162 ALBATROSS EXPLORATIONS, FISHES JORDAN AND BOLLMAN. 



anteriorly, base of anal oblique. Profile of head depressed very slightly 

 before dorsal and above eyes. Suout short, 4f in head. Eye moderate, 

 equal to width of iuterorbital, 4 in head. Mouth rather large; max- 

 illary reaching posterior border of eye, 2| in head. Premaxillary oppo- 

 site middle of pupil. Width of preorbital one-third eye. 



Pores of snout and chiu as in other species of Larimus. 



Preopercle with a narrow, creuulate, membranous border; scapular 

 scale with well-developed membranous teeth; opercle, with three grad- 

 uated, stiff, membranous spiues above and another below. Gill rakers, 

 long and slender, longest equal to length of eye ; about 20 developed 

 below angle. 



Scales on head and anterior part of breast cycloid; bases of mem- 

 braues of fins scaly. First dorsal spine inserted over base of pectorals; 

 fourth spiue longest, 2£ in head. Anterior aud posterior soft rays of 

 dorsal subequal, 3 in head. Second anal spine, 3 in head ; second anal 

 ray, 2i in head. Distance between origin of veutrals and anal one fifth 

 more than depth of body. Pectorals 1^ in head, reaching anus. Ven- 

 trals not reaching vent by almost half eye, If in head. 



Coloration essentially similar to that of Larimus breviceps, silvery, 

 with confluent dusky spots forming dark streaks along the rows of 

 scales; numerous black dots from snout to caudal below lateral line; 

 opercle appearing dusky externally, because the skin lining the region 

 around pseiidobrauchiaj is inky black ; dorsal, caudal, anal, and pecto- 

 rals somewhat dusky ; soft dorsal pale at base, then with a dusky and a 

 pale longitudinal streak, the distal half dusky ; general coloration less 

 yellow than in breviceps and the streaks along scales more prominent. 



The specimens referred by us to Larimus breviceps were taken by the 

 Albatross at the island of St. Lucia. The type of the present species 

 was dredged in 16 fathoms at Station 2802, between the Galapagos Isl- 

 ands and Panama. 



Other specimens apparently of the same species have been taken by 

 Dr. Gilbert at Mazatlan, Punta Arenas, and Panama. 



16. Polycirrhus rathbuni sp. now 



Diagnosis. — Related to Polycirrhus peruanus (Steindachner), from 

 which it is separated by its shorter pectoral (If to If in head), shorter 

 dorsal spiues (longest, 2£ in head), longer suout (3f in head), and more 

 dorsal rays (D X-1, 29-30) ; a large black humeral spot. 



Type.— No. 41,170, U. S. National Museum. 



Hab. — Panama. 



Description.— Head 3i (4f) ; depth, 3f (4^). D. X-I, 29-30 ; A. II, 9. 

 Lateral line, 53-55. Length of type, 7 inches. 



Body elongate, compressed ; back elevated, profile from snout to 

 dorsal straight or slightly §-shaped; ventral outliue gently arched, base 

 of anal oblique ; caudal peduncle short and compressed. 



Head low, little compressed, Snout short and blunt, 3| in head, 



