^02 PAPERS FROM TORTUGAS LABORATORY vol. xxxiv 



Dorsal and anal rays respectively 13 1 /? an d 14 in 2 specimens; the frontal 

 spines, at the length mentioned, equal the postpectoral. Because of the shortness 

 of the anterior root and direct opposition of the 2 lateral roots, all spines, except 

 the few short ones immediately before the opercular cleft, may be raised easily 

 and independently. 



Its ability to inflate itself with air or water is great. At the utmost, dorsal and 

 anal fins, as well as the entire caudal peduncle, are "swallowed up" and lost 

 beneath the distended skin. 



There are color changes with the excitement of handling and inflation, apart 

 from the mere mechanical effect of stretching the skin. For example, the band 

 through the eye disappears in the inflated fish. In smaller individuals, up to a 

 length of 125 mm. at least, the fins are immaculate except for a few spots on the 

 pectoral base. W. H. L. 



The collection contains 7 specimens, 40 to 125 mm. long, which apparently 

 are of this species. 



Widely distributed in tropical seas, ranging northward to Florida. S. F. H. 



Chilomycterus schoepfi (Walbaum) 



Erratic in appearance. During the last half of August 1924, small individuals, 

 only about 35 to 50 mm. long, were rather common along the shore of Logger- 

 head Key, on the flats about Fort Jefferson, and on Bird Key flats, although it 

 had not been observed during the preceding ten years. 



Changeable in shade. A fish followed for 15 or 20 minutes as it swam over 

 bottom bare in some places, covered with turtle grass in others, showed that its 

 changes in shade were responses to color changes in the substratum. In a speci- 

 men 138 mm. long, the iris was brassy yellow and darker toward the outer 

 margin, beyond which the ball of the eye, in so far as it is exposed in eye move- 

 ments, was of the same color as the lighter tracts of the body. A dark line 

 encircled the eye, and in a position of rest was more or less concentric with the 

 dark circle on the iris. The skin about the eye was readily extensible. The move- 

 ment of the eye, therefore, was revealed only by the shifting of the pupil and 

 slight changes in width of the pattern elements about it. W. H. L. 



The collection contains 6 specimens, 72 to 80 mm. long. These are brownish 

 above, varying greatly in shade among themselves. The lower parts vary from a 

 dirty white to dusky, the spines, however, being pale in all specimens. The head 

 and body anteriorly bear alternating pale and dark stripes of about equal width, 

 the stripes being horizontal on posterior part of head, but running in various 

 directions on the snout and cheeks, sometimes forming crossbands on the snout. 

 A large black spot above and partly behind base of pectoral, another one lower 

 down on side at tips of lower rays of pectoral, and another surrounding base of 

 dorsal, these spots sometimes ocellated; fins plain translucent. 



Florida to Massachusetts Bay. S. F. H. 



