VO l889. n ] PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 167 



Description.— Head 2$ to 2£ (3| to 3^ with caudal) ; depth 4 to 4£ (5 

 to 0). D. X-12; A. 11. Scales, in lateral line, 50 to 55; in a longi- 

 tudinal series, GO to 70. Length of types about 5 inches. Body ratner 

 slender, compressed, not much narrowed above, the width of the nape 

 between the occipital spines 4 to 41 in head. Head moderately elongate, 

 not elevated ; eyes not prominent, the profile from snout to nape almost 

 straight or slightly convex. Snout broad, of about equal length and 

 breadth, 2£ to 2§ in head; anterior margine inarginate; preorbital little 

 projecting, its edge with about 15 to 20 fine serrae, the anterior strong- 

 est with the exception of the last one, which is directed backwards. 



Surface of bones of head smoother than usual in this genus and 

 with fine radiating granular striae, those on opercles, cheeks, and top 

 of head most strongly developed. 



Mouth rather large, maxillary 2£ in head, reaching slightly beyond 

 anterior orbital rim. 



Baud of palatiue teeth narrow. Eye moderate, 4£ to 5 in head. 

 Orbital rim not especially elevated, its edges granulated, especially an- 

 teriorly, preorbital and postorbital spines small and blunt. Interorbital 

 not deeply concave, rather wide, its least width 4~ to 5 in head. No 

 groove across top of head behind orbital rim. Occipital ridges present, 

 the inner very low, ending in a very small spine ; outer large, ending 

 in a moderate spine, the pair diverging, their inner edges serrulate, the 

 spines extending to nearly opposite first dorsal spine. Temporal region 

 with a slight elevated roughish ridge, but no spine. Preopercular spine 

 long and sharp, its anterior edge somewhat serrulate, no smaller spine 

 below it and none on suborbital stay. Opercular and humeral spines 

 well developed sharp. No trace of spines on suborbital or preorbital. 

 There are but three distinct spines on each side of the head, occipital, 

 opercular, and preopercular. Membranous flap of opercle with a few 

 scales. Gill-rakers long and slender, about equal to half diameter of 

 eye, 8 to 10 well developed. 



Scales quite small, those on breast (between ventrals) larger than 

 those on belly or throat; scales extending beyond base of pectorals to 

 isthmus ; about 12 to 15 rows between occiput and front of dorsal. 



Spinous dorsal rather low; first spine not strongly serrulate, £ length 

 of second, which is 2£ in head ; first ray of second dorsal weakly serru- 

 late at base ; longest ray shorter than snout and slightly less than 3 

 in head. Longest anal ray 3i in head. Caudal lunate, 1£ to 1% in 

 head. Pectoral reaching last dorsal ray, a little more than half body. 

 Ventrals reaching vent, If to 1 J in head. 



Coloration i inspirits, grayish, unspotted, more dusky above; spinous 

 dorsal dusky, a distinct black spot between fifth and sixth spines; 

 soft dorsal with three rows of diffuse spots. Caudal dusky on the 

 outer three-fifths and base. Pectorals mostly black, with faint pale 

 cloudings. Ventrals and anal pale. Coloration perhaps red in life. 



