282 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



89. Micrcpogon undulatus (L.) C. & Y.—Croalcr; Eonco. P. G. (30840.) 

 Very common ; a food-thsli of cou.siderable importance, altliongh reacli- 



ing but a small size. 



The three species properly referable to this genus, after the removal 

 of Genyonemus Gill, are very closely related, and might not improperly 

 be taken as geographical varieties of one species. They may be thus 

 compared : 



a. D. X-I, 28 ; outer teeth of upperjaw evidently enlarged ; snout projecting beyond 

 preujaxillaries ; scales between front of dorsal and lateral line, in a vertical series 

 9, in an oblique series 12: in an oblique series from vent upward and forward 18. 

 Head 3 ; depth *3?} Uxdulatcs. 



aa. D. X-I, 24; outer teeth of upper jaw scarcely enlarged ; .snout little projecting ; 

 Lat. 1. 43 (oblique series; 53 pores). Scales between front of dorsal and lateral 

 line, vertically, 6 or 7 ; obliquely, 8 ; 16 in an oblique series from vent. Head, 3;^ ; 

 depth, 3J EcTENES.* 



aaa. D. X-I, 20 ; outer teeth of upper jaw scarcely enlarged; snout somewhat project- 

 ing; Lat. 1. 42 (49 pores). Scales above lateral line, vertically, "> or G: obliquely, 

 8 : 12 in an oblique .series from vent. Head 3^ ; deiith 3* ALTipiXNi.s.t 



90. Menticirrus nebulosus (Mitch.) Gill. — Whtt'nKj. P. 



One large specimen obtained at Pensacola, where it is said to be not 

 uncommon. 



We have carefully compared this specimen with others from the coast 

 of Massachusetts, and unable to detect any differences. 



This species has been hitherto supposed to be confined to the Xorth 

 Atlantic coast, from Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras. 



This species is very close to M. alburnns, but differs constantly, so 

 far as we have seen, in the smaller teeth, higher first dorsal and sharper 

 coloration, a dark lateral sliade always extending into the lower lobe 

 of the caudal fin. 



91. Menticirrus alburnust (L.) Gill.— ir/((7iH(7: Ground Mullet. G. (30917,31051.) 

 {rmliritm phahvna Girard, U. S. Mes. Bound. Surv. 1859, 13.) 



Generally common ; a market fish of good quality but of small size. 



Color in life, smutty-gray above, with strong reddish and bronze 

 reflections. Sides with obscure traces of oblique bars ; a short vertical 

 bar below spinous dorsal ; a U-shaped bar from nape and end of spinous 

 dorsal surrounding the bar first mentioned ; three or four other bais 

 extending downward and backward behind it; a smutty stripe along 

 each side of belly. Upper fins light yellowish; spinous dorsal and 

 lower lobe of caudal tipped with black. Pectoral reddish, covered with 



* Microjiogon ectenes Jor. and Gilb. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1818. Mazatlan (Gilb.). 



\ Micropogon aUqnnnis, Giinther, Proc. Zool. Soc. Loud.; Chiapam (Giltr.); San 

 Jose {Gthr.); Panama (Gthr. Gilb.). 



t The rude figure of Catesby (Albwnus americanus Catcsb. p. 12, t. 12) has usually 

 been referred to this species. In the eleventh edition of the Systema Naturae, p. 321, 

 this figure is the type of a "Cyjjriiius americunus.'' If this figure is considered identi- 

 fiable (which it really is not), this species should be called Menticirruii americanus, the 

 name of Perca alburnufi dating from the twelfth edition. 



