278 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [54] 



The- species is very readily distinguished from E. crossotus by its 

 elongate form, acute head, and by the larger numbers of its tin-rays 

 and scales. 



61. ETROPUS MICROSTOMUS. 



Citharichthys microstomus Gill, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1864, 223. (Beesley's Point, 



N Jersey.) 

 Etropus rimosus Goode &, Bean, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mns., 1885, 593. (Coast of Florida, 



between Pensacola and Cedar Keys, dredged at the depth of 21 fathoms.) 

 Etropus crossotus Jordan & Evermann, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mns., 1836. (Pensacola.) 



Habitat — Gulf of Mexico. 



On re-examining our specimens of Etropus, we find that those ob- 

 tained by Jordan & Evermann from Pensacola differ from the others 

 in the greater elongation of the body and in the somewhat grayer color- 

 ation. These correspond fairly to the description of Etropus rimosus. 

 All other specimens from the United States coast collected by Dr. Jor- 

 dan and his associates, are, in our opinion, referable to Etropus cros- 

 sotus. 



The original description of Citharichthys microstomus Gill, fits this, 

 species better than any other known. The fish in question is much too 

 elongate for Etropus crossotus (depth 2§ in total, length), and the 

 mouth is too small for any of the known species of Citharichthys (max- 

 illary 4 in head; mandible 2i). 



In the Museum of Comparative Zoology are numerous young speci- 

 mens collected at Somers Point, ISTew Jersey, by Dr. Stimpson. These 

 seem to belong to the genus Etropus. The teeth are equal; the scales 

 are 44, and the depth of the body is 2£ in its length. The eye is 4 in 

 head, the dorsal rays 75 to 80, and the anal rays 5G or 57. Tbe color 

 is light brown, mottled and spotted with darker. 



These certainly represent the Citharichthys microstomus of Gill, col- 

 lected in the same neighborhood by the same naturalist. We are un- 

 able to distinguish them from Etropus rimosus. 



62. ETROPUS CROSSOTUS. 



Etropus crossotus Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mns., 1881, 364' (Mazatlan). Jor- 

 dan & Gilbert, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mns., 1882, 305 (Lake Poutchartrain ; Mazat- 

 lan ; Panama; Galveston). Jordan and Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mns., 1882, 

 618 (Charleston). Jordan & Gilbert, Bull. U. S. Fish Coinm., 1882,108-111 

 (Mazatlan; Panama). Jordan & Gilbert, Syn. Fish. N. A., 1882, 839. Beau, 

 Cat. Fish. lutein. Exh., 1883, 44 (St. John's River). Jordan & Swain, Proc. 

 U. S. Nat. Mas., 1884, 234 (Cedar Keys). 



Etropus microstomus Jordan, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mas., 1888, 29. (Beaufort, N. C.) (Not 

 Citharichthys microstomus Gill.) 



. Habitat. — Both coasts of tropical America, north to Xorth Carolina. 

 This little fish seems to be abundant in all warm and. sandy shores of 

 tropical America. It is the smallest and feeblest of all our flounders, 

 and has therefore been generally overlooked by collectors. Its range 

 will doubtless prove to be coextensive with that of its near ally, Ci- 

 tharichthys spilopterus. 



