42 CENTROPRISTES ATRARIUS. 



Geographical Distribution. This fish has been observed only on the coast of 

 South Carolina. 



General Remarks. The Rypticus maculatus is the only species of the genus, 

 hitherto observed in our waters ; and of this species I have only seen one, which 

 was taken off Cape Remain. At first sight, it bears a striking resemblance to the 

 Rypticus saponaceus of Cuvier and Valenciennes, yet it differs from that animal in 

 its colour ; in the number and disposition of its dorsal spines ; and in the form of 

 its air-bladder. 



GENUS CENTROPRISTES.— C«m>r. 



Characters. Maxillary, inter-maxillary, palatine, and vomerine teeth nearly of 

 the same size ; pre-opercle dentated ; opercle with spines ; dorsal fin single ; bran- 

 chial rays seven. 



CENTROPRISTES ATRARIUS. — Liimmis. 



Plate VII. Fig. 2. 



Specific Characters. Head and mouth very large ; back arched ; sides bluish- 

 black above, lighter below ; membrane of dorsal fin dusky, with irregular whitish 

 lines. D. 10-11. P. 18. V. 15. A. 3-4. C. 17. 



Synonymes. Perca atraria, Lin., Syst. Nat., torn. i. p. 485. 



Perca atraria, Gmel., Ed. Syst. Nat., torn. i. pars iii. p. 1314. 



Lutjan trilobe, Lacep., Hist. Nat. Poiss., torn. iv. p. 137. 



Centropristes nigricans, Cuv. el Vol., Hist. Nat. Poiss., torn. iii. p. 37, pi. 44. 



Centropristes nigricans, DeKay, Zool. N. Y., part iv. p. 24, pi. 2, fig. 5. 



Centropristes nigricans, Storer, Synops.,p. 35. 



Black-fish, Vulgo. 



