No. 1635. FISHES FROM JAPAN AND RIF KIT ISLANDS— SNYDER. 107 



of tenth dorsal spine; both dorsal and anal free from caudal, the 

 depressed rays extending a short distance beyond base of tin; mem- 

 brane of anal deeply scalloped between the rays; posterior ray not 

 connected with caudal peduncle by membrane; longest ray 2 in head. 

 Caudal of peculiar shape, the lower median ray- somewhat longer 

 than those above, the ventral rays growing successively shorter, liv- 

 ing the lower portion of the fin, when not expanded, the appearance 

 of being clipped. Pectoral rather acutely rounded, the length being 

 equal to that of head. Ventrals 2 in head. 



Color in spirits dusky, with two rows of pearly ocelli along the 

 side of body and numerous smaller ones along the back; the cheeks 

 with numerous and distinct black specks; sides of body with 6 indis- 

 tinct, dark bands, each being- divided and more apparent on the back, 

 and also extending upward on bases or dorsals; first dorsal with an 

 indistinct, dark spot between first and second spines, and a brownish 

 edging which grows broader posteriorly; second dorsal broadly edged 

 with brow T nish: both fins with numerous pearly spots, those of second 

 dorsal elongate and narrow, especially so. near base of fin. Anal and 

 caudal with very indistinct light spots. Pectoral with minute black 

 specks. Ventrals dusky. 



The shape of the head shows some variation, the anterior outline 

 being often straight instead of convex: usually vertical but in some 

 cases sloping backward. The crest is occasionally very low. In 

 some examples the dark lateral bands are each completely divided; 

 in others the pearly spots are not distinctly ocellate. the margins 

 being scarcely dusky. In ten examples the dorsal spines are 12 in 

 number, the rays 18 or 19, the anal rays ID to 22. 



Type.— -Cat. No. 02243, U.S.N.M., a specimen 72 mm. long, from 

 the pools at Tanegashima. Cotype, Cat. Xo. 21109, Stanford Univer- 

 sity collection. 



This is certainly not the S. biseriatus of Cuvier and Valenciennes 

 nor of (Jiinther, as those authors distinctly say that there are no 

 canines. Canines are present, however, and their great size precludes 

 any possibility of their being overlooked. Tt may possibly be the 

 species described and figured by Kner, although he is equally positive 

 about the absence of canines. 



ALTICUS NOVEMMACULOSUS. new species. 



Head 5 in length to base of caudal; depth 5.4; depth caudal 

 peduncle 10.3; eye 3.8 in head; width interorbital space 11; D. XII, 

 21 ; A. 23 ; P. 14. 



Anterior contour of head concave, the line in front of eyes bulging 

 outward; eyes very close together, their vertical diameter longest, 

 the anterior edge of orbit almost directly above cd\zv of upper lip. 

 A low crest on head, the anterior edge of which slopes gradually 



