236 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. xxxii. 



It is one of the many offshoots of the kSerranidffi, and stands not far 

 from the Lutianidaj and the Hsemulidaj, from ])oth of which it differs 

 in the bony opercle. It is also allied to the Priacanthidfe, from which 

 it differs in the same and in other characters. 



The known species are all strongly marked and each might constitute 

 a distinct genus. They are rare in Japan, but when found are valued 

 as food. One of these species is well figured by Schlegel and all three 

 are very well represented b}^ Steindachner and Doderlein. In the 

 following anal3^sis all the known genera of Histiopteridai are included: 



KEY TO GENERA. 



a. HisTioPTERiNTE. BasG of soft dorsal much longer than that of spinous dorsal; 



dorsal spines 4 to 7; anal spines 2 or 3; no teeth on vomer or palatines; chin 



sometimes with a brush of barbels. Dorsal rays about IV, 28. 



b. Dorsal spines 4; anal spines 3; soft dorsal very long and high, but not falcate. 



c. Third dorsal spine greatly elevated, longer and stronger than fourth; and 



nearly as long as soft rays; Japan {typus) Histiopterus, 1 



cc. Third dor.'^al spine relatively low; much shorter than fourth; which is much 



lower than soft dorsal. Japan ( acutirostris) Eristlas, « 2 



bb. Dorsal spines 6 or 7, stout, graduated. 



d. Anal spines three; soft dorsal very high, falcate; of 26 rays. Australia 



{elevatus; type) Zanclistius^^ 



d. Anal spines two; dorsal spines seven, the fourth longest and very high ; soft 

 dorsal low and short. (D. vii, 17) Australia {labiosa; farnelli). 



Richardsonia Castelnau 

 aa. QuiNQUARiiN.K. Base of soft dorsal much shorter than spinous dorsal, the lat- 

 ter with 10 to 14 spines; anal spines 3, 4, or 5; soft dorsal with 10 to 13 rays; 

 teeth usually present on vomer. 



e. Anal spines 5; dorsal spines 11 or 12; the soft rays about 15; teeth on 

 vomer — Japan; Cape of Good Hope {japonicus, capensis. ) . Quinquarius,^ 3 

 ee. Anal spines 4; 

 /. Dorsal spines 14. Cape of Good Hope {richardsoni; type) .. Gilchristio, a 



ff. Dorsal spines 10. Pacific Ocean (rZi-rocan^/m.?; type) Quadrarius'^ 



eee. Anal spines three; dorsal spines 10. Anterior profile nearly straight, 

 Australia {recvrvirostris) Pentaceropsis Steindachner 



1. HISTIOPTERUS Schlegel. 

 Histioptpriift Schlegel, Fauna Japonica, Poiss., 1843, p. 86 (typus). 



This genus is characterized by the deep body, suggesting the form 

 of Chsetodon., the bony head, with projecting jaws, provided with 

 minute barbels, and the sail-like dorsal fin, in which there are four 

 spines, the first two short, the third very long and strong; almost as 

 long as the first soft rays and the fourth, slender and somewhat 

 shorter. Anal .spines strong, the second longest and strongest, ante- 

 rior profile of head relatively even. End of maxillary not covered by 

 preorbital; no teeth on vomer. 



{iariov^ sail; nrepov^ fin.) 



« These generic names, Evistias, Zanclistius, Quinquarius, GilchHstia, and Quadrarius, 

 are here used for the first time. Gilchristia is named for Dr. J. D. F. Gilchrist, 

 naturalist, of Cape Colony. 



