1941 CATALOGUE OF FISHES OF TORTUGAS 23 



11 /4 j A. n^4 ; scales 6-58-8, 7 rows on cheek, 5 in an oblique row between adi- 

 pose fin and lateral line. Teeth in upper jaw in 2 series, 3 in lower, which is 

 included, depressible teeth on tongue and lower pharyngeals, and in as many as 

 4 series on palatines. 



Ground color in a half-grown specimen creamy white to pale gray; dorsal sur- 

 face crossed by eleven brownish bands or blotches equally spaced, the first 

 between the eyes, all double except the last, at base of caudal; ten diamond- 

 shaped spots with lighter centers along lateral line at distances from one an- 

 other equal to their own breadth; a second series of lighter shade and solid color 

 below these and alternating with them. Dorsal and caudal fins and proximal half 

 of pectoral of same color as body; other fins transparent. 



The experiment of putting fish in black and in white dishes showed that they 

 readily adjust their shade to that of their surroundings. 



Ranging from Cape Cod to Brazil. W. H. L. 



Saurida Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1849 



This genus has not previously been recorded from United States waters. The 

 two species herein discussed were taken south of Tortugas. The genus is recog- 

 nized chiefly by the double band of teeth on each side of the palate, and by the 

 even length of the ventral rays, the inner and outer ones being nearly equal. Many 

 of the teeth in the jaws are exposed when the mouth is closed. S. F. H. 



Saurida brasiliensis Norman 



Saurida brasiliensis Norman, Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1935, p. 125, fig. 14 — Cape Frio, 

 Brazil, 40 fathoms. 



This small species, unreported before north of Trinidad, is common south of 

 Tortugas at depths of 10 to 50 fathoms. It is sexually mature in late August at a 

 length of 80 mm. In a series of 17 specimens none was more than 115 mm. long. 



The following data are in accord with Norman's description: Total length 

 92 mm.; standard length 70 mm.; depth 10 mm. (7.0); head 17 mm. (4.1). Eye 

 and snout each 4 mm. (4.2 in head); interorbital width 3 mm. (3.7). D. io 1 /^; 

 A. 1 1 V2 ; dorsal origin farther from end of snout than from tip of adipose fin; 

 anal origin equally distant from lower base of caudal and anterior base of pec- 

 toral; pectoral fin reaching 14th scale in lateral line and beyond dorsal origin; 

 ventrals long, extending more than halfway to anal origin; scales 3-47-5, 3 rows 

 between adipose fin and lateral line; 17 scales in median series before dorsal 

 origin; teeth on tongue and basipharyngeals in a single series. 



Color rather pale, faintly barred across back, the most conspicuous of the slight 

 dark saddles being at dorsal origin and at end of dorsal base. W. H. L. 



The Tortugas collection contains 11 specimens, ranging in length from 75 to 

 115 mm. The following proportions are based on 5 specimens, ranging in stand- 

 ard length from 67 to 91 mm.; the fin-ray and scale counts on 8 specimens and 

 the vertebra count on 1 specimen dissected to expose the spinal column. Head 



