radcliffe from Perico Island, Panama Bay, where one specimen, 46 mm. long, was taken in a tide pool by the Albatross. It does not occur in our collection. The above description is based on 2 specimens, respectively 58 and 70 mm. in length, from Chatham Island. Known from Panama south to the Galapagos Islands. 257. Genus Labrisomus Swainson. Labrisomus Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 277 (tvPe Clinus pectinifer Cuvier & Valenciennes). Lepisoma DeKay, Fauna N. Y., Fishes, 1842, 41 (type Lepisoma cirrhosum DeKay = Clinus pectinifer Cuvier & Valenciennes). 936 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Labrosomus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1860, 105 (corrected spelling) . Body oblong, robust; head short, compressed; mouth rather large; teeth in the jaws in a band, the outer series notably enlarged and more or less separated from the villiform teeth behind it; vomer with teeth; one or more tentacles present on upper margin of eye; sides of neck with a tuft or series of tentacles ; scales rather small, cycloid ; lateral line complete, anteriorly arched; dorsal fin single, very long, composed of numerous spines and soft rays ; pectorals long. Two species, one from each coast, are represented in the Panama collection. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Dorsal with 12 soft rays, the posterior spines of dorsal not notably shorter than the median ones; maxillary 1.95 to 2.25 in head. nuchipinnis, p. 936. aa. Dorsal with 13 soft rays, the posterior spines of dorsal notably shorter than the median ones ; maxillary 1 .85 to 1 .95 in head. xanti, p. 937. 686. Labrisomus nuchipinnis (Quoy & Gaimard). (Plate XCIV, fig. i.) Clinus nuchipinnis Quoy & Gaimard, in Freycinet, Voy. Uranie et Physicienne, Zool., 1824, 255 (Brazil). Clinus pectinifer Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XI, 1836, 374 (Bahia). Clinus capillatus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XI, 1836, 377- Lepisoma cirrhosum DeKay, Fauna N. Y., Fishes, 1842, 41, PI. XXX, fig. 94 (Florida). Labrosomus pectinifer Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1860, 105. Labrosomus capillatus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1860, 107. Labrisomus nuchipinnis Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2362; Breder, Zoologica, IV, Pt. 4, 1925, 157 (Cale- donia Bay). Head 3.2 to 3.5; depth 3.5 to 3.9; D. XVIII, 12; A. II, 17 or 18; scales 68 to 80. Body elongate, compressed; head low; snout moderate, 3 to 3.3 in head ; eye 3.8 to 4.7 ; mouth rather large, terminal, slightly oblique ; maxillary reaching nearly or quite to opposite posterior margin of pupil, 1.95 to 2.25 in head; teeth in the jaws in bands, the outer series ii _ V ii Sept. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 937 in each jaw notably enlarged; vomer with a band of villiform teeth extending backward on palatines; opercle and preopercle unarmed; gill-membranes connected, free from the isthmus ; lateral line complete, anteriorly with a long low arch, the arched portion equal in length to the straight part; anterior nostril and upper margin of eye each with a tuft of fine tentacles; a nuchal series of slender tentacles present; scales small, cycloid, covering entire body except head; dorsal fin very long, the posterior spines not notably reduced in length, the soft part higher than the spines; caudal fin broadly rounded; anal fin moderate, the tips of most of the rays free; ventral fins close together, inserted under posterior margin of preopercle, with a spine and 3 soft rays; pectoral fins broad, 1.25 to 1.6 in head. Color in alcohol dark brown above, somewhat paler below; sides with more or less distinct dark cross-bars and blotches ; opercle with a black spot ; sides of head and chin without irregular dark lines ; fins brownish, all except the ventrals more or less spotted with dark, forming irregular cross-bars; spinous dorsal anteriorly with a large black spot. The dark cross-bars of sides are sometimes indistinctly extended on the dorsal and anal fins. This is a common species on the Atlantic coast of Panama where it inhabits rocky tide pools. The species is represented in the present collection by 91 specimens, ranging in length from 50 to 125 mm. Specimens taken in May have the ovaries well distended with eggs. The range of the species appears to extend from Florida south to Brazil. Our specimens are from Toro Point, Colon and Porto Bello. 687. Labrisomus xanti Gill. (Plate XCIV., fig. 2.) Labrosomus xanti Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1860, 107 (Cerro Blanco). Labrisomus xanti Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2362. Head 3.3 to 3.45 ; depth 3.3 to 3.45 ; D. XVIII, 13 ; A. II, 18 or 19; scales 65 to 79. Body rather robust, compressed ; head low ; snout moderate, 3.35 in head ; eye 3.95 to 4.7 ; mouth large, terminal, slightly oblique ; maxillary reaching nearly to vertical from posterior margin of eye, 1.85 to 1.95 in head; teeth in the jaws in a band, the outer series notably enlarged, more or less canine-like and well separated from the band of villiform teeth behind it ; vomer with a single series of short, stout teeth ; palatines with a narrow band of blunt teeth; opercle and preopercle unarmed; gill-membranes united, free from the isthmus; lateral line complete, 938 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. anteriorly with a long arch, longer than the straight portion ; anterior nostril and upper margin of eye each with a tuft of tentacles; a nuchal comb of tentacles present; scales rather small, cycloid, cover- ing entire body, except head ; dorsal fin very long, the spines increasing in length gradually from the first to the middle of fin, the posterior spines again somewhat shorter, the soft portion notably higher than the spinous part; caudal round; anal rather long, increasing in height posteriorly; ventral fins close together, inserted under margin of pre- opercle; pectoral fins moderate, 1.45 to 1.85 in head. Color in alcohol brownish above, somewhat paler below, with or without dark cross-bars ; a few faint bluish markings behind and below eye; a small dark spot on membrane at upper angle of gill- opening; fins uniform brownish, the anal darkest, with a dark intra- marginal band; a dark ocellus between the i$th and i6th spines of dorsal in one of our specimens, wanting in the others. This species, which is very closely related to L. nuchipinnis from the Atlantic coast, is represented by 3 specimens, 115, 135 and 140 mm. in length. Known from Lower California to Panama. Our specimens are from Chame Point and Panama City. 258. Genus Malacoctenus Gill. Malacoctenus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1860, 103 (type Clinus delalandii Cuvier & Valenciennes). This genus appears to differ from Labrisomus in the dentition, the teeth in the jaws being in a single series ; vomer with a few teeth or none; no palatine teeth. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Body moderately robust, the depth 3 to 3.8 in length; scales moderate, 49 to 52 in lateral series ; dorsal formula XX, 9 or 10. delalandii, p. 938. aa. Body less robust, the depth 4.3 to 4.65 in length ; scales some- what smaller, 56 to 60; dorsal formula XX, n or 12. sonifer, p. 940. 688. Malacoctenus delalandii (Cuvier & Valenciennes). (Plate XCV, fig. i.) Clinus delalandii Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XI, 1836, 378 (Brazil) ; Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., Ill, 1861, 264. Malacoctenus delalandii Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1860, 103. w QHHE Sept. 1928. FISHES OP PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 939 Malacoctenus delalandi Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2358 (in part). Head 3.5 to 3.9; depth 3 to 3.8; D. XX, 9 or 10; A. II, 18 or 19; scales 49 to 52. Body elongate, compressed; head moderate; snout rather short, 3 to 3.5 in head; eye 3 to 3.5; mouth rather small, terminal, nearly horizontal; maxillary reaching anterior margin of eye, 3 to 3.5 in head ; teeth in the jaws in a single series, flattened at the base, pointed at tips ; vomer with a patch of villiform teeth ; opercle and preopercle unarmed ; gill-membranes connected, free from the isthmus ; lateral line complete, the arched portion nearly as long as the straight part; anterior nostril and upper margin of eye each with a tuft of slender tentacles; a nuchal comb of fine tentacles present; scales moderate, cycloid, covering entire body, except head and a portion of chest; dorsal fin very long, the soft part higher than the spines ; caudal fin round; anal fin moderate, the tips of the rays fleshy and usually separate; ventral fins close together, inserted slightly behind posterior margin of preopercle, with a spine and 3 rays; pectoral fins rather broad, equal to length of head. Color in alcohol brownish; sides with more or less distinct dark cross-bars and blotches; some specimens much more uniform in color than others; opercle with an indistinct black spot; sides of head and chin more or less distinctly marked with dark bars; fins brownish, of nearly uniform color in some specimens, spotted with dark brown in others; a more or less distinct dark spot present on anterior part of spinous dorsal. The following color description we copy from our field notes: "Upper parts of body brownish, lower parts pale green; sides with indistinct vertical bars; lower part of sides with many brown markings. Dorsal, anal and caudal greenish yellow, with many brown markings which sometimes form bars ; margin of anal pink; ventrals pink; pectorals with brown bar at base, then pale green, the margin reddish." This species appears to be somewhat less common than Labrisomus nuchipinnis, but is found in company with it. We have 22 specimens, ranging from 47 to 59 mm. in length. Females taken in March have the ovaries well distended with eggs. The range of this species appears to extend from Panama to Brazil. Our specimens are from Colon and Porto Bello. 940 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. 689. Malacoctenus zonifer (Jordan & Gilbert). (Plate XCV, fig. 2.) Clinus zonifer Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1881, 361 (Mazatlan). Malacoctenus delalandi Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2358 (in part, not of Cuvier & Valenciennes) ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 189. Malacoctenus delalandii Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 151 (Perico Island, Panama Bay). Head 3.65 to 3.8; depth 4 to 4.3; D. XIX or XX, n or 12; A. II, 19 ; scales 54 to 57. A specimen, 72 mm. long, was taken by us from a tide pool at Balboa and a second one, 46 mm. in length, was sent by Mr. Robert Tweedlie. We have also examined specimens taken by the Albatross at Perico Island. Comparing these specimens with our specimens of M. delalandii from the Atlantic coast, we find that the body of M. zonifer is a little more slender, the scales a little smaller and the dorsal fin slightly longer. Known from Lower California to Panama. Our specimens are from Balboa and Chame Point. 259. Genus Blennius Linnaeus. Blennius Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 256 (type Blennius ocel- laris Linnaeus). Body elongate, compressed; head short, the profile usually bluntly rounded; mouth small, horizontal; the jaws each with a single series of long, slender, curved, close-set, immovable teeth; the lower jaw at least with a short, stout, fang-like tooth on each side; gill-openings large, the membranes free from the isthmus or at least forming a fold across it; scales wanting; lateral line developed anteriorly; dorsal fin entire or more or less notched; ventral fins well developed, with I, 3 rays. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Each jaw with a pair of strong canines; no crest at nape; D. XII, 21 or 22; A. 23 or 24. pilicornis, p. 941. aa. Canines present in lower jaw only; nape with a longitudinal dermal crest, provided with about 20 filaments; D. XI, 16; A. 19. cristatus, p. 941. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 941 690. Blennius pilicornis Cuvier & Valenciennes. Blennius pilicornis Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XI, 1836, 254 (Rio de Janeiro) ; Castelnati, Anim. Nouv. Rares Amer. Sud., 1855, 25; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2380. Blennius filicornis Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., Ill, 1861, 216. Head 4.75; depth 5.2; D. XII, 21 or 22; A. 23 or 24. Snout obtuse, its upper profile very oblique ; interorbital space flat ; no groove or crest on nape ; a strong, curved canine in each jaw ; orbital tentacle long, with several smaller ones at base ; dorsal slightly notched, separate from caudal. Color brown; cheeks with hexagonal reticulations; sides of body with a few scattered dark dots ; basal portion of dorsal and anal pale, both fins darker distally ; the margin of anal white. This species was not taken at Panama, but because of its range it falls within the scope of the present work. The above description was compiled from published accounts of the species. Known from Florida south to Brazil. 691. Blennius cristatus Linnaeus. Blennius cristatus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, I, 1758, 256 (Indies; after Gronow) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2382, PI. CCCXXXVIII, fig. 821 ; Starks, Leland Stanford Jr. Univ. Pub., Univ. Ser., 1913, 75 (Natal) ; Breder, Zoologica, IV, Pt. 4, 1925, 157 (Caledonia Bay). Blennius crinitus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XI, 1836, 237 (La Rochelle, France). Blennius nuchifilis Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XI, 1836, 253 (Isle of Ascension). Blennius asterias Goode & Bean, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882, 416 (Garden Key, Florida). "Head 4 ; depth 4 ; D. XI, 16; A. 19 ; maxillary 3. Body moderately elongate, compressed; the head very blunt and deep, almost as deep as long, its anterior profile straight or slightly concave, and nearly vertical. Mouth moderate, the maxillary reaching past front of eye; lower jaw with 2 short stoutish posterior canines, scarcely longer than the front teeth; the upper jaw without canines. Teeth about 32/28. Preorbital deep, its depth equal to diameter of eye and contained 4y2 times in length of head. Interorbital space flat, narrow, ^ width of eye. Supraocular cirri small, fringed, their length about equal to that of pupil. Nape with a longitudinal dermal crest reaching to front of dorsal, 942 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. provided with a series of about 20 filaments, the longest about as long as the eye. Gill membranes forming a broad fold across the isthmus, as in all species of Blennius. Dorsal nearly continuous, the last spine a little lower than the first soft ray, not very high, beginning on the nape in front of the vertical of the preopercle, the spines all slender and flexible, the longest y& as long as the head, the longest soft ray 4/7 as long as head ; caudal free from dorsal and anal ; ^ as long as head; anal moderate, 4/9 length of head; pectoral somewhat shorter than head ; ventral a little more than % length of head. Lateral line forming the usual arch above pectoral, and continued backward on median line to base of caudal, becoming indistinct posteriorly." (Jor- dan & Evermann.) The color is variable. "Some of them are uniform dark brown, nearly black above, and only slightly lighter below, while no cross bars are evident. The fins are all nearly black. Others are very light grayish or slate-color, with about 6 double cross bars on the back and side, and with the fins light or slightly dusky. These two extremes merge into each other, and all of the intermediate shades of color are represented." (Starks.) This fish, like the preceding, was not seen by us. It, however, has recently been recorded by Breder from Catelonia Bay on the Atlantic coast of Panama. Apparently a widely distributed species, occurring on the American coast from Florida to Brazil. 260. Genus Hypsoblennius Gill. HypsoUennius Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1861, Suppl., 44 (type Blennius hentz Le Sueur). Isesthes Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Nat Mus., XVI, 1882 (1883), 757 (type Blennius gentilis Girard). Body elongate, compressed; head short; snout very blunt; mouth small, horizontal; teeth in each jaw in a single close-set series, not movable, no canines ; gill-openings restricted to the sides ; gill-membranes fully united to isthmus; scales entirely wanting; ventrals with I short spine and 3 simple rays. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Dorsal fin continuous, without a notch between the spinous and soft parts, the spines scarcely distinguishable. b. Caudal fin forked ; dorsal rays 33 or 34 ; anal rays 25 or 26. minutus sp. nov., p. 943. bb. Caudal fin rounded. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 943 c. Dorsal rays 28; anal 19 or 20; origin of dorsal over or a little behind posterior margin of eye. striatus, p. 944. cc. Dorsal rays 31 to 33; anal 25 or 26; origin of dorsal over margin of preopercle. piersoni, p. 945. aa. Dorsal fin with a more or less evident notch between the spinous and soft parts. d. Head very deep, the anterior profile steep; dorsal notch very deep, the rays XI, n or 12; anal 15 or 16. brevipinnis, p. 946. dd. Head chubby, anterior profile very steep; dorsal notch shallow, but evident, the rays XII, 14 to 17; anal 17 to 19. lignus sp. nov., p. 946. 692. Hypsoblennius minutus sp. nov. (Plate XCVI, fig. i.) Type No. 81936, U.S.N.M.; length 32 mm.; Chame Point, Panama. Head 4.85 to 5.4; depth 5.75 to 6.4; D. 33 or 34; A. 25 or 26. Body very elongate, slender, compressed; head short, rather broad; snout very short, less than half the length of eye; eye rather large, 2.2 to 2.65 in head; mouth very small, slightly inferior; maxillary scarcely reaching past anterior margin of eye; teeth in a single series, slightly compressed ; gill-openings restricted to the sides, rather large, notably broader than base of pectoral, the membranes fully united with the isthmus; lateral line anteriorly prominent, ending a little in advance of tip of pectoral ; scales wanting ; anterior nostril with a dermal flap on its posterior border ; a small, multifid tentacle, half the length of eye, over the eyeball; no tentacles at nape; dorsal fin very long, the spines and rays indistinguishable, and of about even height throughout, its origin a little in advance of margin of opercle; caudal fin short, distinctly forked ; anal fin very long and low ; ventral fins inserted in advance of pectorals, with 3 distinct rays; pectoral fins long, pointed, reaching notably beyond origin of anal, exceeding the length of head. Color in specimens at hand, probably faded, uniform pale yellowish ; a dark area between eyes and a brownish area a little behind interorbital ; an indefinite dark band along margin of preopercle; all the fins except pectorals pale; 4 or 5 series of black spots, composed of 3 or 4 dots each, placed at regular intervals at base of dorsal rays; caudal fin with a dark vertical bar at base ; pectoral fins mostly black, the exterior rays pale or punctulate. This species is represented by 4 specimens, ranging from 27 to 33 mm. in length, collected at Chame Point by Mr. Robert Tweedlie. We have some doubt as to the proper generic disposition of this species, 944 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. as it appears to mark the transition from Runula to Hypsoblennius. It has the forked caudal of Runula but the 3 distinct articulate ventral rays of Hypsoblennius. 693. Hypsoblennius striatus ( Steindachner) . Blennius striatus Steindachner, (Sitzb. k. Ak. Wiss. Wien, LXXIV) Ichth. Beitr., V, 1876, 15, PI. VIII, fig. 4 (Panama). Isesthes striatus Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., II, 1882 (1883), in. Hypsoblennius striatus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2388; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 192 (Panama) ; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, 412 (Panama). Head 4 to 4.75; depth 3.75 to 5.4; D. XII, 16; A. 19 or 20. Body elongate, compressed ; head short and deep, its anterior profile very steep; snout short, projecting but slightly in advance of forehead, 2.5 to 2.75 in head; eye moderate, placed high, 3.5 to 4.3 in head; interorbital less than half the width of eye; mouth small, terminal; maxillary failing to reach eye, 2.8 to 3.65 in head; teeth in the jaws more or less flattened, incisor-like, close-set, subequal, no canines; opercle and preopercle unarmed ; gill-membranes broadly united, form- ing a slight fold across isthmus ; gill-openings restricted to sides ; lateral line extending to second cross-bar, absent or appearing as scattered pores posteriorly; a tentacle on upper margin of orbit, varying greatly in length, equal to length of pupil in some specimens, rarely equal to half the length of head; scales wanting; dorsal fin long, its origin over or a little behind posterior margin of eye, the spines very slender, flexible, scarcely distinct from the soft rays; caudal fin round; anal fin about three- fourths the length of the dorsal; ventral fins close together, each with 3 rays and a hidden spine; pectoral fins broad, rounded, 1.05 to 1.25 in head. Color in life green; back with about 5 dark saddle-like blotches; lower part of side with narrow vertical lines; caudal peduncle with dark spots, forming more or less distinct longitudinal lines; opercle with an indistinct blotch; 2 dark bars below eye, crossing chin; dorsal fin anteriorly with a dark blotch and sometimes with a more or less distinct ocellus between the first and second spines, the distal fourth and occasionally the entire fin with irregular dark markings ; caudal fin with irregular dark markings, at least at base ; anal fin green at base, becoming dark brown distally, the margin of fin pale, in some specimens the base of each ray with a black spot; ventrals brownish, with the FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY. ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV, PL. XCVI. FIG. 1. HYPSOBLENNIUS MINUTUS sp. nov. Drawn from the type 32 mm. in length. **r; FIG. 2. HYPSOBLENNIUS LIGNUS sp. nov. From the type 60 mm. in lentgh. it Of Sept. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 945 outer margins pale; pectorals plain brownish or spotted, with narrow pale margin. This is a common species in the tide pools on the Pacific coast of Panama. Over 100 specimens, ranging from 42 to 70 mm. in length, were preserved. This species has been reported only from the Pacific coast of Panama. Our specimens are from Chame Point, Balboa and Panama City. 694. Hypsoblennins piersoni Gilbert & Starks. Hypsoblennius piersoni Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 191, PI. XXXII, fig. 60 (Panama). Head 4.5; depth 5.15 to 5.7; D. X, 21 to 23; A. 25 or 26. Body compressed, rather slender; head short and deep, its anterior profile nearly vertical ; snout scarcely in advance of forehead, 3.5 to 4 in head ; eye large, 2.8 to 3.1 ; interorbital about as wide as pupil ; mouth small, terminal; maxillary reaching nearly or quite to vertical from anterior margin of pupil, 3.2 in head; teeth in the jaws slightly flattened, close-set, lateral teeth in lower jaw with a minute backward projecting hook, no canines; opercle and preopercle unarmed; gill- openings restricted to sides, not much broader than base of pectoral; gill-membranes joined to the isthmus, failing to form a fold across it; lateral line anteriorly prominent, ending under about the tenth dorsal spine ; posterior nostril with a bifurcate tentacle ; a long fringed tentacle on upper margin of eye ; scales wanting ; dorsal fin long, its origin over margin of preopercle, the spines slender, flexible, scarcely distinct from the other rays ; caudal fin round ; anal fin about two-thirds the length of dorsal ; ventral fins small, with i short, hidden spine and 3 soft rays; pectoral fins rather broad, 1.2 to 1.35 in head. Color greenish ; back with 6 dark bars ; lower part of sides with irregular dark spots, becoming more or less elongate on caudal peduncle ; an indistinct dark bar below eye, crossing chin ; anterior part of dorsal fin with a black blotch, the rest of fin mostly pale green, with a dusky margin ; caudal fin irregularly spotted with dark spots ; anal fin greenish, with pale margin and an intramarginal dark bar; ventral fins pale, pectorals with irregular dusky spots. We have only 2 specimens, respectively 41 and 42 mm. in length. This fish was first reported from Panama by Gilbert & Starks ( 1904) . It appears to be a rare species, occurring in tide pools. Known only from the Pacific coast of Panama. Our specimens were taken near Balboa. 946 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. 695. Hypsoblennius brevipinnis (Giinther). Blennius brevipinnis Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., Ill, 1861, 226 (Pacific coast of Central America). Hypsoblennius brevipinnis Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2390; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 193 (Panama). Head 3.5 to 4.1 ; depth 3.3 to 3.9; D. X to XII, 15 or 16; A. II, 13 or 14. Body rather robust, compressed; head very short and deep, its anterior profile very steep ; snout not much in advance of forehead, 2.5 to 3.6 in head; eye 3 to 4; mouth small, transverse, reaching opposite middle of eye, 2.2 to 2.8 in head ; teeth in the jaws prominent, close-set, incisor-like, no canines ; opercle and preopercle unarmed ; gill-opening rather large, notably larger than base of pectoral; the gill-membranes united, forming a distinct fold across the isthmus; lateral line present anteriorly only, ending in advance of origin of soft dorsal; posterior nostril with a broad dermal flap ; a rather long slender tentacle with one or two very short branches at base over upper margin of orbit; scales wanting; dorsal fin moderate, its origin over margin of preopercle, a distinct notch between the spinous and soft parts, the soft part being the higher ; caudal fin round ; anal fin rather short and low ; ventral fins inserted slightly in advance of base of pectorals, each with 3 rays; pectoral fins round, i to 1.5 in head. Color brownish ; a more or less continuous dark brown lateral band present, broken up into quadrate spots in some specimens; back with 6 or 7 dark bars, these not evident in the darkest colored specimens; a more or less distinct dark spot a short distance behind eye; fins all uniform light brown, except the anal which has a pale margin and a narrow black intramarginal bar. This species is represented by 72 specimens, ranging in length from 15 to 55 mm.; a lot of 45 of these was sent by Mr. Robert Tweedlie. Our specimens were taken from old submerged wood, in which they appear to inhabit the crevices, and the burrows of the ship worm. When this habit is known the species proves to be rather common. Known from Mazatlan, Mexico, to Panama. Our specimens were all taken at Chame Point. 696. Hypsoblennius lignus sp. nov. (Plate XCVI, fig. 2.) Type No. 81937, U. S. N. M. ; length 60 mm. ; Chame Point, Panama. Head 3.55 to 3.95; depth 3.9 to 4.4; D. XII, 14 to 16; A. 17 to 19. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 947 Body compressed, rather robust anteriorly ; head short, rather broad, its anterior profile convex; snout very short and blunt, 3.75 in head; eye 3 to 3.8; interorbital not much broader than pupil; mouth small, the upper jaw slightly projecting; maxillary reaching to or a little past middle of eye, 2.65 to 2.9 in head; teeth in the jaws compressed, incisor-like, those at sides directed backward at tips ; no canines ; opercle and preopercle unarmed ; gill-opening restricted to side, not much wider than base of pectoral ; gill-membranes joined to the isthmus, failing to form a fold across it; lateral line anteriorly prominent, with 2 rows of large pores, ending a little in advance of soft dorsal ; head above and at sides with numerous large pores; anterior nostril with a short tube, having a fringed flap posteriorly ; upper margin of orbit with a multifid tentacle, varying greatly in length among individuals; scales wanting; dorsal fin with a slight notch, its origin over or slightly behind margin of preopercle ; caudal fin round ; anal fin rather small ; ventral fins inserted much in advance of base of pectorals, anterior to gill-openings, each fin with 3 branched rays; pectoral fins rather short, 1.3 to 1.8 in head. Color greenish brown ; sides with dark cross-bars, these more or less broken on median line of side, extending to edge of abdomen and base of anal, at least in young; head mainly dusky, with or without dark points; chin with about 3 dark cross-bars; dorsal fin pale green, with the dark bars of sides extending across fin; caudal fin plain translucent or more or less dusky; anal fin dusky, with a dark dot at base of each ray in young; ventrals pale or dusky; pectorals more or less greenish dusky ; all fins with abruptly pale margins. This species is represented by 20 specimens, ranging in length from 25 to 70 mm. It may be distinguished from related species by the more chubby head and by the prominent pores on head and nape. The fin counts agree fairly well with those of H. striatus but there is a slight notch between the spinous and soft parts of the dorsal, the spines being very distinct, and the fin is inserted a little farther back. Our specimens are all from Chame Point. They were taken from old submerged wood in company with H. brevipinnis. A single specimen was obtained by us, the others were sent by Mr. Robert Tweedlie. 261. Genus Homesthes Gilbert. Homesthes Gilbert, in Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2394 (type Homesthes caulopus Gilbert). Body elongate; head short; mouth rather large; teeth in the jaws in a single close-set series, not movable ; no canines ; gill-openings 948 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. restricted to the sides; scales entirely wanting; ventral fins with I spine and 4 soft rays. A single species is known. 699. Homesthes caulopus Gilbert. Homesthes caulopus Gilbert, in Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2394 (Panama Bay) ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 194, PL XXXII, fig. 61 (Panama Bay). Head 3.65 to 4.2; depth 4 to 4.55; D. XII, 15 or 16; A. II, 17. Body robust, moderately compressed ; head heavy, short ; snout very short, scarcely in advance of forehead, 3.4 to 4.1 ; eye 3.65 to 4.35 ; mouth horizontal, the upper jaw in advance of the lower; maxillary reaching a little beyond middle of eye, 2.6 to 2.9 in head ; teeth in each jaw in a single close-set series, more or less incisor-like; gill-openings restricted to the sides, not much longer than base of pectoral; lateral line strongly developed anteriorly, abruptly decurved under posterior third of spinous dorsal, from thence only faintly visible ; anterior nostril and upper margin of eye each with a tuft of tentacles; nape and sides of head with many pores, but without tentacles ; scales entirely wanting ; dorsal fin long, without notch, its origin over margin of preopercle, the soft portion of fin a little higher than the spinous part; caudal short, round ; anal with 2 spines, each spine with dermal folds at tip ; ventral fins very short; pectoral fins broad, with round margin, 1.5 in head. Color in alcohol dark brown, with faint dark bars on upper part of sides; a black blotch on side of head behind eye; chin with 3 more or less distinct dark bars; fins all dark brown; median part of anal blackish, the margin white. This species is known only from Panama. We have 3 specimens, respectively 74, 78 and 79 mm. in length, taken in tide pools at Balboa. 262. Genus Rupiscartes Swainson. Rupiscartes Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 275 (type Salarias alticus Cuvier & Valenciennes = Blennius tridactylus Bloch & Schneider). Body elongate, compressed; head rather short and deep; teeth in the jaws in a single series, one or both jaws with a pair of strong canines ; vomer toothless ; scales wanting ; dorsal fin long, without deep indentation. 698. Rupiscartes atlanticus (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Salarias atlanticus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XI, 1836, 321 (Madeira; Antilles). SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 949 Rupiscartes atlanticus Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1888, 333; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2397, PI. CCCXXXIX, fig. 825; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 194; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, 405 (Colon). Blennius atlanticus Fowler, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1920 (1919), 226 (Colon, Panama; Ascension Island). Head 4.3; depth 3.8; D. XII, 22; A. 24. Body rather deep, compressed; head short and deep, with anterior profile vertical; snout very short and blunt; eye moderate, 4 in head; mouth horizontal, inferior; maxillary reaching posterior margin of pupil, 2.7 in head ; teeth on the margin of jaws small, movable, close-set, compressed, curved inward at apeces ; lower jaw with 2 strong canines placed well behind the outer series of teeth; gill-membranes connected, free from the isthmus; lateral line anteriorly slightly arched, inter- rupted under anterior rays of soft portion of dorsal, reappearing lower down on side and somewhat in advance of the point of interruption; anterior nostril and upper margin of eyeball each with a fringed tentacle ; sides of head and nape with numerous pores; scales entirely wanting; dorsal fin very long, continuous, without indentation; its origin over margin of preopercle; caudal fin round; anal fin moderate, similar to posterior part of dorsal ; ventral fins small, equal to length of postorbital part of head ; pectoral rather large, 1.05 in head. Color uniform brownish above, somewhat paler below; sides of head behind eye with a black spot; fins all brownish. Most specimens are said to have 5 or 6 dark cross-bars on sides, extending on the dorsal fin. These bars are, however, not evident on the specimen at hand. This species was not taken by us. It has been recorded from the Atlantic from the West Indies to Brazil and Ascension Island, and from the Pacific from Mazatlan to Guayaquil, Ecuador, and Chatham Island. It is here described from a single specimen 130 mm. long, from the U. S. National Museum collection, taken at Mazatlan. There appears to be no record of the species on the Pacific coast of Panama, but the species is included because it has been found on the Atlantic coast of Panama and at localities both north and south of the Isthmus on the Pacific coast. 