i 00 PROCEEDIISGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



Company with IS. cymiolene, and it is equally abundant with the latter. 

 It readies a still smaller size, none of the many specimens obtained ex- 

 ceeding 5 inches in length. These are sexually mature. 



This species is closely allied to several {radians, lacrimosum, atomarmm, 

 hoplomystax) found in the West Indies, but we think it distinct from all 

 of these. 



One or two specimens thought to belong to this species were seen in 

 the market at Havana. 



C. Genus CRYPTOTMUS. 



Catxiodon Cuvier, Regne Animal, 1829, ed. II. (spimdeus) (not of Gronow, nor of 



Bloch & Schneider.) 

 Callyodon Cnvier & Valenciennes, Giiutlier, Guichenot, Poey, Stiendacliner, Jordan 



& Gilbert. 

 Cryptotomus Cope, Trans. Am. Phil. Soc, 1871, 462, {roseus). 



This genus is closely related to S^yarisoma, differing from it in having 

 the anterior teeth nearly separate at all ages and in having the dorsal 

 spines flexible as in Scams. The dentition approaches that of a very 

 young Sparisoma. 



The genus CalUodon of Gronow and of Bloch & Schneider was based 

 on a species which apparently belongs to the genus Scarus. The name 

 was transferred by Cuvier from the type of 8. eroicensis to the present 

 group. This transfer is inadmissible in our view, and the name Gal- 

 liodon should not be used for the geuus. 



The name Cryptotomus was proposed by Coi^e for a fish having the 

 "dentition of Callyodon, but with the numerous dorsal and anal spines of 

 the group of Rarpe.'^ The fin rays are given D. XI, 8 ; A III, 8. The 

 numbers in all known species of Scarinw are D. IX, 10; A. Ill, 9 (8). We 

 do not believe in the existence of the genus Cryptotomus as thus defined. 

 It seems to us almost certain, either that Professor Cope has mistaken 

 two of the soft rays of the dorsal and one of the anal for spines, or else 

 that these rays are in the sole specimen known, abnormally ossified. 

 The difference between spines and soft rays in this group is ver^' slight. 

 We therefore regard Cryptotomus as a synonym of Callyodon Cuvier, 

 and the latter name being ineligible, we adopt Cryptotomus as the name 



of the genus. 



ANALYSIS OF SPECIES OF CRYPTOTOMUS. 



Common characters. — Lower pharyngeal and upper pharyngeals, isthmus, aud 

 lateral line precisely as in Spariaoma ; lateral teeth of upper jaw coalesceut iuto a more 

 or less continuous cutting edge ; the teeth more separate posteriorly ; free posterior 

 canines often present ; anterior teeth separate or coalesceut at base only ; lo wer ja w with 

 a single series of partly coalesceut teeth laterally, and two or more series of nearly 

 Kei)arate teeth anteriorly ; median suture of jaws not evident ; dorsal spines flexible ; 

 jaws subequal ; scales about head large, a single row on cheeks, four or five on me- 

 dian line before dorsal. Species of small size. 



a. Posterior cauiues, none ; upper lip double for its entire course, the inner fold be- 

 coming mesially very narrow ; caudal subtruncate ; body slender ; color oli- 

 vaceous, much mottled, sides with faint whitish stripes ; head with some 

 greenish spots ; tins pale, mottled with olive Beryllinus, 14. 



