1266 Bulletin 4-7^ United- States A^ational Micseimi. 



examples; teeth on vomer forming a broadly A-shaped patch, without 

 backward prolongation on median line. Gill rakers moderate, \ length 

 of diameter of eye, about 8 on lower arch, with no rudiments before 

 them. Preopercle with its posterior margin almost straight, slanting 

 gentlj^ downward and forward, the notch broad and very shallow; edge 

 of preopercle rather coarsely serrate, most so at the angle ; scales small, 

 the rows almost horizontal below the lateral line, running backward and 

 upward above; tubes of lateral line branched; about 7 rows of scales 

 on the cheeks ; 1 row on interojierclc, 1 on subopercle, and about 9 on oner- 

 cle; temporal region with about 8 rows of scales, which become smaller 

 posteriorly; l)ases of soft dorsal and anal scaly. Dorsal spines weak and 

 slender, the outline of the fin not greatly curved, the fourth spine longest, 

 2| in head, the tenth spine 3^^ in head; margin of soft dorsal angulate, 

 the ninth ray longest, twice last and 1^ times first ray, 2 in head; caudal 

 well forked, upper lobe the longer, If length of middle rays, which are 

 about 2,'i in head; anal angular, similar to soft dorsal, the middle rays 

 more elevated than in any other species, longest 2J length of last, 2 in 

 head; first ray nearly reaching tip of last when the fin is depressed; the 

 second and third anal spines rather strong, of equal length, 3f in head; 

 ventrals If in head; pectorals reaching slightly past origin of anal, \-^ in 

 head. Color in life, dark olive-green above ; many of the scales with pale- 

 blue spots, these forming irregular oblique streaks upward and backward; 

 similar stripes more regular and numerous on caudal peduncle and above 

 anal. In old fishes these blue spots and streaks disappear; belly white, 

 strongly tinged with brick-red; about 6 narrow, dusky, vertical bars, a 

 little broader than the interspaces and not well defined, between gill 

 opening and anal; head bronze-olive, darker above; a broad, undulating, 

 pearly streak from snout below eye to upper edge of gill opening; a nar- 

 row blue streak from eye to nostrils; iris fiery red ; pectorals, caudal, anal, 

 and ventrals brick-red, the caudal narrowly margined with black and little 

 bronzed above ; dorsal reddish along the rays and tips of meml)ranes, other- 

 wise yellowish; distinct lateral blotch just above the lateral line and 

 below the first soft ray on dorsal, about as large as pupil, smaller than 

 in other species similarly marked, and seldom disappearing with age; axil 

 and bar across base of pectoral above, pale or dusky olive. In spirits the 

 markings become fainter, the lateral Idotch and the bluish streaks on head 

 usually persisting. Described from a specimen from Key West, 11 inches 

 in length. West Indies ; Pensacola to Brazil ; rather common at Key West ; 

 straying north to Woods Hole ; the most important food-fish of the Havana 

 markets, being always abundant and its flesh always healthful. It reaches 

 a large size and its flesh is fairly flavored, although not very delicate. 

 (analis, from the elevated anal fin.) 



Anthias qitartus rondeleti (Mutton-flsh), Catesby, Nat. Hist. Carolina, 1743, Bahamas. 

 Mesoprion analis, Cuviee & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss., ii, 452, 1828, San Domingo; 



POEY, Memorias, ll, 146, pi. 13, fig. 9, 1860. 

 MesopHon sobra..* Cuvier & VALENCIENNES, Hist. Nat. Poiss., il, 453, 1828, Martinique; 



GUNTHER, Cat., I, 209. 



* The names analis and sobra of Cuvier & Valenciennes seem to belong to tbis species 

 without question. Mesoprion isodon is identified by Vaillant with .V. analis on compari- 

 son of typical examples. Mesoprion rosaceus w;n described as a distinct species from a 



