BROWNE, 1789 47 



Browne's name Plagusia, if available, has priority over Symphurus Rafinesqvie, 

 1820, as well as over the numerous later names applied to this group, the best 

 known of which are Aphoristia Kaup and Ammopleurops Giinther. As there is 

 a still earlier species, Plagusia plagiusa L., in this genus, the present species may 

 perhaps stand as Plagusia ornata Lacepede, "plagiusa" being only a variant 

 spelling of the same word. 



Helops Browne, 445 ; type "Helops nigrescens varie nebulatim, the 

 Hog--fish of Catesby" = Labrus rufus L. 

 If Helops, with this type, is accepted, it will eliminate the much confused 

 generic name Bodianus Bloch, based on the same type (Bodianus bodianus Bloch 

 = Labrus rufus L.). Harpe Lacepede and Cossyphus Cuvier are later names for 

 the same genus. The first species indicated by Browne under Helops is Lach- 

 NOLAiMus MAxiMUS (Walbaum), the "Suillus or Great Hog-fish" of Catesby. 

 This is "Helops rufescens iride partim rubra, partim albida, macula nigra 

 POST piNNiM dorsalem, the Hog-fish" of Browne. In the interest of nomenclature, 

 it would be better to suppress Bodianus rather than Lachnolaimus^ if Helops is 

 found eligible. 



Cromis Browne, 449 ; type "Cromis subargenteo oblongus radiis 

 anterioribus dorsalis ^gre pungentibus, the Drummer" = 

 Labrus cromis L. = Pogonias chromis of authors. 

 Browne cites four species of his genus Cromis, the "Silver Shad" (Gerres 

 cinereus), the Red-mouth Grunt (Htemulon plumieri), the Stone Bass 

 (Diapterus brasilianus), and the Drummer (Pogonias cromis). As the last 

 named became Labrus cromis L., we may take it as the type of the genus 

 Cromis of Browne, if the latter is eligible. Cromis would then, if accepted, re- 

 place Pogonias Lacepede. Chromis Cuvier, 1815, a more correct spelling of the 

 same word, would then give place to Heliases Cuvier. 



Macrocephalus Browne, 449; type "Macrocephalus argentea major 



LINEA LATERALIS RECTA NIGRA, the SnOok" = SCLENA UNDECIM- 



ALis Bloch. 

 Monotypic. Equivalent to Centropomus Lacepede. Preoccupied by Macro- 

 cephalus Swederus, 1787, a genus of Insects. 



Pelmatia Browne, 449; type "Pelmatia major squamis vix perspicuus, 

 the Mud-fish" = Gobiomorus dormitor Lacepede. 



The name Pelmatia, if accepted, replaces Gobiomorus, which in turn has re- 

 placed the excellent name Philypnus of Cuvier. 



The first species named under Pelmatia by Browne is "Pelmatia minor 

 squamis majusculus, the Bullhead." This is Dormitator maculatus (Bloch). 

 Browne gives a long and correct account of Pelmatia, and notes that his "sec- 

 ond sort," the mud-fish, is "most esteemed and grows frequently to the length of 

 17 to 20 inches. It is the most delicate fish I have yet known, when in full per- 

 fection." 



