PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 127 



10. BATRACHID^. 



15. Batrachus tau Linn. — "Sarpo"; Sea jRohin. 



A specimen of this species, No. 21,477 (27), corresponds closely in 

 coloration with the southern specimens referred to by Giinther. 



Other individnals were obtained, which had grown to the size of 12 

 or 15 inches, and which, if coloration were accepted as a mark of specific 

 rank, would surely be entitled to description as new species. The ground- 

 color is gray or yellowish white, coA'ered with large irregular blotches and 

 small roundish spots of brown. The type of coloration is very different 

 from that described by Giinther from southern specimens in the British 

 Museum. A fuller description of these specimens with measurements 

 will be given hereafter. 



11. GOBIID^. 



16. Gobius soporator Cuv. & Val. 



A single specimen, No. 22,852, 2^ inches in length, of a species of 

 Gohius, was sent by Mr. Stearns. It is so shrivelled up from immersion 

 in too strong alcohol that its characters are not very clearly to be made 

 out. It agrees very w^ell with the descriptions of Gobius sojjorator, and 

 is very like specimens of that species from the Bermudas, except that 

 the fins are blackish, and, unlike the Bermuda specimens, show no spots. 



17. Eleotris gyriiius Cuv. & Val. 



A single specimen, No. 22,853, of an Uleofris, agrees essentially with 

 the descriptions of JE. gyrinus and with specimens sent under this name 

 from Cuba by Professor Poey. 



12. TRIGLID^. 



18. Dactylopterus volitans (Liun.) Lac. 



A single specimen, G^- inches in length, and measuring between the 

 tips of the extended fins 8 J inches. D. I, IV, I, 8; A. 6; P. 0, 22; V. 7; 

 C. 5, 4. 



In the young, the proportional length of the preopercular spines is 

 greater than in the adult, equalling the greatest width of the head. 

 The scales upon the flauks are conspicuously carinate, in the first and 

 fourth rows from the abdominal flat surface showing a tendency to form 

 strong ridges upon the sides of the body. The first and second rays of 

 the first dorsal are separated from the other rays of this fin, and when 

 the fin is closed and resting in the dorsal groove the first roy falls back 

 upon the dorsal surface upon the right-hand side, the second upon the 

 left embracing the fin. These rays resemble filaments, and it seems 

 probable that they have independent motion, like the filaments of 

 Lojihius. They are never received into the dorsal groove. The fins are 



