148 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



throughout, the first and second spines a little higher than the third, 

 which is rather higher than the fourth, the third and fourth somewhat 

 separated, but connected by membrane nearly as high as that connect- 

 ing fourth and fifth, the other spines gradually increasing in height 

 backward. The three anterior spines less stiff than the others. 



The two anal spines are connected by a membrane to the soft part of 

 that lin, the anterior insertion of which is about midway between tip of 

 snout and base of caudal. The caudal is jjosteriorly rounded, its inter- 

 radial membrane being emarginate; the membrane of the last dorsal 

 spine joins the base of the first ray of the caudal, while the latter is 

 free from anal, the free tips of which extend beyond base of caudal. 



Pectorals fan-like, their extremities reachiug a vertical line intersect- 

 ing vent. Brauchiostegal membranes continuous under throat. Body 

 covered with conspicuous cycloid scales, which are smaller on the belly. 

 I^o scales on head or fins. 



Lateral line of thirty-eight scales, beginning on the scapular region, 

 running anteriorly very high, abruptly curving around pectorals, and 

 pursuing a straight course on the median line of the side to the tail. 



Teeth rather strong, conical, in a narrow band; a single series of 

 rather strong teeth on vomer. 



Color varies in three individuals: one is a dark brownish gray, 

 another, of equal size (2| inches long), is lighter; while a third, of 1^ 

 inches in length, is lavender in color. The markings are similar on all 

 my specimens, each being macnlated and obscnrely barred with a darker 

 shade of its own color; the dorsal region is always darkest, and each 

 individual has an ocellated spot, black, with narrow pale edging on 

 posterior portion of dorsal fin. Dorsal and anal fins each with narrow 

 l)ale edging. Pectoral fins reddish violet at base, with a black crescent 

 around it, the rest of the fin pale, with dark cross-bars. Ventrals barred. 

 Caudal with a dark bar at base, the rest of the fin translucent, with 

 narrow dark bars formed of spots. 



Table of measurements. 



Length : 



Total, iu inches 2. 05 



To base of caudal, iu iucTies 100 = 1. 70 



Bofly, greatest depth : . . 23 



Head : 



Length 26 



Diameter of eye 7.5 



Length of maxillaiy 11 



Dorsal fin : 



Total length 80 



Distance from snout , 21 



Length of anterior part 9 



Height of first spine 6 



Height of second spine 7 



Height of third spine 4 



Height of fourth spine 3 



Height of highest spine 7.5 



Height of membrane connecting third and fourth spines 1.8 