263. Genus Salarichthys Guichenot. Salarichthys Guichenot, Mem. Soc. Sci. Nat. Cherbourg, XIII, 1867, 14 (type Salarias vomerinus Cuvier & Valenciennes=5a/ana^ textilis Quoy & Gaimard). 950 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Body elongate ; head short ; snout blunt ; mouth rather broad ; teeth in the jaws in a single series ; a canine on the mandible posteriorly on each side inside of the marginal teeth; vomer with a single row of conical teeth; cirri present at the anterior nostril, over eye, and at nape; scales wanting; dorsal fin deeply notched. 699. Salariohthys textilis (Quoy & Gaimard). Salarias textilis Quoy & Gaimard, in Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist Nat. Poiss., XI, 1836, 307 (Ascension Island). Salarias vomerinus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XI, 1836, 349 (Bahia). Salariichthys textilis Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1890, 329; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2400; Starks, Leland Stanford Jr. Univ. Pub., Univ. Ser., 1913, 75 (Natal) ; Breder, Zoologica, IV, Pt. 4, 1925, 157 (Caledonia Bay). Head 4.6; depth 4.6; D. XII, 16; A. 15. "The head is short and steeply declivous in front of the eyes, descending in a straight line at an angle of about 70 degrees. The top of the head is horizontal, and the part just above and behind the eyes is broadly rounded. The mouth is inferior, very broad, and more transverse than lateral. Its greatest width is equal to the distance of its corner from the edge of the operculum in a horizontal line. The teeth on the jaws are very fine, in a single row, and very freely movable. There is a canine on each side of the mandible a considerable distance inside of the marginal teeth, its length is about a third of the diameter of the eye. A single row of small conical teeth is on the vomer. There is a multifid barbel at the anterior nostril, on the upper part of each eye- ball, and a short simple one at the nape about one diameter of the eye in front of the dorsal. The spinous dorsal is equal in length to the soft dorsal, and the spines are considerably lower than the longest rays. The membrane of the anal fin is deeply incised, and the posterior rays of both the anal and soft dorsal reach to, or beyond, the base of the caudal. The pectoral fin reaches to opposite the front of the anal. The caudal is broadly rounded and very slightly angulated at its outer rays." (Starks.) "Olive, with 13 silvery cross streaks, not l/2 as wide as the dark interspaces, some of the cross streaks Y-shaped; both dorsals with cross markings, the second with 12 or 13 streaks of dark obliquely upward and backward, alternately with similar pale streaks; cross bars on sides bent in middle, extending up and back and down and back from middle line parallel with muscular impressions; sides with some SEPT. 1928. FISHES OP PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 951 obscure pale dots ; caudal barred with 7 dark bars ; anal darkest mesially ; lower side of head with dark streaks radiating from the isthmus ; bars at chin Y-shaped, upper part of head with darker markings; pectoral nearly plain ; a dusky area at base below which • is a dusky spot ; marblings at base of dorsal." (Jordan & Evermann.) This fish was not seen by us. It, however, has recently been recorded by Breeder from Caledonia Bay on the east coast of the Isthmus. Known from the Bermudas, the West Indies, Caledonia Bay, and from the coast of Brazil. 264. Genus Salarias Cuvier. Salarias Cuvier, Regne Animal, Ed. I, II, 1817, 251 (type Salarias quadripennis Cuvier). Scartes Jordan & Evermann, Kept. U. S. Fish Comm., XXI, 1895 (1896), 471 (type Salarias rubropunctatus Cuvier & Valenciennes; name preoccupied). Scartichthys Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2395 (type Salarias rubropunctatus Cuvier & Valenciennes ; sub- stitute for Scartes, preoccupied). Body elongate; head oblong, compressed; snout blunt; eyes lateral, close together ; mouth moderate, the upper jaw protruding ; teeth in the jaws in a single series, very slender, movable, recurved; no canines; gill-opening continuous under throat, the membranes free from the isthmus; scales wanting; dorsal fin with or without a notch; ventral fins with 3 simple rays. 700. Salarias rubropunctatus Cuvier & Valenciennes. Salarias rubropunctatus Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XI, 1836, 348 (Juan Fernandez) ; Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., Ill, 1861, 249; Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882 (1883), 628 (Panama). Scartichthys rubropunctatus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2396; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 194. "Head 4; depth 4 (5 with caudal) ; D. XI-i6; A. 20; eye 4% in head ; teeth less flexible than in Rupiscartes atlanticus; no canine teeth ; the forehead not projecting beyond mouth; a very small tentacle on the neck, a longer fringed one above the orbit; dorsal fin deeply notched, not extending on to the caudal. "Color brown, marbled with black, and dotted with reddish ; a black spot on the anterior part of the dorsal; throat with 2 or 3 brownish 952 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. cross bands ; a jet-black spot behind eye, with a narrow edge posteriorly." (Jordan & Evermann.) This fish was not seen by us. It was once recorded from Panama by Jordan & Gilbert. Known from Panama to Chile. 265. Genus Emblemaria Jordan & Gilbert. Emblemaria Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882 (1883), 627 (type Emblemaria nivipes Jordan & Gilbert). Body long, slender, compressed, not eel-shaped; head compressed; snout more or less acute; jaws with an outer series of rather strong teeth, a narrow band of villiform teeth behind this series in anterior part of jaws ; vomer and palatines with a single series of strong teeth ; vomerine and palatine teeth separated by a slight interruption; gill- membranes united, free from the isthmus; lateral line wanting; no scales; no cirri at nape; dorsal fin long, continuous, without notch; ventrals jugular, with I, 2 rays. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Dorsal fin anteriorly notably elevated, the anterior spines filiform ; dorsal formula XXIV, 12 ; color dark brown, with 8 to 10 vertical bars ; caudal fin light at base, its tip blackish. nivipes, p. 952. aa. Dorsal fin anteriorly not notably elevated, none of the spines filiform; dorsal formula XXVII, n ; color uniform dark brown, no bars; caudal fin pale reddish in life, simply translucent in spirits. nigra sp. nov., p. 953. 701. Emblemaria nivipes Jordan & Gilbert. Emblemaria nivipes Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882 (1883), 627 (Pearl Islands, near Panama); Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2402; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 194. Head 3.4; depth 6.5; D. XXIV, 12; A. 25. Body elongate, slender, compressed; head rather large, compressed, wider than body; snout short, rather acute, 6 in head; eye 4; mouth rather large, terminal, horizontal; maxillary reaching well beyond eye, 2 in head ; jaws with an outer series of rather strong teeth, a narrow band of villiform teeth behind this series on anterior part of jaws; vomer and palatines with a series of strong teeth ; vomerine and palatine teeth divided by a slight interruption ; gill-membranes united, free from SEPT. 1928. FISHES OP PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 953 the isthmus ; lateral line not evident ; anterior nostril with a rather broad dermal flap; a slender tentacle on upper margin of eyeball; scales wanting ; dorsal fin very long, the anterior portion of fin high, filiform ; the posterior rays of the dorsal and anal slightly attached to base of caudal; caudal fin rather short, round; anal fin long and low; ventral fins long and slender; pectoral fins a little shorter than head. Color dark brown, with 8 to 10 lighter vertical bars, varying in width; under parts lighter; lower part of head with obscure cross- bands; dorsal blackish anteriorly, whitish behind, the membrane at intervals dusky; caudal light at base, its tip blackish; anal dusky translucent ; ventrals bright white, the basal portion dusky. This species was not taken by us. It apparently is recorded only from the Pearl Islands near Panama. We had the privilege of examining the type, a specimen of 48 mm. in length. 702. Emblemaria nigra sp. nov. (Plate XCVII.) Type No. 81920, U. S. N. M. ; length 42 mm. ; Porto Bello, Panama. Head 4.1 to 4.2; depth 7.5 to 8; D. XXVII, n ; A. 26 or 27. Body long, slender, compressed, the back not much elevated ; head rather short, heavy ; snout acute, 4.6 to 4.75 in head ; eye 4.5 to 4.6 ; mouth terminal, nearly horizontal ; maxillary reaching a little beyond posterior margin of eye, 2.15 to 2.25 in head ; teeth in the jaws anteriorly in rather broad bands, reduced to a single series at sides, the outer series some- what enlarged, extending backward on jaws laterally; vomer and palatines with a single series of conical teeth, the vomerine and palatine teeth divided by a slight interruption ; gill-membranes united, free from the isthmus; lateral line wanting; anterior nostril with a single slender cirrus; upper margin of eyeball with a broad fringed cirrus, equal to or slightly longer than eye; scales wanting; dorsal fin very long, continuous, none of the spines filiform, its origin in advance of pre- opecular margin, with notch or indentation, the spines gradually passing into the soft rays; the posterior rays of the dorsal and anal attached to caudal peduncle by membrane, slightly in advance of base of caudal fin ; caudal fin rather short, round ; anal fin similar in shape to posterior part of dorsal, without distinct spines ; ventral fins inserted in advance of pectorals, short, about half the length of head; pectoral fins rather short, 1.75 to 1.8 in head. Color in life uniform dark brown; caudal, the posterior part of dorsal and anal, and pectorals pale reddish ; fins otherwise black. This species is represented by 2 specimens, 42 and 43 mm. in length, taken at Porto Bello. 954 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Family LXXXII. Cerdalida. Body elongate, compressed; head short; gill-openings reduced to small slits, more or less horizontal in position; branchiostegals prom- inent; pseudobranchise well developed; scales small, rudimentary; lateral line wanting ; dorsal fin very long and low, anteriorly with slender spines, these passing gradually into the soft rays, no free spines ; ventral rays I, 3; no cirri; tail not isocercal. "The presence of some spines in the dorsal separates them from the Scytalinida, while the small gill openings distinguish them from the Blenniidce, to which they are more nearly allied." (Jordan & Evermann.) KEY TO THE GENERA. a. Body very elongate ; vertebrae about 58 to 63. Microdesmus, p. 954. aa. Body much less elongate ; vertebrae about 43. Cerdale, p. 958. 266. Genus Microdesmus Giinther. Microdesmus Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1864, 26 (type Microdesmus dipus Giinther). Body very elongate, slender; vertebrae numerous, about 58 to 63; head short ; snout obtuse ; mouth small ; vertical fins well developed, the dorsal and anal joined to the caudal by a membrane ; ventral fins small, with I, 3 rays; pectorals moderate; vent near middle of body. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Dorsal rays 47 to 49; anal rays 30 or 31; pectoral rays 10; color in spirits brownish, upper part of sides with 2 rows of brownish, quadrate spots. retro pinnis, p. 955. aa. Dorsal and anal fins longer; the dorsal with 55 to 78 rays; anal with 38 to 61 rays; pectoral rays 12; color uniform pale olivaceous, without spots or other markings. b. The tail without caudal fin shorter than rest of body, its length to tip of caudal fin 1.9 in body; snout pointed; lips thin, without definite folds or ridges ; D. 69 ; A. 43 ; head 10.3 ; depth 17.8. affinissp. nov., p. 955. bb. Tail without caudal fin notably longer than rest of body, its length to tip of caudal fin 1.45 to 1.6 in body; snout broad, blunt ; the lips thick, with evident longitudinal folds or ridges. c. Dorsal rays 55; anal rays 38; body slender, the depth 20.8; head 10.4. dipus, p. 956. < £ "SH3AIHQ 3H« iO O. ~Z C E E II LJ s s I ft \ r- a 1 1 3 i/ USIYERSU* «»• ILL SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 955 cc. Dorsal rays 66 to 68 ; anal rays 45 to 52 ; body deeper, the depth 13.4 to 16.5 ; head 7.75 to 8.3. intermedius sp. nov., p. 957. ccc. Dorsal rays 74 to 78 ; anal rays 55 to 61 ; body very slender, the depth 21. i to 22.8; head 10.1 to 11.85. multiradiatus sp. nov., p. 958. 703. Microdesmus retropinnis Jordan & Gilbert. Microdesmus retropinnis Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., I, 1881 (1882), 331 (Panama); Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2450; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 195, PI. XXXI, fig. 59 (Panama). Head 11.4 to 13.5; depth 12 to 16.5; D. 47 to 49; A. 30 or 31. Body very elongate, somewhat compressed, eel-shaped; head short, small, tapering; snout very short, 4.3 to 5.35 in head; eye very small, 7.5 to 8.65 ; mouth small, the gape scarcely reaching anterior margin of eye; lower jaw strongly projecting; teeth rather strong, conic, apparently in narrow bands in each jaw; gill-opening very small, scarcely as long as snout; scales very small; dorsal fin long and low, scarcely distinct from the caudal, its origin nearly twice the length of head behind head ; caudal fin rounded, as long as head ; anal fin similar to dorsal, but only a little more than half as long; ventral fins small, inserted at the throat under base of pectorals, with I, 3 rays; pectoral fins small, 2.3 to 3.25 in head, 10 rays. Color in spirits slightly brownish above, pale below; upper part of sides with 2 rows of quadrate brownish spots ; the spots of the upper row on anterior part of body usually united on the median line of the back and separated from the succeeding ones by pale cross-bars formed by the ground color of the body; the sides of head and chin indefinitely spotted with brown; the spots of the upper row slightly extended on the base of the dorsal fin; fins otherwise plain translucent. This species is represented by 3 specimens, respectively 85, 99 and 109 mm. in length, collected in rocky tide pools. Known only from Panama Bay. Our specimens were collected at Chame Point, Balboa and Panama. 704. Microdesmus affinis sp. nov. (Plate XCVIII, fig. i.) Type No. 84300, U. S. N. M.; length 105 mm.; Chame Point, Panama. Head 10.3 ; depth 17.8 ; D. 69 ; A. 43. 956 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Body elongate, compressed; the tail rather short, its length to tip of caudal fin only slightly longer than rest of body, i .9 in standard length ; head small ; snout pointed, 4.75 in head ; eye minute, placed high, lateral ; interorbital space narrow; mouth small, oblique, the gape reaching anterior margin of eye; the lower jaw strongly projecting, hooked at the tip ; the lips thin and without definite folds ; teeth apparently placed as in related species but not quite as strong ; gill-opening a little longer than width of base of pectoral; scales small, embedded and not imbricated; myomeres, or muscular rings, evident, about 31 in the tail; dorsal fin long and low, its origin over tips of pectorals, confluent with the base of upper rays of caudal fin; caudal fin short, rounded, not more than $4 length of head ; anal fin similar to the dorsal but shorter, confluent with the caudal; ventral fins small, notably shorter than the pectorals, I, 3 rays; pectoral fins moderate, 1.9 in head, rays 12. Color of preserved specimen, uniform olivaceous; the caudal fin slightly dusky ; other fins plain translucent. A single specimen, 105 mm. long, forms the basis for the above description and the type of the species. This species is related to M . intermedius, from which it, however, differs in having a shorter and narrower head, a much more pointed snout, thinner lips, and propor- tionately shorter caudal fin. It differs notably from all the other species of the genus, except M. retropinnis, in the short tail, which without the caudal fin is shorter than the rest of the body. From M . retropinnis it is, of course, readily distinguished by the more numer- ous rays in the dorsal and anal fins and by the color. The single specimen was taken at Chame Point by Mr. Robert Tweedlie. 705. Microdesmus dipus Giinther. Microdesmus dipus Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1864, 26, PL III, fig. 2 (Central America) ; Lockington, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1881, 114 (La Paz, Lower Cal.) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2450; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 195. Head 10.4; depth 20.8; D. 55; A. 38. Body elongate, compressed ; the tail long, its length to tip of caudal fin 1 .6 in standard length ; head short ; snout very short and rather blunt, 4 in head ; eye very small, placed high, lateral ; interorbital rather broad, the space between the eyes about equal to length of snout; mouth small, oblique, the gape reaching about to anterior margin of eye; the lower jaw projecting; the lips fleshy, with long longitudinal folds; teeth SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 957 rather strong, as in M. retropinnis; gill-opening not much longer than width of base of pectoral; scales small, embedded, not imbricated; myomeres, or muscular rings, evident, about 33 in the tail; dorsal fin of moderate length, confluent with the caudal fin, its origin over tips of pectorals ; caudal fin rather long, rounded, nearly as long as head ; anal fin similar to dorsal but shorter, confluent with the caudal fin; ventral fins small, about ^4 the length of pectorals, I, 3 rays; pectoral fins moderate, 1.8 in head, 12 rays. Color of preserved specimen uniform olivaceous; the caudal fin dark brown; all other fins plain translucent. A single specimen, 115 mm. long, forms the basis for the above description. This specimen does not agree in all details with the description of the type of the species, but these differences may be due to individual variation. The error in the enumeration of the ventral rays in the type, given as I, has already been pointed out by Gilbert and Starks. A rare species, known heretofore only from the type from Panama and from a record by Lockington from La Paz, L. C. Our specimen was taken by Mr. Robert Tweedlie at Chame Point. 706. Microdesmus intermedius sp. nov. (Plate XCVIII, fig. 2.) Type No. 84301, U. S. N. M.; length 90 mm.; Chame Point, Panama. Head 7.75 to 8.3; depth 13.4 to 16.5; D. 66 to 68; A. 45 to 52. Body elongate, compressed ; the tail long, its length to tip of caudal 1.45 to 1.5 in standard length ; head rather larger than in related species ; snout very blunt, 4.25 to 5.75 in head; eye minute, placed high; inter- orbital space rather broad, not quite equal to length of snout; mouth small, quite oblique, the gape reaching nearly to anterior margin of eye ; the lower jaw projecting; lips rather thick, with longitudinal fleshy folds ; teeth quite strong, as in M. retropinnis; gill-opening a little longer than width of base of pectoral ; scales small, embedded ; myomeres, or muscular rings, evident, 35 to 38 in tail; dorsal fin long, its origin over tips of pectorals, confluent with the base of caudal rays; caudal fin rather long, not much shorter than head; anal fin similar to dorsal but shorter, confluent with the caudal fin; ventral fins quite small, about Ys the length of the pectorals, rays I, 3; pectoral fins moderate, 1.7 to 2.5 in head, 12 rays. Color of preserved specimens uniform pale olivaceous; the caudal fin dusky ; other fins plain translucent. 958 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. This species is represented by 3 specimens, respectively 75, 90 and 105 mm. in length. It differs from M. dipus in having a somewhat deeper body, larger head, and more numerous rays in the dorsal and anal fins. It is intermediate between M. dipus and M. multiradiatus in the number of dorsal and anal rays. The specimens of this new form were all collected at Chame Point by Mr. Robert Tweedlie. 707. Microdesmus multiradiatus sp. nov. ( Plate XCVIII, fig. 3.) Type No. 82682, U. S. N. M.; length 200 mm.; Chame Point, Panama. Head 10.1 to 11.85; depth 21.1 to 22.8; D. 74 to 78; A. 55 to 61. Body slender, compressed, eel-shaped; the tail very long, its length to tip of caudal fin 1.45 to 1.5 in standard length ; head short ; snout very short and blunt, 3.75 to 4.55 in head ; eye very small, placed high, about 22 in head; mouth oblique, the lower jaw broad, projecting; the gape not quite reaching anterior margin of eye; the lips with fleshy folds; teeth rather strong, apparently in narrow bands; gill-opening small, scarcely as long as snout; scales small, not imbricated; myomeres prominent, 40 to 43 in the tail ; dorsal fin long and low, confluent with the caudal, its origin over tips of pectorals; caudal fin round or slightly pointed, about as long as head ; anal fin scarcely as high as the dorsal, confluent with the caudal fin at base ; ventral fins small, shorter than pectorals, inserted under base of pectorals, I, 3 rays ; pectoral fins short, 1.7 to 2.45 in head, 12 rays. Color uniform olivaceous or brown; the caudal fin often slightly dusky. This species is represented by 34 specimens, ranging in length from 85 to 210 mm. The species differs from the other forms in the more slender body and more numerous rays in the dorsal and anal fins. The difference in depth is most noticeable in the caudal portion of the body. The specimens at hand were all collected at Chame Point by Mr. Robert Tweedlie. 267. Genus Cerdale Jordan & Gilbert. Cerdale Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., I, 1881 (1882), 332 (type Cerdale ionthas Jordan & Gilbert). This genus differs from Microdesmus only in the much shorter body and fewer vertebrae, which number about 43. A single species of the genus is known. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 959 708. Cerdale ionthas Jordan & Gilbert. Cerdale ionthas Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., I, 1881 (1882), 332 (Panama) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2449; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 196, PI. XXXI, fig. 58 (Panama). Head 7; depth 8.15; D. 44; A. 29. Body moderately elongate, compressed ; head short ; snout blunt, 5.6 in head; eye 7; mouth small, oblique, the lower jaw strongly projecting; teeth present on jaws, more or less definitely in 2 series on each jaw; scales small, covering body and head ; vent situated a little nearer tip of snout than base of caudal ; dorsal fin long, continuous, its origin a little in advance of tip of pectorals, separate from the caudal ; caudal fin slightly rounded, shorter than head; anal fin similar to the dorsal, but shorter, its origin somewhat in advance of the vertical from middle of dorsal; ventral fins small, I, 3 rays, inserted below base of pectorals, their length equal to length of snout and eye; pectoral fins moderate, inserted just above and behind the very small gill-opening, 1.75 in head. Color in alcohol brownish above, pale below; the head and sides with small dark brown spots, these forming indefinite cross-bars on chin; the dorsal fin with small brown spots; other fins unmarked. A single specimen 56 mm. long was taken from a tide pool on Panama Reef. Prof. Gilbert and associates secured 18 specimens on Panama Reef in 1896. A few mistakes which appeared in the original and subsequent descriptions were corrected by Gilbert & Starks. Known only from Panama Reef. Our specimen is from a rocky pool near Panama . Family LXXXIII. Ophidiidae. THE CUSK EELS. Body elongate, compressed, more or less eel-shaped; head large; lower jaw included ; both jaws, and usually vomer and palatines, with villiform or cardiform teeth; premaxillaries protractile; gill-openings wide, the membranes separate, anteriorly narrowly joined to the isthmus behind ventrals ; pseudobranchiae small ; gills 4, a slit behind the fourth ; scales small, covering body, and occasionally the head; air bladder and pyloric caeca present ; vertical fins low, without spines, confluent around the tail; tail isocercal; ventral fins at the throat, each developed as a long, forked barbel. Two genera of this family come within the scope of the present work. 960 FIELB MUSEUM OP NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. KEY TO THE GBMIEEA. Head scaly, at least above; scales wefl developed, imbricated; snout usually with a spine at tip. Lepoptudixm, p. 960. Head scaleless; scales on body rudimentary, scarcely imbricate; operde ^nHing in a. -')«IMII^ concealed m t"^ skin. 268. Genus Lepophidin GOT. Leplof*ad**m GSL, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci Phuau, 1863, 210 (type Ltptoplndnum, prcfmdormm Gd31; name preoccupied in reptiles). Ltpopkidimm GST, Amer. Naturalist, XXIX, 1895, 167 (type Lepto- fkuKmm pnfmmdom GaR; substitute for Ltftophidium, pre- occupied). Body elongate, compressed; the back somewhat elevated, slowly decreasing in height backwaid to the point of tail; head rather large; snoot prominent, usually armed with a spine or hook anteriorly (absent in one species) ; teeth present on jaws, vomer and palatines ; scales small, imbricated, wilh radiating stria?, extending forward on head and checks ; dorsal and anal coaflnent aroond the tail; veiitral fins attached to ibioaL A. smgle species is represented in the Panama collection, lafcm at Balboa on the Pacific coast. Another species, which is so imperf eddy described that we win not alien upt to give its relationship, may be expected on the Atlantic coast.* 7ML IipupfcMiMi prorates (Jordan & BoDman). Lfpapkidmm prorates Jordan & Bolhnan, Proc. U. S Mat. Mas., 1889, 172 (Panama). Lffofissdhnm prorates Jordan & Evermamn, Butt. U. S. Mat. Mns., XLVII, 1898, 2485; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. CaL Ac. Sci, IV, 1904,1961 Head 49; depth ftg; scales about 200. Body elongate, more or less compressed; the tail very long, tapering, approximately twice as long as rest of body; head nearly as broad as deep; snout projecting, with a wefl developed spine directed forward at tip, 4 in head; eye 4JD5; interorhital 6.3; month large, horizontal; maadQarr reaching vertical from posterior margin of eye, 2.35 in head ; teeth in hands, present on jaws, vomer and palatines, rather binntry pointed, those on vomer and pabtinrs more so than the jaw teeth; gill-rakers rather short and slender, 4 developed on lower fimb of first arch; scales small, sti'ialcd, somewhat covered wilh skin, present on SEPT. 1928. FISHBS OP PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 961 postorbital part of head and cheeks; lateral line present, running high; dorsal and anal rather low, confluent around the tail; origin of dorsal over middle of pectorals ; ventral fins inserted under chin, consisting of 2 filaments each ; pectoral fins moderate, 2.2 in head. Color in alcohol brownish above, pale below; dorsal and anal fins pale at base, with a broad black border; pectorals and ventrals plain. A single specimen, 150 mm. length, is represented in the Panama collection. This species was previously known only from the type and co- types. Recorded only from Panama Bay. Our specimen is from Balboa. 710. Lepophidium brevibarbe (Cuvier). Ophidian brevibarbe Cuvier, Regne Animal, Ed. II, II, 1829, 358 (Brazil). Lepophidium brevibarbe Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2485. This species is imperfectly described and its relationship is not understood, but it is probably close to L. prorates. A short decurved spine on the point of the snout Teeth strong; occiput and gill-covers scaly. Vertical fins edged with black. (Kaup.) Air bladder oblong ovate, without contracted portion and without pos- terior foramen; no single anterior bone, replaced by a cartilage. (Muller.) This fish was not seen by us. It is recorded from the West Indies and Brazil, therefore falling within the range of the present work. 269. Genus Otophidium Gill. Otophidium Gill, in Jordan, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XIII, 1885 (1887), 914 (type Genypterus omostignta Jordan & Gilbert). Body moderately elongate, compressed; teeth villifonn on jaws, those of the outer series more or less enlarged, none of them movable; teeth on vomer and palatines bluntish, some of them enlarged; scales small, usually not imbricated, but arranged in short, oblique series, often placed at right angles to each other ; head naked ; opercle ending in a concealed spine ; sometimes a distinct spine at tip of snout ; air bladder short, thick and with a large foramen. A single species of the genus, although not obtained by us, falls within the scope of the present work. 718. Otophidium indefatigabile Jordan & Bollman. Otophidium indefatigabile Jordan & Bollman, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1889, 172 (Indefatigable Island, Galapagos Archipelago) ; Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat Mus., 1890, 453 (Panama Bay, Albatross Station 962 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. 2797) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2490. "Head 4^5 (4^ in total) ; depth 5% (5 6/7) ; eye large, 3 in head ; snout 4. Body rather short, compressed, width of nape 2j4 in head. Mouth large ; maxillary reaching to opposite posterior margin of pupil, T.y$ in head; outer row of teeth of each jaw very slightly enlarged. Interorbital space 2 in eye; interorbital area with a thin crest under skin, this ending in two compressed spines, I turning forward, the other backward over front of eye, these spines concealed by the skin. Gill rakers short and thick, less than y2 pupil, 4 developed. Dorsal beginning at end of anterior third of pectorals, longest ray 3^ in head; pectorals 2 in head; inner ventral filament longest, 2 in head. Air bladder short and thick, with a foramen. Scales very small, more or less imbricated on body; head naked. Opercle with a sharp, partly concealed spine. Pseudobranchiae present. Color pale yellowish brown, silvery on belly and sides of head ; back with about 12 irregular dark cross bands, the alternate ones being narrower and broken up into spots, 2 before dorsal; a few scattered spots about as large as pupil on sides, these most distinct about the shoulder; dorsal pale, first rays black, and with 3 or 4 other black blotches on upper part; anal black, margined with white ; pectorals pale, axil dusky ; caudal and posterior part of anal pale; chin pale." (Jordan & Evermann.) This fish was not seen by us. It was once recorded from Panama Bay. Known from Panama Bay and the Galapagos Archipelago. Family LXXXIV. Carapid*.* THE PEARL-FISHES. Body elongate, compressed, tapering into a long slender tail ; mouth rather large, the lower jaw included; teeth rather strong, present on both jaws, vomer and palatines ; gill-membranes little or not at all united, free from the isthmus; vent at the throat; dorsal and anal very low; pectoral fins present or absent ; ventral fins wanting. The small eel-like fishes of this family are not well known. The name pearl fishes origi- nated from the fact that some of the species, at least, live in shells of mollusks, echinoderms, etc. A valve of a pearl oyster in the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass., for example, is reported to *This family is given under the name Fierasferida in the "Key to the Families" in Part I, p. 26, of the present work. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 963 have a specimen of Campus dubius beautifully enclosed in a pearly covering, deposited by the oyster. KEY TO THE GENERA. a. Body moderately robust, nearly or quite as deep as head; no spinous filament at nape. Carapus, p. 963. aa. Body very slender, not nearly as deep as head ; a spinous filament at nape. Leptofierasfer gen nov., p. 964. 270. Genus Carapus Rafinesque. Carapus Rafinesque, Ind. d'ltt. Sicil., etc., 1810, 37, 57 (type Gymnotus acus Linnaeus, as approved by Intern. Comm. Zool. Nomenc.). Fierasfer Cuvier, Mem. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, I, 1815, 119, 312, 359 (type Ophidian imberbe Linnseus). Echiodon Thompson, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1837, 55 (type Echiodon drumnwndii Thompson). Diaphasia Lowe, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1843, 92 (tyPe Gymnotus acus Briinnich). Oxybeles Richardson, Voy. Erebus & Terror, Ichth., 1844, 74 (tvPe Oxybeles homei Richardson). Porobronchus Kaup, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist., Ser. 3, VI, 1860, 272 (type Porobronchus linearis Kaup). Vexillifer Gasco, Bull. Assoc. Nat. Med. Napol., 1870, 59 (type Vexil- lifer dephilippii Gasco). Lefroyia Jones, Zoologist, II, 1874, 3837 (type Lefroyia bermudensis Jones) . Body elongate, compressed, with a long slender tail ; vent at throat ; gill-membranes little connected or separate ; no evident caudal fin ; no filament at nape. 712. Carapus dubius (Putnam). Fierasfer dubius Putnam, Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., XVI, 1873-4 (1874), 344 (Pearl Islands); Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 197 (Panama Bay). Fierasfer affinis Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2495. Head 7.5 to 9.1 ; depth 10 to 14.5. Body moderately elongate, compressed; the tail long, tapering to a sharp point; head rather large, not deeper than body; snout blunt, 4.2 to 6.2 in head ; eye 3.2 to 4.15 ; mouth large, a little oblique ; maxillary reaching beyond eye, 1.5 to 1.95 in head; teeth in the jaws and on 964 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. palatines in bands, some of the anterior teeth in upper jaw enlarged, some of the lateral teeth in lower jaw enlarged, canine-like, bent back- ward ; vomer with a median row of enlarged teeth surrounded by small villif orm teeth ; gill-membranes slightly connected ; vent at throat ; dorsal very low, somewhat lower than anal, its origin about twice the length of head behind tip of snout; no distinct caudal fin; origin of anal under base of pectorals; ventral fins wanting; pectoral fins well developed, pointed, 1.45 to 2 in head. Color of preserved specimens uniform light brown. This form was not taken by us, but it is recorded from Panama Bay by Gilbert & Starks. The species was originally described from the Pearl Islands near Panama. The above description is based on 7 specimens in the National Museum, ranging in length from 73 to no mm. Two of the specimens at hand are from the Pacific coast, from Colima, Mexico, the others are from the Atlantic, from the Bahama Islands, Porto Rico and Cuba. We are unable, with the meager material at hand (the specimens from the Pacific being poorly preserved), to determine' definitely whether or not the representatives from the opposite coast are identical, but the mouth in the Pacific coast specimens appears to be a little larger and the teeth on the vomer smaller. Known from Lower California to Panama Bay on the Pacific coast and on the Atlantic from Florida, Bermuda, Bahamas and the West Indies. It has not as yet been found on the Atlantic coast of Panama. 