NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 103 



variabilis of Rajinesque, and Blennophis,* of which the Clinus a n g u i l- 

 laris Val., is the only true species. Of these genera, Clinus Sw., and Cli- 

 nitrachusSw., are distinguished by false or illusive characters, and cannot be 

 regarded as distinct. The others are valid, but their characters require re- 

 vision. 



The only claim to distinction of the genus Labrosomus given by Swaiuson, 

 are founded on the strong, conic and pointed row of front teeth, behind which 

 are villiform ones ; a thicker body than in Clinus, and the "dorsal fin dis- 

 tinctly emarginate towards the caudal." The genus resting on these charac- 

 ters alone is composed of very incongruous elements. To it are referred, at 

 page 277 of the second volume, the following species, all of which are de- 

 scribed as species of Clinus by Valenciennes : Labrosomus g o b i o, L. p e c t i- 

 nifer, L. capillatus, L. Delalandii, L. linearis, L. variolosus, 

 L. Peruvianus, L. microcirrhis, L. ?geniguttatus, L. elegans, 

 L. ? littoreus and L. latipin n is. 



Of these species, not more than three can, with propriety, be regarded as 

 congeners-, if the Labrosomus pectinifer is taken as the type. These are 

 Labrosomus pectinifer, L. capillatus and perhaps L. Delalandii. 

 The latter is more probably the representative of a distinct genus. 



That genus is distinguished from Labrosomus by the smaller mouth, the pre- 

 sence of only two rays to the ventral fins, and perhaps by the undulating 

 margin of the spinous portion of the dorsal fin. It may be named Malacocte- 

 nus, in illusion to the pectiniform row of filaments. This genus is the nearest 

 ally of Labrosomus. All the others are very distinct. 



Labrisomus gobio Sw., is the type of quite a distinct genus, whose charac- 

 ters consist of a broad, depressed head, with a very short muzzle, large- ap- 

 proximated eyes, superciliary and nasal tentacles, two ventral rays and a com- 

 paratively short spinous dorsal. The genus may be called Gobioclinus. The 

 only species G-obioclinus gobio is found in the West Indies, and has but 

 eighteen dorsal spines. 



Labrisomus linea ri s Sw., is synonymous with Clinus brachycepha- 

 lus Val. This also is the type of a distinct genus distinguished by its abbre- 

 viated and blenniform head, the profile being very convex ; by the villiform 

 teeth, the absence of superciliary tentacles, the spinous portion of the dorsal 

 long, and the presence of only two rays to the ventral fins. The name of 

 Blennioclinus is conferred on it ; for the species, the specific name of Valenci- 

 ennes must be retained. 



Labrisomus variolosus is distinguished by a large thick head, with 

 lateral eyes, short superciliary tentacles and a small nuchal one. The mouth 

 is large ; the teeth of the jaws in an outer row strong and conical, behind 

 which are villiform ones ; those of the vomer and palate villiform and in three 

 patches, one on the vomer and one on each palatine bone. The spinous por- 

 tion of the dorsal is long, and the ventrals have each three rays. The species 

 thus characterized is the type of a new genus which may be named Anchenion- 

 chus. 



Labrisomus microcirrhis, L. elegans and L. Peruvianus are 

 nearly related to Anchenionchus, and are from the same zoological province. 



Labrosomus ? geniguttatusis distinguished from Anchenio ichus by the 

 more approximated eyes, and by the disposition of the vomero-palatine teeth, 

 as well as the small size of the anterior row of maxillary teeth. The dorsal 

 is moderately long, and each of the ventrals have three rays. The mouth is 

 comparatively small, and there are superciliary, nasal and nuchal tentacles. 

 For this species, the generic name of Callicllnus is proposed. 



* Valenciennes has since given the name of Blennophis to a very distinct genus from 

 that to which Swainson appplied the names. As Swainson's genua is a natural one, 

 another name must be substituted for that of Valenciennes Ophioblennius is therefore 

 propused. 



I860.] 



