1886.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 265 



? Gerres argenteus Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., 25G, 1863 (Texas). 

 Eucinostomus gulula Poey, Enum. Pise. Cub., 54, PI, 2, 1875 (Havana). 

 Diapterus liomonymus Goode & Bean, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1879, 340, 

 (Clear Water Harbor, Fla.). 



Habitat. Atlantic coast of America from New Jersey to Brazil, 

 and the West Indies. 



(New Jersey ; Beaufort, N. C. ; Charleston, S. C. ; Clear Water 

 Harbor, Fla.; Cedar Keys; Key West ; Brazos, Indianola, and 

 St. Joseph's Island, Texas ; Aspinwall ; Brazil; Bahia ; Martin- 

 ique; Jamaica, San Domingo ; Havana; Bermudas.) 



We have examined numerous specimens of this species from 

 Cedar Kej's, Key West, and Havana, varying in size from 1^ to 

 6^ inches in length. 



Head 3J ; depth 2|; D.IX, 10; A. Ill, 8; scales 5-42-9. 



Body elliptical, compressed, back moderately elevated, mouth 

 small ; end of maxillary reaching slightly past vertical from front 

 margin of orbit ; exposed portion of maxillary nearly oblong, its 

 width about 2 in its length, which is from 4 to 5 in the length of 

 the head. 



Preorbital and preopercle entire. Gill-rakers small and weak, 

 1 below the angle. Eye 3 in length of head, snout 3^ in head. 

 Interorbital area 3 in head. Premaxillary groove scaled in front, 

 the posterior part naked, forming a sort of pit ; longest dorsal 

 spine 1^ in head ; second anal spine shorter and stronger than 

 third, its length about 3^ in head ; ventrals reaching nearly to 

 vent ; their length If in length of head. Pectorals reaching front 

 of anal, their length about 3 in length of body. 



Color silvery, greenish, darker above; no distinct longitudinal 

 lines except in ver}' young ; upper margin of spinous dorsal more 

 or less black. 



Dorsal and anal fins dusky, other fins pale. 



The form of this species resembles that of G. gracilis^ but the 

 body is always less elongate than in the latter. The form of its 

 premaxillary groove differing from that of any other species, 

 aff"ords the best character for distinction. 



The many specimens of this species which we have examined 

 present no marked diff"erences or variations. They also agree 

 very well with the description and drawing of Encinostomus gulula 

 of Poey. 



We have no doubt of the identity of gula, argenteus^ gulula and 

 homonymus. 

 18 



