236 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. xxxiii. 



almost straight. Caudal peduncle of moderate strength, its depth 

 being equal to its length. Origin of the dorsal fin directly above the 

 axis of the pectorals; the sixth dorsal spine longest, its length 3.25 

 in head. 



First dorsal spine short, its length equal to mdth of interorbital ; 

 the longest dorsal ray is 2.65 in head; base of anal fin 2.35 in head; 

 its second spine being longest and strongest, 3.10 in head; third 

 spine almost its equal in length. Caudal strongly rounded, its median 

 ray 1.75 in head. Pectorals 1.45 in head; ventrals 1.90 in head; 

 their tip barely reaching vent. Origin of ventral is midway between 

 tip of snout and sixth anal ray. Longest anal ray 2.10 in head. 



Color in spirits: Entire body and fins golden yellow, covered with 

 numerous round and oblong spots of deep brown (dark), these 

 tending to form irregular longitudinal lines on the upper part of head 

 and [body; maxillary and mandible with dark spots; pectorals 

 uniform yellowish with two or three spots on base; ventrals yellowish, 

 the outer ray with narrow margin of brown. 



Dorsal, anal, and caudal spotted, membranes of spinous dorsal 

 with oblique lines formed by the dark spots. 



Two fine specimens, 9.75 inches long, from Zamboanga. 



Ty pes j)ecimm.— Cat. Xo. 57843, U.S.N.M. 



Family SCARICHTHYID^. 



Choerops zamboangae, new species. 



Head, 3; depth, 2.75; eye, 5.20 in head; snout, 2.25; interorbital, 

 3.45; D., XII, 8; A., Ill, 10; scales, U, 29, 10; 7 in front of D. 



Body oblong, compressed; anterior profile of head rounded, lips of 

 moderate thicloiess; five or six imperfect rows of imbricate scales on 

 cheeks; opercle and preopercle entire; opercles well scaled, top of head 

 and snout naked; maxillary slipping under preorbital, its distal end 

 scarcely reaching to line with anterior margin of orbit; each jaw with 

 four enlarged anterior canines, the second pair of upper jaw much 

 smaller than the first; posterior canine present; no teeth on vomer 

 or palatines; gill-rakers short, their length less thaii width of pupil, 

 11 on lower arch; caudal peduncle strong, its depth equal to its length 

 (last anal ray to end of vertebrae); dorsal fiji low, the spines stift", 

 longest dorsal spine equal to orbit (each with a filament); longest 

 dorsal ray 2,50 in head; base of anal fin 1.50 in head, its third spine 

 the longest, the longest ray 2.45 in head; pectorals 1.30 in head; ven- 

 trals 1.60 in head, their tip not reaching anal opening; the origin of 

 the ventral fin is midway between tip of snout and base of third anal 

 ray; caudal truncate, none of its rays produced; its median ray 1.75 

 in head. 



Color in spirits: Yellowish white, the upper anterior two-thirds of 

 body (including head) dull light drab; a conspicuous orange line, 



