376 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



whitish. With age the large quadrate blotches on the side and below 

 gradually break up into smaller spots, and in time the coloration of a 

 and b is reached. 



This differs from the coloration of the adult of var. venenosa chiefly 

 in the shade of the ground color, which is scarlet instead of gray. 



We are unable to detect any difference between M. venenosa and M. gut- 

 tata, except that of color, the former having no red, except the spots, 

 while the latter has the ground color chiefly red. We believe this dif- 

 ference to be dependent either on the depth of the water or (which seems 

 more likely) the character of the bottom. 



The synonymy otherwise needs no special remark, the name venenosa 

 having clear priority over all others. If Mycteroperca be regarded as 

 a genus distinct from Upinephelus, the name guttata should supersede 

 cardinalis for the red variety. 



Two specimens of the gray variety {venenosa) were obtained by Pro- 

 fessor Jordan at Key West, where the species is known to the fisher- 

 men as Rock-fish. It is also rather common at Havana, where it is 

 called Bonaci de Piedra. The red variety is a common food-fish at Ha- 

 vana, and is called by the fishermen now, as in the time of Parra, 

 Bonaci cardenal. 



12. Mycteroperca olfax. 



Serranus o//ax, Jenyns, Zool. of the Beagle, Fishes, p. 9, pi. 4, 1842 (Galapagos 



Arcliipelago) ; Giiather, Cat. Fishes Brit. Mns., i, 153 (copied). 

 Mycteroperca (olfax), Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci, Phila., 1863, 80 (generic diagnosis). 



Habitat. — Galapagos Islands. 



This fish is known to us only from the account given by Dr. Jenyns. 

 The peculiar structure of the nostrils, as described by Jenyns, and as 

 used originally to define the genus Mycteroperca, is said to be merely a 

 deformity due to the faulty preparation of the stuffed skin of the type. 

 It is probable that the small anterior nostril was overlooked by Jenyns, 

 and the fleshy septum within the large posterior nostril was taken by 

 him for the line of separation between the nostrils. In the form of 

 the spinous dorsal this species diverges from the other members of the 

 genus, much as Epinephelus morio does from the other Bpinepheli, but 

 it seems to be peculiar in no other respect. 



The statement of Jenyns that the maxillary is naked is probably in- 

 correct. 



II.— Genus PROMICROPS. 



PR0MiCROPS,(GillMSS.) Poey, Synopsis PiscinmCnbensium, 1868, 287 (firj{Osa=j<a!rtrrt). 

 Itaiara, Vaillant & Bocourt, Mission Scientifuiue au Mexiqne, 1875 {itaiara). 



This genus is well distinguished by the peculiarities of its cranium, 

 as well as by the structure of its lateral line. One species only ia 

 certainly known, a tropical fish of very large size, bearing a strong re- 

 semblance to the species of Stercolepis. 



