146 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



29. SPHYR^NID^. 



67. Sphyraena picuda. 



We have made a prelimiuary study of the specimens of Sphyrcena in 

 the l^ational Museum, which has convinced us that the number of scales 

 in the lateral line is very variable, and must be used with caution as a 

 specific character. 



We recognize three species on our coast : 



1. Spliyrccna jncuda, with comparatively large scales, 81 or more in the 

 lateral line, and the dorsal inserted far in advance of the middle of the 

 body, and in front of the vertical from the tip of the pectoral. We have 

 seen this species from Cuba, the Bermudas, from West Florida (collected 

 by Dr. J. AV. Velie), and from South Florida (sent by Mr. E. G. Black- 

 ford), a large individual, 37^ inches long. 



2. Sphyra'tia boreaUs, We have examined numerous specimens ot 

 young Sphyrsenas from Wood's Holl, the largest of which do not ex- 

 ceed 9 inches in length. We refer them provisionally to 8. boreaUs. 

 These specimens agree quite closely with specimens of Sphyrccna, from 

 the Mediterranean and the Bermudas, in shape of body, in position oi 

 fins, and in coloration. Others from the Canaries and from Europe be- 

 long to a totally different species. There are two European species 

 which have been confused by recent writers, and united under the name 

 8. vulgaris. We are not at present able to untangle the synonymy. 



3. A species which we i^rovisionally refer to S. gnagnancho, which iw 

 the position of the fins resembles 8. picuda, though the scales are much 

 smaller, 107 to 115 in the lateral line. Besides the Pensacola specimen 

 already mentioned, we have seen this species from Cuba and from 

 Wood's Holl, where a specimen (No. 21,226) nearly 22 ipches long was 

 obtained by Viiial N. Edwards, in July, 1876. 



68. Sphyraena guaguancho Poey. 



A single specimen, No. 21,468, 18 inches long. 



The height of the body is 7 times in the total length without cau- 

 dal; length of head 3^ to 3^ times, greatest in young. Diameter of 

 eye contained 6 times in adult, 5^ in young; operculum with two points. 

 Length of pectoral equal to the postorbital portion of the head, 8.^ times 

 in total in young, times in adult; its length greater than that of the 

 ventrals, which are contained 3^ in head. Spines of the ventrals almost 

 as long as the rays and ^ as long as the head. Origin of dorsal is far in 

 front of the middle of the body, and in adults slightly, and in the young 

 considerably, in advance of the perpendicular from the tip of the 

 pectoral. The 5th dorsal spine is inserted exactly midway between 

 the tip of the snout and the base of the middle caudal rays. The ven- 

 trals inserted in advance of the dorsal. The interspace between the 

 dorsals is contained 5^ to 5f times in the total without caudal. L. lat. 107 

 to 112; L. transv. 11 + 17. D. V, I, 9; A. II, 8 ; P. 16; C. 9 + 8. 



