282 PAPERS FROM TORTUGAS LABORATORY vol. xxxiv 



reaching vent; length of head about half distance from tip of snout to vent; 

 snout with a short concealed median spine, directed upward and forward before 

 eye; mouth slightly inferior; lower jaw included; teeth small, in several series 

 in upper jaw at least, outer ones apparently stronger, present on vomer; 7 short 

 gill rakers on lower limb of anterior arch. W. H. L. 



This specimen was not found in the collection. S. F. H. 



Family CARAPIDAE 



Carapus bermudensis (Jones) 



Lefroyia bermudensis Jones, Zoologist, vol. 9, 1874, p. 3837 — Bermuda. 



Fierasfer affinis Gudger, Carnegie Inst. Wash. Pub. 391, 1929, p. 203— Tortugas, Florida. 



The collection contains 5 specimens, 73 to 124 mm. long. In addition to these, 

 Dr. Longley had placed 4 specimens in the U. S. National Museum, which are 

 labeled Fierasfer affinis. This identification, however, is not in Dr. Longley's 

 handwriting, and I find no statement among his notes showing that he definitely 

 identified his specimens. Once he questioned their identity with Carapus ber- 

 mudensis, but it seemed to him that the vertebrae (about 160, according to his 

 count) were too numerous. All the specimens taken by Dr. Longley appear to 

 have been removed from holothurians, as were those reported on by Gudger 

 (see reference above). 



The Atlantic species, reported from Bermuda, Florida, and the West Indies, 

 if there be only one, has been called either Fierasfer affinis Giinther, for which 

 the type locality is unknown, or Lefroyia bermudensis Jones. It seems advisable 

 to refer the Tortugas material to bermudensis, which definitely is from the 

 Atlantic, at least until a more detailed study is made. In a rather hurried exami- 

 nation of Florida and West Indian specimens I have detected no specific dif- 

 ferences. If a difference in vomerine teeth exists, as has been alleged, it is not 

 present in the specimens examined. In all these the vomer has a median series 

 of rather strong teeth, which is surrounded by much smaller ones. 



The following proportions are based on 3 specimens from Tortugas, 77, 97, 

 and 124 mm. long: Head in total length 8.6, 7.5, 8.8; depth 12.5, 11.75, T 3-5- Ey e 

 in head 4.3, 4.0, 4.0; snout 5.0, 5.4, 5.4; maxillary 2.0, 2.0, 1.75; interorbital 5.6, 

 6.5, 5.2; pectoral 2.25, 2.0, 1.75. 



It is virtually impossible to count fin rays accurately. Dr. Longley attempted 

 it and has D. about 145; A. about 160, and for another specimen, D. about 184; 

 A. 205. In a partly dissected specimen he evidently counted vertebrae, and appar- 

 ently found "about 160." 



The color of preserved specimens is pale, except for a silvery lateral band on 

 anterior third to half the side, composed of silvery spots separated by muscular 

 rings. Dr. Longley noticed an internal pattern in life consisting of "faint reddish 

 bars, irregularly placed along trunk." He also found the peritoneum "patterned 

 with black and silver, but solidly black dorsally." 



West Indies, Bermuda, and Florida. S. F. H. 



