22 PAPERS FROM TORTUGAS LABORATORY vol. xxxiv 



though the shape of the dorsal fin is rather variable in poeyi, yet in every speci- 

 men examined the anterior rays reach beyond some of the succeeding ones, but 

 not always past the last ones if the fin is laid back; whereas in intermedins none 

 of the rays reach beyond the tips of the succeeding ones. 



The eye is smaller in S. intermedins: in 2 specimens of each species of nearly 

 equal length, it is contained in the head 5.3 (118-mm. specimen) and 5.2 (54-mm. 

 one) times in intermedins, whereas in poeyi it is contained 4.4 (uo-mm. speci- 

 men) and 3.6 (87-mm. one) times. Furthermore, a dark shoulder spot is always 

 present even in the smallest intermedins (54 mm.), whereas it is missing in all 

 specimens of poeyi. 



Ranging from Florida to Brazil. S. F. H. 



Synodus synodus (Linnaeus) 



A single specimen, 213 mm. long, from a depth of 13 to 15 fathoms, east of 

 Bush Key and Bird Key reef. The proportionate measurements of this specimen 

 are: Standard length 182 mm.; approximate depth 22 mm. (8.8); head 41 mm. 

 (4.44). Eye 7.0 mm., equal to interorbital width (6.0 in head); snout 11 mm. 

 (3.7); intermaxillary 26 mm. (1.6). D. 11; A. 12. Pectoral 3.4 in head, reaching 

 origin of ventral; ventrals not reaching halfway to anal origin; distance from 

 anal origin to base of lower caudal rays half the distance from vertical of anal 

 origin to mid-point in length of pectoral; scales 5-57-7, firm, smooth, slightly 

 elevated along lateral line, but forming no true keel, 6 rows on cheek, 4 rows in 

 oblique series between adipose fin and lateral line. Teeth in 2 rows in upper jaw, 

 3 in lower, much compressed, slightly incurved at tip, distinctly barbed, lateral 

 teeth in outer series largely fixed, others depressible, depressible teeth on tongue, 

 lower pharyngeals, and palatines, the last in 4 series, the inner stoutest but much 

 less so than in Synodus foetens. 



Dorsal surface finely mottled with gray on pale brown ground color; with 

 indications of nine spots equally spaced on lateral line, alternating with as many 

 vague saddles above. W. H. L. 



According to Norman (Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1935, p. 109), this species 

 occurs on both sides of the Atlantic, as he gave as the habitat "Madeira and the 

 Canary Islands; Atlantic coast of Tropical America from the West Indies to 

 Bahia." S. F. H. 



Synodus foetens (Linnaeus) 



This species occurs in the deep channels within the lagoon, and may be taken 

 commonly also, up to the length of about 125 mm., on the sandy flats about Long 

 Key and Bird Key reef. 



In a specimen 212 mm. long, standard length 185 mm., the proportionate 

 measurements are: Depth 22 mm. (8.4); head 45 mm. (4.1); snout 14 mm. (3.2 

 in head). Eye 7.0 mm. (6.5 in head); interorbital space 8.0 mm. (5.6); inter- 

 maxillary length 33 mm. (1.34). Pectoral scarcely longer than dorsal base and 

 equal to that of anal; ventrals reaching more than halfway to anal origin. D. 



