i94i CATALOGUE OF FISHES OF TORTUGAS igg 



blotches. On the dorsal and anal fins it takes the form of a network about green 

 spots, and the caudal acquires many narrow bands of the same color. 

 Curasao, Atlantic coast of Panama, West Indies, and Florida. W. H. L. 



Xyrichthys Cuvier, 1815 



Dr. Longley has brought together three species placed in two or even in three 

 genera by some recent authors. The following key will show that the species are 

 rather closely related and that they are properly placed in one genus. The an- 

 terior canines are virtually alike in all three species, there being 2 in the upper 

 and 2 in the lower jaw. In all the species the depth of the body and the steepness 

 of the anterior profile increase with age. Contrary to published statements, the 

 anterior 2 spines of the dorsal are more or less produced in the young in all three 

 local species. S. F. H. 



Key to the Species 



a. Oblique rows of scales next to median line before dorsal 4, rarely 5; 

 scales in the oblique series between lateral line and origin of dorsal 

 4 or 5; scales in the row immediately behind and under eye 6 or 7; 

 mouth nearly horizontal; anterior profile very steep in adults; 

 margin of snout and head narrowly compressed; no inky black spot 



on middle of side, at most with a dusky area psittacus 



aa. Oblique rows of scales next to median line before dorsal 3; scales in 

 the oblique series between lateral line and origin of dorsal 3; scales 

 in the row immediately behind eye 3 or 4, rarely 5; a prominent inky 

 black spot in a pale area (blue in life) present on side on 10th scale 

 in 3d series below lateral line, at least in adult males 

 b. Dorsal spines stiff, pungent; 1st soft ray of ventral greatly pro- 

 duced in adult males, often reaching opposite middle of base of 

 anal; mouth nearly horizontal; snout rather pointed; profile 

 steep in adults, as in psittacus; general color brownish, more or 



less blotched with light and dark areas or bars centralis 



bb. Dorsal spines more or less flexible; 1st soft ray of ventral less 

 produced in males, reaching at the most opposite base of 1st soft 

 ray of anal; mouth notably oblique; snout more rounded; profile 

 not as steep; general color much plainer, without dusky and 

 paler blotches or bars martinicensis 



Xyrichthys psittacus (Linnaeus). Razor fish 



(Plate 26, figure 2) 



Coryphaena psittacus Linnaeus, Syst. nat., 12th ed., 1766, p. 448 — Charleston, South Caro- 

 lina. 



Xyrichthys vermiculatus Poey, Memorias, vol. 2, i860, p. 215 — Cuba. 



Xyrichthys jessiae Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., vol. 10, 1887, p. 698 — off Tampa Bay, 

 Florida. 



Xyrichthys binghami Mowbray, Marine life, vol. 1, 1925, p. 1 — Cay Sal Bank, Bahamas. 

 Breder, Bull. Bingham Oceanog. Coll., vol. 1, art. 1, 1927, p. 64, fig. 28. 



In referring the monotypic genus Xyrula to synonymy under Xyrichthys it has 

 been noted that its type species Xyrula jessiae is the same as Xyrichthys psittacus. 



