VO im U '] PROCEEDINGS OP THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 177 



of upper, 3f to 4 in head. Gill-rakers almost obsolete, represented by 

 5 or 6 small fleshy papillae. 



Scales moderately small, cycloid, and not very firmly attached ; small 

 scales on rays of dorsal and anal fins; arch of lateral line short and 

 small, but abrupt, 4 to 5 times in straight part. Dorsal beginning on 

 blind side just behind posterior nostril and in front of eye. Pectoral of 

 colored side 2 iu head, that of blind side 2i in head. Veutrals of col- 

 ored side slightly longest, 3 in head ; that of colored side with G rays, 

 of blind side with 5 or G rays. 



Color of left or eyed side blackish-brown, with scattered white and 

 black spots, the latter most prominent along base of dorsal and anal 

 fin. Three large black nou-ocellated blotches on straight part of lat- 

 eral line, the first at beginning, second at middle, third on peduncle. 

 Fins dusky; dorsal and anal with scattered white and black spots; 

 caudal with five black spots arranged in a curved series. Blind side 

 with five or six curved parallel dusky bands as wide as eye, the first 

 beginning on interopercle and curving across cheeks to along base 

 of dorsal; second beginning at throat and curving along posterior mar- 

 gin of preopercle, and extending on back, parallel with the first from 

 vent; third curving around in front of pectorals, across posterior part 

 of opercle, and extending to base of dorsal fin behind the middle; rest 

 behind pectorals. All of these bauds fade out behiud middle of body, 

 so that the posterior portion is immaculate. In young examples these 

 bands are very faint or obsolete. 



Numerous specimens, the largest about 4J inches long, were dredged 

 at Station 2795, at a depth of 33 fathoms, and at Station 2805 at a depth 

 of 51A fathoms. 



31. Symphurus atramentatus sp. nov. 



Diagnosis. — Belated to Symphurus atricauda (Jordan & Gilbert), but 

 distinguished by having 3-6 black oblong blotches on posterior part of 

 dorsal and anal; the general coloration darker; the scales and eyes 

 larger. 



Type: No. 41,157, U. S. National Museum. 



Hab. — Station 2795, off the Pacific coast of Colombia, 7° 57' N., 78° 

 55' W. 



Description.— Head 4^ to 5 (5 to 5£) ; depth 3£ to 3| (3£ to 3f). D. 92 

 to 95; A. 75 to 78. Scales 95 to 100, 3S in a cross-series. Length of 

 type 4i inches. 



Body more elongate than in 8. atricauda. 



Eyes larger than iu 8. atricauda, the upper in advance of lower, ver- 

 tical diameter of both 3i to 4 in head. Cleft of mouth somewhat more 

 curved than in S. atricauda, otherwise similar. 



Scales larger than in 8. atricauda, 95 to 100 in a longitudinal series, 

 3S iu a cross-series ; spines on posterior margin not so strong. 



Ventral fins (measured from angle of gill-opening) 2§ to 3 in head. 

 Proc. N. M. 89 12 



