144 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



eye slightly in advance of lower; right pectoral of three rays, the 

 middle ray somewhat longest; left ventral of one or two very small rays, 

 in some specimens entirely absent; right side with scattered cilia; 

 ventrals five-rayed, the right ventral joined to the anal. 



Head, 3f in length to base of caudal; depth If. D. 54; A. 40; Lat. 

 1. 75 to 80. 



Onr specimens answer Giinther's description of Achirus inscriptus 

 rather better than Poey's of Monochir reticulatiis. We think the species 

 identical with both. This species, as well as A. comifer, belongs to Dr. 

 Bean's genus Bceostoma, but in view of the variations in the develop- 

 ment of the pectoral, I regard it rather as a subgeneric section of 

 Achirus. The European genus Monochir is quite different, having an 

 elongate body, ventrals distinct from the anal, and peculiar scales. 



161. Aphoristia plagiusa (L). 



A single specimen taken with the seine in the sand. 



Extremely pale, almost white in life, each scale with a blackish spot, 

 these forming faint stripes which are narrowest on head. Fins plain, 

 except posteriorly, where the stripes from the body extend slightly on 

 them. 



MALTHIDiE. 



162. Malthe radiata (Mitchill). 



{Lophius radiatus Mitchill, Amer. Monthly Mag., March, 1318, 326. (Straits of 



Bahama.) 

 Malthe cuiifrons Richardsou, 1836.) 



'This species is rather common in the eel-grass about Key West. As 

 elsewhere stated by us, it appears to intergrade fully with Malthe vesper- 

 tilio, of which species it should be regarded as a variety. 



Color in life dull olive-gray, the naked parts above with round black 

 spots; sides and axillary region also with black spots; belly very pale 

 salmon color, darkest on median line; mouth salmon color; Dorsal pale 

 olive, mottled with light gray; ventrals and anal light salmon color; 

 pectorals yellow below mesially, pale at base and tip ; above yellowish 

 white, more yellow toward tip and j)rofusely spotted with black; caudal 

 yellowish, its tip blackish, its upper half spotted with black. 



BALISTIDiB 



163. Balistes carolinensis Gmelin. Turbot. 



(f Balistes capriscus Gmelin.) 



Common; considered a good food-fish, and brought almost daily into 

 the markets. 



Color in life olive-gray ; a more or less distinct darker cross bar under 

 front of second dorsal and one under last ray; some small violet spots 

 on upper part of back; usually a ring of blue spots, alternating with 

 olive-green streaks, about eye; violaceous marks on sides of snout; first 

 dorsal spotted and clouded with bluish; second dorsal pale yellowish 



