384 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



lateral line forming series parallel with the back, but iilaced so that the 

 cross rows are very oblique. Soft parts of vertical fins almost entirely 

 covered with small scales ; series of scales also on membrane of pec- 

 torals and veutrals. Scaly sheath of vertical fins well developed. 



Dorsal fin low, rather deeply emarginate, its spines very strong, the 

 second spine slightly longer than the eye, and two-thirds the height of 

 the third, which is but little shorter than the fourth or longest, and about 

 two-fifths length of head ; soft rays more than two-thirds height of longest 

 spines. Caudal rather large, moderately forked, the upper lobe some- 

 ' what the longest, about four-fifths length of head. Anal rather low, its 

 distal margin i)erfectly straight, vertical; second anal spine very robust, 

 half length of head, half longer than the thij?d spine, which is much 

 lower than the soft rays. Ventral fins 1^- in head, about reaching vent. 

 Pectoral fins long, subfalcate, a little longer than head, nearly or quite 

 reaching anal. 



Color in life, grayish-silvery above, with yellowish tinge ', lower part 

 of sides with indistinct darker streaks, formed by clusters of dark i)oints 

 on the margins of the scales. A faint dark bar, most distinct in the 

 youngest specimens, extending from the region in front of the dorsal to, 

 or a little below, the base of pectorals. In .young specimens this bar is 

 as wide as the eye, growing narrower below, but in the adult it is 

 scarcely wider than the pupil. No trace of the black cross-bars seen in 

 P. dovii and in P. pacifici, nor of the dark spots seen in P. furtJiii, nor 

 of the lengthwise stripes of P. hilineatus and P. virginicus. Vertical fins 

 and pectorals dusky yellowish; distal half of ventrals and base of anal 

 blackish. Upper part of head dusky, especially between eyes. Lining 

 of opercle pale, with yellow patches in life. Peritoneum white. 



This species is known from three specimens (2815cS, 29032, and 28333), 

 obtained in the harbor of Mazatlan. It was not seen at Panama. 



The species of Pomadasys thus far known from the Pacific coast of 

 tropical America may be readily distinguished by the characters given 

 in the following table: 



ANALYSIS OF SPECIES OF POMADASYS FOUXD ON THE PACIFIC COASTS OF BIEXICO 



AND CENTllAL AMERICA. 



a. Anal fin short, its rays III, 7 to III, 10 ; dorsal fin deeply emarginate, its spines more 



or less robust. 

 h. Anal spines strong, the second longer and mncli stronger than third, 

 c. Soft dorsal and anal -with series of scales extending on the rays; outer teeth in 



upper jaw enlai'ged. 

 d. Body ovate; back elevated ; depth greater than length of head : outer teeth 



moderately enlarged, pointed; lips thick. 

 • • (AXISOTIIEMUS* Gill.) 



e. Scales above lateral line in oblique series, not parallel with the lateral line. 

 /. Scales rather small, 50 to 70 in a horizontal series. 



* = Genytremus Gill = Paraconodon Bleeker. 



