136 



U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 202 



Vol. 2 



length of head 2.1 to 2.2; interorbital space 5.0 to 5.5; longest pectoral 

 ray 2.0 to 2.1 ; least depth of body 2.8 to 2.9; all in length of head. 

 Eye in fleshy interorbital space 0.8 to 1.0. 



Dorsal profile of snout forming an angle of 60 degrees, in young, 

 and 85 degrees, in adults, with ventral contour of head, the profile 

 becoming more arched and steep on the largest specimens; pectoral 

 fin reaches to opposite the 24th to 26th lateral line pores; outer soft 

 rays of pelvic fins longest; distal margin of caudal fin truncate or a 

 little rounded. 



Color in alcohol. — Background coloration whitish ventrally, slightly 

 dusky dorsally; sides over anal fin with about 11 to 13 alternating 

 white and light dusky narrow bars, the width of the lighter bars about 

 equal to diameter of pupil; back with traces of about 6 or 7 dusky 

 saddles, these sometimes not present; a small black dot at base of 

 upper caudal fin rays in specimens shorter than 80 mm. ; a black line 

 on membrane between dorsal spines I and II; peritoneum black. 



Ecology. — This species was observed living over sandy bottoms, 

 often hiding in shallow holes or burrows. The bottom sand was soft 

 with areas of gravelly coral debris of a very porous nature. This fish 

 was not observed in close association with growths of corals or of algae. 

 The short intestine indicates a diet of animal food. 



Genus EPIBULUS Cuvier 



Epibulus Cuvier, Regne animal, ed. 2, vol. 2, p. 264, 1817 (type species, Sparus 

 insidiator Pallas^. 



Figure 9S. — Epibulus insidiator (Pallas), drawing from Wilkes Exploring Expedition. 



