3G2 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



turned somewhat backwards. Eye 7 in head (adult). Interorbital space 

 strongly convex, its breadth about 4 in head. Preopercle with the angle 

 a little salient, the emargination above it rather distinct, the teeth small, 

 those near the angle being somewhat enlarged. Nostrils rounded, very 

 close together, the posterior much the larger. Gill-rakers rather few 

 and long, about 17 on lower part of anterior arch. Scales small, chiefly 

 cycloid. 



]3orsal spines rather slender and low, the third 3f in head. Soft 

 dorsal moderate. Caudal fin distinctly lunate, the upper lobe the longer, 

 1^ in head. Anal very high and falcate, the middle rays produced in a 

 point, their length l^^o in head, the posterior rays rapidly shortened, so 

 that the outline of the fin is much concave. Anal spines small, grad- 

 uated. Pectorals reaching beyond tips of veutrals, 2 in head. 



Color in life: body and fins nearly uniform brick red. Tip of pectorals 

 dusky; vertical fins without distinct dusky edgings. In spirits, fading 

 fii'st to lemon color, then to dull gray. But two specimens, both adult, 

 of this beautifully-colored species are known. The first was secured by 

 Dr. Streets at Angel Island; the second, from which the above descrip- 

 tion was taken, was obtained by Dr. J. W. Bastow at Mazatlan, and by 

 him presented to the National Museum. 



The fish is very rare at Mazatlan. It was unknown to the fishermen. 



2. Mycteroperca falcata. Abadejo ; Bacalao ; Scamp. 



a. Var. falcata. 



Serranm faleatus, Poey, Memorias de Cuba, ii, 138, 1860 (Havana). 

 Trisotropis falcaUiSf'Poey, Synopsis Pise. Cubens., 285, 1868 (Havana); Poey, 



Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y., 309, 1869 (Havana); Poey, Euum. Pise. 



Cubans., 15, 1875 (Havana). 

 Serrantis undulosus, Steiudachner, Ichtby. Beitriige, xil, 3, 1882 (Rio Janeiro 



and Messina; in part; specimens with angulated anal, supposed to be 



males). 



h. Var. phevax (var. nov.). 



Trisotropis faleatus, Goode & Bean, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 140, 1879 (Pensa- 

 cola, Fla.) ; Poey, Bull. U". S. Fisb Comm., ii, 118, 1882 (Key West, 

 Fla.); Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 273, 1882 (Pensacola, 

 Fla.) ; Jordan «fc Gilbert, Synopsis Fishes North America, 538, 1883 (copied 

 from Goode & Beau). 



Epineplielm faleatus, Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1884, 124 (Key West). 



Habitat — Yar. falcata, Cuba to ? Brazil, 1 Messina; var. i^lienax, 

 coast of Florida, Pensacola, Key West. 



Var. falcata. 



DESCRIPTION OF SPECIMENS FROM HAVANA. 



Head, 2| (3f); depth, 3J (41). D. XI, 17; A. Ill, 11. Scales, 25- 

 140 -f X. Length, 14J inches. 



Body moderately elongate, compressed, its greatest width 2f in its 

 depth, head compressed, rather pointed anteriorly, the anterior jirofile 



