180 U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 2 02 Vol. 2 



and the 72- and 82-mm. specimens are brown with the caudal peduncle 

 and basal part of the caudal fin dark brown; blackish bar on caudal 

 fin distinct, distally whitish; dorsal and anal fins bear a dusky streak 

 along their middle in addition to dark line distall3^ Axil of pectoral 

 brownish in 60-mm, specimen, dark brown in 72- and 82-mm. speci- 

 mens. On the 82-mm. specimen a few dusk}^ spots (blue when alive) 

 have formed. Near base of each dorsal and anal ray occurs a small 

 brownish spot. 



Adult coloration, 78 mm. and Larger: The 78-mm. specimen 

 has lost all the dark-bordered pale areas except a trace of third; the 

 body is dark brown to blackish, except that the head is whitish ante- 

 riorly; the dark streaks on the head are beginning to form; caudal 

 whitish in distal two-thirds; dusky spots (blue when alive) very 

 numerous, more so posteriorly; pectoral axil black. On specimens 

 110 to 210 mm. the background coloration is dark brown or blackish; 

 head whitish anteriorly; dorsal and anal fins with distal edge white, 

 then a dark submarginal line, basal two-thirds of fins with dusky 

 spots, usually a dark spot near base of each ray; distal three-fourths 

 of caudal fin white; pectoral white; head with a dark streak at mid- 

 dorsal line posteriorly; another brownish streak from snout past dorsal 

 part of eye and thence to each side of base of front of spiny dorsal 

 fin ; a brown streak from middle of posterior edge of eye across opercle 

 to opercular flap; a brown streak begins at corner of mouth then 

 curves to lower edge of eye and thence backward across gUl cover to 

 opposite pectoral base; a dusky streak extends on ventral surface of 

 head from under lower jaw to pelvic base; body profusely covered 

 with either brownish or whitish specks, depending on preservation. 



Color when alive. — Background coloration reddish brown; head dull 

 reddish, body specked, profusely so posteriorly, with bright blue, 

 these bright spots in preservation may be white or brown ; dorsal and 

 anal fins reddish with 2 or 3 blue lines distaUy and usually blue spots 

 basally; caudal bright yellow, except base is bluish brown ; pectoral 

 reddish; the streak on snout and dorsal part of head blue; the streak 

 behind eye, below it and on under side of head brownish green; outer 

 ray of pelvic bluish. 



Ecology. — This species was rather rare in the intertidal zone of the 

 reefs. It preferred the deeper waters of the lagoon. 



Remarks. — The extensive series of specimens in the U. S. National 

 Museum from 13 to 280 mm. in standard length have made it possible 

 for me to follow the juvenOe color pattern through successive stages 

 to that of the adult. These data indicate conclusively that Coris 

 greenovii is a synonym of C. gaimardi. 



