NO. 1266. LABROID FISHES OF JAPAN— JORDAN AND SNYDER. 615 
lateral series 24; between lateral line and insertion of dorsal 3; 
between lateral line and insertion of anal 8. 
Body rather elongate, compressed, the dorsal profile rising rapidly 
and evenly from snout to a point above posterior part of e3^e, where it 
rather abrupth' bends backward and slightly upward to near middle of 
spinous dorsal, then downward to caudal peduncU^, the greatest dorsal 
elevation being nearly attained at occiput; ventral contour evenly 
curved from chin to caudal peduncle. Snout long, the jaws equal; pre- 
orbital very broad, li times diameter of eye; interorbital area broad, 
notably convex; eye small, located midway between tip of snout and 
posterior edge of opercle. Teeth in 2 series; an inner row, which in the 
lower jaw has the teeth anteriorl}- coalesced into a narrow flat-edged 
ridge, laterally and posteriori}^ the}^ are less closely united, making the 
ridge strongl}" serrated; in the upper jaw the inner ridge is unbroken 
laterally except by 2 rather strong canines in posterior part of jaw; 
an outer series, represented in the upper jaw by 4 strong canines, the 
middle ones much the larger; lower jaw with 4 canines of about equal 
size, embedded close together, the lateral ones curving outward. 
PseudobranchitE well developed, gill rakers on first arch 6+9, short, 
pointed. Posterior edge of preopercle very finely serrated; opercle 
with a soft flap slighth^ wider than diameter of pupil. Scales of 
body large, the dorsal and anal fins with a narrow sheath along the 
base; large scales extending over basal half of caudal; scales on 
opercle and subopercle large, on cheeks very small; preopercle with 
a broad naked edge. Lateral line continuous, bending rather abruptly 
to follow contour at base of soft dorsal fin. Posterior spines of dorsal 
highest, 2f in head, the edge of the fin notched, the membrane pro- 
jecting above the spines; third anal spine strongest, its length con- 
tained 3 in head, the length of the first contained about twice in the 
third; rays of dorsal and anal of equal height, the longest or posterior 
ones 2i in head. Caudal truncate or slightl}' convex, its length 1^ in 
head. Upper rays of pectoral longest, the others gradually shorter; 
the lower posterior edge of fin rounded. Ventrals extending to the 
anal opening. 
Color in life, head and body pinkish brown; an oblique transverse 
band of dull olive green extending from axil of pectoral fin to bases of 
eighth and ninth dorsal spines, this followed b}^ a broad band of clear 
pink, bordered posteriorly by an indistinct brownish band; scales on 
posterior part of body each with a vertical band of light clear blue; 
cheeks flesh color, lips blue, iris yellow, with blue lines above and 
below; dorsal and anal fins golden brown, with 2 blue stripes; caudal 
dull olive, with blue corners above and below; pectorals pink, the 
base golden; ventral spines clear blue, the rays golden. In spirits the 
bright colors disappear, leaving a l)road pinkish yellow oblique band 
on body, borde/ed by darker color. The posterior scales each have a 
small bluish spot. 