271. Genus Leptofierasfer gen. nov. Type Leptofierasfer macrurus sp. nov. Body extremely slender, compressed; the tail long, filamentous; head short, strongly compressed ; gill-membranes separate ; a prominent spinous filament inserted at nape. 713. Leptofierasfer macrurus sp. nov. (Plate XCIX, fig. i.) Type No. 82685, U. S. N. M. ; length 95 mm. ; Chame Point, Panama. Head 21 to 27 in total length; depth of head 30 to 38. Body very slender, compressed, with a long, slender, filamentous tail; head deeper than rest of body, strongly compressed; snout blunt, projecting slightly beyond the mouth, 3 to 4.7 in head; eye well developed, as long as snout ; mouth oblique ; maxillary reaching slightly beyond middle of eye, 1.8 to 2.2 in head; gill-membranes apparently separate and free from the isthmus; branchiostegals 5 or 6; a long slender filament, longer than the head, on nape, inserted slightly behind 1 If UJ - THE MBBAKV Of IHE UKiVEUsiir ur ILLINOIS SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 965 vertical from base of pectorals, preceded by a median groove ; vent at throat; exact origin of dorsal indistinct, beginning at a point about twice the length of head from occiput ; anal fin beginning a little behind tips of pectorals, a little higher and more distinct than the dorsal, the fins becoming indistinct on the long filamentous -caudal ; pectoral fins close behind gill-openings, not much longer than the snout. Color of preserved specimens uniform pale. There are 4 specimens of this species at hand, ranging from 85 to no mm. in length, collected by Mr. Robert Tweedlie at Chame Point, and they appear to represent a new genus and species. The body is much more slender than it is in the other forms of the family, the head is short and more strongly compressed, teeth appear to be wanting in the jaws and on vomer, the tail is filamentous and there is a long filament present at the nape. The filament at the nape is easily broken, and it is lost from 3 of our specimens, only the base remaining. Family LXXXV. Brotulid*. Body elongate, compressed, regularly tapering posteriorly; tail usu- ally not isocercal; vent submedian; gill-openings very large, the mem- branes mostly free from the isthmus ; scales small, more or less embedded ; vertical fins united or contiguous at base of caudal ; the origin of dorsal not far behind nape ; ventral fins small, few rayed, attached to humeral arch, somewhat in advance of pectorals. Most of the representatives of this family live in the deep sea. A few of the species have degen- erated into blind cave fishes and several are occasionally found along the sea shores. The Panama collection contains 2 genera and 3 species. KEY TO THE GENERA. . a. Caudal fin differentiated, on a distinct caudal peduncle. Ogilbia, p. 965. aa. Caudal fin confluent with the dorsal and anal, no distinct caudal peduncle. Pseudobythites gen. nov., p. 968. 272. Genus Ogilbia Jordan & Evermann. Ogilbia Jordan & Evermann, in Evermann & Kendall, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., XVII, 1897 (1898), 132 (type Ogilbia cayorum Evermann & Kendall). Body moderately elongate ; opercle with a single flat spine ; preopercle unarmed; no barbels or cilia present; teeth pointed, in bands on jaws, 966 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. vomer and palatines; scales small, embedded, covering body and sides of head ; caudal fin free from the dorsal and anal ; ventral fins inserted in advance of pectorals, composed of two slender filaments. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Scales very small, obscure, about no in lateral series; snout short, 4.4 to 5.5 in head. ' ventralis, p. 966. aa. Scales somewhat larger and more distinct, about 90 in lateral series ; snout longer, 4 in head. cayorum, p. 967. 714. Ogilbia ventralis (Gill). Brosinophycis ventralis Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1863, 253 (Cape San Lucas). Dinematichthys ventralis Jordan, Proc. Cal. Ac. Sci., 2nd Ser., V, 1895, 502, PI. LIV. Ogilbia ventralis Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2503, PI. CCCLV, fig. 872 ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 197 (Panama). Head 4.1 to 4.35 ; depth 5 to 5.65 ; D. 62 to 75 ; A. 48 to 60; scales about no. Body elongate, compressed ; head moderate ; snout blunt, 4.4 to 5.5 in head; eye small, 8.7 to 10.5; interorbital convex, 4.6 to 6.5; mouth rather large, terminal, nearly horizontal; maxillary reaching far beyond eye, 1.8 to 1.9 in head; tip of snout and tip of lower jaw with prominent dermal ridges ; teeth pointed, present on jaws, vomer and palatines ; opercle with a single flat spine, placed a little above level of eye; gill-rakers poorly developed, represented by 3 tubercles on the lower limb of first arch; scales very small, embedded, very difficult to enumerate, covering entire body and sides of head ; lateral line obsolete; dorsal fin long, continuous, its origin a little behind base of pectorals ; caudal fin entirely distinct from dorsal and anal, rounded; anal fin similar to dorsal but shorter, its origin equidistant from tip of snout and base of caudal; ventral fins composed of 2 slender rays, inserted close together under margin of preopercle ; pectoral fins rather short, rounded, 1.8 to 2 in head. Color in spirits plain brownish above, paler below ; dorsal and caudal brownish at base, the fins otherwise pale. The present collection contains 3 specimens, respectively 50, 50 and 61 mm. in length, taken on rocky bottom. Known from Mazatlan to Panama. Our specimens are from near Balboa. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 967 715. Ogilbia cayorum Evermann & Kendall. Ogilbia cayorum Evermann & Kendall, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., XVII, 1897 (1898), 133, PI. IX, fig. 14 (Key West, Fla.) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2503, PI. CCCLV, fig. 873; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, 405 (Toro Point). Head 4.6; depth 4.6; D. about 65; A. about 55; scales about 90. Body elongate, compressed; head moderate; snout rather blunt, 4 in head ; eye small, 9.2 ; interorbital convex, 4.3 ; mouth large, ter- minal, nearly horizontal; maxillary reaching far beyond eye, 1.7 in head; tip of snout and tip of mandible with dermal ridges; teeth pointed, in bands on jaws, vomer and palatines; opercle with a single flat spine, placed slightly above level of eye ; gill-rakers obsolete ; scales small, thin, embedded, very difficult to enumerate, covering entire body and sides of head ; lateral line obsolete ; dorsal fin long, continuous, its origin a little behind base of pectorals ; caudal fin entirely distinct from dorsal and anal, rounded; anal fin similar to dorsal, but shorter, its origin equidistant from snout and base of caudal ; ventral fins inserted close together, under margin of preopercle, consisting of two slender rays, reaching half the distance from their origin to vent ; pectoral fins rather broad, posterior margin round, 1.7 in head. Color in life brownish red above, pale red below ; region about mouth brick-red ; fins all bright red ; the vertical fins with pale red margins. We have a single specimen, 62 mm. long, from the Atlantic coast of Panama, which we refer to this species. The prominent dermal folds and ridges on the tip of snout and mandible on the specimen at hand are not mentioned in the original description nor shown in the drawing of the type. We, however, have examined the type and find them present, but not quite as prominent. We have compared our specimen with 3 specimens of O. ventralis from the Pacific coast, contained in the present collection, and we find that they are very similar. Our material is too meager to establish definitely the relation- ship, but it seems probable that the scales of the Atlantic specimen are a little larger, and the snout and maxillary a little longer. Since the scales cannot be definitely seen or enumerated, this character must not be too strongly relied upon. A study of more specimens is neces- sary to determine the affinities. Known only from Key West and Panama. Our specimen is from Toro Point. 968 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. 273. Genus Pseudobythites gen. nov. Type Pseudobythites sanguineus sp. nov. This genus is close to Neobythites Goode & Bean, from which it, however, differs in having both the opercle and preopercle unarmed. The eye is very small; the snout and mandible are covered with short dermal flaps ; both lips have prominent vertical folds which form slight papillae along the edges of the mouth; and the ventral fins are very close together, consisting of 2 rays each and inserted at the isthmus, almost on the humeral symphysis. The body is elongate, compressed ; teeth small, in bands on jaws, vomer and palatines ; gill-membranes separate, free from the isthmus; scales small, present on head and body; vertical fins confluent. 716. Pseudobythites sanguineus sp. nov. (Plate XCIX, fig. 2.) Type No. 81793, U. S. N. M.; length 60 mm.; Toro Point, Canal Zone. Head 4.6; depth 5.5; D. about 84; A. about 64; scales about 135. Body elongate, compressed, tapering posteriorly; head moderate, not much deeper than broad; snout rather blunt, 4.8 in head; eye very small, lateral, 6.7; interorbital broad, convex, 3-4; mouth rather large, horizontal ; maxillary reaching far beyond eye, broad posteriorly, 2 in head ; snout and lower jaw with short dermal flaps ; lips with prominent folds, forming slight papillae along edges of mouth; teeth all small, in bands on jaws, vomer and palatines; opercle and pre- opercle unarmed ; gill-rakers poorly developed, 3 on lower limb of first arch; scales very small, present on head and body; lateral line present only on anterior half of body; dorsal fin long, continuous, its origin over base of pectorals ; caudal fin pointed, confluent with the dorsal and anal; ventral fins very close together, each with 2 rays, inserted at isthmus, nearly on the humeral symphysis ; pectoral fins normal, rounded, scales on base, 1.7 in head. Color in life dark red; the vertical fins somewhat darker than the body. Color in spirits brown; the vertical fins very dark at base; ventrals and pectorals pale brown. A specimen, 60 mm. in length, taken on a coral reef at Toro Point, Canal Zone, is the type and only specimen secured of the new genus and species here described. Family LXXXVI. Bregmacerotidae. Body stout, with robust caudal portion; vent before middle of body; suborbital moderate; no barbels, spines nor cirri on head; SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 969 mouth terminal ; teeth minute, present on jaws and vomer ; no pseudo- branchiae ; gill-openings wide, the membranes free from the isthmus ; dorsal fins 2, the first consisting of an elongate, slender occipital ray ; the second dorsal depressed medially, forming 2 lobes; caudal fin truncate or convex; anal fin similar to soft dorsal; dorsal and anal depressible in a groove of scales. A single genus of this family is known. 274. Genus Bregmaceros Thompson. Bregmaceros (Cantor, MS.) Thompson, Mag. Nat. Hist., New Ser., IV, 1840, 184 (type Bregmaceros mcclellandi Thompson). Calloptilum Richardson, in Hinds, Zool. Voy. Sulphur, Ichth., 1845, 94 (type Calloptilum mirum Richardson). Asthenurus Tickell, Journ. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, XXXIV, 1865, 32 (type Asthenurus atripinnis Tickell). The characters of this genus are included in the family description. 717. Bregmaceros mcclellandi Thompson. Bregmaceros mcclellandi (Cantor, MS.) Thompson, Mag. Nat. Hist., New Ser., IV, 1840, 184 (mouth of the Ganges) ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 197. Calloptilum mirum Richardson, in Hinds, Zool. Voy. Sulphur, Ichth., 1845, 95> PL XLVI, figs. 4-7- Bregmaceros macclellandii Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 368; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2526. Asthenurus atripinnis Tickell, Journ. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, XXXIV, 1865, 32, with PI. (Bay of Bengal). Bregmaceros bathymaster Jordan & Bollman, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1889, 173 (Albatross Station 2804, Panama Bay, 47 fathoms). Head 5.2; depth 6.6; D. about I, iS-X-15; A. about 18, X, 22; scales 58 to 64. Body moderately elongate, compressed, the back not elevated; head short, small, moderately compressed; no serratures or spines; snout blunt, a little shorter than eye ; eye 3 in head ; interorbital ridged, about as broad as eye ; mouth very oblique, the jaws subequal ; maxil- lary reaching beyond middle of eye, 2.2 in head; teeth in both jaws close-set, moderate, recurved, apparently in a single series; gill-mem- branes separate, free from the isthmus; no barbels; scales rather large, caducous; vent slightly behind anterior third of total length; dorsal beginning with a single long slender spine on occiput, nearly 970 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. l/3 longer than head, then with rudimentary rays not rising above the sheath for a distance equal to the longest spine ; the dorsal proper origin- ating over vent, the anterior rays moderately elevated, these followed by shorter and more slender rays, becoming too small to count, the rays again becoming conspicuous just before the caudal and about y-2. as high as the anterior rays ; anal opposite dorsal and similar to it; caudal free from dorsal and anal; ventral fins jugular, with 4 rays, 3 of them long, reaching about middle of anal fin, the fourth ray short ; pectorals inserted high, somewhat shorter than head. Color brown above; sides and below silvery; back and base of anal closely dotted with dusky; dorsal mostly dusky; caudal pale, dusky at base, with a narrow white cross-bar; lower fins pale. This widely distributed species was not seen by us. The above description is compiled from published accounts. Recorded from various parts of the tropical Pacific. The Panama record is based on specimens dredged by the Albatross at Station 2804. Family LXXXVIL Pleuronectidae. THE FLOUNDERS. Body much compressed, deep, and elliptical in shape; head twisted, both eyes on one side in the adult ; premaxillaries protractile ; gill-arches 4 in number ; pseudobranchise present ; air bladder wanting ; vent close to head; scales various, usually small; lateral line rarely absent, extending on caudal fin ; dorsal fin composed of soft rays only, beginning on head and extending nearly to caudal; anal fin similar but shorter; caudal fin sometimes continuous with dorsal and anal ; ventrals variously placed, one sometimes wanting; pectoral fins rarely absent, placed high. The flounders are oviparous, the eggs being small and numerous. Many of the species are of much economic value. Several species on the Pacific coast of Panama are frequently seen in the market, but the Atlantic species of that vicinity rarely reach a size great enough to make them of commercial value. KEY TO THE GENERA. a. Ventral fins symmetrical, or at least both lateral, neither situated on abdominal ridge; lateral line arched anteriorly. b. Gill-rakers short and broad, with strong teeth; the ventral fin on eyed side produced. Pseudorhombus, p. 971. bb. Gill-rakers rather long and slender ; the ventral fin on eyed side not notably produced. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 971 c. Origin of dorsal above pupil of upper eye. Hippoglossina, p. 973. cc. Origin of dorsal in advance of upper eye. Paralichthys, p. 974. aa. Ventral fins unsymmetrical, the one of eyed side inserted on abdominal ridge; lateral line either straight or arched. d. Lateral line anteriorly with a prominent arch. e. Interorbital very narrow, the ridges coalesced, and armed with a strong retrorse spine. Engyophrys, p. 975. ee. Interorbital broad, concave, the ridges separate and not armed with a spine. Platophrys, p. 977. dd. Lateral line straight or nearly so, never with a prominent arch anteriorly. f. Mouth rather large, the maxillary equal to or greater than one-third the length of head. g. Teeth in upper jaw biserial; gill-rakers short and rather thick; scales strongly ctenoid on eyed side, cycloid on blind side. Syacium, p. 980. gg. Teeth in upper jaw uniserial. h. Gill-rakers of moderate length, slender; scales thin, more or less deciduous, weakly ctenoid. Citharichthys, p. 985. hh. Gill-rakers very short and thick; scales firm, not deciduous, i. Scales ctenoid on eyed side, smooth on blind side. Azevia, p. 990. ii. Scales cycloid on both sides. Cyclopsetta, p 991. ff. Mouth very small, the maxillary less than one-third the length of head ; teeth small, none on eyed side in upper jaw. Etropus, p. 992. 275. Genus Pseudorhombus Bleeker. Pseudorhombus Bleeker, Versl. Ak. Amsterdam, XIII, 1862, 426 (type Rhombus polyspilos Bleeker). Ancylo\psetta Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1864, 224 (type Ancy- lopsetta quadrocellatus Gill). Ramularia Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2633 (type Ancylopsetta dendritica Gilbert). Body with eyes and color on left side, deep, ovate, the depth greater than half the length; caudal peduncle short; mouth rather large; teeth in the jaws in one series, enlarged anteriorly; scales strongly ctenoid on both sides of the body; lateral line with a strong arch anteriorly; gill-rakers short and broad, with strong teeth ; both ventral fins lateral, the left one produced. 972 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. 718. Pseudorhombus dendritica (Gilbert). Ancylopsetta dendritica Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1890, 121 (Gulf of California) ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 199, PI. XXXIII, fig. 62. Ramularia dendritica Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2633. Hippoglossina sabanensis Boulenger, Boll. Mus. Zool. Anat. Torino., XIV, No. 346, 1899, 4 (Rio Sabana, Panama). Head 3.6 to 3.85; depth 1.75 to 1.9; D. 76 to 82; A. 59 to 64; scales 99 to 104. Body very broad; the dorsal and ventral outlines about evenly curved, both strongly convex, a slight depression over upper eye; head rather short ; snout blunt, with a blunt spine on colored side, 5.9 to 6.3 in head; eye 5.1 to 5.3; interorbital scaly, nearly equal to half the vertical diameter of eye; mouth rather large, very oblique; maxillary reaching posterior margin of pupil, 2.55 to 2.85 in head; teeth in single series, pointed, directed inward and becoming gradu- ally larger toward front of jaws; gill-rakers short, as broad as long, with strong teeth, 6 on lower limb of first arch; scales small, strongly ctenoid on both sides, extending on all of the vertical fins; lateral line anteriorly with a strong arch, the curved portion about equal to length of head to preopercular margin; origin of dorsal over anterior margin of pupil, the outline of the fin evenly and gently convex to posterior rays, the rays then becoming rapidly shortened, forming a slight angle; caudal fin evenly rounded; anal fin similar to dorsal, its origin at vertical from opercular margin; ventral fins well developed, the one on colored side very long and narrow, varying greatly among specimens, equal to or notably longer than head in specimens at hand ; pectoral fins moderate, the one on colored side slightly the longer, 1.4 to 1.55 in head. Color grayish brown, with 3 large black spots, larger than eye, with yellow centers, usually surrounded by a distinct yellowish ring; the posterior spot located on the lateral line in advance of the caudal peduncle ; the two anterior ones situated under the middle of the dorsal about midway between the dorsal and ventral outlines, respectively; distal portions of the vertical fins and the ventral fin on colored side darker than body. This species is represented in the present collection by 9 speci- mens, ranging in length from 190 to 275 mm. It is occasionally seen in the Panama City market and it is of some commercial value. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 973 Known from the Gulf of California to Panama Bay. Our speci- mens are from the Panama City market. 276. Genus Hippoglossina Steindachner. Hippoglossina Steindachner, (Sitzb. k. Ak. Wiss. Wien, LXXIV) Ichth. Beitr., V, 1876, 13 (type Hippoglossina macrops Steindachner). Eyes and cblor indifferently on the left or right side ; mouth rather large, greater than a third of the length of head ; teeth small, uniserial ; interorbital narrow; gill-rakers rather long and slender; lateral line anteriorly with a strong arch; scales ctenoid; origin of dorsal above pupil; ventral fins both lateral; anal spine obsolete. A single species comes within the scope of the present work. 719. Hippoglossina bollmani Gilbert. Hippoglossina macrons Jordan & Bollman, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1889, 175 (not of Steindachner). Hippoglossina bollmani Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1890, 122 (Al- batross Station 2805, Panama Bay, 51^2 fathoms) ; Jordan & Ev- ermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2621; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 197. Body regularly elongate, elliptical, the ventral and dorsal curves nearly equal; head 3.75 to 3.8 in length; snout 5 in head; eyes large, the lower slightly in advance of the upper, 3.66 to 4 in head; inter- orbital space a narrow, sharp, naked ridge; mouth rather large; the maxillary reaching about to middle of pupil, 2.33 to 2.6 in head ; teeth equally developed on both sides, small and equal, uniserial; gill-rakers moderately long and slender, the longest 3 in length of ventral of eyed side, 8 or 9 developed on lower limb of first arch, the last 2 much shorter; scales small, firm, strongly ctenoid, those below pec- toral much reduced, about 40 in a cross series; arch of lateral line strongly marked, 2.66 to 2.8 in straight part; dorsal beginning over middle of pupil of upper eye, its anterior rays low, its longest rays 2.57 in head ; a strong antrorse spine before anal ; pectoral of eyed side 2 in head, that of blind side 2.5 to 2.66 in head; caudal acute, its peduncle long; ventrals subequal, each 6 rayed, 4 in head, extending more than y2 their length beyond vent, each lateral, but that of eyed side nearest ridge of abdomen, and a little beyond its fellow; last ray of ventral joined to abdomen alongside of anal spine. Color grayish brown; a row of 6 round, bluish spots, smaller than pupil, along base of dorsal; 4 similar spots along base of anal, and a 974 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. few indistinct smaller ones on rest of body and head; body with 6 large black spots somewhat smaller than eye, these regularly 4 below dorsal and 2 above anal, the first one below dorsal above arch of lateral line, the second above anterior third of straight part, the third at base of last rays and almost forming a cross-bar with the first at base of anal rays; dorsal, anal, and caudal dusky, with small whitish spots; a pale spot at base of last 4 dorsal and anal rays ; a small black spot at base of outer caudal rays on peduncle; pectorals and ventrals dusky, but not spotted ; right side immaculate. Known only from Panama Bay, where specimens were dredged by the Albatross at Station 2805, at a depth of 51^ fathoms. The species was not seen by us. The above description is compiled from pub- lished accounts. 277. Genus Paralichthys Girard. Paralichthys Giraxd., (House of Repr. Ex. Doc. No. 91) Kept. Expl. & Surv. Miss. R. to Pac. O., X, Pt. IV, 1858, 146 (type Pleuronectes maculosus Girard). Uropsetta Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1862, 330 (type Hippoglos- sus calif ornicus Ay res). Chcsnopsetta Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1864, 218 (type Platessa ocellaris DeKay). Body oblong; eyes and color normally on left side; mouth large, oblique; jaws with a single row of sharp teeth; no teeth on vomer or palatines; gill-rakers rather long; lateral line simple, with a strong curve anteriorly; scales small, cycloid or ctenoid; dorsal fin beginning before eye, its anterior rays not produced; caudal fin double concave, or double truncate; no anal spine; both ventral fins lateral. A single species of this large genus is included in the Panama collection. 720. Paralichthys woolmani Jordan & Williams. Paralichthys adspersus Jordan & Bollman, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1889, 182 (not of Steindachner). Paralichthys woolmani Jordan & 'Williams, in Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1897, 457 (Panama Bay) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2628. Paralichthys sinaloce Jordan & Abbott, in Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2872 (Mazatlan). Paralichthys woolmanni Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 197 (Panama Bay). SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 975 Head 3.2 to 3.8; depth 2 to 2.3; D. 71 to 78; A. 54 to 58; scales 102 to no. Body rather elongate; anterior profile concave in front of eye; head moderate; snout rather short, 4.15 to 4.6 in head; eye 4.25 to 6.4; interorbital increasing in width with age, 14 to 38 in head; mouth large, oblique, the lower jaw slightly projecting; maxillary broad, reaching vertical from posterior margin of lower eye, 2 to 2.2 in head; teeth on jaws strong, pointed, largest anteriorly; preopercular margin free and distinct; gill-rakers strong, at least half as long as eye, 12 or 13 on lower limb of first arch; scales cycloid, small an- teriorly, becoming larger posteriorly; origin of dorsal over anterior margin of upper eye; caudal fin forming an obtuse angle, the median rays longest ; origin of anal under base of pectorals ; ventral fins mod- erate, reaching beyond origin of anal; pectoral fins moderate, 1.85 to 2.1 in head. Color in alcohol brownish, spotted with rather large, round, black spots extending on the fins ; two more or less distinct rows of spots on dorsal and anal and 3 rows on caudal ; in addition to the large black spots small dark specks present on the body and all the fins. The color markings are much more distinct on the small specimen than they are on the larger ones. The species undoubtedly has color protection highly developed, as the specimens when taken very closely resembled the bottom, both in shade and pattern, on which they were caught. An ex- cellent opportunity for making observation relative to protective colora- tion was found at Taboga Island, where the species is common and inhabits the shallow shore water. We have at hand 16 specimens, ranging in length from 47 to 305 mm. The species is rather common at Panama and it is of some com- mercial value. Known from Lower California to Callao, Peru. Our specimens are from Chame Point, Taboga Island, and the Panama City market. 278. Genus Engyophrys Jordan & Bollman. Engyophrys Jordan & Bollman, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1889, 176 (type Engyophrys sancti-laurentii Jordan & Bollman). Body ovate, very strongly compressed ; mouth rather small, notably less than one-third the length of head; teeth small, subequal, none on vomer; eyes and color on left side; interorbital space very narrow and armed with a strong retrorse spine; gill-rakers very small, obso- lete ; scales moderate and some of them weakly ctenoid on eyed side ; 976 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. lateral line with a strong arch anteriorly; no anal spine; the left ven- tral on ridge of abdomen. A single species is known. 721. Engyophrys sancti-laurentii Jordan & Bollman. Engyophrys sancti-laurentii Jordan & Bollman, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1889, 176 (Albatross Stations 2795 an<^ 2&°5> Panama Bay, 33 to 51^ fathoms) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2668; Carman, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXIV, 1899, 222 (Panama Bay) ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 199. Head 3.45 to 3.8; depth 1.8 to 1.95; D. 85 to 88; A. 66 to 70; scales 65 to 70. Body ovate, strongly compressed ; dorsal and ventral outlines about evenly curved; head short; snout blunt, 6.2 to 7.1 in head; eye 3.65 to 4.1 ; interorbital very narrow, the ridges coalesced, but forking above pupil of lower eye, the lower ridge with a strong retrorse spine above anterior margin of lower eye; mouth small, strongly oblique; maxil- lary reaching anterior margin of eye, 4.1 to 4.3 in head; teeth in the jaws present only on blind side, small, close-set, directed inward; gill-rakers very short, about 5 or 6 on lower limb of first arch ; scales rather small, thin, cycloid on blind side, some weakly ctenoid on eyed side; lateral line with a strong arch anteriorly, the arched portion slightly longer than snout and eye; origin of dorsal slightly in ad- vance of anterior margin of upper eye, the fin convex, somewhat angu- late, the last rays arising at base of caudal rays; caudal fin strongly rounded ; anal fin similar to the dorsal, its origin under margin of opercle ; ventral fins well developed, of about equal length, the left one on ventral ridge; pectoral fins equal, 1.7 to 1.8 in head. "Color of left or eyed side blackish-brown, with scattered white and black spots, the latter most prominent along base of dorsal and anal fin. Three large black, non-ocellated blotches on straight part of lateral line, the first at beginning, second at middle, third on peduncle. Fins dusky ; dorsal and anal with scattered white and black spots ; cau- dal with five black spots arranged in a curved series. Blind side with five or six curved parallel dusky bands as wide as eye, the first beginning on interopercle and curving across cheek to along base of dorsal ; sec- ond beginning at throat and curving along posterior margin of pre- opercle, and extending on back, parallel with the first from vent ; third curving around in front of pectorals, across posterior part of opercle, and extending to base of dorsal fin behind the middle ; rest behind pec- torals. All of these bands fade out behind middle of body, so that the SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 977 posterior portion is immaculate. In young examples these bands are very faint or obsolete." (Jordan & Bollman.) This species was not taken by us. The above description (exclu- sive of color) is based on faded alcoholic specimens from the National Museum collection. Recorded from Panama Bay only, where it was taken by the Al- batross in 33 and 51.5 fathoms. 279. Genus Platophrys Swainson. Platophrys Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 302 (type Pleuronectes ocellatus Agassiz). Peloria Cocco, Intor. Alcun. Pesci Messina, 1844, 21 (type Peloria heckeli Cocco). Rhomboidichthys Bleeker, Act. Soc. Sci. Indo-Neerl., I, 1856, 67 (type Rhomb oidichthys myriaster Bleeker). Body ovate, strongly compressed; mouth of the large type but comparatively small, the maxillary one-third or less in head; teeth small, subequal, in i or 2 series; no teeth on vomer or palatines; eyes and color on the left side ; interorbital space broad, concave, broadest in adult males; scales small, ctenoid; lateral line with a strong arch in front; origin of dorsal in advance of eye, none of its rays pro- duced ; caudal fin convex ; ventral fin of the colored side on ridge of abdomen; pectoral fin of the left side usually produced in the adult, at least in the male ; color usually variegated. This genus is represented by 2 species in the Panama collection. A third species, from rather deep water, although not seen by us, is included. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Dorsal and anal fins long, D. 88 to 96; A. 68 to 74; scales 85 to 92 ; mouth rather large, maxillary 2.6 to 3.3 in head ; eye with a dermal tentacle above. maculiferus, p. 977. aa. Dorsal and anal fins slightly shorter, D. 89 ; A. 65 ; scales 75 ; mouth rather large, maxillary 3 in head. constellatus. p, 978. aaa. Dorsal and anal fins rather short, D. 78 to 82; A. 56 to 63; scales 65 to 74; mouth rather small, maxillary 3.3 to 3.6 in head ; eye without a dermal tentacle. ocellatus, p. 979. 722. Platophrys maculiferus (Poey). Pleuronectes maculiferus Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 316 (Cienfuegos). Rhomboidichthys maculiferus Poey, Syn. Pise. Cub., 1868, 408. 978 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Platophrys maculifer Jordan & Goss, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XIV, 1886 (1889), 267; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2664. Head 3.33 to 3.8; depth 1.7 to 1.85; D. 88 to 96; A. 68 to 74; scales 85 to 92. Body deep, ovate ; the dorsal profile anteriorly nearly evenly con- vex, with only a trace of an indentation above and in front of lower eye; head short, deep; snout very short, 3.6 to 4.2 in head; eye with a dermal tentacle above, 3.8 to 4.5 ; interorbital broad, deeply con- cave, 4.35 to 6.75 in head; mouth moderate, oblique; maxillary reach- ing nearly opposite middle of lower eye in adult, not quite as far back in young, 2.6 to 3.3 in head ; teeth in jaws rather small, pointed, in a single series; gill-rakers short, rather blunt, 7 or 8 on the lower limb of first arch; scales rather small, ctenoid on the colored side, cycloid on the blind side; lateral line with a prominent arch anteri- orly, the length of arch nearly ^ of the straight portion; origin of the dorsal in advance of lower eye, none of the rays produced ; caudal fin rounded, well separated from the dorsal and anal; anal fin similar to the dorsal; ventral fins well developed, the one of the colored side on ridge of abdomen; pectoral fins moderate in the young, 1.3 to 1.5 in the head, greatly produced in the adult male, reaching nearly to caudal peduncle. Color of preserved specimens brownish, with darker blotches and with round pale spots (blue in life) ; 3 large black blotches on the lateral line, one large one at the beginning of the straight portion, a smaller but better defined spot on middle of lateral line and a small vague one further back ; fins somewhat paler in color than the body, with indefinite dark spots and specks ; the vertical fins with a few pale spots. This species is represented in the present collection by 9 specimens, ranging in length from 50 to 175 mm. It apparently is a rather rare species. This fish appears previously to have been recorded only from Cuba. Our specimens are from Colon and Porto Bello. 