i 9 4i CATALOGUE OF FISHES OF TORTUGAS 55 



eye to above preopercular spine, and the lower jaw and membrane between its 

 rami are dark-pigmented. 



Beebe and Tee-Van's specimen (see citation above), with depth equal to head 

 and contained 2.83 times in standard length, has the proportions of H. vexillarius 

 rather than H. coruscus. The two opercular spines equal or with the lower 

 slightly larger, as is indicated in their diagrammatic sketch, characterize the 

 former species. W. H. L. 



The vertical black bars on the interradial membranes of the spinous dorsal, in 

 contrast with the large black spot involving the first 3 spines in H. coruscus, are 

 very useful in separating preserved specimens. Also, the pectoral fins are longer, 

 reaching nearly to tips of ventrals, and are contained in head 1.3 times, whereas 

 in H. coruscus they fall far short of reaching tips of ventrals, and are contained 

 in head 1.7 times. A rather constant difference appears to exist also in the num- 

 ber of anal rays, H. vexillarius having 9 soft rays, and H. coruscus only 7. 



West Indies and northward at least to Florida. S. F. H. 



Myripristis jacobus Cuvier and Valenciennes 



A specimen 87 mm. long, without data, is included in the collection. No men- 

 tion of this specimen or species was found among Dr. Longley's notes. 



The genus Myripristis differs from Holocentrus in the absence of a spine at 

 the angle of the preopercle. The specimen in hand differs from other holocentrids 

 from Tortugas also in the more numerous anal rays and gill rakers. The eye is 

 very large, the snout short and broad, and the serrated suborbital very narrow, 

 being scarcely half as wide as the pupil. 



The preserved specimen is rather plain, the only color remaining being a dark 

 brown margin on the opercle and the axil of the pectoral. 



The following proportions and enumerations are based on the specimen at 

 hand: Head 3.3; depth 3.3. Eye in head 2.25; snout 6.5; interorbital 4.4; maxil- 

 lary 1.8; caudal peduncle 4.3; longest anal spine 2.7; pectoral 1.5; ventral 1.6. 

 D. X-1,15; A. IVJ3; scales 36; gill rakers 25. 



This species apparently has not previously been recorded from Florida, its 

 earlier known range being West Indies, Panama, and Brazil. S. F. H. 



Family SYNGNATHIDAE. Pipefishes; Sea Horses 



The pipefishes are not very well defined, and from present knowledge are 

 difficult to identify. As an aid to the student who may use this work, a key em- 

 bodying some diagnostic characters is offered. 



Dr. Longley has pointed out one or more instances, in the following accounts, 

 of abnormally few caudal rings. Besides the instances mentioned by him, some 

 additional specimens with abnormally short tails, yet having caudal fins, are in- 

 cluded in the Tortugas collection. I have seen cases of this also among pipefishes 

 from other localities. It does not seem very unusual for a pipefish to lose by 

 accident a part of its tail, whereupon it develops a new caudal fin on the remain- 

 ing part. S. F. H. 



