i 9 4i CATALOGUE OF FISHES OF TORTUGAS 225 



across nape, a pair across back between pectorals and dorsal origin, another pair 

 under first dorsal, two pairs under second dorsal, and a simple band on caudal 

 peduncle. In phases dark enough for the contrast to appear, the two dorsal fins 

 are margined with pale yellow, otherwise marked, like caudal, with many fine 

 lines of brown across the rays and dark spots on anterior support of each; rows 

 of white spots cross pectorals. 



The sexes are readily distinguishable, as in the male the dorsal and anal lobes 

 are elongate, reaching to or beyond base of caudal; the median caudal rays are 

 slightly longer proportionately than in the female, which tends to make the fin 

 lanceolate rather than simply rounded; and in the male the ventral fin is longer 

 by half, reaching the anal origin, and is dark instead of white. The anal fin, too, 

 is much more heavily pigmented except along its pale free border. The urogenital 

 papilla of the male is long and pointed, whereas that of the female is broad and 

 flat with a brush of slender papillae at either external angle. 



The Bingham Oceanographic Collection contains a specimen of this species 

 from Glover Reef; the collection of the New York Zoological Society includes 

 one from Bermuda; and in the Museum of the Academy of Natural Sciences, 

 Philadelphia, are two, collected in the Bahamas. Jordan and Evermann possibly 

 had it from Pensacola, Florida, though I have been unable to find their speci- 

 mens. Their Gobius soporator (Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 47, pt. 3, 1898, p. 2217), 

 with 30 scales in linear series and twelve rows between the first dorsal and the 

 anal origin, if correctly described, can scarcely be any other species. W. H. L. 



This species is distinguished from B. soporator principally by the fewer scales 

 in a lateral series. In 4 specimens of B. Curasao from Tortugas there are 32 or 33 

 series of scales between axil of pectoral and base of caudal, whereas in 2 speci- 

 mens of B. soporator there are 37 and 38. 



Curacao, Glover Reef, Bahamas, Bermuda, and Florida. S. F. H. 



Gnatholepis thompsoni Jordan 



This species is sparingly scattered, and usually found singly, throughout the 

 group where dead corals on sandy bottom provide it shelter. 



Judging by the amount of freshly excavated material which sometimes was 

 seen, these fish often burrow freely. A single fish may have two shelters not far 

 apart, and it may be found at the same spot day after day. The mouth is pro- 

 trusible and sucker-like, and much sand is taken up, from which the material the 

 species seems to feed upon is sorted. 



This goby is very changeable in shade and in a lesser degree in pattern. Its 

 distinctive mark is a narrow black line crossing the interorbital space and the 

 dorsal surface of the eyes at right angles to the main axis of the body. In very 

 light color phases this line is drawn sharply on the iris above and below the pupil 

 and on the cheek below. When so drawn, its breadth is notably less than that of 

 the pupil, which is highly unusual. In dark phases it is lost on the iris and be- 

 comes a mere diffuse blur on the cheek, being broadest ventrally. 



The basic pattern on the trunk is one of minute brassy spots on a light ground, 

 in series following the longitudinal rows of scales. In all but the lightest phase 



