520 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



VOL. XXIX. 



Family FISTULARIID^. 



FISTULARIA STARKSI Jordan and Scale, new species. 



Head, 2.50 in length; snout, 3.15; depth much less than width of 

 bod}"; mandible, 5.20 in snout; e3"e, 9 in snout, 1.45 in postocular 

 portion of head; maxillary, 2 in mandible; the depth of head at nuchal 

 region is greater than its width. The ridges on top of head are as in 

 Fistidaria petimha {depressa)^ as described by Giinther, the median 

 ridges ])eing at all points farther apart than their distance from upper 

 lateral ridge; lower lateral ridges scarcely roughened; the posterior 

 two-thirds of lateral ridges strongly spinous; D. 15; A. 14; about 23 

 minute separate spinelets in front of dorsal. 



Body very elongate, flattened, the anterior bones of head projected 

 into a long beak; thoracic portion of body formed of large plates, the 

 upper with 3 smooth longitudinal raised lines; postorbital bones promi- 



FlG. 3. — FiSTlLARIA STAKKSI. 



nent, strongly denticulate; interorbital space concave, equal to width 

 of pupil; a prominent, strongly serrated, bony ridge at upper margin 

 of opercles; a row of lateral spines or barbs along the sides of bod}^ 

 from head to caudal; these are very strong and barb-like on posterior 

 third of body, much larger and stronger than in any other known 

 species of J^istularia, the longest barb being about one-half width of 

 pupil; other portions of body smooth, unsealed. Insertion of dorsal 

 directly over anal, the two fins being similar and about equal in size, 

 the distance between their origin and base of caudal, 2 in length of 

 snout; pectorals, 7.20 in snout; ventrals small, 1.50 in eye; caudal 

 small, deeply forked with one median projecting filament which is 

 about 2 in length of snout. 



Color in spirits, uniform 57ellow, with wash of red; fins unmarked. 



One specimen from Hongkong. Cat. No. 52079, U.S.N. M. Length, 

 14.50 inches. 



