32 DIPLECTRUM FASCICULARE. 



Habits. The Grouper is so seldom seen on our coast that nothing can, at 

 this time, be said of its habits ; but in confinement, as it is brought to us from 

 Key West, it appears very voracious and bold, taking its food even from the hand, 

 when offered, and always injuring such other species of fish as may be its fellow- 

 captives. 



Geographical Distribution. The Grouper is very abundant in the Gulf of 

 Mexico ; it is exceedingly rare on the Carolina coast, though, according to DeKay, 

 it is sometimes taken as far north as New York. 



General Remarks. This fish was first made known to naturalists by Dr. 

 DeKay, in his Zoology of New York. 



GENUS DIPLECTRUM.* — i?o/6/-ooA-. 



Characters. Pre-opercle armed with tAvo rounded groups of radiating spines ; 

 sub-opercle with a membranous prolongation behind ; jaws without scales ; max- 

 Ulary, inter-maxillary, palatine, and vomerine teeth small and villiform ; a few 

 larger teeth in the lower maxillary and inter-maxillary bones ; body much elon- 

 gated, sub-compressed ; dorsal fin single, and very long ; branchial rays seven. 



DIPLECTRUM FASCICULARE. — Cuv. et Val 



Plate V. Fig. 1. 



Specific Characters. Pre-opercle with two groups of radiating spines ; sides 

 marked with longitudinal lines of ultra-marine blue. D. 10-12. P. 15. V. 

 1-5. A. 3-7. C. 16. 



* Ai'y, twice, and TrX^xTpoj/, a spur. 



