FAMILY PERCIDvE SERRANUS. 23 



This beautiful fish, which is not unusual in our markets in June and July, where it sells 

 from six to twelve cents per pound, is called by the fishermen, Groper and Red Groper. It 

 is a southern species, and is brought hither from the reefs of Florida ; but I have been 

 assured by intelligent fishermen, that it is occasionally, but very rarely, taken off our coast. 

 Dr. Holbrook informs me that it is brought into the Charleston market from Florida, in the 

 months of January, February and March. It bears a general resemblance to Hemulon ; but 

 all its characters combine to place it in this family, and under Serranus, or rather to that 

 subdivision (Merou) which has not yet received a distinct appellation, but which is charac- 

 terized by the lower jaws being covered with fine scales. Its flesh is rather tough, and held 

 in little estimation. 



(EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 



S. mono. (Cuv. and Val. Vol. 2, p. 285.) Brownish above, reddish beneath; maxillaries and 



branchial membrane red ; pectorals orange ; ventral spotted with red ; anal with three spines 



Length two and a half feet. Antilles. 



Obs. This appears closely allied to the preceding. Cuvier states that he has received it from 



New- York, through Mr. Milbert. 

 S. acutirostris. (Id. Vol. 2, p. 286.) Entirely brown. Snout more elongated than in the other species. 



Preopercle very minutely denticulated. Length two feet. Charleston. 



Obs. In the collection of drawings of the fishes of Carolina, obligingly communicated by Dr. 



Holbrook, are two species similar to the above, but apparently undescribed. 

 S. fascicularis. (Id. Vol. 2, p. 245.) With 5-6 longitudinal bands. Preopercle with two groups 



of radiating spines on the lower part of its posterior margin. Three transverse lines on the summit 



of the head. Length 6-10 inches. Charleston, S. C. 



