5i FISHES OF HAVANA, CUBA. 



tiuct genus, the four American sijecies of Aphoristia are verj' closely 

 related, perhaps to be considered geographical varieties of a single one. 

 Some of their salient characters are given in the following analysis : 



a. Vertical fins jet black posteriorly, tliis color forming a strong contrast to the color 

 in front. 

 h. Body most elongate the depth 4| in length (to base of caudal) ; scales small ; lat. 



1. 98. Panama , elongata Glinther. 



hb. Body less elongate ; depth about 4 in length ; scales larger ; lat. 1. 77. West 



Indies plaginsaLi, 



ibh. Body still less elongate ; depth 3J in length ; narrow longitudinal streaks along 

 edges of rows of scales; scales small ; lat. 1. 105. Lower California. 



airicanda Jordan & Gilbert. 

 aa. Vertical iins not black i)osteriorly; body least elongate, the depth 3J in length; 

 dark cross-bands more distinct than in other species; scales small; lat. 1. 

 about 90. South Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. 



fasciata Holbrook. 



The description of Aphoristia ornata given b}' Dr. Giinther fits A. 

 fasciata better than A. plagiusa. The scanty description of Acliirus or- 

 natiis given by Lacepede may refer to either. 



MALTHIDiE. 



196. Malthe vespertilio L. Diablo. 



Two large specimens with the rostral projection very long. 



OSTRACIIDiE. 



197. Ostracion bicaudale L. Chapin. 



198. Ostracion trigonum L. Chapin. 



199. Ostracion tricorne L. Toro. 



{Acanthostracioii quadricorne. Poey.) 



BALISTIDiE. 



200. Balistes vetula L. Cochino. 



201. Balistes macrops Poey. Sobaco. 



Apparently a ^^alid species. Balistes tceniopterus and B. nehulosus 

 Poey seem to correspond respectively to the adult and young of B. caro. 

 linensis. 



TETRODONTIDJE. 



202. Sphaeroides testudineus L. Tambor. 



{Tetrodon punctatua Poey.) 



203. Sphaeroides spengleri Bloch. * 



(Tetrodon titrgidus Poey; not of Mitchill. Tetrodon nephelns Goode & Bean.) 



The Tetrodon nephelus of authors is one of the forms of Sphwroides 

 spengleri, a species which is excessively variable in respect to the dermal 

 appendages, spiues and cirri. 



