PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 1 ; i 



to twice the secoud aual spine, and about three times that of the first 

 doisal spine. The first dorsal ra^' is twice as long as the fir<t dorsal 

 spine, its longest ray nearly equal to the first ray of the anal. 



Distance of aual fin from snout equal to two-thirds of total length 

 (caudal excluded), twice as far from snout as is the pectoral; the length 

 of its base slightly more than that of mandible; its first spine half as 

 long as its second spine ; its third spine slenderer, and slightly longer 

 than the second ; its first ray is about twice as long as its second spine ; 

 its longest ray equal to middle caudal ray, or, in young specimens, much 

 longer ; its last ray half the length of the first. 



Caudal much emarginate, crescent-shaped ; the median rays two- 

 thirds as long as the external rays. 



Pectoral midway between snout and anal; its length twice that of the 

 maxillary. Distance of ventral from snout equal to the height of the 

 body; its length three times that of secoud anal spine. 



Radial Formula.— B. VII; D. X, 14; A. Ill, 9 ; C. + 17 + ; P. I, IG ; 

 V. I, 5. 



Scales. — 8, 50, 15. Scales extending half the length of the anal rays 

 on the membrane; on the external caudal rays nearly to tip, and with 

 slight traces upou the spinous dorsal in front of the spines ; and in the 

 soft dorsal somewhat more extended. 



Color. — Uniform scarlet. Centre of scales lighter, also belly, which is 

 silvered; inside of axil of pectoral darker maroon. 



This species is closely allied to the Lutjanus torridus of Cope, but dif- 

 fers in several particulars, notably (1) the smaller eye; (2) the greater 

 number of dorsal and anal rays ; (3) the smaller and more numerous 

 scales; (4) the less emargination of the tail ; (5) the shorter ventral fin 

 (according to figure of Cope) ; (C) the higher occijutal crest ; and (7) in 

 coloration. 



Professor Cope's type measured 14 inches ; ours range from 33 to 17^. 



Lingual teeth in two patches ; the anterior cordate, with emargina- 

 tion posteriorly : the other ovate-lanceolate, broadest anteriorly. Vom- 

 erine patch a quadilateral figure, with concave sides, and with the 

 longest sides posteriorly. Palatine patches somewhat spatulate, broadest 

 posteriorly. 



Proc. Nat. Mus. 78 12 Oct. 4, 1878. 



