PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 275 



Dorsal lin scarcely emarginate, the fourth spine not elevated, about 

 2J in head, a little lower than the soft rays. Caudal subtruneate, a lit- 

 tle more than half head. Second anal spine longer and stronger than 

 third, 2^ in head. Yentrals If in head; pectorals If; neither reaching- 

 front of anal. Dorsal and anal tins, jaws, preorbital, and front of head 

 scaleless. This species is technically close to the preceding, but is re- 

 markably different in form and appearance, resembling- somewhat a 

 Hi/jwplcctrus. 



SPAPJD.E. 



71. Liitjainis blackfordi Goode & Beau. — Ilcd Snaj^prr ; I'anjo Colorailo. P. 



This tish is at present taken in far greater luimbers than any other 

 on our Gulf coast. At Pensacola it is the most important food-tish, and 

 in the X<^w Orleans market it is sold in greater quantities than all other 

 species combined. It is taken with hook and line on the " Snapper 

 Banks " usually from a to 30 miles oft" shore. It reaches a weight of about 

 35 i^ounds, according to Mi\ Stearns, to whom we are indebted for most 

 of the statements of weights contained in this paper. Ic is a rather 

 coarse tish, but bears transportation well. 



This fish feeds on various small fishes — serranoids, eels, &c. — the spe- 

 cies of which are thus far very little known. The systematic preserva- 

 tion of small fishes " spewed up" by the Snappers when caught, or found 

 in tlieir stomachs, has been begun by Mr. Stearns. We may in the fu- 

 ture expect large results from this source, which has already yielded 

 many of the most interesting forms contained in the present collection. 



72. Liitjanus caxis (Bloch) Poey.— J;/o(A- >^'«fl7>j:rr; Lauyer. P. (30848.) 



leather common about Pensacola, not reaching a large size. It is not 

 often taken in nets, and its name " Lawyer" is said to be given in allu- 

 sion to its skill in avoiding capture. 



In life, young specimens are dark green, paler below ; each scale above 

 with a black spot which becomes gradually bronze down the sides ; 

 these spots forming distinct stripes along the row\s of scales. Spinous 

 dorsal with a blackish basal band, then a pearly baud, a broad black- 

 ish band at tip. Soft dorsal yellowi.sh, spotted at base. Ventrals and 

 anal dark purplish red, darkest and spotted at base. Pectoral trans- 

 lucent yellowish. Caudal yellowish, tipped with reddish. A very dis- 

 tinct bright-blue stripe across preorbital and suborbital. 



73. Liitjanus stearnsi Goode & Beau. — Mangrove Snapper. P. 



Not uncommon on the " Snapper Banks " at Pensacola ; one specimen 

 obtained. 



Color (in spirits) dusky brownish above, the sides and below paler, 

 more or less flushed with salmon red ; sides and lower parts of head 

 flushed with red, especially behind jaws. Bases of scales on sides of 

 breast and belly crimson ; centers of scales on sides whitish. Vertical 

 fins dusky ; pectorals and ventrals largely rosy. 



