PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 405 



The remaining syuouomy of Epineplielus pwictatus requires no special 

 remark. The name jyunctulatus of Gmelin has been used by Poey, through 

 ignorance of the fact that the earliest use of the name punctatus Is for 

 the present species and not for the Scicena. 



33. Epineplielus dubius. 



Serranus dubius, Poey, Memorias, ii, 142, 1860 (Cuba). 



Enneacentrus dubius, Poey, Synopsis Pise. Cubens., 239, 1868. 



Menephorus dubius, Poey, Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y., x, 50, 1869; Poey, Enu- 



meratio Pise. Cubens., 1875, 21. 

 1 Menephorus puvetiferus, Poey, Enumeratio Pise. Cubens., 21, 1875 CCuba). 



Habitat. — Coasts of Cuba. 



We have not seen this species, and it appears to be very rare In the 

 markets of Havana, the only locality where it has yet been noticed. 

 Comparison of the descriptions published by Poey leads us to the belief 

 that his duhiiis and punctiferiis are not distinct species. The genus 

 Menephorus.^ based on the lunate form of the caudal fin, does not appear 

 to us to be needed. If retained, a similar genus should be established 

 for the reception of Epineplielus morio. 



4 



VI.— Genus DEEM ATOLE PIS. 



Dermatolepis, Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1861, 54 {punctatus). 

 LiOPERCA, Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1862, 237 (inerviis). 



This genus is accepted by us for two species, which, while evidently 

 closely related to Epineplielus., show divergences in the direction of 

 Bliypticus. These are shown in the form, the smooth scales, the small 

 teeth, and numerous soft rays in the dorsal, as well as in other respects. 

 The two known species are extremely similar, the generic characters 

 supposed to distinguish Dermatolepis from Lioperca being due to differ- 

 ences of age and condition of si)ecimens. 



ANALYSIS OF SPECIES OF DERMATOLEPIS. 



a. Preopercle weakly, but evidently serrate; upper jaw with very small canines; 

 pectoral fins lon^, more than two-thirds length of head, reaching vent; anal 

 spines rather strong; dusky olive, with large rounded whitish spots; no 

 black spots on head ; a whitish streak from snout through eye toward front of 

 florsal iNERMis, 34. 



aa. Preopercle subentire ; canine teeth obsolete ; pectoral tins short, not two-thirds 

 length of head and not reaching vent; anal spines short; dusky olive, with 

 round whitish spots ; head with smaller black spots Punctatus, 35. 



34. Dermatolepis inermis. 



Serranus inermis, Cuv. & Val., Hist. Nat. Poiss., ix, 436, 1883 (Antilles) ; Poey, 

 Memorias Cuba, i, 1851, 54, lam. 4, f. 2 (Cuba); Gunther, i, 1859, 153 

 (Cuba) ; Poey, Repertorio, i, 196, 1867. 



Lioperca inermis, Poey, Syn. Pise. Cubens., 288, 1868 (Havana) ; Poey, Enum. 

 Pise. Cubens., 17, 1875. 



Habitat. — West Indies. 



Head, 2| (3^) ; depth, 2^ (3^). D. XI, 19 ; A. Ill, 9. Scales 24- 

 125-x. Length, 12 inches. 