723. Platophrys constellatus Jordan. Platophrys constellatus Jordan, in Jordan & Goss, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XIV, 1886 (1889), 266 (James Island, Galapagos Archi- pelago) ; Jordan & Bollman, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1889, 183 (Panama Bay) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2663; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 199. "Head 4; depth i^ ; eye 3^3 in head; interorbital width 3. D. 89; SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 979 A. 65 ; scales 75. Body elliptic-ovate, the outlines more regular than in P. lunatus; anterior profile of head convex before the interorbital area, the very short snout scarcely forming a reentrant angle at its base; anal rays without spinules at their base; mouth small, the max- illary 3 in head; no spines about the snout; pectoral short; curve of lateral line 6 times in straight part. Color dark brown, with numer- ous stellate white spots, the most distinct of them with darker edg- ings ; these generally scattered over the body, but some of them on sides of body are gathered together in little rings (perhaps these spots are blue rather than white in life) ; fins mottled with dark brown, the pectoral finely barred." The above description is copied from Jordan & Evermann (1898). It is based on specimens the largest of which was about 90 mm. long. The species was not seen by us. Known from the Galapagos Archipelago and from specimens from Panama Bay dredged by the Albatross at Stations 2795, 2796, 2797, at a depth of 33 fathoms. 724. Platophrys ocellatus (Agassiz). Rhombus ocellatus Agassiz, in Spix, Pise. Brasil., 1831, 85, PI. XLVI (Brazil). Platophrys ocellatus Swainson, Nat. Hist. & Class. Fish., II, 1839, 302 ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2663, PI. CCCLXXXII, fig. 939. Rhombus bahianus Castelnau, Anim. Nouv. Rares Amer. Sud, 1855, 78, PI. XLI, fig. i (Bahia). Rhomb oidichthys ocellatus Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 433- Platophrys nebularis Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1884, 31 & 143 (Key West). Head 3.9 to 4; depth 1.7 ; D. 78 to 82 ; A. 56 to 63 ; scales 65 to 74. Body ovate, the anterior profile steep, noticeably concave over and in front of lower eye; head short; snout slightly projecting, 4 to 4.8 in head; eye without a dermal tentacle, 3 in head; interorbital space deeply concave, 4.8 to 7.5 in head; mouth small, very oblique, the lower lip entering into the profile of the head ; maxillary reaching vertical from anterior margin of lower eye, 3.3 to 3.6 in head; teeth in the jaws pointed, in a single series ; gill-rakers very short, blunt, about 7 rudiments on lower limb of first arch; scales rather small, ctenoid on the colored side, cycloid on the blind side ; lateral line with a steep arch anteriorly, the arch about % the length of the straight 980 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. part; origin of the dorsal fin over anterior nostril, none of the rays produced; caudal fin strongly convex; anal fin similar to the dorsal; ventral fin moderate, the one on the colored side on the ridge of the abdomen separated from the anal only by a narrow interspace; pec- toral fins of the opposite sides about equally developed, about 1.2 in head. Color in alcohol brownish, with many paler areas surrounded by dark rings; an indefinite dark spot at the beginning of the straight part of the lateral line, another and a somewhat larger one on the middle of the straight part of the lateral line and a third and smaller one on the lateral line under the posterior rays of the dorsal fin; the fins paler than the body, with many small dark specks. The above description is based on 3 small specimens, respectively 53, 58, and 60 mm. in length. We refer these specimens somewhat doubtfully to this species, with which they appear to agree fairly well, ex- cept in dentition. P. ocellatus is described as having two series of teeth in the upper jaw, while our specimens appear to have only a single series. This small species is of no commercial value, as it reaches a length of only about 75 mm. Known from Long Island, New York, to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Our specimens are from Porto Bello. 280. Genus Syacium Ranzani. Syacium Ranzani, Novi Comment. Ac. Sci. Inst. Bonon., V, 1842, 20 (type Syacium micrurum Ranzani). Hemirhombus Bleeker, Versl. Ak. Amsterdam, XIII, 1862, 425 (type Hemirhombus guineensis Bleeker). Aramaca Jordan & Goss, in Jordan, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XIII, 1885 (1887), 921 (type Hemirhombus pcetulus Jordan & Gilbert). Body elliptical, much compressed; interorbital space variable, the orbital ridges not coalesced, often broader in the male than in the female; mouth moderate, the gape curved; teeth in the upper jaw biserial, in the lower jaw uniserial, the front teeth somewhat enlarged ; vomer toothless ; gill-rakers short and rather thick ; scales strongly ctenoid on colored side, cycloid on blind side; lateral line without an arch; pectoral fins both present, the one on colored side sometimes filamentous; ventral fins short, the left one on ventral ridge; no anal spine. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 981 KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Interorbital space narrower than pupil. b. Scales rather small, 60 to 68; gill-rakers 7 on lower limb of first arch; body with ring-like ocelli. micrurum,p.gSi. bb. Scales larger, 57; gill-rakers 8 on lower limb of first arch; body usually without ring-like ocelli. ovale, p. 982. aa. Interorbital broad, equal to or broader than eye ; scales rather large, 50 to 57. c. Interorbital space broader than longest diameter of eye in male, but about equal to vertical diameter of eye in female; D. 82 ; pectoral fin of colored side barred. papillosum, p. 983. cc. Interorbital space very broad, much broader than eye; D. 89; pectoral fin of colored side not barred. latifrons, p. 984. 725. Syacium micrurum Ranzani. Syacium micrurum Ranzani, Novi Comment. Ac. Sci. Inst. Bonon., V, 1842, 20, PL 5 (Brazil) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2672. Hippoglossus ocellatus Poey, Memorias, II, 1861, 314 (Cuba). Hemlrhombus aramaca Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 422 (Cuba; Jamaica). Citharichthys (zthalion Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 52 (Ha- vana). Head 3.6 to 4 ; depth 2.25 to 2.45 ; D. 86 to 91 ; A. 65 to 69 ; scales 60 to 68. Body elliptical, the dorsal and ventral outlines about equally arched ; anterior profile with an abrupt indentation in advance of upper orbit, thence rather gently convex; head rather small; snout short, 4.3 to 4.75 in head; eye 3.45 to 4.4; interorbital space narrow, the ridges not coalesced, narrower than pupil even in our largest specimen (148 mm.); mouth moderate, oblique, the lower jaw included; maxillary reaching to or slightly past middle of lower eye, 2.55 to 2.7 in head ; teeth in upper jaw biserial, the outer series anteriorly somewhat en- larged ; pseudobranchise moderate ; gill-rakers shorter than pupil, 7 on lower limb of first arch; scales in rather regular series, ctenoid on colored side, cycloid on opposite side; lateral line nearly straight, without an arch ; dorsal and anal fins about evenly elevated, coterminal, origin of dorsal a little in advance of upper eye; caudal fin slightly double concave, the median rays the longest; ventral fins moderate, 982 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. the left one on ventral ridge; pectoral fin of colored side rather long, the upper ray slightly filamentous in our largest specimen, 1.35 to 1.6 in head, the fin of blind side from 2/z to £4 the length of its fellow. Color brownish, with many irregular dark blotches and some round black spots, surrounded by a grayish ring and then a black ring; a large black blotch on lateral line under end of pectoral, another smaller one on base of caudal peduncle; fins with many small dark spots and specks ; the pectoral fin of colored side usually barred with black. This species is represented by 33 specimens, ranging in length from 90 to 175 mm. Known from Key West, Florida, to Rio de Janeiro and Natal, Brazil. Our specimens are from Colon and Porto Bello. 726. Syacium ovale (Giinther). Hemirhombus ovalis Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1864, 154 (Panama). Citharichthys ovalis Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1885, 391. Syacium ovale Jordan & Goss, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XIV, 1886 (1889), 271; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2674; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 199 (Panama). Head 3.7 to 4.1 ; depth 2.1 to 2.4; D. 80 to 88; A. 63 to 66; scales 54 to 57. Body elliptical, the dorsal and ventral outlines about evenly arched ; the anterior profile with a sharp depression in front of upper orbit, thence rather gently convex; head rather small; snout short, 4.7 to 5.7 in head; eye 4.3 to 4.85; interorbital very narrow, the ridges not quite coalesced, very narrow in young, about as broad as pupil in adult (specimen 185 mm. long) ; mouth rather large, oblique, the lower jaw included; maxillary rather narrow, scaled, reaching a little be- yond middle of lower eye, 2.4 to 2.6 in head; teeth in upper jaw bi- serial, the outer ones anteriorly somewhat enlarged; the lower third of vertical margin of preopercle free, the rest adnate and scaled over; pseudobranchias large; gill-rakers shorter than pupil, 7 or 8 on lower limb of first arch; scales moderate, in rather regular series, ctenoid on colored side, cycloid on blind side; lateral line without arch; dorsal and anal about equal in height, coterminal, leaving a short caudal peduncle; origin of dorsal a little in advance of Upper orbit; caudal fin slightly double concave, the median rays longest; SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 983 ventral fins moderate, the left one on ventral ridge ; pectoral fin of colored side moderate, none of the rays filamentous, 1.4 to 1.6 in head ; pectoral of blind side % to ^4 the length of its fellow. Color brownish, with indefinite dark spots and blotches ; the smaller individuals with a dark area on lateral line under end of pectoral fin and a smaller dark blotch on lateral line opposite last rays of dorsal and anal; the fins with small dark spots. Our largest specimen is uniformly brown, with dark spots present only on the vertical fins. We have at hand 7 specimens of this species, ranging in length from no to 185 mm. None of the specimens show any tendency to an increased width of the interorbital with age, beyond such variation as is usual and normal in fishes. Neither do our specimens have any of the rays of the pectoral fins perceptibly produced, hence there is no indication that this form intergrades with the closely allied 5. latifrons. Known from Mazatlan and Panama. Five specimens were seined at Naos Island and one was purchased in the Panama City market. The species apparently is not abundant. 727. Syacium papillosum (Linnaeus). Pleuronectes papillosus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 271 (Brazil). Pleuronectes aramaca Donndorf, Beitr. zur Ausgabe des Linn. Natur- syst, III, 1798, 386. Rhombus aramaca Cuvier, Regne Animal, Ed. II, II, 1829, 341. Rhombus sole&formis Agassiz, in Spix, Pise. Brasil., 1831, 86, PI. XLVII (Atlantic Ocean). Hippoglossus intermedius Ranzani, Novi Comment. Ac. Sci. Inst. Bonon., IV, 1840, 14, PI. IV (Brazil). Hemirhombus soleoeformis Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 423- Hemirhombus patulus Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882, 304 (Pensacola). Citharichthys aramaca Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XVI, 1882 (1883), 816. Citharichthys patulus Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XVI, 1882 (1883), 964. Aramaca papillosa Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 602. Aramaca soleceformis Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 602. 984 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Syacium papillosum Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2671, PI. CCCLXXXIII, fig. 941. Head 2.66 ; depth 2.33 ; D. 82 ; A. 63 to 70 ; scales 50 to 57. This species does not occur in the Panama collection. It appears to differ from 5. micrurum in having a much broader interorbital space which is greater than the long diameter of the eye in the male but about equal to the vertical diameter of the eye in the female ; the scales are probably slightly larger and the ring-like spots or ocelli are wanting. The blind side is said to be wholly or partly dusky, espe- cially in northern specimens. Known from Charleston, S. C., to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 728. Syacium latif rons (Jordan & Gilbert) . Citharichthys latifrons Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., I, 1881 (1882), 334 (Panama). Syacium latifrons Jordan & Goss, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XIV, 1886 (1889), 271 Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2673; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 199. Head 3.9; depth 2.15; D. 89; A. 66; scales 57. Body elliptical, the dorsal and ventral outlines about evenly arched ; anterior profile concave in front of upper eye, strongly convex above eye; head rather short and deep; snout short, 4.7 in head; eye rather large, 4.7 in head; interorbital broader than the longest diameter of eye, concave, 4.27 in head; mouth moderate, very oblique, the lower jaw included; maxillary rather narrow, scaled, reaching middle of lower orbit, 2.7 in head; teeth in the upper jaw biserial, the anterior teeth of the outer series somewhat enlarged; the lower third of ver- tical limb of preopercular margin free, the rest adnate and scaled over; pseudobranchiae large; gill-rakers about half as long as pupil, 8 on lower limb of first arch; scales moderate, rather irregularly placed, strongly ctenoid on colored side, cycloid on blind side ; lateral line without arch; dorsal and anal fins of about equal height, coter- minal ; origin of dorsal at vertical from anterior margin of lower orbit ; caudal fin slightly double concave, the median rays longest; ventral fins moderate, the left one on the ventral ridge; pectoral on colored side well developed, the upper two rays filamentous, the upper one nearly half the length of body without caudal fin, the fin, without fila- ments, 1.35 in head; pectoral on the blind side without filaments, a little less than half the length of head. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OP PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 985 Color in spirits brownish, with darker blotches, blind side wholly pale ; dorsal, caudal and anal with dark spots ; pectoral fin of colored side with 3 dark bars. The color is described by Jordan & Gilbert in the original description, as follows : "Head and body light brown, with grayish and light bluish dots, some darker areas and a few round brown spots ocellated with lighter. Interorbital space with a vertical brown bar bordered by lighter. Fins similarly marked, the dorsal and anal with a dark blotch on each eighth or tenth ray, the pectoral sometimes with one or more brownish bars." The present collection contains a single specimen, 220 mm. long, which we refer to this species. Many of the color markings men- tioned in the description of the "types" are not visible in our large preserved specimen. The species differs from S. ovale principally in the very broad interorbital and the long filamentous pectoral rays. Previously known only from the "types" from Panama. Our specimen was purchased in the Panama City market. It apparently is a rare species. 281. Genus Citharichthys Bleeker. Citharichthys Bleeker, Versl. Ak. Amsterdam, XIII, 1862, 427 (type Citharichthys cayennensis Bleeker). Body oblong ; color and eyes on the left side ; mouth large, the max- illary reaching well beyond anterior margin of eye; teeth in the jaws small, sharp, none on vomer and palatines ; gill-rakers moderate, slender ; scales thin, slightly deciduous, weakly ctenoid ; lateral line nearly straight; origin of dorsal in advance of eyes; ventral of colored side on ridge of abdomen; no anal spine; none of the fins produced; vertebrae 30 to 40. This genus is represented by 4 species* in the Panama fauna. They are all small flounders and of little commercial importance. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Eye large, about 3.75 in head, interorbital space broad, nearly equal to half the diameter of the large eye; gill-rakers very short and slender, less than diameter of pupil, 9 on lower limb of first arch. platophrys, p. 986. aa. Eye small, about 4.5 to 9 in head; interorbital space narrow, never much broader than pupil; gill-rakers longer, as long as or longer than pupil, n to 14 on lower limb of first arch. *Since these pages were prepared, a fifth species, C. arenaceus Evermann & Marsh, has been recorded from Colon by Fowler (Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1916, p. 405, and 1917, p. 136). 986 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. b. Dorsal and anal fins long, the dorsal with 78 to 86 rays, the anal with 58 to 65 rays; eye small, about 7 to 9 in head in speci- mens 160 mm. in length. c. - Scales rather large, 44 to 46 in lateral series ; gill-rakers rather numerous, 13 or 14 on lower limb of first arch, gilberti, p. 987. cc. Scales slightly smaller, 47 to 51 in lateral series; gill-rakers fewer, n or 12 on lower limb of first arch. spilopterus, p. 988. bb. Dorsal and anal fins shorter, the dorsal with 74 rays, the anal with 54; eye larger, about 5.5 in head in specimens 160 mm. long; gill-rakers longest near the angle on lower limb of first arch, 13 in number ; scales 48. evermanni sp. nov., p. 989. 729. Citharichthys platophrys Gilbert. Citliarichthys platophrys Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1890, 454 (Albatross Station 2799, Panama Bay, 29^ fathoms) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2683; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 200. "Head 3; depth 2. D. 78; A. 62; scales 43. Body ovate; caudal fin subsessile, the free portion of caudal peduncle about l/2 as long as diameter of pupil, its depth J/§ length of head. Mouth very oblique; maxillary 2^/2 in head, reaching vertical from middle of lower eye. Teeth slender, close set, in a single series in each jaw, those in front of upper jaw largest, but not canine-like. Eyes large, the lower much in advance of the upper, their horizontal diameter 3^4 in head. Interorbital space very wide for the genus, concave, divided by an oblique ridge running backward from middle of upper orbit; inter- orbital width 8^4 m head, nearly y^ as wide as eye. Distance from tip of snout to front of lower eye 2/z diameter of eye, from tip of snout to upper eye Y$ head. Gillrakers short and very slender, less than diameter of pupil, 9 present on horizontal limb of outer arch. Scales large, those on blind side weakly ctenoid. Dorsal beginning behind nostril on blind side of snout, its longest ray 2^ in head; pectoral of eyed side long and narrow, 4 in length, containing n rays, that of blind side but YZ its length; ventrals short; caudal rounded, 1^5 in head. Color in spirits, uniform light brownish (olivaceous in life), without distinctive marks; fins somewhat dusky; ventral of eyed side jet black, that of blind side blackish on distal portion of inner rays." This species was not seen by us. The above description is copied from Jordan & Evermann. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 987 Known from a single specimen taken in Panama Bay at Albatross Station 2799, in 29^ fathoms. 730. Citharichthys gilberti Jenkins & Evermann. Citharichthys spilopterus Giinther, Trans. Zool. Soc. London, VI, 1869, 471, PI. LXXX, fig. 2 (not of Giinther, 1862) ; Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. IJ. S. Fish Comm., II, 1882 (1883), 108 & in (not of Giinther) . Citharichthys gilberti Jenkins & Evermann, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1888, 157 (Guaymas, Mexico) ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 200 (Panama Bay). Citharichthys sumichrasti Jordan & Goss, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XIV, 1886 (1889), 276 (Rio Zanatenco, Chiapas). Head 3.6 to 3.85; depth 1.95 to 2.2; D. 81 to 86; A. 61 to 65; scales 44 to 46. Body elongate, the dorsal profile not especially strongly convex; head moderate ; snout not much longer than eye, 4.2 to 4.8 in head ; eye moderate, 4.4 to 5.8 ; interorbital narrow, the orbital ridges coalesced, the space about equal to pupil ; mouth very oblique ; maxillary nearly or quite reaching vertical from posterior margin of eye, 2.25 to 2.7 in head ; teeth in the jaws in a single series, the anterior ones somewhat enlarged ; gill-rakers rather long and slender, the longest ones on middle of lower limb, 13 or 14 below angle on the first arch; scales rather large, thin, not very firm, finely ctenoid; lateral line slightly decurved; origin of dorsal over anterior nostril, the outline of fin without a definite angle; caudal fin strongly and evenly convex; origin of anal under base of pectorals, similar to the dorsal ; ventral fins well developed, the left one on edge of abdomen; pectoral fins nearly symmetrical, the one on the colored side apparently slightly the larger, 1.95 to 2.3 in head. Color in alcohol brownish, with indefinite dark blotches; the fins lighter brown than the body, with indefinite dark markings. This species is represented by about 55 specimens, ranging in length from 70 to 260 mm. It is rather common, often occurring on very muddy bottom, and ascending streams to brackish water. It is of little commercial importance, because of the small size attained. We also have 2 larval specimens, respectively 25 to 40 mm. in length, which we doubtfully refer to this species. These young still have the eyes on opposite sides, although the cranium has started to twist, placing the right eye somewhat higher than the left. The lateral line on the larger specimen is partly developed, showing that it is not of the arched type ; scales are undeveloped ; gill-rakers are present, and not 988 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. much shorter than the eye; the anterior rays of the dorsal fin are fila- mentous, reaching nearly to base of caudal in the larger specimen, somewhat shorter in the smaller one ; the left ventral is situated on the ventral ridge and is fully half the length of body, the right ventral is not much longer than the snout; the pectoral fins are short and equally developed. The left side has some dusky spots which form 5 indefi- nite cross-bars ; there are dusky rings on the dorsal and anal fins. These color markings are all more distinct on the larger specimen. This form may be distinguished from C. spilopterus by the larger scales, somewhat longer and more numerous gill-rakers and by the slightly larger eye. The last character is most noticeable when speci- mens of like size are compared. Known from the Gulf of Lower California to Peru. Our specimens are from Chame Point, Balboa, Corozal, Panama and Juan Diaz. 731. Citharichthys spilopterus Giinther. Citharichthys spilopterus Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 421 (New Orleans; St. Domingo; Jamaica) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2685. Citharichthys guatemalensis Bleeker, Versl. Ak. Amsterdam, XV, 1863, 452 (Guatemala). Hemirhombus fuscus Poey, Syn. Pise. Cub., 1868, 406 (Havana). Head 3.05 to 4.1 ; depth 2.05 to 3; D. 78 to 84; A. 58 to 63; scales 47 to 51. Body moderately elongate, the dorsal profile anteriorly scarcely more convex than the ventral; head comparatively small; snout not much longer than eye, 4.45 to 6.5 in head; eye 5 to 9.4; interorbital narrow, the orbital ridges coalesced, the space scarcely as broad as pupil ; mouth large, very oblique, the jaws curved; maxillary reaching vertical from posterior margin of lower eye, 2.4 to 3.05 in head ; teeth in the jaws in a single series, the anterior cnes enlarged ; gill-rakers short and rather slender, the longest ones on middle of lower limb of arch, none of them longer than pupil, n or 12 on lower limb of first arch; scales moderate, thin, not very firm, finely ctenoid (not cycloid as stated in current descriptions) ; lateral line without arch, slightly decurved ; origin of dorsal over anterior nostril, the fin without angle; caudal fin evenly rounded; origin of the anal fin under base of pectorals, similar to the dorsal; ventral fins well developed, the left one on the ridge of the abdomen ; pectoral fins nearly symmetrical, the one on the colored side apparently usually slightly the longer, 1.7 to 2.15 in head. THE OF nH SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 989 Color in alcohol brownish, with indefinite dark spots of various sizes and variously distributed ; the fins light brown, with small dark specks and spots. This species is very common on the Atlantic coast of Panama and it is usually found on muddy bottom. It ascends streams to brackish water. Numerous specimens, ranging in length from 27 to 170 mm., were preserved. It does not reach a large enough size to be of much commercial importance. Known from the warmer parts of the American shore and neigh- boring islands from New Jersey to Brazil. Our specimens are from Toro Point, Mindi, Colon and Porto Bello. 732. Citharichthys evermanni sp. nov. (Plate C.) Type No. 81045, U. S. N. M. ; length 162 mm. ; Porto Bello, Panama. Head 3.65; depth 1.9; D. 74; A. 54; scales 48. Body less elongate than in related species, the dorsal profile strongly convex at nape, much more strongly convex than the ventral outline; head rather short; snout not much longer than eye, 4.5 in head; eye rather large, 5.7; interorbital ridges coalesced, the space broader than pupil ; mouth large, very oblique ; maxillary reaching vertical from pos- terior margin of pupil, 2.25 in head ; teeth in the jaws in a single series, the anterior ones somewhat enlarged; gill-rakers rather slender, those at angle of arch quite as long as those on median portion of lower limb, 13 below angle; scales thin, not very firm, weakly ctenoid; lateral line very slightly decurved ; origin of dorsal over anterior nostril, the outline of fin convex, without angles ; caudal fin evenly rounded ; origin of anal fin slightly behind vertical from base of pectorals, similar to the dorsal ; ventral fins well developed, the left one on edge of abdomen ; pectoral fins moderate and about of equal size, 2 in head. Color in alcohol uniform dark brown, nearly black; the fins some- what lighter brown, with indistinct pale specks. A single specimen, 162 mm. in length, was taken, which apparently is the type of a new species. It is close to C. spilopterus, but there are several small differences noticeable, viz., the dorsal profile anteriorly is much more strongly convex, making the body deeper at the nape; the dorsal and anal fins are shorter; the eye larger; the maxillary longer; the interorbital broader; the gill-rakers are apparently slightly more numerous and longer near the angle of the arch ; and the color in alcohol is more uniform and much darker. Our specimen, the type, was taken at Porto Bello. 990 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. 282. Genus Azevia Jordan. Azevia Jordan, in Jordan & Goss, Kept. U. S. Fish Comm., XIV, 1886 (1889), 271 (type Citharichthys panamensis Steindachner). Body elliptical, compressed ; interorbital very narrow, the ridges coalesced ; mouth large, oblique ; teeth on both jaws, uniserial, none on vomer or palatines ; gill-rakers very short and thick, tubercle-like ; lateral line without arch ; scales firm, ctenoid on colored side, smooth on blind side ; none of the fins especially modified or with elongate rays ; ven- trals free from the anal, the left one on ventral ridge; color normally on the left side. A single species of this genus is known. 733. Azevia panamensis (Steindachner). Citharichthys panamensis Steindachner, (Sitzb. k. Ak. Wiss. Wien, LXXII) Ichth. Beitr., Ill, 1875, 62 (Panama) ; Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., II, 1882 (1883), 108 & in (Panama). Azevia panamensis Jordan & Goss, Kept. U. S. Fish Comm., XIV, 1886 (1889), 272 (Panama) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2677, PI. CCCLXXXIV, fig. 942 (Mazatlan) ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 200 (Panama). Head 3.7 to 4 ; depth 2.25 to 2.35 ; D. 90 to 99 ; A. 68 to 78 ; scales 76 to 91. Body quite elongate, elliptical; anterior profile evenly convex; head rather short and deep ; snout short, 4 to 4.35 in head ; eye 4.6 to 4.9 ; inter- orbital very narrow, the ridges coalesced, 25 to 34 in head ; mouth large, oblique; the upper jaw slightly projecting; maxillary reaching pos- terior margin of lower eye, 2 to 2.1 in head; teeth on anterior part of jaw rather strong, pointed; gill-rakers very short, not longer than broad, tubercular, surmounted with denticles, 8 to 10 on lower limb of first arch ; scales moderate, the median portion of each scale on colored side strongly ctenoid, the scales on the blind side perfectly smooth; origin of dorsal slightly in advance of anterior nostril, none of the rays very high; caudal fin ending in an obtuse angle, the outer rays not notably longer than some of the intermediate ones; origin of anal at vertical from base of pectoral ; ventral fins rather small, reaching beyond origin of anal, the left one on median line of ventral ridge; pectoral fin on colored side rather long and pointed, 1.65 to 1.85 in head, its fellow much shorter and bluntly rounded. Color of preserved specimens brownish, with indefinite darker blotches, most distinct on the fins. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 991 The species is not uncommon and is occasionally seen in the Panama City market. We preserved 8 specimens, ranging in length from 225 to 295 mm. Known from Lower California to Panama. Our specimens were purchased in the Panama City market. 283. Genus Cyclopsetta Gill. Cyclopsetta Gill, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1888, 601 (type Hemirhombus fimbriatus Goode & Bean). This genus appears to differ from Azevia only in having smooth scales on the colored side as well as on the blind side. 734. Cyclopsetta querna (Jordan & Bollman). Azevia querna Jordan & Bollman, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1889, 174 (Albatross Stations 2800 and 2802, Panama Bay, 7 to 16 fathoms). Cyclopsetta querna Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2675 ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 200. Head 3.55 to 3.75; depth 1.75 to 2.35; D. 87 to 93; A. 69 to 73; scales 92 to 101. Body elongate, elliptical; anterior profile nearly straight over the eyes, rather strongly convex at nape ; head rather short and deep ; snout short, 4.5 to 5.2 in head; eye 5 to 7.1 ; interorbital wider than pupil in adult (230 mm. and upward in length), the ridges coalesced, 12 to 18 in head; mouth large, the lower jaw included; maxillary reaching well beyond eye, 1.8 to 1.9 in head; teeth in jaws uniserial, a few of the anterior ones in upper jaw enlarged, those in sides of jaws rather small, about equally developed on both sides, the teeth in the lower jaw fewer but stronger than those in the upper; gill-rakers short and blunt, pro- vided with sharp denticles, 8 or 9 on the lower limb of first arch; scales rather small, cycloid on both sides; origin of dorsal in front of eye, over anterior nostril, none of the rays produced; caudal fin very slightly double truncate, the median rays longest; origin of anal slightly behind vertical from base of pectorals coterminal with the dor- sal, leaving a short caudal peduncle ; ventral fins moderate, about equally developed, the left one on ventral ridge; pectoral fins moderate, the left one a little the larger, 1.7 to 2 in head. Color in alcohol uniform brownish; fins of about the same color as the body. This species is frequently seen in the Panama City market and it is of some value as food. We preserved n specimens, ranging in length from 205 to 310 mm. One of our specimens has no pectoral fin on 992 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. the blind side, not even a rudiment being visible, but, in as much as we are unable to detect any other differences, we regard it as an abnormal specimen. Known only from the coast of Panama. Our specimens are from the Panama City market. 284. Genus Etropus Jordan & Gilbert. Etropus Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1881, 364 (type Etropus crossotus Jordan & Gilbert). Body oval ; eyes and color on left side ; head small ; eyes small, sepa- rated by a narrow ridge ; mouth very small ; teeth small, none on colored side in upper jaws; vomerine teeth wanting; scales thin, ctenoid on left side, smooth on right side ; lateral line simple, nearly straight ; origin of dorsal over upper orbit; anal without spine; left ventral on ridge of abdomen. This genus differs from Citharichthys only in the smaller size of the mouth and the weaker dentition. 