DISCUSSION OF SPECIES AND THEIK DISTRIBUTION. 257 



which is OTi the nape, the second at the beginniii.i;- of the spinons dorsal, the third nnder the 

 fourth spine of the dorsal, the fourtli beginning under the seventh spine of the dorsal, the 

 fifth at the origin of the soft dorsal, and the sixth near the end of the soft dorsal. The 

 largest of these blotches is about two-thirds as long as the eye. Soft dorsal witli nuiiicrous 

 roundish dark blotches on the skin covering the rays. (Jaudal marked like the soft dorsal, 

 other fins pale. In life the species was piobably roseate. 



The type of the description is an individual measuring 119 millimeters to base of 

 caudal. Catalogue number, 39325; from statiou 2298, AUMtro.s.% N. lat. 35° 39', W. Ion. 74^ 

 52', 80 fathoms. 



This species is closely related to P. canrtriensis, but may be distinguished by the 

 greater number of scales iu the lateral line, by the shorter pectorals, the ventrals, which 

 when extended reach to the line of the vent only, by the more advanced position of the 

 anal, the termination of whose base is under the base of the antepenultimate dorsal ray; 

 by the greater length of the second anal spine, which is longer than the third, and uearly 

 three times as long as the first; by the character <if the sub(»rbital crest, which is high and 

 sharp and has its surface notched into three portions, so that it apjiears to be composed of 

 three long depressed spines; by the presence of laciuiie iu the occipital region; by the 

 more advanced position of the pectoral, whose base is almost hidden under the brauchios- 

 tegal membrane, its anterior spine being close to the edge of the opercular fiap. 



The contour of the dorsal is much the same, save that the spines are more slender and 

 the notch less deep, the eleventh spine beiug equal to the tenth, and not much shorter than 

 the ninth. 



Pontinus Bathbimi is dedicated to Mr. Richard Eathbun, chief of the Division of Scien- 

 tific Inqiury in the U. S. Fish Commission, in recognition of his important contributions to 

 marine zoology. 



PONTINUS MACROLEPIS, Goode and Bean, ii. s. (Figure 247.) 



A Pontinus having pectoral rays all simple as in P. lonffispinis, P. Kuhlii, and P. castor, 

 and larger scaled than either of those. We have compared it with Pontinus castor of Poey, 

 and while it belongs to the same genus it is a much larger scaled species than Poey's and 

 the supraoccipital filaments are nuich less developed. The greatest depth of the l)ody (3(t 

 millimeters) is about one-third of the standard length; the least height of the tail (8 milli- 

 meters) eqnals the length of the snout. The length of the head (41 millimeters) is equal to 

 one-half the total length to the end of the dorsal. The greatest width of the head (21 milli- 

 meters) is about one-half its greatest length. The width of the iuterorbital area (4 milli- 

 meters) is al)out one half the length of the snout. The iuterorbital region is deeply concave 

 and scaleless; top of snout also scaleless. The length of the eye (13A millimeters) is about 

 one-third the length of the head. The length of the postorbital part of the head to the end 

 of the opercular flap (19 millimeters) equals one-half the distance from the tij) of the snout 

 to the origin of the spinous dorsal. The maxida reaches beyond the vertical from the 

 middle of the eye and the mandible to below the end of the eye. The length of the maxilla 

 (20 millimeters) is one-half the length of the head. The length of the mandible (21 milli- 

 meters) equals the length of the ventral. Four rudiments and 2 developed gill-rakers 

 above the angle; 9 developed below the angle. The-developed gill rakers have a little knob 

 at the end. Teeth in villiform bands iu tlie Jaws and on the vomer and palatitie bones. A 

 naked space at the symphysis of the intermaxillary pieces into which is received a projecting 

 spur at the tip of the mandibles, mandible with a slight knob below and with three large 

 pores along the middle of its surface. I'seudobranchiie well developed. 



A pair of spines between the nostrils, a pair at the top of the orbit in front, a pair of 

 supraoccipitals continued backward by two additional pairs on the vertex, two i)airs on 

 the nape. A tympanic spine. A pair of humeral spines. Two stout, flat spiiu^s on the pre- 

 opercle, 4 on the preoperculnm, of which the uppermost is the largest and thctliird islarger 

 than the second and fourth. The uppermost, also, has a supplementary small spine? at its 

 base. Sub-orbital carina consisting of 3 spines, 2 on the preorbital, both of whicli bend 

 19868— No. 2 17 



