i 9 4i CATALOGUE OF FISHES OF TORTUGAS 297 



ventral spine; snout long, more tubelike than in other local species, its upper 

 outline deeply concave; caudal fin short and round; dorsal spine robust, with 

 two rows of strong barbs on its posterior lateral edges; a few enlarged scales 

 near base of caudal, which do not bear recurved spines. 



The following proportions and enumerations are based on the 3 specimens in 

 hand: Head, measured to upper angle of gill slit, 2.75, 2.7, 3.0; depth at origin 

 of anal 2.7, 2.9, 2.9; snout to base of dorsal spine 2.9, 2.9, 2.9. Eye in head 3.8, 3.8, 

 3.8; snout 1.3, 1.4, 1.3; interorbital 5.4, 5.2, 4.5; caudal peduncle 3.1, 3.5, 3.4; 

 pectoral 3.75, 3.9, 3.6. D. I-35, 1-35, 1-33; A. 36, 35, 34. 



Color brown, pale or silvery on abdomen and lower parts of head. The speci- 

 men of intermediate size has an ill defined dark lateral band. Pale lines, forming 

 reticulations, and crossline on snout, which have been described as forming 

 hieroglyphics. These markings are most distinct on the largest specimens, and 

 missing, except on the snout, in the smallest one. Dark dots are variously dis- 

 tributed over the body, and the caudal fin, which is grayish brown, is marked 

 with indefinite light crossbars. 



Bermuda and Tortugas. S. F. H. 



Family OSTRACIIDAE. Trunkfishes 



Jordan and Evermann (Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 47, pt. 2, 1898, p. 1721) 

 quoted the following from G. Brown Goode : "The chief function of the broad 

 pectorals [of the trunkfishes] seems to be that of forming a current of water 

 through the gills, thus aiding respiration, which would otherwise be difficult on 

 account of the narrowness and inflexibility of the branchial apertures. When 

 taken from the water one of these fishes will live for two or three hours, all the 

 time solemnly fanning its gills, and when restored to its native element seems 

 none the worse for its experience, except that, on account of the air absorbed, it 

 cannot at once sink to the bottom." It is improbable, however, that the behavior 

 of these fishes is correctly described. Specimens of Lactophrys triqueter and 

 L. tricornis were removed from the water, to put the matter to test. They com- 

 monly "sat" immobile as far as fin movement was concerned, as they also did in 

 water shallow enough to cover only their mouths. Given only that much water, 

 with fluttering breathing valves and gill covers pumping at a rate almost beyond 

 possibility of counting by direct observation, they may force a stream of water 

 over their gills, or reverse the current and send it gushing out of their mouths 

 in a strong jet. W. H. L. 



Lactophrys triqueter (Linnaeus) 



(Plate 32, figures 1, 2) 



This fish was seen on the reefs occasionally. 



It feeds alike over bottom covered with algae or with sand. Sand and algae in 

 large quantities fill the digestive tract. In feeding it often assumes a nearly ver- 

 tical position, and through its mouth blows a water stream strongly upon the 

 spot it is about to examine, throwing up sand in a cloud. When it is so engaged, 