735. Etropus crossotus Jordan & Gilbert. Etropus crossotus Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1881, 364 (Mazatlan) ; Jordan & Goss, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XIV, 1886 (1889), 278; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2689, PI. CCCLXXXVI, fig. 946; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 200 (Panama). Etropus microstomus Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 29 (not Citharichthys microstomus Gill). Head 4.25 to 4.9; depth 1.9 to 2.4; D. 78 to 83; A. 57 to 66; scales 43 to 49. Body oval, strongly compressed, the ventral and dorsal curves nearly equal, the dorsal profile from snout to nape only slightly convex; head very small; snout short, rather pointed, 5.5 to 6.4 in head; eye 3.65 to 4.5; interorbital space very narrow, the ridges coalesced, narrower than pupil, even in adult ; mouth small, very oblique ; maxillary reaching a little past anterior margin of lower orbit, 3.5 to 4.5 in head; teeth small, in a single series, wanting on colored side in upper jaw ; gill-rakers shorter than pupil, 7 to 9 on lower limb of first arch; scales rather large, ctenoid on colored side, smooth on blind side; lateral line nearly straight ; origin of dorsal over anterior margin of upper orbit, the dorsal and anal fins about equally elevated and coterminal ; caudal fin rounded ; ventral fins rather small, the left one on ventral ridge; pectoral fin of left side a little larger than the right one, 1.4 to 1.8 in head. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 993 Color brownish, with many irregular dark markings on body and fins, and usually with a well defined black spot at base of caudal. In a series of 45 the caudal spot is wanting on 5 specimens, and on others it is snrall and indistinct. The Panama collection contains 73 specimens, ranging in length from 30 to 105 mm. We have 2 larval specimens, respectively 14 and 15 mm. long, which we refer to this species. These juveniles still have the eyes on the opposite sides, although the right one is nearing the dorsal ridge. The mouth is small ; the lateral line and scales are undevel- oped; and the anterior rays of the dorsal fin are somewhat produced. The left ventral is very large; the rays of the vertical fins are well developed, but those of the pectoral fins are not distinguishable. We have a single specimen, 80 mm. long, from the Atlantic coast of Panama which is somewhat broader and has a more strongly convex dorsal profile than specimens of the same size from the Pacific coast. We have also examined specimens from South Carolina and Florida and these differences appear to be constant, but they are evident only when specimens of like size are compared. Our Atlantic specimen has practically the same color markings as those from the Pacific, but the dark markings are smaller and less distinct. Were it not for the fact that Jordan & Evermann state that they examined specimens from several localities from both coasts and that the variations with respect to form, color and squamation, which were noticed, intergrade, we should regard the specimen from the Atlantic as a distinct species. Known from the Pacific coast from Lower California to Panama and on the Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Our Pacific coast specimens are from Chame Point and Balboa and the Atlantic specimen is from Colon. This is a small species, which is of no commercial value, as it rarely reaches a length of 150 mm. Family LXXXVIII. Soleidze. THE SOLES. Body oblong or elongate ; mouth small, much twisted toward the eyed side ; teeth very small or obsolete ; eyes small, very close together, with or without a bony ridge between them ; preopercle adnate, concealed by skin and scales ; gill-openings narrow, the membranes adnate to the shoulder girdle above ; ventral fins small, one or both wanting ; pectoral fins small, one or both wanting. The soles are mostly rather small fishes and they are numerous in the warm seas. Those species that reach a sufficient size are used for food in Panama. 994 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. KEY TO THE GENERA. a. Body short, ovate; eyes and color on the right side; eyes separated by a distinct bony ridge. b. Gill-openings moderate, confluent below; vertical fins well separated. Achirus, p. 994. bb. Gill-openings reduced to small slits below angle of opercle, separate, not confluent; caudal fin more or less confluent with the dorsal and anal. Apionichthys, p. 1003. aa. Body elongate, more or less lanceolate; eyes and color on the left side; eyes very close together, not separated by a distinct bony ridge ; vertical fins confluent ; only one ventral fin present ; pectoral fins wanting. Symphurus, p. 1004. 285. Genus Achirus Lacepede. Achirus Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 1803, 658 (type Pleuronectes achirus Linnaeus). Trinectes Rafinesque, Atlan. Journ. & Friend of Knowl., I, 1832, 20 (type Pleuronectes mollis Mitchill). Grammichthys Kaup, Archiv. Naturg., XXIV, 1858, 94 (type Achirus lincatus Linnaeus). Monochirus Kaup, Archiv. Naturg., XXIV, 1858, 94 (type Monochirus tnaculipinnis Kaup; not of Rafinesque, 1814). Baiostoma Bean, in Goode & Bean, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882, 413 (type Baiostoma brachialis Bean). Body oval, bluntly rounded anteriorly; head small; eyes small, separated by a bony ridge; mouth small, somewhat turned toward the colored side; gill-openings narrow, not confluent below; teeth minute or wanting; color and eyes on the right side; scales very strongly ctenoid, similar on both sides; lateral line simple, nearly straight; origin of dorsal over snout; anal spine wanting; caudal fin free, the peduncle very short; ventral fins both present, the one of colored side often nearly continuous with the anal; pectoral fin of blind side wanting, the one on eyed side small or obsolete. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Pectoral fin on right, or eyed, side present, often rudimentary (occasionally wanting in fonsecensis according to Gilbert & Starks). b. Body with 13 to 20 pale vertical bars, these sometimes wavy and occasionally ramifying so as to form a network; no hair- SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 995 like tentacles on the scales on body; D. 53 to 59; A. 42 to 44; scales 85. scutum, p. 995. bb. Body never with pale bars, plain uniform brown or with black vertical bars or lines, or with dark spots and blotches. c. Color dark brown; head and body with n to 13 distinct black cross-bars, at least as broad as pupil and extending on the vertical fins; the vertical fins paler than body and prominently spotted with black ; no hair-like tentacles on scales on body ; D. 58 to 60 ; A. 43 to 46 ; scales 74 to 76. fonsecensis, p. 996. cc. Color either plain brown or the head and body with very narrow dark vertical lines, never with prominent black bars; the fins not notably paler than body, with or without dark spots. d. Color nearly uniform brown, sometimes with indications of dark blotches and with faint dark vertical lines; scales on colored side with black hair-like tentacles; D. 59 to 63; A. 46 to 48; scales 79 to 81. klunzingeri, p. 997. dd. Color brownish, sometimes with dark blotches and usually with 6 to 8 dark vertical lines ; scales on colored side with black hair-like tentacles ; D. 50 to 57 ; A. 38 to 44. e. Dorsal rays 50 to 55 ; anal rays 38 to 42 ; pectoral rays 4 to 6. lineatus, p. 998. ee. Dorsal rays 55 to 57; anal rays 41 to 44; pectoral rays i to 4. mazatlanus, p. 1000. aa. Pectoral fins entirely wanting. f. Body with distinct white spots; scales on body with pale tentacles; D. 49; A. 35. fimbriatus, p. 1001. ff. Body never with white spots; with or without dark spots and very narrow vertical lines; scales on body without tentacles; P. 53 to 57 ; A. 40 to 43. g. Scales moderate, 72 to 78 oblique series above lateral line. fasciatus, p. 1001. gg. Scales very small, 90 to 98 oblique series above lateral lines. fluviatilis sp. nov., p. 1002. 736. Achirus scutum (Giinther). Solea scutum Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 474 (Gulf of Fonseca; Panama). Achirus scutum Jordan and Goss, Kept. U. S. Fish Comm., XIV, 1886 (1889), 314; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2700 ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 202. 996 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Head 3.33 to 3.6; depth 1.35 to 1.45; D. 53 to 59; A. 42 to 44; scales 85. Body ovate; head short and deep; snout round, 3.45 to 3.95 in head; eyes about evenly advanced (in one of our specimens they are even, in another the upper is a little in advance of the lower and in a third specimen the lower eye is slightly in advance of the upper), 5.35 to 6.35 in head; interorbital nearly as broad as vertical diameter of eye in large specimens, proportionately narrower in young, 10 to 13 in head; mouth rather small; maxillary reaching anterior margin of pupil, 2.75 to 3 in head ; lower lip of eyed side fringed; posterior nostril ending in a broad tube on upper lip; head and body with strongly ctenoid scales, those on upper margin of head somewhat enlarged, blind side of head with very short fleshy tentacles ; lateral line nearly straight, prominent on both sides ; origin of dorsal over tip of snout, the posterior rays rapidly decreasing in length; caudal fin strongly convex; anal fin similar to the dorsal ; ventral fins both present, the one on eyed side scarcely separate from the anal ; pectoral fin completely wanting on the blind side, rudimentary on the eyed side, consisting of 3 or 4 rays, the longest ray notably shorter than eye, 5.5 to 12 in head. Color very dark brown, with pale vertical bars varying in number from 13 to 20; the bars often pursuing a wavy course, and becoming forked or coalesced with an adjacent bar or so wavy and broken up as to form a net-work ; these bars extending on the vertical fins and becom- ing especially distinct on the caudal which may be simply barred or with wavy lines or spotted. Only 3 specimens were preserved, respectively 129, 138 and 170 mm. in length. This is a well marked species which is occasionally seen in the fish markets. Known from the Gulf of Fonseca to Panama Bay. Our specimens are from Panama. 737. Achirus fonsecensis (Giinther). Solea fonsecensis Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 475 (Gulf of Fonseca). Solea panamensis Steindachner, (Sitzb. k. Ak. Wiss. Wien, LXXIV) Ichth. Beitr., V, 1876, 10, PI. II (Panama). Solea fischeri Steindachner, Denkschr. Ak. Wiss. Wien, XLI, 1879, 161, PL II, fig. 8 (Rio Mamoni, Panama). Achirus fonsecensis Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2699; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 997 20 1 (Panama Bay) ; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 162 (Panama). Achirus panamensis Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2702. Achirus fischeri Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2699. Head 3.5 to 3.9; depth 1.7 to 1.95; D. 58 to 60; A. 43 to 46; scales 74 to 76. Body ovate; head short; snout round, 3.15 to 3.55 in head; eye rather small, the upper slightly in advance of the lower, 7.35 to 9 in head ; interorbital scaly, nearly as broad as vertical diameter of eye, 12 to 1 8 in head ; mouth moderate ; maxillary reaching at least to anterior margin of pupil, 2.6 to 2.8 in head ; the lower lip on eyed side fringed ; posterior nostril ending in a broad tube on edge of upper lip ; head and body with strongly ctenoid scales, those on upper part of head somewhat enlarged ; blind side of head with long fleshy tentacles ; lateral line nearly straight, present on both sides; origin of dorsal over tip of snout, the posterior rays rapidly decreasing; caudal fin rounded ; anal fin similar to the dorsal ; ventral fins both well developed, the right one almost continuous with the anal; pectoral fin wholly wanting on the blind side, rudimentary on eyed side, consisting of I to 3 rays, notably shorter than eye, 10 to 18 in head. (According to Gilbert & Starks both fins occasionally are wanting, but this is not true of any of our specimens; as most of our specimens have I small ray, one has 2 and another has 3 rays.) Color very dark brown, with about u to 13 narrow black cross- bars on head and body, extending on dorsal and anal fins; the vertical fins paler than body and spotted with black. This fish is not uncommon on the Pacific coast of Panama. It is represented in the present collection by 10 specimens, ranging in length from 127 to 1 80 mm. One of our specimens was taken in the Rio Tuyra at the mouth of the Rio Yape, many miles distant from salt water. Known from Mazatlan to Panama Bay. Our specimens are from Panama City and the Rio Tuyra. 738. Achirus klunzingeri (Steindachner). Solea klunzingeri Steindachner, Denkschr. Ak. Wiss. Wien, XLII, 1880, 96, PI. IX, fig. 3 (Guayaquil). Achirus klunzingeri Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2697; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 200 998 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. (Panama Bay) ; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXXV, 1912, 162 (Panama). Head 3.3 to 3.6; depth 1.45 to 1.65 ; D. 59 to 63 ; A. 46 to 48; scales 79 to 81. Body ovate; head short; snout blunt, 3.4 to 3.6 in head; eye small, the upper one slightly in advance of the lower, 8.2 to n.8 in head; interorbital nearly as broad as eye, completely scaled, 10 to 13 in head ; mouth moderate; maxillary reaching nearly opposite middle of lower eye, 2.7 to 2.95 in head ; lower lip on eyed side fringed ; posterior nostril ending in a broad tube on upper lip; head and body with strongly ctenoid scales; lower two-thirds of opercle and preopercle and sub- opercle on blind side naked ; the scales on left side of head not imbricate and smooth; anterior part of head on blind side with short, fleshy tentacles; right side with patches of fine, black hair-like cilia; lateral line nearly straight, present on both sides ; origin of dorsal over snout ; caudal strongly convex ; anal similar to dorsal ; ventral fins well . developed, the right one nearly continuous with the anal; pectoral fin of blind side wholly wanting, the right one present, but varying greatly in size and in number of rays, our specimens having from 2 to 5 rays, the longest ray 4.1 to 8.9 in head. Color almost uniform brown, with indications of dark blotches ; a few specimens with very fine and faint dark cross-lines on body; the blind side entirely colorless in all specimens at hand ; one specimen with a large colorless triangle at the nape and a smaller one on abdomen ; the fins a little lighter in color than the body. This fish is not infrequently seen in the Panama City market and it is of limited commercial value. We have at hand 6 adult specimens, ranging in length from 206 to 225 mm. Known from Panama Bay to Guayaquil, Ecuador. Our specimens are from Panama. 739. Achirus lineatus (Linnaeus). (Plate CI, fig. i.) Pleuronectes lineatus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, 1758, 268 (Jamaica). Monochir maculipinnis Agassiz, in Spix, Pise. Brasil., 1831, 88, PI. XLIX (Brazil). Monochir lineatus Quoy & Gaimard, in Freycinet, Voy. Uranie et Physicienne, Zool., 1824, 238. Achirus lineatus Valenciennes, in D'Orbigny, Voy. Amer. Merid., Poiss., V, 1847, PI. XVI, fig. 2 ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2697, PI. CCCLXXXVI, fig. 947 ; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1917, 136 (Colon). FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY. ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV, PL. Cl. FIG. 1. ACHIRUS LINEATUS (Linnaeus). From a specimen 50 mm. in length. FlG. 2. ACHIRUS MAZATLANUS (Steinclachner). From a specimen 60 mm. in length. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 999 Solea maculipinnis Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 473. Baiostoma brachialis Bean, in Goode & Bean, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882, 413 (Appalachicola Bay and South Florida). Baostoma brachiale Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XVI, 1882 (1883), 965. Achirus comifer Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1884, 31 (Key West, Fla.). Achirus brachialis Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1884, 149. Achirus maculipinnis Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 602. Head 3.1 to 3.6; depth 1.5 to 2; D. 50 to 55; A. 38 to 42; scales 70 to 85. Body ovate; head short, deep; snout short, 3.15 to 4.3 in head; eye 4.75 to 9.5 ; interorbital narrow, varying greatly with age, nearly as broad as eye in a specimen 133 mm. long, not wider than pupil in specimens 20 mm. in length ; mouth small ; maxillary reaching to or a little beyond middle of lower eye, 2.6 to 3.5 in head ; the lips slightly fringed on eyed side ; nostril ending in a broad tube on edge of upper lip ; head and body with strongly ctenoid scales, the scales on upper margin of head enlarged and with strong teeth, some of the scales on colored side with black hair-like appendages ; lateral line nearly straight, present on both sides; origin of dorsal over tip of snout; caudal fin rounded ; anal fin similar to dorsal, its origin a little in advance of posterior margin of opercle; ventral fins present, symmet- rical; pectoral fin of eyed side present, consisting of 4 to 6 rays, the second or third ray from the top longest, varying greatly in length among specimens, 1.6 to 3.8 in head. Color brown, with considerable variation among specimens, some of them being much darker than others ; the darkest specimens uniform dark brown, the paler ones with dark spots on the body and fins and some of them also with about 6 very narrow, dark, vertical lines crossing the body; traces of dark vertical lines present on some of the darker specimens having no dark spots. This species is represented by 50 specimens, ranging in length from 20 to 185 mm. It is the most common sole on the Atlantic coast of Panama. This fish is not infrequently seen in the local fish markets and it has a small commercial value. Specimens exceeding 200 mm. in length are rare. Known from the Florida Keys, the West Indies and southward to Uruguay. Our specimens are from Mindi Cut, Colon and Porto Bello. iooo FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. 740. Achirus mazatlanus (Steindachner). (Plate CI, fig. 2.) Solea mazatlana Steindachner, (Sitzb. k. Ak. 'Wiss. Wien, LX) Ichth. Notizen, IX, 1869, 23 (Mazatlan). Solea pilosa Peters, Monatsb. k. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, 1869, 709 (Mazat- lan). Achirus mazatlanus Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1885, 391 ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2698; Kendall & Radcliffe, Memoir. Mus. Comp Zool., XXXV, 1912, 161 (Panama). Head 3.1 to 3.5; depth 1.6 to 1.9; D. 55 to 57; A. 41 to 44; scales 70 to 76. Body ovate ; head short ; snout round, 2.9 to 3.6 in head ; eye moderate, about evenly advanced, 4.4 to 6.25 in head; interorbital less than half the diameter of eye, II to 19 in head; mouth rather small ; maxillary reaching anterior margin of pupil, 2.6 to 3 in head ; lower lip on eyed side with short fringes ; posterior nostril ending in a. prominent tube on upper lip; scales strongly ctenoid, wanting on nearly the entire opercle, subopercle and preopercle on blind side in our largest specimen, but present in the smaller ones; the scales im- bricate and with very short fleshy tentacles on anterior part of head on blind side ; scales on the right side with clusters of fine, black, hair-like cilia, these much more numerous in some specimens than others ; lateral line nearly straight and prominent on both sides; origin of dorsal over snout ; caudal fin rounded ; anal fin similar to the dorsal ; ventral fins both well developed, the right one scarcely distinct from the anal ; pectoral fin wanting on blind side, rudimentary on eyed side, varying greatly among individuals, consisting of I to 4 rays. Color uniform brown, with about 8 fine, black cross-lines ; the lighter colored specimens with large black blotches on body and small dark spots on vertical fins. We refer 16 small specimens, ranging in length from 25 to 70 mm., to this species. All of our specimens are either from brackish or fresh water. This fish is very closely related to A. lineatus from the Atlantic, differing only in the somewhat longer dorsal and anal fins and in the more feebly developed pectoral fin. Much variation in color occurs in both species, but no constant differences are discern- able. Known from Lower California to Panama. Our specimens are from the Rio Chame, Rio Chorrera, Rio Grande, Rio Marte Arnade, and Rio Juan Diaz. FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY. ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV, PL. Cll. FIG. 1. ACHIRUS FIMBRIATUS (Giinther). From a specimen -o mm. in length. FIG. 2. ARCHIRUS FLUVIATILIS sp. nov. From the type 50 mm. in length. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 1001 741. Achirus fimbriatus (Giinther). (Plate CII, fig. i.) Solea fimbriata Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 477 (Gulf of Fonseca). Achirus fimbriatus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2700. Head 3.54; depth 1.5; D. 49; A. 35; scales 74. Body ovate; head short, deep; snout slightly overhanging mouth, forming a short hook, 3 in head; eye extremely small, the upper in advance of the lower, about 13 in head ; interorbital space fully equal to diameter of eye ; mouth small ; maxillary reaching under lower eye, 2.36 in head ; lower lip on eyed side fringed ; scales strongly ctenoid, enlarged on anterior part of head, wanting on lower two-thirds of opercle on blind side; scales on body and fins with many pale cirri, these most numerous on anterior part of blind side of head, but else- where more numerous on eyed side than blind side ; lateral line nearly straight, prominent on both sides ; origin of dorsal over tip of snout ; caudal fin rounded; anal fin similar to the dorsal; ventral fins well developed, the right one scarcely distinct from the anal; pectoral fins entirely wanting. Color dark brown, with round or elongate white spots, varying somewhat in size, scattered over the head and body and on the fins; caudal fin paler than the body, causing the white spots to become in- distinct; these spots more or less coalesced on the distal parts of the dorsal and anal fins, forming white streaks. A single specimen, 70 mm. long, which undoubtedly belongs to this little known species, was taken by Mr. Robert Tweedlie at Chame Point and it forms the basis for the above description. Our specimen is somewhat smaller than the type and only specimen heretofore recorded, but it does not vary greatly from the original description, except that the type is said to have no tentacles on the left side of the head which our specimen possesses, and no mention is made of the many tentacles elsewhere on the body. Previously known only from the Gulf of Fonseca, the range now being extended to Panama Bay. The specimen at hand is from Chame Point. 742. Achirus fasciatus Lacepede. Achirus fasciatus Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 1803, 659, 662 (Charleston, S. C.) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2700, PI. CCCLXXXVII, fig. 948. ioo2 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Pleuronectes mollis Mitchill, Trans. Lit. & Phil. Soc. N. Y. ; I, 1815, 388, PI. II, fig. 4 (New York). Pleuronectes apoda Mitchill, Amer. Monthly Mag., II, 1818, 244 (Straits of Bahama). Trinectes scabra Rafinesque, Atlan. Journ. & Friend of Knowl., I, 1832, 20 (Pennsylvania, in fresh water). Solea brownii Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 477 (New Orleans ; Texas) . Head 2.87 to 4; depth 1.7 to 1.95; D. 53 to 55; A. 40 to 42; scales 72 to 78. Body broad; head short and deep; snout very short, 3.4 to 5.7 in head; eye 8.3 to 10.5; interorbital about 10; mouth small; the maxil- lary reaching just past anterior margin of lower eye, 2.65 to 3.75 in head; lower lip on eyed side fringed; nostril ending in a broad tube on edge of upper lip; head and body with strongly ctenoid scales, those on upper margin of head enlarged and with prominent teeth, none of the scales with hair-like or filamentous appendages ; lateral line present on both sides; origin of dorsal over tip of snout, the fin about evenly convex; caudal fin round; anal fin similar to dorsal, its origin under vertical of opercular margin; ventral fins present, the right one scarcely separate from anal; pectoral fins wholly wanting. Color of young specimen, 30 mm. long, dark brownish, with a single dark vertical bar at shoulder and many dark spots on body and fins; adult, 165 mm. long, plain brown, with 12 black cross-lines on head and body. Two specimens, 30 and 165 mm. in length, occurring in the present collection, we refer to this species. One was taken in a muddy, fresh water creek and the other from strictly salt water along shore. Known from Massachusetts to Texas, the range now being ex- tended to Panama. Our specimens are from Mindi Creek and Toro Point, Canal Zone. 743. Achirus fluviatilis sp. nov. (Plate CII, fig. 2.) Type No. 81667, U. S. N. M.; length 50 mm.; Rio Juan Diaz, Panama. Head 3.25 to 3.4; depth 1.8 to 1.9; D. 53 to 57; A. 41 to 43; scales 90 to 98. Body ovate; head short and deep; snout round, 3.25 to 3.95 in head; eyes moderate, the upper one a little in advance of the lower, 4.4 to 5.4 in head; interorbital space about half the eye in specimens 50 mm. long; mouth rather small; maxillary reaching a little beyond SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 1003 anterior margin of eye, 2.5 to 2.85 in head; lower lip on eyed side with short fringes; scales on head and body, none of them having hair-like cilia; anterior margin of head with short tentacles; lateral line nearly straight, prominent on both sides ; origin of dorsal over snout; caudal rounded; anal similar to dorsal; ventral fins well de- veloped, the right one scarcely distinct from the anal; pectoral fins entirely wanting. Color brownish, head and body crossed by about 10 dark cross- lines, and with large dark blotches ; the fins with small dark spots, these most distinct on the caudal fin. This species is represented by 25 specimens, ranging in length from 25 to 50 mm. It is very closely related to A. fasciatus from the Atlantic, from which it appears to differ principally in the smaller scales. All of our specimens were taken in fresh water, from streams below the head of tide. Specimens were secured in the Rio Juan Diaz, Rio Chorrera, and in the rios Mamoni, Culebra and Calobre, tributaries of the Rio Bayano. 286. Genus Apionichthys Kaup. Apionichthys Kaup, Archiv. Naturg., XXIV, 1858, 104 (type Apionich- thys dumerili Kaup). Soleotalpa Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 489 (type Soleo- talpa unicolor Giinther). This genus differs from Achirus in having the gill-openings reduced to slight slits below angle of opercle; the left ventral is rudimentary, being composed of only 2 or 3 rays; the right ventral begins at the chin and is confluent with the anal; the pectoral fins are very small or wanting; and the caudal fin is more or less confluent with the dorsal and anal; small ctenoid scales are present and the lateral line is straight. 745. Apionichthys dumerili Kaup. Apionichthys dumerili Kaup, Archiv. Naturg., XXIV, 1858, 104 (no locality) ; Eleeker, Nederl. Tijdsch. Dierk., II, 1865, 307. Soleotalpa unicolor Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 489 (West Indies). Apionichthys nebulosus Peters, Monatsb. k. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, 1869, 709 (Surinam). Apionichthys unicolor Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2702. ioo4 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Head 4.5; depth 2.75; D. 76 to 78; A. 56 or 57; scales 92 to 100. Body very flat and thin ; snout bent downward, forming a hook overhanging the mouth; eyes very small, being mere points; inter- orbital rather broad; cleft of mouth curved; gill-openings reduced to small slits, the membrane being attached to the throat ; origin of dorsal over tip of snout, slightly connected with the caudal; caudal fin quite pointed; anal fin similar to the dorsal; left ventral fin rudimentary, consisting of 2 or 3 rays, the right ventral beginning at chin and continuous with the anal. Color brownish, mottled with dark spots, or freckled with dark brown specks. Recorded from the West Indies and the coast of Brazil. It is not yet recorded from Panama and was not seen by us. The above description is compiled from published accounts. 287. Genus Symphurus Rafinesque. Symphurus Rafinesque, Ind. d'ltt. Sicil., etc., 1810, 13, 52 (type Sym- phurus nigrescens Rafinesque). Plagusia Cuvier, Regne Animal, Ed. I, II, 1817, 224 (type Pleuronectes plagiusa Linnaeus; name preoccupied in Crustaceans, Latreille, 1806). Plagiusa Bonaparte, Icon. Fauna Ital., Pesce, III, 1837, fasc. 120 (type Pleuronectes plagiusa Linnaeus; substitute for Plagusia, preoccu- pied). Bibronia Cocco, Intor. Alcun. Pesci Messina, 1844, 15 (type Bibronia ligulata Cocco). Aphoristia Kaup, Archiv. Naturg., XXIV, 1858, 106 (type Achirus ornatus Lacepede). Glossichthys Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1861, Suppl., 51 (type Pleuronectes plagiusa Linnaeus). Ammofileurops Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., IV, 1862, 490 (type Plagusia lactea Bonaparte). Acedia Jordan, in Jordan & Goss, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XIV, 1886 (1889), 321 (type Aphoristia nebulosus Goode & Bean). Body quite elongate ; eyes and color on left side ; eyes small, very close together, without distinct interorbital ridge; mouth rather small, twisted toward the blind side ; teeth little developed, in villiform bands ; gill-openings rather small, the membranes joined together below and free from the isthmus; scales ctenoid; lateral line wanting; vertical SPET. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 1005 fins confluent ; only one ventral fin present, situated on ridge of abdo- men ; pectoral fins wanting, at least in adult. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. Body moderately elongate, depth 3.4 to 4; head 4.6 to 5.4; D. 86 to 92; A. 72 to 80; scales 88 to 92; body usually with dark cross-bars, often with dark lines along the rows of scales ; dorsal and anal fins usually black, at least posteriorly. plagusia, p. 1005. aa. Body very elongate, depth 3.7 to 4.4; head 4.9 to 5.6; D. 98 to 105; A. 83 to 86; scales 90 to 95; body usually with dark cross-bars and with a dark blotch on opercle, often with dark lines along the rows of scales; dorsal and anal fins usually black, at least posteriorly. elongatus, p. 1006. aaa. Body quite elongate, depth 3.7 to 4.2; head 4.3 to 4.6; D. 90 to 100; A. 70 to 79; scales 88 to 100; body with 3 or 4 broad black cross-bars, and distinct dark lines along the rows of scales; dorsal and anal fins black posteriorly. leei,p. 1007. aaaa. Body elongate, depth 3.3 to 3.5; head 4.7 to 5.1 ; D. 88 to 90; A. 74 to 76; scales 102 to 109; body with irregular dark bars and blotches, posteriorly with indications of grayish bars, no dark lines along the rows of scales ; dorsal and anal dusky posteriorly and with 3 or 4 prominent jet black spots. atramentatus •, p. 1008. aaaaa. Body rather deep, the depth 3.3 to 3.4; head 5.25 to 5.7; D. 84 to 97; A. 78 to 85 ; scales 106 to 114; body usually with black cross-bars and dark lines along the rows of scales ; dorsal and anal fins posteriorly black. atricaudus, p. 1009. 746. Symphurus plagusia (Bloch & Schneider). Pleuronectes plagusia Bloch & Schneider, Syst. Ichth., 1801, 162 (Jamaica). Achirus ornatus Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., IV, 1803, 659 (on a specimen "presented by Holland to France"). Plagusia tessellata Quoy & Gaimard, in Freycinet, Voy. Uranie et Physicienne, Zool., 1824, 240 (Rio de Janeiro). Plagusia brasiliensis Agassiz, in Spix, Pise. Brasil., 1829, 89, PI. L (Brazil). Aphoristia ornata Kaup, Archiv. Naturg., XXIV, 1858, 106. Aphoristia plagiusa Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1886, 53 (not of Linnaeus). ioo6 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Symphurus plagusia Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XL VII, 1898, 2709; Fowler, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1917, 136 (Colon). Head 4.6 to 5.4; depth 3.4 to 4; D. 86 to 92; A. 72 to 80; scales 88 to 92. Body quite elongate; head short, rounded anteriorly; snout 3.5 to 4; eyes rather small, very close together, the upper in advance of the lower, 7.2 to 10 in head; mouth moderate; maxillary reaching past middle of lower eye, 3.5 to 4 in head; scales covering entire body, reduced on head; origin of dorsal over eye; caudal fin pointed, con- fluent with the dorsal and anal; a single ventral fin present, situated on abdominal ridge, well separated from the anal, Consisting of 4 rays; pectoral fins wanting. Color dark brown to pale brown, usually with black cross-bars ; the paler specimens freckled with brown specks ; some specimens with indi- cations of dark lines along the rows of scales ; the vertical fins mostly black in the darker colored specimens, only slightly dusky in the lighter specimens. This species is not uncommon on the Atlantic coast of Panama where it occurs on muddy bottom. It is represented by 14 specimens, ranging in length from 50 to 95 mm. We have compared our specimens with examples from Port Tampa, Fla., which appear to have larger scales (72 to 78) and somewhat shorter dorsal (84 to 86) and anal (69 to 71) fins. The present species, therefore, is regarded here as distinct from S. plagiusa, although the examination and comparison of more specimens may reveal intermediate forms. This species as here understood ranges from the West Indies southward to the coast of Uruguay. Our specimens are from Colon and Porto Bello. 747. Symphurus elongatus (Giinther). Aphoristic, ornata var. elongata Giinther, Trans. Zool. Soc. London, VI, 1869, 473 (Panama). Aphoristia elongata Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., II, 1882 (1883), in (Panama). Symphurus elongatus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2707; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 203 (Panama Bay). Head 4.9 to 5.6; depth 3.7 to 4.4; D. 98 to 105; A. 83 to 86; scales 90 to 95. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 1007 Body very elongate; head rather short, rounded anteriorly; snout 4 to 6 in head; eyes very close together, without distinct interorbital ridge, the upper one a little in advance of the lower, 9 to 11.5 in head; mouth curved ; maxillary reaching under middle of lower eye, 3.4 to 3.6 in head ; scales ctenoid, covering entire body, reduced on anterior part of head; origin of dorsal over eye; caudal fin pointed, confluent with the dorsal and anal ; only one ventral present, situated on ridge of abdomen, well separated from the anal, consisting of 4 or 5 rays; pectoral fins wanting. Color brown, sometimes more or less mottled, and usually with black cross-bars ; one of our specimens plain brown, with no indication of dark bars or other markings, except a dark blotch on lower part of opercle; usually with an indication of dark lines along the rows of scales; vertical fins mostly black in the adult, only the caudal black in the young. Only 3 specimens, ranging in length from 50 to 225 mm., were preserved, but we have had other specimens from Panama for compar- ison. This fish is occasionally seen in the market where our largest specimens were secured. The species is closely related to S. plagusia of the Atlantic, but the specimens at hand have longer dorsal and anal fins and somewhat smaller scales. The present species also appears to reach a larger size. Recorded from the Pacific coast of Central America. Our specimens are from the Panama City market. 