64 PAPERS FROM TORTUGAS LABORATORY vol. xxxiv 



usually five or so before the dorsal, one under it, and five to seven behind it. The 

 under side of belly and tail in both sexes is much speckled with light on a dark 

 ground until about the time the female begins to change form, when the under 

 surface of her body and the sides below the lateral keels become almost lemon 

 yellow. On this ground two vertical streaks of white are present on each ring, 

 and above the lateral keels are light spots less distinct than the white streaks. 



W. H. L. 



Many specimens are in the collection, including i abnormal specimen with 

 only 14 caudal rings. I have also compared the specimens with the types of 

 S. floridae and S. mac\ayi. In the types the dorsal is over 1+6 rings in floridae, 

 and over 2 + 6 or 2 + 5 rings in mac\ayi. In the Tortugas specimens, however, 

 the following combinations occur: 1 + 6, i l / 2 + 5%, \ x /z + 6, 2 + 5, 2 + 5%, 

 and 2 + 6, indicating individual variation. The supposedly longer snout in 

 floridae apparently cannot be demonstrated by measurements. Of 15 specimens 

 measured, the snout is contained in the head 1.6 or 1.65 times in 8, 1.7 or 1.75 

 times in 6, and 2.0 times in 1 specimen. In the 2 type specimens of mac\ayi the 

 snout is contained in the head 1.75 and 1.8 times, and in a type specimen of 

 S. floridae 1.7 times. 



The type specimens (2) of S. mackayi are large females with deep bodies. 

 Considerable variation in the length at which the body becomes notably deeper 

 is evident. For example, a female 180 mm. long remains slender, whereas another 

 165 mm. long shows a considerable increase in depth. I have not correlated this 

 difference with other characters, and therefore assume that it is individual varia- 

 tion. More specimens of the proper length are needed to determine this matter 

 definitely. 



The comparatively great range in the number of dorsal rays is rather disturb- 

 ing. Yet in 29 specimens counted no "break" is evident in the counts, as 3 have 

 27 rays, 3 have 28, 3 have 29, 3 have 30, 11 have 31, 5 have 32, and 1 has 33. In the 

 2 type specimens of S. mackayi the dorsal has 29 and 30 rays, and a type speci- 

 men of S. floridae examined has 27. 



In general, then, the evidence gained from this study confirms Dr. Longley's 

 at least tentative conclusion that S. mac\ayi is a synonym of S. floridae. 



The following proportions and enumerations are based on 14 specimens un- 

 less otherwise stated, ranging in length from 120 to 200 mm.: Head 5.75 to 7.2; 

 depth 22 (large female) to 30; distance from snout to vent 2.2 to 2.3; base of 

 dorsal 7.8 to 10. Eye in head 8 to 10 (4.8 to 6.5 in snout) ; snout 1.65 to 2.0; depth 

 2.85 (large female) to 4.8; base of dorsal 1.3 to 1.5; D. 27 to 33 (29 specimens 

 counted), on 1 to 2 1 / 2 + 5V2 to 6 rings; rings 17 or 18 + 34 to 37 (16 specimens 

 counted) ; brood pouch on 13 to 15 rings (8 specimens counted). 



Bermuda, Florida, West Indies to Panama. S. F. H. 



Syngnathus louisianae Giinther 



The collection contains 4 specimens, ranging in length from about 170 (caudal 

 damaged) to 277 mm. Two specimens, a male and a female, respectively 200 and 



