18S6.] PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 227 



tliese near the middle of the side of the jaw, directed outward and l)a<;k- 

 ward; before this two smaller canines, and in front of the jaw about 

 four more on each side, some of them directed downward and forward, 

 the others variously divergent. Teeth of lower jaw compressed, larger 

 than in any of the other species, mostly in two series, the posterior 

 series ceasing anteriorly in front of the middle of the side of the jaw, 

 the anterior series extending a little farther back than the front of the 

 posterior series. The posterior series extends horizontally along the 

 edge of the bone in front; the anterior series has its teeth placed on 

 the edge of the bone in front, those behind inserted lower and lower, so 

 that the last teeth of this series are placed entirely below the first of the 

 posterior series, thus — 



'""III 



In the front of the jaw are a few teeth imbricated outside the anterior 

 series, forming a i^artial third row. Upper lip double for its entire 

 length. 



Fins and scales about as in Cryptotomus beryllinus, the last rays of 

 the soft dorsal and anal rather higher, the former 3 in head. 



Color, in spirits, olive gray, with irregular marblihgs of slaty gray; 

 four diffuse darker blotches along base of dorsal, as in G. beryllinus, 

 but v,'ith none of the pale streaks shown in that species. Dorsal, pale 

 olive, finely mottled with darker cross lines. A black blotch on the 

 membrane of the first and second spines. Caudal and anal, dull olive, 

 nearly or quite plain. Pectorals and veutrals pale. 



This is evidently the CaUyodon ustus Cuv. & Val., but not the Cal- 

 hjodon (Icntiens of Poey, which is represented by a specimen before me 

 from Havana. 



CaUyodon retractus Poey, is probably identical with C. dentiem. In 

 any case, it cannot be G. ustus or G. heryllmns, as the snout is said to 

 be shorter and steeper than in G. dentiens. 



The CaUyodon auropunctatus Cuv. & Val., is very close to C. dentims. 

 Comparing the description given of the former by Guichenot (Sea- 

 rides p. 00) with my specimen of the latter, I see no difference except 

 in the color of the spots on the scales and fins which are brownish 

 rather than "doree," as stated by Guichenot, or "aurore," as described 

 by Valenciennes. The characters given below are taken by me from 

 the original type in the museum at Paris. 



The five known American species of Gryptotomus may be thus com- 

 I^ared : 



a. Posterior canine present, preceded by about two smaller canines. 



h. Lateral teeth of lower jaw unequal, the posterior teeth much larger than those 

 near the middle of the side of the jaw, which are wholly coalescent ; 

 profile strongly convex above eye, thence nearly straight to tip of snout ; 

 distance from eye to angle of mouth, about twice diameter of eye; snout 

 (measured along axis) nearly 3 in head Dkntiens. 



