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BULLETIN" 10 0, UNITED STATES NATIOlSrAL MUSEUM 



deep body, which often less deep in old examples. These may be 

 confused with Plectorhinchus pietus in their general appearance, but 

 may be distinguished by the greatly more fleshy lips and the absence 

 of spots on the fins. Old examples of Plectorhinchus nigrus show 

 the whole body more or less obscurely mottled, often each scale may 

 have a slightly darker ill-defined spot or a pale or grayish spot. 

 The fins in every case are more or less dusky and though clouded 

 never spotted. The elongated body with advanced age is a confus- 

 ing feature of the two species, though in Plectorhinchus nigrus the 

 dorsals are with a distinct emargination separating the two fins. 





FionEE 17. — Plectorhinchus nigrus (Cdvikr). Young examples 



The earliest available name is PristipoTna nigrwii Cuvier, based on 

 a drawing; D. XIV, 16; A. Ill, Y. Scales very small. Entirely 

 blackish. Iris yellowish. 



9062 to 9066, 22101 to 22104. Abuyog. July 26, 1909. Length 115 to 260 mm. 



8713. Batam Island. June 5, 1909. Length 421 mm. 



8727. Caracaran. June 28, 1909. Length 452 mm. 



5867. Malabang River, Mindanao. May 21, 1908. Length 233 mm. 



6724. Manila market. December 4, 1908. Length 198 mm. 



13949. Paluan Bay, Miudoro Strait. December 11, 1908. Length 129 mm. 



7186. Port Sau Vicente. November 18, 1908. Length 375 mm. 



9130. San Roque. July 29, 1909. Length 465 mm. 



8318, 8319. Subig Bay. January 7, 1908. Length 111 to 135 mm. 



7358. Tara. December 15, 1908. Length 345 mm. 



