iq 4 i 



CATALOGUE OF FISHES OF TORTUGAS 



47 



Bothus ocellatus (Agassiz) 



Rhombus ocellatus Agassiz, in Spix, Pise, brasil., 1831, p. 85, pi. 46 — Brazil. 

 Rhomboidichthys spinosus Poey, Repertorio, vol. 2, 1868, p. 409 — Cuba. 

 Platophrys nebularis Jordan and Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 7, 1884 (1885), pp. 31, 

 143 — Key West, Florida. 



Small specimens were taken in shallow water along sandy shores, and larger 

 ones in 10-fathom channels. Outside the lagoon specimens were taken at depths 

 apparently not exceeding 60 fathoms. 



TABLE 5 



Range of variation of dorsal and anal rays in 86 specimens of Bothus ocellatus 



(Column 1 gives number of dorsal rays; column 2, distribution of anal rays for number of 



dorsal rays shown in column 1; column 3, number of specimens having number of anal rays 



given in column 2. It will be seen that the specimens having the largest number of dorsal 



rays also tend to have the largest average number of anal rays.) 



The range in dorsal rays in 86 specimens from Tortugas is 78 to 89, and in 

 anal rays 58 to 67, as shown in table 5. P. 9 or 10 in a sample of 6. 



In large males the upper ray of the pectoral is greatly elongated, being twice 

 as long as the second. Males are distinguished, furthermore, by the greater inter- 



