458 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 86 



131. Haemulon scudderi Gill. Roncador Prieto. 

 This species reaches a length of about fifteen inches, 



and is very common at Mazatlan, more so than any other 

 member of the group. Large specimens were taken by 

 dynamite in the deep water about the Venados, and the 

 voung are rather common in the estuary. The species 

 seems to have indifferently eleven or twelve dorsal spines, 

 and there is a greater variation than usual in the form of 

 the body and in the shade of coloration. There seems to 

 be no doubt, however, that all the forms usually referred 

 to this species belong to a single one. The species is 

 found from Cape San Lucas to Panama. 



Back bright yellow-olive to opposite front of soft dorsal, 

 the posterior half, more or less abruptly, steel blue black. 

 The vertical fins all blackish ; in some the whole back is 

 greenish, in others only half; lower parts all gray: most 

 of the large ones show no traces of spots on scales, some 

 show a few spots; fins silvery, with golden above and be- 

 low; mouth red within: black under preopercle. 



132. Haemulon steindachneri (Jordan & Gilbert). Ron- 

 cador Raiado. 



This small species, not reaching a length of more than 

 eight inches, and too small to be regarded as a food fish, 

 is very abundant in the harbor at Mazatlan, especially 

 about the wharf and in the quiet waters in the estuary. It 

 is generally distributed along the coast from Guaymas to 

 Panama. It seems to be indistinguishable from a species 

 found along the Brazilian coast and north to St. Lucia. 

 For this species we have formerly taken the name of 

 Hcemulon schranki Agassiz. This identification is prob- 

 ably an error. Hiemulon schranki 'is probably based on a 

 faded example of Hcemulon melanurum. Apparently the 

 appropriate name of Hcemulon steindachneri 'should stand. 



