276 BULLETIN 100, "UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



D. IX, 11, I, ninth spine 2 5^ to 3 in head, first ray, 2}4 to 2%; 

 A. Ill, 11,1, third spine '3}4 to 4, first ray 22/3 to 2^; caudal 1% to 

 1%, convex behind; least depth of caudal peduncle 2}^ to 2%; 

 pectoral 1^^ to 1;^; ventral 15^ to P/a- 



Brown generally, little paler below. Forehead with some pale 

 blue gray reticulations. Blue gray band from rictus to eye; dark 

 vertical blue neutral bar close behind eye, with several bhie post- 

 ocular bars or spots, also 1 on opercular flap with blackish spot above, 

 in front. Blue bar across opercle and another on cheek. Iris pale 

 yellowish white. More or less dusky brown median lateral band, 

 emphasized at middle of side with darker and as deep gray brown 

 downward before front of anal. Back with 5 dusky brown cross-bars, 

 connecting dark lateral band; also 2 rows of silvery spots as pair in 

 each pale transverse band, of which 1 above and other close below 

 lateral line. Pectoral region whitish, with dusky oblique bar down,, 

 inclined behind. Space before pectoral base white, with dusky 

 blotch. Fins all pale. Spinous dorsal with median grayish longi- 

 tudinal band, dark at front. Soft dorsal gray, with submarginal row 

 of whitish spots and basal row of larger ones, intersections between 

 latter much darker basally and medianly at front of soft dorsal 

 blackish. Anal grayish, with median longitudinal white band and 

 basal row of small white spots, 1 on each membrane. Caudal with 

 6 deep brown waved cross lines, indistinct or faded at upper and 

 lower edges. Paired fins uniformly pale. 



East Indian region. A very handsome species, apparently dis- 

 tinct from Halichoeres nehulosus, with which Giinther identified it. 

 We feel that the very strikingly contrasted dark ribbed design of the 

 side, besides the dark blotch before the pectoral base will distinguish it. 



1 example, Pilas Island. September 12, 1908. Length, 87 mm. 

 1 example, Tara Island. December 15, 1908. Length, 72 mm. 

 72209 U.S.N. M. Ciiyo. R. C. McGregor. Length, 86 mm. 1 example. 



HALICHOERES DESMOGENYS, new species 



Depth 2J^ to 3; head 3i^ to 3^, width 2}4 to 2^f Snout 2^ 

 to 3; eye 4^% to 5, 1^ to 1^ in snout, 1% to IK in interorbital; 

 maxillary reaches ^^^ to % to eye, length 4 in head; interorbital 4 to 

 4H, convex. Gill rakers 7 + 10, lanceolate, short. 



Scales in lateral line 21 to 24, 5 + 1 or 2; 4 or 5 scales above lateral 

 line, 10 below, 11 to 13 predorsal. vScales with 34 to 41 basal radi- 

 ating striae, apical 23 or 24; circuli fine. 



D. IX, 11, I, ninth spine 2% to 2^ in head, first ray 2}4 to 2}i; 

 A. Ill, 11, I, third spine 33^ to 4, first ray 2}4 to 23^; caudal l}4 to 

 13^, convex behind; least depth of caudal peduncle 2; pectoral 1% 

 to 1^; ventral 1%. 



Pale brown generally. Back with 7 broad deep brown vertical 

 bands, extending down to median axis of bod}^; below 3 or 4 lavender 



