PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 137 



131. Xyrichthys rosipes Jor. & Gilb. 



Two young specimens taken with the seine in the surf. 



132. Doratonotiis thalassinus Jor. &, Gilb. 



One specimen taken with the seine in eel-grass. The most exquisitely 

 colored fish seen at Key West. 



133. Scarus guacamaia Cuvier. Parrot-fish. 



Eather common in roeky places. It reaches a length of 15 to 18 

 inches, being larger than any of the other species. 



134. Scarus coeruleus Bloch. 



One young specimen taken ; adult specimens, deep blue in color, are 

 said to be frequently taken, but none were seen by me. 



135. Scarus croicensis (Bloch). 



(rseudoscanis sanclce-crucis Gthr.) 



A few young specimens taken. 



136. Scarus flavescens (Bloch & Schneider.) 



{Scarus sqiiaVulus Poey.) 



The most abundant species of the genus; found everywhere in eel-grass 

 and algse. It rarely exceeds 10 inches in length. Like the other mem- 

 bers of the genus, it feeds on algse, and from the softness of its flesh it 

 is rarely brought into the markets, although it has not a bad flavor. 



137. Sparisoma cyanolene Jordan & Swain. 



Common with the preceding, but smaller in size, the largest, sexu- 

 ally mature, rarely exceeding 6 inches. 



138. Sparisoma xystrodon Jordan & Swain. 



Common with the preceding, and still smaller, the females with spawn 

 at a length of 4 inches. 



139. Cryptotomus beryllinus Jordan & Swain. 



Not rare in eel-grass. It reaches a length of about 10 inches. 



SCORPiENID^. 



140. Scorpaena plumieri (Bloch). 



ScorpwHa lufo Cuv. & Val. 

 Scorpana rascacio Poey. 



Rather common ; the young taken with the seine near the shore ; the 

 adult taken with the hook in deeper waters. The species is held in 

 great dread in common with the other species of the genus and Batra- 

 clius tau, by the fishermen on account of the poisonous properties of the 

 dorsal spines. It is rarely used for food. 



The coloration is highly variegated, and is subject to much variation. 

 The species may be always known by the presence of large white spots 

 in the jet-black ground color of the axil. 



