160 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1889.. 



about 20 in number, seem to be referable to two genera ; distinguished 

 bv the following characters : — 



Analysis of Genera of Priacanthidce. 



a. Scales very small, 80 to 100 in the lateral line ; body oblong, 

 more than twice as long as deep ; preopercle with a spine at angle ; 

 interorbital area externally transversely convex, the cranium itself 

 transversely concave, the elevation being formed of flesh ; a con- 

 spicuous foramen in the interorbital area ; lateral line extending up- 

 ward and backward from upper angle of gill opening toward second 

 dorsal spine, below which it changes its course, following outline of" 

 back to end of dorsal fin, thence direct to middle of caudal ; anal fin 

 rather long, its rays about III, 14 ; dorsal rays about X, 13. 



Priacanthus. 1. 



<(«. Scales large, very rough, 35 to 50 in the lateral line ; body 

 ovate, not twice as long as deep ; preopercle with 2 small spines at 

 angle. Interorbital space broad and flat, there bring no flesh be- 

 tween skin and skull ; no foramen in interorbital area ; lateral line 

 changing its course below the fourth dorsal spine ; anal short, its 

 rays III, 9; dorsal X, 11. Psuudopriacanthus. 2. 



PRIACANTHTJS. 



Priacanthus Cuvier, Regne Animal Ed. II, 1829. (Macrophthal- 

 mus.) 



Type : Anthias macrophthalmus Bloch. 



Etymology, prion, saw ; akantha, spine ; from the serrature of the 

 spines. 



Analysis of American species of Priacanthus. 



a. Ventrals moderate, not extending beyond second anal spine ;, 

 dorsal and ventrals pale. 



b. [First spine only of dorsal and anal finely serrated, the others 

 smooth ; preopercle with its angle terminating in an oblique point ; 

 smaller than the spine in the next species ; depth SI in total length 

 (male) or about 2* in length to base of caudal ; length of head equal 

 to depth; eye 23 in head; opercle with a flat pointed spine which 

 does not project ; supraclavicle with prominent edge ; caudal slightly 

 lunate, the upper lobe the longer ; scales smaller near the back ; D. 

 X, 14; A. Ill, 15 ; lateral line 95. "Base of skull pierced with a 



