GILBERT AND STAEKS — FISHES OF PANAMA BAY 127 



236. Bairdiella chrysoleuca {Giinther). 



Not uncommon. 



An examination of younger specimens than those from which are drawn cur- 

 rent descriptions of this species, sheds little additional light on its relations to B. 

 aluta. The type of the latter is 19 cm. long. We have at hand one specimen of 

 chrysoleuca 19 cm., and one 165 mm. long. In these, the eye is 4J- to 5 in head (not 

 4, as in aluta). The fin counts ascribed to aluta are outside the range of variation of 

 chrysoleuca, as is also the number of scales in the lateral line. The soft dorsal in 

 chrysoleuca varies from 21 to 23 rays (not 18, as in aluta); the anal contains 9 rays 

 (not 8) and the lateral line traverses 49 to 51 scales (not 44), the count being made 

 to the base of the middle rays of the caudal. If the account of B. aluta is reliable in 

 these respects, the species is certainly distinct. 



In our specimens of chrysoleuca, the head is contained ?>\ to ?>\ in the length; 

 the depth 21 to 3f. The width of the preorbital is contained 1| times in the diam- 

 eter of the eye; the longest gill-raker is three-fifths diameter of pupil. The second 

 dorsal spine is much stouter than the third and is not flexible. The filamentous ray 

 of the ventral fin does not nearly reach the vent. 



237. Stellifer oscitans {Jordan <L- Gilbert). 



Frequently brought to market. We preserved six specimens, from 18 to 24 

 cm. in entire length. To the original description, we add the following: 



Head 3] to 3| in length; depth 3 to 3|. Eye equals prenasal part of snout 

 (measuring around contour of snout), 5 to 5;.' in head. Snout (distance from tip to 

 front of eye) 3|^ to 4 in head. Three of our specimens have 24 rays in the soft 

 dorsal, and three have 23. One specimen has but 10 spines in the first dorsal fin. 



238. Stellifer furthi (Steindachner). 



Common. A large number collected in the Panama market. We add the 

 following to the original description: Head 3| to 3f in length; depth 3 to 3|. Eye 

 4| to 5 in head; interorbital 24 to 3; second anal spine 2 to 2^^; ventral spine 

 24- to 2f. The maxillary reaches to below a point midway between the posterior 

 edge of pupil and the posterior edge of orbit. 



The color of a fresh specimen is as follows: Body light gray above, lower 

 parts of sides silvery, tinged with pinkish salmon. All fins light yellow; soft dorsal 

 with a narrow black margin. 



In Jordan and Evermann's description of this species (1898, p. 1441), occur 

 the following statements: "Highest dorsal spine If in head," " ventrals 2^ in head." 

 This seems to have been incorrectly transcribed from Steindachner's description, 

 which gives the length of the third (the highest) dorsal spine as If times the second 

 and about 2\ in the head; the ventral spine 2| in the head. 



