OF THE. UN IVER.S1TY OF ILLINOIS might stand as a subgenus for philadelphicus (and springeri?). A difference in the length of the dorsal filaments is not sufficient for '• such separation. fr> Centropristes striatus (Linnaeus). BLACK SEA-BASS. This is the largest, best known, and most widely distributed species of the genus, being found in all favorable localities from the Gulf of Maine to Mississippi. It is popular with "pan fish" anglers and is caught in considerable numbers by commercial fishermen. Although it occasionally reaches a weight of eight to ten pounds, most specimens that reach the markets are much smaller. It is rare or unknown in southern Florida, probably because of the lack of rocky bottom. Its wide distribution and great popularity are ^ " shown by its large number of common names, of which "Black : Sea- Bass" is by far the best known and most appropriate. Centropristes striatus is deeper in body than C. philadelphicus. The depth is about the same as in C. springeri. The color pattern, ^at comparable sizes, differs greatly from that of the other two. ^ The filaments attached near the tips of the dorsal spines are shorter ^and thicker than those of the other species and are sometimes broadened into pennant-like flaps. The dorsal and caudal rays are, apparently, less often prolonged in the form of delicate, filmy streamers. These streamers are shorter than in philadelphicus or springeri. The small scales at the sides of the dorsal groove are r less evidently truncate and are more abruptly smaller than those 1 x just below them (fig. 35, a). There are fewer rows of scales below ^ the lateral line. There are more rows of scales on the cheek. There . are more gill rakers and these appear more crowded on the arch. V The caudal rays seem to be in larger number than in philadelphicus, ' perhaps less than in springeri. (For detailed measurements see i P. 307.) The Black Sea-Bass is so distinct in its coloration that there is no danger of confusing it with any other species except the Tautog ^ (Tautoga onitis) which is found with it from Maine to South Carolina and is often sold under the same name. As ordinarily seen, its 294 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. XX general color is black, varied with brilliant reflections of blue and green. The center of each scale is paler than the margin, so that a more or less horizontally striped appearance is produced (see photograph by Dugmore in Jordan and Evermann, 1902, pi. facing p. 396.) The webs of the vertical fins are black, variegated with short stripes and spots of white or transparent. Occasionally speci- mens are caught that show a pattern of dark and light vertical cross-bars. The first of these is on the top of the head, another comes at the front of the dorsal fin. The fourth comes under the bases of the last dorsal spines, the third and fourth are usually rather close together, and the seventh is on the caudal peduncle. This is exactly the arrangement found in Centropristes philadelphicus and C. springeri. (See p. 299). The pattern is very well shown in Shufeldt's pictures (1899, pi. 6). In life, as seen in the aquarium, the black phase seems to be less commonly shown. The cross- barred pattern, while holding to its basic position is constantly changed by broadening and narrowing the lower parts of the bars so that the side often seems to be irregularly mottled instead of barred. The vertical fins of Centropristes striatus show great individual variation. The first dorsal spine is always short; the second varies from one and a half times to twice the height of the first. The third and fourth are from one and a half to two times as high as the second. From the fourth the spines are progressively shorter to the ninth and tenth, which are of approximately equal height. A short, thick filament, which occasionally broadens into a pennant-like flap, is firmly attached just below the tip of each dorsal spine of Centropristes striatiLS. In the front of the filament is a pocket which normally receives the tip of the spine so that the appearance is as shown in Shufeldt's figures (1899, pi. 6). Frequently these filaments bend backward to expose the tip of the spine as shown in Todd's figure (Goode, 1884, pi. 162) and in many other illustrations of this fish. The excellent painting by Kilbourne (Kilbourne and Goode, 1879) fails to show the filaments. The first anal spine is very short, about the same height as the first dorsal spine. The second is somewhat shorter than the second dorsal spine, and rather stout. The third anal spine is somewhat longer and more slender than the second. The soft rays of the dorsal are variously prolonged and often end in free filaments. These are so delicate that they are usually more or less broken in preserved specimens. The anal rays usually 1937 SEA-BASSES— CENTROPRISTES 295 end more definitely and are not generally produced beyond the web of the fin. Both dorsal and anal rays seem to be higher in this than in other species of the genus. The eighth dorsal ray is usually highest but is sometimes surpassed by the seventh. The longest anal ray may be the fourth, fifth or sixth, or two or all three of these may be of equal height. The caudal fin is extremely variable in form. It may be entirely rounded as in other sea-basses. One or more of the upper rays may be produced as shown in Todd's figure (Goode, 1884, pi. 162). Some of the upper and some of the middle rays may be prolonged, or upper, middle, and lower rays may be extended as shown in Kilbourne's painting (Kilbourne and Goode, 1879). The number of scales in the lateral line is practically the same in all three species. The same is true of the number in a diagonal row downward and backward from the second dorsal spine to the lateral line. However, there seems to be a definite specific difference in the scales at the upper ends of these rows. The spinous part of the dorsal fin of striatus stands in a shallow groove, marked off by the abrupt ending of the scales on the sides of the fish. The groove is not evident along the base of the soft portion of the fin. There is, however, a definite bare space along the base of the fin, and the rows of scales between the rays are defi- nitely separated from the scales of the body. The dorsal groove is bordered by a nearly straight edge of the body scales. This effect is produced by a sharp bending of each diagonal row above the lateral line. The scales in each row are of approximately equal size until the base of the fin is reached. Then each row turns sharply forward, and the next two or three scales are progressively much smaller and arranged along the base of the fin so that they fill in the space between the two large scales. These smaller scales are all rounded, none of them noticeably truncate. The arrangement of the scales along the dorsal groove is quite different in philadelphicus and will be discussed under that species (see fig. 35, a and 6). Although the distance diagonally upward and forward along a row of scales from the anal fin to the lateral line is considerably greater in striatus than in philadelphicus of the same length, the number of scales in such a row is definitely less. This difference in the form of the scales was well figured by Holbrook (1860, pi. 7). The series of small scales along the base of the anal is similar to that already described for the dorsal fin. 296 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. XX The scaling of the cheek is definitely finer in striatus than in either of the other species. The scales are in quite definite rows except at the extreme forward portion, below the end of the maxillary bone, where the arrangement is sometimes irregular (see p. 309). The number of gill rakers seems to be slightly greater in striatus, and these structures are spaced more widely on the arch in phila- delphicus and springeri. In all the specimens examined there is a definite and fairly even gradation in length of the gill rakers from FIG. 35. Arrangement of scales of Ceniropristes. (a) C. striatus, No. 33721, Newport, near Wa- kulla, Florida, (b) C. philadelphictu, No. 31766, Charleston, South Carolina. the ends toward the center of the arch. There is reason to believe that the gill rakers are much better developed in the young than in adults and that some near the ends of the arch, that are quite well developed in the young, stop growth and finally become simple rough knobs in the adult. The interorbital width may be greater in very large specimens of striatus than in similarly large individuals of philadelphicus, but the number of specimens at hand is not enough to prove this. In both species the eyes are only about the width of the pupil apart in small specimens. In large ones the interorbital width becomes greater than the length of the eye. The eye seems to be slightly smaller than in philadelphicus of comparable length. We have nine specimens of striatus about 50 to 60 mm. in standard length from Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and Long Island, New York, to compare with three specimens of about the same size and one a little larger of philadelphicus from Louisiana. 