398 Mr. G. A. Boulenger on Threpterius maculosus. 



8 lower rays entire and free distally. Ventrals a consider- 

 able distance behind the base of the pectorals. Second and 

 third anal spines equal, as long as second dorsal. Caudal 

 rounded. Dark grey-brown, vermiculated with black ; a 

 mother-of-pearl black-edged spot on the opercular membrane 

 between the spines ; fins spotted and marbled with black ; 

 pectorals with five black bands. 

 Total length 380 millim. 



I also wish on this occasion to offer a few remarks on the 

 systematic position of the genus Threpterius and others 

 which have hitherto been placed in its neighbourhood, but 

 whose relations have been misunderstood. 



It has been stated above that the genus Threpterius is 

 allied to Chironevius ; this receives confirmation from an 

 examination of the vertebrge made on the spirit-specimen. 

 The two genera further agree in the absence of suborbital 

 lamina, an important character which separates them from 

 the other genera with which they have been associated in 

 the family Cirrhitidae. An examination of the skeletons 

 shows this family to be a most artificial group. Gill has 

 long ago endeavoured to rearrange its contents, which he 

 divides into two families — Cirrhitidte and Haplodactylidae ; 

 but these are still brigaded in a super-family — Cirrhitoidea — 

 in his classification of 1893 (Mem. Ac. Washington, vi. 

 p. 127). There can be no question, however, that, if a natural 

 arrangement be attempted, the only way to deal with the 

 group will be to disband it altogether. Then Cirrhites will 

 enter the family Serranidaj, in which it may form a sub- 

 family, Cirrhitinai, characterized by the structure of the lower 

 pectoral rays and the absence of air-bladder ; Ghilodactylus^ 

 with parapophyses to all the vertebrge and no vomerine teeth, 

 will go and join Haplodactijlus \\\ the Sparida? j whilst Ghiro- 

 nemus^ Threpterius, and Latris will constitute a distinct 

 family — Latridid^ — agreeing with the Serranidaj in the 

 vertebral column and vertical fins, but distinguished by the 

 absence of an internal process of the second suborbital 

 supporting the globe of the eye. 



The following tabular arrangement shows the differences in 

 the structure of the vertebral column in the genera formerly 

 grouped together as Cirrhitidge : — 



