138 THE SHORE FISHES. 



Halichoeres sellifer Gilbert. 

 Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1890, 13, p. 67. 



One specimen, No. 3387, 6? inches long from Acapulco. 



This specimen agrees structurally very well with the description of the Type, 

 except that the caudal is subtruncate or gently rounded; when spread the outer 

 rays are regularly shorter than the middle rays. Gilbert and Starks (Mem. 

 Cal. Acad. Sci., 1904, 4, p. 144) mention specimens from Panama Bay with 

 such caudal. 



This specimen had been so long in alcohol that the colors can not be deter- 

 mined definitely. 



There is a trace of a black half-bar on the side of the back from between the 

 5th and 7th dorsal spines, and indications of other dark markings along back 

 extending downward from dorsal, the first from region of 9th spine and 1st ray; 

 2nd from 3rd and 5th ray; 3rd from 6th and 7th; 4th from 9th and 10th; 5th 

 a sort of saddle on caudal peduncle, the intensity of these is greatest on the 

 lateral line, below the lateral line is a faded area, and below this an irregular 

 dusky shade most intense in line with the bars; traces of three of four narrow, 

 wavy dusky cross-bars on the dark yellow caudal; other fins all plain yellowish 

 with very slight traces of dusky lines. Head 3.28 in length; depth 3.28; eye 6 

 in head; snout 3.32; dorsal IX, 11; anal III (?), 12; scales 32-28-83. 



Halichoeres dispilus (Gunther). 



Jordan, Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci., 189.5, ser. 2, 5, p. 481. 



Plalyghssus dispilus Gunther, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1864, p. 2.5. 



Two specimens 3i and 3ii inches long from Acapulco. M. C. Z. 29538 

 (1 specimen). 



The 3t| inch specimen has head 3.22 in length; depth 4.14; eye 4.50 in 

 head; snout 3.37; scales 4-27-85; dorsal IX, 11; anal III, 12; a well-developed 

 canine on each side of upper jaw. 



Color note : — an irregular pale margined ocellus occupying part of five 

 scales lies below space between 4th and 5th dorsal spine, the two central scales 

 being in lateral line; middle rays of caudal covered by a large dusky blotch, 

 within this are three small pale spots. 



The other specimen can not be distinguished structurally except in the 

 absence of canine teeth in the sides of upper jaw, and slight variation in color. 

 The dark ocellus lies below 4th dorsal spine, and occupies one entire scale and 

 part of two others, one of these lying in lateral line, the others below. No dusky 

 blotch on caudal. 



