PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 139 
3. Apodichthys fucorum sp. nov. 
Allied to Apodichthys flavidus Girard, but differing in the form of the 
anal spine, in the smaller number of fin-rays, and in the smaller size of 
the pectoral fins. 
Form of head and body and dentition as in Apodichthys flavidus. 
Mouth very oblique, the maxillary reaching the vertical from the center 
of the pupil. Dorsal fin beginning at a point considerably nearer the 
nape than the latter is from the end of the snout. Anal spine small, its 
length about one-fifth that of the head, transversely very convex in front, 
and slightly concave or grooved behind. Pectoral fins very small, about 
one-fifth the length of the head. Anal fin beginning nearer base of 
caudal than tip of snout by about three times the length of the head. 
Dosal, very constantly, LX XXIII; A. 35. 
In Apodichthys flavidus the BRE begins as much behind the nape 
as the latter is behind the tip of the snout. The anal spine is very large, 
two-fifths the length of the head, and deeply excavated on its anterior 
surface and very convex behind, the spine being very thin and with sharp 
edges, resembling a quill-pen. 
Pectoral fins larger, about two-fifths the length of the head. Anal 
beginning nearer base of caudal than tip of snout by twice the length 
of the head. Fin rays: D. XCIII; A. 40. 
The life coloration of Apodichthys fucorum is either bright olive-green 
or brownish red, becoming in alcohol either bright straw color or ver- 
million; a row of dark spots extending along axis of body, these some- 
times with light-bluish center, and connected by a very narrow dark 
streak. Generally a dark streak downward from eye, but no other 
markings about the head. 
The ground-color of these fishes, whether red, green, yellow, or brown, 
has no significance in specific distinction. As with many other species 
of rock-fish, they take the color of their surroundings. When in masses 
of Fucus, this species is always olive-green; when among Chondrus, or 
other red-brown alg, it is colored like the plants. We have seen 
Oligocottus maculosus (which species is ordinarily brownish, mottled, 
the belly blue) dark grayish red in pools lined with Corallina, deep 
crimson when surrounded by brighter alge, plain gray in pools with 
granite bottoms and no plants, and of the mest intense grass-grecn 
when taken from among fronds of Ulva. Other fishes imitate exactly 
the brown branches of the kelp (Jacrocystis). Thus the names flavidus, 
virescens, and sanguineus have been successively applied to differently 
colored examples of Apodichthys flavidus. 
Our specimens of the latter species are orange-red, everywhere 
dusted with minute punctulations. A few pale round spots on axis of 
body posteriorly. A narrow jet-black bar downward and backward 
from eye, falling behind the maxillary ; a shorter black streak from eye 
toward oeciput. Anal fin obliquely barred with brownish. 
Apodichthys fucorum is exceedingly abundant about the Point of Los 
