618 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



There is nothing in Linnajus's description of dentatus to indicate that 

 he had the present species rather than occllaris. But as the original 

 type of dentatus is still j)reserved by the Linnaean Society of London, 

 judgment may be suspended until a re-examination of this has been 

 made. 



117. Citharichthys spilopterus Giinther. 



Very common in the harbor, where numerous specimens were ob- 

 tained. Compared with a large series from Mazatlan, Mexico, our Atlan- 

 tic form differs constantly in having the interorbital space consisting of 

 a single sharp, knife-like ridge, while those from the Pacific have the in- 

 terorbital space broader, three-fourths width of pupil, and composed of 

 two ridges with a groove between them. The Charleston specimens 

 have constantly the depth slightly less, and the coloration much lighter. 

 In spite of the slightness of the differences noted it is i)robable that the 

 Pacific form is worthy of separation as a subspecies. 



Head Sa-Sf in length; depth 2^-2^. D. 70; A. 5S. Lat. 1. 45 (pores). 

 Eye 5 J in head; maxillary 21; pectoral 1|. Gill-rakers 14 on lower limb. 



117. Etropus crossotus Jor. & Gilb. 



Abundant. Specimens observed differ from those from Panama in 

 slightly greater depth, which is more than half length of body. 



118. Achiriis lineatiis (Linu.) Cuv. 



{Solca hroivnii Giiutber, iv, 477.) 



Very abundant. Specimens with the left side plain whitish, and those 

 having it covered with dusky spots, are equally common. Some were also 

 observed with the eyeless side dusky, but not spotted. As no other dif- 

 ferences could be appreciated, it is not probable that this difference in 

 coloration is significant of specific distinctness. 



119. Aphoristia plagiusa (Liun.) J. & G. — Tongue-Jish. 

 Not rare. 



120. Pterophrynoides histrio (Liuu.) Gill. 



Two specimens seen. 



121. Balistes capriscus Gmeliu. — Old-wife. 



Common on the fishing banks where it is often caught with hook-and- 

 line, and used for bait. 



122. Monacanthus hispidus (Linu.) J. & G. 



? ? Monacanthus sctifer Beunett, Proc. Comm. Zool. Soc. 1830, 112. 

 Monacanthus broccns Mitch. Trans. Lit. and Pliil. Soc. N. Y., 1,467. 



A single specimen obtained on the fishing bank, caught with hook- 

 and-line in 10 fathoms of water. The caudal peduncle shows the char- 

 acteristic lengthened setae, and the first dorsal ray is produced and fili- 

 form. The species is evidently not abundantly found at Charleston. 



