This being done tlie only name applicable to the present group is 

 that of Sparisoma Swainson. As originally defined this generic name 

 was a wanton synonym like nearly all the other generic names of fishes 

 proposed by Swainson. It is supposed to differ from the Fetronason of 

 the same author in the presence of hexagonal scales, sharp incisive 

 teeth, and obtuse canines. As, however, its type, S. abildgaardi, is a 

 member of the present genus, the name should not be set aside. 



ANALYSIS OF SPECIES OF SPARISOMA. 



Common chakacters. — Lower pharyngeal broader than long, subhexagonal, its 

 surface moderately concave or flattish ; teeth in each jaw largely coalescent in the 

 adult, their tips more or less separate in the young, the edge, especially of tbe lower 

 jaw, remaining uneven ; the median suture in each jaw present, but not well de- 

 fined ; one to four radiating canines sometimes present on each side of upper jaw 

 above its cutting edge; ^ gill-membranes broadly united to the isthmus; dorsal 

 spines pungent ; uj)per lip double for its entire length ; lower jaw projecting beyond 

 upper ; lateral line not interrupted, passing gradually from its row of scales posteriorly 

 to the one next below it; tubes of lateral line much branched; scales about head 

 large, those on cheek in a single row, those on the median line in front of dorsal 

 3 or 4 in number. Species of rather. small size, most of them American. 

 o. Upper jaw without canines; caudal lunate in adult, subtruncate or mesially 

 rounded in the young ; head without bright stripe. 

 h. Caudal fin with obscure bars and spots, its general color pale orange; no 

 distinct green or blue anywhere ; body olivaceous, much clouded, 

 and washed with cherry red; lower fins mostly red; pectorals light 



orange ; axillary spot usually distinct Flavescens, 6. 



il). Caudal fin without bars or spots. Its outer rays green, its inner ones red ; some 

 greenish-blue on head ; axillary spot very distinct ; body olivaceous, 



nearly plain, yellowish below Frondosum, 7. 



aa. Upper jaw with one or more canines above its cutting edge. 



c. Caudal fin deeply lunate, the up^jer lobe about as long as head and twice or 

 more length of inner rays. 

 d. Canines 3 or 4 on each side ; pores of lateral line excessively branched, each 

 with several (G to 8) much divided branches; color bright green- 

 ish-blue (the side sometimes with a blue band) ; caudal lobes blue, 

 the middle rays red ; dorsal and anal red ; pectorals yellowish, 

 the axillary spot large, black, edged with red..CHRYSOPTERUM, 8. 

 dd. Canines 1 or 2 on each side; pores of lateral line each with few (4 or 

 5) nearly simple branches ; color in life chiefly light blue, without 

 sharp markings, this color becoming reddish in spirits ; caudal lobes 

 dull greenish ; the middle rays reddish ; other fins mostly scarlet; 



axillary spot well defined LORITO, 9. 



cc. Caudal fin lunate, the outer rays exserted, but not twice as long as the inner 

 rays and much shorter than the head ; canine single on each side 

 (rarely obsolete or duplicated). 

 e. Head with a scarlet stripe from below eye to angle of mouth ; a small scarlet 

 streak behind eye ; color chiefly purplish-brown; around spot of 

 yellow and black behind head, just below lateral line; flns chiefly 

 red ; angles of caudal black ; axillary spot obscure. 



AUROFRENATUM, 10. 



* In species normally possessing a single canine on each side {awofrenatum ; abild- 

 gaardi) it is occasionally absent on one or both sides, and sometimes specimens are 

 found with one more than the normal number on one or both sides. We find no evi- 

 dence that the disappearance of the canines is a matter of age, although in all species 

 the edges of the jaw are less uneven in the adult. 