748. Symphurus leei Jordan & Bollman. Symphurus leei Jordan & Bollman, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1889, 178 (Albatross Stations 2800, 2802, 2803 and 2804, Panama Bay) ; Jor- dan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2708; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 204. Head 4.3 to 4.6; depth 3.7 to 4.2; D. 90 to 100; A. 70 to 79; scales 88 to loo. Body quite elongate; head large; snout short, blunt, 6.6 to 7.1 in head ; eyes moderate, very close together, the upper a little in advance of the lower, 7.4 to 8.3 in head ; mouth little curved ; maxillary reaching nearly to posterior margin of eye, 3.6 in head ; scales small, less firm than in related species, many of them being lost from specimens at hand, closely covering head and body; origin of dorsal over upper eye; caudal fin pointed, confluent with the dorsal and anal; a single ventral fin present, inserted on ventral ridge, under edge of gill-membranes, well ioo8 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. separated from the anal, consisting of 3 or 4 rays ; pectoral fins entirely wanting. Color brownish, speckled with darker and with 3 or 4 broad black cross-bars ; the rows of scales without distinct lines ; the posterior part of vertical fins black. This species was taken in Panama Bay by the Albatross but it was not seen there by us. The above description is based upon specimens, ranging in length from 90 to 115 mm., taken at Albatross Station 2804. This fish may be distinguished from related species by the longer head and the larger opercular flap. The scales are also less firmly adherent than in the closely related forms. Known only from specimens dredged by the Albatross in Panama Bay at Stations 2800, 2802, 2803 and 2804, in depths ranging from 7 to 51.5 fathoms. 749. Symphurus atramentatus Jordan & Bollman. Symphurus atramentatus Jordan & Bollman, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1889, 177 (Panama Bay, Albatross Stations 2795, 2797 and 2805) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2706; Carman, Memoir. Mus. Comp. Zool., XXIV, 1899, 229 (Panama Bay) ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 203. Head 4.7 to 5.1 ; depth 3.3 to 3.5 ; D. 88 to 90; A. 74 to 76; scales 102 to 109. Body elongate; head small; snout short, the point overhanging mouth, 4.8 to 6 ; eyes very close together, without interspace, the upper a little in advance of the lower, 6 to 6.9 in head; mouth moderate; maxillary reaching past pupil of lower eye, 4.2 to 4.5 in head ; scales quite firm, small, strongly ctenoid, covering entire head and body; origin of dorsal over anterior part of upper eye ; caudal fin pointed, confluent with the dorsal and anal ; a single ventral fin present, inserted on ventral ridge, under margin of gill-membranes ; pectoral fins wanting. Color light brown, irregularly barred and blotched with darker ; also with indications of grayish bars, most distinct on the posterior part of body ; dorsal and anal fins pale anteriorly, becoming somewhat dusky posteriorly ; each fin anteriorly with 4 to 7 dusky areas covering 3 or 4 rays, posteriorly with 3 or 4 prominent jet black spots. This species was not taken by us. It is here described from 5 specimens, ranging in length from 90 to 105 mm., taken by the Albatross in Panama Bay at Station 2795. The species is closely related to S. atricaudus, from which it, however, is readily distinguished by the coloration. We are unable to verify the statement that the eyes and SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 1009 scales of this species are larger, as stated by authors, for these characters intergrade and, if the differences exist, the fact could be determined only by the examination of large series. Known from Panama, Bay and the Galapagos Islands. 748. Symphurus atricaudus (Jordan & Gilbert). Aphoristia atricauda Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1880, 23 (San Diego) ; Eigenmann, Ann. N. Y. Ac. Sci., VII, 1894, 632 (Panama). Symphurus atricaudus Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2707; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 204. Head 5.25 to 5.7 ; depth 3.3 to 3.4 ; D. 84 to 97 ; A. 78 to 85 ; scales 1 06 to 114. Body rather deep; head short; snout blunt, 5.45 to 6 in head; eyes moderate, very close together, no distinct interorbital ridge; the upper eye a little in advance of the lower, 6 to 6.9 in head ; mouth somewhat curved; maxillary reaching under middle of eye, 4.2 to 4.5 in head; scales small and firm, closely covering entire head and body; origin of dorsal over upper eye ; caudal fin pointed, confluent with the dorsal and anal; a single ventral present, inserted on ridge under edge of gill-membranes, well separated from the anal, consisting of 4 rays; pectoral fins entirely wanting. Color brownish, usually with dark cross-bars and with streaks along the rows of scales ; the streaks formed by dark spots on the scales ; vertical fins black posteriorly. This species has been listed from Panama by Eigenmann, but it has not been taken there by recent collectors. The above description is based upon specimens from the National Museum collection, taken at San Diego, Cal., ranging in length from 85 to no mm. The species appears to differ from 6\ elongatus in the deeper body, smaller scales and in the slightly longer dorsal fin. Known from San Diego, Cal., to Panama Bay. Order XV. Pediculati. Family LXXXIX. Antennariidae. THE FROG-FISHES. Body elongate, more or less compressed ; head short, robust ; mouth very oblique or vertical; lower jaw in advance of the upper; preinax- ioio FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. illaries protractile; gill-opening small, at or behind base of lower rays of pectoral; skin naked, smooth or prickly; spinous dorsal consisting of i to 3 separate spines, the first one usually tentacle-like; the soft dorsal long, larger than anal; ventral fins present, jugular, rather close together ; pectoral fins with a sort of wrist, forming an elbow-like angle with the rest of the fin. A family of peculiarly shaped fishes of the tropical seas, most of the members living in floating seaweed with which they sometimes appear to be drifted for long distances from their usual habitat. Two genera are represented in the Panama collection.* KEY TO THE GENERA. a. Skin smooth, without prickles ; ventral fins well developed, long, often reaching nearly or quite to origin of anal. Histrio, p. ioio. aa. Skin rough to the touch, provided with granules or spinules; ventral fins quite short, usually scarcely reaching under base of pectorals. Antennarius, p. ion. 288. Genus Histrio Fischer. Histrio Fischer, Zoognosia, Tab. Syn., Ed. Ill, I, 1813, 70, 78 (type Lophius histrio Linnaeus). Pterophryne Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1863, 90 (type Chironectes Icevigatus Cuvier). Pterophrynoides Gill, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1878, 216 (substitute for Pterophryne, regarded as preoccupied). Body short, somewhat compressed; mouth small, oblique; palatine teeth present; skin smooth or with minute tubercles and with dermal tentacles ; the soft dorsal preceded by 3 spines, a small, slender spine with "bait" in advance of the large rostral spine; ventral fins well developed, rather long; wrist and pectoral fins slender. A group of oddly shaped fishes, living in dense vegetation which they grasp with their hand-like pectorals. Two species are recognized from American waters (Atlantic Ocean), but only one was seen on the coast of Panama. 751. Histrio gibbus (Mitchill). Lophius gibbus Mitchill, Trans. Lit. & Phil. Soc. N. Y., I, 1815, PI. IV, fig. 9 (off St. Croix). *The measurements given for the various characters of the species of this family are at best only approximate, owing to the peculiar structure of the fish. The head was measured from the margin of the opercular bone which may be felt underneath the skin, and the depth was measured at vertical from the origin of the third dorsal spine. SEPT. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. ion Pterophryne gibba Carman, Bull. Lab. Nat. Hist. Univ. Iowa, IV, 1896, 81 ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2717. Head 2.7 to 3.25; depth 1.8 to 2; D. Ill, 12; A. 7. Body rather short, compressed, deep anteriorly; head short, com- pressed ; snout very short and blunt, 3.5 to 5 in head ; eye 2.8 to 3.75 ; interorbital 3.1 to 3.6; mouth moderate, very oblique; maxillary reaching nearly to vertical from posterior margin of eye, 1.85 to 2.15 in head; teeth pointed, present on jaws and palatines, rather long, directed inward, more or less distinctly in narrow bands; gill-opening very small, appearing as a mere pore on lower margin of pectoral near base of wrist; scales wanting, the skin with tubercles, and with dermal tentacles variously distributed, these longest and most numerous on abdomen; dorsal fin preceded by 3 separate spines, the first spine very slender, with the bulbous "bait" covered with fleshy filaments or merely with fleshy folds; the first spine closely succeeded by a large rostral spine with many dermal tentacles, another large spine with dermal fringes at nape; the soft dorsal rather high, with a convex margin; caudal fin round ; anal fin short and high ; ventral fins well developed, reaching opposite origin of anal in the largest specimen at hand, failing to reach this point in the smaller ones; pectoral fins provided with a long, well marked wrist of about the same length as the fin; the fin round in outline, the ends of the rays free, i.i to 1.5 in head. Color in life largely orange, with irregular brown spots and bars; the caudal fin and the posterior part of the dorsal and anal fins often rather distinctly barred. The color appears to vary considerably among individuals, the brown predominating on some specimens while on others the yellow predominates. Only 3 specimens of this species, ranging in length from 20 to 60 mm., were collected. They were taken in very quiet shallow water in dense masses of green algae. A second species, H. histrio (Linnaeus), may be expected on the Atlantic coast of Panama. Its relationship with H. gibbus, however, is very imperfectly understood, but it appears to have the "bait" on first dorsal spine bifid instead of bulbous and the soft dorsal is probably slightly longer, being composed of 14 rays. Known from Key West, the Tortugas, and the West Indies. The range is now extended to the Isthmus of Panama. Our specimens are from Colon and Porto Bello. 289. Genus Antennarius Commerson. Antennarius Commerson, in Lacepede, Hist. Nat. Poiss., I, 1798, 327 (type Lophius commersonianus Lacepede). ioi2 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Chironectes Cuvier, Mem. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, III, 1817, 418 (type Lophius commersonianus Lacepede) . Body oblong, more or less compressed, very deep anteriorly ; mouth rather large, very oblique to vertical; teeth pointed, in bands on jaws and palatines; gill-opening very small, situated just below base of the lower rays of pectoral fin ; skin provided with granules or spinules and usually with fleshy cirri ; first dorsal spine developed as a slender rostral tentacle, usually bearing a fleshy lobe or "bait" at its tip; the second and third dorsal spines strong; caudal peduncle free; ventral fins short ; pectoral fins longer and broader than ventrals, with a wide wrist. KEY TO THE SPECIES. a. The bulbus tip or "bait" of the first dorsal spine bifid, the base of this spine projecting in advance of upper lip; the prickles on skin trifid, the median projection soft, the lateral ones pointed, bony; D. III-I2; A. 7. scaber, p. 1012. aa. The bulbous tip or "bait" simple, not as above ; the prickles on skin simple or bifid. b. Prickles on skin mostly bifid ; the base of first dorsal spine not projecting in advance of upper lip; D. III-I3; A. 8; ground color reddish in life, brownish in spirits. c. First dorsal spine notably shorter than the second, the "bait" forming a distinct bulb; body not everywhere spotted with brown ; abdomen plain, not reticulated or spotted ; a large black ocellus at base of longest dorsal rays. sanguineus, p. 1013. cc. First dorsal spine notably longer than the second, the "bait" elongate, not distinctly bulbous ; body everywhere spotted with brown and black; the abdomen more or less distinctly reticu- lated, strigatus, p. 1014. bb. Prickles on skin probably simple, no cutaneous fringes; D. III-n; A. 7; ground color black; a small white spot above pectoral; tips of pectorals and ventrals white, principis, p. 1015. 752. Antennarius scaber (Cuvier). Chironectes scaber Cuvier, Mem. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, III, 1817, 425, PI. XVI, fig. 2 (Martinique). Lophius spectrum Gronow, Cat. Fish, 1854, 49 (Antilles). Antennarius scaber Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1889, 652 (St. Lucia) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, i\ 2722. Head 2.7 to 3.35; depth 1.7 to 2.15; D. III-I2; A. 7. Sept. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 1013 Body robust, deepest anteriorly ; head short and blunt ; snout very short, 3.3 to 5 in head; eye small, 4 to 6; interorbital 2.7 to 3.1 ; mouth vertical; maxillary 1.2 to 1.9 in head; teeth small, pointed, in bands on jaws and palatines ; gill-opening very small, situated at base of lower rays of pectoral; the skin very rough, covered with prickles which are trifid at tips; the outer serrae of each prickle bony, pointed and directed slightly backward, the median one soft and fleshy ; slender cutaneous tentacles present on head and sides, most numerous about the mouth and along the lateral line ; dorsal preceded by three separate spines; the first spine slender, its base projecting in advance of the upper lip; the "bait" bifid, the lobes of the "bait" spongy, composed of membranous folds, projecting beyond rostral spine and resting in a quadrate, depressed, naked area posterior to the rostral spine; the rostral spine and the spine at nape both short and with dermal fringes ; the soft dorsal moderately elevated, with convex margin; caudal fin longer than head, with evenly convex margin; anal fin moderately elevated, with convex margin; ventral fin short, notably shorter than pectorals; pectoral fins short, without distinct wrist, 1.25 to 1.5 in head. Color brownish to very dark reddish; sides and fins with dark spots, these sometimes forming indistinct radiating lines from eye; the spots large and round on the fins and frequently with slight ocel- lation; mouth spotted with black within. Our specimens appear to be darker in color than those described and figured from the West Indies. The following color description, based on a small fresh speci- men from Fox Bay, Colon, is from our field notes : "Gray, with dark bluish stripes, these nearly vertical on anterior part of body and run- ning upward and backward on posterior part of body; fins mottled with darker." This singular species is represented in the collection by 5 specimens, ranging in length from 50 to 85 mm. ; all taken with seines in dense vegetation. Known from Curagao, Trinidad, Porto Rico, St. Lucia and Mar- tinique. The range is now extended to the Atlantic coast of Panama. Our specimens are from Colon and Porto Bello. 753. Antennarius sanguineus Gill. Antennarius sanguineus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1863, 91 (Cape San Lucas) ; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2721 ; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 204. ioi4 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Antennarius leopardinus Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1864, 151 (Panama). Head 2.7 to 3.6; depth 1.7 to 1.9; D. Ill-is ; A- 8- Body robust, deep anteriorly; head blunt; snout very short, 2.6 to 4.7 in head; eye small, 3.8 to 5; interorbital 2.3 to 3.8; mouth vertical; maxillary rather broad, I to 1.5 in head; teeth pointed, in bands on jaws and palatines ; skin rough, with bifid prickles ; short dermal tentacles present about the mouth and along upper part of sides ; dorsal fin preceded by 3 spines ; the first spine short and slender, not reaching the tip of the second spine, ending in a membranous bulb or "bait"; the second spine wholly free; the third posteriorly attached by membrane, but capable of being erected perpendicularly; the soft dorsal rather high, with convex margin ; caudal fin rather long, rounded; anal fin similar to second dorsal but much shorter; ventral fins short, with 5 rays; pectoral fins longer and broader, with 13 rays and a distinct wrist, the fin without wrist I to 1.35 in head. Color blood-red in life ; dark brown in spirits ; a few indefinite dark spots on side below base of third dorsal spine ; a small but distinct one on middle of side above base of pectoral; a large ocellated spot at base of longest dorsal rays ; the abdomen plain, unspotted ; the distal parts of the fins spotted with black ; the caudal fin often with indistinct dark cross-bars ; inside of mouth spotted with black, the floor with two more or less distinct longitudinal bands. This species is represented by 8 small specimens, ranging in length from 30 to 63 mm. Some of the specimens are much lighter in color than others but the general pattern is uniform. Known from Cape San Lucas to Panama. The smallest specimen was sent from Chame Point by Mr. Robert Tweedlie. Two were taken by us in a tide pool at Panama City and the others were brought to the Panama City market by fishermen. 754. Antennarius strigatus Gill. Antennarius strigatus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1863, 92 (Cape San Lucas) ; Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882, 630; Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2720; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 204. Antennarius tenuifilis Giinther, Trans. Zool. Soc. London, VI, 1869, 440 (Panama). Body compressed, deep anteriorly; head short, blunt; snout very short, 2.85 in head; eye very small, 12 in head; interorbital 2.5; mouth Sept. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 1015 vertical, the lower jaw notably in advance of the upper; maxillary broad, 1.3 in head; teeth pointed, in narrow bands on jaws and palatines ; skin rough, covered with prickles which are mostly bifid ; a few short dermal tentacles about the mouth and on head ; dorsal fin preceded by 3 spines ; the first spine long and slender, much longer than the rostral spine, with a slender dermal tip or "bait" ; the second spine short, robust, attached by membrane posteriorly; the third spine con- cealed in the skin, appearing as a hump; second dorsal low, the rays covered with heavy skin, except at tips ; caudal fin moderate, rounded ; anal fin similar to second dorsal but shorter; ventral fins very short, resembling the feet of a mole, having 5 rays, with free tips ; pectoral fins longer and broader, with n rays and a distinct wrist, the fin without wrist 2.1 in head. Color of fresh specimen blood-red, everywhere spotted with brown ; the brown spots forming more or less distinct reticulations on the abdomen ; ' small jet-black spots appearing more or less definitely in clusters on paler areas also present; one of these clusters situated a short distance behind the eye, another above and slightly in front of base of pectoral, and one each on the base of the longest rays of dorsal and anal fins ; an indistinct saddle-like blotch between the second and third dorsal spines; another broad dark band from origin of second dorsal, downward and forward to above middle of side, thence backward and downward to upper axil of pectoral; the distal parts of the fins spotted with black ; the caudal with indefinite vertical bars ; the mouth spotted and streaked with black and brown within. We have a single large specimen, 250 mm. in length,, which we refer to this species. The eye of this fish is very small and it does not have the appearance of a functional organ. The cornea is con- tinuous with the skin of the head and no pupil is discernible exter- nally. Known from Cape San Lucas to Panama. Probably a rare species, as our specimen was brought to the Panama City market by fishermen, as a curio. 755. Antennarius principis (Cuvier & Valenciennes). Chironectes principis Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., XII, 1837, 416 (Brazil; on 2 drawings by Prince Maurice, the second figure representing the present species to which Giinther restricted the name principis). Antennarius principis Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., Ill, 1861, 193; ioi6 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2719. D. III-n; A. 7; P. 10. Anterior dorsal spine twice as long as second, ending in a small, slender lobe; membrane behind third spine extending to root of soft dorsal; last ray of dorsal not reaching caudal. Skin rough, covered with small spines ; no cutaneous fringes. Black ; tips of pectorals and ventrals white; a small white spot above pectoral. (Giinther.) This fish is recorded from the West Indies and Brazil and may therefore be expected on the coast of Panama. It was not seen by us. Family XC. Ogcocephalidae. THE BAT-FISHES. Body depressed, the trunk short and slender ; head very broad, much depressed; snout more or less elevated, usually projecting; mouth not large, usually inferior, the lower jaw included; teeth pointed; gill- openings small, above and behind axils of pectoral fins; skin covered with bony tubercles or spines ; a rostral tentacle, retractile into a cavity under the rostral process, usually present; dorsal and anal small; ventrals present; pectorals well developed, with strongly angled base. The bat-fishes are of a peculiar shape; most of them apparently are sluggish in their movements. Some of the species live along the shores in very shallow water and others inhabit the deep sea. Two genera come within the scope of the present report. KEY TO THE GENERA. a. Disk with the frontal region more or less elevated; eyes wholly lateral; gills 2^. b. Disk longer than broad. Ogcocephalus, p. 1016. bb. Disk notably broader than long. Zalieutes, p. 1018. 290. Genus Ogcocephalus Fischer. Ogcocephalus Fischer, Zoognosia, Tab. Syn., Ed. Ill, I, 1813, 70, 78 (type Lophius vespertilio Linnaeus). Malthe Cuvier, Regne Animal, Ed. I, II, 1817, 311 (type Lophius vespertilio Linnaeus). Body depressed; head broad, triangular or more or less disk-like in form, not broader than long; snout provided with a rostral projection, varying greatly in length; eyes rather large, lateral; mouth moderate, inferior; teeth in villiform bands on jaws, vomer and palatines; gill- opening small, near inner axil of pectoral ; gills 2.]/2 ; skin rough, with Sept. 1928. FISHES OF PANAMA — MEEK AND HILDEBRAND. 1017 bony tubercles; a dermal tentacle present under the rostral process, retractile into a well developed cavity; ventrals I, 5, well separated; pectorals large, placed horizontally. A single species is represented in the Panama collection. 756. Ogcocephalus vespertilio (Linnaeus). Lophius vespertilio Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., Ed. X, I, 1758, 236 (American seas). Malthea vespertilio Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. PoiSs., XII, 1837, 440. Ogcocephalus vespertilio Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2737, PI. CCCXCII, figs. 958, 958a and 958b. Head to gill opening 1.93 ; depth 5 ; D. 4; A. 4. Body rather robust, tapering backward ; the caudal peduncle broader than deep; head broad, depressed, triangular, the greatest width equal to distance from tip of rostral process to inner angle of wrist of pectoral ; snout acute, with long pointed process, 5.7 in head, n in body; eye wholly lateral, 7.4 in head; interorbital 9.15; mouth rather broad, mostly transverse ; maxillary 6.7 in head ; teeth small, villif orm, in bands on jaws, vomer and palatines ; gill-opening small, situated at inner angle of base of pectoral ; skin with bony protuberances, varying in size, smallest on belly where skin is shagreen-like, largest on back of tail ; ventral surface of tail with bony plates ; a large depression, longer than broad, under rostrum, this depression provided with a dermal tentacle which has a stock-like base and a more or less definite triangular expansion at tip; dorsal fin small, its origin at vertical from posterior margin of wrist of pectoral; caudal fin round; anal fin small, its origin about equidistant from vertical of origin of dorsal and base of caudal ; ventral fins rather long and narrow, inserted about midway between mouth and vent; pectoral fins with distinct wrist, inserted on posterior margin of the disk-like head, the fin without wrist, 2.2 in head. Color very dark brown above, somewhat lighter brown below; a black area on snout below rostral process and two black areas over disk at shoulders; the distal part of the spiny processes on body paler than the ground color; a series of short dermal flaps on upper jaw and on lower margin of disk pale; dorsal, caudal and anal and pectorals very dark brown to nearly black ; the caudal with a greenish yellow cross-bar on middle of fin ; ventral fins greenish. A single specimen of this odd fish, 135 mm. in length, was taken. It appears to be a rare species. ioi8 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — ZOOLOGY, VOL. XV. Reported from North Carolina, the Florida Keys, the West Indies and from Ceara, Brazil. Our specimen was taken with a seine on a shallow beach at Porto Bello. 291. Genus Zalieutes Jordan & Evermann. Zalieutes Jordan & Evermann, Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., XXI, 1895 (1896), 511 (type Malthe elater Jordan & Gilbert). This genus appears to be very closely related to Ogcocephalus, but the head is said to be more broadly expanded, the disk being broader than long and about half as long as the total length of the fish. A single species is known. 757. Zalieutes elater (Jordan & Gilbert). Malthe elater Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1881, 365 (Mazatlan). Ogcocephalus elater Jordan, Proc. Cal. Ac. Sci., 2nd Ser., V, 1895, 506. Zalieutes elater Jordan & Evermann, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., XLVII, 1898, 2738; Gilbert & Starks, Memoir. Cal. Ac. Sci., IV, 1904, 204. Body depressed; the head very broad, disk-shaped, considerably broader than long, its width 1.4 in the body; the head and back con- siderably raised above the disk; greatest depth of body scarcely greater than width of mouth; snout short, scarcely projecting beyond mouth, its length about equal to interorbital width; eye rather large, longer than snout and wider than interorbital ; mouth small, its width one-half greater than diameter of orbit; skin covered with comparatively rough, slender spines, those on snout, middle of back and tail largest; belly rough ; under side of tail with tubercular plates ; caudal fin a little longer than pectoral, about 4.3 in body; pectoral fins one-third longer than ventrals, 1.6 the width of mouth, and a little shorter than caudal. Color light olive; upper parts everywhere thickly and uniformly covered with small round spots of dark brown about as large as pupil ; a distinct ocellus, larger than eye, on each side of back, this ocellus with a bright green spot in center, surrounded by a black ring around which is a pale ring, and finally a fainter dark one; under parts plain white; caudal yellowish at base, with a terminal blackish band; pectorals spotted. This species was not seen by us. The above description is compiled from published accounts. The Panama records are based on specimens taken by the Albatross at Stations 2794 and 2795. It is said to frequent waters of moderate depth, but to be very rare near the shore. Known from Mazatlan to Panama. INDEX TO PARTS I-III Bold-faced type denotes names adopted in this work. abbreviatus, Nauclerus 400 abildgaardi, Sparisoma. 748 abildgaardi, Sparus 747,748 Ablennes '. 231 abnormis, Ilisha 189 Aboma 887 Abudef duf 700 Acanthias 64 acanthias, Squalus 64,65 Acanthinion 377 acanthistius, Bodianus 440 acanthistius, Cephalopholis 440 Acanthochaetodon 777 Acanthocybium 326 Acanthopteri 262 Acanthorhinus 64 Acanthostracion 805 Acanthuridae 780 Acanthurus 781 acclivis, Larimus 687 Acedia 1004 acervum, Cybium 323 Achirus 994 achirus, Pleuronectes 994 acoupa, Cheilodipterus 653 acoupa, Cynoscion 656 aculeatus, Doryichthys 261 acuminatus, Eques 677 acuminatus, Grammistes 676,677 acus, Gymnotus 963 acus, Syngnathus 256 acuta, Myliobatis 91 acuta, Ophisoma 138 acutirostris, Coryina 633,634 acutirostris, Lutjanus 509 acutirostris, Pristis 67 acutirostris, Serranus 445 acutus, Exocoetus 243 acutus, Fodiator 243 adscensionis, Epinephelus 456 adscensionis, Trachinus 456 adspersus, Paralichthys 974 adusta, Sciagna 639 adustus, Ophioscion 639 adustus, Pseudojulis 725 ^Elurichthys 96 aequidens, Otolithus 653 aethalion, Citharichthys 981 aethalorus, Carcharias 41 Aetobatus 88 af er, Alphestes 463 afer.^Epinephelus 463 af finis, Auchenopterus 930 affinis, Centropomus 433 affinis, Cremnobates 930 affinis, Elops 176 affinis, Fierasfer 963 affinis, Isopisthus 650 affinis, Microdesmus 955 affinis, Thynnus 311 africana, Clupea 189 afrum, Plectropoma 464 Agnus 907 aguaji, Trisotropis 447 Ailurichthys 96 alalunga, Germo 316 alalunga, Scomber 315,316 alatunga, Scomber 316 alatus, Arius . 101 albacauda, Ech'eneis 896 Albacora .• • • - 314 albacora, Thynnus 316 albacores, Scomber 314 albescens, Echeneis 897,898 albescens, Remora 898 albidus, Osmerus 220 albifasciatus, Pomacentrus 697 albirostris, Prionotus 858 albomaculatus, Serranus 466 Albula 177 albula, Mugil 275 Albulidse 177 album, Haemulon 540 alburnus, Perca 666 albus, Cynoscion 665 albus, Otolithus 665 Alectis 363 alepidotum, Gobiosoma 891 alepidotus, Chaetodon 410 alepidotus, Stromateus 411 Alexurus 864 aliciolus, Trachurus 397 alletterata, Gymnosarda 311 alletteratus, Scomber 311 alliteratus, Orcynus 311 Alopecias 62 Alopias 62 Alphestes 463 Alpismaris 215 altavela, Raia 86 alternans, Scarus 741 alticus, Salarias 948 altipinnis, Microdonophis 153 altipinnis, Micropogon 617 altivelis, Serranus 452 altus, Centropomus 433 altus, Chorinemus 388 altus, Oligoplites 388 1019 IO2O INDEX aluta, Sciaena 630 Alutera 801 amarilla, Guativere 438 Amblypomacentrus 697 amblyrhynchus, Caranx 341 amblyrhynchus, Hemicaranx. ... 341 Amblyscion 683 americana, Manta 94 americanus, Balistes 795 americanus, Cyprinus 666 americanus, Eques 676 americanus, Polynemus 289 Amia » 4*4 ammocryptus, Tetraodon 817 Ammopleurops 1004 Amorphocephalus 729 Amphichthys . 918 Amphioxi 27 Amphipxus 27 amplexicollis, Sarothrodus 771 amplus, Scarus 748 analigutta, Pomacentrus 698 analis, Caranx 349 analis, Lutianus ,. 501 analis, Mesoprion 501 analis, Scyris 364 analis, Umbrina 615 analogus, Abudef duf 703 analogus, Epinephelus 454 analogus, Euschistodus 703 analogus, Kyphosus 605 analogus, Pimelepterus 605 Anchispmus , 812 Anchovia 196 anchovia, Sardinella 183 Anchovies 195 Ancylodon 646 ancylodon, Ancylodon 648 ancylodon, Lonchurus 646,647 ancylodon, Macrodon 647 Ancylppsetta 971 andrei, Gobius 867 Angelichthys 765 Anguilla 134 Anguillidae 134 angulosus, Balistes. 793.794 angusticeps, Sphceroides 820 angusticeps, Tetrodon 820 angustifrons, Serranus 461 Anisotremus 560 anna-carolina, Mugilomorus. ... 175 annularis, Holacanthus 777 annularis, Nauclerus 400 annularis, Sparus 580 annulatus, Sphceroides 816 annulatus, Tetrodon 816 anolis, Saurus 217 anoplos, Uranoscopus. . . .^ 907 antecessor, Gasterosteus 400 Antennariidae 1009 Antennarius 101 1 antennatus, Chilomycterus 832 antennatus, Diodon 832 antillanus, Conodon 521 antillarum, Caranx 350 Aphoristia 1004 apia, Pirati 446 apiarius, Serranus 441 apicalis, Echeneis 895 Apionichthys 1003 apoda, Perca 509 apoda, Pleuronectes 1002 Apodes 134 apodus, Lutianus 509 Apogon 414 Apogonidas 414 appendiculatus, Centropomus. . . 425 approximans, Polynemus 290 approximans, Pomadasys. . . 556 aprion, Gerres 589 Apseudobranchus 653 apua, Bodianus 446 apua, Epinephelus 461 apua, Mycteroperca venenosa. . . 446 aquadulce, Galeichthys 124 aquas-dulcis, Murasna 161 aquila, Raja 90 aracanga, Scarus 759 area, Atherina 264 Aramaca 980 aramaca, Hemirhombus 981 aramaca, Pleuronectes 983 arangoi, Chcerojulis 718 arara, Hasmulon 532 arara, Serranus 447,461 aratus, Lutianus 496 aratus, Mesoprion 493,496 Arbaciosa 926 archidium, Elattarchus 628 archidium, Odontoscion 628 Archosargus 577 arcticus, Galeocerdo 56 arcticus, Squalus 56 arcuata, Harengula. 184 arcuatum, Haemulon 532 arcuatus, Chaetodon 772,773 arcuatus, Pomacanthus 773.775 arenaceus, Citharichthys 985 arenata, Umbrina 670 arenatus, Priacanthus 487 arenatus, Rypticus 480 arenicola, Anchovia 201 argentata, Ilisha 190 argentea, Sciaena 547 argentea, Selene 371,372 argenteus, Amblyscion 683,684 argenteus, Centronotus 390 argenteus, Centropomus 425 argenteus, Diplodus 580 argenteus, Eucinostomus 582 argenteus, Larimus 684 argenteus, Micrppogon 618 argenteus, Pristigaster 192 argenteus, Sargus 580 INDEX 1021 argenteus, Sparus 576 argenteus, Trachinotus 385 argenteus, Trichiurus 328 argentiventris, Lutianus 513 argentiventris, Mesoprion 513 argenti-vittatus, Thynnus 316 argus, Cephalopholis 438 argus, Squalus 29 Argyrea 266 Argyreiosus 371 argyroleucus, Bodianus 629 aries, Archosargus 579 aries, Sargus 579 arioides, Bagrus 123 ariommus, Aprion v. 517 Ariosoma 138 Arius 122 armata, Bairdiella 633,634 armata, Sciaena 361 armatus, Centropomus 430,431 armiger, Alexurus 864 armiger, Erotelis 864 arundelii, Gobius 868 ascensionis, Caranx 352 ascensionis, Holocentrus 297 ascensionis, Perca . 