nSHES OF THE ISLANDS OF LUZON AND PANAY. 39 



ELATES Jordan & Seale, new genus. 



Elates Jordan & Seale, new genus of Platycrphniidx Ufiompsojii). 



This genus is characterized by the single spine at the angle of the opercle, the small scales and the large, 

 elongate npper caudal lobe. It is allied to Plaiycephalus. 



209. Elates thompsoni Jordan & Seale, new species. 



Head .3.30 in length without caudal: depth 4 in head; eye 5; snout 2.7.5: dorsal i-v, 1.3; anal 12: about 

 125 scales in lateral line to end of vertebra': lateral line smooth, except 2 small spines at its anterior end. 



Body elongate, slightly compressed, the width greater than depth; under surface of body rather flat; 

 body and cheek firmly scaled: caudal peduncle narrow and flat, its width greater than depth; snout flat, its 

 width at angle of mouth 1.50 in length; maxillary short, 3.50 in head, its distal end scarcely reaching second 

 nostril; lower jaw projecting; a single long saber-like spine at angle of preopercle, this spine considerably 

 longer than diameter of eye, being 4 in head: no spine directed fonvard; 3 very small spines on bon}' stay of 

 cheek, one on a line with middle of pupil and another with posterior margin of eye, the third with posterior 

 nostril; distance between distal ends of preopercular spines 2.10 in head: width of head at base of these spines 

 2.75 in head: a rather distinct spine on upper anterior margin of orbit and aliout 10 small spines at upper and 

 posterior margin of orbit; 2 small nuchal spines; interorbital space narrow, concave, less than width of 



FlG- 12. — Elates thompsotii .lordan i^- Seale. new species. Type. 



pupil; minute bands of teeth on jaws, vomer, and palatines; tongue broad, rounded, spatulate, free; gillrakers 

 rather sharp and slim, the longest equaling one-half of eye, 18 on lower limb; first dorsal spine small, somewhat 

 separated from second, which is the longest and strongest spine, being 2.60 in head; first soft dorsal ray 2.10; 

 seventh to eleventh rays rather wide and separated from other rays except at base, origin of soft dorsal slightly 

 nearer base of caudal than tip of snout; origin of anal slightly in advance of soft dorsal, its base sUglitly greater 

 in length than base of soft dorsal; pectorals 2.10 in head; ventrals 2, their spine strong, their origin below- 

 middle of pectoral; caudal slightly forked, the upper lobe much the larger and longer, usually prolonged into 

 a filament which is about equal in length to remaining portion of fin. 



Color in spirits yellowish, with wash of brownish above; an indistinct broken longitudinal brown baud 

 along side; a dusky splotch on anterior of opercle; spinous dorsal with 3 rows of dark spots: soft dorsal and 

 upper lobe of caudal with spots; lower lobe of caudal with spots larger, about 3 in number, the posterior 

 one being a rather large blotch : pectorals and ventrals yellow. 



Three specimens from Manila, length 6 to 7 inches. The type is no. 53068, U. S. National Museum. 

 Cotype no. 9247, Museum Stanford University. 



Named for Dr. Joseph C. Thompson, surgeon, U. S. Na'vy. 



