482 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



books as the line was being lowered, and was carried by its weight to 

 the bottom. This curious freak of the sword fish, so often observed of 

 late, deserves careful study. 



LATILID^. 



40. Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps, Goode & Bean. 



Lopholatihis chamivJeonticcpH, GOODE &, Beax, Pnic. U. S. Nat. Mus. ii, 187'J, 

 p. '2Q:^. 



In Julj^, 1879, numerous specimens of this lemarkable fish were taken 

 by Gloucester fishing vessels, at a dei)th of 84 fathoms, SO miles south 

 by east from Noman's Land. The first trij) of the " Fish Hawk " to 

 deep water from Newport was September 4, and tlie nets were hauled 

 as nearly as possible on the same grounds where LojiholaUlns had pre- 

 viously been taken. 



The second trip, ten days later, was to a i-egion about forty miles 

 fiirther west, and on this occasion six or more large individuals of this 

 species wen; brought up on ahan<l line ( "ladder-line") set from an o[)en 

 boat sent out from the steamer. None were at any time taken in the 

 trawl-nets, though there is every reason to believe fif)m the success of 

 the fishing vessels previously, and from the number taken on the hand- 

 line by the men in the small boat, that they are exceedingly abundant 

 in this locality and ])robably for hundreds of miles in either direction, 

 or at any rate to the south. 



The LophoJiitihis may yet i)rove to l>e a fish of economic importance. 

 Its suitability for food was tested at the ward-room table' of the " Fish 

 Hawk", and it was ])ronounced equal to cod-fish, though somewhat finer 

 grained in tiesh. 



The following notes upon color and internal structure were taken from 

 a fresh specimen. The colors are very beautiful, and in general ap})ear- 

 ance when taken from the water it is one of the loveliest fishes I have 

 ever seen, no exception being made in favor of the l)rilliant])arrot-fishes 

 or angel-fishes of the West Indian coral groves. 



Color. — Black bluish, with a green tinge, iridescent, chaUjiiing through 

 puri)lish blue and bluish gray to rosy white below, and milky white to- 

 w^ard the medium line of the belly. Head rosy, iridescent, with red 

 tints most abundant on the forehead, blue under the eyes cheeks fawn- 

 colored. Throat and under side of the head i)early white ; with an oc- 

 casioiuil tint of lemon-yellow ; this is most prouounced in front of the 

 ventrals and on the anterior ])ortion of ventral fins. Back with numer- 

 ous maculations of bright lemon or golden. Anal purplish, with blue 

 and rose tints, iridescent. Margin of anal rich purplish blue, iridescent 

 like the most beautiful mother of pearl. This color prevading more or 

 less the whole fin, which has large yellow maculations. The lower 

 border is rose colored like the belly, and the base of the fin also par- 

 takes of this general hue. Dashes of milk-white on the base of the 

 anal between the rays. 