297 ascensionis, Scomber 352 asperrimus, Myliobatis 91,92 asperrimus, Pteromylaeus 92 aspersus, Prionotus 856 aspersus, Serranus 457 aspidurus, Urolophus 85 aspidurus, Urotrygon 85 Aspisurus 781 asterias, Blennius 941 asterias, Urotrygon 83 Asterospondyli 29 Atherina 263 Atherinella 265 Atherinidae 262 Athlennes 231 atinga, Diodon 827 atlantica, Elacate 404 atlanticus, Epinephelus 457 atlanticus, Megalops 173,174 atlanticus, Rupiscartes 948 atlanticus, Salarias 948 atlanticus, Sparus 457 atlanticus, Tarpon 174 atlanticus, Thynnus 316 Atractoperca 466 Atractoscion 653 atramentatus, Symphurus 1008 atricauda, Aphoristia 1009 atricaudus, Symphurus 1009 atridorsalis, Centropomus 431 atrilobatus, Chromis 696 atrimanus, Caranx . 342 atrimanus, Hemicaranx. 342 atripinnis, Asthenurus 969 Atroscopus 907 atwoodi, Carcharias 63 aubrieti, Lutjanus 505 Auchenopterus 930 auctorum, Lobotes 484,485 auliscus, Siphostoma 260 aurantiacus, Balistes 801,802 auratus, Diapterus 591 auratus, Holocentrus 439 auratus, Serranus 439 aureolus, Diapterus 594 aureolus, Gerres 594 aureoruber, Sparus 748 aureoviridis, Sphyraena 425 aureus, Caranx .- 354 aureus, Chaetodon , 773 auriculata, Mobula 93 auriga, Chaetodon 765 auriga, Monacanthus 798 aurita, Sardinella 181 aurolineatus, Diabasis 523 aurorubens, Centropristes 517 aurorubens, Rhomboplites 517 aurovittatus, Mesoprion 515 Auxis 312 averruncus, Kathetostoma 909 axillaris, Diapterus 599 axillaris, Gerres 599 aya, Bodianus 507 aya, Lutianus 507 ayresi, Centropristis 475 Ayresia 695 Azevia 990 azureus, Balistes , 794 azureus, Carcharias 38 azureus, Scarus 742 azurissimus, Microspathodon . . . 705 bacalaus. Gobius 878 badius, Euctenogobius 874 bahamensis, Vulpes 178 bahianus, Acanthurus 783 bahianus, Rhombus 979 bahiensis, Arius 96 bahiensis, Cypselurus 247 bahiensis, Exoccetus 247 baillonii, Caesiomorus 377 Baiostoma 994 Bairdiella 629 balantiophthalmus, Scomber. . . . 335 balao, Hemirhamphus 235 balearica, Ariosoma 139 balearica, Murasna 138,139 Balistes 787 Balistidae 787 balteatus, Pomacanthus 773 balteatus, Thynnus 316 balteatus, Upeneus 306 banana, Butyrinus 277 bancrofti, Torpedo 73 banksi, Citula 349 barbatus, Opsanus 917 barracuda, Esox 283 barracuda, Sphyrasna 283 1022 INDEX Barracudas 282 barreto, Gobioides 894 bartholpmsei, Caranx 351 Bascanichthys 151 bascanium, Coecula 151 batabanus, Johnius 691 Bat-fishes 1016 Bathygobius 867 bathymaster, Bregmaceros 969 Bathystoma 523 batis. Raja 71 Batoidei 65 Batrachoides 911 Batrachoididae 910 Batrachus. 911 Batrichtius 911 bayanus, Pomadasis 557 bayanus, Pomadasys 557 beani, Caranx 352 beani, Kirtlandia 270 becuna, Sphyragna 284 bellus, Balistes , 792 Belonidae 223 bengalensis, Ophisternon 131 berlandieri, Mugil 275 bermudensis, Lefroyia 963 Bibronia 1004 bicaudalis, Lactophrys 806 bicaudalis, Ostracion 805,806 bicolor, Anisotremus 565 bicolor, Pristipoma , . 565 bicolor, Smecticus 479 bifasciatus, Labrus 726 bifasciatus, Mullus 303 Big-eyes 486 bigibbus, Kyphosus 605 bilineatum, Pristipoma 560,566 bimaculatus, Chaetodon 771 bimaculatus, Halichoeres 714 binotata, Amia 416 binotatus, Apogon 416 bipinnulata, Seriola 393 bipinnulatus, Elagatis 393 birostratus, Prionotus 850,855 birostris, Manta 94 birostris, Raja 94 bispinosus, Myliobatis 91 bisus, Scomber 313 bitaeniatus, Eumycterias 825 bivittata, Elacate 404 bivittatus, Labrus 717 bivittatus, Serranus 472,475 bixanthopterus, Caranx 353 blackfordii, Lutjanus 507 Blennidas 928 Blennies 928 Blennius 940 Blepharichthys 363 Blepharis . . . 363 blepharis, Carangoides 364 blochii, Bodianus 711 blochii, Caranx 357 Bluefishes 401 Bodianus 710 bodianus, Bodianus 710,711 boleosoma.Gobionellus 885 boleosoma, Gobius 885 bollmani, Hippoglossina 973 Bollmannia 885 bonaci, Mycteroperca 447 bonaci, Serranus 447 bonaparti, Poecilocephalus 153 bonariense, Haemulon 541 bonariensis, Seriola 396 Bonefish or Ladyfish 177 boops, Caranx 335 boops, Trachurus 359 borealis, Sphyraena 286 boscii, Pimelepterus 608 boscii, Seriola 396 bosquii, Pimelepterus 605,608 Botnrolaemus 377 boucardi, Pristipoma 559 boulengeri, Batrachoides 916 boulengeri, Mycteroperca 448 brachialis, Baiostoma 994.999 branchiatus, Diodon 827 Branchiostomidae 27 brachycentrus, Nauclerus 400 brachychirus, Trachurops 335 Brachygenys 527 Brachypomacentrus 697 brachyptera, Echeneis 899 brachyptera, Remora 899 brachypterus, Echeneis 897 brachypterus, Exocoetus 244 brachypterus, Parexoccetus 244 brachypterus, Thynnus 314 Brachyrhinus 436 brachysomus, Calamus 574 brachysomus, Sparus 574 brachyurus, Ophichthys 159 brama, Cynaedus 578 Branchiostoma 27 brandtii, Arius 103 branickii, Pomadasys 555 branickii, Pristipoma 555 brasilianus, Diapterus 600 brasilianus, Gerres 600 brasiliense, Pristipoma 565 brasiliensis, Amblyopus 894 brasiliensis, Clupea 178 brasiliensis, Esox 233,234 brasiliensis, Genyanemus 675 brasiliensis, Hemirhamphus. . 234,235 brasiliensis, Labrus 7J7 brasiliensis, Mugil 274,276,279 brasiliensis, Narcine 73 brasiliensis, Narinari 89 brasiliensis, Paralonchurus. . . . 675 brasiliensis, Plagusia 1005 brasiliensis, Scorpasna 837 brasiliensis, Thynnus. .' 311 brasiliensis, Torpedo 72>73 INDEX 1023 brasiliensis, Vomer 366 Bregmaceros 969 Bregmacerotidae 968 brevibarbe, Lepophidium 961 brevibarbe, Ophidion 961 Breviceps 96 breviceps, Evorthodus 869,870 breviceps, Larimus 683,686 breviceps, Pomacentrus 697 brevimanus, Diapterus 602 brevimanus, Gerres 602 brevipinne, Pristipoma 544,546 brevipinnis, Blennius 946 brevipinnis, Hypsoblennius 946 brevipinnis, Orthopristis 546 brevipinnis, Thynnus 311 brevirostra, Anchovia. 198 brevirostris, Gerres 597 brevirostris, Hypoprion 50 brevirostris, Macrognathus 234 brevirostris, Saurus 223 brevirostrum, Hasmulon 542 brevis, Acanthurus 782 brevis, Amblyopus 869 brevis, Centropomus 431 brevis, Engraulis 214 brevis, Tyntlastes 869 brevoortii, Argyriosus 374 brevoortii, Selene 374 bricei, Chaetodon 767 broccus, Balistes 797 Brotulidse 965 broussonetii, Acanthurus 782 broussonnetii, Gobioides 894 broussonnetii, Gobius 894 broussonnetii, Umbrina 613 brownii, Anchovia 204 brownii, Atherinia 204 brownii, Hemirhamphus 234 brownii, Solea 1002 brownii, Vomer 365,366 brunneus, Ectenias 405 brunneus, Serranus 447 bufo, Scorpaena 835 Butterfly-fishes 764 Butyrinus 177 caballa, Cybium 322 caballerote, Anthias 511 caballus, Caranx 359 caboverdianus, Ginglymostoma . 30 Caesiomorus 377 caesius, Anisotremus 562 cassius, Pomadasys 562 Calamus 572 calamus, Calamus 575 calamus, Chrysophrys 574 calamus, Pagellus 572,575 calif ornicus, Hippoglossus 974 californiense, Branchiostoma . . . 28 californiensis, Diapterus 584 californiensis, Eucinostomus. . . . 584 californiensis, Ophisurus 155 californiensis, Polynemus 291 Calliodon 733.735 callisoma, Herpetoichthys 155 callopis, Harengula 183 callopterus, Cypselurus 246 callopterus, Exoccetus . , 246 calopteryx, Serranus 470 campechanus, Mesoprion 507 canadus, Gasterosteus 403 canadus, Rachycentron 403 cancrivorus, Pisodonophis 147 caninus, Caranx 350 canis, Squalus 31,34 canna, Haemulon 539, 540 Cannorhynchus 248 cantharinum, Pristipoma 544 Cantherines 800 Canthidermis 793 Canthigaster 825 cantraini, Tylosurus 224 capensis, Carcharodon 63 capensis, Elops 175 capeuna, Serranus 524 capillaris, Zeus 372 capillatus, Clinus 936 capistratus, Balistes 787,788 capistratus, Chaetodon 765,767 capistratus, Pachynathus 788 caprinus, Balistes 792 Capriscus 787 capriscus, Balistes 787,791 caramura, Murenophis 166 Carangidae 331 Carangops 339 carangua, Caranx 350 Carangus 346 carangus, Scomber 346,350 Caranx 346 Caranxomorus 405 Carapidae 962 Carapus 963 carauna, Serranus 439 carbonarium, Haemulon 537 Carcharhinidae 35 Carcharhinus 36 Carcharias 36 carcharias, Carcharodon 63 carcharias, Squalus 36,63 Carcharodon 63 cardenal, Bonaci 446 Cardinal-fishes 414 cardinalis, Serranus 446 Carenchelyi 132 caribaeum, Branchiostoma 28 caribseus, Sargus 578 caribbasa, Ilisha 191 caribbasus, Chloroscombrus 369 caribbaeus, Scorpasnodes 847 carneus, Acronurus 785 Carolina, Argentia 175 carolinensis, Balistes 791 IO24 INDEX carolinensis, Cestreus 653 caroliniensis, Gobius 867 carolinus, Doliodon 379 carolinus, Gasterosteus 377.385 carolinus, Priacanthus 488 carolinus, Trachinotus 385 catalufa, Priacanthus 487 catenata, Echidna 171 catenatus, Gymnothorax 170,171 Catfishes 95 Cathorops 129 Catochaenum 591 catulus, Gobius 867 catus, Serranus 461 caudata, Lamna 38 caudimacula, Haemulon. . . . , . 537.539 caudimacula, Sargus 580 caulopus, Homesthes 947,948 cavalla, Cybium 322 cavalla, Scomberomorus 322 Cavallas 331 caxis, Sparus 509 cayennensis, Citharichthys 985 cayennensis, Otolithus 665 cayennensis, Vomer 366 cayorum, Ogilbia 965>967 Centengraulis 212 Centronotus 399 Centropomidae 419 Centropomus 419 Centropyge 777 Centrurophis 153 cepedianus, Priacanthus 488 Cephacandia 859 Cephalacanthidae 859 Cephalacanthus 859 Cephalopholis 438 cephalus, Gobiesox 925 cephalus, Mugil 273,275 cerapalus, Opsanus 917 Ceratacanthus 801 Cerdale 958 cerdale, Carcharhinus 47 Cerdalidas 954 Cerna 452 ceruleus, Carcharias 38 Cestracion 57 Cestraciontidae 57 Cestreus 653 Cetengraulis 212 Chaenomugil 281 Chaenopsetta 974 Chaetodipterus 760 Chsetodon 765 Chaetodontidae 764 chagresi, Menidia 266 chalceum, Pristipoma. 545 chalceus, Orthopristis 545 chalinius, Epinephelus 445 Chalisoma 787 chamensis, Ophichthus 155 Chapinus 805 Cheilodipteridae 414 Cheilotrema , . 679 Chelichthys 8 1 1 cherna, Anthias 460 chevola, Gallichtys 364 chilensis, Pelamys 318 chilensis, Sarda 318 chilensis, Tomicodon 926 Chilomycterus 831 chinensis, Balistes 796 Chironectes 1012 chirurgus, Chaetodon 784 chlamydes, Bollmannia 885,886 Chlorichthys 726 chloris, Pseudoscarus 740 chloris, Scarus 753 chloris, Scomber 369 chloropterum, Plectropoma. . 463,464 Chloroscombrus 369 Chlorurus 736 Chcerojulis 714 Chriolax 848 Chriomitra 321 Chromis 694 chromis, Diabasis 539 chromis, Hasmulon 539 chromis, Sparus 694 chrysargyreus, Brachygenys. . . . 527 chrysargyreus, Haemulon 527 chryseus, Rhinoberyx 294 chrysoleuca, Bairdiella 630 chrysoleuca, Corvina 630 chrysomelanus, Sparus 460 chrysops, Ophisurus 1 59 chrysoptera, Perca 544 chrysopteron, Haemulon 523 chrysopterum, Sparisoma 753 chrysopterus, Cheilodipterus. . . . 521 chrysopterus, Scarus 753 chrysos, Carangus 350 chrysurus, Chloroscombrus 369 chrysurus, Dipterodon 629 chrysurus, Glypisodon 705,706 chrysurus, Microspathodon 706 chrysurus, Ocyurus 515 chrysurus, Scomber 369 chrysurus, Sparus 515 cibi, Caranx 351 ciliaris, Alectis 364 ciliaris, Angelichthys 765 ciliaris, Balistes 793 ciliaris, Zeus 363,364 ciliatus, Balistes 799 ciliatus, Monacanthus 799 cinereus, Gerres 589 cinereus, Gerres calif orniensis . . . 584 cinereus, Microspathodon 705 cinereus, Mugil 589 cingulatus, Pomacanthus 773 cirratum, Ginglymostoma 29 cirratus, Squalus 29 Cirrhisomus .811 INDEX 1025 cirrhosa, Sciaena 613 cinrhosum, Lepisoma 935 Citharichthys 985 Citharoedus 765 Citula 361 clarionis, Xesurus 786 clathratus, Labrax 466 clepsydra, Murasna 169 clepsydralis, Julis 728 Cling-fishes 925 Clupanodon 1 80 Clupeidae 1 79 clupeola, Harengula 183 coccineus, Scarus 748 Coecilophis 153 coerulea, Corphysena 739 coeruleatus, Acronurus 782 coeruleoaureus, Harpe 710,711 coeruleus, Acanthurus 782 coeruleus, Cyanichthys 831 coeruleus, Scarus 739 Cogrus . 153 Cokeridia 905 colias, Scomber 309 Colloptilum 969 colonensis, Scorpaena 844 colonensis, Stellifer 623 colonus, Serranus 437 Colorado, Lutianus 500 Colorado, Lutjanus 500 Colorado, Perro 711 columbianus, Vomer 366 comif er, Achirus 999 commersonianus, Lophius. . 101 1,1012 commersonii, Carcharhinus 43 commersonii, Fistularia 253 commersonii, Scomber 321 commersonii, Squalus 36 compar, Coecilophis 153 compressus, Nauclerus 399i4OO compressus, Odontognathus. . . . 194 concatenatus, Ostracion 805 concolor, Abudefduf 703 concolor, Chriomitra 321,325 concolor, Euschistodus 704 concolor, Nexilarius 704 concolor, Scomberomorus 325 concolor, Thyrsoidea 1 63 conductor, Centronotus 399,400 Conger Eels 135 conger, Leptocephalus 137 conger, Muraena 137 Congermuraena 138 Congrellus 138 coniceps, Muraenesox 142 Conodon 521 conorhynchus, Albula 177,178 conspersus, Serranus 458 constantinus, Centropomus 423 constellatus, Platophrys 978 corallina, Narcine 73 Cordylus 308 coretta, Thynnus 315 coriaceus, Eleutheractis 479 corneta, Fistularia 249 Cornet-fishes 248 cornutus, Cyclichthys 833 coro, Sciaena 521 coroides, Umbrina 613 coronata, Seriola 396 coronatus, Halatractus 396 coronatus, Serranus 441 corvinaeforme, Hsemulon 549 corvinaeformis, Pomadasys 549 Corvula 691 Coryphasna 405 Coryphaenidas 405 cosmopolita, Micropteryx 369 cosmopolita, Seriola 369 Cossyphus 710 costalesi, Smaragdus 88 1 courtadei, Seiranus 454 crassa, Belone 226 crebripunctata, Pteroplatea 87 Cremnobates 930 crenulatus, Peprilus 410 creolus, Serranus 436,437 crescentalis, Pomacanthus 776 crestonis, Acanthurus 782 crestonis, Teuthis 782 cretenses, Labrus 747 crinitus, Blennius 941 crinitus, Zeus 363,364 cristagalli, Gobius 866 cristatus, Blennius 941 Croakers 610 crocro, Pomadasis 556, 559 crocro, Pomadasys 559 crocro, Pristipoma 559 croicensis, Labrus 736 croicensis, Scarus 741 Cromileptes 452 crossota, Cokeridia 905,906 crossotus, Etropus 992 crotaphus, Julis 717,720 cruentatus, Labrus 488 cruentatus, Petrometopon 441 cruentatus, Priacanthus 488 cruentatus, Sparus 441 cruentifer, Pisodonophis 149 cruentifer, Pisoodonophis 149 crumenophthalmus, Scomber. . . 335 crumenophthalmus, Selar 335 cryptocentrus, Amphichthys. . . . 918 cryptocentrus, Batrachus 918 Cryptoterus 154 Cryptotomus 733 crysos, Caranx 358 crysos, Scomber 346,358 cubae, Vomer 366 cubanus, Epinephelus 461 cubera, Lutjanus 499 cucuri, Prionodon 41 cultifrons, Aluterus 802 1026 INDEX cultratus, Xyrichthys 729 cultriferum, Pristipoma 559 culveri, Trachinotus 381 cupreus, Trachinotus 385 curema, Mugil 279 curta, Anchovia 206 curtus, Stolephorus 206 curtus, Vomer 366 curvilineata, Murenophis 166 curvus, Tetrodon 811 Cusk Eels 959 cuspicauda, Aluteres 802 Cutlass-fishes 327 cuvieri, Caranx 338 cuvieri, Centropomus 421 cyanellus, Mugilops 271 Cyanichthys 831 cyanocephalus, Halichoeres 716 cyanocephalus, Labrus 716 cyanolene, Sparisoma 751 cyanophrys, Naucrates 400 cyanophrys, Psenes 409 cyanopterus, Cypselurus 247 cyanopterus, Exocoetus 247 cyanopterus, Lutianus 499 cyanopterus, Mesoprion 499 cyanostigma, Julis 717 cyanostigma, Pristotis 697 Cybium 32 1 Cyclichthys 831 cyclolepis, Microgobius 872 Cyclonarce 72 cyclopomatus, Serranus 447 Cyclopsetta 991 Cyclospondyli 64 cylindricus, Bascanichthys 152 Cynias 31 Cynichthys 452 cynodon, Mesoprion 499,509 Cynoscion 653 cyprinaceous, Chaetodon 608 cyprinoides, Gobius 866 cyprinoides, Lophogobius 866 Cypselurus 245 Dactylagnus 904 Dactylopterus 859 Dactyloscopidae 902 Dactyloscopus 902 Daector 919 daspilotus, Pisodonophis 148 daspilotus, Pisoodonophis 148 Dasyatis 76 Dasybatidae 75 Dasybatus 75 dasycephalus, Arius 106 dasycephalus, Galeichthys 106 daubentonnii, Caranx 350 davidsonii, Monacanthus 799 Decapterus. 333 Decaptus 393 decimalis, Serranus 447 jdeclivifrons, Abudefduf 701 'declivifrons, Euschistodus 700 declivifrons, Vomer 367 declivis, Trachurus 337 decoratus, Promicropterus 482 decoris, Doratonotus 731 defenspr, Caranx 350 dekayi, Scomber 309 delalandii, Clinus 938 delalandii, Malacoctenus 938 deliciosa, Corvina 679 deliciosa, Sciaena 679 dendritica, Ancylopsetta 971*972 dendritica, Pseudorhombus 972 denegatus, Pomacentrus * 706 dentatus, Lutjanus 499 dentex, Corvina 688 dentex, Odontoscion 688 dentex, Scomber 349 dephilippii, Vexillif er 963 depressa, Belone 229 depressa, Fistularia 251 Derichthyidae 132 Desmoiselles 693 diadema, Scarus 737 Dialommus 934 Diaphasia 963 Diapterus 591 diego, Scomber 309 dimidiatus, Julis 716 Diodon 826 Diodontidae 826 Diplectrum 472 Diplodus 580 diplotaenia, Bodianus 712 diplotaenia, Harpe 712 Dipterodon 414 dipus, Microdesmus 954,956 Discopyge 74 dispilus, Halichceres 721 dispilus, Platyglossus 721 distinctum, Sparisoma 749 distinctus, Scarus 749 Dog-fishes 64 dolfyn, Coryphaena 406 doliata, Gymnomuraena 170 Doliodon 377 Dolphins 405 dominicensis, Vomer 366 dorado, Coryphaena 406 Doratonotus 730 dorsale, Haemulon 536 dorsalis, Carangoides 362 dorsalis, Citula 362 dorsalis, Galeorhinus 32 dorsalis, Halatractus 398 dorsalis, Hypsypops 705 dorsalis, Microspathodon 705 dorsalis, Mustelus 32 dorsalis, Seriola 398 dorsalis, Umbrina 614 Dorsuarius 605 INDEX 1027 Doijrhamphus 261 dovii, Anisotremus 563 dovii, Appgon 417 dovii, Arius 101 dovii, Gymnothorax 165 dovii, Muraena 165 dovii, Opisthopterus 192 dovii, Pristigaster 192 dovii, Pristipoma 563 dowi, Thalassophryne 919,920 dowii, Diapterus 584 dowii, Leptarius 101 dowii, Selenaspis 101 drummondii, Echiodon 963 dubius, Carapus 963 dubius, Fierasfer 963 dubius, Serranus 438 ductor, Gasterosteus 399 ductor, Naucrates 400 dumerili, Apionichthys 1003 dumerili, Caranx 394,397 dumerili, Polycirrhus 671,672 dumerili, Seriola 394,397 dumerilii, Paralonchurus 672 duperrey, julis 728 duperrey, Thalasspma 728 duplex, Orthopristis 544 dussumieri, Seriola 400 Eagle Rays 88 Echeneididae 895 Echeneis 896 Echidna 170 echidna, Muraena 170 echinus, Diodon 827 Echiodon 963 Ectenias 405 edentulus, Cetengraulis 214 edentulus, Engraulis 212,214 effulgens, Larimus 685 ehrenbergi, Carcharias 41 eigenmannia, Anchovia 205 eigenmanni, Galeichthys 108 ekala, Caranx 350 Elacate 403 Elagatis 393 Elapsopsis 153 Elasmobranchii 29 elater, Malthe 1018 elater, Zalieutes 1018 Elattarchus 628 elattura, Netuma 115 elatturus, Arius 115 elcapitanense, Siphostoma 260 elcapitanense, Syngnathus 260 Electric Rays 72 electricus, Rhinobatus 69 elegans, Hsemulon 529,534 elegans, Kyphosus 607 elegans, Mesoprion 517 elegans, Pimelepterus 607 Eleutheractis 479 elliotti, Diabolichthys 94 elongata, Alosa 189 elongata, Anchovia 198 elongata, Aphoristia 1006 elongata, Umbrina 667 elongatum, Sparisoma 757 elongatus, Eucinostomus calif. . 586 elongatus, Megalops 1 74 elongatus, Menticirrhus 667 elongatus, Pomadasys 551 elongatus, Symphurus 1006 Elopidae 173 Elops 175 emarginatus, Lobotes 493,511 Emblemaria 952 emblematicus, Gobius 871,872 emblematicus, Microgobius .... 872 embryx, Gerres 598 emmelane, Tachysurus 123 encseomus, Gobionellus. 884 encaeomus, Gobius 884 Enchelyopus 328 Engraulidas 195 engymen, Cetengraulis 213 Engyophrys 975 Enneacentrus 438 ensifera, Bairdiella 632 ensifera, Sciaena 632 ensiferus, Centropomus. .430,431,433 ensis, Sphyraena 285 entemedor, Narcine 74 Enypnias. 887 Ephippidas 760 ephippium, Chastodon 765 epicurorum, Chromis 402 Epinephelus 452 epsetus, Esox 204 equatorialis, Raja 71 Eques 676 equestris, Balistes 792 equestris, Mustelus 34 Equietus. 676 erebus, Muraena 163 erethizon, Arothron 823 ericymba, Sciaena 627 ericymba, Stellifer 627 erithrurus, Caranx 35° Erotelis. . 864 erythrinoides, Scarus 748 erythrogaster, Serranus 455 esculentus, Carangus 35° Esloscopus 9°2 etheostoma, Aboma 887 Etropus 992 Eucinostomus 582 Euctenogobius 874 Eulamia 36 eumorphus, Chatcessus 187 Eumycterias 825 Eupomacentrus 697 europaeus, Trachurus 337 euryplectrum, Diplectrum 474 1028 INDEX Euscarus. . 747 Euschistodus 700 Eustomatodus. 333 Evapristis 544 evermanni, Citharichthys 989 evermanni, Diapterus 594 evermanni, Synodus 219 evermanni, Tachysurus 126 Evermannia 891 evolans, Trigla 848 Evorthodus 869 excisus, Doryrhamphus 261 exigua, Anchovia » . . 200 Exoccetidas 241 Exocoetus 244 Exonautes 244 expansum, Ostracion 806 exsiliens, Exocoetus 244 Eyrchthys . 736 faber, Chaatodipterus 761 faber, Chaetodon •» . . . 761 falcatus, Caranx 341 falcatus, Scomber 377 falcatus, Sparus 711 falcatus, Trachinotus 378 falcipinnis, Carcharias 46 falcipinnis, Elacato. . . . , 404 f allax, Caranx 354 fallax, Trachurus. 338 fanfarus, Naucrates 399,4OO fasciatum, Cheilotrema 679 fasciatus, Achirus 1001 fasciatus, Carcharias 56 fasciatus, Genyanemus 672 fasciatus, Hemirhamphus 237 fasciatus, Ovoides 823 fasciatus, Prionodes 470 fasciatus, Scomber 394 fasciatus, Trachynotus 383 f asciculare, Diplectrum 472 fascicularis, Hippocampus 255 f ascicul'aris, Serranus 473 feliceps. Galeichthys 104 Felichthys 96 f elis, Felichthys 99 felis, Silurus 99 fernandinus, Squalus 65 Fierasfer 963 Fierasferidae 962 filamentosus, Argyriosus 373 filamentosus, Breviceps 96 filamentosus, Felichthys 96 filamentosus, Hemirhamphus. . . 234 filamentosus, Monacanthus 797 filamentosus, Scomber 364 filicornis, Blennius 941 fimbriata, Raja 94 fimbriatus, Achirus 1001 fimbriatus, Hemirhombus 991 fimbriatus, Solea 1001 fischeri, Solea 996 Fistularia 248 Fistulariidae 248 fistularis, Flagellaria 250 flava-purpurea, Perca 452 flavescens, Mesoprion 510 flavescens, Scarus 758 flavescens, Sparisoma 755,758 flavicauda, Hyporthodus 452,458 flaviguttatum, Lythrulon 528 flaviguttatus, Haemulon 528 flavilatus, Pomacentrus 698 flavipinnis, Pristigaster 189 flavo-casruleus, Holocentrus. . . . 452 flavofasciata, Echidna 172 flavolineatum, Hagmulon 531 flavolineatus, Diabasis 531 flavolineatus, Sargus 578 flavoscriptus, Gymnothorax .... 166 flavo-vittatis, Upeneus 306 fleurieu, Ostorhinchus 414 florealis, Platyglossus 718 Flounders 970 fluviatilis, Achirus 1002 Flying Fishes 241 Flying Gurnards 859 Fodiator , . . . 243 fodiator, Tylosurus 225 foetens, Salmo 215,220 f oetens, Synodus 220 fonsecensis, Achirus 996 fonsecensis, Solea 996 forcipatus, Balistes 793 formosa, Guentheridia 822 formosa, Perca. 472,473 formosum, Diplectrum 473 formosum, Haemulon 532 formosus, Anthia 533 formosus, Serranus 473 formosus, Tetrodon 821,822 forskali, Glossodus 178 fosteri, Sphyraena 285 fremebundum, Hagmulon 535 freminvillii, Myliobatis , 91 Frog-fishes 1009 frondosus, Scarus 759 frondosum, Sparisoma 759 frontalis, Caranx 352 fronto, Carcharias 38 fuerthii, Arius 126 f ulgens, Corvina 632 f uliginosus, Balistes 792 fuliginosus, Synbranchus 131 f ulvum, Ginglymostoma 30 fulvus, Cephalopholis 438 fulvus, Labrus 438 funebris, Gymnothorax 163 Furcaria 694 furcatus, Cypselurus 247 furcatus, Exocoetus 245,247 f urcif er, Paranthias 436 f urcif er, Serranus 436 furnieri, Micropogon 618 INDEX 1029 furnieri, Umbrina % . 618 furthii, Arius . 125 f iirthii, Caranx 344 fiirthii, Corvina 622 furthii, Ilisha 189 fiirthii, Pellona 189 fiirthii, Pristipoma 568 fiirthii, Sphoeroides 821 fiirthii, Stellifer 622 fiirthii, Tetrodon 821 f usca, Echeneis 896 fuscomaculata, Echidna 172 fuscus, Acronurus 785 fuscus, Dialommus 934.935 fuscus, Hemirhombus 988 fuscus, Mapo 868 fuscus, Pomacentrus 699 fuscus, Trachinotus 379 fuscus, Xyster 605 gabbi, Centropomus 423 gaimardianus, Mugil 279 Galeichthys 104 Galeocerdo 56 Galeorhinidae 31 Galeorhinus 31 galeus, Serranus 450 Gallichthys 363 gallichthys, Carangoides 364 gallinula, Monacanthus 797 Callus 363 gallus, Zeus 363,372 gardenii, Centronotus 404 gardenii, Stromateus 411 garmani, Stolephorus 214 Garmannia 889 Gastrophysus 809 Genicanthus 777 gentilis, Blennius 942 Genytremus 560 geometricus, Anchisomus 816 geometricus, Diodon 833 geometricus, Tetrodon 817 geometricus, Zeus 373 gerania, Belone 226 Gerhardinus 889 Germo 315 germon, Scomber 315,316 Gerres 589 Gerridas , . . 581 gibbosa, Perca 540 gibbosus, Calliodon 540 gibbosus, Holocentrus 566 gibbus, Histrio 1010 gibbus, Lophius 1010 gibbus. Scarus 736 gigas, Ephippus 761 gigas, Perca 452 gigas, Seriola 397 gilberti, Batrachoides 914 gilberti, Citharichthys 987 gilberti, Congrellus 139 gilberti, Kirtlandia 268 gilberti, Menidia 268 gilberti, Stolephorus 214 gilli, Hyporhamphus 240 gilli, Pomacentrus 698 Ginglymostoma 29 giorna, Cephaloptera 94 girardi, Caranx 360 girardi, Pseudojulis 725 gladius, Tylosurus 226 glaucoides, Trachynotus 383 glaucus, Chaetodon 382 glaucus, Squalus 36 glaucus, Trachinotus 382 Glossichthys 1004 Glossodus 178 Glyphisodon 700 Gnathanodon 360 Gnathobolus 193 Gnathypops 900 Gobies 861 Gobiesocidae 925 Gobiesoi 925 Gobiidae 861 Gobioides 894 Gobionellus 876 Gobiosoma 891 godeffroyi, Percichthys 466 goldmani, Batrachoides 913 gomesii, Ophichthus 159 gomesii, Ophisurus 159 Gonenion 402 Gonionarce 72 Gonioperca 466 Gonocephalus 860 goodei, Myliobatis 90 goodei, Paralonchurus 673 goodei, Urolophus 84 goodei, Urotrygon 84 Gorgasia. 133 gracilis, Diapterus 584 gracilis, Hippocampus 256 gracilis, Scomber 309 gracilis, Umbrina 670 Grammateus 572 Grammichthys 994 grandicassis, Arius 122 grandicornis, Scorpaena 838 grandis, Pomadasis 559 grandisquamis, Choerojulis 718 grandisquamis, Upeneus 305 grandoculatus, Centropomus. . . 421 granulatus, Amorphocephalus. . . 729 granulosa, Pristis 66 greenei, Porichthys 924 grex, Scomber 309 grisea, Unibranchapertura 131 griseus, Labrus 493, 511 griseus, Lutianus 511 griseus, Mesoprion 500 gronovii, Gobius 407,408 gronovii, Nomeus 408 1030 INDEX gronovii, Ostracion 807 grossidens, Engraulis 211 Grunters 520 guacamaia, Pseudoscarus 744 guacamaia, Scarus 744 Guacamaya 744 guachancho, Sphyraena 285 guaguanche, Sphyraena ... f .... 286 guanabana, Erizo 830 guara, Caranx 349 guara, Scomber 349 guasa, Serranus 450 guatemalensis, Arius no guatemalensis, Citharichthy .... 988 guatemalensis, Galeichthys no guativere, Bodianus. 439 guaza, Labrus 452 Guentheridia 821 guineensis, Hemirhombus 980 guineensis, Ostracion 807 Guitar Fishes 67 gula, Eucinostomus 582 gula, Gerres 582 gulosus. Cathorops 130 gulosus, Tachisurus 130 gulula, Eucinostomus 582 Gunards 484 giintheri, Hoplopagrus 491,492 guntheri, Mugil 275,277 guntheri, Sphyraena 286 guttata, Limamuraena 168 guttata, Perca 450,461 guttatus, Balistes 793 guttatus, Dasybatus 78 guttatus, Enneacentrus 441 guttatus, Epinephelus 461 guttatus, Johnius 444,446 guttatus, Labrus 714 guttatus, Lutianus 503 guttatus, Mesoprion 503 guttatus, Promicrops 450 guttatus, Raja 78 guttulatus, Hippocampus 255 Gymneleotris 863 Gymnogaster 328 Gymnomuraena 170 Gymnosarda 310 Gymnothorax 161 gymnura, Trygon 78 gyrans, Querimana 676 Haemulidae 520 Haemulon 529 Halatractus 394 Halichoeres 714 Haliperca 472 halleri, Urobatis 86 halleri, Urolophus 86 hamiltoni, Brachioptilon 94 Hammer-headed Sharks 57 harengulus, Eucinostomus 584 harengus, Myxus. 273,279 Harpe 710 harroweri, Isopisthus 650 Harvest-fishes 407 hastata, Pastinaca 80 hastatus, Dasybatus. 80 hastatus, Gobionellus 876 havana, Gerres 590 havana, Xystaema 590 havannensis, Muraena 154 heckeli, Peloria 977 helena, Muraena 161,168 Heliases 694 Hemibranchii 248 Hemicaranx 339 hemiodon, Carcharias 50 Hemirhamphidae 232 Hemirhamphus 233 Hemirhombus 980 Hemistoma 736 Hemiulis 714 henlei, Carcharias 49 hentz, Blennius 942 Hepatidas 780 hepatus, Acanthurus 784 hepatus, Teuthis , 784 hepsetus, Atherina 263 heptacanthus, Cheilodipterus . . . 402 heraldi, Tetrodon 816 heringi, Centropomus 423 Herpetoichthys 153 Herrings 179 herzbergi, Silurus 101 heterodon, Haemulon 531 heteropygus, Caranx 339.341 heterurus, Cypselurus 247 heterurus, Exoccetus 247 hexacanthus, Dipterodon 414 hians, Ablennis 231 hians, Belone 231 hians, Haemulon 534 hildebrandi, Opsanus 917 hirmulus, Mustelus 34 Hippocampus 255 hippocampus, Syngnathus 255 Hippoglossina 973 hippos, Caranx 346,350,356 hippos, Scomber 334 .350 hippuroides, Lepimphis 405 hippurus, Coryphaena 405,406 hispidus, Balistes 797 hispidus, Monacanthus 797 hispidus, Tetraodon 823 Histrio 1010 histrio, Lophius „ 1010 histrio, Scorpasna 840 hiulcus, Engraulis 204 Holacanthus 777 holacanthus, Diodon 829 holbroocki, Aluterus 802 Holocanthus 812 Holocenthrus 296 Holocentridse 293 INDEX 1031 Holocentrus 296 holocyaneos, Sparus 740 homei, Oxybeles 963 Homesthes 947 homonymus, Diapterus 582 Homoprion 619 hopkinsi, Xesurus 786 hoplomystax, Scarus 751 Hoplopagrus 491 Hoplunnis 143 horrens, Prionotus 851,852 hospes, Mugil 279 humeralis, Chaetodon 770 humeralis, Gobiesox 926 humeralis, Harengula 184 humeralis, Julis 717 humeralis, Paralabrax 466 humeralis, Serranus 466 humeri-maculatus, Sargus 578 humile, Pristipoma 557 humilis, Pagellus 572 Hypocaranx 360 hypophthalrnus, Arius 129 hypophthalmus, Cathorops 129 Hypoplectrus 467 Hypoprion 50 Hypoprionodon 50 Hyporhamphus 236 Hyporthodus 452 Hyposerranus 452 hypostoma, Mobula 93 hypostomus, Cephalopterus .... 93 hypostomus, Mobula 93 Hypspblennius 942 hystrix, Diodon 826,827 Ilisha 189 illecebrosus, Stellifer 625 imberbe, Ophidion 963 imiceps, Ophioscion 643 imiceps, Sciaena 643 immaculata, Amia 178 immaculata, Coryphaena 406 immaculata, Fistularia 253 immaculatum, Cybium 322 immaculatus, Synbranchus 131 imperialis, Esox 224 impetiginosus, Serranus 457 implutus, Tetrodon 823 impressus, Conger 139 incilis, Mugil 277,278 indefatigabile, Otophidium 961 indica, Narcine 72 indica, Scyris 363 indicus, Naucrates 400 inermis, Mesoprion 514 infernalis, Muraena 163 ingens, Hippocampus 256 Iniomi 215 inornatus, Oligoplites 391 insculpta, Netuma 116 insculptus, Arius 116 insolatus, Heliases 694 insulae-sanctas-crucis, Scarus. ... 741 insularum, Carcharias 44 Insuridae 63 intermedius, Hippoglossus 983 intermedius, Microdesmus 957 intermedius, Saurus 217 intermedius, Synodus 217,218 internasalis, Julis 716 interruptus, Anisotremus 568 interruptus, Genytremus 568 ionthas, Cerdale 958,959 iridinus, Caranx 357 Iridio 714 irradians, Serranus 473 irroratus, Monacanthus 800 Isaciella 544 ischana, Anchovia 201,203 ischanus, Stolephorus 203 Isesthes 942 Isogomphodon 36 isoodon, Mesoprion 501 Isopisthus 650 Isospondyli 173 isthmensis, ^Elurichthys 97 isthmensis, Scorpsena 842 itaiara, Promicrops 450 itaiara, Serranus 450 jacobaea, Echeneis 898 jacobus, Myripristis 293,294 jaculidens, Ancylodon 647,648 jaguana, Harengula 184 jaguar, Bodianus 297 jamaicensis, Cynoscion 662 jamaicensis, Otolithus 662 januaria, Umbrina 670 Jaw-fishes 899 jeniguano, Haemulon 523 jenkinsi, Synodus 221 jocu, Anthias 508 jocu, Lutianus 508 johnii, Ceratoptera , 94 jonesii, Gerres 584 jordani, Galeichthys 109 jordani, Gymnothorax 167 jordani, Lutianus 495 jordani, Lycodontis 167 jordani, Neomaenis 495 jordani, Tachisurus 109 juba, Perca 596 Julidio 725 Kathetostoma 909 kendalli, Sphoeroides 819 kennedyi, Trachinotus 380 kessleri, Arius 119 kessleri, Netuma 119 kirschii, Halichoeres 720 Kirtlandia 268 klunzingeri, Achirus 997 klunzingeri, Solea 997 1032 INDEX kneri, Pristipoma 545 koelreuteri, Scomber 400 kurra, Caranx 333 kurroides, Decapterus 333 Kyphosidae 604 Kyphosus 605 labraciforme, Pristipoma 557 Labridae 709 labridum, Hasmulon 566 labriformis, Epinephelus 459 labriformis, Serranus 452,959 Labrisomus 935 Labroperca 452 Labrosomus 936 Lacertinus, Synodus. 220 lacertus, Gobius 867 lacertus, Scomber 309 lacrimosus, Scarus 751 lactea, Plagusia 1004 Lactophrys 804 Isevigatus, Chironectes 1010 laevigatus, Lagocephalus 8n lasvigatus, Tetraodon 811 lasvis, Balistes 803 laevis, Galeorhinus 34 laevis, Galeus 34 laevis, Mustelus 31 ,34 laevis, Uranoscopus 909 Lagocephalus 809 lalandi, Seriola 397,398 lalandii, Carcharias 53 lalandii, Scoliodon 53 lamarckii, Holacanthus 777 lamia, Carcharias 36,43 lamiella, Carcharias 43 Lamiopsis 36 lamprurus, Hypoplectrus 468 lamprurus, Serranus 468 Lampugus 405 Lancelets 27 lanceolatus, Chaetodon 676 lanceolatus, Gobius 878 lanceolatus, Homoprion 619 lanceolatus, Limax 27 Larimus 683 latepictus, Serranus 447 lateralis, Scarus 753 laterna, Tetrodon 823 laticaudus, Carcharias 51 laticeps, Aetobatus 89 laticeps, Atherina 264 laticlavius, Xesurus 786 latifasciatus, Epinephelus 452 latifrons, Citharichthys 984 latifrons, Syacium 984 latimaculatus, Ophisurus 150 latirostris, Aetobatus 89 latus, Caranx 354,356 latus, Scomber 369 Laurida 215 leachianus, Thynnus 311 lebranchus, Mugil 275 leei, Symphurus 1007 lefroyi, Diapterus 588 lefroyi, Gerres ,. 587 lefroyi, Ulaema. 588 Lefroyia 963 leiarchus, Cynoscion . . , 659 leiarchus, Otolithus 659 leionothos, Holocanthus 812,817 lemniscatus, Engraulis 204 lemniscatus, Osmerus 222 lentiginosa, Murasna 169 lentiginosus, Galeichthys 1 1 1 lentiginosus, Tachisurus 1 1 1 leopardinus, Antennarius 1014 Lepidomegas 394 Lepimphis 405 Lepisoma 935 Lepophidium 960 Leptecheneis 896 Leptocardii 27 Leptocephalidae. 135 Leptocephalus 137 Leptofierasf er 964 Lepturus 328 lepturus, Caranx 354 lepturus, Trichiurus 328 Les spheroides 8n lethopristis, Orthopristis 544 leucas, Carcharias 43 leuciscus, Pomadasys. 551 leuciscus, Pristipoma 551 leucopus, Rhamphoberyx 295 leucorhynchus, Rhinobatus 68 leucurus, Caranx 344 leucurus, Hemicaranx 344 leucurus, Nauclerus 400 liberiensis, Balistes 793 libertate, Opisthonema 188 libertatis, Meletta 188 lignus, Hypsoblennius 946 ligulata, Bibronia 1004 Limamuraena 168 limbatus, Carcharhinus 41 limbatus, Carcharias 41 limbatus, Oxyodontichthys 159 limbatus, Saurus 222 linea, Mesoprion 510 linearis, Porobronchus 963 lineata, Coryphasna 729 lineata, Echeneis , 895 lineata, Unibranchapertura 131 lineatus, Achirus 994,998 lineatus, Calliodon 735, 74 1 lineatus, Diapterus 602 lineatus, Doryichthys 261 lineatus, Doryrhamphus 261 lineatus, Eques 677 lineatus, Gerres 599 lineatus, Microgogon 616 lineatus, Mugil 275 lineatus, Phtheirichthys 895 INDEX 1033 lineatus, Pleuronectes 998 Lophogobius 866 Loro 744 loro, Scarus 739 loubina, Perca 425 loxias, Prionotus 855 lucasanum, Thalassoma 727 lucasanus, Julis 727 lucida, Anchovia 205 lucidus, Stolephorus 205 lucretise, Aboma 887 lucretiae, Gobius 887 lugubris, Caranx 352 lumbricus, Muraena 131 luna, Caranx 349 lunaris, Tetraodon 809 lunata, Echeneis 896 lunulatus, Galeorhinus 33 lunulatus, Mustelus 33 lunulatus, Serranus 461 lutescens, Chetodon 773 luteum, Haemulon 534 Lutianidae 490 Lutianus. . 493 lutianus, Lutianus 493 Lycengraulis 211 lychnus, Myriopristis 294 Lycodontis 162 lyricus, Gobionellus 880 lyricus, Gobius 880 Lythrulon , 528 macgregori, Halichoeres 722 mackayi, Siphostoma 257 mackayi, Syngnathus 257 Mackerels 307 Mackerel Sharks . 63 maclura, Raja 87 macracanthus, Pomadasys 552 macracanthus, Priacanthus 487 macrocephala, Clupea 178 macrocephalus, Clinus 933 macrocephalus, Gonocephalus. . . 860 macrocephalus, Mnierpes 933 macrocerus, Monacanthus 800 Macrodon 646 macrolepidota, Anchovia 210 macrolepidota, Engraulis 210 macrolepidotus, Engraulis 196 macrophthalma, Clupea 184 macrophthalmus, Sardinella. ... 184 macropoma, Centropristis 475 macropoma, Diplectrum 475 macrops, Calamus 575 macrops, Corvina 691 macrops, Corvula 691 macrops, Hippoglossina 973 macrops, Opisthopterus 193 macrops, Pristigaster 193 macropterus, Balistes 795 macropterus, Thynnus 316 macropthalmus, Scomber 309 macrostomum, Haemulon 535 macrourus, Alopias 62 macrurus, Leptofierasfer 964 macrurus, Oxyodontichthys . .154,159 maculata, Belone 231 maculata, Perca 456 maculatus, Apogon 415 maculatus, Balistes 794>795 maculatus, Canthidermis 795 maculatus, Cogrus 153 maculatus, Galeus 56 maculatus, Monoprion 414 maculatus, Mullus 303 maculatus, Ostracion 807 maculatus, Rhypticus 482 maculatus, Scomber 309,324 maculatus, Scomberomorus .... 324 maculatus, Upeneus 303 maculatus, var. a, Diodon 830 maculicauda, Orthostoechus . .525,526 maculiferus, Platophrys 977 maculipinnis, Isogomphodon. . . . 41 maculipinnis, Monochir 998 maculipinnis, Monochirus 994 maculo-cinctus, Sarothrodus. . . . 