606 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



it must now be regarded as a common species, for, in 1900, the 

 number of specimens taken at Katama bay was 123; these were 

 observed on 13 different occasions between August 15 and 

 October 26; on September 8 the number taken was 26 and 21 

 were seined on October 3. Up to 1897 only a few specimens 

 had been secured annually in October and November — not more 

 than five in any one season. 



A single individual, 1^ inches long, was taken in the seine at 

 Beesley's Point N. J. September 2. 



The general color of the sides was yellow, more persistent in 

 alcohol on the ventral surface and caudal peduncle than else- 

 where. 



D. XIII, 20; A. Ill, IS; lateral line, 45; third and fourth dorsal 

 spines equal, and as long as the head without the snout. 



The parche is very rare in Gravesend bay. Two small indi- 

 viduals were taken by Mr De Nyse in October 1898. Mr De 

 Nyse informs me that the roundish black spot in the soft dorsal 

 remains fixed under all conditions, while the band extending 

 from it to the anal fin sometimes disappears. The whole body 

 of the fish at times appears to have an orange tinge, but at 

 other times it is gray. 



An individual about 2 inches long was obtained from a fish 

 pound near Clam Pond cove, Oct. 17, 1898. This species is con- 

 spicuously beautiful on account of the orange color of its fins 

 <!ontrasting sharply with the dark bands on the head and body. 



Family teuxhididae 



Surgeons 

 Genus teuthis Linnaeus 



This genus includes those Teuthididae which have the 

 tail armed with a sharp, antrorse, lancetlike, movable spine; 

 strong, fixed, incisor teeth; ventral rays I, fiA'e, and usually nine 

 spines in the dorsal fin. The numerous species are found in all 

 tropical seas, herbivorous fishes living about coral reefs. The 

 adult is protected by the murderous caudal spine, which grows 

 larger with age. 



