442 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 



of Bloch, and as that of Seriola had been previously accepted for a gen as of 

 plants, the former may be retained for the homonymous genus of Ichthyology. 

 Like so many other genera proposed in the miserable work of Swainson, the 

 Zonichtbys of that author is founded on one of Bloch' s figures, and is simply 

 the result of a misapprehension. 



The species of Zonichthys appear to be subject to considerable variations. 

 The bands become less distinct, or even obsolete with age, the ventrals are 

 abbreviated, and the height seems to even decrease. The validity oi the 

 Zonichthys boscli and Z. carolinensis is therefore not quite certain. The for- 

 mer has not been seen by me. The following synopsis displays the appa- 

 rent differences of the several species : 



I. Head rather higher than long, with the profile boldly de- 



cnrved Z. faseiatus. 



II. Head longer than high Halatractus. 



a. D. VII. I. 31. A. II. I. 20. Body efasciate Z. boscii. 



/?. D. VIL I. 32-34. A. II. 1. 19-20. Body with 6 bands, 



3 ascending on dorsal and 2 on anal Z. zonatus. 



y. D. VII. I. 36, 37. A. II. I. 19-20. Body efasciate.. Z. caroliniensis. 



Zonichthys fasciatus, Swainson. 



Scomber fasciatus Bloch. 

 Seriola fasciata Cuv. et Val. 



I have never seen a specimen of this species, unless a large one, without 

 bands, may be an aged form of it. 



The Zonichthys fasciatus is probably the only species of the United States 

 which truly belongs to this genus. The other species referred to it are 

 distinguished by the subfusiform shape and the elongation of the head and 

 doubtless belong to another genus which maybe called Halatractus, the type 

 of which may be found in the Zonichthys zonatus, a congener of Seriola dumerilii. 



HALATRACTUS Gill. 

 Halatractus boscii Gill. 

 Seriola boscii Cuv. et Val. 



Some of the specimens of Zonichthys in the Smithsonian collection appear 

 to be referrible to this species, which was first discovered at Charleston by 

 the naturalist to whom it has been dedicated. 



Halatractus zonatus Gill. 



Scomber zonatus Mitchill. 

 Seriola zonata Cuv. et Val. 

 Seriola leiarchus Cuv. et Val. 



Giinther appears to be correct in his union of the Seriola zonata and S. 

 leiarchus of the Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. The species ranges from 

 New York southwards. A specimen between six and seven inches long, the 

 tips of whose ventral fins cover the anus appears to represent a younger stage 

 of this species. It was obtained at Charleston. 



Halatractus carolinensis Gill. 



Seriola carolinensis Holbrook. 

 Seriola zonata Giinther. 



This species appears to differ from the foregoing by the less height of the 

 body and the more numerous rays of the second dorsal and anal fins, as well 

 perhaps as by the color. The latter, however, is perhaps due to age. 



[Sept. 



