PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 309^ 



slightly bluish above, with iridescent reflections. Edges of scales of 

 body light yellow, these forming continuous light yellow lines, those 

 below lateral line horizontal, those above very oblique. Besi,des these, 

 a narrow continuous streak of light yellow above lateral line, from head 

 to end of soft dorsal, and another from eje to middle of caudal. Head 

 silvery yellowish above ; inside of mouth red ; no black under preopercle; 

 traces of black blotch at base of caudal. Fins colorless, the lower 

 slightly yellowish. The young are light olivaceous, grayish-silvery below; 

 a dark bronze band, narrower than pupil, darkest in the younger speci- 

 men from snout through eye straight to base of caudal ; above this, twa 

 or three dark streaks, the middle one most distinct, from eye to above 

 gill opening ; another, beginning on top of snout on each side, passing 

 above eye, and extending parallel with the first-mentioned stripe straight 

 to last ray of dorsal, where it meets its fellow of the opposite side; 

 a dark streak from tip of snout along median line to front of dorsal ; a 

 large rounded black blotch at base of caudal, some obscure dusky shad- 

 ing below soft dorsal and at base of pectoral ; fins all plain, upper 

 slightly dusky ; anal nearly white ; pectorals, caudal, and ventrals light 

 yellow ; lining of opercle plain orange ; inside of mouth scarlet. In the 

 large specimen {5^ inches long) the dark stripes are fainter, paler, and 

 more yellowish ; several fainter bands occur between the broader ones, 

 and faint oblique streaks of light bronze follow the rows of scales, those 

 above lateral line oblique. In spirits the adult is plain silvery. This 

 species is very common about Charleston, where it is one of the most 

 abuudant food-fishes. About Pensacola and Key West the adult are less 

 num-erous, but at the latter place the young swarm everywhere about 

 the wharves and shores. At Key West it is known as " Tom-tate." From 

 its small size (rarely reaching a foot in length) it is held in low esteem, 

 and is not often brought into the market. It was not observed by Pro- 

 fessor Jordan at Havana. 



The synonymy of this species has been much confused, although most 

 of the confusion has been unnecessary. 



This is perhaps the species indicated by Linnceus under the name 

 Perca striata. The number (13) of dorsal spines and the comparison 

 with P. melannra renders it likely that either this species or H. quad- 

 rilincatum was intended. There is nothing, however, in the dei'crip- 

 tion by which we can ever hope to decide which of the two should re- 

 tain the name striatum. Vie are therefore not justified in applying it 

 to either. 



The following is Linnteus's account : 



" striata, 22. P. pinnis dorsalibus unitis, cauda bifida, corpore striate. 



- D. ^-| P. 15. V. ^. A. ^^. C. 17. 



" Habitat in America septtntrionaU. Mus. de Geer. 



" Opercnla snhserrata. Radius secnndtis analis validissiTmis. Cauda nigra 



non est, qua differt a P. Melanura.''^ 



