~.xo 



552 MOW YUKK STATE MUSPOIM 



rays two thirds as long as the outer. Pectoral midway between 

 snout and origin of anal, ils length twice that of the maxillary. 

 Ventral as long as snout and eye combined, slightly more than 

 one lialf as long as head; it extends to below the eighth spine 

 of tlH' dorsal. B. VII; D. X, 14; A. Ill, 9; V. I, 5; P. I, 16; 

 scales 8 to 9-50-15 to 16; gill rakers on lower arch, 8. 



The scales extend half the length of the anal rays on the mem- 

 brane; on the external caudal rays they extend nearly to the 

 lip, and with slight traces upon the spinous dorsal in front of 

 the spines; and in the soft dorsal somewhat more extended. 



Col(r unifoiia scarlet. Center of scales lighter, also the 

 bflly, which is silvery; inside of axil of pectoral darker maroon. 



On Oct. 26, 1887, Mr E. G. Blackford, Fish Commissioner of 

 the State of New York, forwarded to the National Museum a 

 young red snapper, four and one half inches long, which was 

 caught in Great vSouth bay, at Bay Shore, Long Island. This is 

 the smallest red snapper that we have obtained, and it is the 

 first record of the occurrence of the species so far north. The 

 specimen has been catalogued as 39218 of the Musemn Fhh 

 Hrxjister. 



As in other young fishes the size of the eye, the length of the 

 head ;iiid the colors are different from these characters in the 

 adult. 



.\ description of the colors of the fresh fish follows: 

 -\ 'I'l'^ \v,\\u\ nearly as wide as the diameter of the eve is 

 plac<-(l immediately in front of the spinous dorsal; it fades out 

 alM.iii I III- mc<li;iii line of the body. Three similar bands, and 

 of like size, under the dorsal, separated by narrow interspaces 

 ;iihI fading (uit below. The fourth band contains a blotch as 

 large ;is the eye, wliirli passes sliglitlv beneath the lateral line. 

 .\ lifili l.anil is under ilie Insi third of the soft dorsal and con- 

 t limes, backward to t lu' caudal, not descending below the lateral 

 '""- 'I'lic src<nd and iliird lauds are irav(M'sed vertically by a 

 ii^'irow median sirii.r nf ili,> rosy Ixuly color. Membrane of 

 '"'^^''^ ;"" '^indal with a narrow black edge. Spine and ex- 

 ''''"'' ''-'.^ "'' \"iiiial milk while. .\nal rosy, except membrane 

 of liisi iw., spin.-s and last three rays, which is milk white. 



