126 ALLAN HANCOCK PACIFIC EXPEDITIONS VOL. 9 



Peru, in 1919. From the locality, we consider it almost certain that these 

 fish from the colder coastal waters of Peru belong to our new species, 

 Nectarges nocturnus, since one of us (Myers) collected a single small 

 specimen of that species at North Chincha Island in 1938. Eiiry stole 

 eriarcha is known from as far south as the coast of Choco Province, Co- 

 lombia, but we doubt that it crosses the strong break between the Pana- 

 manian and Peruvian zoological provinces at or near Cape Aguja (see 

 Myers, 1941, p. 206). Finally, Seale (1940, p. 14) records two speci- 

 mens of Eurystole eriarcha from Port Utria, Colombia, and four from 

 Black Beach Anchorage, Charles Island, Galapagos. Judging by our 

 specimens from Port Utria, Seale's material from that locality should be 

 Eurystole eriarcha, while his Galapagos individuals should be our Nec- 

 targes nesiotes. We searched for this material in the California Academy 

 but could not find the Port Utria fish. Two of the four Black Beach 

 specimens were present (CAS 6039) but in very poor condition; they 

 belong to the genus Nectarges and almost certainly to N. nesiotes. 



Genus NECTARGES, new 



Genotype. — Nectarges nepenthe, new species. 



Anal fin with a single elongate spine and 24-29 rays, its origin in 

 advance of that of second dorsal. Dorsal fins widely separated, the height 

 of the first being less than the distance between the origins of the two 

 fins. First dorsal with from II to V flexible spines, its origin from slightly 

 before to slightly behind anal origin. Caudal fin forked. Insertion of ven- 

 trals farther from upper angle of pectoral base than from anal origin. 



Premaxillaries dilated posteriorly, the anterior part not separated by 

 a notch from the posterior, and protractile, the skin covering them sep- 

 arated by a deep fold from that of the head. Gape strongly curved, re- 

 stricted at the corners of the mouth by a membrane between the jaws. 

 Rami of mandibles scarcely elevated. Teeth well developed in both jaws, 

 in a narrow band of small, pointed teeth. Lower jaw very slightly in- 

 cluded at tip when mouth is tightly closed. 



Sides of head and trunk scaled. Scales small, 55-63 in a lateral series 

 from above gill-openings to caudal base. Predorsal scales along the mid- 

 line of back 23-26. Scales around caudal peduncle 16-18. Anal sheath 

 present, composed of two rows of scales on the basal part of the rays of 

 most or all of the fin. Lateral band wide, not or only slightly constricted 

 on caudal peduncle, never constricted to a fine line. 



