310 PAPERS FROM TORTUGAS LABORATORY vol. xxxiv 



distinct, and he stated that if so the Tortugas specimens, judging by fin-ray 

 counts, belonged to that species. Enumerations made by Dr. Longley and by me 

 show complete overlapping of dorsal rays of the two nominal species. No speci- 

 men, however, was found among the Tortugas material having only 5 anal rays, 

 the number given in current works for C. pictu<, though a few had only 6, the 

 usual number being 7. This further variation in number of anal rays may well 

 occur within one species. It is possible, also, that the 1st ray, which sometimes is 

 minute, may have been overlooked. Again, it may sometimes be hidden in the 

 skin like the 1st ray of the soft dorsal, as determined by dissection. As the dif- 

 ference in the number of fin rays apparently is not valid, and as I fail to find 

 other distinguishing characters in the study of the descriptions, figures, and 

 specimens in hand, I have designated C. nttttingii as a synonym, though it 

 apparently may properly be questioned whether specimens from the Orient 

 assigned to this species actually belong there. 



The collection contains 9 specimens, 44 to 130 mm. long, with which there is 

 no locality label. This species apparently is rather common in deep water south 

 of Tortugas. Dr. Longley listed 79 specimens from that vicinity, taken in 10 

 different hauls at depths of 135 to 392 fathoms. 



The following proportions and enumerations are based on 3 specimens, 69, 70, 

 and 130 mm. long. The depth measurements, because of the softness of the fish 

 and because it probably is capable of inflating itself somewhat, are only approxi- 

 mate. Neither can the eye be accurately measured, as there is no definite demar- 

 cation, the skin over the eye being continuous with that of the head. Head, 

 measured to the gill opening, 1.6, 1.6, 1.5; width of head 2.9, 3.0, 2.9; depth at 

 eyes 2.3, 2.5, 2.7; greatest depth 3.0, 3.7, 3.3. Eye in head 7.1, 6.4, 8.5; snout 7.1, 

 8.0, 8.5; interorbital (bone) 16, 15, 12.5; maxillary 2.8, 2.9, 3.4; 1st dorsal spine 

 with "bait" 14, 16, 11; pectoral 4.9, 4.9, 4.5. D. I-io, I-n, I-n; A. 7, 7, 7; P. 11, 

 n, 11; V. 4; C. 8, 8, 9. 



Dr. Longley counted fin rays in 15 specimens and found 3 with I-n rays in 

 dorsal, and the rest with I-12. He found 2 specimens with 6 rays in anal and the 

 rest with 7. In one specimen examined he found 12 pectoral rays and 9 caudal 

 rays. 



The discovery of additional dorsal spines, hidden under the skin, has already 

 been discussed. There actually are 5 dorsal spines (as revealed by 3 specimens 

 dissected), instead of only 1 as given in the foregoing paragraph. 



The "bait" of the 1st spine in the Tortugas specimens is broad and transversely 

 flat, and has a fringed margin, not pointed as shown in Goode and Bean's figure 

 (Ocean. Ichthyol., 1895, pi. 117, fig. 398). 



The preserved specimens are uniform light gray. 



This fish is readily recognized among the Tortugas fauna by the low, broad 

 head; the large, vertical mouth; the finely prickled skin; the strongly developed 

 system of lateral lines that lie in "canals," destitute of prickles; and the single 

 short free dorsal (rostral) spine, with its broadly expanded "bait." 



Probably widely distributed; taken in the Florida Keys and northward in the 

 Gulf Stream to Rhode Island. S. F. H. 



