FAMILY LABRIDAE — SCHULTZ 191 



line in adults, this color mark often scarcely visible; small blackish 

 spot between first to thu-d dorsal spines; specimens about 50 mm. in 

 length usually have a small dark spot at middorsal line near tip of 

 snout. 



Characteristic of those between 23 and 50 mm. in standard length 

 is a small black spot just above midline at base of caudal fin, a blackish 

 lateral streak from behind eye to base of caudal fin, and a blackish 

 dot at tip of snout. The blackish streak is about as wide as pupil 

 to two-thirds width of eye and it varies in intensity; at its greatest 

 intensity, it is composed of blackish or dark brownish scales and is 

 one scale row wide, becoming narrower on caudal peduncle and fading 

 out there; when not fully developed it is a series of small brown spots. 

 This lateral streak may be darkest on those 25 to 45 mm. long; 

 however, three specimens, 36 to 41 mm., have an indistinct dark 

 streak just behind head, and the caudal spot is scarcely visible. The 

 darkish nasal spot, caudal fin spot and spot at dorsal edge of pectoral 

 fin base are but weakly developed. 



Color when alive. — Background coloration variable from light 

 brownish yellow in small specimens (51 mm.) to reddish orange (99 

 mm.) and green in largest specimen (123 and 132 mm.). Middle of 

 dorsal fin with green-lined, reddish orange band; anal fin at base with 

 similar band; outer rays of caudal fin reddish orange; rest of fin yellow; 

 distal part of dorsal and of anal fins yellow; background coloration 

 in 132-mm. specimen light green behind head, sides with purplish red 

 vertical lines (usually light brownish m alcoholic specimens). Head 

 with dusky orange bands as follows: One over eye; one on side of 

 snout in front of eye; then two from rear of eye, that from dorsal 

 edge of eye extending in a curve along dorsal part of operculum and 

 thence ventrally to dorsal edge of pectoral base, that from lower part 

 of eye curving across preopercle and ending a little in front of pectoral 

 fin base; another begins at corner of mouth, extends below eye curving 

 across preopercle, and continuing on body below pectoral fin base; 

 the one from lower jaw may meet the one below eye at rear of inter- 

 opercle. Interspaces between these reddish bands light greenish 

 yellow. The dark blotch in pectoral fin is purplish black. 



Remarks. — Doubt may be cast by ichthyologists on my identifica- 

 tion of some of the specimens as belonging to this species especially 

 those between 23 and 50 mm. in length with a dark lateral streak 

 and dark caudal-fin spot. Comparison in regard to color pattern 

 with numerous specimens in intermediate stages of this and other 

 species revealed that the adult color pattern of lutescens is reached 

 after 50 mm. in length is attained. The specimens thus identified as 

 juvenile were compared with specimens of species of which the juve- 

 nile color pattern is known, and which were collected in the Marshall 