1937 SEA-BASSES— CENTROPRISTES 297 The young specimens of philadelphicus have a color pattern practically identical with that of our large specimens from Charles- ton, South Carolina. The tails of these small individuals are rounded, only the largest showing any indication of a prolongation of part of the fin, except that the web does not seem to extend quite to the ends of the rays. The young specimens of striatus have the dorsal blotch, at the base of the last two or three spines, well developed. They have a heavy black stripe extending from the top of the gill opening to the middle of the base of the caudal fin. Although badly stained by preservative, a few of them show traces of cross- bands. The fourth band, extending downward from the dorsal blotch, can be seen in most of them. They are definitely deeper in body than philadelphicus of similar length. No young specimens of springeri are available for comparison. The two specimens, apparently six to seven inches long, figured by Shufeldt (1899, pi. 6) have practically the adult color pattern. Along the back the position of the seven crossbands is clearly indi- cated. Below the lateral line these bands run together so that their position is indicated only by various light-colored patches. The scales in the dark areas show the pale center that is typical of striatus. The fish can change the size of the light and dark patches at will, extending them either horizontally or vertically so that the pattern, unless carefully analyzed, may seem to have no relation to that of philadelphicus. The pectoral fin of the fish in the lower figure does not seem to be so squarely truncate as it is in our Gulf specimens of striatus or in philadelphicus. The caudal fin shows just a beginning of the prolongation of the upper lobe. Specimens of philadelphicus of the same size would show the tail strongly trilobed and ending in filmy streamers. These two specimens show clearly the differences in form of the back that are found in this species. Some have the highest point at about the middle of the spinous dorsal as in the upper figure. Others have the highest point at the first spine, as in the lower figure. Centropristes philadelphicus (Linnaeus). ROCK SEA-BASS Smaller, and more restricted in its distribution, this species has remained much less well known than the Black Sea-Bass. It is found from Beaufort, North Carolina to Louisiana. Apparently it spends most of its life around the rocky reefs farther off-shore and in somewhat deeper water than its larger and better known relative. 298 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. XX At certain seasons it seems to enter the harbors, perhaps for spawn- ing purposes. Centropristes philadelphicus is much less deep and somewhat wider in body than either C. striatus or C. springeri. For those familiar with our freshwater fishes, perhaps the best comparison in form would be between our Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) and our Wall-Eyed Pike (Stizostedion vitreum). C. striatus and C. springeri are somewhat shorter and deeper but about as flat-sided as Perca. C. philadelphicus is somewhat shorter but about as round as Stizo- stedion. The filaments attached near the tips of the dorsal spines are longer and more slender than in striatus and seem never to be broadened into pennant-like flaps. These filaments may be as long as the spines. The filmy extensions of the dorsal and caudal rays may reach a very great length but are so delicate that they are mostly lost in preserved specimens. The reduced scales at the sides of the dorsal groove are more definitely truncated at the upper side and extend under the larger, also truncated, scales of the next row. The number of rows of scales below the lateral line is greater than in striatus. The scales on the cheek also are larger and the gill rakers are fewer in number and appear more widely spaced on the arch. There appear to be fewer caudal rays than in striatus or springeri. For detailed measurements see p. 307. Centropristes philadelphicus has a color pattern of watery greens or browns. Where striatus always seems opaque, the other is translucent, at least in effect. The pattern is a series of about seven broad cross shades, hardly to be called bands. These are more or less interrupted by two lengthwise light shades that start out above and behind the pectoral fin and almost join at the base of the tail. The cross-bands of philadelphicus have very definite positions. The first is on top of the head, extending down on the sides to about the level of the middle of the eye. Its width is about equal to the length of the eye or a little more, and its front edge is about opposite the rear of the pupil. This band is very often obscure and only indicated by a deepening of the general color. The second cross-band spans the bases of the first four dorsal spines. It may begin as much as the distance between two dorsal spines ahead of the fin. The third cross-band is opposite the bases of the fifth, sixth, and seventh dorsal spines. It is often almost united with the fourth, leaving only a narrow space, of irregular width, between them. The fourth cross-band begins about at the base of the eighth dorsal spine and extends to the base of the first 299 300 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. XX soft ray. It extends upward on the fin to form the large, squarish blotch that is frequently seen. This blotch may be reduced to a group of two, four, or six dark spots, or it may be almost entirely absent, but it is usually well marked. This cross-band is the most prominent and can usually be seen even when the others have been hidden by stain or fading. The fifth cross-band extends from the bases of about the fourth to sixth soft rays. The sixth is from the base of about the eighth soft ray to the end of the dorsal fin. This band sometimes becomes rather diffuse below and somewhat bent forward. The seventh cross-band is on the caudal peduncle. It is often so diffuse as to be simply a dark shade. Sometimes it tends to fuse with the lower part of the sixth. In several cases it is broken up into three squarish blotches, one above and two below the lateral line, connected only at the corners. The dorsal fin markings of philadelphicus show very great varia- tions. In some examples there are few or no spots. Others have spots arranged in rather definite patterns. Some have very fine dots on the spines. These are in one, two, or three rows at regular heights. Other specimens have spots somewhat smaller than the pupil arranged in definite patterns on the web of the fin. In this case there is usually a row along the base. This may extend the entire length of the fin or be confined to the spinous portion. Other individuals may have one or two less definite rows of spots above the lower one. The spots are usually more pronounced and close together in the position of the dorsal blotch when that is absent. If specimens of philadelphicus should be kept alive in an aquariijm, they would probably show just as great variations as striatus. With three exceptions, all available specimens that are not definitely striatus are so very similar in all respects that there is no possibility of considering them distinct species. The only ob- servable difference is that, in some individuals, the black blotch on the last dorsal spines is replaced by a group of dark dots, each about half the diameter of the pupil. This group of spots occupies a somewhat larger area along the base of the fin than the single black blotch. The vertical fins of Centropristes philadelphicus show the same extreme variability as those of C. striatus. The height of the spines varies so greatly and irregularly that no general differences between the two species can be noted. In the specimens examined, the dorsal rays seem to average somewhat higher in striatus than in phila- delphicus. However, it seems highly probable that the rays of both 1937 SEA-BASSES— CENTROPRISTES 301 soft dorsal and caudal are normally considerably longer in phila- delphicus than in striatus of the same size. It seems probable, also, that the prolongation of the tail in three points is more usual in philadelphicus. The filmy streamers are very easily broken off. Any one or two of the last three anal rays may be longer than the others. A long, slender filament is attached just below the tip of each dorsal spine (except the first ?) of philadelphicus. The filaments on the third, fourth, and fifth may be as long as the spines or even longer. The manner of attachment and the pocket at the base to receive the tip of the spine are exactly as in striatus. These filaments are so long and slender that they are easily lost. The colored illustra- tion by Holbrook (1860, pi. 7, fig. 1) shows about their fullest develop- ment. Specimens will rarely be found in which all are as long as illustrated in this plate. The filament of philadelphicus is shown in its proper position in figure 36. The illustration published by Hol- brook is correct in outline but rather poor in color pattern. The figure, first published by Jordan and Evermann (1900, pi. 191, fig. 501) and later copied by various authors, is incorrect in that it shows the filament broken away from its attachment to the dorsal spine. The dorsal groove of philadelphicus is somewhat better developed than in striatus, and the arrangement of the scales along its edge is quite different. In following any row of scales upward and forward from the lateral line it will be noted that the direction becomes gradually more and more nearly horizontal. At the same time the rear edge of each scale becomes more angulated or the upper part more truncated so that the rear (upper) edge of the row