PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 119 



Head about 2§ in length (3J with caudal); depth about G. D. XLI-7; 

 A. 9-7. Length of specimen, 6 feet. 



This specimen differs considerably from the current descriptions of 

 H. (jladms. The sword is much longer and more slender, and the num- 

 ber of dorsal spines is less. 



It is probable that this is, as recently suggested by Mr. Goode, a dis- 

 tinct species, for which the name americanus should be retained. 



The much discussed Malaira nigricanH of Lacepede (IV, 688, 1803) is 

 probably the same species, but the descrii)tion is altogether insufficient 

 for identification. 



SCOMBRIDiE. 



56. Acanthocybium solandri (Cnv. »S: Yal.). Walioo. 



{CyJiiiim solavdri Cnv. S: Val., 1831. 

 Cyhiumsara Beuiiett, 1849. 

 Cijhium petnn Poey, 1860. 

 Cyhiumveraiiyi Doderlein, 1872.) 



Kot very common about Key West. A single large specimen taken. 

 Called by the fishermen " Ifrt/ioo," by the Cubans " PetoJ^ 



Iron gray, dark above, paler below ; fins colored like the body ; no 

 distinct markings anywhere. Gape more thau half length of head ; eye 

 5 in snout ; premaxillaries in front produced in a sort of beak, which is 

 nearly half length of snout ; teeth somewhat irregular, trenchant, ovate, 

 or subtruncate in form, their edges finally serrate, the posterior teeth 

 much the largest ; villiform teeth on vomer aud pahitines. Dorsal spines 

 mostly sube(iual, the highest behind the middle of the fin, 5i| in head. 

 Dorsal and anal lobes low. Caudal lobes short, very abruptly si)read- 

 ing, their length about two-thirds head. Pectoral not quite half head. 



D. XXIV-1, 12-IX ; A. 1, 12-IX. 



57. Scomberomorus cavalla (Cuvier). Ehi(/Ji.sh. 



{Cybiitm cor«//a Cuvier, 1829, after Marcgrave. 

 Cyhium caballa and immaculatum Cuv. & Val., 1831.) 



One of the most important food-fishes of the Florida Keys in the time 

 of its runs (December to April). It is taken with a trolling line, and is 

 brought into the market in great numbers. It is justly considered one 

 of the best of the food-fishes, having firm, well flavored flesh. The first 

 of the run (Xovember, early December) sell at high ]irices. Later, 

 however, they become cheap, and their abundance interferes with the 

 ])rofits of the fishermen who seek for "bottom-fish" {Epinejyhelus, Hcvmn- 

 Jon, Lutjanus^ &c.). The usual weight of the kingfish is from to 40 

 l)ounds, but specimens still larger are occasionally taken. 



Iron gray, adult nearly or quite immaculate and without black blotch 

 on anterior part of si)inons dorsal ; young, paler, and with numerous 

 faint lound bronze spots, somewhat as in S. muciihitus, the spinous dor- 

 sal then more or less dusky anteriorly. This reaches a lai*gersize thau 

 the others in the genus, and has stronger teeth. Under all circum- 

 stances it is readilj- distinguished by the presence of but 14 (rarely 15) 



