PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 101 



14. Cryptotomus berylliuus, sp. nov. 



Head, 31 (3|) ; depth, 3^ (4^) ; length of an example from Key West, 

 54 inches. 



Body more elongate than in related species ; compressed. 



Jaws pale, the median suture not evident; central i^ortion of each tooth 

 Avitli a reddish-brown spot. Upper Jaw laterally with a continuous cut- 

 ting edge of coalesced teeth ; this edge is e^:en along the middle of the 

 jaw and somewhat serrate posteriorly; anteriorly the cutting edge gives 

 place to about two series of lanceolate, rather obtuse, compressed teeth, 

 which coalesce at base only ; no posterior canines in any of the many 

 specimens examined. Lower jaw laterally with a single series of com- 

 pressed teeth, coalescent for a short distance and close set. In front are 

 two or three series similar to those in the upper jaw. 



The chief difference between the teeth of this species and those of 

 Sparisoma is in the separation of the anterior teeth of both jaws and in 

 the distinctness of the lateral teeth of the lower jaw. 



Jaws subequal, the lower very slightly included. Upijer lip double 

 for almost its entire length, its inner fold narrow mesially ; the lip cov- 

 ering most of upper jaw. Isthmus moderate, the gill-membranes not 

 forming a fold across it. 



Eye moderate, 4^ in head ; snout rather acute, 2i| ; cheek with a single 

 row of about 5 scales ; four or five scales on the median line before 

 dorsal. 



Lateral line subcontinuous, its tubes each with four branches, which 

 cover most of the scale. 



Dorsal spines very slender, not pungent; caudal fin slightly rounded, 

 its outer rays IJ in head. 



Lower pharyngeal formed exactly as in Sparisoma ; not quite twice as 

 broad as long, the surface slightly concave. 



Color in life, olive-green, or ohve-gray, mottled above with darker 

 and whitish with small blotches ; some whitish blotches above lateral 

 line ; some along lateral line ; a row of five or six, smaller than pupil, in 

 a straight line below lateral line ; five or six faint greenish blotch-like 

 areas along sides ; two or three narrow, parallel whitish stripes more or 

 less distinct along lower parts of sides bordered with brownish, the 

 upper running from below eye straight to middle of caudal, the lower 

 passing just below pectoral ; some whitish bands radiating from eye; 

 usually some dark green spots before and behind eye ; toi? of head 

 vermiculate and dotted with black; a brown baud across chin; dorsal 

 pale, mottled with olive; a dusky blotch on front of dorsal; caudal 

 greenish, edged with brown, its outer rays barred with brown and light 

 olive, speckled and barred witli brown ; ventrals pale, faintly barred 

 W' ith brown ; pectorals i)ale ; vertical fins in adult edged with light 

 brownish-red. The whitish lines of sides become fainter with age. 



In spirits the brown coloration gives place to grayish or greenish, 

 each scale often with a greenish blotch. 