becomes an evenly curved line which finally merges in the edge of the dorsal groove. Thus this groove is margined practically everywhere by a double thickness of scales (see fig. 35, 6). No difference can be noted in the number of scales in, or the number of rows above, the lateral line in the available specimens of the three species. The number of rows of scales between the lateral line and the anal fin is greater in philadelphicus than in striatus. The scales on the cheek are larger in philadelphicus and springeri than in striatus. There are somewhat fewer gill rakers in phila- delphicus and springeri than in striatus. The eye seems to be slightly larger in philadelphicus than in striatus at all ages. Centropristes philadelphicus was first described by Linnaeus on the basis of specimens sent to him from Charleston, South Carolina (and other places ?). For a considerable time it was supposed to be confined to rocky bottom in moderately deep water in the vicinity 302 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. XX of Charleston except that in certain seasons the fish were reported as coming into the harbor, perhaps to spawn. Later specimens were taken as far north as Beaufort, North Carolina and perhaps at a few points in eastern Florida. About 1880, some fishes taken from the mouths and stomachs of Red Snappers and Red Groupers caught on the "Snapper Banks" and landed at Pensacola, Florida, were sent to Washington by Silas Stearns. Some of these were recognized as related to the Black Sea- Bass and were identified as the same species as specimens from Charleston which were then known as Serranus trifurcus and are now called Centropristes philadelphicus. Such differences as were noted were supposed to be due to differences in age. One of these specimens is No. 30192, U. S. National Museum, now taken as a paratype of C. springeri. In 1886 Jordan and Evermann, after studying additional speci- mens, described the form from the Gulf of Mexico as a distinct species under the name ocyurus. A larger specimen, about ten inches long, was designated as the type. It might be assumed that this type specimen was taken from the mouth or stomach of a Red Snapper or a Red Grouper caught on the "Snapper Banks," since the statement is made (Jordan and Evermann, 1886, p. 466) : 'Through the kindness of Mr. Silas Stearns, Mr. Evermann and Mr. Charles H. Bollman were enabled to accompany the fishing boats to the "Snapper Banks" between Pensacola and Tampa Bay. From the "spewings" of the Snappers and especially from those of the Red Grouper (Epinephelus morio) a considerable number of species were obtained . . .' However, it seems probable that specimens were secured in other ways and that the type specimen of ocyurus was taken much nearer shore. Examination of specimens taken in Mississippi and Louisiana shows that some of the material from the Gulf of Mexico can not be distinguished from specimens taken at Charleston. Three speci- mens, No. 92060, U. S. National Museum, collected by Professor W. H. Longley at some locality south of The Tortugas, belong to this group. These specimens have been compared with the type specimen of ocyurus by Mr. Earl D. Reid of the Division of Fishes, U. S. National Museum. His report, as sent to me by Dr. Leonard P. Schultz, is that these three specimens closely resemble the type of ocyurus and that three other specimens, Nos. 53054, 86133, and 30192, U. S. National Museum, are different. Two of these speci- mens were taken by trawling at distances of sixty to seventy miles 1937 SEA-BASSES— CENTROPRISTES 303 from shore, one off Apalachicola, Florida, the other south of Gal- veston and east of Rockport, Texas. The third seems to be one of the original lot sent in by Silas Stearns. It was received in Washing- ton in January, 1882 and was undoubtedly examined by Jordan and Gilbert before they published their report in August of that year. This specimen has almost all of the skin and some of the muscle gone from one side and was almost surely taken from the stomach of a fish caught by men working under the direction of Mr. Stearns. Since all of this was done at considerable distances from shore, we can be reasonably certain that this fish, also, belongs to the off-shore group. This evidence makes it certain that Centropristes ocyurus is a synonym of Centropristes philadelphicus and leaves the other group without a name. A careful study of the description published by Jordan and Gilbert (1886) seems to show that these authors were not sufficiently critical in separating specimens from different places. They seem to have been confused by similar colors and to have overlooked differences of form. The three off-shore specimens mentioned above are two ripe females, 96 mm. and 110 mm. in standard length, and a ripe male 103 mm. in standard length. They are certainly smaller than striatus of breeding age and probably smaller than mature examples of philadelphicus. They are as deep in body as mature specimens of striatus. The color pattern is a series of seven definite, sharply de- fined cross-bars, in the usual position for the group. The description by Jordan and Gilbert (1882) mentions this pattern while that of Jordan and Evermann (1886), on the basis of supposedly more mature examples, gives the typical pattern of philadelphicus. A comparison of figure 36 with Jordan and Evermann's (1886) descrip- tion will show how easily the pattern could be construed as either a series of seven cross-bars or as three longitudinal rows of dark blotches. The three off-shore specimens, which almost certainly represent the original idea on which the name ocyurus was founded, are about as deep-bodied as striatus. They have the cross-bars more sharply defined than any other specimens examined in this study. Appar- ently they had the brownish basic color of philadelphicus instead of the black of striatus. They are sexually mature at a much smaller size than striatus. Judging from Jordan and Gilbert's (1882) de- scription, they seem to have the filamentous extension of the dorsal and caudal rays much more fully developed than any other group in this genus. 304 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. XX Centropristes springer! sp. nov. Type from "Albatross" station No. 2405, 28° 45' N., 85° 02' W. (about 70 miles south of Apalachicola, Florida), depth 30 fathoms. No. 53054 U. S. National Museum. Standard length 155 mm. March 15, 1885. Head 2.6-2.8, depth 2.7-3 in standard length. Snout 3.2-4.1, eye 3-4.1, interorbital width 6.2-7.4, fourth dorsal spine 2.1-2.3, tenth dorsal spine 2.8-3.1, pectoral 1.3-1.4, ventral 1.4-1.6 in head. D.X, 11; A. Ill, 7; P. 17; C. 19-20; gill rakers 18; scales 6 (see p. 309) to 7-53 to 54-18 to 19. (See table, p. 307, for other measurements.) The depth is about the same as in C. striatus, notably greater than in philadelphicus of the same length. The color pattern is about like that of philadelphicus. The ends of the soft dorsal and caudal rays are broken, and their extension as filaments cannot be determined but was evidently considerable. Judging from the de- scription by Jordan and Gilbert (1882), this species probably has both dorsal and caudal longer than philadelphicus of the same length or even of the same stage of maturity. The scales on the sides of the dorsal groove were not examined carefully before the specimens were returned to the U. S. National Museum, but it is my recollec- tion that they were similar to those of philadelphicus. The scales below the lateral line seem to be about the same size as in phila- delphicus. The scales on the cheek are as large as those of philadelphi- cus (see p. 309). The gill rakers seem to be fewer and farther apart than in philadelphicus. The caudal rays seem to be fewer than in philadelphicus. The eye is distinctly larger than in either of the others at the same stage of maturity. Seven dark cross-bars, the first above eye, second under front of dorsal, third under dorsal spines, fourth under last dorsal spines, fifth and sixth under soft rays, and seventh on caudal peduncle, those on body extending below lateral line. These cross-bars are very definitely marked off from the ground color and appear to have been margined with darker in life. The caudal and soft dorsal fins are so broken that the length of the filamentous extensions of the rays cannot be determined. The height of the dorsal and anal spines is about the same as in the other species of the genus. Filaments are present on the dorsal spines but their length cannot be determined. Apparently they were quite long. Long streamers were evidently present on both dorsal and caudal, for the rays are quite thick at the points where they were broken. 