PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 17 



Vol. VII, ]\o. 3. "ilaf^liiiis^toii, D. C. June 3, 1884. 



beiug slightly curved ; iu adults the autedorsal region is very sharply 

 compressed aud somewhat gibbous, forming above eye an angle with 

 rest of profile. Greatest depth of preorbital more than half head in 

 adults. 



Mouth small, the maxillary scarcely reaching vertical from front of 

 eye, 2| in head. 



Anterior teeth of outer series iu both jaws enlarged aud strong, well 

 differentiated from the cardiform baud within. In both jaws one or two 

 pairs of these teeth are usually larger than the others, perhaps meriting 

 the name of canines; they are occasionally wanting. The normal num- 

 ber of these enlarged teeth seems to be 10 in the upper jaw and 8 in 

 the lower. A small accessory band of molars behind the cardiform 

 band above and below. 



Eye large, 3f in head in adults (12 inches long). 



Dorsal spines stronger and lower than in jjennatida, the longest 2^ 

 in head. Pectorals reaching slightly beyond vertical from front of 

 anal, rather more than ^ length of body. Ventrals 4J in length. Anal 

 spines robust. 



CoLOE IN LIFE. — Silvery with bluish reflections; the base and cen- 

 tral portions of each scale golden, forming distinct longitudinal stripes, 

 the stripes between these pearly or bluish ; rows of scales on cheeks 

 and opercles with the pearly stripe median, the golden marginal. A 

 deep violet streak below orbit, not extending forward on snout nor 

 backward on opercles. Preorbital deep dull violet like the snout, the 

 ground color forming reticulations around conspicuous round brassy 

 spots which cover half the surface. ]S"aked part of preopercle some- 

 times similarly marked, more often colored like the body. Edge of 

 opercle gilt. Lower jaw dusky violet. Axil golden ; base of pectoral 

 above with a violet bar. Fins all pale, vaguely blotched with dull 

 orange. Ventrals more or less dusky on inner rays. Commissure of 

 lips yellow. Iris golden. 



This species is common at Key West, where it is taken in considera- 

 ble numbers with the hook and line iu the channels. It reaches a 

 length of about 15 inches, and is known to the fishermen as the Saucer- 

 eye Porgy. It is less abundant than C. pennaiulaj and much less 

 brightly colored iu life. 



But a single specimen was seen by Professor Jordan in the Havana 

 market, it beiug far less abundant there, in the winter at least, than C. 

 bajonado or G. pennatula. It is confounded by the Cuban fishermen 

 with the latter as Fez de Pluma. 



The description aud figure given by Cuv. & Val. oi PageUus cnlamns 

 agrees with this species iu all respects except the color, which was taken 

 from an old specimen in alcohol. Thus the "bluish points on the sub- 

 Proc. Xat. Mus. 84 2 



