50 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. 122 



with about relatively equal frequencies in any particular size class. 

 The smallest specimen seen, 15.5 mm, was not an ophioblennily 

 larva. At this size the ventral margin of the upper lip is almous 

 completely entire and superficially the specimen might be mistakenlst 

 identified as E. thalassinus; however, there would be more predorsa, 

 commissural pores (table 69) in specimens of this size of E. thalassinus, 

 and the number of soft dorsal and anal rays would usually be less. 



Color pattern of preserved specimens. — (Specimens should be 

 examined for color pattern while immersed in alcohol.) E. s. stellifer: 

 There are most frequently Aji pairs of dark bands on the sides. The 

 half pair is on the caudal peduncle at the caudal base. The anterior- 

 most pair of bands is below dorsal spines 9-11. Occasional speci- 

 mens show faint indications of a half pair or pair of bands anterior to 

 the anteriormost pair of bands just mentioned. The members of a 

 pair of bands are separated by a narrow pale interspace. Each dark 

 band is marked by inclusions of pale spots or dashes that increase in 

 number in the anterior bands to the point where the pattern may 

 appear composed of numerous small pale and dark spots and vermicu- 

 lations. Dorsally the bands encroach on the bases of the dorsal fin 

 elements. Ventrally the bands disappear just before reaching the anal 

 fin base. The areas between the pairs of bands (or between a half pair 

 and a pair) are variably marked with spots, which are much darker 

 above the midline of the body than below. The sides of the head vary 

 from almost uniformly dusky to densely marked with small dark spots, 

 a continuation of the pattern from the anterior portion of the sides. 

 There is frequently an indistinct dusky spot behind the midlevel of the 

 eye, another below the eye at about its midpoint, and a third just 

 anterior to this latter spot. These three spots are ventroposteriorly 

 directed. Tlie upper lip and snout vary from imiformly dusky to 

 variegated with numerous diffuse dark and pale spots. The ventral 

 portion of the head is variably dusky, showing adumbrations of dusky 

 chevrons or vermicidations. 



The dorsal fin bears a dark spot distally on the membrane between 

 the anterior two spines. This spot is usually much darker in males 

 than in females from the same collection. The remainder of the dorsal 

 fin, except for the encroachments of the body bands, is usually light 

 to dark dusky with indications of dark and pale dorsoposteriorly 

 directed stripes. The anal fin is light to dark dusky in males, the pig- 

 ment increasing in intensity distally. Females (and some young males) 

 have the distal portions of the anal rays pale (without melanophores) ; 

 the remainder of tlie fin is similar to that of males. The pectoral fin 

 is light dusky, frequently with a broad half-moon concentration of pig- 

 ment basally, which may include a number of small dark spots. The 

 fleshy pectoral base is diffusely dusky spotted or vermiculated. The 