1937 SEA-BASSES— CENTROPRISTES 305 The number and arrangement of the scales on body and cheek is about the same as in philadelphicus. Since the body is considerably deeper, it is likely that the scales below the lateral line will prove to be higher than those of philadelphicus. They are probably not so high as those of striatus. The number of gill rakers is less in the three specimens of springeri than in any other material examined in the genus. The interorbital width is notably greater than in other specimens of the same size and approaches that of adults of striatus and philadelphicus. Apparently the nominal species Centropristes ocyurus was origi- nally based on specimens of two distinct forms. The first specimens seen, which were described as examples of philadelphicus, under the name trifurcus, were taken from the mouths and stomachs of Red Snappers (Lutianus blackfordi) landed at Pensacola and caught on the Snapper Banks within a few hundred miles of that port. Some of these fish must have been caught only a few minutes before the snappers themselves were taken, for the delicate tail filaments were still intact. These are so long and filmy that they hardly persist in preserved specimens. Later some other, larger specimens of similar appearance were taken and one of these, No. 37997, U. S. National Museum, ten and one-fourth inches long, was made the type of the new species, ocyurus, by Jordan and Evermann, 1886. They com- pared it with striatus instead of philadelphicus and called attention to the caudal rays, which were produced as long streamers. The color pattern was described as being made up of three rows of dark (black in original description) blotches, separated by a pair of light bands extending almost the whole length of the fish. In some of the early descriptions mention was made of dusky shades across the light bands, connecting the blotches into vertical bands. An ex- amination of figure 36 will show this condition very well. The pattern of the fish figured can be interpreted either as three horizontal rows of dusky blotches or as about seven, partially interrupted, vertical bands. It is highly probable that the fish is able to vary the intensity of these color markings at will and thus produce either pattern at times when its state of mind calls for one or the other. The original description of ocyurus does not mention phila- delphicus at all but compares it only with striatus, under the name atrarius. The study seems to have been made at Indiana University, with, perhaps, no specimens of philadelphicus available. Jordan and Gilbert, 1882, had specimens of philadelphicus for comparison. Aside from the color and shape of body the differences between these 306 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. XX two (striatus and philadelphicus) are so slight that they are not easy to reduce to definite statements. The proportions of head, mouth, interorbital, etc., are about the same. The number of fin rays and of scales is practically the same in both. The number of gill rakers is slightly less in philadelphicus and apparently still less in springeri. This character is mentioned, more or less casually, in some of the earlier descriptions. A letter from Dr. Leonard P. Schultz states that the type speci- men of ocyurus has been compared by Mr. E. D. Reid with specimens No. 92060, U. S. National Museum, collected south of the Tortugas by Professor W. H. Longley and found to be the same, differing in several respects from certain other material from the Gulf of Mexico, Nos. 53054, 86133 and 30192, U. S. National Museum. These speci- mens of Professor Longley's cannot be distinguished specifically from material collected at Charleston, South Carolina by Dr. E. Milby Burton, and presented to Field Museum. This seems to make it certain that the name ocyurus belongs to Gulf of Mexico examples of philadelphicus and leaves the other group without a name. I, therefore propose the name Centropristes springeri sp. nov. for the specimens, so far known only from the Gulf of Mexico, that have the color pattern and fin structure of philadelphicus and the body form of striatus and that mature at a very much smaller size than either of those species. This in honor of Mr. Stewart Springer, of the Bass Biological Laboratory, Englewood, Florida, who brought this group of fishes to my attention. Since these specimens have so great a superficial resemblance to striatus, I asked Dr. Schultz to have them compared with specimens of that species of similar size. In reply he stated that Mr. Reid had made the comparisons and quoted his report: "I have compared the specimens 86133, 53054, and 30192, U. S. N. M., with specimens of Centropristes striatus of about equal size and find that the species are quite distinct. The color pattern of the young fish, if anything, is even more contrasted than that of older fish. The lateral band in striatus is always distinct, and continuous, while in ocyurus and phila- delphicus the lateral band is somewhat broken up into short dashes. The principal character, however, and one that will always distinguish between the two species ocyurus and philadelphicus is the size of the scales on the cheek. In ocyurus or philadelphicus the cheek scales are in seven rows and are notably more than half the size of the opercle scales. In striatus the cheek scales are in ten rows and they are notably less than half the size of the opercle scales." 1937 SEA-BASSES— CENTROPRISTES 307 COMPARATIVE MEASUREMENTS STRIATUS PHILADELPHICUS SPRINGERI Head 2.5-2.91 .35-. 40* 2.7-3.1 .34-. 39 2.6-2.8 .36-. 39 Depth 2.3-3 .33-. 39 3.1-3.9 .26-. 32 2.7-3 .33-. 38 Snout 3 -3.6* .10-. 12 3.2-4.7 .07-. 11 3.2-4.1 .09- 12 Eye 3.7-4.5 .08-. 10 3.1-4.2 .08-. 11 3 -4.1 .09-. 12 Interorbital width 5.7-6.8 .05-. 07 4.5-11.1 .03-. 07 6.2-7.4 .05-. 06 Maxillary 2 -2.5 .14-. 18 1.9-2.6 .14-. 19 2.1-2.3 .16-. 17 First dorsal spine 4.7-7.3 .05-. 08 5.2-8.9 .04-. 07 5.7-10.75 .04-. 06 Second spine . . . 2.9-4.2 .09-. 13 3 -4.9 .07-. 12 3.4-4.7 .10-. 11 Third spine. . . . 2 -2.6 .15-. 18 1.8-3 .12-. 21 2.2-2.4 .16 Fourth spine 1.9-2.3 .16-. 20 1.7-2.7 .12-. 20 2.1-2.3 .17-. 18 Ninth spine... . 2.3-3 .12-. 16 2.9-3.25 .11-. 13 2.6-3.1 .13-. 14 Tenth spine.... 2.3-3.1 .12-. 16 2.8-3.25 .11-.14 2.8-3.1 .125-. 13 Longest dorsal ray 1.4-1 7 21- 29 1 5-1.9 .19-. 24 First anal spine 4.8-7.7 .05-. 07 5.4-9.5 .04-. 07 7.2-8.6 .05 Second spine . . . 3.25-4.7 .08-. 11 3.3-5.9 .06-. 11 3.9-4.8 .08-. 09 Third spine 3.1-3.9 .10-. 12 3.1-4.75 .08-. 12 3.6-4.1 .09-. 10 Longest anal ray 1.5-1.9 .19-. 24 1.7-2.2 .15-. 21 1.8 .22 Length pectoral 1.2-1.5 .25-. 29 1.2-1.5 .24-. 28 1.3-1.4 .28 Length ventral . 1.3-1.6 .23-. 28 1.1-1.8 .21-. 24 1.4-1.6 .21-. 25 Scales above LL 6-84 6-8 6-7 Scales in LL.... 50-53 51-56 53-54 Scales below LL 13-16 16-20 18-19 Scales on cheek 10-13«Xl6-24« 7-11X13-19 7-9X10-18 Dorsal rays. . . . X,ll X,ll X,ll Anal rays 111,7-8 111,7 111,7 Pectoral rays. . 16-19 17-19 17 Caudal rays 16-19 (14?)-17 19-20 Gill rakers 21-23 19-21 18 1 Number of times measurement is contained in standard length. 1 Measurement expressed as decimal of standard length. 3 Number of times measurement is contained in length of head. 4 These numbers are too small, see p. 309. ' Counted from below eye to lower rear of cheek. * Counted from lower front of cheek to lateral line. 308 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. XX Without this cooperation of Dr. Schultz and, especially the care- ful investigation of Mr. Reid, the exact relationship of specimens of Centropristes from the Gulf of Mexico could not have been deter- mined. Further work on this group is needed. The variation of springeri should be studied. It is possible that a careful examination of suf- ficient series of striatus and philadelphicus will show that there is a subspecies of each in the Gulf of Mexico. Centropristes springeri is described from three specimens: The type; and two paratypes, No. 86133, Grampus Station No. 10472, 28° 02' N., 94° 40' W. (about due south of Galveston and due east of Rockport, Texas) depth 64 m., March 2, 1917; and No. 30192, U. S. National Museum, Pensacola, Florida, received January 7, 1882. This last is an adult male and is evidently one of the specimens on on which Jordan and Gilbert (1882) reported. The Snapper fisher- men at that time were working, according to Stearns (1883) within about 200 miles of Pensacola. SUMMARY A small series of specimens of Centropristes from various parts of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico was studied. These showed that there are three species in the genus, all found in the Gulf of Mexico and two of them in Atlantic waters. The genera Centropristes and Triloburus are found to differ only in points of trivial value. Further investigation may show that Triloburus can be retained as a subgenus. The nominal species Centropristes ocyurus is found to be a com- plete synonym of Centropristes philadelphicus and not at all related to C. striatus. The original description of C. ocyurus was based on specimens of two distinct species. The individual chosen as type happened to be an example of C. philadelphicus, thus leaving the other group with- out a name. Centropristes springeri sp. nov. is proposed as a name for this group of which only three specimens are known. MEASUREMENTS AND COUNTS Some explanation of the method of measurement in this group seems to be necessary. Total length. — This can only be approximate as the tails of most of the speci- mens end in filaments that are easily broken. Standard length. — Measured from the tip of the lower jaw, with the mouth closed, to a line joining the first, rudimentary, caudal rays. 1937 SEA-BASSES— CENTROPRISTES 309 Head. — Measured from the tip of the lower jaw, with mouth closed, to the end of the opercular spine. Depth. — Measured from the highest point of the back to the level of the base of the ventral fins. Snout. — Measured from the front of the orbit to the center of upper jaw as if these points were projected to the median plane of the fish. Eye. — The diameter of the bony socket was measured, including the narrow tough border of the socket. This includes a