158 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. 99 



Dr. F. F. Bond collected 45 specimens 17 to 57 mm. in standard 

 length in the Rio Apure at San Fernando de Apm'e on February 16, 

 1938. These small specimens warrant a brief description because 

 this and allied species are not well known and are rather scarce in 

 museum collections. In fact, for several reasons, among them the 

 small size and coloration of the specimens, I am not even sure these 

 specimens are P. schomburgkii. 



The following counts were made: Dorsal rays X, I, 24 in one, X, I, 25 

 in three, X, I, 26 and X, I, 27 in four each, one count each of X, I, 28 

 and X, I, 29. Anal rays II, 6 in 14 counts. Pectoral rays ii, 16 in two; 

 ii, 17 in five; and ii, 18 in three counts. Gill rakers on first gill arch 

 5 + 1 + 10 in three counts, 5 + 1 + 11 in two, 6 + 1 + 10 in six, 

 and 6 + 1 + 1 1 in three counts. Number of vertical scale rows from 

 upper edge of gill opening to midbase of caudal fin 81 in one count, 

 82 in two, 83 in two, 84 in one, 85 in six, 86 in one, and 87 in one count. 

 There were 8 scales from the base of the first soft dorsal ray to lateral 

 line in 14 counts and from the anal origin to lateral line 9 scales in 

 four and 10 in eight counts. 



The coloration is somewhat uniform. A series of about five to 

 seven vertically elongate brown spots occur along the middle of the 

 sides; on the smallest specimens only occur four brown blotches on 

 the back along base of dorsal fin, the first in front of spiny dorsal, 

 second along rear of base of spiny dorsal, and two along base of soft 

 dorsal; opercle of all specimens with a brownish blotch; tips of dorsal 

 spines blackish; soft dorsal with a row of small dark spots extending 

 along its middle on the membranes; caudal fin dusky. 



Genus MACRODON Schinz 



Macrodon Schinz, Das Thierreich, vol. 2, p. 482, 1822. (Genotj'pe, Lonchurui 

 ancylodon Bloch and Schneider.) (Substitute name for Ancylodon, pre- 

 occupied.) (Ref. copied.) 



MACRODON ANCYLODON (Bloch and Schneider) 



Lonchurus ancylodon Bloch and Schneider, Systema ichthyologiae, p. 102, pi. 25, 

 1801 (Surinam). 



U.S.N. M. No. 128251, 1 specimen, 270 mm. in standard length, Gulf of Vene- 

 zuela, depth 35 feet, U. S. S. Niagara, December 1, 1924. 



This specimen has X-I,28 dorsal rays and 11,9 anal rays. The giU 

 rakers on the first giU arch number 3+1 + 9 and are about one-third 

 the diameter of the eye. The vertical scale rows above the lateral 

 line number 120, and there are about 13 scales from base of first soft 

 dorsal ray to lateral line and about 15 from anal origin to lateral line. 

 The pectoral fin has about 16 rays. The pectoral fins extend con- 

 siderable distance past tips of pelvics. The soft dorsal fin is not 

 heavily scaled except its basal two-thirds but caudal and anal fins 

 are thickened with scales over two-thirds the way out. 



