1904.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 227 



pupil, Pseudobranchise large. Isthmus not trenchant, branchiostegal 

 •membrane forming a short free fold across. 



Scales moderately small, finely spinescent, and those on side just 

 below lateral line largest and imbricated somewhat narrowly. Scales 

 at base of spinous dorsal forming a sheath and each one ending in a 

 backwardly directed spine. Scales along base of soft dorsal not 

 enlarged, rather low. Median scales at base of soft anal elongate and 

 pointed. Bases of caudal and pectoral with small scales. A scaly flap 

 between bases of ventrals and each fin with a broad pointed axillary 

 scale. A series of five scales between orbit and base of preopercular 

 spine. A few scales on opercle, and with exception of occiput head 

 otherwise naked. Lateral line concurrent with dorsal profile till near 

 caudal peduncle, along side of which it extends a little high at first till 

 middle of base of caudal, though not extending on scales of that fin. 



Spinous dorsal inserted over origin of pectoral, third spine longest, 

 also next two nearly subequal. First spine a little longer than ninth, 

 but eleventh shortest and joined to first dorsal ray by a low membrane. 

 Margin of fin deeply notched. Soft dorsal posterior, inserted nearer 

 base of caudal than origin of pectoral, elevated anteriorly, margin 

 above straight, and first developed ray longest. Spinous anal inserted 

 a trifle before origin of soft dorsal, first spine minute, third long, 

 enlarged, reaching tip of rayed fin, and fourth shorter but next in size. 

 Soft anal similar to rayed dorsal. Caudal forked and lobes pointed. 

 Pectoral rather long, slender, and upper rays longest. Ventral 

 inserted a little posterior, altogether behind base of pectoral, and reach- 

 ing about two-thirds of distance to anal. Ventral spine slender, a little 

 over two-thirds length of fin. Anus close in front of anal. 



Color in alcohol faded brassy-brown with many silvery reflections. 

 Above lateral line three longitudinal pale whitish bands along each 

 series of scales. Below seven similar bands, those just below lateral 

 line broadest. Fins plain-colored like general body-color. Spinous 

 dorsal just above middle with a small white blotch behind each spine. 

 Iris straw-colored. Peritoneum silvery. 



Length 5f inches. 



Type No. 14,140, A. N. S. P. Tahiti. Dr. J. K. Townsend. 



A single example. This species is closely related to Holocenthrus 

 diploxiphus (Gtinther). Dr. Giinther's figure^ shows about 3 scales 

 between origin of spinous dorsal and lateral line, obliquely back, 

 apparently about 43 in lateral line to base of caudal, ventral shorter, 



■' Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1871, p. 660, PI. 60 (upper figure). Samoa Islands. 

 (Coll. Godeffroy.) 



