1915.] 



NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 



259 



smallest and somewhat approximated, and posterior on each side 

 largest and flare backward. Both inner buccal folds broad. Tongue 

 large, thick, fleshy, not free. Nostrils simple pores, slightly 

 separated, level with upper part of eye and anterior about last fourth 

 in snout length. Interorbital slightly convex. Preopercle ridge 

 not very distinct, inclined little forward. 



Gill-opening extends forward about opposite middle of eye. Gill- 

 rakers about 5+11, slender, fine, scarcely pungent, nearly 3 in 

 filaments, and latter about equal eye. Pseudobranchiae large as 

 filaments. Branchiostegals slender, graduated. Isthmus convex. 



Scales large, cycloid, in even lengthwise series, more or less equal 

 in size, though largest on middle of sides and breast. Ventral with 



Fig. 2. — Sparisoma abbotti Fowler. (Type.) 



free pointed axillary scaly flap, about | length of fin. Fins naked, 

 except large scales covering caudal base. L. 1. complete, high, 

 mostly concurrent with dorsal profile, and falls midway along side 

 of caudal peduncle. Scales in 1. 1. slightly smaller than those adjoin- 

 ing. Tubes all more or less branched. 



Dorsal origin nearly at first third between snout tip and last 

 dorsal ray base, spines all pungent, and edge of fin entire. Anal 

 with spines small and mostly flexible, fin otherwise similar to dorsal. 

 Caudal with hind edge rounded. Pectoral small, first rudimentary 

 ray short and as concealed thorn, fin extending f to anal. Ventral 

 inserted about opposite pectoral origin, fin reaching f to anal. Vent 

 close before anal. 



Color in alcohol generally dull olivaceous, much brighter and 



