ON THE GENERA LABRICHTHYS AND PSEUDOLABRUS. 



BY 



Theodore Gill, M.D., Ph.D. 



I. 



The most characteristic genus of Labrids of the southern hemisphere — 

 at least with reference to its number of representatives— is that which 

 is generally known as Lahrichthys (but which is very different from 

 the type properly so called) and whose proper name is rather Pseudo- 

 lahrus. That the two types or groups of species are entitled to generic 

 rank it is proposed now to demonstrate. The fact that the confusion 

 of the two genera has lasted for nearly thirty years, and that the erro- 

 neous name is constantly being used for some of the most common 

 fishes, is sufficient to justify a present protest, which is not timely 

 simply because it ought to have been made years ago. 



II. 



In 1854 Dr. Bleeker established a new genus, named Lahrichthys, 

 for a peculiar fish obtained from the island of Floris.* 



In 1861 Dr. Bleeker defined a genus called Pseudolahrus typified by 

 Lahrus rubiginosus of Temmiuck and Schlegel, a fish occurring in Jap- 

 anese seas.t 



So different did these two genera appear to be to their distinguished 

 nomenclator that he widely separated them, and referred them to distinct 

 subfamilies in his system, Lahrichthys being regarded as the type of 

 one subfamily {Labrichthyiformes) while Pseudolahrus was taken as the 

 type of another subfamily {Pseudolabriformes.)X 



The Labrichthyiformes were especially distinguished by the linear 

 hypopharyngeal. 



The Psendolabriformes have a normal labroid hypopharyngeal. 



In lo62 Dr. Giinther combined the two genera under the common 

 designation Lahrichthys, and justified it by the following comment : § 



* Bleeker, Nat. T., Ned. lud., v. 4, p. 332. 



t Bleeker, Proc. Zoiil. London, 1-^()1, p. 415; Versl. K. Akad. Wet., xill, 101. 

 tThe Cossyphiformes were separated on account of tlie more numerous (10-13) 

 dorsal spines and paved pharyngeals. 

 $ Gliuther Cat. Fish B. M., v. 4, p. 112. 



Proceedings National Museum, Vol. XIV— No. 86L 



395 



