FISHES OF THE PHHilPPINE ISLANDS AND ADJACENT SEAS 155 



forward opposite front eye edge or above hind nostril and 14 to 26 

 forward to occiput, 6 to 10 rows on cheek of which last 3 on preopercle 

 flange. Scales with 13 to 16 basal radiating striae ; apical denticles 

 76 to 82, with 3 to 5 transverse series of basal elements ; circuli very 

 fine. 



D. X, 14, I, third spine 2% to 31/8 in head, eighth ray 3 to 4; A. 

 Ill, 8, I, second spine 2% to 2%, second ray 2% to 2%; caudal 

 11/3 to 1%, well emarginate; least depth of caudal peduncle 3 to 31/3; 

 pectoral ll^ to ly^ ; ventral 1% to 1%. 



Largely dull brown, little paler below or on under surfaces. Five 

 leaden or gray longitudinal bands, each with darker line as margin 

 and 4 extend from eye. Iris yellowish brown. Fins all dull brown. 



FiGUBE 13. LUTJANUS SPILURUS (BENNETT). VARIATION OF COLOR MARKINGS 



Red Sea, Arabia, Bourbon, Ceylon, Andamans, East Indies, 

 Philippines, China, Eiu Kiu, Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia. A 

 handsome species easily known by the five longitudinal gray bands, 

 slightly inclined forward. These bands are remarkably constant in 

 my series of specimens and only vary in very slight detail. The 

 third only very seldom begins on the postocular, usually starting 

 from the opercle. Both Bleeker and Day show figures with three 

 bluish bands continuous from the postocular. The young differ 

 from adults or larger specimens in not having a preopercular gash, 

 also the absence of a bony knob or spine fitting in, and in the enlarged 

 spine at the preopercle angle. A few examples still retain the black 

 blotch on the back below the intersection of the dorsals. 



