285 



7. HEEOS*. 



Ileros, pt., Heck.Brasil.Fliiss-FischeinAnn. Wien.Mus.n. 1840,p.362. 

 Ilerichthys, Baird ^- Girard in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. 1854, p. 25. 

 Iloplarchus, pt., Kaup, Wiegm. Arch. 1860, p. 128. 



Body compressed, oblong-, covered with ctenoid scales of moderate 

 size. Dorsal spines numerous, anal spinas more than four ; base of 

 the soft dorsal scaly or sometimes naked. Teeth in a band, smaU, 

 conical. Anterior prominences of the first branchial arch short horny 

 processes. Cleft of the mouth of moderate width. Scales on the 

 cheeks small, (jcnemUij in more than four series. The origin of the 

 ventral falls vertically behind that of the dorsal. 



Central and South America. 



1. Heros parma. 



^•iirrv ^^•^- !>. lat. 31. L. transv. 5/13. 



The fold of the lower lip interrupted in the middle ; five or six 

 series of scales on the cheek. The height of the body is aboiit one- 

 half of the total length (without caudal). Brownish, with seven cross- 

 bands. 



Mexico. Guatemala. 



a~c. From seven to nine inches long. Mexico. From the Berlin 



Museum (as H. deppii). 

 d-g. From three to seven inches long. Guatemala. From Mr. 0. 



Salvin's Collection. 



Description. — The height of the body is one-half of the total length 

 (without caudal), in the largest specimen rather more than one-half, 

 and in the young ones somewhat less ; the length of the head is one- 

 thu-d of the total, or a little less than one-third. Head rather higher 

 than long, with the nape very convex in adult specimens. Snout of 

 moderate extent, compressed, more or less elevated, much longer than 

 the eye. Cleft of the mouth slightly oblique, %vith the jaws equal 

 anteriorly, and with the maxillarj* hidden below the prneorbital and 

 not extending to below the front margin of the orbit. Jaws rather 

 protractile, armed with a broad band of \'illiform teeth, the teeth of 

 the outer series being enlarged. Praeoi-bital ^\'ider than the orbit. 

 Interorbital space very convex, wider than the orbit. Eye nearly in 

 the middle of the length of the head. 



Base of the soft dorsal and anal with a few small scales. Dorsal 

 spines of moderate length and strength : the length of the twelfth is 

 rather less than one-half of that of the head in adult specimens, and 

 exactly one-half in young ones. The soft dorsal and anal are ele- 

 vated ; caudal rounded. Pectoral roimded, not much shorter than the 

 head. The outer ventral ray prolonged, less so in young indi^•iduals. 



Brownish- or greenish-olive, with seven very indistinct dark cross- 



* 1. Chromys fasciata, Caste/n. Aniin. nouv. ou rares Amer. Slid, Poiss. p. 17. 

 pi. 9. fig. 2. — Araguay. 



