REVIEW OF THE PARROTFISHES 49 



This species may be recognized by its 4 median predorsal scales, 3 

 rows of scales on the cheek, with 3 to 8 scales in the ventral row; 

 usually ii,14 or ii,15 pectoral rays; and by its green color in conjunction 

 with a protruding forehead on the adult, the lower part of the head 

 light green as contrasted with a darker coloration dorsally, and the 

 green band on the head extending from mouth to pectoral fin base. 



The lips do not cover the teeth; the angle between upper and lower 

 lip varies from 80 degi-ees in specimens 100 mm. long to 110 degrees 

 in one at 450 mm.; the inner lip joins the outer closer to the rictus 

 than symphysis of upper lip; one or two canines begin to appear 

 near corner of upper jaw at lengths between 200 and 300 mm., and at 

 lengths of 300 mm. and above they may be very strong; distal margin 

 of caudal fin truncate at 90 mm., slightly concave at 125 mm., strongly 

 concave at 200 mm., and the upper and lower rays greatly elongate 

 at 450 mm.; the shortest caudal ray contained in the longest 2)^ to 3 

 times; as the young becomes adult, the shape of the head changes 

 remarkably, the forehead enlarging and growing into a big knob in 

 front of the eye, so that it projects a little in front of the teeth in a 

 specimen at 450 mm. 



In specimens preserved in alcohol, the background coloration is 

 brownish; lower part of head, below a line from lower jaw to ventral 

 part of pectoral base, abruptly pale or very light brownish, the area 

 dorsal to this dark brownish; teeth gray, sometimes with a greenish 

 tinge; all fins dusky to brownish; distal margin of dorsal and anal fins 

 narrowly edged with green; membranes between rays of median fins 

 usually greenish; edges of both lips white or pale, then a green band. 

 Some of the specimens shorter than 150 mm. may have the centers of 

 scales lighter brown than their edges, producing lengthwise pale 

 streaks, usually rather faint. 



In live specimens, the green color phase begins to appear at lengths 

 between 90 and 100 mm. Fins generally green, lower part of head 

 light greenish, edges of lips reddish, submarginally green; margin of 

 eye greenish, iris orange; distal edges of dorsal and of anal fins green- 

 ish, submarginally the distal half of dorsal tinged with orange; distal 

 half of scales green, anteriorly purplish brown or reddish brown; 

 pelvics greenish; pectorals greenish brown or greenish black, the distal 

 fifth of rays pale; distal margin and basal half of caudal dark greenish 

 black, centrally lighter green and basally purplish black. 



At lengths of 25 to 65 mm. and longer there are 4 lengthwise dark 

 brown bands on the sides, separated by narrower pale interspaces, 

 with the pair along upper sides separated by a pale streak along base 

 of dorsal fin; median pale streak along midside more distinct than 

 others; distal margin of caudal fin broadly whitish. 



