NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 253 



processes of the operculum ; the same form and disposition of the fins, and 

 the same structure of the scales. Almost the only external difference that 

 would be esteemed as of more than specific value relates to the position and form 

 of the nostrils. And yet the fish now to be described does not belong to the 

 same family as Diacope or Genyoroge, if the Sparoids andPercoids are regarded 

 as being distinct families simply on account of dentition. For the present 

 species is found, on further investigation, to be provided with teeth like those of 

 the Sparine subfamily of the Sparoids, while Diacope or Genyoroge has teeth 

 somewhat like Serranus, and has been by all naturalists referred to the family 

 of Percoids and placed near Serranus. The number of branehiostegal rays is 

 also less than that of the Lutjanine genus. 



HoPLOPAGRUS GUENTHERII Gill. 



Proc. Academy of Nat. Sciences of Phila., vol. 1861, p. 78. 



The greatest height equals a third ('35) of the extreme length. The head 

 forms three-tenths ('30) of the same. The profile is scarcely curved ; the fore- 

 head slightly gibbous. The snout equals nearly half ('14J) of the head'3 

 length ; the height of the suborbital from the eye to the angle of the mouth is 

 less than a third of the same ("09.) The diameter of the orbit equals a fifth of 

 the head's length. The posterior nostril tube is an elliptical aperture. The 

 preopercular sinus is semicircular; the interopercular knob moderate and 

 oblique. The spine of the dorsal increases in a curve to the fourth spine, 

 which equals an eighth of the total length, and is more than twice as long as 

 the last two (=-05J.) The anal spines regularly increase, the first being con- 

 tained seven times and a half (-04) in the head's length, while the second is nearly 

 and the third quite twice as long as the first. The caudal fin is little emargi- 

 nated, and the angles nearly rectangular ; the external rays equal about -22 and 

 the median about -18 of the total length. The pectoral fins are produced and 

 pointed as usual, and nearly equal three-tenths of the length ("28,) the ventrals 

 equal a fifth (20.) The rows of scales above the lateral line are parallel with 

 it, and those below nearly straight and longitudinal. 



D. X. 14. A. III. 9. C. 2. 1.8. 7. I. 1. P. 2. 15. V. I 5. 



8 4 

 Scales 43 (3) 



17 6 

 The color of the stuffed specimen is uniform purplish brown. 

 I dedicate the fine species to the excellent Gunther in token of appreciation. 



Subfamily PRISTIPOMATOLE Gill. 



Genus ELemulon Cuvier, 

 This genus as here adopted is restricted to Pristipornatinae, with large mouths, 

 the spinous dorsal increasing in a curved line towards the third, fourth or fifth 

 spines and thence gradually decreasing, and the scales of moderate size, 

 arranged in more or less oblique rows, so that the nuclei or the spots on each 

 scale form interrupted lines that tend obliquely upwards and form acute angles 

 with the lateral line. The anal spines are robust, and the second is generally 

 largest. The genus, however, requires still further restriction. 



Hjemulon Scddderii Gill. 

 The greatest height enters less than three times and a half (-28) in the total 

 length, and is little greater than the length of the head (= -27.) The diameter 

 of the eye equals a third of the head's length, and is nearly as long as the 

 snout. The supramaxillary bones reach behind nearly to the vertical of the 

 pupil. The teeth of the front row in each jaw are strongly and abruptly curved. 

 The preoperculum is emarginated behind and is pectinated, especially at the 

 angle. The dorsal fin increases in a curve to the fourth spine, which is half as 



1862.] 



