PROCEKDlNGs OF UMTED STAFES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 1 S3 



out ciudnl, tlonlili' tlit' ;;io;itest width of tlio body, nud tiiire times the 

 least hei^yht of tail. 



Head a trifle lonj^er than greatest height of body ;iiid shghtly less 

 tbau twice the length of the pectoral. The width of the interorbital 

 area is half that of the head, and nearly double the diameter of the eye. 

 The length of the snout is about equal to that of the operculum. The 

 preoperculum is finely serrated on its posterior limb, slightly produced 

 at tiie angle, the edge of which is obtusely rounded, and armed with 

 stronger deuticnlations. Upon the inferior limb in front of the angle 

 is one stout spine. Lips scaleless. MaxiUary with a few minute scales 

 arranged in a narrow band. Length of the upper jaw nearly lialf the 

 length of head and quite half the greatest height of the body. Length 

 of mandible about double that of the operculum. Length of mandible 

 slightly more than that of pectoral. 



Eye circular, its diameter nearly nine times in length of head and 

 nearly twice in width of interorbital space. Its anterior margin is mid- 

 way between the tip of the snout and the posterior edge of the pre- 

 operculum. 



Dorsal as far from the snout as ventral, its length of base three- 

 fourths that of the head. The length of the first spine slightly exceeds 

 the diameter of the eye, the second spine is as long as the base of the 

 anal fin and about equal to the longest anal ray. The length of the 

 last spine is twice that of the first. The length of base of soit dorsal is 

 four-fifths that of the spinous dorsal, which is exactly double the length 

 of the longest dorsal ray. The last ray is half as long as the first ray 

 of the anal. 



The distance of the anal from the snout is three-fourths of the length 

 of the body without caudal. Its length of base is equal to the length of 

 the second dorsal spine. The relations of the length of the spines and 

 rays of the anal fin are exhibited iu the table of measurements. 



Caudal flu rounded, its middle rays half as long as the head, the 

 exterior rays slightly shorter. 



The pectoral is very broad and rounded, its insertion considerably iu 

 advance of the end of the opercular flap. Its length slightly exceeds 

 that of the middle caudal rays. 



Yentrals broad, distant from snout three-eighths of the length of the 

 body and as long as the pectoral. The ventral spine is as long as the 

 last dorsal spine. 



Scales of moderate size, with minute pectinations, truncate at the 

 attached end. When detached, their shape is nearly oblong. 



Color, duaky brown above, lighter below; fins darker; no traces of 

 markings upon body or fins. 



