jy PAPERS FROM TORTUGAS LABORATORY vol. xxxiv 



rostral process 7.7, 8.2; ventral 1.6, 1.8; pectoral 2.1, 2.25. Gill rakers on lower 

 limb of first arch 20, 20; pectoral rays 11, 11. 

 Rather deep water in Gulf Stream. S. F. H. 



Peristedion platycephalum Goode and Bern 



This species seems to have been taken less frequently than some of the others. 

 I have found the record of only two captures in Dr. Longley's notes. Four speci- 

 mens are listed from a haul made in 60 fathoms, and 2 others from 135 fathoms. 

 The collection, however, contains 9 specimens 132, to 228 mm. long, besides a 

 few juveniles that probably belong to this species. The largest individual listed 

 in Dr. Longley's notes was 287 mm. long. 



The following proportions and enumerations are based on 3 specimens, re- 

 spectively 174, 206, and 228 mm. long. Head in standard length (both measured 

 without rostral processes) 2.6 to 2.9; depth 5.1 to 6.0; anal base 2.8 to 3.1. Eye in 

 head (measured from bases of rostral processes to tip of opercular spine) 3.5 to 

 3.8; snout (without processes) 2.3 to 2.5; interorbital 3.9 to 4.3; width of head 

 1.3 to 1.45; rostral process 4.2 to 4.7; ventral 1.6 to 1.8; pectoral 1.7 to 1.75. D. 

 VIII-17 to 20; A. 17 or 18; P. 12 -f- 2; scutes in lateral line 4 + 27 or 28 + 1; 

 gill rakers 16. 



Concerning the color of fresh specimens Dr. Longley has, "This fish is bril- 

 liantly red under throat and entire pectorals; both dorsals narrowly red- 

 margined." Preserved specimens are plain, the fins colorless except for obscure 

 dark spots on pectoral. Lower part of side between median lateral (lateral-line) 

 series of scutes and the ventral one with silvery band, almost as prominent as in 

 imberbe. 



Rather deep water from West Indies to Florida. S. F. H. 



Peristedion spiniger Longley and Hildebrand 



Peristedion spiniger Longley and Hildebrand, Carnegie Inst. Wash. Pub. 517, 1940, p. 253, 

 fig. 15 — Tortugas, Florida. 



Family TRIGLIDAE. Sea Robins 



Some of the species of sea robin are closely related and not well understood. 

 The local species are well differentiated, however, and may be recognized by the 

 characters mentioned in the following key. S. F. H. 



Key to the Genera and Species 



a. Dorsal spines all comparatively short, pungent, none filamentous; 

 body comparatively long and slender; scales not especially rough, 



finely serrate Prionotus 



b. Pectoral short, scarcely reaching origin of second dorsal; color 



plain; sides silvery; pectoral mottled with light spots stearnsi 



bb. Pectoral longer, reaching to or beyond middle of base of second 

 dorsal; color less plain, and less silvery, generally more or less 

 blotched; pectoral with dark spots or with more or less evident 

 dark bars 