little more than the visible part of the eye. Interorbital. — An attempt was made to measure the width of the bony bridge between the eyes, at its narrowest point. Maxillary. — The actual length of the bone, as nearly as it could be determined; practically, the distance from the upper edge of the preorbital to the end of the maxillary. Height of dorsal and anal rays and spines. — Measured from the bottom of the groove to the end of the ray or spine. Length of pectoral. — Measured from about the center of the base to end of the longest ray. This is a little more than the length of the longest ray. Length of ventral. — Measured from base of outer (upper) to end of longest ray. A little more than length of longest ray. Scales above lateral line. — Counted from the base of second or third dorsal spine. The second dorsal spine is sometimes on the right side and at other times on the left. The count was made on the left side and started at the base of the spine on that side. Since the scales become progressively smaller at the upper end of each diagonal row, at least two scales in the row are actually at the side of the dorsal groove. The upper edge of each scale counted lies beneath the lower edge of the preceding one in the series. The scale in the lateral line is not counted. These scales are rather unexpectedly difficult to count. The diagonal row becomes so nearly horizontal at its upper end and the scales finally become so small that the use of a microscope becomes necessary in order to determine their relative position. The scales on these specimens were counted three times, by two persons, with rather widely varying results. The numbers shown in the table on p. 307 are consistently too small, but the upper scales are so deciduous and the speci- mens have been preserved under such varying conditions that it is not worth while to attempt a correction. There seems to be a specific variation between striatus and philadelphictis in the shape of the upper scales. This is more fully discussed under those species (see pp. 293 and 298 and figs. 35a and 356). Scales in lateral line. — The entire series of pores is counted from above the gill opening as far as the scales are arranged in vertical rows. On the caudal fin there is a series of two to nine pores on squarish or rectangular scales arranged in a single interradial row. These are not counted. This method seems to afford the only reliable and definite stopping point for the count. Three to six of the scales counted are actually behind the "base of caudal," as that term is ordinarily used. Scales below lateral line. — Counted from the base of the second anal spine diagonally forward and upward to, but not including, the lateral line. The diffi- culty of determining the exact number of small scales at the lower end of the row is not so great as it is at the base of the dorsal fin. The small scales seem to be more nearly in line with the rest of the row than in the upper series. The greatest difficulty seems to arise from the fact that the second anal spine is not always on the same side of the mid-line of the body. Perhaps it might be more accurate to count on the right side in some specimens and on the left in others, according to the position of the spine. The shape of the scales at the edge of the groove in which the fin lies is similar to that of those below the dorsal fin. Scales on cheek. — These are counted in two directions. A row is counted from near the front, just below the eye, downward and backward to the lower rear corner, choosing the row that will give the greatest number. The other row starts at the lower front corner, below the end of the maxillary and extends upward and backward to the bare space where the lateral line extends from the eye across the 310 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. XX upper end of the opercular bones. The small scales at the lower end are counted. There may be three or four rows of these reduced scales in some specimens. Dorsal and anal rays. — These are so well differentiated that there is no difficulty in counting them. Pectoral rays.— The small ray at the upper edge of the pectoral fin is counted in all cases. This ray is about half as long as the second but is well separated from it in fresh specimens. In some preserved specimens it appears to be closely ap- pressed to the second ray. Caudal rays. — Only those rays that show evident jointing under low-power magnification are counted, Gill Rakers. — The total number on the first arch is counted as it seems to give a better picture of the variation than either the number on the upper or lower arm of the arch. In some individuals all the gill rakers are developed while in others some at the forward ends of the arch are represented only by short stubs or by rough, elevated patches. There seems to be some indication that some gill rakers are developed in the young and then become reduced as the fish grows older and, perhaps, changes it food habits. REFERENCES BAIRD, S. F. 1855. Report on the Fishes Observed on the Coasts of New Jersey and Long Island during the Summer of 1854. Ann. Kept., Smithsonian Inst., 9 (1854), p. 323. Description of the young of Centropristes nigricans (=C. striatus). BEAN, T. H. 1880. Check-List of Duplicates of North American Fishes Distributed by the Smithsonian Institution in Behalf of the United States National Museum, 1877-1880. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 3, p. 99. Centropristes atrarius (=C. striatus), name and localities. Specimens mostly from New England; one, each, from Florida and North Carolina. 1888. Report on the Fishes Observed in Great Egg Harbor Bay, New Jersey, during the Summer of 1887. Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., 7 (1887), p. 143, pi. 3, fig. 12, May 12, 1888. Figure of young of Centropristes furvus (=C. striatm) shows black spot in dorsal fin. 1903. Catalogue of the Fishes of New York. Bull. 60, Zool., 9, New York State Mus., pp. 536-539, 744. Description of Centropristes striatiis, adult and young, with notes on distribu- tion and on breeding habits. BEEBE, W. and TEE-VAN, J. 1933. Field Book of the Shore Fishes of Bermuda. P. 255, fig. G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York. The figure is a redrawn copy of the outline of H. L. Todd's drawing of No. 14838, U. S. Nat. Mus., of a specimen taken at Noank, Connecticut. "Recently introduced into Bermuda." BIGELOW, H. B. and SCHROEDER, W. C. 1936. Supplemental Notes on Fishes of the Gulf of Maine. Bull. U. S. Bur. Fisheries, 48, p. 333. A five-pound specimen of Centropristes striatus was taken five miles east of Pollock Rip Lightship, December, 1930. This is the most northerly record of the species. BIGELOW, H. B. and WELSH, W. W. 1925. Fishes of the Gulf of Maine. Bull. U. S. Bur. Fisheries, 40 (1924), Part 1, pp. 259-261, fig. 123. 1937 SEA-BASSES— CENTROPRISTES 311 Centropristes striatus is recorded from as far northeast as Matinicus Island, Maine. Figure is from drawing by H. L. Todd of No. 14838, U. S. Nat. Mus., taken at Noank, Connecticut. BOULENGER, G. A. 1895. Catalogue of the Fishes in the British Museum, ed. 2, 1, pp. 302-304. Centropristes atrarius (=C. striatus), Centropristes ocyurus (=C. philadelphicus), Centropristes trifurca (=C. philadelphicus). BREDER, C. M., JR. 1929. Field Book of Marine Fishes of the Atlantic Coast from Labrador to Texas. Pp. 165-166, fig. G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York. The figure is an outline only of Centropristes striatus redrawn from H. L. Todd's drawing of No. 14838, U. S. Nat. Mus., taken at Noank, Connecticut. The distribution is given as from northern Florida to Cape Ann, straggling to Maine. Centropristes ocyurus is recorded as being found in the Gulf of Mexico in rather deep water, east to Florida. Centropristes philadelphicus is recorded from South Carolina, not rare about rocky shores. CLARKE, S. C. 1876. Game Fish of Florida. In Hallock, C., Camp Life in Florida, p. 60. Forest and Stream Publishing Company. Centropristes nigricans (= Centropristes striatus) is said to be very abundant at Mosquito Inlet, Florida. 1884. See Van Doren, L. O. COLLINS, J. W. and SMITH, H. M. 1892. A Statistical Report on the Fisheries of the Gulf States. Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., 11 (1891). Pp. 93-184, November 30, 1892. Centropristes striatus. Recorded as a commercial species from Wakulla and Hillsboro counties of Florida and all shore counties of Mississippi. CUVIER, G. 1829? Le Regne animal, ed. 2, 2, p. 145. Cenlropristis nigricans (= Centropristes striatus). A reference is made to Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1829, 3, pi. 44. While this would seem to indicate clear priority for the publication quoted, many workers of that time made a practice of exchanging proof sheets of both text and plates, and this evidence is not conclusive. However, there seem to be other indications that the third volume of Cuvier and Valenciennes' "Histoire naturelle des poissons" was actually distributed before the second volume of the second edition of Cuvier's "Regne animal." Thus, the proper spelling of the generic name would be Centropristes, as it is generally used, and not Centropristis, as it has been given by some writers. This work passed through many editions, in many languages. A translation into German by, or under the auspices of, F. S. Voigt bears the title page date 1832 in the second volume and seems to indicate publication of the original before that year. In this edition the name is given as Centropristes nigri- cans. An English edition published by G. Henderson with the title page date 1834, gives the name as Centropristis nigricans on page 92. The species is figured on plate 11, fig. 3. This is a very poor copy of the figure in Cuvier and Valenciennes. The outline is fairly well done but the coloring is extremely crude. CUVIER, G. and VALENCIENNES, A. 1829. Histoire naturelle des poissons, 3, pp. 27-40, pi. 44. (Quarto ed.) Centropristes nigricans (=C. striatus), Centropristes trifurcus (=C. philadel- phicus). The figure, of C. "nigricans," made from a specimen sent by Milbert, is fairly good in outline but somewhat inaccurate in details of color ana of arrange- ment of the scales. Attention is called to the description and figure of Lace'pede, with the statement that the description was made from a figure by Bosc and not from a specimen. 