50 PAPERS FROM TORTUGAS LABORATORY vol. xxxiv 



Symphurus pusillus (Goode and Bean) 



Three specimens, 113, 131, and 133 mm. long, taken in 140 to 197 fathoms, and 

 a fourth one, 112 mm. long, without data, are included in the collection. 



It is not evident, either from descriptions or from the few specimens examined, 

 wherein Symphurus pusillus and S. plagiusa differ. The chief reasons for placing 

 the Tortugas specimens with S. pusillus are, first, that they are from deep water 

 (S. plagiusa supposedly being a shallow-water form), and, second, that the color 

 is in agreement with Goode and Bean's figure (Ocean. Ichthyol., 1895, p. 461, 

 fig. 379), being very definitely more distinctly barred (having seven or eight 

 black bars) than shallow-water specimens (5. plagiusa) from Beaufort, North 

 Carolina. 



Depth 3.0 in all 4 specimens. D. 78; A. 67; about 75 oblique series of scales 

 along middle of ocular side in one specimen counted. 



Of? Atlantic coast of the United States in deep water. S. F. H. 



Family ZEIDAE. John Dories 



Zenopsis ocellata (Storer) 



Dr. Longley listed 1 specimen taken in 80 fathoms, and 3 in 80 to 100 fathoms, 

 but he has the note "Probably pelagic." As the net was not closed when lifted, it 

 is possible that the fish entered at or near the surface. At any rate, the species of 

 this genus generally have been listed as pelagic. 



The collection includes 4 specimens, 65, 100, 112, and 122 mm. long, which 

 presumably are the same ones listed by Dr. Longley in his field data. As few 

 specimens have been taken of this species, for which no detailed description has 

 been published, and as the European species, Zenopsis conchifer (Lowe), is a 

 rather close relative, it seems advisable to offer a description of the Tortugas 

 material. Fowler (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, vol. 86, 1934, p. 358) indeed 

 has placed ocellata in the synonymy of conchifer. 



Body deep, very strongly compressed; head narrow, with slightly concave 

 upper outline; a ridge over each eye, with a few spines behind eye, and a pair 

 at occiput; spines largest in smallest specimen; mouth rather large, strongly 

 oblique; a pair of spines present on dentary bones near tip of lower jaw, and a 

 prominent one, slightly curved at tip, at base of each dentary bone; gill rakers 

 very short, 9 or 10 somewhat developed on lower limb of first arch; lateral line 

 with high arch anteriorly, longer than straight part; scales wanting; bony plates 

 or bucklers on median line of chest and abdomen and along bases of dorsal and 

 anal fins; small plate with 2 sharp spines situated on isthmus; a second very large 

 one just in front of ventrals, with a very low single median spine, and with a 

 pair of prominent spines posteriorly, directed backward; another single plate 

 between ventrals, and 7 double ones, each with a backward-projecting spine, be- 

 tween ventrals and anal; 4 or 5 more on each side of base of anal, each with a 

 recurved spine; and 6 or 7 similar ones, each with a hooked spine, along base 

 of dorsal. 



