584 W. H. LONGLEY 



ness is fictitious, this should appear from the analysis of the 

 stomach contents of potential enemies. It was with this idea 

 in mind that the feeding habits of snappers were examined more 

 closely than those of other species, for none seemed more likely 

 to exact its toll from unprotected forms. 



From the snappers' stomachs several perfectly recognizable 

 specimens of Iridio bivittatus were taken. The jaws and pharyn- 

 geal teeth of fishes of this genus, and probably of this species, 

 are found very commonly with vertebrae and other structures 

 which are slowly digested. Four specimens of Scarus punctula- 

 tus which were only slightly macerated were secured. What 

 appeared to be remains of the same species was obtained in a 

 number of cases. Jaws and pharyngeal teeth, differing sufficiently 

 among themselves to suggest that others of the genus are freely 

 eaten, are frequently recovered, and one Scarus croicensis was 

 doubtfully identified. Sparisoma hoplomystax was represented 

 by one specimen, and another in an advanced stage of de- 

 composition was assigned to this species. If this determination 

 is incorrect another must be added to the list of edible forms. 

 One Sparisoma flavescens was also obtained. 



Five species of the Labrids and Scarids in Jordan and Ever- 

 mann's Fishes of North and Middle America were described 

 from t}^es, or were known to the authors only from specimens 

 found in the stomachs of snappers or groupers. When these 

 are added to the five mentioned in the preceding paragraph it 

 makes a total of more than 11 per cent of edible forms in the two 

 families. Though many of the Scarids and some of the Labrids 

 when full grown are too large to be preyed upon by the snappers 

 the fist presented is certainly capable of extension. It already 

 includes some brilliantly colored types, hence it seems incredible 

 that these creatures are protected by distastefulness advertised 

 by warning coloration. It is also clear that they are not secure 

 from attack at night, and doubtful whether they ever enjoy 

 immunity unaccounted for by their speed, alertness and incon- 

 spicuousness, for some at least wander far from the shelter of the 

 heads, and do not instinctively fly to cover when alarmed. 



