Jordan ayid Evcr7nann. — Fishes of North America. 1705 



Balistes mitis, Bennett, Proc. Comm. Zoiil. Soc, i, 1831, 169, East Indies ; Gunthek, Cat., 



VIII, 218, 1870. 

 Pachynathus triangularis, Swainson, Class'n Fishea, ll, 326 1839, Vizagapatam ; after 



KUSSELL, pi. 20. 

 Batistes Mppe, Richabdson, Voy. Sulphur, Fishea, 127, 1843, East Indies. 

 Batistes frenattis, Richaedson, I. c, 129, 1843, East Indies ; Bleekee, Atlas Ind., pi. 323, 



1862. 

 Batistes schmittii, Bleeker, Verh. Bat. Gen., xxiv, 37, 1852, Sumatra. 



669. CANTHIDERMIS, Swainson. 



(SOBACOS.) 

 Canthidermis, Swainson, Nat. Hist. Class'n. Anim., 11, 325, 1839 (angutosus—maculatus). 



This genus differs from Balistes chiefly in having the gill opening sur- 

 rounded by ordinary scales, there being no developed bony scutes behind 

 it. Body much more elongate than in Balistes; dorsal spines 3; dorsal 

 and anal elevated in front; caudal with its angles acute; scales moderate, 

 not very rough; scales of caudal peduncle unarmed, or with a median 

 spine; cheeks completely scaled; a naked groove before eye. Species 

 not well known, inhabiting both Indies. Giiuther places all excei^t C. 

 aureolns in the synonymy of Canthidermis maculatus. The variation in 

 squamation and in the number of fin rays shows that at least C. sufflamen 

 and especially C. sohaco are distinct from C. maculatus. {axavda, spine; 

 depf.ia, skin.) 

 a. Scales of trunk each with a median spine or keel; eye moderate, 4 in snout measured 

 obliquely ; tips of vertical flns moderately produced ; D. Ill, 26 ; A. 24. 



SOBACO, 2120. 

 aa. Scales of trunk without median spines or keel. 



6. Dorsal rays III, 27; anal rays 25. Eye large, 3 in snout, measured obliquely; 



tips of vertical fins much produced; adult plain brownish, unspotted, but 



sometimes clouded with paler. sufflamen, 2121. 



t)l). Dorsal rays III, 22 to 24; anal 19 to 2t; scales not very rough; adult with 



more or less of blue or pale spots. maculatus, 2122. 



hljh. Dorsal rays III, 20; anal rays 17; lower parts spotted with white. 



WILLUGHBEII, 2123. 

 2120. CAXTHIDERMIS SOBACO,* Poey. 



(SOBACO.) 



Head 4 (in total with caudal); depth 2. D. HI, 26; A. 24. Body com- 

 pressed; first dorsal spine 7 J in total length ; highest dorsal rayS^; anal 



* The following nominal species is probably the young of Canthidermis sohaco : 

 Canthidermis asperritnus, Cope. 



D. 26; A. 24. Orbit large, 24 in muzzle, 4 in head. Pelvic depth If , humeral 24 times in 

 total length; anal depth 2| times in the same. The scales possess a convex vertical series 

 of .short acute spines, with a median large spine directed backward from middle of series. 

 Its anterior margin is sharp, and its anterior base supported by a number of convergent 

 ribs. Spines of dorsal .scales have a branch scale at base in front. The cheek scales are 

 very numerous and not larger than those of body. Dorsal spine strong, stout, with 4 rows 

 of spinules, smooth behind; no larger caudal spines; caudal fln conve.v, without project- 

 ing angles; profile nearly straight, interrupted by the convex orbital margin. Color 

 brown above, yellowi.sh below : 4 longitudinal dark-brown stripes above middle of side, 

 which break "into spots posteriorly ; 3 brown spots at base of dorsal fin; belly with broad 

 irregular dark bands; on the caudal peduncle and pelvic region similar broad bands form 

 a coarse reticulated pattern; tins biown-spotted. Tvpe 3 inches in length. Locality 

 uncertain, supposed to be from St. Martins, West Tnclies. or from Darien. (Cope.) It 

 belongs to Division I. A. of the genus of HoUard ; that is, the scapular squamation .similar 

 to that of the sides, and the third dorsal spine well developed ; the cheek scales not sepa- 

 rated by naked lissures. {asperrimns, nio.st rough.) 



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