368 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM, 



illary is proportionately longer, about half bead; teeth in rathei' nar- 

 row bands, each jaw with two canines, the upper rather large and 

 directed little forward, the lower rather small. Eye moderate, 6|- in 

 head (young). Interorbital space slightly convex, 7 in head. Gill- 

 rakers few, about 12 on lower part of anterior arch. Preopercle with a 

 shallow emargination above the angle, which is somewhat salient and 

 armed with radiating serrse considerably larger than those on the 

 upper limb, which are very fine. Xostrils small, rounded, subequal, 

 not very close together. 



Scales very small, chiefly cycloid. 



Dorsal spines comparatively slender and weak, the outline of the fin 

 gently convex; the tenth spine is about as long as second; third 

 and fourth spines longest, 3J in head. Caudal distinctly lunate, the 

 outer rays one-fifth longer than the inner, If in head. Anal rather 

 high, its posterior margin convex, the longest ray 2} in head, the spines 

 small, graduated. Pectoral reaching slightly beyond tips of ventrals, 

 2 in head. 



The shade of color of this species is variable, those found in shallow 

 water being lighter and more variegated. 



Specimens from deep water are plain brownish gray, paler below, 

 with no distinct spots or rivulations, but faint traces of darker spot- 

 ting, which disappear in spirits. A faint moustache. Lips not green. 

 Dorsal dark olive, the tip of soft part blue-black, its edge narrowly 

 white. Caudal black, with bright blue shadings, its edge white. Anal 

 deep indigo blue, olive at base, its edge white. Pectorals olive, dusky 

 toward the tip. Yentrals blackish, its first ray tipped with white. 



Specimens of the same size as the above, taken in shallow water 

 among grass, are green-olive, mottled with darker green, and variously 

 clouded, but without spots or rivulations. Moustache black. Fins col- 

 ored as above, distinctly bluish. Eadiating streaks of bluish from eye; 

 all the blue markings of life fade, more or less, into dusky or grayish in 

 spirits. 



This species ranges farther north on our coasts than any other, ex- 

 cept Upinejyhelus morio. It reaches a weight of about fifty pounds. 

 Around the coast of Florida it is generally abundant on the banks and 

 reefs and is an important food-fish. It is known to the fishermen of 

 Florida as the "Gag," and occasionally as "Black" Grouper, but the 

 latter name is usually confined to 3L honaci or E. nigritus. This species 

 is sent in considerable numbers from Key West to the markets of Ha- 

 A'ana, where it is known as Aguajl. It does not appear to have been 

 mentioned by Poey, although he could not have failed to observe it. 

 All of the specimens seen by Professor Jordan in the markets of Ha- 

 vana came from Key West. We do not know, therefore, that the spe- 

 cies occurs in the West Indies. There is no doubt of the identity of 

 microlepis and stomias, the former based on young specimens in poor 

 condition, the latter on adults well preserved. 



