26 CONTRIBUTIONS TO NORTH AMERICAN ICHTHYOLOGY II. 



scales, smaller than pins' heads, about the size of the nasal openings, 

 and resembling fly-specks. 



On the lower part of the sides of the body, these spots are most dis- 

 tinct, and form irregular lines along the rows of scales. They are 

 present also on the opercular region, and are more or less appreciable 

 on most parts of the body. On some specimens, these spots are dis- 

 tinct over the whole body, being enlarged on the back. 



The black opercular spot is very small for the genus, no larger than 

 in the species of Apomotis. Besides the black spots, there are also 

 faint pale spots at the base of some of the scales of the sides. These 

 were perhaps conspicuous in life. 



The fins generally are rather dark, unspotted ; the ventral fins are 

 black. 



The length of the specimens described is from 4 to 4J inches. 



Ha hitat. — St. John's Eiver, Florida. Many specimens in the United 

 States National Museum. 



This species was indicated in MSS. some years ago by Prof. Gill, and 

 specimens have been distributed by the Smithsonian Institution under 

 the name L. stercorarius Gill. As Prof. C-ope's paper will probably 

 appear in advance of this, I have adopted his specific name, instead of 

 publishing it as a new species. 



19. LEPIOPOMUS MINIATUS, sp. nov. 



General form of Xenotls inscriptus. Oblong and somewhat regularly 

 elliptical. Head 2| in length ; depth 2J; eye large, 3i in head; oper- 

 cular flap rather short and broad, entirely black ; mouth rather large ; 

 scales of cheek large, in four series; scales large, 4-40-11 ; palatine 

 teeth present; gill-rakers short lor Lepiopomus, but stiff and rough. 

 "Dorsal spines rather long, as long as from snout just past middle ot 

 eye; pectorals long, reaching anal. Dorsal X, 10. Anal III, 9. 



Color in spirits dark, rows of bright red or scarlet spots running 

 lengthwise of the body; one spot on each scale, and two blackish mark- 

 ings on each side of the red ; dorsal fin dusky behind, but unspotted ; 

 iris red. Length 4 inches. 



Type, No. 1C918, United States National Museum. Numerous speci- 

 mens from Tangipahoa Eiver, Louisiana. This species is perhaps 

 most nearly related to Lepiopomus auritus. 



20. APOMOTIS PnENAX, Cope & Jordan, sp. nov. 

 Chwnohrijitus pheuax, Cope, MSS. 



Form and appearance of Lepiopomus palUdus. Head 2^ in length ; 