771 maculosa, Harengula 184 maculosa, Thalassophryne 919 maculosum, Haemulon 543 maculosus, Epinephelus 461 maculosus, Nomeus 408 maculosus, Pleuronectes 974 macutiferus. Pleuronectes 977 maderaspatensis, Priacan- thichthys 452 magnioculis, Ophichthus 157 magnioculis, Scytalophis 157 mahogoni, Lutianus 504 mahogoni, Mesoprion 504 major, Gallichtys 363,364 malabarica, Elacate 404 Malacoctenus 938 malcoti, Carcharias 50 malleus, Zygaena 59 Malthe 1016 manatia, Raia 94 manglicola, Gobionellus 883 manglicola, Gobius 883 mango, Polynemus 289 Manta 94 Mapo 867 mapo, Gobius 867 maracanthum, Pristipoma 552 Marcgravia 918 Marcgravicthys 918 marcgravii, Aulastome 250 marcgravii, Coryphasna 406 marcgravii, Rhinobatus 69 margaritatus, Batrachus 923 margaritatus, Porichthys 923 margaritifer, Serranus 458 margaritiferum, Haemulon 528 marginalis, Epinephelus 452 1034 INDEX marginalia, Hippocampus 255 marginatus, Bodianus 446 marginatus, Carangus 356 marginatus, Caranx 339i356 marginatus, Chaetodon 701 marginatus, Chromis 695 marginatus, Heliasis 695 marginatus, Hemirhamphus . . . . 234 marina, Vulpecula , . . . . 62 marinus, Dasybatus 75 marinus, Mugilops 272 marinus, Silurus 96,99 marmoratus, Gobiesox 926 marmoratus, Sphceroides 813 marmoratus, Synbranchus 131 marmoratus, Tetrodon 813 marmoratus, Tirus 215 martinicensis, Menticirrhus .... 670 martinicensis, Umbrina 670 martinicensis, Vomer 366 martinicus, Upeneus 306 massachusettensis, Monocanthus 798 matejuelo, Amphiprion 297 mathematicus, Tetrodon 81 1 matoides, Acanthurus 784 mauriceii, Argyriosus 373 mauritii, Chaetodon , 701 mauritii, Eleotris 408 mauritii, Grammistes 569 maxillosus, Opisthognathus 900 maximus, Lachnolaimus 709 mazatlana. Seriola 395 mazatlanum, Haemulon 526 mazatlanus, Achirus 1000 mazatlanus, Solea 1000 mcclellandi, Bregmaceros 969 mediterraneus, Scomber 319 mediterraneus, Thynnus 314 medius, Centropomus 421 medius, Peprilus 413 medius, Stromateus 413 medusicola, Caranx 355 meeki, Eucinostomus 587 megacephalus, Calamus 572,575 Megaderus 1 70 megalepis, Doratonotus 730,731 megalodon, Pristis 66 megalops, Thalassophryne 921 Megapnalus 925 melampygus, Caranx 353 melanochira, Belone 226 melanopoma, Polynemus 292 melanopsis, Diodon 830 melanopterum, Pristipoma 566 melanopterus, Balistes 795 melanopus, Arius 124,127 melanothos, Holocanthus 8n melanura, Perca 523,536 melanurum, Hasmulon 536 melanurus, Lutjanus 516 Menephorus 438 Menidia. . 266 menidia, Argentina 204 menidia, Atherina 266 menisorrah, Carcharias 36 menisorrah, Carcharinus 48 Menticirrhus 666 mento, Exocoetus 244 merus, Centopristis 462 Mesoprion 493 metallica, Echeneis 896 mexicanus, Amblyopus 894 mexicanus, Centropomus 423 mexicanus, Diapterus 599 mexicanus, Gerres 599 mexicanus, Mugil 275 mexicanus, Saurus 221 miarcha, Anchovia 199 miarchus, Stolephorus 199 Microdesmus 954 microdon, Gobionellus 879 microdon, Gobius 879 microdon, Pristis 66 Microdonpphis 153 Microgobius 871 microphthalmum, Haemulon. . . . 540 Micropogon 616 microps, Carcharias 41 microps, Nebris 680 microps, Otolithus 657 microps, Pagellus 572 microps, Rhypticus 480 Micropteryx 394 micropteryx, Platysomus 366 microrrhinos, Pseudoscarus 744 Microspathodon 705 microstomus, Conger 139 microstomus, Etropus 992 micrura, Pteroplatea 87 micrura, Raia 87 micrurum, Syacium 980,98 1 milberti, Carcharhinus 38 milberti, Carcharias 38 milneri, Pagellus 573 mindii, Stellifer 626 mindii, Syngnathus 261 minuta, Arbaciosa 928 minutus, Evorthodus 870 minutus, Hypsoblennius 943 minutus, Sabastes 845 miraflorensis, Microgobius 873 mirum, Calloptilum 969 mitchilli, Argyreiosus 373 Mnierpes 933 Mobula 93 Mobulidae 92 Moharra 591 Mojarras. . . 581 molestum, Gobiosoma 891 mollis, Pleuronectes 994,1002 moluccensis, Apogon 414 Monacanthidae 796 Monacanthus 796 monacanthus, Plectropoma 464 INDEX 1035 monoceros, Balistes 80 1 Monochirus 994 monophthalmus, Auchenopterus. 932 Monoprion 414 Monosira 683 Morays 160 mordax, Macrodon 648 mordax, Sagenichthys 648 moribundus, Balistes 793 moringa, Gymnothorax 166 moringa, Muraena 1 66 morio, Epinephelus. . i 455 morio, Serranus 455 morrhua, Serranus 452 morrisi, Leptocephalus 137 motta, Elacate 403,404 moucharra, Glyphisodon 700,701 mucronatus, Neoconger 144 mucronatus, Odontognathus. ... 193 muelleri, Lepidomegas 394 Mugil 273 Mugilidae 273 Mugilomorus 175 Mugilops. t 271 miilleri, Carcharias 41 Mullets. . 273 Mullidae 302 multiguttatum, Plectropotna. . . . 464 multiguttatus, Alphestes 464 multilineatum, Haemulon 534 multimaculatus, Diodon 830 multiradiatus, Arius 123 multiradiatus, Microdesmus .... 958 mundeola, Anchovia 208 mundeola, Stolephorus 208 mundus, Dactylagnus 904 mundus, Oligoplites 389 mundus, Urolophus 83 mundus, Urotrygon 82,83 Muraena 168 murasna, Gymnothorax 161 Mursenesocidae 141 Muraenesox 141 Muraenidce 1 60 Muraenophis 168 muricatus, Odontognathus 193 mustelus, Squalus 34 Mycteroperca 444 Myliobatidae 88 Myliobatis 90 myops, Salmo 222 myops, Saurus 222 myops, Trachinocephalus 222 myriaster, Rhomboidichthys. . . . 977 Myrichthys 149 Myridae 145 Myripristis 293 Myrophis 145 mystacinus, Epinephelus 455 mystacinus, Serranus 452,455 mystes, Scorpaena 836 mysticetus, Cetengraulis 212 mysticetus, Engraulis 212 nalnal, Sparactodon 402 Narcaciontidae 72 Narcine 72 narinari, Aetobatus 89 narinari, Raja 88,89 naso, Anchovia 201 naso, Stolephorus 201 nasus, Menticirrhus 668 nasus, Umbrina 668 nasuta, Netuma 112 nasutus, Monacanthus 800 nasutus, Trachynotus 383 natalensis, Mustelus 34 natator, Carcharhinus 40 Nauclerus 399 Naucrates 399 naucrates, Echeneis 896 naufragium, Balistes 790 Nautopaedium 922 nautopaedium, Porichthys. ..... 923 Nebris 680 nebularis, Platophrys 979 nebulifer, Labrax 466 nebulopunctatus, Gobius 867 nebulosus, Aphoristia 1004 nebulosus, Apionichthys 1003 Needlefishes 223 Nematistiidas 329 Nematistius 329 Nematognathi 95 neoboracensis, Fistularia 250 Neoconger 144 Neomasnis 493 nesiotes, Carcharias 44 Netuma 112 Nexilarius 704 nicaraguensis, Eulamia 38 nicholsi, Halichceres 724 nicholsi, Platyglossus. . . 724 niger, Scomber 403 niger, Zeus 372 nigra, Emblemaria 953 nigra, Narcine 73 nigrescens, Centropomus 426 nigrescens, Dorsuarius 605 nigrescens, Scarus 743 nigrescens, Symphurus. . . . < . . . . 1004 nigricans, Acanthurus 785 nigricans, Cypselurus 247 nigricans, Exocoetus 247 nigriculus, Acronurus 783 nigriculus, Serranus 457 nigripinnis, Rhypticus 482 nigripinnis, Rypticus 482 nigrirostris, Chaetodon 769 nigrirostris, Sarothrodus 769 nigritus, Epinephelus 462 nigritus, Serranus 462 niphonius, Priacanthus 489 nitens, Ariosoma 140 1036 INDEX nitens, Ophisoma 140 nitidum.Pristipoma 551 niveatus, Epinephelus 458 niveatus, Serranus 452,458 nivepes, Emblemaria 952 nobilis, Conodon 521 nobilis, Perca 521 nocturna, Echidna 171 nocturnus, Poecilophis 171 Nomeus 407 notata, Atherina 266 notata, Megalops 187 notatus, Porichthys 922,923 notospilus, Pseudojulis 723,725 Novacula 729 novacula, Coryphasna 729 noveboracensis, Naucrates 400 nove-boracensis, Vomer 366 novemf asciatus, Lutianus 497 novemmaculatus, Diodon 830 noyesi, Scarus 738 nuchalis, ^Elurichthys 97 nuchalis, Scarus 740 nuchifilis, Blennius 941 nuchipinnis, Clinus 936 nuchipinnis, Labrisomus 936 nudus, Gerhardinus 889 Nurse Sharks. 29 nuttalli, Exocoetus 245 oblongus, Gobius 894 obscurus, Carcharhinus 46 obscurus, Squalus 46 obtusum, Hasmulon 566 obtusus, Galeocerdo 56 obtusus, Scarus 740 obvelatus, Prionodon 46 occidentalis, Chorinemus 390 occidentalis, Monacanthus 799 occidentalis, Myripristis 295 occidentalis, Nebris 68 1 occidentalis, Oligoplites 387 oceanicus, Gobionellus 877 oceanicus, Gobius 877 ocellaris, Blennius 940 oceHaris, Platessa 974 ocellata, Muraenophis 156 ocellatus, Chaetodon 771 ocellatus, Gymnothorax 168 ocellatus, Hippoglossus 981 ocellatus, Ophichthus 156 ocellatus, Platophrys 979 ocellatus, Pleuronectes 977 ocellatus, Rhombus 979 oculatus, Balistes 794,795 oculatus, Myrichthys 150 oculatus, Pisoodonophis 150 Ocyurus 515 ocyurus, Sectator 609 ocyurus, Pimelepterus 609 Odontognathus 193 Odontoscion. ........ . 688 oerstedii, Selene 375 Ogcocephalidae 1016 Ogcocephalus 1016 Ogilbia 965 oglina, Megalops 186,187 oglinum, Opisthonema 187 Ognichodes 894 ojanco, Mesoprion 504 olfax, Serranus 444 oligodon, Polynemus 290 Oligoplites 387 olisthostoma, Gerres 595 olisthostomus, Diapterus 595 ommata, Discopyge 74 ommata, Opisthognathus 900 omostigma, Genypterus 961 opalescens, Lythrulon 528 opalina, Julis 717 opercularis, Polynemus 292 opercularis, Stolephorus 213 opercularis, Trichidion 292 Ophichthus 153 Ophichthyidae 147 Ophichthys 154 Ophidiidas 959 Ophioscion 636 ophioscion, Corvina 641 ophis, Muraena 153 Ophisternon 131 Opisthognathidae 899 Opisthognathus 900 Opisthonema 186 opisthophthalmus, Conger 139 Opisthopterus 191 Opistognathus 900 oppositus, Monacanthus 798 Opsanus 917 orbicularis, Diodon 831 Orbidus Sir orbignyana, Pellona 189 orbitarius, Pagellus 475 ordinatus, Epinephelus 459 Orectolobidae 29 orientalis, Pelamys 318 ornatissimu^ Chaetodon 765 ornatissimus, Herpetoichthys . . . 153 ornatus, Achirus 1004,1005 ornatus, Balistes 803 ornatus, Micropogon 675 Ornichthys 848 orqueta, Chloroscombrus 370 0rstedii, Selene 375 Orthopristis 544 Orthostcechus 525 Orycnus 3H.3I5 osbeck, Trachinus 457 Osbeckia 8or oscitans, Sciagna 621 oscitans, Stellifer 62 1 oscula, Netuma 120 osculus. Arius 120 osseus, Tholichthys 766 INDEX 1037 Ostorhinchus 414 Ostraciidas 804 othonopterus, Cynoscion 654 Otophidium 961 otrynter, Caranx , 362 ouatalibi, Serranus. 438,439 ovale, Syacium 982 ovalis, Hemirhombus 982 ovatus, Trachynotus 379 oviceps, Ostracion 806 Ovoides 823 Oxybeles 963 oxybrachius, Scarus 748 Oxyodontichthys 154 oxyptera, Corvina 437 oxyrhynchus, Carcharias 36 oxyrhynchus, Tetrodon 825 oxyurus, Nomeus 408 pachycephalus, Lagocephalus . . . 810 pachycephalus, Tetrodon 810 pachylepis, Atherinichthys 269 pachylepis, Kirtlandia 269 pachylepis, Thyrina 266 Pachynathus 787 pacifica, Belone 227 pacific!, Anisotremus 564 pacific!, Batrachoides 912 pacific!, Batrachus 912 pacifici, Conodon 564 pacificum, Diplectrum 477 pacificus, Argyreiosus 374 pacificus, Larimus 687 pacificus, Lobotes 484 pacificus, Mesoprion 497 pacificus, Psenes 409 pacificus, Thynnus 316 pacificus, Tylosurus 227 pagtulus, Hemirhombus 980,983 Pagrus 576 pagrus, Pagrus 576 pagrus, Sparus 576 pallida, Echeneis 899 paloma, Trachinotus 386 Palometa 410 palometa, Palometa 410 palometa, Peprilus 412 palometa, Stromateus 412 pampanus, Trachinotus 377,385 panamense, Pristipoma 554 panamensis, ^Elurichthys 97 panamensis, Anchovia 207 panamensis, Atherinella 265 panamensis, Azevia 990 panamensis, Bascanichthys 151 panamensis, Caranx 361 panamensis, Citharichthys 990 panamensis, Engraulis 207 panamensis, Euctenogobius .... 874 panamensis, Evermannia 893 panamensis, Felichthys 97 panamensis, Menticirrhus 669 panamensis, Muraena 161 panamensis, Odontognathus. ... 194 panamensis, Parapsettus 763,764 panamensis, Pellona 189 panamensis, Petrometopon 443 panamensis, Pomadasys 554 panamensis, Pristigaster , 194 panamensis, Rabula 161 panamensis, Serranus 443 panamensis, Solea 996 panamensis, Umbrina . 669 pannosa, Scorpasna 839 Papagallos 329 papillosum, Syacium 983 papillosus, Pleuronectes 983 Paradiodon 826 paradiseus, Polynemus 289 paradoxa, Garmannia 890 paradoxus, Gobius 889 Paralabrax 66 Paralichthys 974 parallelus, Centropomus 423 Paralonchurus 671 Paranthias 436 Parapomacentrus 697 Parapsettus 763 Paratractus 346 pardalis, Monacanthus 800 pardalis, Ophichthys 150 Pareques 676 Parexocoetus 244 parezii, Platypodon 47 pargus, Mesoprion 499 parra, Diabasis 539 parra, Hasmulon 539 parras, Albula 178 parraianus, Monacanthus 800 Parrot-fishes 732 paru, Chaetodon 775 paru, Peprilus 411 paru, Pomacanthus 773,775 paru, Stromateus 411 Parupeneus 303 parva, Anchovia 202 parva, Echeneis 898 parvipinnis, Ancylodon 650 parvipinnis, Isopisthus 650 passer, Holacanthus 778 pastinaca, Raia 76 patao, Gerres 600 patatus, Julis 717 pavo, Chastodon 697 Pear-fishes 962 pectinatus, Centropomus 421 pectinatus, Pristis 66 pectinifer, Clinus 935,936 pectoralis, Harpe 712 pectoralis, Nematistius 329,330 Pediculati 1009 pedimacula, Centropomus 421 pelagicus, Callionymus 860 pelagicus, Scomber 405,406 1038 INDEX pelagicus, Syngnathus 256 pelamides, Scomber 310 pelamis, Gymnosarda 310 pelamis, Scomber •. . . . 310 pelamitus, Scomber 319 Pelamys . 317 pelamys, Scomber , 319 pelamys, Thynnus 310 Pellona 189 Peloria 977 penna, Calamus 572 penna, Pagellus 572 pensacolag, Harengula 184 pentacanthus, Bodianus 297 pepo, Scarus 736 Peprilus 410 percellens, Raja 69 percellens, Rhinobatus 69 periche, Diapterus 603 periche, Gerres 603 perottzti, Pristis 66 perrico, Pseudoscarus 745 perrico, Scarus 745 perspicillaris, Tetraodon 823 peruvianus, Diapterus 597 peruvianus, Galeichthys . 105 peruvianus, Gerres 597 petersi, Paralonchurus 671 petersi, Paralonchus 676 petimba, Fistularia 251,252 Petrometopon 441 petrosus, Mugil 279 petus, Cybium 327 phlebotomus, Acanthurus 785 phoxocephalus, Cynoscion 660 Phtheirichthys 895 Physogaster 809 picturata, Alutera 803 picturata, Seriola 338 picturatus, Gymnothorax 166 picturatus, Trachurus 338 pictus, Sciades 103 pictus, Torpedo 73 picuda, Sphyragna 283,284 picudilla, Sphyrsena 287 piersoni, Hypsoblennius 945 pigmentarius, Apogon 418 pigmentarius, Monoprion 418 pilicornis, Blennius 941 pilosa, Solea 1000 Pimelepterus 605 pinima, Pristipoma acara 569 pinnimaculatus. ^Elurichthys. ... 100 pinnimaculatus, Felichthys 100 pinnulata, Seriola 393 pinta, Murasna 169 pintita, Muraena 165 Pipe-fishes 254 piquitinga, Engraulis 204 piraaca, Monacanthus 799 pirapeda, Dactylopterus 859,860 Pisodonophis 147 pisquetos, Caranx 358 pisquetus, Caranx 346 pixanga, Serranus 457 Plagiusa 1004 Plagusia 1 004 plagusia, Pleuronectes 1004,1005 plagusia, Symphurus 1005 planiceps, Arius 117 planiceps, Netuma 117 Platophrys 977 platophrys, Citharichthys 986 Platygaster 189 Platypodon 36 platypogon, Arius 113 platypogon, Netuma 113 platyrhynchus, Eulamia 43 Plecopodus 894 plectrodon, Porichthys 922 Plectrypops 301 pleii, Hemirhamphus 234 Pleuracromylon 31 Pleuronectidae 970 plumbeus, Carcharias 38 plumieri, Diapterus 598 plumieri, Gerres 598,600 plumieri, Mugil 275 plumieri, Scisena 52 1 plumieri, Scomber 335 plumieri, Scomberomorus . . . .321,323 plumieri, Scorpaena 835 plumieri, Tetrodon 815 plumierianus, Caranxomorous. . . 337 plumierii, Chaetodipterus 760,761 plumierii, Hsemulon 532 plumierii, Labrus 532 plumierii, Polydactylus 289 pneumatophorus, Scomber 309 Poecilocephalus 153 Poecilophis 170 poecilopus, Myripristis 296 poecilopus, Rhamphoberyx . . .293,296 poeyi, Engraulis 211 poeyi, Halichoeres 720 poeyi, Hemirhamphus 237 poeyi, Lycengraulis 211 Polipturus 321 politus, Tetraodon 816 poloosoo, Caranx 361 Polycirrhus 671 Polyclemus 671 Polydactylus 289 polygonius, Acanthostracion. . . . 807 polylepis, Balistes 790 polylepis, Scorpasna 845 polynema, Parapomacentrus. . . . 697 Polynemidae 288 Polynemus 289 polyspilos, Rhombus 971 Pomacanthodes 772 Pomacanthus 772 Pomacentridae 693 Pomacentrus 697 INDEX 1039 Pomadasys 547 Pomataprion 705 Pomatomidce 401 Pomatomus 402 Pompilus 399 pompilus, Thynnus 400 pondiceriana, Elacate 404 Porcupine Fishes 826 porcus, Scorpasna 833 Porgies 571 Porichthys 922 Porobronchus > . . 963 porosissimus, Batrachus 922 porosissimus, Porichthys 922 porosus, Carcharhinus 49 porosus, Carcharias 49 postica, Echeneis 898 powellii, Balistes 793 prasdatorius, Cestreus 658 praedatorius, Cynoscion 658 prayensis, Upeneus 303 Priacanthichthys 452 Priacanthidae 486 Priacanthus 487 prieto, Lutjanus 497 principis, Antennarius 1015 principis, Chironectes 1015 principis, Julis 717 Prionodes 470 Prionodon 36 Prionotus 848 Pristidae 65 Pristis 65 pristis, Squalus 65 Pristocantharus 544 Pristotis 697 probatocephalus, Sparus 577 proboscideum, Monacanthum. . . 803 proboscideus, Chaenomugil 281 proboscideus, Mugil 281 producta, Anchovia 210 productum, Pristipoma 559 productus, Engraulis 210 productus, Eucinostomus 588 prof undorum, Leptophidium. . . . 960 Promicrops 450 prorates, Lepophidium 960 prorigera, Ariosoma 140 prorigerum, Ophisoma 140 prospinosum, Holocentrum 301 Prospinus 463 proxima, Seriola 397 Psenes 409 Pseudobythites 968 pseudogula, Eucinostomus 584 pseudogula, Gerres 584 pseudo-hispanica, Sardinia 180 pseudohispanicus, Clupanodon. . 180 Pseudojulis 725 Pseudopriacanthus 489 Pseudorhombus 971 Pseudoscarus 744 Pseudupeneus 303 psittacinus, Serranus 470 psittaculus, Labrus 717 psittacus, Coryphaena 729 psittacus, Scarus 735 psittacus, Xyrichthys 729 Pteromylaeus 91 Pterophryne 1010 Pterophrynoides 1010 Pteroplatea 86 puella, Plectropoma 467 Puffers 808 pulcherrimus, Balistes 787 pullus, Cantherines 800 pullus, Monacanthus 800 puncta, Furcaria 694 punctata,.Alutera 802 punctata, Gorgasia 133 punctata, Muraena 166 punctata, Opisthognathus 901 punctata, Perca 438 punctata, Trigla 848,850 punctatissimus, Canthigaster . . . 825 punctatissimus, Ophioscion 644 punctatissimus, Tetrodon 825 punctatus, Balistes 793 punctatus, Caranx 334 punctatus, Decapterus 334 punctatus, Diodon 827 punctatus, Monacanthus 800 punctatus, Myrophis 145,146 punctatus, Prionotus 850 punctatus, Prionurus 786 punctatus, Squalus 29,55 punctatus, Trachinus 456 punctatus, Upeneus 304 puncticeps, Cryptopterus .... 154,160 puncticeps, Ophichthus 160 puncticulatus, Chilomycterus . . . 832 punctipinnis, Ayresia 695 punctulata, Perca 438 punctulatus, Hippocampus 255 punctulatus, Scarus 737 punctulatus, Squalus 29 purpureus, Labrus 726 pyrrhovinctum, Thalassoma. . . . 728 quadrangularis, Selene 761 quadratus, Zeus 761 quadricorne, Ostracium 808 quadricornis, Ostracion 805,807 quadrigutta, Pomacentrus 705 quadrilineatum, Haamulon. . .523,524 quadrimaculatus, Diodon 830 quadripennis, Salarias 951 quadripunctatus, Scomber 311 quadrispinosus, Scarus 739 quadrocellatus, Ancylopsetta . . . 971 quaican, Echeneis 896 quatuordecimlaminatus, Echeneis 899 Querimana 273 querna, Azevia 991 1040 INDEX querna, Cyclopsetta 991 quiebra, Lichia 390 quiescens, Prionotus 857 quinquecinctus, Pomacanthus. . . 773 quinquef asciatus, Serranus 450 quinquelineatum, Haemulon .... 524 quinquemaculata, Raia 89 Rabdophorus 765 Rabirubia 514 rabirubia, Anthias 515 Rabula. 161 Rachycentridae 403 Rachycentron 403 Rachycentrum 403 radiale, Diplectrum 775,477 radialis, Serranus .472,475 radians, Epinephelus 473 radians, Sparisoma 750 radians, Scarus 751 radiatus, Halichceres 717 radiatus, Labrus 714,717 Raizero 493 Raja 71 Rajidae 70 rammelsbergii, Mugil 275 ramosum, Pristipoma 559 Ramularia 971 raphidoma, Belone 226 raphidoma, Tylosurus 226 rascacio, Scorpaena 835 rastralis, Anchovia 209 rastralis, Stolephorus 209 rathbuni, Paralonchurus 674 rathbuni, Polycirrhus 674 rayneri, Galeocerdo 56 rectifraenum, Pomacentrus 698 ref ulgens, Oligoplites 392 regalis, Otolithus 653 regalis, Scomber 321,323 regalis, Scomberomorus 323 remifer, Isopisthus 651 remiger, Ophisurus 156 Remora 897 remora, Echeneis 897,898 remora, Remora 898 Remoras 895 Remorina 897 Remoropsis 897 remotus, Carcharhinus 47 remotus, Carcharias 47 remotus, Serranus 455 reticularis, Anchisomus 817 reticulata, Hemistoma 736 reticulata, Thalassophryne 920 reticulatus, Cynoscion 66 1 reticulatus, Diodon 831 reticulatus, Otolithus 661 retropinnis, Microdesmus 955 retrospinis, Holocentrum 301 retrospinis, Plectrypops 301 Rhamphoberyx 293 Rhegma 478 Rhinesomus 804 Rhinobatidse 67 Rhinobatos 67 Rhinobatus 67 rhinobatus, Raja 67 Rhinoscion 679 rhodopus, Trachinotus 383 rhodopus, Trachynotus 382,383 rhodospilus, Gobiesox 926 rhomaleum, Sparisoma 754 rhombeus, Diapterus. 593 rhombeus, Gerres 591,592 rhomboides, Acanthinion. . . .377,379 rhomboides, Chaetodon 378 rhomboides, Hemicaranx 345 Rhomboidichthys 977 Rhomboplites 517 Rhombus 410 ricardi, Mesoprion 504 richardi, Caranx 354 richardi, Hemirhamphus 237 rijgersmasi, Ocyurus 516 rim, Scomber 361 rimator, Bathystoma 523 risso, Alpismaris 215 rivoliana, Seriola 396 robalito, Centropomus 430 Robalos 419 roberti, Hemirhamphus . . 237,239,240 roberti, Hyporhamphus 239 rocheanus, Thynnus 313 rochei, Scomber 312,313 Rock-fishes 833 rodo, Pristipoma 560,569 ronchus, Bairdiella. . 633,634 ronchus, Corvina 634 rondeletii, Carcharodon 63 rondeletii, Exonautes 245 rondeletii, Exoccetus 245 rosaceus, Mesoprion 501 roseus, Cryptotomus 733.734 rostrata, Albula 178 rostrata, Anguilla 134 rostrata, Muraena 134 rostratus, Gymnothorax 1 66 rostratus, Scarus 744 rostratus, Tetrodon . 825 rostratus, Zeus 373 rotundatus, Balistes 794 rotundatus, Canthidermis 794 rousseau, Syngnathus 258 ruber, Apogon 414 ruber, Bodianus 507 ruber, Bodianus fulvus 439 ruber, Caranx 357 ruber, Coregonus 220 ruber, Epinephelus 445 ruber, Mycteroperca 445 ruber, Scomber 357 rubigenes, Batrachus 918 rubropunctatus, Salarias 951 INDEX 1041 Rudder-fishes 604 rufipinnis, Exoccetus 245 rufipinnis, Exonautes 245 ruf us, Batistes 795 rufus, Bodianus 711 rufus, Labrus 711 rugifer, Ophichthus 156 rupestris, Serranus 446 Rupiscartes 948 ruppelii, Monacanthus 800 ruscarius, Prionotus 850 russula, Scorpaena 843 Rypticus 479 sabanensis, Hippoglossina 972 sabina, Trygon 77 sabinus, Dasybatus 77 Sagenichthys 646 sagitta, Amblyopus 869 sagitta, Tylosurus 229 sagittula, Euctenogobius 879 sagittula, Gobionellus 879 Salarias 951 Salarichthys 949 Salema 577 saliens, Oligoplites 390 saliens, Scomber 390 salmoneus, Esox 220 saltans, Chorinemus 390 saltator, Hemirhamphus 235 saltator, Scomberoides 390 saltator, Temnodon 402 saltatrix, Perca 402,608 saltatrix, Pomatomus 402 sanctas crucis, Pseudoscarus . . . . 741 sanctae-luciae, Corvula 692 sanctae-marthas, Vomer 366 sanctae-petri, Vomer 366 sancti-laurentii, Engyophrys 975,976 Sand Star-gazers , . 902 sanguineus, Antennarius 1013 sanguineus, Pseudobythites .... 968 sanguineus, Sicyases 926 saponaceus, Anthias 479,480 saponaceus, Rypticus 480 Sarda 317 sarda, Sarda 319 sarda, Scomber 317.319 sardina, Harengula 183 sardina, Sardinella 183 Sardinella 181 Sardinia 180 sargoides, Chaetodon 701 Sargus 580 sargus, Sparus 580 Sarothrodus 765 sarra, Cybium 326,327 saturnus, Amblodon 679 Saurus. . 215 saurus, Elops . . . 175,176 saurus, Oligoplites 390 saurus, Salmo 215 saurus, Scomber 387,390 saurus, Trachurus 336 savanna, Murasna 143 savanna, Murasnesox 143 Sawfishes 65 saxatilis, Abudefduf 701 saxatilis, Chastodon 700,701 say, Dasybatus 77 say, Raja 77 scaber, Antennarius 1012 scaber, Centropomus 433 scaber, Chironectes 1012 scabra, Trinectes 1002 scapularis, Orthopristis 545 scapularis, Tylosurus 230 scapus, Balistes 797 Scaridae 732 Scartes 951 Scartichthys 951 Scarus 735 Schistorus 452 schlegelii, Orcynus 315 schmardae, Dasybatus 81 schmardae, Trygon 8 1 schmidtii, Hoplunnis 143 schoepfii, Alutera 802 schcepfii, Balistes 802 schranki, Hsemulon 536,538 Sciadeichthys 103 Sciaena 679 Sciaenidae 610 sciera, Sciaena 642 scituliceps, Synodus 221 sciurus, Haemulon 533 sciurus, Sparus 529,533 Scoliodon 51 Scomber 308 Scomberomorus 321 Scombridae 307 scombrus, Scomber 308 scops, Gnathypops 900 scops, Opisthognathus 900 Scorpsena 833 Scorpaenidae 833 Scorpaenodes 845 scripta, Alutera 803 scriptus, Balistes 801,803 scudderii, Haemulon 542 scutatus, ^Elurichthys 97 scutum, Achirus, 995 scutum, Solea 995 Scyris 363 Sea Basses 434 Sea Devils 92 Sebastopsis 845 Sectator 609 sectatrix, Kyphosus 608 secundo-dorsalis.Thynnus 315 seemanni, Arius 107 seemanni, Galeichthys 107 Selar 335 Selenaspis 101 1042 INDEX Selene 3?i sellicauda, Epinephelus 459 sellif er, Halichceres 722 semicinctus, Julis 714 semif asciatus, Serranus 466 semiluna, Sparus 515 seminudus, Eleotris 863 seminudus, Enypnias 888 seminudus, Gobius 887,888 seminudus, Gymneleotris 863 semiruber, Labrus 711 semispinous, Caranx 337 senticbsus, Balistes 794 Sergeant-fishes 403 Seriola 394 Seriolichthys 393 serra, Gonenion 402 Serranidas 434 serrata, Fistularia 252 serratus, Naucrates 400 serrifer, Conodon 521 serrula, Priacanthus 490 serrula, Pseudopriacanthus 490 setapinnis, Vomer 366 setapinnis, Zeus 366 setifer, Argyriosus 373 setifer, Monacanthus 797,798 setipinnis, Argyreiosus 366,367 setipinnis, Vomer 366,367 setosus, Mugil 280 sexcornutus, Ostracion 807 sex-decim lamellata, Echeneis. . . 899 sexf asciatum, Haemulon 543 sexmaculatus, Diodon 830 sicana, Cerna 462 sicula, Pimelepterus bosci var. . . 608 Sicyases . 926 Sicyogaster 926 sierita, Tylosurus 228 sierra, Scomberomorus 324 Sigmurus 636 signatus, Microgobius 871 sigm'fer, Chatoessus 187 Siluridse 95 Silversides 262 similis, Haemulon , . . . 534 simillimus, Gerres 589 simondsi, Galeichthys 108 simulus, Ophioscion 637 simus, Menticirrhus 668 sinaloae, Paralichthys 974 Siphostoma 256 Skates 70 skib, Pomatomus . 402 sloanei, Scomber 315 sloani, Leiobatus 85 smaragdus, Eleotris 864,865 smaragdus, Erotelis 865 smaragdus, Gobionellus 882 smaragdus, Gobius. 882 Smecticus / 479 Snappers 490 snyderi, Hemirhamphus 240 snyderi, Hyporhamphus 240 snyderi, Peprilus 413 sobra, Mesoprion 501 sogo, Holocentrus 296 sohal, Chaetodon 781 sohar, Chaetodon 781 solandri, Acanthocybium 326 solandri, Cybium . . , 326 solea, Caranx 349 soleaeformis, Rhombus 983 Soleidae 993 Soleotalpa 1003 Soles 993 somnolentus, Lobotes 485 sonnerati, Opistognathus 900 soporator, Bathygobius 867 soporator, Gobius 867 sordidus, Chaetodon 700 Spade-fishes 760 spadiceus, Centmrophis 153 Sparactodon 402 Sparidas 571 Sparisoma 747 speciosus, Gnathanodon 361 speciosus, Scomber 360,361 spectrum, Lophius 1012 spengleri, Sphoeroides 815 spengleri, Tetrodon 811,812,815 spet, Sphyraena 287 Spheroides 811 Sphoeroides 811 Sphyraena 283 sphyrasna, Esox > . . . . 283 sphyrasnarum, Echeneis 895 Sphyrasnidae 282 Sphyrna 57 spilopterus, Citharichthys. . . .987,988 spilotopterygius, Balistes 793 spinarella, Gasterosteus 859 spindens, Scarus 733 spinifer, Engraulis 207 spinif era, Anchovia 207 spinosissimus, Diodon 830 spinosus, Centronotus 404 spinosus, Chilomycterus 832 spinosus, Diodon 832 spinosus, Trachinotus 379 spixianus, Saurus 221 spixii, Argyreiosus 373 Squalidae 64 squalidum, Sparisoma 755 squalidus, Scarus 755 squalipeta, Echeneis 898 Squalus 64 squamipinnis, Cynoscion 655,656 squamipinnis, Gerres 589 squamipinnis, Otolithus 656 squamosus, Trachurus 359 Squirrel-fishes 293 stahli, Monosira 686 Star-gazers 906 INDEX • 1043 starksi, Menidia 267 starksi, Stolephorus 203 starri, Pomadasys 559 stearnsii, Scorpaena 837 steindachneri, Arius 127 steindachneri, Haemulon 537 steindachneri, Tachysurus 127 stellatus, Caranx 353 stellatus, Tetraodon 809 Stellifer 619 stellifer, Bodianus 619 Stelliferus 619 stellio, Perca 456 Stephanolepis 797 stigmaticus, Gobionellus 882 stigmaticus, Smaragdus 882 Sting Rays 75 stipes, Atherina 264 stirurus, Chloroscombrus 370 stolifera, Clupea 182 stolifera, Sardinella 182 stolzmanni, Belone 228 stolzmanni, Cynoscion 663 stolzmanni, Otolithus 663 stolzmanni, Tylosurus 228 strabo, Ophioscion 640 stratus, Monacanthus 800 striata, Alausa 184 striata, Perca 524 striatura, Bathystoma 524 striatus, Anthias 4 "3o striatus, Blennius 944 striatus, Bodianus 509 striatus. Chaetodon 765,768 striatus, Epinephelus 460,473 striatus, Hypsoblennius 944 strigatus, Antennarius . . 1014 strigatus, Holacanthus 778 Stromateidae 407 suareus, Caranx 334 subarcuatum, Haemulon 532 suborbitale, Holocentrum 300 suborbitalis, Holocentrus 300 subtruncatus, Tylosurus 229,230 subulatus, Orcynus 316 succincta, Seriola 400 sucklii, Squalus 65 sueurii, Coryphaena 406 Sufflamen 787 sumichrasti, Cicharichthys 987 Surgeon-fishes 780 surinamensis, Anisotremus 566 surinamensis, Batrachus. .911,915,916 surinamensis, Batrachoides . .915,916 surinamensis, Holocentrus.. . .484,485 surinamensis, Lobotes 484,485 surinamensis, Lutianus 566 Surmullets 302 sutor, Blepharis 364 Syacium 980 symmetricus, Caranx 338 Symphurus 1004 synagris, Lutianus 505 synagris, Sparus 505 Synbranchia 131 Synbranchidae 131 Synbranchus 131 Synentognathi 223 Syngnathidae 254 Syngnathus 256 Synodontidae 215 Synodus 215 synodus, Esox 215 tabacaria, Fistularia. 248,250 tabogensis, Microgobius 873 taeniatum, Haemulon • • • • 527 teeniatus, Anisotremus 570 taeniopterus, Pseudoscarus 737 tang, Mugil, 275 tapeinosoma, Auxis 313 Tarpon 1 73 Tarpons 173 tartoor, Pristigaster 191 tau, Batrachoides 911,914 tau, Gadus 917 Teleostomi 95 temmincki, Carcharias. ........ 36 Temnodon 402 templei, Pomadasys 559 tentabunda, Trigla 860 tenuifilis, Antennarius 1014 terrae-novse, Scoliodon 55 terras-novae, Squalus 55 tessellata, Plagusia 1005 testudineus, Spheroides 819 testudineus, Sphoeroides 817 testudineus, Tetraodon.. .811,817,822 tetracanthus, Sparus 511 Tetragonopterus 766 Tetraodon 822 Tetraodontidae 808 tetraspilus, Upeneus 305 textilis, Salarais 949,950 textilis, Salarichthys 950 thalassina, Netuma 112 thalassinus, Doratonotus 731 Thalassoma 726 Thalassophryne 9*9 thaumasium, Rhegma 478 thazard, Auxis 313 thazard, Scomber 3I2»3r3 Tholichthys 766 thorbuni, Mugil 278 Threadfins 288 Thresher Sharks . 62 Thrissa 180 thrissa, Clupanodon 186 thrissa, Clupea 180,187 thrissina, Clupea 185 thrissina, Sardinella 185 thrissoides, Megalops 174 thunnia, Thynnus 311 thunnina, Orcynus 31 * 1044 INDEX Thunnus 314 thynnoides, Auxis 313 Thynnus 314 thynnus, Scomber 314 thynnus, Thunnus 314 tibicen, Centropyge 777 tiburo, Cestracion 60 tiburo, Squalus 60 tigrinus, Galepcerdo. . 56 tigrinus, Myrichthys 149 Tile-fishes 796 timlei, Raja 72 timucu, Esox 229 timucu, Tylosurus 229 Tirus 215 Toad-fishes 910 toeroe, Otolithus 653 Tomicodon 926 Trachinocephalus 222 Trachinotus 377 trachinus, Salmo 222 Trachurops. 335 Trachurus 336 trachurus, Caranx 338 trachurus, Scomber 336,337 trachurus, Trachurus 337 tractus, Acanthurus 783 transversalis, Synbranchus 131 triacanthus, Argyriosus 373 triacanthus, Nauclerus 400 triangularis, Pachynathus 787 Trichidion 289 Trichiuridae 327 Trichiurus 328 Trichoderma 797 trichodon, Mugil 276 Trichonotus 175 tricolor, Chaetodon 777,779 tricolor, Engraulis 204 tricolor, Holacanthus 779 tricornis, Lactophrys 807 tricornis, Ostracion 807 Tricropterus 346 tricuspidata, Muraenesox 141 tricuspidatus.Hyporhamphus 236,237 tridactylus, Blennius 948 tridigitatus, Dactyloscopus . . .902,903 Trigger-fishes. .- 787 Triglidas 848 Trigonobatus 76 trigonum, Ostracion 806 trigonus, Ostracion 804,806 trilobatus, Scarus 740 Trinectes 994 triourus, Bodianus. 485 Triple-tails 483 triqueter, Lactophrys 805 triqueter, Ostracion 804,805 triserialis, Muraenopsis 155 triserialis, Ophichthus 155 Trisotropis 444 trispinosus. Scarus 739 trivittatus, Grammistes 524 tropica, Echeneis 895 troschelii, Glyphidodon 701 troschelii, Sciadeichthys 103 troschelii, Sciades 103 True Eels 1 34 truncatus, Saurus 222 Trunk-fishes 804 Trygon 76 tschudii, Discopyge 74 tuberculata, Trygon 78 tudes, Cestracion 59 tudes, Zygaena 59 turchesius, Scarus 744 turgidus, Tetrodon 815 tuyra, Arius ., 128 tweedliei, Syngnathus 259 Tylosurus 224 Tyntlastes 869 typicus, Ophioscion 636,641 typus, Rachycentron 403 ujo, Dasyatis 76 Ulaema 588 umbra, Sciaena 679 Umbrina 613 umbrosa, Narcine 73 Umbrula 666 undecimale, Haemulon 542 undecimalis, Centropomus. . .421,425 undecimalis, Sciasna 419,425 undecim-radiatus, Centropomus. 425 undulata, Perca 616 undulatus, Micropogon 618 undulatus, Ostracion 806 undulatus, Rhinobatus 69 undulatus, Scomber 309 undulosus, Serranus 445 Unibranchapertura 131 unicolor, Hypoplectrus 469 unicolor, Perca 469 unicolor, Soleotalpa 1003 unicolor, Thynnus 310 unifasciatus, Hyporhamphus . 237,240 unimaculata, Perca 577,578 unimaculatus, Archosargus 578 unimaculatus, Argyreiosus 366 uninotatus, Mesoprion 506 unionensis, Centropomus 428 Upeneus 303 Upselonphorus 907 Uranichthys 1 54 Uranoscopidae 906 Urobatis 85 Uropsetta 974 Urotrygon 82 ustus, Callyodon 733 ustus, Cryptotomus 733 vafer, Myfophis 145 vagrans, Chirostoma 268 vaigiensis, Gerres 589 INDEX 1045 valenciennesi, Erotelis 864,865 valenciennesi, Smaragdus 882 vampyrus, Cephalopterus 94 variabilis, Pomacentrus 699 variegata, Echidna < . . . . 170 varius, Monacanthus 797 varius, Serranus 457 velata, Chalisoma 792 velieana, Atherina 264 velox, Carcharhinus 45 velox, Sarda 320 venenosa, Perca 444 venosus, Aluterus 803 ventralis, Brosmophycis 966 ventralis, Ogilbia 966 venustus, Xyrichthys 729 veras-crucis, Bairdiella 634 verany, Cybium 327 vermicularis, Corvina 636,645 vermicularis, Ophioscion 645 vermicularis, Sciaena 642,645 vermicularis, Sparus 505 vermiculatus, Xyrichthys 729 vermiformis, Neoconger 144 verres, Balistes 788 verres, Lutjanus 711 verrilli, Gymnothorax 165 verrilli, Sidera 165 versicolor, Elapsopsis 153 versipunctatus, Gymnothorax.. . 164 verticalis, Echeneis 869 vespertilio, Lophius 1016,1017 vespertilio, Ogcocephalus 1017 vetula, Balistes 787,792 vexillarius, Holocentrus 299 Vexillifer 963 vicina, Murenophis 164 vicinus, Gymnothorax 164 vinctus, Caranx 358 viola, Eques 678 virescens, Cynoscion 657 virescens, Gallus 363,364 virescens, Otolithus 657 virgata, Coryphaena 406 virginicus, Anisotremus 569 virginicus, Polynemus 289 virginicus, Sparus 560,569 viridis, Centropomus 426 vittata, Echeneis 896 vittatus, Sparus 569 vittatus, Synbranchus 131 vivanet, Bodianus 511 vivanus, Lutjanus 507 volitans, Cephalacanthus. ...... 860 volitans, Expcoetus 244 volitans, Trigla 859,860 Vomer 365 vomer, Selene 372,374 vomer, Zeus , 371.372 vomerinus, Salarias 949.95° vulgaris, Anguilla 134 vulgaris, Auxis 313 vulgaris, Mustelus 34 vulgaris, Pagrus 576 vulgaris, Thynnus 314 Vulpecula 62 Vulpeculidse 62 vulpes, Albula 178 vulpes, Esox 177,178 vulpes, Squalus 62 vulpinus, Squalus 62 waigensis, Gerres 591 woolmani, Paralichthys 974 Worm Eels 145 Wrasses 709 wurdemanni, Gobius 88 1 xanthops, Odontoscion 690 xanthopteron, Hasmulon 531 xanthopygus, Caranx 350 xanti, Labrisomus 937 xanti, Labrosomus 937 xanti, Rhypticus 481 xanti, Rypticus 481 xanti, Umbrina 615 xanti, Xenichthys 518 xenauchen, Galeichthys 1 1 1 Xenichthys 518 xenisma, Prionotus 854 xenops, Xenichthys. . . 518 Xesurus 786 Xyrichthys 729 xyris, Scorpaenodes 845 xyris, Sebastopsis 845 Xystaema 589 Xyster 605 xystrodon, Sparisoma 751 yalei, Ostracion 806 y-grascum, Uranoscopus 907 Zalieutes 1018 Zalypnus 871 zebra, Arbaciosa 927 zebra, Gerres 589 zebra, Gobiesox 927 zelotes, Dactyloscopus 902,903 zelotes, Hemicaranx 343 zephyreus, Astroscopus 907 zephyreus, Pristis 66 zestocarus, Stellifer 620 zestus, Nebris 681 zonatus, Chaetodipterus 762 zonatus, Ephippus 762 Zonichthys 394 zonifer, Clinus 94° zonif er, Malacoctenus 940 zonipectus, Pomacanthodes 772,776 zonipectus, Pomacanthus 776 zophochir, Ophichthus 158 zosterura, Evermannia 892 zosterurum, Gobiosoma 891 zygaena, Cestracion 58 zygaena, Squalus 57. 5^ zysron, Pristis 66 HE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA