THE BAHAMA ISLANDS 301 



ATHERINA AR./EA Jordan and Gilbert (Slender Friar). 

 By no means rare, but occurring in less abundance than A. stipes. It is 

 found in the Gulf of Mexico, at Key West and Cozumel ; specimens also having 

 been collected by the steamer Albatross at Watlings Island, Eum Cay, Cat 

 Island and Abaco during March, 1886. 



Family MUGILIM3 (Mullets). 



MUGIL CUREMA Cuvier and Valenciennes (White Mullet) . 

 An important food-fish, running in large schools and ranging on both 

 our coasts from Cape Cod to Brazil and Magdalena Bay to Chili. It grows to 

 a foot in length. Taken by the Expedition at Powells Point, July 8, 1903. 



" Blue-back mullet," " Liza " and " Liza Blanca " are names also applied 

 to this fish. 



MUGIL TRICHODON Poey (Fan-tailed Mullet). 



A deeper fish than the M. curema and having a less extensive range, occur- 

 ring from Florida Keys to Brazil; abundant at Key West, but rare about 

 Cuba. One specimen was collected by the Expedition at Spanish Wells, July 

 4, 1903. 



Family HOLOCENTRID^E (Squirrel-fishes). 

 HOLOCENTRUS ASCENSiONis Osbeck (Squirrel-fish). 

 This is one of the most brilliantly colored of our tropical fishes. It attains 

 a length of about 2 feet and may be found around the rocks and reefs of the 

 West Indies; ranging from Florida to St. Helena; the Expedition secured a 

 specimen in Nassau harbor, June 23, 1903. It is not very important as a 

 food-fish, but is frequently seen in the tropical markets. Observed, in Nassau 

 market. 



HOLOCENTRUS VEXILLARIUS Poey. 

 Taken by the steamer Albatross at Abaco, April, 1886. 



HOLOCENTRUS CORUSCUS Poey (Squirrel-fish). 



Eecorded from Green Turtle Cay, where it was taken by C. L. Edwards in 

 1888. 



HOLOOENTRUS SICCIFER Cope. 



Described in 1866 from a specimen taken at New Providence. 



