Fishes of the Western North Atlantic 507 



lip rough here and there with patches of denticles similar to those on upper surface of 

 disc. Transverse curtain on roof of mouth conspicuous, far forward, its free edge pos- 

 terior to edge of nasal curtain, centrally, by a distance only about 2,-Z times as great as 

 breadth of pupil ; loose, flexible, forming an effective valve to prevent egress of water 

 from mouth when walls of pharynx are contracted. Roof of mouth also with a low 

 rounded longitudinal ridge extending rearward a short distance from opposite free edge 

 of transverse curtain. Floor of mouth with a corresponding groove, narrowest anteriorly, 

 broader posteriorly, reaching to point about opposite first gill cleft, interlocking with 

 ridge on roof when mouth is closed; both roof and floor of mouth roughened with 

 minute denticles. 



Teeth of lower jaw (on specimens counted) in about 270 series in quincunx, about 

 18 rows along center of jaw decreasing to 12-14 rows toward corners, thus a total of 

 about 4,800; teeth small, somewhat uneven in size, rounded to squarish as viewed from 

 above, with flattened crowns pointing inward; their posterior margins often with 1—2 

 or more serrations; firmly set in a fleshy band, occupying about ^4 (73 "/o) of extreme 

 lateral extent of jaw from which it is easily separated. 



Cephalic fins about half as broad at base as long, their transverse axes nearly ver- 

 tical on sides of head; upper margins about level with midpoint of front of head; lower 

 origin on side of head about level with lower surface of head and a little posterior to eye; 

 lower edges thin, upper edges thick, fleshy and rounded, their tips broadly rounded. 

 The cephalic fins are rolled spirally (lower margins outward) when swimming or flat- 

 tened vertically when feeding, and the outer ends are capable of being incurved so that 

 the tips nearly meet; their shape as illustrated in Fig. 116. Dorsal fin originating a 

 little anterior to axils of pectorals, the rear end of its base about opposite rear corners of 

 pectorals and anterior to rear tips of pelvics by a distance about 40 "/o as long as its own 

 base; anterior margin weakly convex; apex rounded; posterior margin slightly excavate 

 with short free rear corner; base about 1/3 (34 "/o) as long as breadth of mouth; vertical 

 height about Vs (83 "/o) as great as length of base. Pelvics with nearly straight margins, 

 the outer (anterior) and inner margins nearly parallel, the posterior margin strongly 

 oblique; corners rounded; anterior margin about 40 % as long as breadth of mouth. 

 Gaspers of immature male flat, fleshy, with rounded tips; their shape and length at 

 sexual maturity not known. 



For an account of the gill sieve, see p. 482 and Figs. 1 1 1, 112. 

 Color. Upper surface varying from reddish or olivaceous brown to black, slightly 

 paler along margins; some specimens plain-colored; some with a white patch on each 

 shoulder varying in shape and with or without a series of small dark spots across it;^** 

 some with two vaguely outlined whitish bands crossing disc obliquely rearward on either 

 side, the more anterior of the pair close behind the eye;i« still other individuals with a 

 white triangular or chevron-shaped blotch on posterior part of disc in addition to the 



144. Specimens with white markings have been described by Beebe and Tee-Van (Zoologica N. Y., 26, 1941: 278) 

 from Bermuda, and by Fowler (Fish Culturist, 21 [9], 1942 : 6) from Cuba; for photographs of Florida specimens so 

 marked, see Seager (Outing Mag., 39, 1902: 560) and Holder (Big Game at Sea, 1908: pi. facing p. 24). 



145. These pale bands are shown in the photograph included in our Study Material (p. 502). 



