378 NEW YORK STATE MUSEIUM 



than long diameter of the eye, and about two sevenths of length 

 of head, eye about three elevenths of length of head; barbels 

 one fifth of total length to end of scales, and equal to length 

 of pectoral. The spinous dorsal begins over the fifth scale of 

 the lateral line, its base one half as long as the head, its longest 

 spine two thirds as long as the head, its last spine scarcely 

 as long as the eye, interspace between dorsals equal to one 

 third the length of head, base of second dorsal one half as long 

 as the head, longest ray slightly more than one half the length 

 of head, last ray as long as the eye. The ventral origin is under 

 the axil of the pectoral, also under the third scale of the lateral 

 line; the length of the ventral is one fifth of total length to 

 end of scales ; the ventral fin reaches a little farther back than 

 the pectoral, to a point below the twelfth scale of the lateral 

 line. The anal origin is under about the third ray of second 

 dorsal; the base is as long as postorbital part of head; the long- 

 est ray one half, and the last ray two sevenths of length of 

 head. Caudal deeply forked, the middle rays, from end of 

 scales, two fifths as long as the outer rays, which are three 

 fourths as long as the head. Pectoral fin three fourths as long 

 as the head, reaching to below the 12th scale of the lateral 

 line, and end of spinous dorsal base. D. VII-I, 8; A. II, 6; 

 V. I. 5; P. 16. Scales 31-35-6. 



Color scarlet; side with two yellow longitudinal stripes; snout 

 and caudal fin scarlet, the latter with about five narrow dusky 

 bands after preservation in spirits; first dorsal fin with an 

 orange band at base and a yellow band higher up, the rest of 

 the fin pale; second dorsal fin with about three narrow bands of 

 scarlet; anal and ventrals pale; pectoral reddish; iris violet or 

 golden; sides of head silvery, iridescent. 



The red mullet ranges from Cape Cod to Florida; it is found 

 at Woods Hole Mass., occasionally in summer; on the red snap- 

 per banks off Pensacola Fla. it is moderately abundant. The 

 fish grows to the length of 8 inches. It has no economic value, 

 but furnishes food for the red snapper, groupers and other food 

 fishes. 



