114 



U. 8. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS — ZOOLOGY — GENERAL REPORT. 



The rentrals, long and filiform, are inserted nearly opposite the anterior margin of the dorsal ; 

 their tips do not reach the vent. The pectorals are broad and fan-like ; their extremities extend 

 posteriorly to a line intersecting the vent. 



Br. V : V ; D XII, IT ; A 19 ; C 6, 1, 5, 4, 1, 5 ; V i, 2 ; P 12. 



The lateral line, from the upper edge of the branchial fissure, bends slightly upwards, and 

 terminates abruptly' under the eleventh dorsal ray. 



Tlie ground color is yellowish brown or olivaceous, maculated with purple, the blotches or 

 maculae upon the sides of the head and abdomen being rather sub-quadrangular. The fins are 

 maculated also, the base and external margin of anal being yellowish. Upper part of head, 

 snout, and ventrals, uniform deep purple. Belly olivaceous, unicolor. 



References to the figures. — Plate XXVa, fig. 4, represents Blennius gentilis, size of life. 



List of specimens. 



NEOCLINUS, Girard. 



Gen. Char. — Body elongated and much compressed, covered with rather small scales, cycloid in strueturo. The head is of 

 moderate size, anteriorly obtuse, provided above with membranous flaps or tentacles. Teeth upon the prema.xillaries.denlaries, 

 front of vomer, and palatines ; a double row upon the anterior extremity of the jaws ; a single but conspicuous row along the 

 palatine bones. Branchial apertures continuous under the throat ; brancliiostegals six on either side. One continuous dorsal 

 fin. Caudal posteriorly rounded. Anal elongated. Ventrals, composed of three articulated rays and a rudimentary spine, 

 inserted under the pectorals, or slightly in advance of them. Pectorals broad and rounded off". 



This genus is not without afiinities with Clinus, but the latter contains yet too great a 

 diversity of species to make it a natural genus. It bears also a general resemblance to 

 Opistognathus, but the latter, besides the zoological characters peculiar to it, is furthermore 

 provided with an air bladder, which is wanting in Neodinus. 



NEOCLINUS BLANCHAKDI, Grd. 

 Blanchard's Bleuuy. 



Sric. Char. — Mouth very largo ; posterior extremity of maxillary extending to a vertical line drawn from the origin of the 

 dornal fin. Eyes Bub-circular, well developed, upper region provided witii two filiform tentacles. Origin of dorsal fin .situated 

 near the occiput and extending to near the caudal, with which it, however, does not unite. Anterior margin of tlio anal nearly 

 equidistant between the extremity of the snout and the insertion of the caudal fin. Lateral lino running from the upper 

 portion of the operclo to about opposite the anal region. Color reddish brown, with darker fasciae, and two still darker ocellae 

 upon the anterior portion of the dorsal fin. 



The head constitutes about the iourth of the total length, which measures nearly six inches 

 and a quarter. The gape of the mouth is somewhat oblique upwards, the lower jaw protruding 

 beyond the upper, and the posterior membranous extremity of the maxillar bone extending to 



