476 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. 86 



ending above end of second third of anal base but continued 

 backward (as smaller organs) nearly to end of fin; pleural lat- 

 eral line (pores and weak cirri) extending almost or quite to 

 caudal fin. Anal rays 30 to 32. Dorsal rays 31 to 36. PacifiG 

 coast of Tropical America, from Gulf of California and Cape 



San Lucas to Colombia Porichthys niargaritatus 



4r. Dorsal and anal fin joined to caudal. Pectoral fin rounded. Peri- 

 toneum white in adult (adult very small). Lateral line organs 

 usually simple pores. Photophores absent just above and below 

 accessory dorsal lateral line organs. 

 5c. Branchiostegal rows of photophores uniting in a broad V, from the 

 point of which a short median branch extends forward. Palatine 

 teeth somewhat compresvsed. 

 6e. Body with 6 large, persistent, solid, blackish saddles ; without alter- 

 nating smaller spots. Top of head crossed by a definite blackish 

 bar. Dorsal and anal fins whitish, unmarked. Pleural row of 

 photophores ending above middle of anal fin, but pores of pleural 

 lateral line continued to caudal. Anal rays 29 to 35. Dorsal 



rays 32 to 38. Pacific coast of Panumn Porichthys greenei 



8c. Teeth of palatine In the adult of both sexes and the posterior preniax- 

 illary teeth in adult male directed forward ; those of palatine few 

 (usually 3 to 6) and confined to front of bone. Atlantic coast from 



Virginia to Argentina {except ^Vest Indies f) Nautopaedium 



4d. Dor.sal and anal fin free from caudal. Pectoral fin pointed medially. 

 Peritoneum white in adult. Lateral line organs fimbriate. Photo- 

 phores of minute size developed above and below accessory dorsal 

 lateral line organs. 

 5d. Branchiostegal rows of photophores with a U-shaped forward-di- 

 rected commissure noticeably constricted at base. Palatine teeth 

 very large, needle-shaped canines. 

 Qf. Body sometimes plain, but usually with a row of dorsolateral spots 

 and another row along dorsal base (the 2 rows often connected 

 In young). Top of head plain or dark-spotted. Dorsal fin with 

 3 rows of small spots (spots sometimes fused into streaks, or 

 lacking). Anal fin margined with dark. Pleural row of photo- 

 phores ending above end of second third of anal base, but pleural 

 lateral line continued to end of anal fin. Anal rays 31 to 35. 

 Dorsal rays 33 to 38 Nautopaedium porosissimum 



Bibliographic references of prime systematic importance are 

 starred in the synonymies and in the bibliography. In the synony- 

 mies we attempt to give an analysis of the literature as it relates to 

 the nomenclature, distribution, and general biology of each species 

 treated, but do not refer to bare lists or to copied statements of 

 locality or distribution. 



APHOS, new genus 



Orfhotype. — Batrachus porosus Valenciennes. 



In agreement with the very plausible suggestion made by Thomp- 

 son (1916, p. 468), we erect this new genus for the sole reception of 

 Porichthys parosus (Valenciennes), because this speciee alone among 



