130 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



to see that tliey differ at all from the common " king-fish " of the North, 

 to which species we therefore refer them. 



Color in life, of largest specimen (about 4 inches long), gray, tinged 

 with brouze and profusely dotted with black ; a band of dark olive be- 

 tween eyes; two downward and backward at nape below dorsal; a 

 broad dark band downward and forward from last dorsal spines to 

 ventrals, involving last half of spinous dorsal. Two stripes downward 

 and forward from soft dorsal, one forming a black spot on the middle of 

 the fin; a horizontal band of similar color on posterior part of body, ex- 

 tending along lower lobe of caudal ; ventrals ancl base of anal black ; 

 other fins pale except on the black areas; inside of opercle whitish, 

 with blackish dots. 



Smaller specimens are more nearly uniform bronze-black. 



The scarcity of Scifenoid fishes is one of the most remarkable pecu- 

 liarities of the fauna of the Florida keys and Cuba. The family is well 

 represented along the coasts of the mainland. These fishes apparently 

 prefer sandy shores to coral formations. 



GERRIDiE. 



114. Gerres lefroyi (Goode). 



Not rare in the surf, A considerable school taken at one time with 

 the seine. One of the smaller species, rarely exceeding six inches. 



115. Gerres gracilis (Gill). 



{Euoinostomus pseudogula Poey. 

 Eitcinostomus harengulus Goode & Bean). 



Eather common in shallow waters There is no doubt of the identity 

 of Floridan and Cuban specimens. I see no difference between either 

 and the Gerres gracilis of the Pacific coast. 



116. Gerres gula Cuv. & Val. Common ^' Shad." 



{Diapterus homonymus Goode & Bean; 

 Eucinosiomus argentens Baird & Girard; 

 Eucinostomus gulula Poey.) 



Excessively common everywhere in shallow water. It reaches a 

 length of four or five inches, and is used only for bait. In common 

 with all the other species of the genus, this is known as the " shad." 



117. Gerres cinereus (Walbaura). Broad Shad. 



Gerres zcbrOfMiiller & Troschel. 

 Gerres aprion Cuv. & Val. 



Eather common, taken with the seine in water of moderate depth, in 

 company with species of Mugil. It reaches a length of about 15 inches, 

 being the largest species of the genus. It is a food-fish of some import- 

 ance at Key West. 



Color in life, silvery, olivaceous above, sides with faint darker cross 

 bars, most distinct in life ; spinous dorsal and ventrals partly golden. 

 Eye white. 



118. Gerres olisthostoma Goode & Beau. 



A single large specimen taken with hook and line from the wharf. 



