FISHES OF THE PHILIPPINE SEAS AND ADJACENT WATERS 77 



interorbital 2% to S%, slightly but broadly convex; preopercle edges 

 entire; suborbitals, infraorbitals, preopercle flange and edges of occipi- 

 tal scales veniilose. Gill rakers 6 + 6, short points, % of gill filaments, 

 which 3^111 eye. 



Scales 56 to 58 in lateral line to caudal base and 5 or 6 more on 

 latter; 6 or 7 scales above, 16 or 17 below; 13 to 16 predorsal forward 

 opposite hind pupil edge ; 5 rows on cheek to preopercle ridge and pre- 

 opercle flange naked. Suprascapula entire, venulose. Scales with 14 

 or 15 basal radiating striae; 45 to 67 apical denticles, weak minute 

 points, with 1 or 2 transverse series of basal elements; circuli very fine. 



D. X, 10, I, third spine 2% to 3 in head, fifth ray iKo to 2Ko; A. Ill, 

 9, I, third spine 2}i to 2%, first ray 2% to 2%; caudal 1)^ to Iji, deeply 

 emarginate, lobes pointed; least depth of caudal peduncle 2% to 3Ko; 

 pectoral 1% to IK; ventral IX to 1%. 



Back drab-bro\vn, lower or under surface paler to whitish. A broad 

 pale or whitish band embraces lateral line, beginning on postocular 

 and fading below soft dorsal. Another whitish band extends from 

 hind eye edge, axial and becoming obscure on caudal peduncle. 

 Bright white spot on back below soft dorsal less than pupil in size, 

 though variable always distinct. Above lateral line each row of 

 scales with small median white spot and on lower sides below broad 

 white axial band similar bands to those above lateral line. Upper 

 surface of head drab and most of naked areas on head same. Drab 

 bar across pectoral base. Iris yellowish, with brown to dusk}' 

 blotches. Fins all light brown, spinous dorsal with dusky brown or 

 blackish cloudings, often carried as several dusk}' blotches over front 

 of soft dorsal fin. Paired fins pale or light yeUowish. 



Mauritius, Rodriguez, Ceylon, East Indies, Philippines, Riu Kiu, 

 Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia. My specimens differ from Bleek- 

 er's figure in the presence of a white blotch below the last dorsal rays 

 on the back above. 



4625 to 4629. Grande Island Reef, Subig Bay. January 28, 1908. Length, 150 

 to 173 mm. 



9601, 9602. Hermano Mayor Island. May 8, 1909. Length, 196 to 200 mm. 



17168, 17169. Malapascua Island, Port Matalvi. November 23, 1908. Length, 

 118 to 144 mm. 



4732. Maricaban Island, Luzon. January 20, 1908. Length, 235 mm. 



Three examples. Philippines. Length, 225 to 238 mm. Largest with blotches 

 of dusky brown. 



6393,9027,9177,9179. Port Jamelo, Luzon. July 13, 1908. Length, 110 to 232 mm. 



7025 to 7030, 7099, 7100, 12659. Port San Pio Quinto, Camiguin Island. Novem- 

 ber 10, 1908. Length, 130 to 264 mm. 



13895 to 13897, 16976, 16977. Sabtan Island. November 8, 1908. Length, 110 

 to 190 mm. 



19587. Simaluc Island, north of Tawitawi. September 22, 1909. Length, 119 mm. 



4645, 4646, 20713 to 20716. Tambul, Sigumbul, Tonquil Island. September 14, 

 1909. Length, 103 to 149 mm. 



6512. Tara Island. December 14, 1908. Length, 175 mm. 



