PKOCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 445 



opercle; temporal regiou, with 1 row of large scales, behind which arc 

 smaller ones; top of head, snout, and jaws naked; base of soft dorsal 

 and anal scaly. 



Dorsal sj^ines rather strong, the outline of fin rather strongly convex 

 and without deep eniargination ; fourth spine longest, 2f in head; the 

 tenth, 3f in head. Margin of soft dorsal straightish, rounded behind, 

 the ninth ray longest, 1^ length of first and two times last ray, 2^ in 

 head. Caudal lunate, the npper lobe slightly longer than lower, its 

 length li times middle rays, which are 2 in head. Margin of anal an- 

 gulate, the middle rays longest, 2 times length of last ray, 1| in head ; 

 the first ray reaches almost to tip of last ray, when the fin is depressed. 

 Ventrals, 1| in head. Pectorals not quite reaching front of anal, 1^ in 

 head. Second anal spine slightly longer than third, 3^ in head. 



Color in life bright rose-color, paler below, some narrow undulating- 

 light golden streaks following the rows of scales abov^e the lateral line. 

 Iris always bright yellow (an important color mark); mouth reddish 

 within. Traces of dark lateral spot in most specimens. Dorsal rosy, its 

 base pale, its edge yellow; caudal rosy, dusky behind, sometimes blood- 

 red at tip. Pectorals very pale j'ellow, ventrals and anal pale rosy, the 

 latter yellowish behind. 



The bright colors all fade and disapjjear in spirits. The scales of the 

 upper parts, in spirits, are marked with dark dots which form streaks 

 along the rows of scales. 



This handsome species is rather common in the markets of Havana, 

 where it is known as Pargo de lo Alto. When fresh it may always be 

 known by the bright yellow color of the eye, a color which does not en- 

 tirely fade in spirits. It is evidently the Mesoprion at/a of Cuv. «& Val., 

 but it is apparently not the original Bodianus aya of B'loch, as the lat- 

 ter species is said by Marcgrave and Bloch to have the iris red. 



Poey recognizes, under the name of Lufjanus purpureus^ a second 

 species which diiiers from L. irrofundus only in having small scales very 

 close to the eye. This seems to be a character of little importance on 

 which to recognize a distinct species. 



The name inirpureus is credited to Cuviei", but, in the single place 

 (vol. ii, p. •457) where the name occurs, purpureus is evidently a mere 

 slip of the pen for aya. Probably it was originally a JNIiS. name, for 

 which the latter name taken from Bloch was taken. 



9. Lutjaiius buccanella. Sesi de lo Alio. 



Mesoprion huccanella, Cuv. & Val., ii, 1828, 455 (MaitiiKnn) ; (iuiclii'iiot, Ra- 

 mon do la Sa<;Ta, Cuba, 215 (Cuba); Giiiitlicr, i, 1!)8 (Ciilia; Jamaica). 



Liiljanus hucvdncUa, I'ocy, Synopsis IStiH, "iU") ; I'ocy, Emimeratio, '27. 



Mesoprion caudunotalus, Poey, Moiuorias, i, 440, about 1858, tab. 3, W 2 

 (Cuba ; young) ; Pooy, Eepert., ii, 158, 1868. 



Habitat. — Martinique and Cuba. 



Head, 2i {'^); depth, 2^ (3|). D. X, 14; A. Ill, 8. Scales (G) 8-G3- 

 15 ; 50 pores. Length of an example from Cuba, 8 inches, 



