One of the commonest butterfly fishes in the West Indies {Chsslodon ocellalus), and the one most frequently 

 drifted northward by the Gulf Stream at the end of the summer. It has been found in the vicinity of New York 

 City in October. The specific name is a misnomer, as the species is preeminent among butterfly fish for its lack of 

 "ocelli" or eye spots -, 



seaward in the vast monotonous stretches 

 of the ocean's floor or depths. We find 

 the very greatest number of forms along 

 the shores toward the equator, where in 

 perennial summer conditions about the 

 tropical reefs, kinds have arisen and 

 multiplied to take advantage of every 

 slightest phase of the peculiarly favor- 

 able and practically unchanging environ- 

 ment. Many related species exist to- 

 gether in the same waters. 



The West Indian fish fauna, for in- 

 stance, is rich in bright-colored parrot 



510 



fish. Among the common or widely 

 distributed species are the red parrot 

 fish, Sparisoma abildgaardi, with fins 

 and lower surface bright cherry red; 

 Sparisoma chrysoptcrum, bright greenish 

 blue, with fins largely brick red; Spari- 

 soma viride, deep blue with yellowish 

 shades, the tail fin with a yellow cres- 

 cent; Scarus vetula, which is dark sky 

 blue with red stripes on the head and 

 fins; Scarus coer ulcus, a deep uniform 

 blue; Pseudoscarus guacamaia, which is 

 green. All the above are parrot fish. 