312 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. XX DEKAY, J. E. 1842. New York Fauna, part 4, Fishes, pp. 24-25, pi. 2, fig. 5. Centropristes nigricans (=C. striatus), Centropristes trifurca (=C. philadelphi- cus). Poor figure, showing typical dorsal pattern and form of tail of C. striatus. EARLL, R. E. 1884. Hatching Blackfish and Spanish Mackerel. Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., 4, p. 415. 1885. Blackfish Eggs Impregnated. Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., 5, p. 91. FIEDLER, R. H. 1932. Fishery Industries of the United States, 1931. Rept. U. S. Bur. Fisheries, 1931, pp. 97-440. These reports list Centropristes striatus as a commercial species in one or two counties of western Florida. 1933. Fishery Industries of the United States, 1932. Rept. U. S. Bur. Fisheries, 1933, pp. 149-449. 1935. Fishery Industries of the United States, 1934. Rept. U. S. Bur. Fisheries, 1935, pp. 75-330. 1936. Fishery Industries of the United States, 1935. U. S. Department of Commerce, Administrative Report, No. 24; Rept. U. S. Bur. Fisheries, 1936, pp. 73-348. FOWLER, H. W. 1906. The Fishes of New Jersey. Rept. New Jersey State Mus., 1905, pp. 308-310, pi. 51. Lengthy description of adult of Centropristes striatus. Figure is a copy of drawing by H. L. Todd of No. 14838, U. S. Nat. Mus., taken at Noank, Con- necticut. 1907.1 A Supplementary Account of the Fishes of New Jersey. Rept. New Jersey State Museum, 1906, p. 316, fig. Figure of young Centropristis (= Centropristes) striatus, copied from Bean, 1888, pi. 3, fig. 12. 1907.2 Notes on Serranidae. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila. 1907, p. 263. Reports a specimen of Centropristes striatus from Bayport, forty miles north of Tampa, Florida. FOWLER, H. W. and SHARP, B. 1904. See Sharp and Fowler. GILL, T. 1861. Catalogue of the Fishes of the Eastern Coast of North America, from Greenland to Georgia. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila. 1861 suppl., p. 30. Centropristis atrarius and Centropristis nigrescens (= Centropristes striatus), names only. The nominal genus Triloburus is proposed as follows: "Genus TRILOBURUS Gill, TRILOBURUS TRIFURCUS Gill, Centropristes trifurca Storer. Synopsis Fishes N. A., p. 35". Although no description of this genus seems to have been published, it is adequately defined by being referred to a well known species. 1864. Review of Holbrook's Ichthyology of South Carolina. Am. Journ. Sci. Arts, ser. 2, 37, p. 93. Centropristis atrarius (= Centropristes striatus), name only. Triloburus trifurcus (= Centropristes philadelphicus), name only. 1873. Catalogue of the Fishes of the East Coast of the United States. In, Baird, S. F., Report on the Condition of the Sea Fisheries of the South Coast of New England in 1871 and 1872, pp. 788, 802. (This report is the first volume of the series of reports of the Commissioner of Fisheries. Reissued, 1873, in Smithsonian Misc. Coll., 14, art. 2, pp. 1-44, index). 1937 SEA-BASSES— CENTROPRISTES 313 Centropristes atrarius (= C. striatus), Cape Cod to Florida. Triloburus tri- furcus (= Centropristes philadelphicus), Cape Hatteras to Florida. 1878. Catalogue of the Fishes of the East Coast of North America. Smith- sonian Misc. Coll., No. 283, 14, pp. 10, 28. Centropristis atrarius (= Centropristes striatus), name only. Triloburus tri- furcus (= Centropristes philadelphicus}, name only. GOODE, G. B. 1879. A Preliminary Catalogue of the Fishes of the St. John's River and the East Coast of Florida, with Descriptions of a New Genus and Three New Species. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 2, p. 115. Lists Centropristis atrarius (= Centropristes striatus) from the "entire eastern coast." Lists Triloburus trifurcus (= Centropristes philadelphicus) with the query, "Has this species been observed since the days of Linnaeus and Garden?" 1884. Fisheries and Fishery Industries of the United States. Section 1, pp. 407-410, pi. 162. The figure of Serranus atrarius (= Centropristes striatus) is H. L. Todd's draw- ing of No. 14838, U. S. Nat,. Mus., from Noank, Connecticut. This seems to be the first place of publication of a figure that has been widely used by American authors. The text in Goode, 1888, is a slightly changed copy of this work. In regard to Serranus trifurcus (= Centropristes philadelphicus), the statement is made: "... found only in the vicinity of Charleston, South Carolina, and Pensacola, Florida, where it is called the 'Rock Black Fish' . . . ." 1888. American Fishes, a Popular Treatise upon the Game and Food Fishes of North America, pp. 39-46, fig. Faulkner and Allan, Philadelphia. Discusses Centropristes striatus under the names Serranus atrarius and S. furvus. The name Centropristis is also used in a way that does not make the author's meaning clear. The range is given as from Cape Ann, Massachusetts to the northern part of the Gulf of Mexico. Mentions Serranus trifurcus (= Centropristes philadelphicus) as being found only in the vicinity of Charleston, South Carolina and Pensacola, Florida. The figure is a copy of H. L. Todd's drawing of No. 14838, U. S. Nat. Mus., from Noank, Connecticut. GOODE, G. B. and BEAN, T. H. 1879. Catalogue of a Collection of Fishes Sent from Pensacola, Florida, and Vicinity, by Mr. Silas Stearns, with Descriptions of Six New Species. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 2, p. 145, November 5, 1879. Under the name Centropristis atrarius, is mentioned "a young specimen, about five inches long, No. 21483, . . . This specimen and others from Florida show certain characters which, when studied more closely, may serve to separate the southern Centropristis from that of New England." There is nothing in the description to indicate which species of Centropristes this specimen may have been. 1882. A List of the Species of Fishes Recorded as Occurring in the Gulf of Mexico. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 5, p. 238, July 29, 1882. Serranus atrarius (= Centropristes striatus) and Serranus trifurcus (= Centro- pristes philadelphicus), names only. GOODE, G. B. and KILBOURNE, S. A. 1879. See Kilbourne and Goode. GOWANLOCH, J. N. 1933. Fishes and Fishing in Louisiana. Bull. No. 23, Louisiana Dept. Con- servation, p. 37, fig., Feb., 1933. Lists Centropristis ocyurus (= Centropristes philadelphicus) and suggests, but does not say definitely, that C. striatus is found in the Gulf of Mexico. The figure is a copy of H. L. Todd's drawing of No. 14838, U. S. Nat. Mus., taken at Noank, Connecticut. 314 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. XX GREGG, W. H. and GARDNER, J. 1902. Where and How to Catch Fish on the East Florida Coast. Pp. 4, 150, fig. Matthews-Northrup Works, Buffalo and New York. Says that Centropristes striatus is not usually found south of Ponce Park, Florida, but that Captain Gardner caught one at Bears Cut, Biscayne Bay, in the winter of 1901. Figure is a copy of H. L. Todd's drawing of No. 14838, U. S. Nat. Mus., taken at Noank, Connecticut. GUNTHER, A. 1859. Catalogue of the Fishes in the British Museum, 1, pp. 82, footnote, 86, 91. Perca philadelphica (= Centropristes philadelphicus), considered unidentifiable. Centropristis atrarius (= Centropristes striatus). Mentions Holbrook's con- tention that there are two species of this fish. Citation is made from Holbrook's first edition, 1856. Anthias trifurcus (= Centropristes philadelphicus). Gives short description. Range given as coasts of South Carolina and Georgia. HALLOCK, CHARLES. 1876. See, Clarke, S. C., 1876. 1883. The Sportsman's Gazetteer and General Guide, part 1, pp. 249, 399. Orange Judd Company, New York. Mentions Centropristis atrarius (= Centropristes striatus) and Centropristis trifurca (= Centropristes philadelphicus). Tells of finding a portion of a ship's mast floating far out at sea, covered with barnacles and surrounded by very large Sea Bass, five to twelve pounds, each. They were all male fish. The color of C. philadelphicus is recorded as: "gray color, bronze head and blue and yellow fins. The filaments of the spines are red." HENSHALL, J. A. 1884. Camping and Cruising in Florida, p. 239. Robert Clarke and Company, Cincinnati. Mentions Serranus atrarius (= Centropristes striatus) as having been observed only on the east coast of the state. 1891. Report upon a Collection of Fishes made in Southern Florida during 1889. Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., 9 (1889), p. 386. Reports the capture of several large specimens of Serranus atrarius (= Cen- tropristes striatus) in Tampa Bay, Florida. 1895. Notes on Fishes Collected in Florida in 1892. Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., 14, (1894), p. 215. Centropristis (= Centropristes) striatus. "Rare on the west coast, but not uncommon on the east coast of Florida. I secured two specimens at Tampa, where it is occasionally brought by the fishermen." 1903. Bass, Pike, Perch and Others. Pp. 115-119, fig. facing p. 114. New York. Lists three species: Centropristes striatus, C. philadelphicus, and C. ocyurus (= philadelphicus), with the remark: "They may eventually all prove to be the same species, or geographical varieties." The figure is a copy of H. L. Todd's drawing of No. 14838, U. S. Nat. Mus., from Noank, Connecticut. HlLDEBRAND, S. F. and SCHROEDER, W. C. 1928. Fishes of Chesapeake Bay. Bull. U. S. Bur. Fish., 43, (1927), pt. 1. Full description of Centropristes striatus, with figures of adult and young. The figure of the young, fig. 144, is of a specimen 58 mm. long and shows the black spot in the dorsal fin. The figure of the adult, fig. 143, is a copy of H. L. Todd's drawing of No. 14838, U. S. Nat. Mus., from Noank, Connecticut. 1937 SEA-BASSES— CENTROPRISTES 315 HOLBROOK, J. E. 1860. Ichthyology of South Carolina. Pp. 45-52, pi. 7, figs. 1, 2, colored. Charleston, S. C. The dorsal fin of Centropristes atrarius (= striatus) "has ten spines, the anterior very short, and the third longest, and each has a small delicate filament near its tip." These filaments are represented as directed backward and about long enough to reach to the tip of the spine. The dorsal fin of Centropristes Irif urea (= philadelphicus) is described as having "ten compressed, slightly curved, sharp-pointed spines, of which the anterior is very short, the second twice its length, and the third and fourth are double the length of the second; from this they gradually decrease to the tenth; each spine has a delicate filament appended to it, which in the third, fourth, and fifth are as long as the spines themselves; . . . ."(These filaments, like those of striatus, are attached to the spine near its tip and each has a basal pocket to receive the tip of the spine. The colored plate of striatus shows the distinctive pattern in the fins quite accurately. The plate of trifurca (= philadelphicus) shows the pattern in the dorsal fin, except that the black blotch is often replaced by a group of black spots, each about half the diameter of the pupil. The dark cross bars are not in our specimens nearly so well defined as in the plate, and each shows a tendency to break up into three spots, thus forming the three horizontal rows of dark blotches described for ocyurus. JENKINS, 0. P. 1887. A List of the Fishes of Beaufort Harbor, North Carolina. Studies from the Biol. Lab., Johns Hopkins Univ., 4, No. 2, p. 89. Serranus atrarius (= Centropristes striatus) is recorded as abundant. Serranus (= Centropristes) philadelphicus is recorded as represented by a few specimens. JORDAN, D. S. 1884.1 Notes on a Collection of Fishes from Pensacola, Florida, Obtained by Silas Stearns, with Descriptions of Two New Species, Exocoetus volador and Gnathypops myslacinus. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 7, pp. 33-40 (June 3, 1884). Serranus (= Centropristes) philadelphicus, name only, in a list of species previously taken by Silas Stearns. 1884.2 List of Fishes Collected at Key West, Florida, with Notes and Descrip- tions. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 7, p. 149, July 7-8, 1884. "The 'Tally-wag' of the fishermen is Serranus atrarius (= Ceniropristes striatus), but it is said that it is never taken at the keys." 1885. Supplementary Notes on North American Fishes. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 7, p. 546, February 16, 1885. Suggests the use of Walbaum's name, furvus, in the combination Serranus furvus, for the northern form of Centropristes striatus, if the northern and southern forms are found distinct. 1886.1 Notes on Fishes Collected at Beaufort, North Carolina, with a Revised List of the Species Known from that Locality. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 9, p. 27, August 14, 1886. Serranus atrarius (= Centropristes striatus), name only. 1886.2 Notes on Typical Specimens of Fishes Described by Cuvier and Val- enciennes and Preserved in the Mus6e d' Histoire Naturelle in Paris. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 9, p. 533, December 2, 1886. Centropristes rufus Cuvier and Valenciennes. The species is based on two specimens taken at Martinique by Plee. Jordan reports that it is very similar to Serranus alrarius (= Centropristes striatus). It does not seem to have been taken by collectors since the capture of these two specimens, and its whole status is very doubtful. (See note under Jordan and Eigenmann, 1890.) 1887.1 A Catalogue of the Fishes Known to Inhabit the Waters of North America North of the Tropic of Cancer, with Notes on the Species Discovered in 1883 and 1884. Kept. U. S. Fish Comm., 1885, p. 870. 316 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. XX Serraniis alrarius and Serranus furvus (= Centropristes striatus), Serranus (= Centropristes) philadelphicus, names only. 1887.2. A Preliminary List of the Fishes of the West Indies. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 9, p. 607, February 11, 1887. Centropristis ocyurus (= Centropristes philadelphicus) is listed among the fishes not actually taken south of the Tropic of Cancer, but which may be "ex- pected." (It is entirely possible that Centropristes may be found on the Yucatan Banks and on rocky banks in the West Indies when collecting is done in those localities with hand lines and small hooks. A. C. W.) 1905. Guide to the Study of Fishes, 1, pp. 135-138, figs, 97-98; 2, p. 328. Henry Holt and Company, New York. Centropristes striatus is used as an example of the development of the egg of bony fishes. There is a good figure of the adult from a photograph by R. W. Shufeldt. 1929. Manual of the Vertebrate Animals of the Northeastern United States, ed. 13, p. 173. World Book Company, Yonkers, New York. Centropristes striatus, "Massachusetts Bay to Florida, common, strictly marine." JORDAN, D. S. and EIGENMANN, C. H. 1890. A Review of the Genera and Species of Serranidae found in the Waters of America and Europe. Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., 8, (1888), pp. 391-393, pi. 64. Centropristis (= Centropristes) striatus, Centropristis ocyurus and philadelphicus (= Centropristes philadelphicus). Plate 64, C. striatus, is the drawing by H. L. Todd of No. 14838, U. S. Nat. Mus., taken at Noank, Connecticut. Of Centropristes rufus, the authors say: "It is probably an ordinary striatus, with the caudal fin somewhat mutilated, and it very likely came from New York rather than from Martinique." Under Centropristis ocyurus, the statement is made: "It may prove to be merely a deep-water variety of C. striatus." The statements are made for Centropristis philadelphicus: "... not known from the Gulf of Mexico, all the references from that region belonging to Cen- tropristes ocyurus" and "this species, like its relative, C. ocyurus, inhabits rather deep water, and is consequently less frequently seen than the common Sea-bass." JORDAN, D. S. and EVERMANN, B. W. 1886. Description of Six New Species of Fishes from the Gulf of Mexico, with Notes on Other Species. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 9, p. 468. Serranus ocyurus, sp. nov. (= Centropristes philadelphicus). "Very closely allied to Serranus atrarius, of which it is doubtless to be regarded as a geographical variety." Apparently this study was made at Indiana University, where the authors may not have had access to specimens of Centropristes philadelphicus. If they had been able to use such material for comparison they should, surely, have noted the great similarity in color and color pattern between the two forms. 1896. A Check-List of the Fishes and Fish-Like Vertebrates of North and Middle America. Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., 1895, pp. 376-377. Centropristes striatus and philadelphicus, names only. Centropristes rufus and ocyurus are listed as if both should be considered valid species. 1896-1900. Fishes of North and Middle America. Bull. 47, U. S. Nat. Mus., 1, pp. 1199-1202, 4, pi. 190, fig. 500, pi. 191, fig. 501. Figure 500 is from H. L. Todd's drawing of No. 14838, U. S. Nat. Mus., from Noank, Connecticut. Figure 501 is A. H. Baldwin's drawing of No. 33161, U. S. Nat. Mus., from Charleston, South Carolina. Centropristes rufus (=?), Centropristes striatus, Centropristes ocyurus (= C. philadelphicus), Centropristes philadelphicus. Long descriptions that do not give any usable differences between philadelphicus and ocyurus. The figure of 1937 SEA-BASSES— CENTROPRISTES 317 philadelphicus is inaccurate in that the filaments are shown as separated from the tips of the dorsal spines. 1902. American Food and Game Fishes. Pp. 397-398, pi. facing p. 396, fig. on p. 398. Doubleday, Page and Company, New York. Centropristes slriatus, ocyurus, philadelphicus, and rufus. The plate of C. striatus is from a photograph by A. Radclyffe Dugmore. The figure of Centro- pristes philadelphicus is from A. H. Baldwin's drawing of No. 33161, U. S. Nat. Mus., from Charleston, South Carolina. JORDAN, D. S., EVERMANN, B. W., and CLARK, H. W. 1930. Check List of the Fishes and Fishlike Vertebrates of North and Middle America North of the Northern Boundary of Venezuela and Columbia. Kept. U. S. Bur. Fish., 1928, pp. 317-318. Centropristes striatus, ocyurus, and rufus, Triloburus (= Centropristes) philadel- phicus, names only. JORDAN, D. S. and GILBERT, C. H. 1878. Notes on the Fishes of Beaufort Harbor, North Carolina. