THE BAHAMA ISLANDS 305 



A young specimen was taken near Cape Hatteras, June 15, 1903, by the Expe- 

 dition. This fish attains a length of 2 to 4 feet. On the Pacific coast it is 

 highly valued as a food-fish. 



Family CHEILODIPTBRID^ (The King of the Mullets). 



Apogon pigmentarius (Poey). 



An interesting little fish heretofore recorded from Cuba. One specimen 



was obtained by the Expedition at Golding Key, Andros Island, June 26, 1903. 



Color in life red; in alcohol whitish, profusely covered with small black spots. 



Apogonichthys stellatus Cope. 



Two specimens of this rare species were obtained by the Expedition at 

 Golding Key, Andros Island, June 27, 1903. They were of a uniform black 

 color when captured, but since being in alcohol have faded to a reddish-brown 

 with more or less metallic luster, thickly dotted with small dark spots and 

 numerous star-shaped blotches each with a silvery center. 



Professor Cope described the species from a specimen (the only one 

 known) said to have come from Nassau. Our specimens are 2 and 2^ inches 

 long. 



Family SERRANIDiE (The Sea Basses). 

 Epinephelus maculosus Cuvier and Valenciennes (Eed Hind). 



Plate LVII. 

 This is one of the smallest of the Groupers. Like all the others it is highly 

 esteemed as food and for its game qualities. It ranges from Carolina to Brazil, 

 being rare on our coast but more frequent in the West Indies and the Ber- 

 mudas. Several specimens were collected by the Expedition at Nassau during 

 June and July, 1903. It attains a length of about 2 feet. 



Epinephelus mystacinus Poey (Cherna de lo Alto). 

 Found in the deeper waters of the West Indies, southward to Brazil; 

 reaching an approximate length of 2 feet. A good food-fish, but not found 

 in such quantities as to make it of commercial value. Collected by the Expe- 

 dition at Nassau, June 22, 1903. 



Epinephelus striatus Bloch (Nassau Grouper). 

 This is one of the best marked and most important food-fish of its kind. 

 Found throughout the Bahamas and in the West Indies, northward to Florida. 

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