132 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. xxvii. 



vomer. Cranial spines sharp, nasal, preocular, supraocular, postoou- 

 lar, coronal, parietal, and nuchal spines present; the coronal spines at 

 the end of the low interorbital ridges, just behind the eye on a level 

 with upper edge of pupil, are a pair of spines set close together, 

 and a sharp ridge ending in a spine behind them. A pair of supraocu- 

 lar spines set close together; a backward hooked spine at center of 

 preorbital in a line with subor])ital ridge; suborbital ridge with 3 

 spines and a double preopercle spine in the same series; preopercle 

 with 4 short, blunt spines below double spine at angle; opercle with 2 

 spines at tlie ends of ridges, diverging from a point near its anterior 

 part, the lower ridge the larger; preorbital with a sharp spine point- 

 ing forward at its anterior end, a pair of spines pointing downward 

 and forward near the middle lower edge, and the largest spine point- 

 ing backward and downward near its posterior edge. Pit at occiput 

 evident, but not large. Interorbital narrow and deeply concave, the 

 interorliital ridges close together and with a narrow channel between. 

 A large tentacle behind supraocular spine on superorbital ridge; one 

 on posterior margin of anterior nasal, one large one on preorbital 

 behind last spine, extending over maxillary, and several smaller ones 

 anteriorly; several on cheek below suborbital ridge; and several scat- 

 tered over body. Gill-rakers very short and blunt, about G developed, 

 and 3 or 4 rudimentar}^ scales. Fins naked. Peritoneum white. 

 Fourth dorsal spine 2^ in head; the eleventh 5; the twelfth 3i. Pec- 

 torals usually not reaching past ventrals, which just cover vent; 9 

 lower pectoral rays simple; 8 upper rays branched. Second anal spine 

 stronger and longer than third, its length 2| in head. 



Color, dark brown, irregular markings on back, surroiuiding lighter 

 areas; the markings usually with sharp, cut edges, though sometimes 

 shading into each other; markings continued on dorsal tins; a light 

 area on base of spinous behind third dorsal spine, running down on 

 back; a similar, more diffused area liehind base of sixth or seventh 

 spine; a light area under last spines and first soft ra3"s; the surround- 

 ing dark area running up on middle rays of soft dorsal, and continued 

 downward, forming an irregidar crossbar; an irregular brown cross- 

 bar at base of caudal; brown bars radiating from eye more or less dis- 

 tinct; upper lip Avith or without brown markings; axil light dusky, 

 mottled with white spots, which are variable in size, number, and posi- 

 tion on different individuals; sometimes axil is faded and colorless. 

 Young examples with fine brown and white mottling, which in the 

 adult are faded and indistinct; a distinct wide crossbar of l)rown across 

 caudal raj's and sometimes a dark, conspicuous dark spot toward tips 

 of posterior dorsal spines. 



The following color note was taken from a fresh specimen: Olive 

 above, much mottled; lower marks and bands bright red, those above 

 rather brown. 