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1, p. 380. (This volume also published as Smithsonian Misc. Coll. 19). Centropristes atrarius (= striatus). "Common, the young abounding about the wharves." 1882. Notes on Fishes Observed about Pensacola, Florida, and Galveston, Texas, with Description of New Species. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 5, p. 273, August 15, 1882. Serranus trifurcus (= Centropristes philadelphicus). This is the first published description of the form that was later given the name ocyurus. These authors had specimens from Charleston for comparison. They say: "These specimens differ somewhat in form and color from others in the National Museum from Charleston, S. C. We cannot, however, separate them specifically." 1883.1 Notes on a Collection of Fishes from Charleston, South Carolina, with Descriptions of Three New Species. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 5, pp. 600-602, April 25, 1883. Serranus atrarius (= Centropristes striatus). Serranus (= Centropristes) philadelphicus. "Better specimens than those noted by us (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882, 273) must be examined from the Gulf of Mexico before the range of this species can be confidently extended to those waters, as the Gulf specimens are peculiar in several respects." A full description of Charleston specimens follows. 1883.2 Synopsis of the Fishes of North America. Bull. 16, U. S. Nat. Mus., pp. 533-534. Serranus atrarius (= Centropristes striatus). "Cape Cod to Florida; generally abundant." Serranus trifurcus (= Centropristes philadelphicus). "... dorsal shaded with olive, a large irregular black spot near its middle; dorsal filaments red . . . South Atlantic coast; not very common." 1883.3 Description of Two New Species of Fishes. (Aprion ariommus and Ophidium beani) from Pensacola, Florida. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 6, p. 143, September 20, 1883. Serranus (= Centropristes) philadelphicus, name only, but listed among species taken from stomachs of Red Snappers. JORDAN, D. S. and SWAIN, J. 1884. Notes on Fishes Collected by David S. Jordan at Cedar Keys, Florida. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 7, p. 231, August 5, 1884. Serranus atrarius (= Centropristes striatus) "Common." KENDALL, W. C. 1908. Fauna of New England, List of the Pisces. Occ. Pap., Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., 7, No. 8, April, 1906, p. 99 and 6th of list not numbered. Centropristes striatus listed from Matinicus Island and Casco Bay, Maine. 318 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. XX KILBOURNE, S. A. and GOODE, G. B. 1879. Game Fishes of the United States. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Centropristis atrarius (= Centropristes striatus). A most excellent colored drawing of a male that was about two feet long and weighed about six to seven pounds. LACEPEDE, B. G. E. 1800. Histoire naturelle des poissons, 2, pi. 16, fig. 3. "Le Lutjan trilobe"" (= Centropristes striatus) a very poor figure (by Bosc?), in which only the color pattern of the dorsal fin and the shape of the caudal are recognizable. 1803. Histoire naturelle des poissons, 4, pp. 196, 246. Lutjanus tridens (= Centropristes philadelphicus). Lutjanus trilobatus (= Centropristes striatus). The name trilobatus was changed to trilobus by Cuvier and Valenciennes. LINNAEUS, C. 1758. Systema Naturae, ed. 10. pp. 285, 291. Labrus striatus (= Centropristes striatus}, Perca philadelphica ( = Centropristes philadelphicus,) 1766. Systema Naturae, ed. 12, pp. 485, 489. Perca atraria (= Centropristes striatus), Perca trifurca (= Centropristes phila- delphicus). MlTCHILL, S. L. 1814. Report in Part ... on the Fishes of New York, p. 10 (see Mitchill, 1898, ed. Gill.) 1815. The Fishes of New York, Described and Arranged. Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc., New York, 1, pp. 415-416, pi. 3, fig. 6. This has a very good figure of Perca varia (= Centropristes striatus). The shape of the caudal fin is not correct, and the dorsal filaments are represented as too short and too far down on the spine. The distinctive color pattern of dorsal and anal fins is well shown and the color of the body indicated well enough to be recognized. 1898. Report in Part ... on the Fishes of New York, edited by Theodore Gill. Privately printed, p. 10. The original of this publication is extremely rare, only about three copies being in existence. Dr. Gill's reprint was not made from an original but from an authen- ticated transcription. Perca varia (= Centropristes striatus) is described well enough to be recognized. NICHOLS, J. T. and GREGORY, W. K. 1918. Fishes of the Vicinity of New York City. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., hand- book ser., No. 7, pp. 64, 109. "The young (of C. striatus) have a dark lengthwise stripe." SHARP, B. and FOWLER, H. W. 1904. Fishes of Nantucket. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila., 56, p. 510. "In October, 1903, about ten barrels were taken one day from the pounds. Occasionally taken on the scup grounds." (striatus). SHERWOOD, G. H. and EDWARDS, V. N. 1901. Notes on the Migration, Spawning, Abundance, etc., of Certain Fishes in 1900. Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., 21, p. 28. Notes on abundance and breeding season of the Sea-Bass on the southern coast of New England. SHUFELDT, R. W. 1899. Experiments in Photography of Live Fishes. Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., 19, pp. 4, 5, pi. 6. 1937 SEA-BASSES— CENTROPRISTES 319 Photographs of two specimens of Centropristes striatus, each about 6-7 inches long, showing cross-bars and black dorsal blotch. SMITH, H. M. 1893. Report on the Fisheries of the South Atlantic States. Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., 11, (1891), pp. 267-356, May 31, 1893. References to Centropristis (= Centropristes) striatus on pp. 277, 286, 294, 313, 317, 322, 325, 327, 332, 336, 338, 340, 341, pi. 63, upper fig. This figure is a copy of H. L. Todd's drawing of No. 14838, U. S. Nat. Mus., taken at Noank, Connecticut. Centropristis (= Centropristes) philadelphicus, lower fig., pi. 62 is a copy of A. H. Baldwin's drawing of No. 33161, U. S. Nat. Mus., from Charleston, South Carolina. Recorded as a commercial species from one county, each, of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia and from two counties of eastern Florida. 1898. The Fishes found in the Vicinity of Woods Hole. Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., 17, (1897), p. 100, map. Centropristes striatus. "Very common." A very important and excellent food-fish, taken in large numbers on lines for market and sport." 1907. The Fishes of North Carolina. North Carolina Geological and Economic Survey, 2, pp. 279-282, figs. 123, 124. The figure of Centropristes striatus is a copy of H. L. Todd's drawing of No. 14838, U. S. Nat. Mus., from Noank, Connecticut. The figure of Centropristes philadelphicus is a copy of A. H. Baldwin's drawing of No. 33161, U. S. Nat. Mus., taken at Charleston, South Carolina. SMITH, H. M. and COLLINS, J. W. 1892. See Collins and Smith. SMITH, H. M. and KENDALL, W. C. 1897. Notes on the Extension of the Recorded Range of Certain Fishes of the United States Coasts. Rept. U. S. Fish Comm., 1896, appendix 2, p. 172. Centropristes striatus has been taken in Casco Bay, Maine, and may, perhaps, be found at Key West, Florida. STEARNS, SILAS 1883. Fluctuations in the Fisheries of the Gulf of Mexico and the Proposed Investigation of Them. Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., 3, No. 30, pp. 467-468. 1884. On the Position and Character of the Fishing Grounds of the Gulf of Mexico. Bull. U. S. Fish Comm., 4, No. 19, p. 289. STOKER, D. H. 1839. Fishes of Massachusetts, pp. 9-10. Boston. Centropristis nigricans (= Centropristes striatus) is not known north of Cape Cod. 1846. A Synopsis of the Fishes of North America, pp. 9, 35. Cambridge, Massachusetts. Centropristis nigricans (= Centropristes striatus) and Centropristis trifurca (= Centropristes philadelphicus). SUMNER, F. B., OSBURN, R. C., and COLE, L. J. 1913. A Catalogue of the Marine Fauna of Woods Hole and Vicinity. Bull. U. S. Bur. Fish., 31, (1911), part 2, p. 756. Centropristes striatus: Food, distribution, bibliography. VAN DOREN, Louis O. 1884. The Fishes of the East Atlantic Coast That are Caught with Hook and Line, Including the Fishes of the East Coast of Florida, by Samuel C. Clarke. Pp. 59-60, pi. facing p. 60. 320 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. XX Very poor figure, but showing the distinctive characters of dorsal and caudal fins. Centropristis atrarius (= Centropristes striatus) is considered a very poor game fish. YARROW, H. C. 1877. Notes on the Natural History of Fort Macon, N. C., and Vicinity. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila. 1877, p. 211. Centropristis atrarius (= Centropristes striatus). "Numerous off Shackleford Banks, in the vicinity of Cape Lookout."