GILBERT AND STAKES —FISHES OF PANAMA BAY 161 



more prominent in the youngest example than in the older ones, but their shape is 

 less definite. The fins are immaculate in all, and the upper lobe of the pectoral is 

 notably longer than the lower lobe, a character which becomes more pronounced in 

 the older specimens. So far as our specimens are concerned, there is no indication 

 that with increasing age there is an approach to D. hystrix. The species should be 

 held distinct until a full intermediate series is obtained. 



Family SCORP^NID^. 



295. Scorp£ena histrio Jenyns. 

 Taken by the Albatross at Panama (Jordan & Bollman, 1889, p. 182). 



296. Scorpaena pannosa Cramer. 

 Only the type known; taken by the Albatross at Panama. 



297. Scorpaena mystes Jordan & Starks. 



Of frequent occurrence in the Panama market, the collection containing nu- 

 merous specimens from 10 to 30 cm. long. 



In the type of S. mysies, the supraocular cirrus is longer than the diameter of 

 the eye, but this is a very variable feature. In the majority of our Panama specimens, 

 the cirrus is shorter than the diameter of the pupil, and in some individuals no trace 

 of it can be found. Two Panama specimens have it long, as in the type; in a third 

 it is long on one side and short on the other. In one adult co-type from Mazatlan, it 

 is short, as is also the case in a young specimen from La Paz, L. C. The variation 

 is dependent on neither age nor sex. 



The nearest relative of S. mystes is the representative form S. plumieri of the 

 Atlantic. The differences alleged to separate the two are slight. In all the speci- 

 mens we have examined, those from the Pacific can be distinguished by the darker 

 duller coloration, and the wider shallower grooves and pits on the top of the head. 

 8. -plumieri is currently described as having a long supraocular cirrus. From the 

 following statement, however, it is evident that the species varies in this regard as 

 does its Pacific representative: "Junge individuen besitzen bios wenige, oder selbst 

 keine Hautlappen, und einem jungen Weibchen fehlen audi die tentakeln liber dem 

 Auge." (Kner, Novara Fische, 1866, p. 115). 



298. Scorpaena russula Jordan & Bollman. 



Dredged by the Albatross at Stations 2795 and 2797, in Panama Bay, 33 fath- 

 oms; only the types known. 



